"Hurry up with breakfast, Tom."

His teeth clenched as he looked down to the grey blob of oats. It was the same bloody food day after day. Tom would instead go hungry than eat this tasteless food for the rest of his life. How long was he supposed to suffer this torment of being an orphan? When will he get the chance to be taken home?

The kids were being ushered into the common room to wait for the arrival of excited and nervous couples. Tom dragged his feet, making him the last one to enter. Every time these events happened, Tom was never picked.

There was always something about him that made others stay away from him. Even now, Sarah kept glancing in his direction, standing as far as she could from him. It was an evil he couldn't explain; it radiated off him. While sometimes it was wanted for protection purposes, other times it was unnecessary. It only isolated him, making it more impossible to leave the orphanage any time soon.

Recently, two kids tried to tell on him when they visited the cave together. Tom was just testing their resilience, and now the two were afraid to speak much. They lost interest in eating and avoided crowds. The adults kept a closer watch on them and Tom to make sure they stayed apart. He hated how annoying they were. His most recent doctor tried to gauge his moral meter, but Tom refused to speak to the man.

He was unique, and Tom knew it. It just didn't match his situation. There was a power to him that didn't match the life of an orphan. Nonetheless, he had no other option but to take his mother's abandonment.

Macie Dolohov walked into the orphanage slowly, trying to remain confident but was failing miserably. She couldn't shake off the nervousness that engulfed her as she approached the front desk. It was an old place, and there was nothing on her mind but the sweet and troubled face of a boy. She received a letter in the mail three mornings ago informing her and her husband that their adoption request had gone through. It had been three years, and finally, they could have all they yearned for; their first child.

She signed in and placed the name tag on her blazer. It felt like an interview, to say the least, her nerves were wracking up quickly. What if he didn't like them? They wanted a family so badly, but maybe the boy they chose wasn't for them. He might be too troubled by his mother's past.

"It's this way, dear," Antonin placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her towards the main room. He was trying to stay strong, but there was so much running through his mind.

Antonin didn't remember wanting to adopt a child ever. He and his wife were content with travelling; One day though, they had this yearning of a child. Specifically, a boy who resided in Wool's orphanage. They started the process so long ago that it seemed it would never come to an end.

But finally, they were going to meet their son.

The couple walked in and looked around hopeful. Many children were greeting the new parents, mostly accounted for, and others hoping that they too were getting to go to a place to call home.

Macie looked around and became worried Tom Riddle was already chosen. Antonin grabbed her elbow for her attention and pointed to the furthest corner in the room. There Tom was, sitting down on the ground with his head hung. Macie hated how miserable he looked.

"He looks so sad." She whispered. How could they help mend this boy's heart after everything he went through? The files said his mother was an addict and his father didn't know about him. He was born in the orphanage and never left. His mother was announced dead hours after Tom was born.

At least that's what the muggle records say. Hopefully, the magical couple could help him understand what and who he is. Antonin was ecstatic to hear of his lineage even with his less than perfect blood. It was good enough to raise an heir.

"We can make him happy, love. Let's go talk to him."

Tom heard his name softly spoken and peaked up to the couple. He shrank back in the corner, worriedly. The last family who was to adopt him wasn't very nice. He was told it was his fault for making them so angry.

"Hi, Tom. My name is Macie." She stuck her hand out, and Tom continued to frown defensively. Surely, they wouldn't want him. Nobody did.

"And I'm Antonin." He also extended his hand.

Tom sat up, putting his hands in his lap deliberately, and just stared at them both. Maybe if he stayed silent, they would go away. They awkwardly dropped their hands still looking at the boy, both sitting on the floor in front of him. Macie placed her purse between her and her husband, looking back at Tom and softly smiled. Tom's eyebrows furrowed more, not wanting to give in.

"We're here to get your permission to adopt you, hopefully."

"What?" Tom questioned.

"We want you to become a part of our family."

"Why? No one likes me." He kept his harsh tone. The hope spiked in him regardless of what he was displaying.

Mrs Dolohov's features scrunched up in a pained expression which only angered him. He hated pity. There was enough of it every time the events were over, and the sisters running the orphanage had to console all the leftover children. Tom was nervous that this was a trick. Usually, adults were terrified of him, so why are these two willing to adopt him? Something isn't right. What if they hurt him like the last couple; this time he would defend himself no matter what.

"We like you." Macie replied reassuringly, "We know about you… and your secret."

She waved her hand a small orb of light appeared from thin air. Tom's eyes widened. Macie smiled and brushed away the pure magic before someone else saw it.

"We know you're special, Tom." Antonin concurred.

Tom never felt surprised in his life; matter of fact there wasn't much he ever felt. For whatever reason, the general soft natured feelings were difficult for him. It was anger and hatred that fueled him to the brim. Any of the kids who crossed him felt his silent wrath, and they would stay away after that. Any newcomers were warned not to cross Tom Marvolo Riddle.

"We want to bring you with us," Macie leaned in a bit, lowering her voice, "to a time where everything will be better."

"Time?" His curiosity blossomed hearing them speak as if going at any time was easy.

"Between you and I, we're a witch and wizard. So are you." Macie whispered.

It was as if the world froze still at that moment, the other noises in the room were immediately muted as Tom stared at her and then looked to her husband to see if he agreed or not.

It was so absurd; the information just told was absolutely ridiculous, but Tom felt the metaphorical click of the missing piece to his puzzle put in place. His body shuddered as he thought of every "accident" that happened around him; the animals he controlled, his way of hearing people's thoughts, the summoning of small items. Everything was put in a simple sentence.

Magic does exist.

"I knew it. I knew I was special." He muttered and felt the cry caught in his throat, his eyes falling to stare at his hands involuntarily quiver. For years they told him there was no such thing as something just happening. It was magic, and he knew for a while, it existed. That's what was happening in the cave; exploring his magic on his two chosen victims.

"Will you come with us?" Macie extended her hands towards him. Antonin checked his watch and saw they had half an hour to return to their start point. The witch who gave them the instructions would be waiting.

"Where are you going?" Tom closed his hands and crossed his arms. He was trying to remain neutral but breaking out of the orphanage was everything he ever wanted. That and an answer to his quirk.

"To a better time, I promise you won't want to come back," Macie smiled and pulled a time turner from her purse.

"You mean like the future?"

Antonin nodded, "Only if you are up for the adventure."

Tom looked between the two, wondering if they were utterly mad or completely brilliant. Were they speaking truthfully? He hesitated, and the bell for the nearing of their time was over. It was now or never.

"Come with us, and you will be okay." Macie coaxed.

"What if you don't like me?" Tom asked out of habit. His insecurities were still wavering and continuously in the back of his head.

"We can always bring you back, but we hope you'll stay." Antonin smiled. Tom didn't know if he could trust them, but what else did he have?

"Okay, I'll go. On one condition."

Macie and Antonin both looked to him curiously but nodded their heads, agreeing.

"You teach me how to do that ball of magic." He smirked, and Macie smiled at him excitedly.

"I'll teach you whatever you'd like; we have a lifetime together."

Another time.

Hermione was pacing the living area, nervous for the outcome of what could alter so much of their lives. It took months to set everything up for this moment to happen. Her meticulous, detailed plan should be going perfectly.

She looked at her clock on the fireplace and noticed that they were almost back. She rolled her bottom lip between her teeth, gnawing on it harshly. There was so much that could happen and not happen with this little turn of event. She sent her two chosen people to retrieve Tom in hopes that the young wizard would be curious enough to want to time travel.

Rather than forcing herself all the way back, Hermione decided to bring the past to the future. Find a better lapse than completely erasing herself. She time travelled many different times, trying to figure the proper moment when to alter the future. It took various hopping back into making dates move forward, events to happen later and births to happen when she needed them to. Since Tom had no family alive, his birth was just the same. Giving him a little knowledge hopefully would give him a small sense of control. If there is one thing for sure, Voldemort liked to have all the power at the tips of his fingers.

He crossed the wrong witch in his lifetime and now Hermione was on an anger-fueled mission to eradicate Lord Voldemort. Starting with his ridiculous title. But patience was key. The boy needed to come to her first.

There were several ways Hermione wanted this to happen, many of them having Tom not even be born. Times Hermione had evil thoughts occur, and the baby wouldn't survive. Her anger was dark, the war making it eviler than before her friendship with Harry.

That's when she decided to thoroughly think, using the thought that if she wanted something done right, she ought to do it herself. Even in her youth, Hermione was relentless and would be able to whip anyone in shape as herself. Well, sort of. Harry and Ron weren't very keen on becoming more like her, but they met her some part of the way.

So it was decided, on a late night thought that she could mix Voldemort's and her's path together at the same time. Hermione was placing him in the Muggle world, in the house beside hers.

If the couple were successful, that means he would meet her now. She was hoping to change him with a healthy second half of his childhood. Putting together two child outcasts may help Tom and simultaneously herself with having a friend, one that understood each other's quirks. Hermione had a temper before her time at Hogwarts, and it was one thing in common with Tom Riddle according to his file at Wool's orphanage.

Her eyes continued to follow the ticking hand on the clock, fear and nerves were starting to curl in her stomach. She began to take in a deep breath and think of her mantra.

I cannot control everything, and everything can't control me.

At twenty-three years old, she was seeing a therapist three times a week and having a group session with Ron and Harry on the weekends. They all had small tasks to work on each day with their own assigned mantras to help. Kimberly told her that she needed to let go of the need to fix and control every situation. It's one of the reasons she and Ron's short-lived marriage ended abruptly.

Twenty-three-year-old divorced heroin; what a pathetic thing to be. She aspired to be the minister, and that dream was shot down when they denied her the position before even getting the chance to apply. They didn't think to have a witch who needed therapy almost as much as needing air should be in such a stressful job.

So now Hermione has settled into being a healer. It wasn't enough, and she needed to get a grip. That's where her plan started. Draco Malfoy, of all people, gave her the idea as they spoke about wishing they could redo the past.

Why couldn't the brightest witch of her age do just that?

Right now, she was waiting for the trio to appear at her home. It was empty, her actions of hiding her parents happened the summer after the third year. The dangers that Harry brought into her life were very real. Hermione knew their path would grow dark, foresaw that choosing Harry as a best friend meant putting her family on that same path. So, she took them to Australia, having one last holiday before making it their permanent residence.

A tear slowly fell on her cheek and blinked the rest of the tears back. It was hard to let her parents go at such a young age, but it was necessary. They never got their memory back and still resided in Australia. There was a lot that could be fixed should Tom grow up to be just Tom.

The clock kept ticking down, and she began twisting her hands together anxiously. Each second passed by so slowly, it seemed. Right as she was about to pull out her time turner, the slow appearance of the trio landed in her living room.

Hermione stared at Tom, his already hard demeanour in place. She remembered Harry showing them his memories in the last couple of months. A part of his therapy was to share the information and relieve himself of it all. That therapist was from St. Mungo's and they used the Pensieve to make the trio understand everyone's point of view of what happened.

She couldn't help the nervous gulp, finally meeting the boy Harry got to know in vivid memories. Doubt blossomed as she looked at him, what if this didn't work and he still became a pureblood loving monster?

"Tom, this is Annaliese. She is going to help us." Macie pushed a now shy ridden boy forward. Hermione suppressed the anger and anxiety that swirled in her, reminding herself that as of that moment, the second their hands would touch, there would be no Lord Voldemort. She was changing the future just by introducing herself.

"Hello, Tom."

Tom didn't know why he was meeting her, was she their daughter? He grabbed the hand she extended towards him, surprising the couple as they tried the gesture earlier.

"Hello," Tom greeted respectfully.

"Macie and Antonin are excited to raise you, are you okay with that?" Hermione checked his expression, trying to see if he was already corrupted. The boy frowned.

"I thought I was already adopted; the sisters said the paperwork was processed, and they" Tom pointed to the couple, "signed for me."

"Of course." Hermione felt the innocence but couldn't help the sick feeling intertwined in her judgement. She knew what he was capable of; essentially what he already did.

"I'm going to place all of you in a different time together with this time turner." Hermione grabbed the time turner from her back pocket, it was larger than the one Macie had.

Tom kept his face straight as her words left her lips, trying to understand her. He narrowed his eyes as she stood back up.

"Let's get ready to go." Hermione stuck her hand, despite the drop of her stomach. She was kind to the person that created such chaos. Tom slowly took it, and the other two stepped closer so Hermione could place the necklace around them. She spun the dial numerous times, and Tom's heart sped up as he again time travelled.

Tom opened his eyes and saw that they were in another empty home. It was small, nothing too fancy. He wished the couple was secretly wealthy beyond what they could spend in one lifetime. He spun slowly, taking in the empty living area.

"Now, this is where you will be living." Hermione put the time turner away and walked to the window facing the neighbour's house. From it, she could see into their living room. Her parents were sitting on the couch, watching the television.

"The neighbours are a delight, and they have a little one that's your age. She can help you with a lot."

"How do you know?" Tom asked, peeking through the window, seeing the couple as well.

Hermione pursed her lips and turned from the window towards the couple. Tom didn't listen to her response; he spotted their daughter walking into view. She flopped into the armchair and made herself comfortable with a book in hand.

The book she was holding was very thick, which made Tom scrunch his nose. He didn't particularly like reading, but he knew it was necessary to get all knowledge he possibly could obtain on his own. She looked to be enjoying it, which meant the girl could be of use for someone's personal experience of where he was residing.

"How can I meet the girl next door?"

Hermione looked at him and tried to hide the excitement that he was doing exactly what she wanted. She chose this day specifically. She and her parents would relax in the living area; she read, and they watched the news channel. It was their family time.

"You will most likely meet her in your school. I have already sent in your registration papers; your parents will take you school shopping sometime this week. You are officially a Gaunt."

"Gaunt?" He asked as he remembered the couple saying Dolohov.

"Yes. Thomas Marvolo Gaunt. Tom for short," Hermione felt a little smug knowing he couldn't make his beloved anagram. "Gaunt is a famous family name, and they didn't want to use it in the orphanage, so no one bothered."

Every word and lie spouted to the young boy was cementing everything into place. Hermione would have one hell of a time trying to fix all of this should one thing go wrong. Maybe this plan of hers was for the best, perhaps for the worst. Hermione was ignoring all of her therapist's warnings and literally is going to fix her life. The muggle didn't realise that Hermione had the means to do so.

Tom followed the three adults to the dining room table, where they were given all their new information. He sat quietly, thinking of his new last name. It was his birth mother's name; something he learned when he snuck into the director's office one time to check his file.

"Let's go have a look at your room, Tom. It's the only one furnished."

Macie stood from the table and held out her hand towards Tom hoping he'd take it like Hermione's. He cautiously placed his hand in hers and softly smiled. It was a new form of affection, and he was terrified of it. Like mentioned before, the last couple did not treat him nicely.

They walked up the steps and Antonin led them towards the bedroom. Tom stepped in first and was shocked to see an entirely made up room.

"This is all for me?" Tom peeked back to the couple who were nodding their heads. He tried to feel excited, but there was nothing.

He thought about what the last hired doctor who evaluated him said; "Even if you don't feel the happiness, kindness goes a long way."

He forced a smile and walked the room, seeing everything they had for him. It was more than he could ask for and everything that he secretly yearned for. He wanted to be out of the orphanage. Now with that obstacle out of the way, what was next?

He felt the anger swirl in him quickly, the thought of revenge was still fresh in him. He looked at the room and thought that this was nowhere near what he deserved. The way his life has been up until now, he deserved so much more.

"If you don't like the colour, we can always," Macie waved her hand and the room went from a colour scheme of blues to reds, "Change it."

"Can you show me how to do that?" Tom felt his smile to be sincere now as he saw the blue replaced with red.

"Of course, we can. We are hiring you a tutor to start training you." Antonin replied to him.

"I would love to learn it all," Tom smirked.

"Good. You will learn about magic and muggle studies." Macie nodded, and she saw his face fall into confusion.

"Muggle studies?" He had never heard the word.

"Muggles are people who don't have magic. But you can't show them your magic." Macie explained, and Tom nodded, taking in the new term.

"Let's go and say goodbye to Annaliese and then we can have lunch." Antonin walked out of the room first, and Macie followed suit.

Tom took a couple of seconds to look around the room. If there was one thing for sure, he was going to try his hardest to stay out of the orphanage. He let his lips straighten out and cleared his throat, recomposing himself.

Hermione heard the soft steps above, making their way to the stairs. She was becoming nervous as she rethought everything. Was having an imperioed stranger and memory altered Death Eater the best way of raising Tom?

Tom walked over to the adults and Hermione knelt at his eye level again. He gulped as he saw her forced expression. He wondered what she was really feeling.

"I'm going now." Hermione started, and Tom extended his hand towards her. She smiled and shook his hand.

"I would like to hear that you are behaving. I read your file from the home and would not like for these two to have any problems." Hermione warned, seeing Tom's cheeks flush.

"Yes, ma'am." He answered bluntly.

She stood back up, saying her goodbye to the adults. Tom watched her leave, and in the blink of an eye, she disappeared on the spot.