CH13: Tom Marvolo Riddle

It happened all the time I learned new information, and plans changed. So when I saw a man in his early 20s sitting in a soft leather chair drinking tea provided by Nimrod with enough power to wipe out a city, my plans shifted. Raw emotion poured off the man riding the waves of his power. There was enough hate, fear, and envy rolling off the man to curdle milk. People ruled by their emotions were easy to manipulate. Yet, his paradoxical calm appearance spoke of incredible competence, and suddenly I felt that the blame the batarians plan might not go off so easily.

"You know, reading the surface emotions of others is considered rude in wizarding society." The man said.

"Then you shouldn't wear them on your sleeve," I said.

The man frowned. "My name is Tom Riddle, and I represent Erebus, a private school for special children. Though our students are mainly British, we reside in France. I've heard that you are quite special, Harry Potter. Tell me, have you ever moved things without touching them, accidentally started a fire with no explanation, or spoken to strange animals." Tom said with a smile.

I looked the man up and down and felt somewhat impressed. This man was a version of Voldemort but didn't look a day over 20. Since souls didn't exist, fracturing his wouldn't make any sense. He must have found another way to achieve immortality. Perhaps he made a philosopher's stone or broke convention and used magic to heal away his old age somehow. Cloning was also an option.

"Why should I waste my time going to your school instead of self-study?" I asked.

A spark lit up in Tom's eyes. "Don't play games with me, boy. I know about you, Harry Potter, and your exploits. Compared to even gifted wizards, you stand head and shoulders above them. You've done the impossible and killed immortals. And yet you are alone and surrounded by enemies. If I found you, I assure you the phoenix lords already have. This island is their stronghold; you are already in their power. When I leave, they will be able to flame into this place with impunity." Tom said.

"Then I will leave Great Britain and head to the states," I said.

"They're slaves regulate the intercontinental portkeys and monitor muggle air travel in this country. Escape without my help is impossible." Tom said.

I leaned back in my chair and rested my cheek on my palm. "So, it's either you or get my brain pecked out. Tom, did you kill my parents?" I asked.

The man froze before suddenly looking around. He wasn't wrong to do so just outside Tom's flaming restriction zone; several phoenixes and wizards popped in.

"There isn't much time you need to hurry and make a decision. Take my hand, and I can get you to safety?" Tom said and reached out with his hand.

I suspected it was Tom who led them here. Tom pulled his wand free, only for Nimrod to snatch it away from Tom with blinding speed.

"Give that back, oaf," Tom yelled.

"Oaf, are you going to call him a ruffian next? Sit down, Tom. I have no patience for whatever this is. A few phoenixes and wizards aren't a threat to me." I said.

"They will use fiend fire; this house isn't safe. Give me my wand before they put up the anti-apparition wards. I can side along apparate a few people." Tom said.

No sooner had he spoken than the wards snapped into place. I nodded and decided that my next project should be autonomous drones.

"Nimrod, go and get rid of the wizards and phoenixes. You are allowed to accept surrenders at this time. I'll stay here and finish my tea and conversation with our guest." I said.

"Of course, master, I will get rid of them presently," Nimrod said and seemed to vanish to Tom's eyes.

"Where did he go?" Tom asked.

"To deal with our uninvited guests. Now, Tom, I must know, are you the one who did it?" I asked.

Harry's early memories were filled with a longing for parental love. When I took over, my older mind ultimately rejected the need for that. Still, a part of Harry within me desired some form of closure.

"Your parents were enforcers for the phoenix lord Tyranus. Many liberation army soldiers remember your father as a bully who terrorized muggleborn and halfbreeds alike in Hogwarts. Your mother was a genius at charms and potions and far too valuable to the phoenixes to eat. Killing them brought magical Britain one step closer to its revolution. Losing Lily was a blow the phoenixes haven't recovered from. Before her ****, she had nearly revolutionized the muggleborn tracking system." Tom said.

I pointed two fingers at his head and charged a beam. "If I hadn't done it, you would have grown up to be a **** to the phoenixes and a bully just like your father. Your parents had to die for the revolution." Tom said.

My arm stretched out to ensure I wouldn't miss. "There was a prophecy," Tom said.

My beam fired, and Tom's brains sprayed the leather armchair's backrest. Only he didn't die. Before my eyes, time seemed to rewind localized around his body. His skull reformed as if I had never shot him, and he winked at me before smiling.

"I've been fighting immortals since the blitz. Do you think I wouldn't learn a few tricks? Kill me all you want; it will never stick. I've transcended my mortality beyond what you can comprehend." Tom said.

I looked over to the door. Nimrod was done with the wizards and phoenixes.

"Even with that ability, you failed to overthrow a few birds. That's disappointing, and for now, I can't think of a way to kill you permanently. Tossing you in a vat of molten steel then burying you underground would only take you out of play. The same if I used some cement shoes and tossed you in the ocean." I said.

Tom suddenly didn't seem so sure of himself after that. Nimrod returned with the wizards and phoenixes looking no worse for wear.

"Excellent, now we can get rid of the phoenixes and free some of our people," Tom said.

"You're not getting your wand back that easily," I said.

I heard a squawk of pain, and Cinder came flapping towards me with a bulge in her crop.