A/N: The usual disclaimer, my friends. I hope this story remains thoroughly dramatic for everyone...it's a little shorter than the rest thus far, but with ample background info and what not! Read & Review, thank you! :)

Chapter 3

A few weeks passed since the drama after Transfiguration, and Harry had yet to learn anything interesting at all about Tom Riddle's Horcruxes. Rather, he spent the time examining his every move, attempting to determine any other possible weaknesses he could use to defeat him…that is if he ever returned to the future. Riddle seemed to have several characteristics that he made known quite bluntly; his appetite for one-night stands, his demand to be at the top of every class, and his addiction to the restricted section of the library. However, there were also more subtle qualities that the future Dark Lord seemed to keep hidden that Harry only recognized because of the information Dumbledore had provided him in 1996. It was evident to Harry that he was already an accomplished Legimens, judging by the fact that he had assignments accomplished before teachers assigned them and seemed to always know the exact words to get under everyone's skin. This particular quality seemed to be coming in handy for Riddle, judging by the level of tension that inevitably occurred every time Malfoy and him were in the same room and Riddle decided to comment on the situation. Easy enough to imagine, Malfoy inevitably stormed out of the room without a retort, leaving the future Dark Lord laughing.

Eve, on the other hand, seemed to completely forget about her previous engagement and now took every opportunity to flirt with Riddle seeing as there was no longer an obstacle. Tom, however, couldn't appear less interested, ignoring almost all of her advances and inevitably sneaking in a different girl every other night much to her dismay.

Harry also took noticed of the fact that Riddle didn't talk very much when surrounded by his peers. Rather, he usually sat and feigned interest in their petty remarks or read unmarked books while they complained about the workload of the their N.E.W.T. classes. Sometimes, Harry would find him alone in the Common Room late at night, staring at the fire as though in deep contemplation. It was these moments that Harry wished he'd traveled back in time with his Invisibility Cloak, because it was usually the sound of voices that lured him out of his room. However, when he went to investigate slyly in the stairwell, the talking ceased, making Harry wonder if it was even there to begin with. Either way, Harry was certain Riddle was up to something, and it was something he found important enough to hide from his cronies.

"It's obvious Riddle is up to something, Harry, he's the future Dark Lord," said Hermione, when Harry described what he'd been hearing, "However, I don't think it's safe to meddle in it."

"What? It could be something serious, Hermione," said Harry.

"I'm sure it is, Harry, but think about it, how much attention do you really want to draw to us? We've already established that he's an accomplished Legimens. Think the wrong thought, and we're doomed."

"Hermione has a point, Harry. Riddle's dangerous," agreed Ron.

"I don't care how dangerous he is," said Harry, "He's an asshole and someone needs to stand up to him."

"You wouldn't happen to be talking about Riddle would you?" Harry turned around to find Liz Potter walking alone behind them, "I heard the word 'asshole' and couldn't resist asking," she smiled.

"Yes, we were," said Hermione, "How are you?"

"I'm fine," said Liz, "Is Riddle up to something again?"

"Again?" asked Harry.

"Ah, I seem to forget you guys haven't been here for the past seven years," said Liz, "There's been multiple instances in which Riddle's been up to something, believe me, I've tried to figure it out for ages."

"Like what?" wondered Ron.

"Well, by far the most trouble he's caused was about two years ago," started Liz, "How familiar are you guys with Hogwarts history?"

"I've read Hogwarts: A History at least six times," said Hermione.

"Yeah, six times a year," muttered Ron.

"Wow, well, then I assume you're familiar with the Chamber of Secrets?" Liz said, suddenly lowering her voice and looking around to make sure they were alone in the corridor.

"Of course," said Hermione, "But it's only a legend isn't it?" Harry and Ron knew full well that Hermione was familiar with the Chamber of Secrets, and they recognized immediately that Riddle apparently hadn't duped everyone in the school.

"That's what I thought, but two years ago, it opened. Apparently, the Heir of Slytherin had returned to Hogwarts, and a girl actually died," said Liz, "But, you see, Riddle claimed credit for catching the apparent Heir, who, mind you, was a Gryffindor. I knew him personally, and there was no way he'd hurt a fly. Anyway, he got expelled, but Riddle was revered even more than previously. They even gave him an award for service to the school," she said the last comment in snarl.

"You think he framed the boy who got expelled?" asked Hermione.

"I don't have any proof," she muttered, "But Riddle has this air about him, and I could have sworn I heard him…I know it sounds weird…but he was hissing to a snake."

"Hissing to a snake?" asked Harry, trying to feign incredulousness.

"Yeah, that pet one he has," said Liz, now talking at an almost inaudible whisper, "I did some research, and it said that Salazar Slytherin was a Parseltongue, you know, he could talk to snakes. Well, I'd think that the Heir of Slytherin would be able to do the same thing."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" asked Ron.

"Well, I only found out last year when…when I actually talked to him. I figured it was too late and everyone was so ready to believe he was their savior, I figured I'd be labeled a liar. Anyway, I have a terrible reputation around here, no one would believe me. They'd probably think it was an attempt at revenge."

"For what?"

"Don't pretend like you don't know," she said suddenly getting pink, her voice bitter, "I'm sure Eve's spent enough time trashing me. Anyway, you were there for our duel a few weeks ago."

"Honestly, right now, Eve's too busy trying to get Riddle to pay attention to her and complaining about Malfoy right now to talk about you," said Hermione.

"Good, it's about time she experiences some sort of misery," she muttered, "I'm sorry, that seemed a little cynical. I'm usually not that kind of person, but you have to understand she's made my life hell, since…well, since the whole…ordeal…last year."

"What happened?" asked Hermione, her voice calm and reassuring. Liz stared at her for a moment, looking conflicted.

"Alright, just please don't judge me harshly, everyone does nothing but judge me. But I really like you guys. There's something about you three that makes me feel like you can be trusted. You're definitely not like the other Slytherins," she said smiling slighty.

"Thank you, Liz, and don't worry we won't judge you," responded Hermione with a warm smile.

"Well, you have to understand that my view of Riddle was not always as it is now. Unfortunately, I was duped like the rest of the school, entranced by his charming smile and stunning good looks. I admit he made me weak, just like every other girl, and when he suddenly began paying attention to me, it felt amazing. I thought maybe I was special, maybe I'd be the one to break his habit of using every he girl he met until he got bored with them. I couldn't have been more wrong," at this she laughed bitterly, "Anyway, I let him persuade me, just like he persuades every other stupid, naïve girl, into sleeping with him. It was the biggest mistake I ever made. The next week, another gullible girl was the object of his affections. I was hurt and to make matters worse I found out a month later that I was with child."

"Oh no," said Hermione sadly. Ron appeared relatively uncomfortable, and Harry felt nothing but increasing contempt for Riddle as Liz continued.

"It was devastating, and I made the mistake of telling Riddle."

"He didn't care did he?" said Harry.

"I think I would have been able to deal with indifference, but Riddle was angry with me instead, like it was entirely my fault," she said, her eyes welling up with tears, "He yelled at me, told me to deal with it myself, I was just a quick 'bed-warmer', and he wanted nothing to do with me. After two months, the school had turned against me, calling me 'slut' and 'whore'. Only Rupert, Minerva, and Jessie stood by me, and I thank my luck every day that I found them. But anyway, after a month of ridicule, Riddle suddenly shifted attitudes. He apologized for how he had behaved, told me he was being irresponsible and immature, that he hoped I'd forgive him and let him help me out. I was ecstatic," she spoke smiling with despair.

"That sounds incredibly uncharacteristic of him," said Harry. "from what we've heard so far," he added quickly.

"I was desperate and willing to get any help I could. I told him I forgave him, and for two weeks he was there if I needed someone to talk to and people stopped giving me a hard time. Things were looking up."

"They didn't stay that way did they?" frowned Hermione.

"No, they didn't. Three and a half months into the pregnancy, I suffered from a miscarriage," Liz said, a single tear starting to fall down her cheek. She quickly reached up and swiped it away.

"I'm so sorry," said Hermione, reaching out and placing a hand on her back and drawing her into a hug as though she was a long time friend.

"Thank you," said Liz, appearing more confident as her face lit up with anger, "The worst part is, I don't think it was an accident. I think Riddle tricked me. I think it was his fault."

"You think he caused you to have a miscarriage?" asked Harry, recognizing Riddle was evil, but enough to kill an unborn child at seventeen?

" I am almost certain he did," she said, anger starting to coat her words, "I was stupid enough to sleep in the same bed with him again, and I swear he did something while I slept, because I woke up in the middle of the night in excruciating pain. He brought me up to the infirmary, and within half an hour Madame Richards told me I'd suffered from a miscarriage. Within two days, Riddle had nothing to do with me again."

"That bastard," said Hermione, "Did you tell anyone your suspicion?"

"No, I couldn't. I was yet again ostracized and I figured no one would believe me. Like I said before, Riddle could get away with murder in this school and if you ask me it wouldn't be the first time he did."

"What about Dumbledore?" suggested Harry.

"Dumbledore would probably believe me, but everyone knows Tom and Dumbledore don't see eye to eye and in the end, Dippet thinks Tom's the best thing to happen to this school. I don't think Dumbledore is even a match for Riddle's charm over Dippet," she said hopelessly, "Though, Dumbledore is the only teacher who acts as though he truly respects me, and I'm sure he's the reason I am Head Girl right now."

"Well, I think Riddle's up to something else. Something big, that he's hiding from even his Slytherin cronies," said Harry.

"Like what?"

"I don't know, but this could be a chance to finally discredit him," replied Harry.

"Harry, please stop with this. It's too dangerous," said Hermione.

"No, I think Harry's right," said Liz, "Someone needs to catch Riddle, and if you think he's up to something, I'm willing to keep an eye out for anything out of the ordinary for you. After everything he's done to me and Merlin knows who else, I'm open for anyway to shut him down." Harry smiled with appreciation. He wanted nothing more than to tell her that she was some distant relation to him, that he was destined to take Riddle down or die trying for her and everyone else whose life he'd ruined in the past, present, and future.

"Thank you, Liz, it means a lot," smiled Harry. She smiled back, but it quickly faded as a voice rang out behind Harry.

"Why, Lizzie, it's odd to see you hanging around with a group of Slytherins." Harry turned around to see Tom Riddle walking toward them, wand at the ready by his side, "You're not letting her fill your mind with crackpot schemes are you?'

"Mind your own business, Riddle," she snapped.

"Everything that happens in this school is my business, Lizzie, you ought to know that by now," he said smirking.

"Stop calling me that," she was becoming increasingly pink in the face.

"Forgive me, Lizzie," his smile becoming more taunting, "Old habit."

"Fuck you, Riddle," she sneered.

"Would you like to? You know I've an excellent new room. I wouldn't mind showing you." Immediately, Liz's hand shot up aiming directly at Riddle's face, but instead of coming in contact with its target, Riddle grabbed her wrist half an inch from his left cheek, "Tsk, tsk, Lizzie, a simple 'no' would have sufficed," he said laughing sarcastically.

"Let go of her, Tom," said Ron, trying not to sound like he was looking for confrontation. Apparently, Tom wasn't offended because he just laughed and promptly dropped her wrist.

"Looks like you've made some friends, Lizzie," said Tom, "Now, I believe you have Arithmancy soon, and no books. I suggest you run off and get them. I wouldn't want you to be late." Liz didn't reply, merely looked at him as though she wanted nothing more than to rip him to pieces. Tom smiled mockingly.

"I'll talk to you later Harry, Ron, and Hermione," she said coolly walking past Riddle and the three of them, tears welling in her eyes. After she rounded the corner, Riddle turned to the three of them, his face suddenly serious.

"What's she been telling you?" his voice was cold and commanding.

"Nothing," said Hermione a little too quick.

"You'll soon learn that lying to me is futile," said Riddle, his face completely stony.

"She was telling us about last year," said Harry.

"Ah, I figured as much," said Tom, "Did she tell you her little theory?"

"Yes," replied Harry, causing Hermione to raise an eyebrow like she thought he was being incredibly foolish.

"Well, its total bullshit," said Tom, suddenly becoming angry, "She accuses without evidence. She's a woman scorned, and losing the child went to her head. Now she's developing crazy schemes to make the guilt go away." The three were silent.

"She acts like the situation is entirely one-sided," yelled Tom.

He looked at the three, who continued to remain silent, mostly out of fear, "I honestly don't give a shit what you three think happened. You weren't there, you don't know, but I despise liars, and she, my friends, is a liar." With that, he turned around and left the three standing in the corridor, trying to figure out what they'd gotten themselves into.

End Chapter Three