Chapter Text
Everything started with an impressive bang.
It wasn't the first Potions mishap that week, but this time around, the consequences were rather more serious than usual.
The loud explosion sent the cauldron's contents flying in all directions and somehow, the pungent concoction also found its way into Harry's satchel, where it soaked through an old parchment that probably shouldn't have been there in the first place. On the night of his arrival, Harry had found it hidden under his pillow. He'd been meaning to show it to Hermione, ask for her advice, but somehow, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the first week back at school, the whole thing had completely slipped his mind.
At the bottom of Harry's bag, a drawing of a snake came to life. It slowly slithered off the parchment, out of the bag and onto the floor.
None of the students noticed. They were too busy laughing at the person responsible for the ugly mess. Neville Longbottom no longer received detention for his repeated 'accidents', but his clumsiness remained as entertaining as ever
"Come on," Professor Slughorn said. "Settle down, please, ladies and gentlemen."
His words were spoken in vain, however, for he lacked not only Professor Snape's skills but also the man's unwavering authority. Students continued to laugh, and point in an all too childish manner, until Hannah Abbott's piercing scream suddenly cut through the room.
An ominous silence fell. All eyes turned to the back of the class and the spot she appeared to be staring at.
There stood Tom Riddle. He looked about sixteen and was wearing a Slytherin uniform from many decades ago.