The One with Tom Riddle

Gilderoy Lockhart stood in his dimly lit office, the air thick with the scent of old parchment and flickering candlelight. The diary—Tom Riddle's diary—lay open on his desk. Beside him stood Harry Potter, silent but brimming with tension. The boy was barely containing his emotions, torn between trust and betrayal. The weight of Hermione's petrification, the mounting fear of the unknown, and his uncertainty about Lockhart pressed on him like a heavy fog.

But Gilderoy wasn't focused on Harry's inner turmoil. His mind was elsewhere, calculating and preparing for what came next. He had the diary now, and with it, the key to the Chamber of Secrets. The Chamber itself was not just an ancient structure hidden within Hogwarts, but a piece of magic tied to dark, ancient knowledge. And Gilderoy, ever the seeker of power and knowledge, was prepared to unlock that door.

Raising his wand with a graceful flick, he cast the spell in a voice just above a whisper: "Revelio."

A gentle hum filled the air as the spell wrapped around the diary, its magic coiling and weaving into the dark object's structure. The Revelio Charm wasn't flashy—it was far from the destructive, chaotic magic seen in the multiverse. But Gilderoy had learned something crucial during his time mastering the Kaleidoscope and Reality Marble: the magic of the wizarding world, though understated, was one of the most versatile forms of magic he had encountered.

While multiversal abilities often leaned toward raw power, destruction, or flashy spectacle, wizarding magic excelled in areas that others overlooked. The Fidelius Charm, for example, could hide entire locations from the minds of all but a select few. The Time-Turner allowed travel through time, a feat of precision nearly impossible in other worlds without causing paradoxes. Polyjuice Potion could transform one person into another for a full hour, far more convenient than the shape-shifting techniques of most dimensions. Even household charms like Alohomora—seemingly simple—could bypass defenses no technology or sorcery could.

And now, this charm, Revelio, would unlock secrets hidden deep within the dark magic of Tom Riddle's diary. It was a spell based on the concept of 'revealing that which was concealed', a tool of discovery.

Suddenly, the air in the room thickened. A wisp of darkness curled from the pages of the diary, gathering and solidifying into the form of a young man. His face, handsome but cold, took shape in front of the desk. He stood tall, dressed in Hogwarts robes, his eyes sharp and calculating.

Harry's breath caught in his throat as the figure solidified. His mind spun with disbelief. It was Tom, the boy from the diary, but there was something different—something darker—about him now. And then, Gilderoy's next words shattered everything.

"Greetings, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Or should I say…" Gilderoy's voice dropped, his smile cold, "…Lord Voldemort."

Harry's heart nearly stopped. His world tilted as he took a step back, his eyes wide in shock. "Voldemort? But—but you're—"

"a diary?" Tom finished for him, his tone mocking. "No, Potter. I'm very much alive out there… in a way."

Gilderoy watched with careful detachment. This was the moment of truth, the key to everything. He allowed Harry a moment to absorb the revelation, but time was of the essence. He had to control the situation before Tom could try manipulating the boy any further.

Raising his hand, Gilderoy summoned a projection—the blood-red spear of Gae Dearg materialized in his grip, the weapon humming with anti-magic power. Its mere presence disrupted the magical energy within the room, a faint shimmer in the air signaling its ability to nullify any spell or magical construct it touched.

[AUTHOR'S NOTE:- Gae Dearg is a noble phantasm from Fate/Zero]

Tom's gaze shifted to the spear, and for the first time, a flicker of caution crossed his face. He recognized the danger.

"Impressive," Tom said, his voice low and measured. "I didn't think I'd find a half-blood in this school wielding such a treasure. But I wonder—what is your intent, Professor?"

Gilderoy smiled, twirling the spear lightly. "Straight to the point, aren't we? I appreciate that. Let's not play games, Tom. I know what this diary is. It's more than just a magical artifact—it's a Horcrux. A piece of your soul. Destroying it would weaken you further, perhaps beyond recovery."

Tom's eyes narrowed slightly, but he remained silent.

"You've barely clung to life as it is," Gilderoy continued, his voice calm, but firm. "Your body is gone, and your scattered soul is clinging to whatever remnants of power it can find. And I have the weapon that could end this fragment of your existence. Gae Dearg," he gestured to the spear, "nullifies all magic. It could tear through this diary, destroy the Horcrux, and leave you nothing but a shadow, unable to return."

Harry was frozen, his mind trying to keep up with the terrifying implications of what he was hearing. He had thought Tom was a friend, a helpful guide. But now, the truth was laid bare—Voldemort, the wizard who had killed his parents, was right in front of him.

Gilderoy's voice cut through Harry's spiraling thoughts. "But," he added smoothly, "I don't intend to destroy you. Not yet."

Tom raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Oh? Then what do you want?"

The tension in the air grew heavier as Gilderoy weighed his words carefully. The bargain he was about to offer was a delicate one, but it had to be handled with precision. Tom Riddle—no, Voldemort—was a master manipulator. Gilderoy knew this better than anyone. If he made one wrong move, Tom would twist the situation to his advantage.

"I need information," Gilderoy stated, his eyes never leaving the specter's face. "The Chamber of Secrets. Show me the way."

Tom's expression hardened, though his eyes gleamed with dark amusement. "And why, may I ask, would I do that? The Chamber was created by Salazar Slytherin for his heir, not some meddling half-blood looking to enhance his reputation."

He leaned forward, his gaze sharpening. "You know this diary is bound to be discovered. Dumbledore is already suspicious. Eventually, this Horcrux will be destroyed. But I can offer you something in return for your cooperation—a magical contract that I will not tell any wizard in this world about the location of the Chamber."

Tom's eyes flashed with interest. "A contract? And what exactly do you plan to do once you find the Chamber?"

Gilderoy's tone was casual, but the weight of his words was clear. "I plan to face whatever lies within the Chamber alone. No other wizards. No one from this world."

The keyword was deliberate. This world. Gilderoy had no intention of fighting the Basilisk by himself—that was why he had recruited Satoru Gojo and the others from the multiverse. But Tom didn't need to know that.

Tom studied him for a long moment, his eyes narrowing in suspicion ,knowing that he is the one on the receiving end. "You think you're clever, don't you?"

"I know I am," Gilderoy replied with a smirk.

The room fell silent as the two sorcerers sized each other up, both aware of the precarious nature of their deal. Harry stood by, feeling utterly out of his depth. The professor he had thought of as flamboyant and harmless was now negotiating with the very wizard who had killed his parents, and it made his skin crawl.But he's still a child and no matter how much he tries to deny it, he knows he's scared of the dark lord 

"Fine," Tom finally said, his voice cool. "I'll show you the way to the Chamber. But know this, Professor—I will be watching your every move. And if you betray me, the magic itself will hunt you down."

Gilderoy gave a slow nod. "Agreed."

With a flick of his wand, Gilderoy summoned a scroll of parchment, weaving a spell that would bind both him and the specter to their word. The magical contract shimmered as Tom's spectral hand signed it, sealing their agreement.

"Now," Gilderoy said, his voice low and expectant, "show me the way."

Tom's eyes glowed with a sinister light as he raised his hand. "Follow the path beneath the school. The Chamber lies below. You'll know it by the serpent engravings—but only Parseltongue can open the door."

Gilderoy's eyes flicked to Harry, who had been silent through the entire exchange. The boy was pale, still processing the weight of the revelation, but his importance in this plan was more critical than ever.

"Looks like we'll need your talents, Harry," Gilderoy said smoothly, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "The Chamber awaits."