I would like to thank everyone for the wonderful reviews I am receiving! It's keeping me writing this story and trying to update frequently. Keep telling me what you think and I appreciate everyone's input, thus far! Hope you continue to enjoy the story with the addition of this chapter, and always remember...R&R! :)

*Ah yes, and the usual disclaimer...JK Rowling = Goddess...Mrs. C. N. Riddle = Mere worshipper!*

Chapter 4

"You don't think she was serious do you? Do you think Riddle would really kill an unborn child?" asked Hermione as the three of them walked toward their the greenhouses for Herbology.

"I guess it's possible," said Ron, not entirely sure of himself.

"I believe Liz. I think he killed it. I mean, look, he tried to kill me, and I was only a year old!" Hermione gave a slight nod, but decided it was best to not respond as they approached the green house doors, seeing as many of Riddle's cronies were in the class.

As they entered, Abraxas spotted them and waved them over to join him and Lestrange. Although a rift was currently present among the Slytherins, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had managed to float in the neutral zone, having not been woven into the drama until it had already ensued. Thus, both sides seemed to recognize their inability to choose a side, and while the trio spent most of their time with Riddle's gang, Malfoy still welcomed them within his tiny faction.

"Good afternoon," said Malfoy, "So, any of you interested in Quidditch?"

"Of course, its my favorite sport," replied Harry, "Ron and I played on the Gry…grass of our backyards when we were younger."

"Well, how about trying out for the team, we lost some good players last year, and I've been made captain," smiled Malfoy proudly.

"What positions are open?" asked Ron.

"Well, we had a Keeper leave last year, and our Chaser got hit with a few too many bludgers. You remember Crabbe, right? Yeah, that's the reason why he's a little…slow," laughed Malfoy, "Anyway, you guys interested?"

"Well, Ron's always been an excellent Keeper, but I'm not much of a Chaser or anything. I've always preferred being the Seeker," said Harry, slightly disappointed.

"Oh, well as much as I'd like to get rid of our current Seeker, I don't think I can," replied Abraxas, "Riddle's had the position for four years and hasn't missed the Snitch yet. He's an asshole, but I'm not going to jeopardize the team when we're on a four year Cup streak."

"Harry's really good though. I'd try him out," mentioned Ron.

"No, Ron, it's fine, I'm sure Harry can go a year without playing," said Hermione, giving Ron her are-you-an-idiot? expression.

"I'll give it some thought, and get back to you two," smiled Malfoy.

"Thanks," replied Harry. He knew Draco was a bit of an ass, but Harry couldn't help but start to like Abraxas. Just then, their professor entered the classroom and Herbology began.

That night, after nearly three weeks, the Common Room witnessed a near miracle as the thankfully bloodless "Eve War" ended.

"Abraxas, I am truly sorry what happened," Eve immediately started after Malfoy entered through the portrait with the trio. Completely thrown back by the sudden apology, Malfoy just stared at her. It seemed evident that Eve had finally become overcome after weeks of receiving little attention from both Malfoy and Riddle, and was, consequently, trying to achieve solace in someone she knew would give her the utmost affection, if she could convince him to have her back, of course.

"Uh.."

"Please, Abraxas, tell me you'll forgive me," she spoke, dropping to her knees, tears pouring down her face, "I'm so lonely without you. Your absence has truly made me realize how much I love you, and how much I want to marry you. Please, please take me back."

"Um…I don't know," said Malfoy, still apparently dumbfounded.

"Oh come on, Malfoy, look at her. She's pathetic," chimed in Riddle, who was leaning casually in the doorway of his Head Boy's room, shirtless, with a very attractive black-haired girl Harry recognized as a Ravenclaw behind him, peering over his shoulder at the spectacle Eve was making, "Just take her back already," he said.

Malfoy looked at Riddle and then back down at Eve, who had began to cry more heavily at Riddle's appearance, "Okay, Eve."

Her face became a maddened smile and she sprang up, wrapping her arms around his neck, squealing with joy.

"Oh, Abraxas, I love you so much! I'll never let anything come between us again!" Then, she kissed him a tad too passionately for Harry's stomach to take. She grabbed his hand and led him up the stairs of the boy's dormitory, giggling incessantly with joy the entire time.

"I give her three weeks before she's looking for it somewhere else," mentioned Riddle to the girl behind him, who Harry heard giggling before he shut the down behind them.

"Is everyone in this House having sex?" said Hermione, rolling her eyes.

"We're not," said Ron bluntly, causing Hermione to glare at him, "Woah, I didn't say it was a bad thing!"

"Can you guys stop bickering," said Harry, "We need to decide how we're going to trap Riddle into telling us what he's up to."

"Oh, Harry, give it a break," sighed Hermione, "It's going to be nearly impossible to catch him doing anything. There's a reason why he didn't get caught opening the Chamber of Secrets. He knows how to get away with things. Anyway, I think we're messing with the past enough."

"Oh come on, Hermione, you know that's a bad excuse," said Harry, "Everything that happened in third year, happened because it was already going to because it was predetermined we were going to travel back in time. That means while we were in our present, us being in the past had already occurred, hadn't it? We're not messing up anything."

"Fine," said Hermione, apparently blown away by his sudden capacity for logic, "It was a bad excuse. I just think we should stay out of it."

"Then you can, but I'm going to get to the bottom of this," said Harry, "And at least I have Liz on my side."

"That's another thing, Harry! Don't you think Riddle's going to trust us less now that he's seen us talking in such a friendly way with Liz?"

"I didn't think about that," muttered Harry, "We'll just have to see. It looks like with Malfoy and Clearwater back together, all of Riddle's cronies will be reunited, possibly meaning he'll start letting slip some of his future plans. I mean if its big enough, he's going to need some extra help, right?"

Harry soon found out that his predictions were not entirely accurate. Riddle's cronies did suddenly reunite, now that the rift between Riddle and Malfoy had resolved even though Riddle had never apologized for sleeping with his girlfriend behind his back for over two years. Besides that small formality, the Slytherin Common Room had become relatively peaceful. Unfortunately, no hints of any secret plans or schemes ever entered any of Riddle's conversations, rather, with the first match approaching quickly, the Common Room was filled with the buzz of Quidditch strategies. Malfoy had broken the news to Harry that Riddle would remain unchallenged as Seeker, but however, encouraged Ron to try out for Keeper. Ron gladly accepted and after a tryout among three other candidates, Ron prevailed as the strongest, making him the official Keeper of the Slytherin Quidditch Team of 1943. Harry was proud of Ron, but couldn't help but feel a slight pane of jealousy wash over him every time he attended practice and saw Riddle practicing as Seeker.

He had to admit, though, that Riddle was an excellent flier who always seemed to move a tad faster than everyone else even on the archaic brooms. Harry noticed he liked the dives, always waiting until the last minute to pull up from a surely inevitable collision with the hard ground. He wanted to say he was better; however, he would have to see a match before he could fully discredit Riddle. The match was still another month away. Harry would have to wait.

As practices became more and more common, Harry would take the time to meet with Liz in the library. It was his only chance to be away from Ron who was practicing, and Hermione, who was his avid supporter. Liz was also the only one willing to believe Riddle was up to something, not to mention, the only person Harry truly trusted besides his two best friends.

"Riddle's been practicing Dark Magic for years," said Liz, one night during a library session during practice, "I'm certain that's why he spends so much time in the restricted section."

"How does he do that anyway?" asked Harry.

"He has an 'all access' pass from Slughorn," muttered Liz, "It's bullshit how much this school enables him."

"It definitely seems like he runs this place," said Harry, shaking his head in disapproval.

"That's why you need to keep a close eye on him. You say he's been talking to himself late at night in the Common Room?"

"I don't think he's talking to himself, that's the thing," replied Harry, "I'm certain I hear another voice, but I don't recognize it. All I know it that it's male."

"Hmm," said Liz, deep in contemplation. Suddenly, her face lit up, "Floo Powder!"

"What?"

"Floo Powder! The fireplace in the Common Room is activated for the use of Floo Powder. I've heard rumors of people sneaking in contraband, through the Floo Network here at Hogwarts."

"You don't think someone's sneaking in do you?"

"I don't know who would. Riddle's an orphan, it's not like he has any family, and certainly not any friends outside of Hogwarts. Has he said anything about what he was up to over the summer? I'd heard he'd left the orphanage last year, since he's of age here in the Wizarding World, meaning he had to be staying somewhere while Hogwarts wasn't in session."

"Riddle doesn't talk much about himself," said Harry, "He actually doesn't talk much at all."

"That's not like Riddle at all," said Liz, "Last year, he wouldn't shut up about all his marks in class, and how people were contacting him all the time from the Ministry, offering him positions as soon as he left. He never stopped talking about himself."

"Hmm, the change in behavior only supports the fact that he's up to something, if you ask me."

"We just need to figure out what," said Liz, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.

"Harry!" shouted a voice from across the library, accompanied by a loud "Shhhhh!"

"This is a library, Ron! Be quiet," whispered Hermione as they approached the two Potters.

"Sorry," apologized Ron, quietly, "Anyway, what have you guys been up to?"

"Discussing Riddle," said Harry, ignoring Hermione as she rolled her eyes.

"How was practice?" asked Liz.

"It was cut early," said Ron, "Lestrange sent a bludger at Tom's head, by accident, and Riddle punched him in the face. Said if he had his wand on him, he'd curse him into next year. Honestly, I found it kind of funny, but Malfoy thought it was safe to call it a night before Riddle killed someone."

"Ron, there was nothing funny about it," said Hermione, "Riddle got mad for no reason, and Lestrange most certainly didn't deserve the broken nose."

"Riddle actually punched someone?" asked Liz, "I've heard him say countless times that wizards have wands so they don't have to resort to Muggle means of violence."

"Well, he wasn't following his own word ten minutes ago," laughed Ron.

"He's been losing his temper a lot lately," said Harry, remembering only last week when a first year had spilled ink on his Transfiguration book, causing Riddle to yell in frustration and set fire to the boy's entire school bag, "Wonder if his scheme has anything to do with it."

"Harry, will you drop it! You don't even know if there is a scheme!" groaned Hermione. Harry rolled his eyes and stood up.

"I'm sick of you having so little faith in my suspicions, Hermione!"

"I'll start having faith in them once I have some proof that there's a scheme underway," huffed Hermione, "Come on, Ron, let's leave Harry to brood unproductively," she said, turning and leaving the library.

"Sorry, mate, but she's got a point, you don't have any proof."

"Whatever, Ron, just go." Ron frowned, but didn't say anything as he left to chase down Hermione. Liz looked at Harry solemnly.

"I'm sorry you're having such a difficult time with your friends."

"It's fine. I'll just have to get proof."

"Keep an eye out and I'm sure we will soon enough," Liz smiled.

Harry awoke to a flash of bright green behind his eyelids and cold sweat covering his body from head to toe. It was only a dream, he told himself, stop panting. He looked around at his surroundings. He was in his bed in the Slytherin dormitory. Ron, Lestange, Malfoy, Black, Crabbe, and Nott were all sound asleep and by the placement of the moon in the pitch black sky, it was late. He took some deep breaths, trying to get the light to leave the back of his eyelids every time he blinked. Suddenly, however, he thought he heard a muffled voice coming from downstairs. This was his chance! Silently, Harry slid out of his bed, tip-toed to the door, and checked behind him to make sure no one was awake. Once he was sure it was only him experiencing full consciousness, he slid out the door.

"…you are sure to wake someone up," said a voice Harry didn't recognize as he crouched behind the way of the exit of the staircase.

"Don't tell me to be quiet, fool," sneered another voice, causing Harry's heart to beat faster as he recognized the voice to be Riddle's.

"I am sorry, my Lord. I only mean to protect…"

"I don't care! There would be no need for me to quiet down if you would only follow my orders like a competent wizard rather than sending me into a fit of rage at the sight of you."

"I am sorry," repeated the voice. Riddle seemed to only emit some sort of growl at his apologize. And everything went silent. Harry panicked momentarily, thinking Riddle sensed his presence and ceased speaking. However, the other voice continued.

"I have moved the forces out of Scotland like you suggested."

"I suggested you never put them there in the first place!" yelled Riddle, "The fact that you've removed them now makes matters worse! Do you recognize how weak it is? It's as though you're signaling to the Ministry that you've given up!"

"What should I do then, my Lord?" Everything went silent for a few moments. This time, Harry assumed Riddle was only pondering.

"Send them back to Scotland," said Riddle coolly, "Do not under any circumstances, let the Ministry overpower your forces. On the side, continue recruiting here in England, wizards, witches, giants, it doesn't matter. If you do not build support, you are going to crumble under the Ministry's power. The Muggles are in a war of their own right now, if you can surpass the Ministry, they will fall easily."

"Thank you, my Lord, your insight is crucial."

"I know, it's evident by your complete failure thus far," snarled Riddle, "Anyway, you have no choice but to overtake their section of the Ministry now, you've engaged in full out warfare. The only option now is through victory," Riddle sighed.

"Yes, my Lord."

"I will join you soon enough, but for now, my involvement must remain a secret."

"I know, my Lord."

"That wasn't for you," laughed Tom bitterly, suddenly there was a whosh of a fire extinguishing, "You can come out now, Harry." Harry's blood turned to ice. Riddle knew he was there, he knew the whole time he was listening. Harry had no choice but to comply for there was no where to run. He stepped out of the stairwell and into the dimly lit Common Room. Riddle was sitting upon the couch, staring at the empty fire grate.

"Was the conversation interesting enough?" Harry remained silent, "Oh come on, Harry, I request your input." Riddle stood up and turned to face Harry, smiling smugly.

"What's going on, Riddle?" Harry asked.

"You expect me to tell you details so you can run off to Dumbledore?" laughed Tom.

"No," lied Harry. Riddle had known he was planning on seeing Dumbledore first thing tomorrow morning. Riddle laughed more, a manic glint in his eyes.

"Don't lie to me, Harry," smiled Tom, "You've been trying to spy on me for a few weeks now." Harry swallowed hard, "Your friends' minds are weak, Harry." Riddle laughed another cruel, mirthless laugh, walking toward him, "So I've given you a glimpse of my actions, Harry, given you enough of an idea to what I am up to, but, no, you will have no further details. No how's or why's, only a glimpse into what. And I trust, having given you such rare insight into my ongoing project, that you will keep this to yourself and do not seek out any more information. If not, perhaps the memory of the whole incident shall merely vanish, whether with the rest of your consciousness or not. Do you understand?"

Harry clenched his teeth, "Yes."

"Good," smiled Riddle, eyes lit glimmering a tint of red in the nearby candle light, "Now, head off to bed, it's quite late." Harry nodded, turned around, ascended the staircase back to the dormitory, got into bed, and found it increasingly difficult to fall back asleep with Riddle's threat flowing through his head.

End Chapter Four