Harry paced in his room, nervous about his upcoming visit with the Dark Lord that afternoon. Harry had shown the letter to Ron and Hermione and explained to them what was occurring. They were scared, of course, of meeting Voldemort, but both knew they weren't going to let Harry go alone.

Harry wasn't even sure what would happen during this meeting or how it was going to go. Harry just hoped they would make it out in one piece. Harry sighed and shook himself.

'Get it together, Harry,' he told himself. 'You've faced Voldemort plenty of times; how is this any different?'

'But it is different,' a voice replied back, sounding eerily like Hermione. 'It's completely different. You won't be attacking him. You will be talking to him peacefully about a subject that no one wants to discuss. You have reason to be nervous and scared.'

Harry sighed again. 'Well, that didn't help me at all,' as he walked out of the dormitory.

Harry, Ron and Hermione made their way through Hogsmeade that afternoon, passing their fellow year mates. They entered the Three Broomsticks and headed for Madame Rosemerta. Harry spoke up.

"Hello, Madame. We have a private room waiting for us, I believe…"

"Ah yes, the young gentleman said Harry Potter would be joining him and possibly bring guests. Right up those stairs, and it's the first room on the left…"

Harry and co. climbed the stairs and found the room, but before grabbing the handle, Harry paused. His nerves were sky high at the moment and he wasn't sure he could handle this. Hermione somehow sensed his fears, putting her hand on his shoulders.

"You can do this, Harry. We are in this together."

" 'Course, mate," Ron spoke up. "We can handle Snakeface together."

Harry smiled at his friends before knocking on the door. After a moment of silence, Harry opened the door.

Inside the room was a long conference-type table. And at the head was HIM. Yet it wasn't the Voldemort they thought. Sitting at the table was Tom Riddle.

"I see you did come. And you brought your friends. I should have known."

Harry glared at him. "You did say they could come."

Voldemort sighed. "So I did."

Harry looked him up and down. "What happened to the snake face?"

Voldemort looked at Harry, before replying, "This is how I was originally supposed to return as. However, Wormtail, as inept as usual, blotched the potion to restore me, which left me in the snake state that I was. It took Severus numerous potions to return my youth."

"But enough of my looks. You stated that the charm you used, Parentis, stated that we are soul mates, and Dumbledore and Flitwick reviewed the results."

Harry swallowed. "Yes, both looked the sheet over before coming to a conclusion. They also stated that we wouldn't be able to ignore this."

"That is how those types of charms work, yes," Voldemort replied, looking down at his hands. "However, after several hours of thinking upon this, I have an idea on how to go about this. I believe that we should create a contract or a treaty. I will disband the Death Eaters and take a more political route to ensure my plans and ideas…" Voldemort looked up at Harry for this next bit. "If I have your hand in marriage."