Chapter 20:

They had Carrow's first defence class today. Harry wasn't looking forward to it. DADA teacher's had a bad habit of trying to murder him, and she kept giving him the evil eye.

Ron, in similar sentiments, stabbed his toast moodily. He was sitting with the lions, much to Tom's displeasure…then again, if Tom wanted his company he shouldn't have been so bloody annoying, should he? Still, he sighed. The Gryffindors were extremely loud and Ron talked with his mouthful. Great guy…but no manners at all.

"I can't believe Professor Dumbledore is letting her teach us!" Hermione complained indignantly, setting down her newspaper. He totally agreed. He wasn't looking forward to it.

He knew it would be awful.

He stormed furiously out of the classroom, his wand clutched a fraction too tightly in his fist. A group of third year Ravenclaws skittered out of his way. Strange, he'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have the corridors part as he walked through them. Not that he minded, it was strangely satisfying when their little looks weren't irritating…and sweet Salazar he sounded like Tom. He just couldn't believe the bitch said that! She was WORSE THAN UMBRIDGE. She was decent teacher, and if you ignored the sickening way she doted on Tom and the underline Death-eateriness of everything she said, the lesson could have been quite enjoyable. He was no stranger to the Dark Arts after all…but then she said that. It was innocent enough, at least in a classroom context. It was a good solid bit of advice about dealing with opponents…to everyone except him. To him, it was a knife twist to the gut and she knew it. When fighting a group, it is useful to be able to separate the weeds from the people you really need to target and get rid of the spares.

Get rid of the spare…kill the spare. It could have been a coincidence, he may even have allowed it to be one. Then she had smirked at him, with a mocking "isn't that right, Mr Potter?" Hag.

"Harry!"

He didn't stop at Ron and Hermione's voices. He really didn't want to talk to anyone right now…not even them. Damn it.

It was Tom that found him. Of course, it would be him. It was always him, whether Harry liked it or not. "Get lost," he snapped automatically. Tom walked further into the astronomy tower, his arms folded casually over his chest and his dark hair falling elegantly over one of his eyes. "Your minions are looking for you."

"They're not minions."

"Friends, whatever," Tom sighed dismissedly, studying his immaculate nails. "You missed lunch.""And you're missing Charms," he replied. He petted Hedwig's head some more, not looking up. It would start to bug Riddle in approximately five seconds.

"I've already passed my owls. As have you. This stuff is amateur compared to us."Harry snorted. What a typically superior Tom thing to say.

"You'll ruin your model student act."

"Harry," the annoyed hiss of parseltongue made his head lift reflexively. His shoulders tensed slightly in concern, despite himself. "What?" he asked, frustrated. "Look if you've got something to say to me, say it. I'm really not in the mood to second guess you today."

Tom rolled his eyes; a rarity in itself. He walked over, sitting down next to him, planting an hand firmly on his shoulder when he immediately tried to stand up. He went completely still. "Put it down to atonement and tell me what's bothering you. I'm bored and I have a throbbing migraine of teenage angst flittering in the corner of my head."

"Good for you. The sky is blue. Grass is green. Feel atoned," he replied dryly. Before he could get up, Tom's grip had tightened. He winced slightly.

"Lily Potter," Riddle remarked, seemingly randomly. The future Dark Lord's eyes had grown dark. "W-what?" he flinched, not expecting and not liking that word, that name, on his tongue. Sure, Tom wasn't Voldemort…but for crying out loud there were some lines of conversation Tom should have the courtesy to stay away from. He stood up, forcefully this time. Tom rose with him, his eyebrows slightly raised. "James Potter."

"Stop it," he growled. Tom looked thoughtful for a moment. "Hufflepuff boy."

"His name was Cedric, damn it!" his voice grew louder, eerily noisy in the hushed tower. Tom's head tilted. A small smirk graced his lips. "Godric's Holllow," he said slowly. It was the last one, the deliberate insinuations and pattern, that made him snap. His magic flared, his wand shooting up and a curse on his lips. Riddle seemed to have anticipated it, and dodged in the last second. His expression had turned serious. "K-"

"I'm warning you, Riddle," he spat. "If you say one more word I'm going to curse the spit out you.""Kill the spare," Tom replied simply. With a low snarl, he spun on his heels. Don't kill him. He's not Voldemort. Not worth it…Tom crossed the room with him, pushing the door shut again as they both reached it. He could feel himself trembling and he hated it. Damn it but Tom knew exactly which buttons to push; and after that lesson!"What's the matter Harry? I thought you said you were going to curse me?"He felt his fists clenching around his wand, but stilled his hands, knowing Tom could strike faster than a cobra. He was too tired for this, he couldn't even think up a snappy retort. He always had a comeback for Tom…ever since they had met he had always had something to say. He just felt completely numb. Right now, he didn't care if Tom punched him in the face. He was spun round and pushed back so they were facing each others. His eyes were glowing red. Voldemort - no, Tom - but. He quickly looked away.

"Then again, mudblood and a blood traitor," he shrugged. "Not to mention a curly haired dweeb…nothing to get upset about."

"Shut up," he said weakly. "Probably deserved it -""-I SAID SHUT UP!" his magic coalesced, burning like a flame. "I WILL ONCE YOU STOP BEING PATHETIC!" Tom yelled back."Pathetic?" he spat. "You're the bloody pathetic one. You couldn't even kill a toddler."

"And you have raging guilt issues over every single thing I do; what a team, right?"

"I-you're impossible!" he snarled."Witty, real witty, you've got a proper tongue of razors going for yourself there, don't you?"

"Screw you.""Doing real good today. Yes, impressive indeed," Tom mocked. They glared at each other in silence. He had never hated Riddle more….well, except that time with Roger and Halloween, but…"What, as impressive as stalking a fifteen year old across time? What? You have a crush on me or something?"

Tom's arms folded, his magic dying down. "My work here is done. Now suck up your little flashback issues and go and tell everyone to stop bugging me about seeing what's wrong with you."

He stared at Tom's back as he smirked and walked away.

Huh?

"TOM! GET BACK HERE RIGHT NOW!"

AN: It's crap, but it's an update? I plead mercy. Sorry I've been so inactive. Thanks for all the reviews. I hope you managed to enjoy. PS: If you're interested; I have a blog on (also as The Fictionist.) Blatant advertising, I know…oh the shame.