Well, in some fanfics, their relationship can be portrayed as a mentor - mentee relationship in reverse. Instead of Dumbledore mentoring Harry, Harry could try to mentor the young Tom Riddle. Harry would use his own experiences of overcoming darkness to guide Riddle away from the path of evil.
Well, in some fanfics, Tom Riddle is portrayed as having a bit more humanity. Maybe he has a love interest that makes him question his dark ways. This is different from the books where he seems fully committed to the dark side from a young age.
One plot idea could be a time - travel fanfic where Harry Potter goes back in time and tries to prevent Tom Riddle from becoming Voldemort. He could attempt to befriend the young Riddle and guide him towards a different path, perhaps by showing him the value of love and friendship early on.
Well, in some fanfics, the relationship is depicted as a strange sort of friendship. They find common ground in their love for magic knowledge. However, there are also fanfics where Tom Riddle is obsessed with Harry Potter from the start, not just as an enemy but in a more psychological way. He sees Harry as a symbol of everything he could have been if he had made different choices.
Well, in some fanfictions, Tom Riddle could be developed as having a bit of a conscience from the start. Maybe the diary contains some part of his soul that wasn't fully corrupted yet. So instead of being purely evil, he has moments of hesitation or confusion about his actions.
One common theme is the exploration of his dark past. Writers often dig deep into his childhood, his time at Hogwarts, and how he became the Dark Lord. Another theme is power. How he sought it, how it corrupted him, and what could have been different if he didn't crave it so much.
One common theme is the clash of ideologies. Hermione is all about justice, knowledge, and using magic for good, while Tom Riddle has his dark and power - hungry motives. Their interactions often highlight this contrast. For example, in many fanfictions, Hermione tries to persuade Tom to abandon his dark ways, leading to intense debates.
As the story progresses, their relationship could become more complex. Harry might become a father figure to Tom, teaching him right from wrong. Tom, on the other hand, could start to see Harry as someone he can rely on, but also struggle with his own inner demons that might pull him away from Harry's influence.
One great 'Harry Potter' Tom Riddle slash fanfiction is 'The Heir of Slytherin's Heart'. It delves deep into the complex relationship between Harry and Tom Riddle. The author does an amazing job of exploring their characters in a new light, with a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
No, it's not common. Tom Riddle is a very complex and dark character. His main focus in the original story is on power, domination, and his own dark magic. Fanfiction is usually a creation of fans for fun and exploration, and it's hard to imagine the cold - hearted Tom Riddle having an affinity for it. However, in some very creative fanfictions, this could be a really different and thought - provoking take.
One popular idea in such fanfiction could be that Harry, through some magical time - turning or alternate reality scenario, discovers Tom Riddle before he fully becomes Voldemort. Harry might see the good in Tom that was lost over time and tries to prevent his fall to the dark side. Their soulmate connection could be a powerful force that draws them together, even as their destinies seem so opposed.