Disclaimer – Isn't mine.

Chapter 2 – The world is round

Harry felt the auras of the twelve Death Eaters arrayed around him with in milliseconds of arriving, and dropped all twelve with two wandless wide sweep stunning charms before any wands could even be raised.

Only then did he stand fully and turn to the two figures at the far end of the room. Voldemort and Lucius Malfoy, both of whom were looking at him in surprise

'I see your son was quite correct, Lucius. The boy has indeed grown powerful.' Riddle hissed quietly.

'Do not call me a boy.' Harry had growled, keeping his hand raised slightly.

Voldemort laughed, a fact that stunned Harry. He didn't think the wizard capable. 'You are quite right, Harry. You are definitely no longer a boy.'

Harry's eyes narrowed, flicking between red and silver. 'What do you want, Tom? Malfoy said you had a proposition.'

Riddle studied him intently. 'I do, Harry.' He said finally. 'I asked you to join me five years ago, do you remember?' Harry nodded slowly. 'Back then I offered you your family. I can't offer you that now so I won't even try. And I'm not going to offer you power. You already have that. Or wealth. You have that too. And lastly, I'm not going to offer you your life. I have it on very good advice that you could take me on and win right now. What I am going to offer you is the one thing you don't have. The one thing you will never have, even if you defeat me.'

Harry raised an eyebrow, wondering where this was going. 'And what's that?'

Riddle's face softened and Harry's other eyebrow joined the first. 'Freedom, Harry. Your freedom. To be who you are. Who you really want to be.'

Harry stared at the Dark Lord, his eyes now narrowed in thought. The man had a point. Even if he killed the figure in front of him, his life would be just a continued existence. Not a life. A real life. A free life. A life of his own. While he would be hailed a hero for supposedly saving the wizarding world, he would always be worrying when the old man would decide Harry's usefulness had come to an end. Dumbledore would never allow him to live if there was any perceived threat that Harry wouldn't do precisely what he was told. Although how exactly he would manage to rid the world of Harry Potter would be an interesting dilemma. Poison would probably be the old man's only possible defense against the power Harry would wield once he came of age.

He could hear the stunned Death Eaters around him beginning to wake at several small but defined movements from Malfoy Senior's wand, but showed no outwards sign of doing anything about it.

Did he trust Tom Riddle? That was the question. At that moment? No. But he didn't trust Albus Dumbledore either. If he chose to believe what the Dark Lord was telling him, there was an opportunity to be who he wanted to be. Not just Harry exactly, but certainly not the Boy-Who-Lived. The words Snape had said to him almost a week ago stood out starkly in his mind. He glanced around at the Death Eaters all of whom now had wands trained in his direction but were refraining from moving at a small signal from the Dark Lord.

Finally he looked back to meet red eyes watching him intently. 'I will not bow to you, Tom. I will not debase myself before you like some groveling sycophant. If I choose to join you, it will be as your equal or not at all. For that is what I am.' Harry's head was high and his shoulders straight as he stared back at the Dark Lord fully expecting Tom Riddle to refuse and try to strike him down where he stood. The expressions on the assembled Death Eaters were priceless. Harry noticed them out of the corner of his eye and interpreted it to mean they too expected his life to be ending any second.

Harry's attention was brought back as Riddle snorted softly before climbing down off his special throne and crossing the room to stand before the young man. Harry winced slightly as his scar exploded and he saw stars behind his eyes.

'We will have to do something about that if you are going to be staying.' Riddle said quietly.

Harry's eyes widened slightly before he gave Riddle a small smile. 'Thank you.' Harry said equally as quietly. Riddle had nodded and then gestured for Lucius to show their newest guest to his suite of rooms.

The room he had been given was quite elaborate with stunning wall tapestries and thick carpets. There was an enormous fireplace with several armchairs in front of it and a large desk beside the bed. The bed itself was huge particularly after his tiny child size bed at Privet Drive, and was covered in soft pillows and a thick comforter.

At that moment there came a knock on the door. Harry looked up as it opened and Snape walked in. They just stared at each other for several moments before Harry spoke.

'Thank you, Sir.' He said softly.

Snape's mouth twitched into a sort of smile. 'I think you should drop the Sir, Potter, at least when we are here. The Dark Lord would not be pleased.'

Harry frowned. 'I don't really care whether he's pleased or not. I call you Sir out of respect. My coming here does not negate that fact. If anything it only increases it.'

Snape raised an eyebrow and Harry thought he could detect a hint of amusement in the expression.

'What happens now, Sir? I can only leave Hedwig sealed in my room for a few more hours and then Dumbledore will know I've left Privet Drive.'

Snape opened the door further and Harry saw Draco and, to his surprise, Blaise Zabini waiting. Harry's face broke out into a small smile. 'Hi.' He said shyly. He wasn't sure how to act around the Slytherin now he had spilled some of his deepest secrets to the other boy.

'Hi Harry. I'm glad you came.' Draco told him. 'This is Blaise.' Harry nodded as Snape crossed to stand beside him. Harry looked up to see the potions master's black eyes watching him closely. Snape raised his hand towards Harry's head and Harry couldn't hold back the slight flinch causing Snape to frown. Harry smiled nervously at him and Snape's hand continued its progress and landed gently on the side of his head. Harry could have sworn he felt the older man actually run his fingers through Harry's hair but he must have been imagining things as suddenly the potions master yanked several hairs from his head before turning and walking back to where Draco and Blaise, who were giving each other rather knowing looks, stood waiting.

Harry watched curiously as Snape pulled a vial from his pocket and dropped the hair in it before handing it to Blaise.

Harry's eyes widened. 'No.' he whispered as he suddenly worked out what they were going to do.

'Harry, it's alright.' Draco said soothingly as Blaise Zabini morphed, rather painfully, into an image of Harry.

Harry couldn't tear his eyes from the other image of himself. 'No you don't understand. The Dursleys...They...I don't...' Harry trailed off, finally looking away to find Draco staring back at him. 'Please just don't.' he finished lamely.

Draco glanced at Snape before speaking. 'It really is alright, Harry. Blaise knows all about your relatives.'

Harry interpreted the earlier look and his face showed exactly what he thought about Snape's betrayal of confidence. He folded his arms tightly across his chest as he glared at the potions master.

'It had to be done, Mr Potter.' Snape said evenly.

Harry's jaw clenched tightly. Blaise Zabini may think he knew all about Harry's relatives but living with them was another thing entirely. 'Why I don't just return to the Dursleys.' He insisted.

'Do you really want to?'

'Of course not.' He said automatically.

'Then stop this nonsense. Mr Zabini volunteered to replace you for the rest of the summer. You should be grateful that someone finally cares if you have an enjoyable holiday. This is your last opportunity, Potter, because next year, for you especially, will not be easy by any stretch. This tentative alliance will have to remain a secret until you leave Hogwarts. I know you know the consequences should the Headmaster find out what has happened here today.'

Harry swallowed and nodded solemnly. Oh, he knew alright.

'This will work, Harry.' Draco insisted. 'Severus will help Blaise with the tracking charm and keep an eye one him over the holidays to make sure Dumbledore doesn't do anything and then you can swap back at the end of August.'

Harry glanced towards the ceiling as his thoughts raced, Snape and the others standing quietly. Eventually he looked down and spoke. 'Why?' he whispered.

It was actually Blaise who answered. 'Because you asked, and because we can.' He said simply.

Harry snorted. 'I've always dreamed of having a holiday like this. No Dursleys, no chores, nothing. Just a normal holiday like everyone else.'

'Then what's the problem?' Draco groaned.

Harry glanced away again. 'I not sure I know how.' He whispered finally.

Draco's face spread into a mischievous grin that would have struck terror into the heart of any parent. 'Oh brilliant.'

Harry arched an eyebrow. 'Pardon?'

Draco smirked at Snape before looking back at Harry. 'We have so much to do and so little time.' He said dramatically.

Snape groaned and Blaise laughed and Harry wondered if he looked that carefree when he laughed. It was hard to remember when he last laughed and Harry actually took several steps towards the image of himself as he stared in fascination. Once again his expression must have shown plainly on his face because Snape quickly herded Blaise towards the door.

'Do you have any last words of warning to Mr Zabini, Potter?' The potions master questioned.

Harry nodded. 'Just one.' He said softly if not a little nervously. Harry kept his head down, finding the pattern on the carpet of the room suddenly fascination. 'No matter what they do. No matter what they say, you cannot fight back. Not even with words. If you do they will know something's wrong and they will find a way of contacting Dumbledore.' He said seriously, looking back up and catching Blaise' eyes.

'You've never...?' Snape was unable to put his question into words but Harry knew what he meant and shook his head, glancing at the man before his eyes once again found the floor.

'Why would I? They are right.' he mumbled shrugging. 'I am a freak.'

'Harry.' Draco began but Snape shook his head, crossing the few steps to stand beside the Boy-Who-Lived, placing a hand on Harry's shoulder and waiting until the teenager looked up.

'Just because things are said many times does not make them true, Potter.' He said frankly. 'Your relatives are ignorant and cruel, but that doesn't mean they are right. Your gifts, I'll admit are...unusual...but they are just that. Gifts. Something that you should cherish as one day they will help you achieve everything you want to.' The potions master said softly, his dark eyes glittering with sincerity.

Harry felt his heart hammering in his chest and just managed to stop himself leaning forward towards the older man, instead he just stared. He had never heard Snape say anything so complimentary about him. 'T...t...thank you, Professor.' He whispered eventually.

Snape's mouth twitched again and he gave Harry's shoulder a final squeeze before dropping his arm and gesturing for Blaise to precede him out the door.

'Thank you Blaise.' Harry added before the Slytherin disappeared.

A reply of 'You're welcome.' floated back through the doorway. Harry watched the retreating back of the potions master before the door closed leaving him alone with Draco who was smirking at him.

'What?'

Draco shook his head. 'Nothing.' He said simply.

Harry raised an eyebrow but Draco didn't elaborate, instead grabbing his arm and dragging him over to the chairs by the fireplace. 'Let me explain a few things to you.' He said mysteriously before doing just that.

Well Harry had certainly had his eyes opened by the Slytherin that afternoon, not to mention his mind, and now, several hours later, he nervously followed Draco downstairs for dinner. In spite of Draco's explanations he really had no idea of what to expect. He had found out that Blaise had been promised a rather large reward for his loyalty to the Dark Lord when he had volunteered without prompting to be Harry's double although Draco would not tell him what that reward was, only that it meant a lot to Blaise.

Psyching himself up for a room full of Death Eaters all staring at him hatefully he was surprised to find only Draco's father, Riddle and Snape waiting for them. Harry's sigh of relief as the two sat was read correctly by Draco who snorted loudly.

Harry blushed, smacking the blond on the shoulder. 'Sod off.' He growled causing Draco to laugh even louder.

'Master Malfoy.' The words were hissed softly but there was an underlying threat there that Draco recognised as he quickly got himself under control.

Riddle finished eyeing the Malfoy heir and his eyes turned to Harry who was rubbing unconsciously at his now burning scar. 'Severus.' The Dark Lord hissed.

Snape delved into his robes and pulled out two vials which he dumped into Harry's empty goblet. 'Drink.' The potions master commanded and Harry did just that much to the shock of three of the four people in the room.

The potion, as usual was disgusting and Harry grimaced as it slid down his throat like some nauseating sludge. 'God, that was worse than Polyjuice.' He griped, not missing the smirk the older wizard bestowed on him. Moments later his scar suddenly stopped burning and he felt strangely calm. It was then he noticed the looks on the faces of those around him. 'What?' he asked nervously.

'Harry, do you always drink or eat anything that is put in front of you? Without checking it, I mean.' Draco's voice showed not only curiosity but nervousness.

Harry glanced down at the goblet before nodding. 'Yes, why? Are you trying to kill me?'

Snape coughed back a snort and Harry laughed. 'Actually now I think about it, Professor Snape is probably the only person in this room who hasn't threatened to kill me at one point.'

'Not out loud anyway.' The potions master muttered.

'Hey, I didn't really mean it.' Draco protested.

Harry smiled at his new friend. 'I know you didn't. You were just being a git.'

Draco nodded automatically before realising what it was that Harry had actually said. 'Hang on.'

'Harry?' Riddle hissed, his tone of voice mildly curious. 'Do you trust Severus?'

'Yes.' Harry responded immediately.

'Why?'

Harry felt the potions master tense suddenly in the seat beside him and realised he would have to answer this question very carefully. 'Towards me, Professor Snape has never pretended to be anything other than what he is. While he spent years trying to get me thrown out of Hogwarts, he also saved my life several times. He is one of the only people I know will tell me what I need to know if I ask and not dance around the truth, sugarcoating it for my supposedly innocent ears. He is, after all, the main reason I'm here. Sorry Draco.'

The blond nodded that he understood as Riddle glanced darkly between Snape and Harry, his red eyes calculating. 'He saved your life?' Riddle hissed, his eyes narrowing.

Harry felt the anger emanating from the Dark Lord and guessed he had said too much but he wasn't going to back down. Instead he leant forward slightly his unnaturally bright green eyes flashing in warning as he stared down the darkest wizard of the age. 'He had no choice. If he hadn't Dumbledore would have known the truth and thrown him out of Hogwarts and into Azkaban and you would have lost your best spy. Is that what you would have wanted?'

The air around Harry crackled with magic and Riddle's eyes widened. 'I think not.' He said finally.

Harry's anger dropped instantly and he smiled. 'Good.'

No more was said but Harry could feel the nervous glances being thrown his way as the food was served. Before taking a bite he checked both his meal and his juice for any traces of poison, an action which caused both Malfoys to laugh and Snape to roll his eyes.

'Now you check.' He sneered.

Harry just smirked at him. 'Well, it was a good suggestion, one I will have to take up once I go back to Hogwarts. If things don't go to plan I can almost guarantee the headmaster will have you making up some barely detectable, completely tasteless poison he can slip into my drink.'

'Like Severus can make a potion that tastes anything but disgusting.' Draco chuckled earning him a slap upside the head form his godfather.

Harry laughed too and the meal continued. There was talk of going to Diagon Alley the next day and Harry glanced at Snape who nodded in reply. He knew what Harry was asking.

'Great, more Polyjuice.' Harry mumbled into his mashed potato. He heard both Draco and Snape snort quietly but neither said anything. The conversation was slightly stilted but that was to be expected and eventually they finished.

'Goodnight Tom, Mr Malfoy, Professor.' Harry said as he and Draco rose. Draco gave the Dark Lord a small bow before saying his goodnights to his father and godfather and the two young men walked swiftly from the room.

The minute the door closed behind them Riddles eyes flashed to Snape, the red burning like flames as they pierced the potions master where he sat. 'I trust you have an excuse better than what the boy gave on your behalf, Severus.' He hissed darkly.

Snape glanced nervously at Lucius unable to meet the angry red eyes. 'I thought you might need him one day, My Lord.' Snape answered carefully.

Riddle all but leapt off his chair, stalking around the table to stand behind Snape's chair. Snape, wisely kept his head bowed.

'You thought no such thing, Severus.' Riddle spat. 'You thought I was dead and you saved your arse with that muggle loving fool.'

'No My Lord, I swear, my allegiance is to you.' Snape pleaded, sliding off his chair to kneel at the Dark Lord's feet.

Riddle raised his wand. 'Crucio!' He roared and Snape fell to the ground with a grunt. The power behind the curse showed just how angry the Dark Lord was. Usually the potions master managed to stay upright for at least thirty seconds. 'I don't like traitors, Severus.' Riddle snarled.

Harry and Draco had reached the top floor when Harry stopped, his eyes closed.

'Harry, what is it?' Draco asked in concern.

Harry shook his head and his eyes opened, the green blazing once again as he spun on his heel and positively stalked back the way they had come, Draco running after him.

Harry fairly flew down the three flights of stairs and burst through the door to the dining room with a bang. 'Protego reflectus.' He snapped, pointing at Snape who lay convulsing on the ground. The blue shield covered him completely causing the curse to reflect back at the Dark Lord who jumped out of the way more deftly than Harry would have thought.

'What the hell do you think you're doing, boy?' Riddle hissed.

'Saving you from making a very grave mistake.' Harry said icily. 'And don't call me boy.' Harry's entire body practically screamed predator and it was a side to the Boy-Who-Lived that even Snape hadn't seen before. Still gasping for breath on the floor he couldn't help but look up at the young man in awe. He stood, feet apart, hand raised and eyes burning. Actual visible magic crackled around him, ruffling his hair and swaying his robes. All in all it was an image that would stay with all four in the room for some time to come and made Tom Riddle wonder just how powerful the young man would become once he came of age in a little over a month.

Riddle eyed him shrewdly. 'I must be allowed to discipline my followers lest they think more highly of themselves than they should.' He hissed.

'Merlin forbid.' Harry muttered sarcastically, his green eyes never leaving the Dark Lord's. 'You will not touch Professor Snape unless it is truly deserved.' The "do you understand" was left unspoken but it was clearly hanging in the air between them.

Riddle glanced once more at Snape before nodding. 'Fine, for now.' The Dark Lord agreed. 'However, when his blurred lines of loyalty finally become clear let him not forget what will happen should he find himself on the wrong side.'

Harry dropped his hand and bent down, helping the older man to stagger to his feet and towards the door. He allowed Draco to take his godfather's arm and guide him from the room as he turned back to Riddle and Lucius.

'The world is round, Tom. There are no sides.' He said quietly before slipping out the doorway after his friend and teacher.

Snape could barely stand and in the end Draco cast a mobilius corpus on the man, much to his chagrin, but it was the only way he was going to make it up the three flights of stairs to his rooms.

It went to show just how much pain the man was in as he actually allowed Harry and Draco to help him off with his robes and into the bed. Draco seemed to know what to do as he took two vials off a shelf and handed them to his godfather who downed them instantly.

'Thank you.' Snape groaned as the pain in his muscles finally receded and he was able to think coherently.

Harry nodded and turned to leave but after a pointed look from the potions master Draco grabbed his arm to stop him. 'Stay.' He whispered before darting out the open door and closing it behind him.

Snape looked tired and weary but at least the pain had all but disappeared from his face. He rested back against the headboard. Harry didn't think he had ever seen the man so open. 'Why did you do that, Potter?' he asked quietly.

'Because it wasn't your fault.' Harry replied.

'Neither was it yours.'

Harry shrugged. 'I just...I couldn't...you didn't deserve it.' Harry finished lamely.

Snape's eyes dropped to the bedclothes. 'I deserve many things, Potter.'

'Not that. No one deserves that.' Harry insisted.

Snape looked back up at him and Harry's eyes widened at the suddenly blank expression on the man's face. Harry just stared until Snape looked away again. 'I have killed people, Potter, did you know that? Children have died by my hand.'

Harry didn't know why but something moved him to cross the room and perch on the edge of the bed. 'And children have been saved by your hand.' He whispered.

Snape looked up and Harry could see the anguish deep in his eyes. 'Don't glorify what I do. You are the only child I have saved.'

'I'm not a child. I was never a child.' Harry frowned.

Snape's expression became thoughtful. 'No, Mr Potter, you certainly are not.'

Harry raised an eyebrow causing Snape to snort.

'You look like Draco does when he was trying to imitate his father.'

The brow dropped and Harry scowled. 'I don't know whether to be pleased or insulted that you just compared me to Lucius Malfoy.'

This time Snape raised an eyebrow. 'I think I would be insulted, mainly at your comprehension skills, as I actually just compared you to Draco not his father.'

Harry couldn't help the small smile that broke out on his face at the goading retort. 'Nice to see not everything has changed.'

Snape's mouth twitched and he studied the teenager in silence for several moments. 'Why did you come, Potter?' He asked eventually. 'What made you activate the Portkey?'

Harry looked at the older man as he tried to think of the best way to put his answer. 'You did.' He said softly. 'The more I thought about what you said, the more I understood. You were trying to tell me that not everything was a clear as it seemed. That while my life may have been mapped out for me, my choices were still mine to make. You told Draco enough, without breaking your Oath so that he could make me see that I would be safe here. It was clear, to me at least, that you thought this was actually the safer place for me, or at least the better place. And going by past experience, I feel, surprisingly, that you seem to have my best interests at heart more than anyone else and that you wouldn't actually ever willingly put me in danger.'

Snape's eyes roamed over Harry's face as if looking for any sign of falsehood but found nothing. Eventually his mouth twitched into an actual smile, a fact that made Harry almost fall off the bed, and he said with a smirk. 'Ten points to Gryffindor.'