Deux
Chapter 1: Misguided Perceptions

Summary: Lord Voldemort never existed, or at least, he has yet to exist. Harry Potter begins his first year at Hogwarts, where he forms a tentative friendship with a young orphan named Tom Riddle…

Disclaimer: I do not nor do I claim any right to any of the recognizable characters or places in this story. They are the property of J. K. Rowling et al.

Author's Notes: Nothing to say really. This story will be updated as often as I can. This means more during the summer/various breaks and less during the school year. Hopefully about one every week or two for my breaks and once a month during the school year. I do work fulltime during the summer though, so keep that in mind. This chapter is mostly just fluff; I'm trying to detail a bit of Harry's relationships and personality before delving more into the plot. I'm actually sort of writing blindly here. I don't know where this story is going perse, if anything it's more of a story about the relationship between two people destined for greatness Oh, and I'm looking for a beta perhaps to help me read over everything.

"Severus!" Harry watched as his mother walked over and embraced her best friend, a gentle smile at her lips. Severus' face held his usual sneer but it melted away at Lily's touch.

"Lily." Harry heard Severus whisper softly into his mother's ear. The older man smiled for the briefest of seconds as he gently hugged her back. Then the two friends pulled away and Severus wordlessly straightened his robes.

"Harry." He nodded curtly at the young boy. Harry nodded back. Harry often saw Severus with his mother. The two dated back towards Hogwarts and had remained close friends even after Lily's marriage to James.

Today, they were taking Harry shopping for his school supplies. James was once again preoccupied with Ministry business. Harry was used to it; even in times of peace like it was, James' job was demanding, and it was important to him that he met those demands. It had been decades since the entire Wizarding world had been in turmoil, the last time having been Grindelwald. Many people attributed it to Dumbledore's post as head of Hogwarts. There had, however, been smaller scale dark wizard problems. James was currently dealing with the aftermath of a dark witch by the name of Calliope Caspicus. She and a few associates had taken to abducting and killing the children of squibs throughout the English countryside. It had been a group of five witches, though the exact identities of all five had yet not been identified. Calliope was known simply because she had been at the forefront. She had been captured, however her four friends were on the run and still very much a threat. James had been on this case, along with a number of others, for a year now; the Auror forces were smaller during peacetimes and things moved slowly within the bureaucracy of the Ministry. This was one of the few cases Harry knew about however. The majority of cases his father worked on were highly classified and they kept James away often.



Harry trailed behind his mother and her friend, briefly listening to snippets of their conversation. He wanted to cry. All the two spoke about were potions and similarly mundane topics. And from what he'd already gleaned, Harry did not like potions. It sounded dull and boring and tedious. Kind of how he felt about Severus…

Harry grinned. His mother would not be pleased if he voiced that. But it was true! And she was just as bad around the man. Actually, no, Harry thought she was worse, because she had at least the ability to be interesting. She just chose not to be. All the time Harry had spent with Severus had led him to the conclusion that Severus was not and would not ever be capable of being fun. Of course, that didn't mean Harry couldn't have fun with him.

Soon, the three reached their very first destination. Harry wandered off, letting his mother choose his books for him. The boy had only gotten a few steps away before Snape grabbed his arm.

"You will not wander off to leave your mother to do your shopping." The dark-eyed man hissed into Harry's ear. Harry felt a shudder run down his spine. The man was glaring at him and behind Severus, Lily was looking horrified.

"Severus, Severus, please. It's fine, Harry knows I enjoy doing these things for him." Lily tried to tug free Harry's arm. Apparently Severus was having none of it; he kept glaring straight at Harry. Harry glared right back.

"No Lily, I won't let your son treat you like a servant too."

"But please Severus. I'm his mother, this is what mothers do." Lily tugged frantically at her friend's sleeve. Harry scowled at the other man.

"I love my mother Severus," Harry narrowed his eyes. He could feel people stopping to watch the scene that was starting now.

"Severus, please." Snape glared at Harry but complied with Lily in the end. Harry in turn, followed his mother as she searched for his books.

They'd made it through several more shops without incident. Now Harry was carrying magically charmed bags filled with his books, quills, parchment, robes, cauldrons, and potion ingredients. The last stop for their trip would be Harry's wand. It was the only part of the trip that Harry had been looking forward to. Except the ice cream that would inevitably come after the main task of purchasing school supplies had been accomplished.

"Harry dear, are you excited?" Lily was walking in front of Harry with Severus. Harry smiled brilliantly at his mother and nodded. "I know I was excited… I mean having been muggleborn. Getting my wand, it really made it official."



Yes, Harry realized, this made it official. Harry felt a number of emotions swirling as he entered the last shop of the day. Fear, excitement, anxiety; the emotions twisted together forming a knot in his stomach.

Snape, as if realizing this shop was different, made up an excuse about needing to meet someone for butterbeer and drifted away. Lily's face relaxed into that of serene remembrance as she reached towards Harry's hand. Harry in turn, reached for his mother.

"Are you ready sweetie?" Lily felt her son squeeze her hand and saw him nod. She smiled gently at him and the two entered Ollivander's.

Stepping inside the shop, Harry was expected more for such a famous wand-maker. The shop was a little dark, cluttered, and dusty. It smelt musty, as if there had been few visitors within the recent years. And it only served to make Harry more nervous. His mother seemed to sense this and led him towards Ollivander.

"Harry sweetie, I really am very proud of you. You know that right?" Lily whispered softly in Harry's ear. Harry looked at his mum; her eyes were shining wildly with pride, love, and a hint of fear.

"Yes Mum. And you know I love you right?" Lily looked a bit surprised for a second but she squeezed Harry's hand and nodded. Harry felt an overwhelming urge to hug his mother but they'd reached Ollivander now.

The elderly man had been watching them with mysterious silver eyes, a hint of curiosity and knowing tingeing them. He smiled as if he'd been expecting the visit.

"Ah yes, Mr. Potter. I've been expecting you. If you would please be so kind as to hold up your wand arm." Harry felt a shiver run down his spine at the sound of Mr. Ollivander's voice. It was extremely fluid, a little thick at parts, and reminded Harry of liquid silver. Harry complied and watched as magical measuring tapes sized him up, with no one controlling them.

"Mr. Ollivander, it's lovely to see you again." The elderly man's mouth bent and stretched like aged leather rope into a semblance of a smile.

"Ah yes, Lily. Willow, ten and a quarter inches, swishy. Wonderful for charms. It serves you well I hope." Lily nodded eagerly.

"Try this Mr. Potter." Mr. Ollivander seemed to look through a pile of boxes before pulling one out and subsequently a wand. "Twelve inches, oak, springy, unicorn tail."

Harry took the wand, unsure what to do. He grasped the end and gave a half-hearted wave. Before Harry had even moved, Mr. Ollivander grabbed the wand back and handed Harry another one. Again, Harry tried to swish the wand but had it taken away.



The pile of wands grew higher and higher. With each wand tried and failed, Ollivander seemed to get happier.

"A tricky one are we?" Ollivander could barely contain the glee in his voice. He rummaged through the very back of his shop now. Dust permeated the air around them. Harry was growing antsy, and he felt his mother shift beside him.

"Try this odd combination: holly, eleven inches, supple, with a single phoenix tail feather." Harry reached for the wand, exasperated. As soon as his fingers brushed the ends of the wand, sparks lit up the shop in a brilliant display of mini fireworks. Harry was relieved to finally have found his wand. Ollivander looked thoughtful.

When Harry asked the old wand maker what his thoughts were, the elderly turned and glanced at Harry. "I remember every wand I make, every single wand. The phoenix from which the core of your wand derives from gave only one other tail feather. Both these wands have remained untouched for generations, but within the past two days they have both found suitable wizards. Mr. Potter, you would do well to remember it is indeed the wand that chooses the wizard. A wand's power derives from its core and the animal the core is retrieved from. The phoenix that gave the core to your wand is extremely powerful, and as such these wands are extensions of that, if only evidenced by the years they have rejected wizards they found unworthy of bearing them. Brother wands are rare as many animals give either one more numerous cores, and they almost always have a way of finding each other. With the power of your wands, I expect you and the other bearer's paths will meet and you will do great things together or against each other."

A chill ran down Harry's spine. He and his mother hastily paid for his wand and left the shop. But even as he was leaving, Harry could feel Mr. Ollivander's eyes following him.

Harry licked his ice cream and followed his mother and her friend around Diagon Alley. Harry glanced over at the shop they were passing and stopped walking. He chose, instead, to walk over to the display of Quality Quidditch Supplies and ogle the new broom in the window. It was sleek with a well formed handle and carefully plucked straw. The window advertised it as a Nimbus, the fastest broom out yet. Harry could already imagine the feeling of the wind as he dove about on the racing broom.

"Nimbus 2000! Blimey, what I wouldn't do for one of those…" Harry looked over his shoulder to see a familiar face from the previous night. A Weasley if Harry remembered correctly. The other boy seemed to remember his manners because the next second he confirmed Harry's thoughts. "Hello, we met last night briefly. I'm Ron Weasley. You must be Harry Potter."

Harry nodded and reached out to shake the other boy's hand. Harry wasn't certain how to respond. He had relatively little experience dealing with others his own age. Ron didn't seem to notice or mind Harry's silence.

"What do you reckon one of those costs?"



"I'm not sure really. A good pile of galleons I'll bet."

Ron sighed and slumped a bit. "Yeah, it probably does. I doubt I'd ever be able to afford one. Not that we're allowed a broom our first year anyways. Do you think you'll get one?"

Harry shrugged. It didn't matter to him if they weren't allowed brooms their first year. He knew the school supplied decent enough of brooms as it was and it was always possible to borrow one from the older years. As for getting a broom, his mother wasn't terribly fond of him flying; she was much too worried about him getting hurt. Besides, Harry suspected he could convince Sirius to smuggle one for him.

"I'll bet your parents will get you one. Your father played Quidditch in his day. He's probably hoping you'll join the team next year. Besides, your family is rich." Harry could hear the envy drip from the other boy's tone. Harry couldn't think up a reasonable response so he just shrugged again.

"I suppose. My mum's not too fond of me riding a broom though."

"Harry!" As if on cue, Lily appeared besides her son, admonishing him for running off. "No! Harry James Potter, you cannot have a broom. It's dangerous and against the rules to have one as a first year."

Harry turned to look at Ron as if saying 'I told you so.'

"Yes Mr. Potter, please do remember the rules still apply to you." Snape appeared behind Lily and sneered at the younger boy.

"I know Mum. And I will do well to remember Professor Snape." Harry said a polite farewell to his companion and followed his mother back to their home. He did make a mental note to ask Sirius about the broom however. He tried to hide it, but Harry knew that he loved the freedom flying offered.

It was the night before the Hogwarts Express would come and take the students to school. Harry Potter relaxed in bed and read his school books. He'd made his way through the majority of them; it was amazing how focused one could be when both parents were busy at work. James had barely been home the entire week; there had apparently been a few leads on the Caspicus Case. Lily was also extremely busy at St. Mungo's where she worked as head of potion development. And so Remus had volunteered to watch over Harry. The two had spent a large proportion of their time reading books. Remus was a wonderful teacher, and Harry greatly enjoyed working with the older werewolf. Remus had also told Harry was a very fast learner like his mother. They'd read over potions, charms, a bit of transfiguration even. And of course Remus had spent a bit of time going over Defense Against the Dark Arts.



Unbeknownst to Remus, Harry had also been flipping through a book of curses he'd received from a friend. It was interesting, full of hexes to turn people green and the like. Harry doubted that Moony would approve. Despite having been a prankster in his youth, Remus was very quiet and extremely kind and patient. Very much like Harry's mother, Harry realized. Sort of, Harry thought with a wry smile, remembering Lily's temper whenever James made a big mess or played a prank or when Harry had done any of those things. Actually, Lily was really only like Remus to strangers. And Severus, Harry remembered absently.

Harry's mind drifted to the boy he'd met the night he'd received his acceptance letter. Harry wondered if Tom would be attending Hogwarts as well. He should be, Harry decided, why else would he have been with Dumbledore. Although it was strange for Headmaster Dumbledore to be seeing to a student himself. Perhaps in the past when Dumbledore was still merely a professor, but as headmaster? Harry thought it was all very peculiar. But at the same time, Harry thought of the boy. Tom himself had been very peculiar. Harry had something very familiar in the presence of Tom. But he couldn't quite place where he'd seen the other boy before if he even had.

The clock struck nine o'clock and as if perfectly timed, the front door opened and slammed shut. Harry puttered out of his room and down the spiraling staircases before making his way to the entrance hall. The white marble of the floor felt cool with every step he took. Standing at the front of the room was a beautiful witch with fiery red locks, though her shoulders were slumped and she had dark circles under her eyes.

"Mum! Welcome home." Harry rushed over and embraced Lily. He hated how his mother was constantly coming home late and exhausted this week. Normally she was back by five or six every day, but this week it had been nine or ten.

"Harry," Lily leaned down and kissed her son of his forehead. Harry smiled as his mother began to talk about her day. The two of them headed towards the kitchen where the house elves were undoubtedly fixing up a meal for their mistress. Remus had already retired to his rooms.

It was twenty minutes before the Hogwarts Express was set to leave. Both Remus and Lily came to see Harry off. The three made their way to Platform 9 ¾. Harry held his breath as he made a run for the barrier to the platform.

"Harry, take care of yourself while you're there." Lily made attempts to straighten her son's hair. But just like his father's, it refused to sit flat.

"Be sure to enjoy yourself Harry. We'll visit when we can." Remus patted Harry on his back.

"Yes Mum, don't worry. And thank you Remus. I'll be sure to write you when I'm there." The three stood on the platform with Harry's cart. Harry had brought a single trunk and a snowy owl, Hedwig, which had been a present from Hagrid for his past birthday. Harry embraced his mum and kissed her on the check and hugged Remus.



"Harry! Wait!" A flurry of black robes ran in front of Harry. James' looked worse for wear, his hair ragged and his eyes sunken in.

"Dad, you came!" Harry wasn't sure what to make of the person in front of him. On one hand he hadn't expected his father to show up today, on the other hand James was certainly here. Lily and Remus seemed to look just as surprised.

James bent down and pulled Harry into a fierce hug. "Of course Harry, I wouldn't miss this for the world. I'm so proud of you son."

Harry bit back the words that were bursting to get free. He chose a more careful path. "I've missed you Dad."

"I know. I've missed you and your mum too. Remember that your mum and I will be proud of you no matter what." James looked tired and worn.

"Even if I blow up all my cauldrons?"

James nodded. "Especially if you blow up your cauldrons. Fifty points if you get Snape in the face."

Harry and his father grinned; both of them enjoyed tormenting Lily's poor friend. Severus was stiff and caustic at best to James, and horribly bossy to Harry. Lily had since given up that her best friend and her family could get along civilly.

"Oh and Harry, get Padfoot for me too."

Harry grinned as he boarded the Hogwarts Express. He hadn't failed to notice, however, how weary his father looked. The usual twinkle in James' eyes was dim, and his shoulders were ever so slightly slumped. And Harry couldn't help but wonder what his father was working on.

Yeah, I know, my characterizations are a bit finicky. Every time I think I know the characters they go and change on me! I'm still playing with the characters and plots in my head; as I've said before, there is no real direction in terms of plot. I have a few things thought out but really this story just goes wherever it wants to. But after this chapter we'll have a bit more fun since Harry is off on his own and such.

stardusted