Title: Terrible but Great.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Summary: AU. Part 1 of 3. This is a story of Tom Riddle's rise to power.

Authors Notes: This story will be using several things from the books, including the Half-Blood Prince, but not everything will be exactly how the books tell it. As you saw in the sixth installment, a lot of Tom Riddle's past was shown and while most of it will be used some things will definitely change, so don't expect everything to be following canon.

Note that the prologue will be very short, the chapters much longer.

-x-X-x-

"Good-bye, Tom. I shall see you at Hogwarts."

Tom Riddle, age eleven, scowled harshly as the strange old wizard left, leaving him alone in his room once more. Glancing down, he stared at the letters 'Professor Dumbledore' had given him. They were heavy, made of a yellowy parchment he had never seen before instead of normal, run of the mill paper, and had his name scrawled on the front in emerald green ink.

Deciding to open them now, he cleared away the things the professor had ordered him - at this he scowled again - to return to the other children before sitting down on his bed, cross-legged. Turning the first letter over in his hands, he traced a finger over the wax seal, studying the four different animals intently before tearing it open.

HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY

Headmaster: Armando Dippet

(Order of Merlin, Third Class.)

Dear Mr Riddle,

              We are pleased to inform you that you have a place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.

Term begins on September first. We await your owl no later than July thirty-first.

Yours sincerely,

              

Albus Dumbledore

Deputy Headmaster

Tom quickly discarded the first sheet and started scanning the list of magical equipment he needed. He was displeased to find that it said nothing about being able to have a snake as a pet, only mentioning owls, cats and toads. It looked like he was going to have to smuggle one in if he wanted one.

Finished with the list of school supplies, he tore open the second letter. Inside contained his train ticket, directions on how to reach the platform as it was protected against non-magical people, and a bronze key. Reading the letter, he found that the key was for a Gringotts vault for students on the Hogwarts assistance fund. It only allowed him to withdraw a set amount each year to buy his things. It also had a sheet with the exchange rate on it and the approximate prices for all his things, as well as what galleons, sickles and knuts were, and their worth.

Setting the letters down, he looked over towards the calendar hanging on the wall. It was the twenty-fifth of July; he had plenty of time to get his things. All he needed was a way to get to the pub the letter mentioned.

“Well,” He muttered softly to himself, a smirk slowly gracing his features. He stood from his sitting position and picked up the yo-yo Dumbledore expected him to return. Threading his finger through the loop, he started performing various tricks he'd learnt over the years. “This should be interesting.”