Title: Fate's Fickle Hand

Author: Sinistersmiles

Disclaimer: I do not own The Harry Potter series.

Warnings: SLASH! Tom Riddle/Harry Potter. Severus Snape is Harry's father. Occasional grammar and spelling mistakes might occur, as English is not my primary language. Dark Harry! Time Travel!

Summery: Dark and prodigious; Tom Riddle can manipulate everyone to his advantage until he encounters the mysterious and enchanting Hadrian Beaumont. What he does not know is that Hadrian Beaumont is his soul mate, who was previously known as Harry James Potter.

AN: Certain facts in this chapter are different from the cannon (Especially what was revealed in the book "Deathly Hallows"). However, since this is an 'Alternate Universe' fic, please excuse me.

Xxxx

Sparkling blue eyes observed the numerous students assembled for breakfast with a small, pleased smile. There was nothing more delightful than to watch innocent children enjoying friendship and camaraderie, too involved in their own little problems to worry about the darkness spreading like a disease in the Wizard world.

Dumbledore crossed his fingers under his chin and continued his observation. He wanted to preserve that innocence as long as he could. He wanted everyone to have good memories that will soothe him or her in hard times.

That was why he became a teacher. He wanted to cherish the gift the children brought to their world with their innocent, affectionate eyes, their petulant pouts and their pure smiles.

His eyes landed on one particular group of students.

Slytherins.

Thin lips formed a secretive little smile.

Slytherins were usually the smartest students amongst the houses and that he why he found himself being particularly fond of his Slytherin students.

Wise blue eyes landed on the regal figure of Tom Riddle and darkened somewhat in sadness.

Tom was an interesting boy. Those blue eyes hid so many secrets that he found himself intrigued. He had known that Tom had something to do with the mysterious murder of the Riddles but he had little evidence. He needed to know if there was any connection because then he could help the poor boy understand that sometimes forgiveness was the only key to peace.

Tom had such a tormented soul, even amongst friends; he was lonely and detached, deliberately separating himself from others. He did not wish for the legacy that was Salazar Slytherin to fade away like that. The boy was brilliant and it would take little for him to rise to greatness, Albus just wished that Tom could trust him to guide him to the right path.

Albus raised a brow when he saw raw emotion pass through Tom's eyes. He followed the intent gaze to another mysterious student.

Hadrian Beaumont.

Subconsciously, his pensive features relaxed and his sparkling eyes became tender. The boy was magical; there was no other way to describe him. There was not a single person in Hogwarts who did not fall for the boy's gentle eyes and small, mysterious smiles. He could not count the number of times Severus had been congratulated for having such a fine son.

Something about Hadrian that drew people towards him, something that caused everyone to look at him with adoring eyes. He wished to know as much as he could about the unusual boy, so different from his other students.

Therefore, he had once questioned Severus casually about the boy's mother. The answer had been curt; Hadrian had never met his mother. She had died a few months after his birth.

He had not asked anything after that. The father was protective of his son, that much was obvious and he seemed to be wary of Albus for some inexplicable reason.

As though sensing his gaze on him, Hadrian tilted his head slightly to look at him, his eyes flashing in slight confusion.

A sentence he read somewhere in ancient texts immediately came to his mind.

The eyes of merciful death.

Something clicked then and he narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. He recalled the book from which he had borrowed that sentence and glanced at the two Slytherins.

Xxx

As soon as the breakfast was over, Dumbledore quickly excused himself and went to his chambers.

His movements had a sense of urgency as he searched for a specific book.

There

He found it. It was an old, leather bound book. It was thin and fragile, so much so that he often feared that it would crumble beneath the gentle touch of his fingers.

He opened it to find Lady Ravenclaw's elegant handwriting spin the tale about the construction and the first successful years of Hogwarts as a premiere educational institution. Something written by her had caught his attention the moment he read it.

Everything was going so well. Salazar had recently acquired a fine heir that he had proudly named Dionysius Salazar Slytherin. I myself was heavy with my second child and Nathaniel was growing up to be just like my beloved.

It was during this peaceful period that I got a horrifying vision. To think that the name of the Noble serpent clan would be so disgraced caused me great sorrow. As I write these words down, I think of my words as not prophetic, but rather a method to curb the growing dread within my heart.

I have seen two heirs of the Slytherin clan, two beautiful children molded into strong men by pain and sadness that was predominant in their lives. The mother within me aches with sorrow to see them struggle, I wish to embrace them to my breast and protect them from a corrupted world that demands so much from these innocent hearts.

But alas, fate has tied my hands and my arms cannot reach them.

They are soul mates, bound by ties that go far beyond life and death, beyond time and space, their connection is too strong to break yet so fragile and beautiful.

I can envision them perfectly in my mind. One of them reminds me so distinctly of my husband that I wonder if my beloved has been reincarnated into that tormented soul. The heir of Adrianus Slytherin with those same eyes that were the color of merciful death, the same kind and silent demeanor and the same wisdom that comes from shouldering responsibilities he was much too young to bear, just like my husband, his ancestor.

My beautiful child who cries silent tears.

Then my mind draws of the image of a handsome young man, proud and elegant and it makes me wonder how such a rational young man could ever lose his sanity. Those clear, pale blue eyes look so composed and intelligent. Salazar's heir is so unlike him that it baffles me. Yes, my brother-in-law is cunning, ambitious and at times, he can be rather indifferent and unkind, but never ruthless.

My only hope is the conversation that Salazar had with his heir because of that spell. I can only pray that he was able to convince the boy to understand the situation and act accordingly or our world will come to ruin.

X

Albus closed the book and sighed. Placing it carefully on the desk before him, he looked at it for a long while, wondering whether any of this was actually linked to Tom Riddle and Hadrian Beaumont.

The vague physical descriptions certainly matched. Hadrian did look of Slytherin descent. Those eyes, the manner in which she described them, fit perfectly.

The color of merciful death.

The painless death caused by Avada Kedevra.

The personality descriptions also matched. Had he not used the same words to describe that child, himself? Kind, silent and wise?

What he could not comprehend was the supposed link to Salazar's older brother Adrianus Slytherin. From what he could discern, Lady Ravenclaw was married to him and so it would mean that the boy would have to be a Snape to have any connections with him, as the Snape line was the only one that was linked to Lady Ravenclaw.

Hadrian was not a Snape. But young Alexander was, however, Albus could see that the descriptions did not match at all. Alexander was nothing like the boy Lady Ravenclaw described.

The description she gave of the other boy struck him. The boy reminded him strongly of Tom. It was exactly how Lady Ravenclaw described, the eyes, the personality and the fact that Tom was capable of appalling ruthlessness.

He just could not disregard the vague physical hints she gave.

The appearance of a wizard was a strong indicator of the family to which he belongs. The Malfoys have always enjoyed their pale blonde locks and steel grey eyes, along with the tall, yet slender built.

The Weasleys have always been rather temperamental redheads with pale blue eyes and lanky bodies.

The Potters have always had hazel colored eyes with wild hair and rather weak eyesight.

The Blacks are blessed with aristocratic looks, jet-black hair and icy blue and grey eyes.

The Snapes possess the unnatural looks similar to that of vampires with pale skin, black hair and stunning obsidian eyes

However, there have been rare occasions where a child possesses the traits of the ancestors that existed even before their clan came into existence.

Dumbledore shook his head. It was pointless. Hadrian was not a Snape and therefore not a descendent of Adrianus Slytherin.

However, if he was somehow related to the Slytherin and the child that Lady Ravenclaw saw in her vision, Albus would do everything in his power to see to it that ill-fate would not befall upon their world.

Xxxx

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. The last week had been horrible for him. Tom's anger was palpable, his icy stares shook Harry to the core but… but he was too wounded to trust Tom, too many things had happened for him to actually submit to his feelings.

He ran a pale hand through his hair and scowled, his Transfiguration assignment was before him, complete. He set it aside for the ink to dry before he leaned back and looked at the ceiling.

The discussion he had with his father had not helped. Severus Snape was a pragmatic man and therefore he did not consider his actions logical. His father had told him, head on, that he should tell Tom Riddle everything that was safe to tell.

His mind went back to the conversation he had had with his father.

Xx

"I do not know what to do." Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. "How can I tell him? How can I when I do not trust him enough to take the right path?"

Severus nursed his goblet of fire-whiskey and eyed his son shrewdly. "The powers of divination and prophecy that Rowena Ravenclaw possessed are not to be underestimated, Harry." He said softly, "If it is with your assistance that our world can be saved and reformed, than why are you hesitating? You have always been willing to sacrifice in order to save others. You sacrificed your soul-mate, did you not?"

Harry winced and lowered his head to look at this folded hands. "You have nothing to lose and everything to gain if you take this one chance." Severus told him as he leaned forward. "Look at me, son." He said as he lifted Harry's chin to meet to confused eyes. "You know many things about magic and society in general that Riddle chooses to ignore. If both of you work together, you can come up with a way to heal our society and it will take time and patience. However, without your assistance, Riddle will get corrupted."

"Why is my participation so important?" Harry asked softly, "What makes me so special? I do not have a desire for greatness as Tom does, nor do I care much for a society that has caused me nothing but pain. Let them reap what they have sown."

Severus scowled. "Have you ever considered the possibility that Riddle's soul may have been corrupted because his soul-mate was out of his reach? Think about it, Harry, you have known what it is like to live without one's soul-mate."

Harry ran a trembling hand through his hair. It was a cruel twist of fate that had kept the two of them away from each other. He did not understand it. If he was Tom Riddle's soul mate than why was it so that he was born so many decades after Tom Riddle?

"Fickle Fate." He murmured sarcastically and Severus smirked.

Xx

He made his decision and stood up.

Xxxx

Tom stilled when he felt a hand on his back. He did not need to turn to see who it was; the feel of intense magic sizzling in the air was enough to prove the person's identity.

"We need to talk." Tom raised a brow, after a week of being silent, now he wanted to talk. Icy blue eyes narrowed and he took a step forward. He needed to calm his anger before he could bring himself to talk with him.

The hand fisting into his cloak stopped him. He could feel Harry's forehead pressing into his back and narrowed his eyes in warning at the students who lingered curiously to watch what was going on. This would spark rumors throughout the castle but Tom was not worried about that.

He was angry with Harry but he did not want to be. He kept silent because he knew he would say something cruel and unforgivable if he opened his mouth. He did not care much for what happened to Wizarding world. He did not care if their blind prejudice and selfish behavior led to their own downfall.

Kindness was not his forte. He was not a hero of any sort.

However, he wanted his Harry by his side. If Harry himself did not want it, why would Tom concern himself with other things in life? Why would he be concerned if anything happened to their world?

His silence seemed to upset Harry somewhat because the boy withdrew and stepped back with a sigh. "Seek me out when you feel ready to talk."

Tom turned swiftly and caught Harry's hand while their audience almost leaned forward in interest. "We will talk." Then he gave a sharp tug on the boy's wrist, pulling Harry along with him.

Emerald eyes glittered in amusement as he easily kept up with Tom's swift stride. He remembered that he had dragged his father to the Room of Requirement in a similar fashion. The whispers of speculation were starting around them. Other students seemed baffled by their behavior.

It was times as these he wondered why people were so interested in him. Tom, he could understand, he was an enigmatic and charming man in their eyes. However, he was just the new kid.

Shaking his head slightly, he looked at Tom's impassive face and bit back a sigh. He walked out of the castle in silence and Harry knew where Tom was leading him.

It was towards the lake.

The grip on his wrist loosened as soon as they reached their destination and he moved back, leaning against a tree, looking at Tom with hooded eyes. The silence that surrounded them was tense with anticipation. Tom wanted his questions answered.

His clear eyes were intent, silently demanding. Harry sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. Letting his eyes roam, checking the surroundings. It was a tactic to gather his thoughts. He needed to think how he wanted to start the conversation.

Tom was getting a little impatient judging by the slight tapping of his fingers on his bicep.

"Have you ever wondered why do you want to be a Dark Lord, Tom?" He questioned lightly, "Fame, recognition? I know you enough to tell that your motives are not selfless. I would be a fool to assume that." Sharp green eyes bored into calm cerulean.

Tom frowned at the question, "I don't want to be forgotten. I do not want to be a mere memory in a few peoples' minds. I want to be someone they can not forget, if alongside my goal I attain my ancestor's goal too…" he shrugged before looking at Harry intently, "They slander the name of my clan, sneer at Slytherins just because they do not understand the importance of Dark magic." Clear eyes glittered wrathfully, "They will know then that it is a mistake to abandon children of magic in orphanages."

"And what do you think was Lord Slytherin's goal?" Harry asked softly, "Do you really know what he wanted?"

"The cleansing of our world, stopping the corruption of our world and the weakening of magic, exterminating all muggles and muggle-borns from the magical community, I am certain that is what he wanted." Tom said impassively.

Harry sighed and shook his head; he should have known that Tom would misunderstand the Lord Slytherin's message. "You are wrong." He said resolutely, looking at Tom with narrowed eyes, "You are a smart man, think about it, if there were only pure-bloods in our world, how long it will take for inbreeding to destroy our race? You know of the Gaunts, do you not? They are your relatives after all, you know the insanity that runs in their blood, the insanity you escaped by being a half-blood."

Harry leaned forward, his eyes soft and soothing, trying to stall Tom anger while he made his point, "Do you doubt your own strength, Tom? Both you and I know just how powerful you are capable of being, more powerful than any pureblood you have encountered, have you not benefited by the muggle blood in your veins?"

Tom snorted, turning his head away to look at the placid lake. "You know I am speaking the truth Tom, don't let your pride get in the way and think rationally. You wanted me to tell you everything, I am doing just that."

"How can you be so certain that I am wrong? You know what has happened since muggle-borns have started invading our world, you are not a fool either, Harry, I know you see it too." Keen eyes looked at him, stubborn and insistent.

Harry sighed, folding his arms with a slight, rueful smile. He should have known it would not be easy. "Yes," he admitted, "I can see it but there are ways to take care of that problem."

Tom let of a frustrated hiss and glared at Harry through icy turquoise eyes. "What is it that you really want to say, Harry?"

The smaller boy turned away from him and Tom scowled, "Let us see some of that mysterious knowledge… Lord Slytherin said that you know many things that I do not. I need proof."

"Think back on my very first question, Tom. What made you decide to be a Dark Lord? Why is that ambition so solid? Have you ever once wavered in your decision to be a Dark Lord?" There was something behind Harry questions and Tom could sense it. He frowned. He suddenly felt skeptical. He looked at Harry for answers to the questions he had voiced but the boy was not looking at him.

"'SeniorDiluculo, Senior Crepusculum and Senior Nox Noctis' Do you know what that means, Tom?"

"'Lord Dawn, Lord Dusk and Lord Night'?" Tom answered, wondering why Harry suddenly mentioned such a thing. "What does it mean?"

"Light, Grey, Dark..." Harry turned to him, almost smirking at the startled expression on the usually stoic face. "The Dominatio Concilium, as they called it, was an arcane form of Democracy. Magic itself selected them; they were picked at a very young age, compelled by an unknown force to take up their role in the society."

Tom's eyes widened in realization and he looked at Harry. "Each side of Magic was represented. The Light disliked Dark Magic because they knew what kind of effect it had on Light Wizards. Light Magic weakened Dark Wizards and so they disliked White Magic. Neutral Wizards were generally considered the weaker sect of society. All of these sides needed an equal stand and so Magic created the Lords' Council. Do you understand what I am trying to say, Tom?"

"No side defines evil but any side can be evil." Harry whispered, "Dark is not evil but that also means that Light is not pure. Actions of a person should not be judged based on the kind of magic he wields. There have been many White lords who have turned 'Dark', which doesn't mean that they had started practicing Dark Magic, it means that they had turned evil."

Tom's hunger for knowledge came forth and he temporarily forgot his anger. What Harry was telling him was entirely too fascinating to ignore. "To reach our destined goal, there is a long, hard road, Tom. There is no scope for us to lead a normal life, not scope for us to… raise a family and ensure their safety. Our society has forgotten many important things, slowly we must teach then those ideals again. We must teach them the true meaning of magic, the true meaning of Dark magic and Light Magic and the Grey Arts. However, you must be the first to learn, the question is, are you willing?"

Sharp green eyes met clouded blue when Harry asked that question. Tom stayed silent for a long while, his thoughts muddled with everything he had just learned. He knew what Harry said was the truth; he knew not to question his soul mate's knowledge. His blind faith in the source of the information rattled him. Harry was just a boy… younger to him, the fact that he was ready to accept the knowledge that came from such a dubious source left him with a distinct sense of unease.

Nevertheless, he now understood Harry's reticence. Lord Slytherin had made it sound so simple, so easy. However, Harry… Harry had not said everything but what he did say was enough to make Tom realize this wasn't just about being a Dark Lord. No… this was so much more.

"We can't turn away?" Tom questioned softly, "From this destiny of ours? Can we ignore it?"

Harry sighed and closed his eyes. He did not know what to say. He had been asking the same question to himself ever since he came to this dimension. Could he turn away?

"I don't know." He answered, "And I am frightened to find out what would happen if we did."

Harry left Tom to his thoughts as he walked towards the shore of the lake, He watched as the faint breeze created small ripples on the surface of the lake, finding the peaceful environment soothing his frazzled nerves. "I won't stand by your side like a trophy wife of some sort while you get lost in bloodlust and destroy everything both of us love and cherish, just because you did not know what it actually means to be a Dark Lord." He said softly, "It wouldn't take much for you to become the monster Lord Slytherin warned you about if you continue down that path."

"How do you know so much about me? About all this?" Tom questioned shrewdly, as he came up behind Harry. He could feel those clear eyes on him, demanding the truth and Harry sighed and shook his head regretfully, "I cannot say."

"Cannot or will not, Harry?" There was softness in his voice that told Harry that with his honesty, he had affectively garnered his forgiveness.

Tom watched as Harry's head bowed, silky raven bangs shadowing his eyes. It was that very moment that he felt the first stirrings of attraction for his soul mate. He stepped closer, slowly, letting his fingers trail up Harry's arm. The touch was inquisitive; it was as though Tom was testing waters.

Harry stilled completely, his eyes widening somewhat. That touch was just as unexpected as the embrace Tom had trapped him in earlier that week. He sighed and closed his eyes, not objecting to the touch but not encouraging it either.

Tom frowned thoughtfully at Harry reaction, or the lack of it. He knew the Harry must have been feeling the same attraction he did. He stepped forward and closed his eyes, resigned. "Are you ready, Tom?" Harry asked softly as Tom pressed his forehead on Harry shoulder. "This destiny?"

Tom stayed silent and Harry knew that he was not ready. Neither of them was ready, not yet.

He felt Tom's distress as though it was his own and sighed silently, "Don't take this as my permission to court me, Riddle. There are many things about you that I dislike." He stated mildly, his eyes dancing in humor.

"There are things about you that I dislike as well." Tom countered and Harry chuckled. "We make quite a pair." He whispered, finally leaning into the touch.

Xxx

Shuffling of boots could be heard as a handful of elegantly clad men entered a richly decorated dining room. At the head of the table was a blond-haired person, although his posture was youthful, his face showed faint lines. His expression was warm and welcoming, deceptively amiable.

"Welcome…" He said with a deep, commanding voice, "I have called this meeting to discuss our fu…" he paused, his eyes landing on an empty chair. Seven of his followers were supposed to be present. He frowned thoughtfully, "Now where is my protégé, I wonder?" His keen eyes landed on a young, handsome boy, a pale brow arching in question.

Orion Black frowned, "From my cousin's letters, I can discern that something very interesting is happening at Hogwarts, my lord."

Gellert Grindelwald leaned forward, his blue eyes inquisitive, "Really, care to elaborate? I would like to know why Mr. Riddle is absent."

Orion shook his head, "I do not know why he is not present today, my lord. Forgive me but I can only report on the recent happenings within Hogwarts. I suppose that is what is stalling him."

Grindelwald waved of the apologetic statement and nodded, "Do continue."

The Black heir nodded in return, "There are two new wizards in Hogwarts, Severus Alexander Beaumont and his son Hadrian Lucian Beaumont. The father is the Potions Professor and the son is in seventh year, Slytherin."

"Beaumont?" Grindelwald raised a brow in mild astonishment. "I assumed that the last Beaumont died about thirty years ago?" He looked at his closest, most loyal supporter, Alfons Adler.

The regal looking old man frowned, "We can never be certain, my lord." He said shaking his head, "Beaumont is an old clan, and it is rather difficult to keep track of all its members."

Grindelwald nodded in acceptance and turned to Orion, motioning him to continue.

"The son, my lord, is proficient in Black Magic." The Black stated. Grindelwald nearly leaned forward in interest, "How proficient, Orion?"

"Cygnus was uncertain, but he did say that other than Black magic, the boy knows a lot about Blood Magic and rituals." His followers whispered amongst themselves, speculating and discussing about the new development.

Orion hesitated, looking at the Dark Lord uncertainly. Grindelwald raised a brow questioningly, "Yes?"

The Black heir sighed, running his fingers through his silk like hair in an uncharacteristic show of discomfort. "Cygnus speculates that there is something going on between Riddle and the boy."

Light blue eyes sparkled with interest and mild amusement; he was perceptive enough to understand what that slight hesitation meant. "Riddle showed uncharacteristic interest in the young Beaumont and the boy seemed unimpressed with Riddle, not believing his charismatic personality at all."

"Is that right?" Grindelwald smiled, "My, my, what an interesting development. I don't suppose it would be possible to summon the child to me for a while?"

Orion narrowed his eyes, "Considering Riddle… it will be difficult sir." Grindelwald tilted his head to the side thoughtfully as Orion continued, "You know he is an ambitious young man, sir."

"Of course I do, Orion." Grindelwald smiled somewhat fondly, "That is precisely why he is my apprentice. Should I fail in my goal to create an ideal World of Wizards, a Utopia by the likes of Atlantis, Tom will continue on my path in his own way, trying to achieve the same goal."

"I suspect he is gathering his own league of supporters. He had a tight knit circle of friends, my Lord, and all of them are veritable geniuses, each with their own unique talents."

The Dark Lord's lips quirked into an amused smile, "Much like my own circle of supporters…"

Orion carefully suppressed his own irritation at the blind faith his lord seemed to have on Riddle. However, he also knew that his lord was right. Despite Riddle's arrogance and lack of subservience to their lord, he still had the same goal in mind. His lord was not doing this out of selfishness; he was doing it because he saw the flaws in their world and wished to correct it.

Of course, his methods were somewhat hard to swallow. However, their situation was dire. The future of Dark Wizards was grim and they were on the verge of extinction.

People like Tom Riddle reminded him why, throughout history, one Dark Lord's downfall was followed by the rise of another.

"I will see what I can do, my lord."