Chapter 2

Thomas Riddle, Royal Brother

In another part of Potter Manor, far from the ceremony, a young man with hazel eyes and wavy dark brown hair neatly combed to the side was bent over a strange looking potion as he reached for a cage of rats to use for ingredients. He wore dark wizard robes with green designs. This was Thomas Riddle, the adopted brother to King James. Despite his high title in society, Tom was not a happy Prince. He was often bitter and sarcastic, usually keeping to himself in his quarters. He secretly resented his brother's kindness and positive, wise attitude, always feeling that his parents liked James better than him. This, of course, was untrue, but Tom's hard childhood at Wool's Orphanage wasn't easy to get over. The problem with himself was no matter how kind his adoptive family was, it was never enough.

Now, he spoke to the unlucky rat he had picked to use for his potion. The poor animal was squeaking in fear as Tom tauntingly toyed with the rat in his pale hands. "Yes, life's not fair, is it, little one?", he said in a soft, yet eerie voice. "But that's just how it is for such animals and people in this world. You see, I shall never be King." He takes a silver dagger from his robes and prepares to gut the rat's spleen out and cut off its tail. "And you...shall never see the light of another day. Adieu, petit vermine."

Tom raises the knife, but before he can slaughter the rat, a smooth, silky, deep voice rings out behind him.

"Didn't Professor Slughorn advise against playing with Potion ingredients?"

Tom sighs in exasperation. "Ahh, Severus. What do you want?"

Severus bowed, though it wasn't entirely sincere. "I'm here to announce that King James is on his way to speak with you. I'd advise you to have a believable excuse for missing the new Prince's ceremony.", he says sardonically.

Tom rolled his eyes, disinterested. The little rat had managed to escape from his grip and scamper off, squeezing under the door.

The grim wizard scowled. "Oh, now look, Severus, you've made me lose...my lunch." He glanced at the potion, clearly not telling the truth about what it was for.

Severus scowled. "Hmph! You'll lose more than just your meal when His Majesty gets through with you. He's as mad as a Manticore with an itch in his arse!"

Tom suddenly grins, unsheathing his wand from his holster. "Ooohh...I tremble with fear!"

Severus glares, but wisely backs up a bit. "Must you give me that...look again? I really don't like going through this..."

But it was clear that Tom would not back down. Severus took out his own wand to deflect any threatening spells. Luckily, before it could escalate, James appeared in the doorway. "Tom! Put that away.", he said with authority and dignity.

Tom groans and puts his wand back in his holster. Severus smiles. "Impeccable timing, Your Majesty."

As James approaches his brother, Tom gives a sarcastic smile. "Well, if it isn't my big brother, descending from on high to mingle with the commoners."

Cutting to the chase, James said, "Lily and I didn't see you arrive for the presentation of Harry."

Feigning shock and regret, Tom lamented, "Oh, Merlin, was that today?! Why, I feel simply awful!" He twirled a lone snake fang in his fingers, scraping it on the surface of the table. "Perhaps it just slipped my mind."

"Yes, well as slippery as your mind can be at times', Severus intervened, 'as the King's brother, you would've been first in line!"

Tom taps his wand at Severus, forcing him to back away. "Well, I was first in line, until that drooling little flobberworm of a boy was born!", he snarled.

"That "flobberworm" is my son, Thomas!", James snapped. "And your future king!"

Tom feigned formality. "Shall I practice my curtsy?" He turns to leave the room.

James speaks in a warning tone. "Don't turn your back on me, Tom."

"Oh, no, James. Perhaps you shouldn't turn your back on me."

That did it. James stormed in front of his brother, ready to take his wand out. "Is that a challenge?!"

"Temper, temper.", Tom says, unfazed. "I wouldn't dream of challenging you!"

Snorting in disbelief, Severus remarks, "Pity. May I ask why not?"

"Well, as far as brains, magical skill, and intelligence goes, I get the wizard's fair share, but when it comes to physical grace and strength...", He looks at his brother in mock disappointment as he walks away. "...I'm afraid I'm at the shallow end of the gene pool."

As the two watch him leave, Severus sighs deeply. "There's one in every family, sire, including mine. They always manage to ruin important occasions."

"What am I going to do with him?", James says.

"Well, he'd make a good translator for any snakes.", joked Severus, referring to Tom's Parseltongue abilities.

James chuckles. "Oh, Sev! You always know the right response!"

That night, a gentle rainstorm fell over England. In a humble, but inviting cottage, Dumbledore is hard at work making a magical portrait of the Potter family. The portrait was enchanted to change as Harry grew older. Humming softly to himself, Dumbledore painted the finishing touches on Harry's lily crown. He chuckles to himself as he frames the portrait in swirling gold and scarlet. A lightning bolt design with a lion was formed at the top of the frame. He raises his glass and says the following words that nearly everyone spoke that night:

"Long live Harry Potter, the Prince of Wizarding Britain!"