Changing the Course of Time (Tomarry)

3. DADA and Potions

~Harry~

Tom and I walked into double Potions. We were pretty early as there was almost no one else in the room besides our professor. We took up the seats in the back corner and chatted a bit while we waited for class to start. Well, it was more me doing the talking, but Tom seemed to be warming up to me quickly. At least, more quickly than I would have expected from him. Once the class was full of students, our professor started class. "Hello and welcome students to a brand new year at Hogwarts. Now, it's my understanding that we have a new student in our midst. Mr. James, would you be so kind as to introduce yourself to the class."

Standing up, I replied, "Not much to say really, Sir. My name's Harry and I came from somewhere pretty far away."

"No need to be so formal son, just call me Professor Slughorn. It's nice to make your acquaintance. Now, moving onto today's lesson..." It turns out I'm not nearly as bad as potions without Prof. Snape breathing down my neck. Tom warned me after class what the type of person Prof. Slughorn is, how he's always taking students under his wing that are from influential families in hopes they'll be greatful in return later down the road.

"Well, I'm pretty much a nobody so I'm sure he'll leave me alone." I replied soon after.

"Not necessarily Harry. I'm sure if he thinks you're a good enough student, he'd try to get into your good graces as well. You were exceptionally good in class today even though it's only your first here. Plus, he's been trying to get me to join his club since last year, I wouldn't put it too much past him to try to get to me through you. Just be careful."

"As always, Tom." With that, we headed off to DADA. We weren't as early to this class but we were still some of the first students to enter the classroom. We both took a seat as our professor came out, except now I took actual notice of the students in the room. One in particular caught my eye, a boy with mid-length bleach blonde hair that looked a lot like Draco from my time. At least, the back of him did.

Tom must have caught me staring because a moment later he startled me by saying, "Abraxas Malfoy, quite a tough cookie, much like me. Against the will of his father and mother of course. I was thinking about recruiting him for my cause, but just not yet. What do you think?"

"I think, given his high standing as a Malfoy, he'd be one of the best to recruit." I responded, not sure how else to.

"You're quite right..." Tom trailed off as the professor started class. I was a bit taken aback when we actually learned something in the class, as I was used to Prof. Quirrell first year not really teaching us anything besides about his pet iguana. As well as a few theories but no actual magic; I didn't even understand the theories well enough to get anything out of learning them anyways. Once class had ended and we were heading towards the Great Hall for lunch, I realised that, since Prof. Dumbledore was the transfiguration teacher instead, I didn't have a clue who the headmaster was in this time. I mean, I saw him during the first feast of the year but I didn't know a single thing about him; unlike Dumbledore, he didn't really give a start-of-the-year speech besides welcoming us to Hogwarts.

I was about to ask Tom who he was, but he beat me to it, "Headmaster Dippet. He's not a very 'out there' sort of headmaster but he does his job." I was shocked that Tom had known what I was about to ask. "It seems as though if I ignore all other noise around me, I can hear your thoughts..." Tom paused. "I'm not quite sure why though because I can't do it with anyone else, so don't ask." That just confused me more but I didn't push for an explanation seeing as neither of us could supply one. We tried to forget about it for now and sat together at the Slytherin table. Though, after thinking it through a bit more, while Tom was distracted talking with a few other second year Slytherins, I realised this could spell trouble for me as I came from a different time period. I just had to be careful what I thought around him when we were alone or in a mostly quiet area. I, however, hoped to shape him into a better person. From what I heard from Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Prof. McGonagal, he had murderous tendencies even at a young age. Though, I don't know much of his views at this time, yet. I had a plan to ask him about it during the coming weekend. I had, seemingly foolish, hope that I could make him change. I better not be wrong to have such hope...

The rest of the classes went pretty fast and soon the day was over. Tom and I took to our dormitory with work in hand from our classes. The homework and information was much understand this year as I was much more relaxed though I couldn't understand why. Having Tom Riddle, a young Voldemort, as my classmate and sharring a dorm with me should make everything more stressful. That wasn't the case, however.

~Dumbledore; present day~

I could feel some of my memories change around me in accordance to Harry going back in time. This is not good...