Number Four, Privet Drive.
A quintessential English house.
And on this bright, sunny morning, the fresh air, the warmth of the sun… everything really should have been perfect.
But…
"Get up, you lazy brat! Breakfast isn't going to make itself!"
Vernon Dursley hammered on the cupboard under the stairs, yelling loud enough to rattle the windows.
"Yes, Uncle!"
A small voice, belonging to Harry Potter, a green-eyed boy with a lightning-shaped scar on his forehead, answered.
As the footsteps retreated, Harry slammed a fist against the thin mattress. "That old git Dursley is too much! I can't take it anymore!"
But he was a prisoner in their home, so he dragged himself out of bed to make their breakfast. If he was late, he'd be lucky to get scraps.
Sigh… Another day in paradise.
Muttering darkly under his breath, Harry left his cupboard-sized bedroom and headed for the bathroom to wash.
After splashing some water on his face, Harry glanced up and froze. Standing behind him in the mirror was a figure so handsome he looked like a dream. He was wearing a black robe trimmed with silver, and his eyes were the color of emeralds.
Startled, Harry whirled around. "Who the hell are you?!"
[Name: Harry Potter]
[Gender: Male]
[Age: 11]
[Occupation: Student]
[Magic: D (Newly enrolled wizard)]
[Talents (Max Level 10)]:
[Charms: 5 (Good)]
[Transfiguration: 4 (Average)]
[Dark Magic Defense: 7 (Natural Auror)]
[Dark Magic: 7 (Natural Dark Wizard)]
[Potions: 5 (Good)]
[Alchemy: 1 (Go to hell!)]
[Prophecy: 3 (Prophecy? A gambler's life only needs dice for company!)]
[Special Talent: Remnant Soul of the Dark Lord (Possesses a remnant soul of the Dark Lord within him, automatically masters Parseltongue, and may sometimes produce unexpected effects)]
[Charms Mastery: None]
[Items: Glasses (Damaged) "Quality: Junk"...]
Harry's attribute panel floated before Tom Riddle's eyes.
His magical power was slightly less than Cassandra Vole's, but that was to be expected. Cassandra's maternal grandmother was a Veela; her special blood gave her an advantage over most young wizards.
"Harry, do you hate them? They force you to live in a cupboard, wear cast-offs, eat leftovers, and treat you like a house-elf… Tell me, do you hate them?"
Tom Riddle started his manipulation without preamble.
Perhaps it was a gift, but Tom Riddle's words were incredibly persuasive. Harry forgot, for a moment, that a stranger had broken into the house, and his mind drifted back to years of being treated worse than a dog.
"No… No, I can't do that."
Harry shook his head, trying to banish the insidious thoughts.
"Harry, I know you are, by nature, kind-hearted, but what has kindness ever gotten you? Even if you did retaliate, wouldn't they deserve it?"
Tom Riddle pressed on.
"I don't have money for a train ticket, I have nowhere to stay, and I can't just leave," Harry thought miserably. Does he think I haven't considered revenge? When you're trapped under someone else's roof, you have to play nice! Doesn't he understand?!
"…"
Tom Riddle realized he was stating the obvious. "I will pay for it. You will come with me."
"Okay."
Harry agreed without hesitation.
Tom Riddle was intrigued. "Aren't you afraid I'm planning to kidnap you?"
"At this point? Being kidnapped would be a step up."
Harry shrugged; he was always up for a spontaneous adventure.
Tom Riddle didn't mince words. He liked straightforward young men like Harry. He immediately said, "As a reward, I will help you deal with the Dursleys."
Under Harry's questioning gaze, Tom Riddle strode out of the bathroom and into the living room.
"Harry! Hurry up and get cooking!"
To Harry's astonishment, the Dursleys seemed oblivious to Tom Riddle and continued to bark orders.
"It is a Disillusionment Charm. I am a wizard, after all."
Tom Riddle's explanation made Harry's eyes widen. He couldn't stop himself from exclaiming, "A wizard?!"
"A wizard?! What wizard?!"
Harry's words made the Dursleys tense. They scrambled to check the surroundings, then sat down, reassured that there were no lurking oddities.
They glared at Harry. "What are you playing at now? Get in the kitchen!"
But Harry ignored them.
To Harry's utter astonishment, Tom Riddle flicked his Elder Wand, and the living room table Transfigured into an enormous, angry bison that promptly began to trash the room.
"Ah!… Ah!…"
"Ahhh!"
The Dursleys panicked. Dudley was even tossed into the air by the enraged animal.
"Hahahaha…"
Watching the Dursleys, who had tormented him for years, making complete fools of themselves, Harry started to laugh uncontrollably.
"Don't worry, you are a wizard as well. I will teach you magic later."
Tom Riddle waved his wand at Harry.
I'm a wizard? I can learn magic?!
Harry was overjoyed, but a thousand questions surfaced instantly.
He wanted to ask, but Tom Riddle clearly wasn't in the mood to answer.
"Let us go, or the Aurors will be here shortly."
Tom Riddle turned to leave.
Harry hurried after him. "Sir, what are Aurors?"
Tom Riddle explained, "They are the wizarding police. Using magic in front of Muggles—that is, ordinary people—is against the law."
"Oh… I'm sorry, sir, it's all my fault."
Harry suddenly felt guilty.
"It is quite alright. It is just a minor inconvenience."
Tom Riddle smiled faintly and patted Harry on the head.
The gesture made Harry feel slightly awkward, but not entirely unpleasant. He mentally assigned Tom Riddle a "friend zone" card.
…
Click.
The door opened.
Tom Riddle led Harry out of the house, and they were immediately confronted by a beautiful blonde girl.
Cassandra Vole was stunning, and her magnificent dark green robes trimmed with silver only enhanced her noble bearing. Harry felt a sudden pang of inferiority.
"Teacher, you brought me here to see him?"
Cassandra Vole continued, "Teacher, I am thrilled you brought me out, but I will be disappointed if you only did it to find someone else."
Cassandra Vole's haughty, disdainful gaze made Harry uncomfortable, but since she was his teacher's student, he didn't dare say a word.
"Alright, let us get acquainted. This is Harry Potter; I am sure you have heard of him."
Tom Riddle habitually patted Cassandra Vole's head. The haughty girl clearly enjoyed the gesture but pretended otherwise; she looked rather adorable.
"Harry Potter?"
Cassandra Vole's gaze grew even frostier. She clearly disliked the boy who supposedly "defeated her teacher" so many years ago. "Teacher, do you intend for him to join the Death Eaters?"
"Death Eaters? What are those?"
Harry looked at Tom Riddle with undisguised curiosity.
Tom Riddle answered casually, "It is what I call my subordinates. They are all wizards, as well."
Hearing this, Harry looked at Tom Riddle hopefully. "Sir, could I possibly join the Death Eaters?"
---