Harry was lonely, if he was truly honest with himself. Yes, he had Ron, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Molly, George, even Ginny still spoke civilly with him from time to time, and yes that ought to be enough, but… Harry wanted more out of his life. He wanted someone special. And though he hated to admit it – the thought sent a cold shudder through his body – the soul fragment from Voldemort had made him feel a little more compete. Of course, he hated the monster still, a decade after having defeated him. But logically, Harry could understand why this had happened. Ten years, with nobody to form an attachment with, locked in a cupboard each night… he could understand why he had, without ever realising it until that piece of soul had gone, bonded with that small slither of Lord Voldemort. Hermione would probably understand it. Ginny might also, having had a similar experience with a different fragment of the very same soul. But Harry didn't think that anybody else would. So he kept it to himself.

This night, however, wandering the dark an empty halls of Hogwarts, he was finally going to do something about it. It was his birthday, and yes, his friends had showered him in gifts and good will, but they had left him alone once again, albeit reluctantly. His plan was mad. Madder than any plan he had ever made before. But he was desperate. McGonagall had allowed Harry access to all Dumbledore had left, with a stern warning to take good care of the items but a soft understanding glint to her eyes. What Harry was most interested in, were the memories. Over and over and over, Harry would replay each one of the memories surrounding Tom Marvolo Ridde Jr, including his own, in chronological order. At first, it had been in an attempt to understand how the child became the monster. Harry couldn't believe that anyone was born a monster. But the more Harry begun to understand Riddle, the more he became fascinated with him, even obsessed, and pitied the poor boy and felt his heart ache for how the world had treated him. What Harry was second most interested in, was the time-turner. Supposedly the last remaining time-turner in existence, but Harry very much doubted that.

For the past 8 years, Harry had spent every moment he had to himself searching and searching through books, learning about time magic, memory magic, and the theories of dimensions. A lot of it had been very difficult to understand, but Harry had access to the Black libraries and Hogwarts library, and there were even some tomes in the Potter vaults, and eventually, he was able to start constructing a way to cure the empty feeling in his heart.

Harry was almost certain that when he went back in time, a new Universe would be created. He would be removed from his own, causing heartbreak and panic that he was most certainly done thinking about, and placed in another, with a future yet to be shaped. And he was almost certain that he could do it – he was a powerful wizard, when it came down to it, and he had been preparing his trip for a very long time. So as he entered the empty headmistress's office and found the secret door through which he kept the necessary materials, he wasted no time getting started on his charm. Only half an hour later, Harry found himself several decades in the past, in a dark crevice between two shops in Knockturn Alley. Feeling for the destroyed locket in his cloak pocket, he stepped out, hood up, and headed towards Borgin and Burkes. As expected, Tom Riddle was still in the shop towards the very end of opening hours. Harry entered, and watched as Tom raised his head.

"Pardon me sir, we're just about to close so if-" the sentence cut sharply as his eyes shot to the locket dangling from Harry's finger, a fury burning within, barely concealed by his usual charm.

A second had passed before Tom reached for his wand and found it had already been taken from him. Harry was quicker this time to cast a silent immobulus at the man and throw his cloak over him, sure that he had the upper hand, already being incredibly familiar with Tom's magic, whereas Tom had no idea who Harry was. He then disapparated them to the opening of a cave he was sure that Tom would recognise immediately.

Harry could feel Tom's wandless magic pushing against the restraints, and was mildly impressed, but had been prepared for it. He conjured them both chairs to sit on, and heaved a sigh as they were finally settled. Tom, unsurprisingly, looked furious, but Harry could also see a hint of fear.

"Let me introduce myself, Tom Marvolo Riddle" he started. "My name is Harry Potter. I was born on the 31st of July, 1980, to Lily Evans, an incredibly talented muggle-born, and James Potter. On the 31st of October 1981, however, my house was intruded upon by a dark wizard who went by the name of Lord Voldemort. He killed both my parents, but when he pointed his wand at me, the killing curse rebounded and hit him, leaving me with this scar."

Harry gestured to his scar, and observed as the faint traces of shock turned to confusion, and more fear. Tom remained silent, but it was obvious that he was angry at Harry for even knowing the name Voldemort, but a glint of understanding was present, already catching on to the idea of time travel, knowing what he had planned to be.

Harry had his story almost memorised – he had spent a lot of time going over in his head what he wanted to say to the man – and before long, he was done with his story from his birth, to the very last spell that defeated his Voldemort. Tom stared. His mind had clearly been working at immense rates, trying to understand what exactly Harry was telling him, and whether or not he believed the other man. Trying to get his head round the idea of his death, too; something that he had been working so hard to prevent.

"That locket you have…" he started, staring suspiciously at Harry. "Is that from your timeline or mine?"

"It's from my timeline. I didn't want to destroy any of your soul this time around." Tom looked relieved despite his expression remaining still. "Not that I wouldn't consider it if it became necessary."

"You managed to kidnap me." His voice was low, now. "How?"

"I spent a lot of time preparing for this day – years, even. I had access to every memory there was of you as a child, and every one of my own from you as Lord Voldemort. And you wouldn't like to think that your average wizard would be able to defeat somebody as powerful as you at the age of 17, would you?"

Tom pursed his lips.

"Anyway, I have a house prepared. You won't be trapped there forever, so don't worry; just enough time for me to get to know you and for you to get to know me." Harry said lightly.

"You're trying to make me good then, are you?" Tom sneered, sounding as if he wanted to spit the taste of the word out of his mouth. "I could've guessed that from the moment you said 'Gryffindor'."

"No, I'm not." Harry murmured, this time. "I'm just lonely. And you may well discover that you are too. There could be something to gain from this."

Tom said nothing more, and Harry proceeded to stun the man before apparating him to the house.

Let me know what you think! Bit of a grey start, I know, because there's nothing romantic about kidnap let's all be honest, but it'll pick up.