One-shots/Short Stories

Tom Riddle - Part I

The Past - Part I
She was a quiet, lonely girl. People wouldn't notice she was even in the room. They don't even remember her being sorted. That was how lonely and quiet she was.

So how come out of everyone in the world, the Dark Lord himself noticed her instantly?

They were in the battle at Hogwarts, and Voldemort noticed her in the background secretly saving people while hiding from everyone. He went to one of the followers near him and told them to get her without any harm coming towards her.

He had a plan for her.

A plan that would change everything.

***

She struggled in their grasps, only to freeze in fear at the sight of the enemy standing just a foot away. He had his back turned, looking at the destruction of Hogwarts that he created. "Leave us." his chilling voice rasped out into the silent forest. Without another word, the death eaters that captured her disappeared in a black smoke. It was then only her, and Voldemort. The good and the bad. The mortal and the immortal.
   "Elizabeth Swan. . ." he said. "Pureblood. Daughter to Erik and Amelia Swan, popular couple in the Ministry of Defence. One of the best Aurors - yet, no one notices you. Not a second glance your way." He finally turned to her, his red eyes meeting her generals green eyes. "Why is that?"
   "Why would you want to know?" she bravely said.
   "Because. . ." he started walking around her in a circle. "I want you to do something for me -"
   "No way -!"
   "-that will prevent any of this from happening."
   "W. . .what?" Elizabeth stared at him shocked.
   "You see, I am close to dying." he said, facing the view of Hogwarts again. "Only now have I realised my mistakes. And I know how to get rid of all these horrors and deaths." He turned back to her, revealing his wand. Elizabeth immediately felt dread enter the pit of her stomach. She was going to die. Before he's going to admit defeat, he was going to use her as his last kill. This was it. She was going to die.
   She closed her eyes ready for death, though nothing happened. She opened her eyes to see him staring at Hogwarts, wand loosely in his hands. She frowned at the sight. What was happening? Wasn't Voldemort supposed to be some, evil guy that showed no mercy?
   "Um. . .sir?" she called out hesitantly. She inwardly winced at what she called him. Sir? He was no respected man. "What exactly are you going in about?"
   "I want you to go back in time." he revealed, turning around to face her again. Elizabeth gasped and took a step back in shock. "I want you to change me. Make me see the good. Possibly even show me how to love." In a blink of an eye he was in front of her, his hand grabbing her wrist. He gave her an envelope and a folder. "Give this letter to Dumbledore. The other folder is information on your exchange. Give that to Headmaster Dippet."
   "You want me to go back in time and change you?" Elizabeth said in disbelief.
   "Would you rather this world? Death and loss?"

***

"Attention, everyone!" Everyone quietened down when Headmaster Dippet stood at the podium in the Great Hall. He smiled at everyone's cooperation. "Before we begin dinner, I'd like to introduce our exchange student from Canada, Elizabeth Swan!"
   Everyone started clapping politely when they spotted the shy girl behind him. Whispers started going around at the sight of her. Elizabeth avoided their gazes with a blush, inwardly cursing the evil Voldemort. This better work, she thought glumly. Or else I am stuck in this time zone forever.
   Voldemort had explained briefly about the way she was going to travel back in time. "It won't be like using a Time Turner." he had explained. "When using a Turner, you go back to the present time. This has to be permanent for it to work."
   "Now, we shall let the Sorting Hat decide your house." Dippet motioned to the stool before them. Slowly, she made her way to the stool, her mind going back to the first time she got sorted in the future.
   She sat on the stool and awaited for the hat. The hat was put on her head, her sight welcoming the darkness from how big the hat was. "Ooh, interesting." the hat suddenly said. "Very interesting indeed. From the future to prevent a terrible cause. . .ah, I'll help you then." The hat then said in a loud booming voice, "SLYTHERIN!"

***

"Miss Swan?" Elizabeth looked up from her food to see a younger version of Dumbledore. She couldn't help but be frozen in shock at seeing him again. The last time she saw him, she was at his funeral.
   "Y-yes?" she eventually stammered out. He gave her a polite, kind smile.
   "I am Professor Dumbledore, teacher in Transfiguration and also the Deputy Headmaster of Hogwarts. I came to personally welcome you to this lovely school."
   "Th-thank you, sir."
   "I hear you've got a letter for me?" he stared at her curiously. Elizabeth remembered the letter from Voldemort earlier.
   "Er - yes. . ." she looked through her pockets and eventually found the letter, giving it to him quickly. He opened the letter and read it, his face morphing into shock and understanding.
   "Ah. . .yes, indeed. . ." He tucked the letter safely in his pockets. "Well, as I was saying, you will obviously need a tour around this school, which is why I am getting you to meet with Mister Riddle for the tour he willingly agreed to, who is also a prefect of this school."
   "Mister Riddle?" she tilted her head at him. Isn't that the human name for. . .
   "That is me." Elizabeth gasped in fright, turning around to see a boy behind her. He wore Slytherin robes, along with a prefect badge that was pinned proudly on the robe. He had curly black hair that was done neatly, his eyes a piercing green like the house he was in. He was around six feet tall, his form lithe and fit from what she could see, and he held a polite smile on his face that she instantly noticed was fake. She couldn't believe her eyes. This was Voldemort?
   "Hello," he spoke, his voice that made Elizabeth inwardly melt, "I'm Tom Riddle, a prefect of the school and am also in Slytherin." He held a pale hand out to her. "It's lovely to be out acquaintance. Welcome to Hogwarts."
   "Um. . .yes." Elizabeth stuttered, lightly taking his hand, scared that he might lash out and kill her. She scolded herself in her head. Voldemort is just a kid, he can't do anything until he's out of school.
   She turned to Dumbledore who was watching their interaction. He held a look of thought and wonder on his face, but gave a reassuring smile to her. "No need to be afraid," he said with a double meaning meant for her, "Riddle won't hurt you. He's the role model of the school." He then motioned to the students that were getting ready to leave for their dorms. "I suggest you take her to the Common Rooms and just have the night. Tomorrow you both don't have to go to classes, Mister Riddle here will just give you the tour tomorrow. I know you've had a long journey, Miss Swan." Dumbledore gave them a small nod of farewell. "Goodnight, Mister Riddle, Miss Swan."
   "Goodnight Professor." the two students said at the same time.
   When Dumbledore left them, Elizabeth turned to Riddle nervously. Riddle calmly turned to her and gave her a small smile. "Shall we?" he nodded to the exit.
   Elizabeth swallowed away her fear and gave him a small smile. "We shall."