In a time - travel Harry Potter fanfiction where Tom is a mate, it could be that the time traveler goes back to Tom's Hogwarts days. The traveler might find themselves in Slytherin, just like Tom, and they start to bond over their shared interests in magic and knowledge. They could then work together on various magical projects, and the traveler could subtly influence Tom to make better choices, like not delving too deep into the Dark Arts.
A simple way could be through a magical time - turning device. The protagonist finds it and accidentally activates it, landing them in the past with Tom. They become friends because the protagonist has some unique knowledge or skill that interests Tom.
Tom Riddle might be very suspicious at first. He is a very intelligent and cautious person. He would likely view time travelers as a threat to his plans or as a strange new phenomenon that he wants to control. So, he could start by trying to figure out their motives and how they managed to travel through time.
The theme of self - discovery is also quite common. The time - traveler often discovers things about themselves, their own magic, and their place in the wizarding world while interacting with Tom Riddle. They might learn about their own family history or the true nature of their magic through the experiences in the past. This can be intertwined with the moral dilemma of whether to interfere with Tom Riddle's life or not, as it could have far - reaching consequences for the future.
In 'back in time harry and tom mate fanfiction', Harry and Tom are the central figures. Harry, with his Gryffindor spirit, and Tom, with his Slytherin cunning, make for a very unique pairing. Harry is the one who often tries to uphold what is right, while Tom may have more self - serving motives at times. But as they journey back in time, they both have to adapt and grow, and their relationship is the main focus of the fanfiction, whether it's a friendship, an uneasy alliance, or something more complex.
One possible plot could be that Tom and Harry accidentally stumble upon a time - turning device. They are transported back to a crucial moment in wizarding history, like the founding of Hogwarts. There, they meet the four founders and have to navigate the complex relationships and magic of that era without changing history too much. Maybe they help solve a mystery that was lost to time.
Hermione Granger is often a popular character. She can use her intelligence to figure out the implications of time travel and help Harry or deal with Tom Riddle in some way. For instance, she might research spells to counteract any dark magic that Riddle tries to use during their time - traveling encounters.
In some fanfictions, there could be a time - loop situation. Harry and Tom Riddle keep repeating a certain period of time, and each time they interact, they learn something new about each other. For example, they might start off as enemies but gradually come to understand the reasons behind each other's actions as they repeat the time period over and over again.
The exploration of their relationship is also a major theme. In many fanfictions, Harry tries to understand Tom Riddle, and they develop a complex bond that may range from enmity to a strange kind of understanding. For example, in some stories, they might start to see each other's points of view, which changes their relationship dynamics. This is especially interesting considering their roles in the original series. They are enemies, but time - travel gives an opportunity to rewrite that narrative in a way.
They can interact as students. For example, if they time - travel to when Tom Riddle was at Hogwarts, they could be in the same classes or clubs. Maybe they join the Duelling Club where Tom Riddle was known to participate. Another way is through chance encounters in the hallways or the library. They could strike up conversations about magic or Hogwarts history.