AN Thanks for the reviews! Two subjects I would like to mention before continuing. First, to Anon The Mouse, I have an evil laugh, Harry won't be put in Slytherin (Hehe) for reasons that will pointed out in this chapter. Second, Summer Vacay is almost here for me, and I'm probably going to update faster, so should I make longer chapters or post multiple times a day, if you think I should write longer chapters, how long? 5k? 10k? Anyway, that's all I wanted to talk about, on to the story (Diagon Alley! Harry age 11)
Harry let loose a sigh, adjusting the blankets. Once again, he questioned why he and his adopted father were trying so hard to make Dumbledore think he was the Dark Prince's abandoned twin. He did understand why the Dark Lord had said simple disguising charms wouldn't fool the old wizard, but why couldn't he just rub the fact he WAS the Dark Prince in the old fool's face? He was also supposed to blackmail the Sorting Hat into sorting him into a light house. He had to be carefree, happy, orphan Praet Riddle. He chuckled at the thought, his father had blurred the majority of his past memories of what his parents looked like and sounded like so that it would seem like the Dark Lord didn't want his son to remember him.
Harry glared around at the alley he was in, remembering the agreement he'd made with his father.
"My Prince, you must make the old fool trust you, and you will do anything possible to do that, understand?" the Dark Lord glared, it wasn't a question, more of a statement.
"Yes my lord," Harry agreed, "I'll act like a pathetic orphan who is amazed by the magic of the wizarding world."
"Good, remember, you are to enter Hufflepuff or Gryffindor house. This will stop most of the teachers from being prejudiced. However, as none of my Death Eaters, not even those of the Inner Circle know of your education at Hogwarts, it is likely Severus will treat you badly. I hope you understand the importance of the light side trusting you?" The Dark Lord lectured.
"Yes my lord," he said.
Harry deeply regretted that agreement, and he'd only been in the dirty alley for an hour, one of the old fool's minions were likely to come for him soon. Groaning, Harry rehearsed his back story. He had gone to the orphanage, and Mrs. Caren's memories had been modified to think he had stayed there to the age of eight, at which point he ran away. He'd been abandoned by his father who'd shunned him for being weaker than his brother. He'd been living on the streets for three years. Harry huffed, he'd found out he could cast a strong enough disguising charm on his Dark Mark that even the old fool wouldn't be able to tell, although the spell failed every two hours, although it could be renewed. Also, Lucius had altered Harry's Hogwarts letter to write his name as Praet Thomas Riddle, as well as the list of students.
-= Hogwarts =-
"Headmaster, I found a specific letter that I think would be of importance to you, it has not been responded to as well," Professor McGonagall told him, handing him a letter.
"Riddle?" Dumbledore said, eyes widening at the name, "Alley? What would he be doing in an alley?" He asked.
"I did some tests, with the help of Professor Flitwick, and we think that this boy isn't in fact the Dark Prince, he's his twin," Professor McGonagall informed him, holding up a paper, it showed that Praet Riddle had a twin and he was born 1980, July 31st/August 1st.
"He was born on two different days?" Dumbledore asked.
"Apparently, he was born at the very death of the seventh month," the Professor told him.
Dumbledore swallowed, he was the only one who knew the full contents of the prophecy about Griffith, well at least, he had been, "Interesting," He responded. After a second he added, "I think I'll go fetch Mr. Riddle myself."
Then Dumbledore called Fawkes to his shoulder and had him teleport them away. He appeared in the alley in a burst of flames. Immediately, he noticed the only other inhabitant was a small boy underneath a tattered blanket. The boy really did appear to look exactly like the descriptions he'd gotten from Severus of the Dark Prince. Although this boy seemed more depressed and almost lost, a loner and outcast. The boy looked at him with green eyes that seemed to glow, he looked curious and not at all afraid. The boy was extremely skinny and pale, and his hair was messy and covered with things Dumbledore did not recognize.
The boy crossed his arms, "If you've come to take me back to the orphanage, I won't go!" The boy said defiantly.
"No, no my boy, I'm here to give you a letter actually, you've been accepted into a special school," Dumbledore told him.
The boy perked up, "Really? Can I see it? What kind of school? Are you sure, I am a freak after all," the boy jabbered on.
"Once again wrong my boy," Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling, "You aren't a freak, in fact, you're very special, you're a wizard."
"A wizard? Are you a wizard too? Is that why you're dressed in those funny robes? Will I have to wear robes like that? How many people are there like us? Is this school a magic school? Will I get a wand?" The boy asked excitedly.
"Yes, there are many other wizards and witches out there, I am the headmaster of a school of magic called Hogwarts, the world in which most wizards and witches live is called the wizarding world, and it's completely cut off from muggle civilization," Dumbledore told him.
"Muggle?"
"They are what wizards call non-magical people."
"Oh."
"Well we better get going to get you your school supplies, I'll accompany you as well, seeing as you don't have any parents to do so," Dumbledore told him, he held out his arm, "Grab on, this might make you feel a bit sick."
The boy grabbed his arm and Dumbledore apparated into Diagon Alley, watching as people bustled about. In the road, there was a huge back of very clean cobblestones where the Ministry had only recently gotten to repairing the hole the Dark Prince made. Looking at the boy looking around in wonder at the alley, Dumbledore was surprised to think of them as twins, they were extremely different. Dumbledore noticed they were getting a few strange looks, then realized they were gazing at the boy's filthy, torn cloths. With a wave of his wand Dumbledore transfigured them into a set of black robes similar to the normal robes of a Hogwarts student. The boy didn't notice for a second, then jumped in surprise at his new robes.
"Woah! That was awesome!" Harry gasped, he was finding it alarmingly easy to play the part of Praet the orphan. Looking at Flourish and Blotts, Harry pointed, "Can we go there?" he asked.
"Ah, a keen eye you have, that is the most popular bookstore in Diagon Alley. Once we get to Hogwarts you'll be in Ravenclaw for sure," The old fool told him merrily.
"Ravenclaw?" Harry asked with falsified curiosity.
"Yes, at Hogwarts, you will be administered a test that will sort you into one of four houses. There is Gryffindor, for the brave and honorable people. There is Hufflepuff, known for loyalty and trustworthiness. As I mentioned before, there is Ravenclaw, a house for the wise and those who seek knowledge. Lastly, there is Slytherin, the house of the cunning and ambitious," The old fool informed him, Harry stopped himself from commenting on how dark he made Slytherin sound.
"I want to be in Gryffindor!" Harry shouted, puffing up his chest. He really hope no Death Eaters saw him, it could prove to be excellent blackmail some day, and he'd hate to have to kill one of the Dark Lord's followers.
Dumbledore visibly relaxed, leading Harry into the bookstore. There were floors and floors of books, even more than there were available at the Dark Lord's manor. There was a section for all Hogwarts students to buy their books. Harry groaned when Dumbledore made him actually find the books instead of simply summoning them. Walking through the aisles, Harry refrained from grabbing the sixth and seventh year books and instead got the pathetically easy first year books. Who could ever go to Hogwarts and not even know where a bezoar came from? Or not know how to brew a cure for boils?
Harry answered himself, a mudblood wouldn't know. Why did purebloods and halfbloods have to learn things they already knew just because a few students didn't know a thing! Stupid muggles, stupid mudbloods, stupid muggle-lovers, and stupid old fool. Harry snatched the last book he needed off the shelves, covering his scowl with a look of wonder as he flipped open Hogwarts: A History. Acting like he was reading it and flipping the page occasionally, Harry walked back to where Dumbledore was waiting.
"Couldn't even wait to buy the book before you started reading?" Dumbledore asked, smiling.
"Nope," Harry answered absentmindedly, following Dumbledore to the counter. Once they reached it, Harry looked up with fake shocked eyes, "Wait! I've got to put these back, I'm sorry. I just don't have nearly enough to pay for them!"
"No worry my boy, I can pay for them, how does that sound?" Dumbledore asked, immediately falling for Harry's act, making him internally laugh.
"Thanks! That'd be great!" Harry responded.
While Dumbledore was waiting to buy the books, Harry sat on a bench outside the store. He heard a snort and looked up to see a proud and sneering Malfoy looking at him. Harry tried very hard not to smirk back, instead he looked up curiously at the boy. It was likely Draco, Lucius's son. If only he could tell Draco who he was. Harry stood up and smiled. He held out his hand, but the Malfoy just laughed and suddenly got a funny look on his face.
"Oh my! Anyone else smell that stench? I think there might be a mudblood nearby!" Draco stated loudly.
Harry showed a look of confusion, realization, and then annoyance on his face, "Mudblood? What's a mudblood? I have a feeling it is not a kind term. What's your name?" Harry asked, attempting to be polite.
"I am Draco Malfoy, Heir to the Noble and Most Ancient house of Malfoy, a pureblood. You are a mudblood, you were born from the dirt bellow wizards like I," Draco sneered.
"Oh, I guess that makes sense. Muggles are filthy people are they not?" Harry asked, "My name's Praet by the way," Draco looked surprised that Harry had insulted Muggles like it was no big deal.
Draco quickly recovered himself, "Well, I would stay and talk longer, but I'm afraid I don't have time for those as low as yourself," He told him, then turned and walked away.
Turning, Harry saw Dumbledore was watching him, the headmaster seemed quite pleased that Draco didn't get along with Harry. He walked out of the bookstore holding a small bag that was likely charmed to be bigger on the inside. He waved Harry over, and Harry shot off the bench and dashed over.
"Headmaster, what does it mean to be a mudblood? Am I a mudblood?" Harry asked, eyes wide.
"The word is a way for those born to wizards to insult muggleborns, wizards born to muggles," Dumbledore told him, "Out of school you can call me Dumbledore or Albus," He told him.
"O-oh. Who are my parents? I remember my father a bit, but I can't remember what he looked like. Was he a wizard?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore sighed, he would have to tell the boy someday, why not now, "Your father… he's an extremely powerful halfblood wizard, a wizard born to a pureblood and muggle. His name was Tom," He told him, hoping the boy didn't ask for details.
"I want to be a powerful wizard!" Harry said excitedly, "Wait, why did he leave me with those Muggles at the orphanage?"
"Your father is well-known by a different name, Lord Voldemort," A few people stiffened and kept walking when Dumbledore mentioned the Dark Lord's name.
"Lord? My dad's a lord? Cool! Do you think he'll want me back now?" Harry asked.
"Ah, I'm sad I must be the one to tell you this young Praet. He isn't someone to look up to. Many people of the Wizarding world call him You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. He is also known as the Dark Lord. Your father is well-known among the wizarding world because he and his followers are responsible for the deaths of thousands of wizards and muggles alike," Dumbledore told him.
Harry faked a look of complete horror on his face, "A-are you sure? I mean maybe I'm not his son… or he's not that bad! I mean he can't be evil! I-I'm not evil am I? Was my father in that Gryffindor house too? I don't want to be in the same house as him!" Harry gasped quickly, internally smirking as he thought of the over one hundred wizards he'd slain.
"No, no my boy! You're nothing like your father or your twin" Harry laughed mentally, "And your father was in Slytherin house, not Gryffindor," Dumbledore explained, Harry let out a fake sigh of relief.
"I never said thanks," Harry started, pausing, "Thanks for inviting me to your school, helping me get supplies, and paying for those supplies."
"No worries my boy! It's been a pleasure helping you," Dumbledore started, he looked up and waved to someone, Harry followed his gaze and saw his old family walking towards them. "Hello James, Lily! This is Praet, it turns out the Dark Prince has a twin!" The two looked shocked and absolutely terrified, Harry looked at them in 'confusion' as Dumbledore whispered to them about him.
Eventually, they relaxed, and Lily even had a look of pity on her face, "Hello Praet, I'm Lily, and this is my son Griffith, he's going into Hogwarts this year as well!" She said warmly, pushing Griffith forward.
Harry smiled, and raised his hand to shake with Griffith, "Hi! My name is Praet, but Mr. Dumbledore already told you that didn't he?" Harry asked energetically. "Want to be friends? I don't have any wizard friends."
Griffith nodded, he puffed up a bit too, "I'll be friends with you, my mom told you my name, I'm the saviour of the wizarding world! I survived a curse that's meant to kill instantly and I also temporarily defeated You-Know-Who," he boasted, Harry was tempted to snap his neck, but instead settled for imagining fun ways to kill Griffith as he smiled warmly.
Harry noted the adults watching him for his reaction, Harry swallowed, "Oh, that's cool, what house do you think you'll be in?" He asked.
"Gryffindor! There's never been a Potter that wasn't in Gryffindor, you must be a muggleborn, what house do you think you'll be in?" Griffith asked.
"N- I mean yeah, I'm a muggleborn," Harry said with a weak smile, Griffith looked at him expectantly, "Oh! I'm going to be in Gryffindor too! Well at least I hope so! Slytherin sounds evil, and Ravenclaws sound over competitive. I like to think of myself as an honourable knight!" Harry responded, hopping a little. 'I think I've got this acting immature thing mastered' Harry thought.
After another hour of shopping with the Potters following him around, Harry was finally done shopping, which was a relief. His arms were hurting with the cauldron ingredients and cauldron he was holding. He'd gotten his wand back from a very confused Ollivander, and was relieved that he would finally be done. He didn't know if he could handle another second of Griffith's non stop boasting babble. He'd gone through over one thousand scenarios of how he'd kill Griffith. The craziest one he'd made included him stabbing Griffith repeatedly with a unicorn horn whilst Goliath slowly ate him piece by piece, it also included imperioing Griffith into doing the chicken dance off a cliff when all of his legs bellow the knees were gone. Harry had turned down a familiar saying he was going to look for something more exotic. Dumbledore had talked to the Potters for quite a while about something serious.
Dumbledore, James, and Lily walked up to Harry as he prepared to leave, "Praet, me and James heard about how you were an orphan and seeing how well you get along with Griffith, we were wondering if we could take care of you for the remainder of the summer. We can't adopt you, as we need to focus on Griffith's magical training, but if you stay for the next month, Dumbledore says he's willing to let you stay at Hogwarts for the summer," Lily asked him.
Harry internally was screaming no, but he put on a strained smile, "Yeah! That would be awesome!" He yelped happily.
"Great! We have spare brooms if you want to learn how to play Quidditch with Griffith!" James told him.
Griffith had overheard them, and immediately dashed over with a humongous grin on his face that quite honestly scared Harry, "Yay! Praet gets to stay for an entire month, don't worry Praet, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be better than anyone else at flying, except my father and myself of course," He promised.
"Cool! I'm so excited! Riding brooms and things sounds awesome! I think I also want to study my books though, with all those wizard-raised children, I might be behind!" Harry rambled worriedly.
"Pfft! Almost half of the wizard population didn't know about magic until they turned eleven!" Griffith reassured him.
"But that still means that half of the population did know about magic!" Harry exclaimed.
"Are you sure you aren't going to be in Ravenclaw?" Griffith asked, an almost disgusted look on his face.
"Well then kids, we better get going hm?" James said, "Grab my hands."
An instant later, they were in Potter Manor. It looked exactly how Harry remembered it. There were excessive amounts of red and gold everywhere, and pictures of lions that roared as well. The manor itself was half the size of Riddle Manor, and was much less serious. It had rich cream colored and gold carpets, with very little hard floor. The fireplace was made of a deep brown oak with golden carvings along it. There was a small red pot that was likely used for floo powder on a table nearby.
AN Yeah! Chapter Seven! Also, Harry isn't ever going to be much of a leader like his father, he's not a person that is a natural leader or enjoys being a leader. I decided to make him this way because it always seems like books dismiss some of the ways people can be different. Voldie may let Harry lead a small group of Death Eaters at some point, but it is unlikely. I imagine Harry more as a rogue assassin who also has a master. Next chapter is the train ride, sorting, and most importantly, HOGWARTS!
-Ariana Flynn Riddle