I had been in this space for a long time. I didn't know exactly how long it had been but I had been here long enough that I had a hard time remembering how I had arrived.

I wasn't bored though there was a lot of entertainment. There were these whirlpools that I could look into to see into different worlds. Some were worlds full of magic and wonder. Others were almost dead because of the chaos and destruction the inhabitants had wrought.

I was moving on from a world I had been looking into when something new caught my attention. There was another. Someone else was here. This being the first time I had seen another I rushed over to try and communicate with them.

However, I was to slow as I tried to get closer they reached the edge of a whirlpool then they did something I hadn't thought of. They followed the current as I watched they arrived at the center and fused with it.

When that happened the whirlpool contracted around the center for a moment blocking my view, and then it exploded outwards sending me into the distance. It disoriented me and be the time I had gotten my bearings I was in the tide of a different whirlpool. I tried to escape but I was stuck.

It sucked me towards the center just like I had saw. When I reached the center all I could feel was warmth. It relaxed me, like a mother's spirit embrace. And then I woke up.

Having a body after so long was a overwhelming experience at first. Being bombarded with all sorts of sensations. The sounds I could hear, the colors I could see, and the things I could feel almost overwhelmed me. But after a few moments I got used to it again. I started to look around myself to see where I was.

It looked like some sort of room with and alter I was currently on. As a continued to observe my surroundings there was a noise outside the door. It sounded like talking.

"...should be waking soon. It had a very good hold on him so he will be disoriented. Once he is ready we can start to ask questions to see how long the demon had been in control."

The door made a creaking sound as it opened. A man with priest robes and an old women walked inside. They saw me sitting up and gaped for a moment before the priest held a cross before him and started to mumble in Latin.

I looked at him strangely and wondered what he was doing. Then I remembered that I had a mouth again.

"What are you doing?" I asked after he stopped. He looked at me for a moment and then nodded to the old lady and stepped back.

The lady stepped forward and seemed to gather herself. "Do you remember me?" She asked looking like she would rather be anywhere but in a room with me. She looked terrified. What had I done to make her look at me like that.

When I shook my head she seemed like there had been an enormous load lifted from her shoulders. She then stepped forward and sat down next to me.

"Well, my name is Mary and I am the matron at the orphanage you live at. Do you remember anything at all?" She asked and I shook my head again. At this the priest stepped forward.

"Most likely he was to young when the demon took over. He won't remember anything besides maybe some very vague memories. It's how he's able to speak."

The matron nodded and looked back at me. "I guess the first thing you should know is your name. After that we can fill in the rest." I nodded again eager to see what my name would be in this new life.

"Your name is Thomas Marvolo Riddle."

It took a while for me to get used to this new world, just having a body after so long was hard to get used to, never mind all the new information I had to deal with.

I had woken up in Voldemort's 8 year old body. I was so excited at first. I remembered the Harry Potter books, there was magic in them. I had magic. I was so excited to immediately start to learn how to do wandless magic, because in the book Voldemort was able to do wandless magic as a child why shouldn't I.

I was massively disappointed. In my past life I hated to be out of control. Using wandless magic was like using a sledgehammer to sew. When I tried to lift a toy with my mind it broke when it hit the wall. I stopped for a while after that trying to think of a way to get better control. I did not want to be put through another exorcism.

So for about a month after I woke up I tried to think of something I could do that wouldn't be to noticeable. All of a sudden it hit me like a lightening bolt. Occlumency, the art of protecting the mind. Maybe practicing this would help with my magic. I had a lot to draw from, I really wanted to get something like Sherlock's mind palace, but I should start small.

First I practiced meditation, trying to find my mind. After about six months I could enter my mind every time I meditated. Then I started to think about what I wanted my mind palace to be. I had a lot of ideas from the Death Star to Rivendell. But none of them seemed to be enough. I not only wanted to Sheila my mind but make it a impenetrable maze. So I choose to model it after Perplexahedron and the hypercube. A three dimensional ever changing maze would protect my mind.

I started immediately and soon I could see a problem. If I did this I would have to start small. First with one room housing the entirety of my mind then two rooms, it would take years to do this. But I would stay the course, because once it was completed no one would be able to navigate my mind without my permission.

As the years passed, I just waited for Hogwarts to come calling. I wasn't idle be any means. During the three years I had I basically never stopped practicing with my magic. By the age of ten I had a hundred rooms in my mind. Part way through making my rooms I came up with the idea of emotional rooms. Memories that were sorted based on the emotions I was experiencing at the time. And at the very center of the maze was my knowledge room where I kept all my knowledge.

By this time I also grasped the basics of telekinesis. My control was still a bit intermittent, but I was getting better. I also started on legilimency, just small things and light touches because I didn't want to damage anyone's mind because of my intermittent control. I had gotten good at turning people's attention away from me. I had also been able to hear surface thoughts once in a while.

Today however something a bit different happened. I was out side just sitting in the front yard playing with the leaves in the tree above me making them shiver like there was a breeze. As I was sitting there I saw a man on the street. Everyone was avoiding him but they didn't seem to notice like they knew they were avoiding him. He was very pale with black hair. As soon as I started to pay attention to the man he turn towards me, like he felt my gaze. I kept looking, that was a mistake.

As soon as our eyes met he was in my mind. He smirked as he tore through my maze to the very center not looking at any of my memories, just showing me that he could. When he got to the center he simply left a message. "Keep practicing young mage. If you're good enough maybe I'll come to collect you."

After that he left, both my mind and and the street. I didn't notice as I was to terrified to do anything but frantically move the rooms about. Trying to get him away from my center. When he left on his own I rushed to my room and sat on my bed. I was to arrogant I thought a hundred rooms would be enough. I need more, I need to start guardians and traps, and I need to make the movements more complex.

And so I did. For the next year I started to work on my mind during every free moment. I added at least ten rooms everyday, I made it so you had to complete a task in every room before you moved on to the next. It could be a password from my old life, or a monster that they needed to kill. All while the room moved and tried to trap you inside my mind so I could assimilate your knowledge.

The most complex thing however was basing the movement of my mind on an irrational number with the key stored in my center. This was only possible because the organization of my mind vastly increase my thought processes. I would be ready the next time someone tried to enter my mind and they wouldn't know what hit them.

The day that Dumbledore came was really like any other. It was mid July and I was once again outside under my favorite tree when I heard footsteps approaching. As I opened one eye I saw a middle aged man with a rather nice beard.

"You know, strange adults aren't supposed to be back here." He chuckled at this. "Do not worry, I am here just to talk. The matron said it would be alright. Do you mind if I sit with you?" I nodded as I sat up.

"So what are you here for? Because I am getting to old to adopt and that is pretty much the only reason adults visit." He gave my a sad smile. "I apologize, but I am not here to adopt. I am afraid I would make a rather terrible father." I laughed at that.

"May I ask what you find so amusing." He asked with that same smile. "Sure, I guess it couldn't hurt. By sitting down with me and not talking to me like I am a particularly slow child, you are already acting as a better parent than most that visit here." He thinks on that for a moment before shaking his head. "I seemed to have gotten off track. I am here to offer one a place in a school. It is a boarding school in Scotland. The matron has already given her permission but I would like to hear your opinion."

I think for a moment surprised that I have any sort of choice before asking some questions. "Why me?" I ask and I am surprised by his immediate answer. "Why not you?" I look around as I think of an answer. "I am just an orphan. I have no one who could have enrolled me into this school."

"You were put down for attendance as soon as you were born." I smirked a little knowing that I had caught him in a trap. I put on my best orphan sad face and said "But sir my mother died here after giving birth to me. How could I have been enrolled as soon as I was born?" When I finished my little speech his eyebrow rose my falling for my act.

"Well Tom, you have me there. The school you have been enrolled in is a school for witches and wizards. All across the country every year families send there children to this school. If they already know about magic then we just send a letter. However if they are not aware then a teacher is sent to explain." As he finishes explaining he waits for me to answer and after a moment for suspense.

"I would be pleased to accept your invitation." He smiles and reaches into his pocket. "Then here is your letter. You can look it over. I will be back tomorrow morning to take you to get your supplies." I take the letter and open it, after taking a moment to read the letter I hand it back. "You can not keep anything to do with magic until you get somewhere to store it."

I nod and stand up with him. He dusts off his clothes and starts to walk back, I follow him to the door to say goodbye. "I will see you tomorrow morning Tom." We shake hands as we both smile knowingly. He takes a step back into the street and with a smile turns around and walk away.

"That was a nice man." The matron comments as I walk back inside. "Yeah, he is going to be one of the teachers at my new school next year." After exchanging some more pleasantries with the matron I go back to my spot under the tree. It is a good thing that I got here early enough to change the opinion of the matrons and therefore Dumbledore's. I have a feeling that I would not like to have him as an enemy. This is a competent Dumbledore about to be at the height of his power.

As I sit ruminating about my first steps into the magical world, wishing that tomorrow could come quicker.

I am up before dawn the next morning to excited to sleep much. I sit on the steps after my morning rituals. At about eight Dumbledore walks up and smiles. "Are you ready?" I nod after standing up. " so where are we going?" I ask as we start to walk down the street.

"About 700 years ago the wizards and witches of the time had an idea to bring together all the shops that were gathered around Britain to one place. So they bought a piece of land from the then king and moved all their shops there. The place would then be known as the alley. As time passed the alley grew and soon it became a little town. We are headed to Diagon alley. The alley that caters to students. There is actually an entrance just a short walk from here."

As I listen to him I am also planning to come back on my own with the money that I managed to save up to get some more items that are probably not in the budget. "So how am I going to pay for all of this?" He smiles when I ask that seemingly pleased that I didn't zone out during his lecture.

"There is a fund that was set up during the founding of our school the gives a certain amount of money to each student how they send that money is mostly up to them. It is seen as a small test for the students. As it is only the first year the all students are escorted to the alley. After that a student may go alone if they prove to be responsible enough."

I smile at this pleased that it is a set amount of money instead of the same items for everyone. By this time we reach a pub that everyone seems to be ignoring called the leaky cauldron. "Is this really the place?" He smiles and leads me inside, there are a lot of strange people just sitting and having breakfast. "This establishment was built around 400 years ago right before the statute of secrecy. A sort of stop for the tired wizard or witch to stay and rest. The way to the alley is in the back."

We go out to the alley in the back and as the door closes Dumbledore takes out his wand and taps a couple of bricks. As the fold away he starts to explain. "The alley isn't actually back here as setting up shop in the middle of London would just be asking to be discovered. This is an ingenious piece of magic called a hidden doorway. It is only used to hide two different locations, the ministry and platform 9 3/4. The doorways connect two places one inside and as many outside as needed."

My jaw drops as I see and feel the alley. Dumbledore keeps explain as we walk down the alley. I listen with one ear as my head turns on a swivel trying to take it all in. "The alley itself is about 90 kilometers from London. But you would be able to tell from the outside as it only takes up the space of a single large building. Space expansion charms were relatively new back then but since then we have rapidly improved upon them. Today we could fit the alley in a small bedroom." He stoped his lecture as we reached our destination.

"Welcome to Gringotts. Territory of the goblins." He leads me inside to an available teller. When he reaches the counter he first stops places one fist one his shoulder and inclines his head. "Well meet Albus, what can Gringotts do for you today?" The goblin asks after he straightens. "I am here to withdraw funds from the orphan's fund." The goblin looks to me and then back to Dumbledore. "May Mother Earth watch over him. Follow Earthshaper to the carts and he will guide you to the vault."

Dumbledore bows again "May your gold increase." The goblin bears his teeth and replies. "May your enemy fall." We both turn and start to walk towards the carts. "Should you have enough money left over after this trip I would recommend that you get a book on goblin customs. They can be great allies but terrifying enemies."

We reach the cart quickly and a goblin moves toward us. "I am Earthshaper, and I will be your guide today." Dumbledore gives a different greeting this time "May the earth stay firm." "May your enemy fall." The goblin replies without bearing his teeth. We all get in the cart and after a short ride we arrive at the vault. After that it is a short visit with Dumbledore grabbing a pouch and leaving.

After we exit the bank Dumbledore looks relived. So I ask why, "Goblins are only two things warriors and crafters. The first goblin we meet was a banker, and to a goblin a banker is just a warrior that fights with words. The second goblin we meet was a crafter. Earthshaper was a title not his name. Goblins only give out their names to brothers or sisters of the nation, and only if they want to. Anyway, an Earthshaper is the least experienced crafter. So to a banker you have to have respect and humble yourself for only the oldest warriors come become a banker. The level of respect given to a crafter is dependent on there title. However you must never be rude."

I thought in silence for a while think. By the time I was able to shake myself out of my thoughts we had reached the first store. As we entered I could smell all sorts of wood and varnishes. Dumbledore walked up to the counter and started to talk to the man there. As he did that I walked around the store looking at the different types of trunks they had. There was every type of wood you could imagine with all kinds of features, from a library trunk that could store ten thousand books to a trunk that just expanded into a shower.

As I finished walking around Dumbledore had finished his conversation with the man at the counter and waved me over. "I am getting you a two compartment trunk with muggle aversion charms and magical signature lock. Would you like to get anything added to that?" I shook my head as that would be plenty. I smiled and gave the man some of the money from the pouch.

The next store was the apothecary and I just got the first year set as I didn't know enough to decide if I needed more. The next stop was even worse as no boy every likes shopping for clothes. However it was all worth it to visitor the bookstore. Dumbledore gave me two choices. We could go to the store for new books and have a little bit of money left over or we could go to the used bookstore and have a lot more.

I choose the used bookstore as I wanted to have some more money so I could buy some more books of course. After we had gotten worn but usable books for the core classes I got five other books as well. Runes for Beginners, Rituals for the Novice, Land of the Fea, A Muggleborn's Guide, Practical Potions. After the book store we went to our last stop, Olivanders.

"Ah, Dumbledore, apple unicorn hair, how is it working for you?" A voice behind us said. While I jumped and spun around Dumbledore simple smiled "Very well, however we are here for young Thomas."

"Ah yes, well let's get on with it then." He then taped a measuring tape with his wand and it flew around measuring everything about me while he started to walk out back. I waited until he came back with an armful of boxes. "How does a person choose a wand?" He raised an eyebrow at me. "The wand chooses the wizard not the other way around, otherwise most children that come in here would just choose the "coolest" looking wand." I smiled as I agreed with the sentiment.

He then snapped his fingers and the tape measure snapped shut to rest on the counter. He then handed me the first of the wands he wanted me to try. "Let's see, let's try maple and dragon. No no not that one" he said quickly. He was right to do so as the wand started to gush fire as soon as it touched my hand. It took fourteen wands to find the one matched to me but we finally did it. "Fourteen and a half inches hazel with unicorn hair, very inflexible. I look forward to see what you will accomplish with this wand."

After that Dumbledore led me back to the orphanage "I will come pick you up September 1st at 8 again. Please be packed and I will take you to the train station. And like Olivander I look forward to the type of wizard you will be. Have a nice rest of your summer, study hard, but most of all have fun." With those parting remarks he turned around and left. I took my trunk upstairs and stashed it under my bed. After that it was time for bed so I laid down and dreamt of all the adventure I was going to have in this new world.