The past Slytherins:

Tom Riddle (obviously). His intentions are unclear, he looks like you would imagine Riddle to look from JK's descriptions. He is unpredictable and does the strangest things, sometimes against his future self, for no clear reason. Brilliant, cunning, dark…as JK described.

Zevi Prince: A relation of Snape's, his mother's father. Harry's biggest ally in with the snakes and against Tom - though he is definitely loyal to Tom. Smart.

Cygnus Lestrange: The father of Rodolphus, Rabastan…whatever other Lestrange's JK mentioned. Hates Harry with a vengeance, for 'taking Tom away.' Has a deal, as of yet unknown in contents, with Dumbledore.

Abraxas Malfoy: Draco's Grandfather. Likes Harry well enough, a mixture between Lucius and Draco.

Alphard Black: Sirius' uncle. The one who in the books gave Sirius his fortune. A lot like a Slytherin Sirius.

Chapter 16 (Tom's POV)

He stared at Harry, feeling a twisted sense of satisfaction coil in his stomach like a serpent. Thank you Lord Voldemort. He didn't agree with how his future self had made so many enemies with his pointless killing; he could have completed his aims ages ago as charismatic Tom Riddle in the ministry. This list, however callous it was, was genius. Harry would go to the end of the world to save his friends and family…fool.

(Harry's POV)

He tensed nervously under Tom's intense, calculating stare. Perhaps he should have set a price first, rather then let Tom make his own demands. I mean, he was the teenage dark lord, however charming and sane he may act. This could be expensive and sticky. He swallowed slightly. Sirius. Okay Potter, don't be such a wimp. Take it like a man. What would Riddle want though? Somehow he doubted it was something as simple as money. In fact, witnessing the slight predatory glint, cruel and cold, in those dark eyes he was certain it wasn't going to nearly so easy. Riddle's head tilted to the side with a feline fluidity, like a snake watching his prey. Oh hell.

'How much is the mutt worth to you, Harry?' Tom asked silkily. He instinctively stayed very, very still. He knew Tom; if he showed any doubt or fear now he would be crushed. The Slytherin heir didn't tolerate weakness, especially not from him.

'How much are you asking?' he raised a brow. 'Because time is ticking along and to be honest I'd rather not have him back, only to find he's a corpse.' Just thinking about another person dying for him, especially another of his family, made his heart go cold. Tom took a step forward, assessing him as if measuring his worth on a pinch, circling him slowly. His unease grew when Tom stopped behind him. Two hands rested on his shoulders.

'Are you paying after of in advance?' How could he sound so…business like. They were talking about peoples lives here! He realised with a slight chill, that this probably was just the same as any other business to Tom - Tom didn't care about Sirius or the lives at stake, only what he could gain from playing along.

'After,' he said, as calmly as he can manage. 'Less if he's dead.'

There was a moment of silence.

'Swear on it.'

Harry took a deep breath, trying to ease his nerves. Why did the term 'shake hands with the devil' have to pop so relentlessly into his head?

'I Harry James Potter swear to fulfil my side of a mutually agreed payment for the saving of Sirius Orion Black in the agreed time.'

The hands abruptly left his shoulders, and Tom was halfway to the door, walking briskly.

'I understand I have a puppy to save then.'

A flash of green, a dark mark he realised with horror, and Tom vanished.

He swore.

____

'Where'd Tom go?' Lestrange asked sullenly.

'He had an…errand,' Harry replied awkwardly, still trying to get the image of the Dark Mark out of his head. What was that? Apparation via smoky snake thing? His scar began to throb.

'What type of errand?'

He shot Lestrange a dark look.

'Aren't you supposed to be the most faithful follower here?' he asked delicately. Lestrange flushed.

'I - Tom trusts me!' Lestrange hissed. He merely raised a sceptical mirror, turning his attention to the fire. 'HEY! He trusts me!'

'That's great,' he said pleasantly.

'He does!'

Harry could hear Zevi and the rest of the Slytherin's snickering, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Sirius. Please let him be okay.

The waiting was the worst part.

___

Tom appeared in front of the fire, causing him to jump.

The rest of the Slytherin's fell silent.

'Where were you?' Lestrange demanded, perhaps a little sulkily. Tom ignored Cygnus, staring at him.

'Sirius?' he whispered, not caring who heard him.

'Is fine, in the hospital wing if you wish to check on him.'

Harry stood up immediately, only to pause at the expectant arch in Tom's brow. Oh right.

He glanced helplessly at the door for a moment, then followed Tom into the dorm once more.

'Is he okay? How?' he questioned in rapid succession as soon as the door was shut.

'My methods were not part of the deal, Harry,' Tom smirked.

'Can't you just tell me anyway?' he asked. The look on Riddle's face showed him exactly what Tom thought of that question. No. He sighed.

'What do you want?' he said bluntly. He knew the other boy too well to think that Tom didn't already have his price set in his head. Tom took a step forward, his movements lithe and predatory. A hand, cold and sinewy, caught his arm. His left arm. He swallowed, suddenly feeling very stupid. He hadn't put any limits or restrictions on what Tom could demand of him. He didn't pull away, and Tom didn't look away. Still, when Tom slid his sleeve up, his movements excruciatingly slow, he couldn't help but jerk slightly.

'You'd let me, wouldn't you?' Tom said quietly, a small smile on his face. It wasn't a nice smile; it wasn't even a cruel smile masked with the normal charm. It was truly chilling.

'A deal's a deal,' he said dully.

He felt nauseous. Tom pulled his wand out, placing it delicately against his forearm. He pictured the dark mark…and felt even more sick.

There was a long, long silence and, oh god, he wished he could look away.

Pain.

AN: Thanks for all the reviews, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I might hiatus this, because despite my efforts it's not going that well. You guys are welcome to use the idea.