Hey! Sorry this chapter came so late. That's what you get when I give out 4 chapters all at once. :D Anyway, this chapter isn't much, but this'll be my usual style. I go between both Harry and Tom's POV. And sorry it isn't very long. I don't know how I managed to write such long chapters for the original haha. :D Btw-did I mention how much I HATE my other version? How did you guys read it? It sucks ASS. Anyway, please enjoy. Let me know how you think of Tom btw. I'm really worried I'm not getting him quite crazy enough. But don't worry, that'll come up later. ANYWAY, hope you like and review your thoughts!

Chapter 5

New Friends...or Enemies?

"We'll be Friends Forever, won't we, Pooh?' asked Piglet.

"Even longer." Pooh answered."

― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

What?

This...this wasn't possible. Yeah, he and Nick had joked about it...but Harry wasn't a Slytherin. He was brave, and chivalrous, and blunt...

No. I refuse. This is not happening to me of all people!

Harry rethought through all his interactions, how he had reacted to the people around him. Was he truly Slytherin material? Was he devious and cunning? Sure, his plans had been pretty full-proof during the war, but that was because he understood Voldemort! It had nothing to do with him as a person. Right? But as his feet dragged toward the House of Snakes and his own robes become embroidered in green, he knew that it had been him.

By entering the mind of a snake, he had become one himself.

Oh Merlin...this is going to be exhausting.

Harry finally made his way to the Slytherin table, but found no empty ones beside the boys he had met earlier. Malfoy gave an innocent shrug while Zabini seemed to be avoiding his gaze. That other boy though...he was staring right at him.

His grey eyes were cold, his head cocked calculatingly. Harry wanted to be miffed but...they were Slytherins after all. Maybe this was a test of some sort? No one was glaring, just apathetic. So Harry let go of his confusion and went with it. Maybe he would find someone new anyway. Not everyone in Slytherin would be a baby Death Eater. Right?

He sat himself beside a girl who seemed oddly familiar to him and looked to be around his age. She had her head buried in a thick book, lank black hair hanging around her pale face. He couldn't see her actual facial features though, so he had no idea if she was related to someone he knew. He sat down as delicately as possible, mind thinking back to how each of those purebloods had acted.

Maybe that's what had put them off. He didn't know what he had done...but he was in the past. He hadn't really been around anyone during this time to test out their mannerisms, and Nick didn't count because he was barely of this world anyway. So, either all snakes were put through this, or Harry had inadvertently done something to piss someone off.

With a sigh Harry decided to put his minds off things, knowing he would only stress himself out by overthinking it. It could just be that the boys simply didn't like him. He had never really hung out with the Slytherins in his time. Maybe it wasn't Malfoy; maybe Harry's personality just didn't clash well with the ambitious and cunning.

Why was I put here then?

With another sigh Harry cut off his inner musings and dug into his baked potato. Answers would either come in time, or he'd remain friendless for his last year at Hogwarts. With a glance at the upturned faces and quiet conversation, Harry couldn't find it in himself to mind.

Why isn't he upset?

Tom blocked out the pureblood brats that surrounded him, already finding the drivel they talked about utterly useless. His sights were instead on the newest addition to Slytherin house. One Harry Flamel.

The boy, now that he was in his House, was full of contradictions. He was loud and boisterous, nothing like the quiet and restrained nature within the House of Snakes. He hadn't seemed to show any kind of advanced ambition, what with his "I'm not completely sure" response when talk of future careers surfaced while on the train. Not to mention his table manners were absolutely atrocious. The boy didn't even put a napkin in his lap for Merlin's sake!

Tom just….didn't understand this boy at all. Based on his calculations, the boy should have been a Gryffindor. No doubt about it. And he had never been wrong. Not until now.

"So...how are ya?" Harry nervously ran a hand through his hair, eyes peeking up from under his fringe.

He knew there was nothing to fear...but he had never been great with other people. And that had been with his fellow Gryffindors to back him up. The girl sighed loudly and looked up, her black eyes and thick brows much too intense for comfort, but he knew that face. And to be honest, he was a bit excited.

"What do you want, boy?" Her voice was silky smooth, surprisingly high-pitched. Everything about her oozed contempt, but he could see the same nervousness. And he knew what to do. He sent her a lopsided grin, too much teeth, but hopefully easygoing.

"Just someone to talk to. You seem like a great contender. Whatcha reading?" She cocked her brow up, obviously unamused.

"I'm not sure your ridiculously tiny troll brain would get past the first sentence without utterly imploding upon itself. So, there's truly no point in learning it's title." She shoved her face back into the large book, no longer paying a lick of attention to Harry. Not even when he started laughing.

"Wow...I haven't heard a better insult in a while. I'm Harry Flamel. Pleasure to meet you…" And, surprisingly, when Harry waved his hand in the other girl's face she grabbed it. She gave a quick squeeze and let go, eyes like a pair of familiar black holes he never would have guessed himself missing.

"Eileen Prince. You would do well to remember, for I shan't repeat myself." And Harry wouldn't even begin to try covering the laugh that he let loose, or the grin that appeared on his face.

No way. The boy...he had befriended Prince of all people.

It wasn't possible. The girl didn't even care for Tom, and he had the entire school wrapped around his finger. Flamel obviously didn't have any kind of intelligence, so why would she give him the time of day?

It's that...charisma.

Yes, that made sense. He supposed Flamel was...kind of endearing in a childish sort of way. The way his face showed any and all emotions he felt made you feel as if he was entirely genuine. And honesty breeds trust and comfort. Yes, that made sense. Eileen just found him an appealing new toy.

Her loud chuckles did not make him doubt his assumption.

"And-and she actually hit him?" Harry laughed along with her, the memory bringing tears to his eyes.

"Yes. It-it was amazing! I mean, he totally deserved it, but still. A little thirteen year old making the big bad pureblood cry? Hilarious!" Harry was extremely proud of himself. It had been awkward at first, but after a few minutes of failed attempts he had finally found a good conversation topic. Violence.

"I still can't believe a muggleborn of all people would have the nerve to attack a pureblood. And a girl as well! You choose your friendships wisely Mr. Flamel."

"Oh please, just call me Harry. And I'll call you Eileen." Her lips upturned slightly and she nodded.

"Alright Harry. Of course, I'm assuming you don't mean to pursue me romantically, so I would keep in mind what girls you ask to call by first name. Many will take offense, especially those engaged." Harry's mouth fell open, hands whipping around and head shaking to remove those thoughts from her head.

"Nonono! I would never-well I mean you are attractive so I-but that doesn't mean...Ugh." Harry grinned shyly, hand coming up to rub his neck nervously.

"I do not wish to pursue a relationship. You just seem nice and I wouldn't mind having at least one friend in the snake pit."

For the first time that night she gave a true smile, teeth sharp and lips thin. Her eyes glinted and above all, she looked dangerous.

"We don't have friends here, boy. But we do have enemies. Be glad you didn't make one out of me."

Harry didn't understand how everyone didn't get sick of all the green in here. Green this, green that, it was...weird. At least Gryffindor had some gold mixed with the red. He could get used to the leather seats though. Those were nice.

He sat down in the armchair nearest to the fireplace and waved Eileen over, hoping that they could talk a bit more. While her insults were much more creative and nasty than Snape's, they were filled with less hate, so it was more entertaining than anything.

At his motion she glared and waved her book, making it clear she didn't want to converse. He sent his best puppy-dog look though, one he remembered Luna saying was particularly adorable. Of course, she conveyed that by saying it caused Blibbering Humdingers to tickle a person's ear, which was just 'adorable' in Luna-speak. Eileen sighed and walked over, her eyes looking quite ferocious in the fire-light.

"Boy, I don't speak to many people for one reason only. I find extended conversation boring. If you bore me, I will no longer spend any time with you. So, to put it in simpler terms-piss off." And she walked away.

Harry grinned happily, knowing Snape well enough to see that soon he and Eileen would be great friends. He opened his Advanced Light Arts book once again, hoping to finish chapter five before he went to sleep. In just a few minutes a shadow covered him, utterly destroying his ability to read. He looked up curiously when the shadow didn't disappear, and was surprised to see the boys who had ignored him earlier standing there. Weren't they mad at him?

"Um...hello. Did you need something?" Harry shut his book. hoping not to accidentally offend them in any way. Who knew what these Purebloods found insulting?

"Hello." The boy with deep grey eyes said, his gaze never leaving Harry's own. To be honest, it was a little...creepy.

Wasn't extended eye contact a sign of wanting to kill someone? Harry waited a few seconds, the boy's eyes looking deep into his own all the while. Was this a threatening tactic? Would it be better if he looked away or if he continued staring? Was he even allowed to blink? The issue was resolved for him though when the boy with unnatural violet eyes butted in, grinning in a natural way that was...too natural somehow.

"No, we don't need anything in particular. Except our seats." Harry's eyes narrowed, not believing his ears. They...they wanted his seat? This pettiness was above even Draco.

"Um, sorry, but I sat here first. 'Fraid you'll have to sit yourselves elsewhere. What about that couch right over there." Harry pointed over to the large couch which could easily seat four people and the other loveseat beside it. The boy's eyes widened, seemingly disbelieving that Harry hadn't just gotten up. Did he really look like that much of a pushover?

The idea of it made Harry's temper flare. Malfoy's next words didn't help in the slightest.

"Yes. Actually. As we understand it you obviously don't understand the mechanics of Slytherin house, but only the most powerful of-" Harry raised a hand and stood up, eyes narrowed and lips set in a straight line.

"I don't care about whatever 'rules' you guys have in Slytherin house. I'm just a guy trying to get by. Now, I don't mean to offend you all, but I don't take kindly to bullies. And from what I've seen, that's all you are. Now, if you would be so kind as to get out of my light, I'm going to return to reading." Harry plopped back down, brain not focused on the book anymore, but now unwillingly to move lest they not take his argument seriously.

Besides, he didn't want to act as if he was pouting by running away. Harry remained oblivious to the shocked silence around him, and the eyes that had remained fastened onto him the entire time.

Fascinating. Based on the boy's overall kindness and naiveté , he hadn't expected such a...powerful response.

It was obvious the boy had been bullied in the past, and had experience with things being taken from him without thought. Perhaps that's where the kindness came from? The exact opposite route Tom had taken. Well, it would take time for the boy to get over this, so he'd just have to try again lat-

"I'm-I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. I shouldn't have gotten so angry about it. I'm sure you guys are just used to having this spot, and that's fine. I needed to hit the sack anyway. Night." And the boy actually had the nerve to pat him on the shoulder, bright green eyes shimmering at him, and an equally brilliant smile on his face.

As he left, Tom couldn't help but wonder how he could pull his lips into a smile that big so much without hurting himself.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Harry couldn't believe how he had blown up earlier. He had no interest in having to deal with anymore Slytherin grudges. Those guys could wait forever before getting back at you. And they got you back ten-fold. His stupid pride just got in the way-again.

The boy...what was his name? Zabini? He had asked for the seat nicely, and Harry was sure they had just had those spots for awhile. If Harry hadn't acted like a jerk and just said no, he was sure they would have been fine with it. But nooOOOoo, he had to get crazy about it, jumping on his own personal soapbox and preaching about the wrongful act of bullying.

He only hoped he wouldn't be completely ostracized too quickly. Of course, this mostly had to do with Eileen. He had made a friend with her, and he'd hate to accidentally pull her down with him. Of course, he was sure that she'd just throw him under the bus if it came to that, but he did enjoy being around her. So far anyway.

He had a feeling that, just like Snape, if he could worm his way into her heart, she'd be the best friend he could have. Besides, she said there were only allies in Slytherin house. He had to prove her wrong, didn't he?

"Harry, no stop, you don't understand! I'm not her I swear I'm not her, please Harry don't do this-!"

Harry shot up out of bed, a scream breaching his lips without permission. He panted and shivered uncontrollably; tears falling down his face and their sloppy trail leading into his mouth. After a minute of sitting and getting a handle over himself, he spit out the salty taste in his mouth. His thoughts refused to forget the nightmare...the memory, though.

"Oh God." And he rushed out of bed and fell to the porcelain floor, vomit thankfully landing in the toilet and not onto himself.

"Here. You have a little…" Harry fell back in his hurry to stand, eyes wide and red.

The boy with grey eyes stood above him, hair tousled from sleep. He smiled kindly at Harry, and in his hand lay a soft, white towel, and Harry realized what he was talking about. Soon his face matched the red of his eyes and he took the towel from Riddle, not catching the split second touch of their fingers. He wiped the leftover vomit from his chin and tried to smile, but ultimately failed. His thoughts remained on the nightmare...on what he had done. To be honest, he wanted to be alone. But for some reason, the boy refused to leave.

"Um...is this toilet special to you, too?" Riddle laughed, surprisingly, and held out his hand, and Harry grabbed it. Unlike the time with the ice cream, it lingered.

"No, it isn't. I am...merely concerned for my fellow peer. I don't believe you could have smuggled alcohol into Hogwarts so quickly, and even if you could, there doesn't seem to be any kind of smell on you. So, what caused you to vomit in the middle of the night? Do we have an anorexic in our midst?" Harry laughed at that and dusted himself off, thoughts of that moving to the back of his brain.

"No. I assure you, there is nothing wrong with me. Just had a nightmare s'all." Harry managed to pull up a grin this time and was secretly happy someone bothered to check on him. He had assumed all the Slytherins would simply ignore his nightly issues. It seemed that wouldn't be the case. This would make it a bit more complicated though...

"A nightmare that caused nausea? It must have been pretty vulgar." Harry sighed at that, part of him wishing that's all it had been.

"Yeah, it was." And Harry walked back to bed, even though he wouldn't get another wink of sleep.

Liar.

His face screamed it, that it was something worse. Something terrifying.

Tom hadn't had nightmares in a very long time, if ever. He did have dreams though. Of things that would give others nightmares. That small fact had never managed to bother him.

Before the interesting interaction with Harry Flamel he had just been reading calmly in bed, enjoying the peace and quiet. Suddenly he felt the soft vibrations of running and the sound of crying. He ran his hand through his hair a few times, messing it up, and walked over, curious as to what was going on.

When he saw the boy he had been endlessly fascinated with today vomit, he grabbed a towel from the rack, and calmly waited for him to finish. He couldn't believe his luck though. What a perfect time to figure out some of his secrets.

"Um…is this toilet special to you too?" He let loose a quick laugh, not realizing he had waited a bit too long to respond. Tom supposed he was a bit too tired. Or maybe...no. Not possible. He did have to admit the boy was awfully charming-and suddenly he realized his fascination. The boy reminded him of himself.

Of how he could draw people to him like moth to a flame. But they were also completely different. Tom drew people to him with his intelligence and power. While this boy...he did it with genuinity. Something Tom in all ways lacked.

"No, it isn't. I am...merely concerned with my fellow peer. I don't believe you could have smuggled alcohol into Hogwarts so quickly, and even if you could, there doesn't seem to be any kind of smell on you. So what caused you to vomit in the middle of the night? Do we have an anorexic in our midst?"

When the boy didn't question his term of 'anorexia' he got another fun fact. He must have pro-muggle parents, or live among muggles.

"No. I assure you there is nothing wrong with me. Just had a nightmare s'all." The boy managed to smile this time, though tiredness tinged the edges.

Tom just didn't understand the utter...vulnerability this boy showed. How could he be comfortable right now? And feel the need to smile at him as if to...make him feel better. It just didn't make any sense. Especially when he could tell the boy wasn't trying to manipulate him.

Unless he's even better than you foresaw...

Tom immediately threw away that option. He was the master of manipulation. There was no way this... thing was in any way better than him. Simply inconceivable.

There was something he was missing, and Tom could feel a giddy feeling rising inside him as the boy left the room.

He had a new pet project. And he had a feeling this one was going to be special.

Also! I wanted to thank everyone who follows Malicious Intentions. I just hit 100 reviews! WOOOOOO! First time I've had 3-digit numbers on reviews for a story before! Let's hope they keep coming haha. Shoutout to all those who reviewed! And remember, I wanna know what you think of my Tom and Harry. How can I improve? Thanks and have a wonderful day!