A lot of fanfic authors like to expand on Tom Riddle's backstory. They might give more details about his time in the orphanage, his relationship with his mother's family, or how he discovered magic. This extra information can make his character more three - dimensional compared to the somewhat one - dimensional villain in the original series.
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.
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 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 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.
Heirs in Harry Potter fanfic are often shown as having a special mission or purpose. They might be the only ones who can unlock a certain mystery or power. For example, an heir to Ravenclaw could be the only one who can solve the riddle to access a hidden library. Descendants, on the other hand, are more about the family connection. They may be part of a large family and have normal lives within the wizarding world, like the numerous descendants of the Black family who have different personalities and magical abilities but not all are heirs with a specific task.
In some Harry Potter fanfics, magical creatures like the werewolf might be portrayed more sympathetically. Instead of just being seen as dangerous during full moons, they could be shown as struggling with their condition. For example, a fanfic might focus on a werewolf trying to lead a normal life among wizards.
A fanfic might explore how Harry Potter and Tom Riddle discover they are soulmates. It could start with strange dreams or premonitions that Harry has about Tom. As they get closer, they realize that their destinies are intertwined. This could lead to a conflict within the wizarding world as many would be against their union, seeing Tom as the future Voldemort, but Harry believes in the power of their soulmate bond to change Tom for the better.
One great 'Harry Potter and Tom Riddle' fanfic is 'The Boy Who Lived' (assuming there is one with this title in the relevant category). It might explore an alternate relationship between Harry and Tom. Another could be 'Riddle's Heir' which might delve into the idea of Harry having some connection to Tom Riddle's legacy in a new and exciting way. And 'Harry and Tom: A Different Path' could show how their destinies could be intertwined in a unique plotline.
Well, 'Riddle's Return' is an amazing 'Harry Potter Tom Riddle Fanfic'. It imagines a scenario where Tom Riddle comes back in a different form after his supposed death. The story is full of suspense and mystery as Harry and his friends try to figure out what's going on. 'Tom Riddle's Diary: Unlocked Secrets' is another great one. It dives into the secrets hidden within Tom Riddle's diary in a more in - depth way than the original series. And 'The Enigma of Tom Riddle' is a fanfic that tries to solve the enigma that is Tom Riddle, exploring his past, his relationships, and his ultimate goals.
In a fanfic, Tom Riddle could save Harry Potter because of some sort of time - travel or alternate reality scenario. Perhaps Riddle from a different timeline where he made different choices ends up in the main timeline and decides to save Harry. It could also be due to a prophecy that Riddle misinterprets. Instead of thinking Harry is a threat to his power, he thinks that by saving Harry, he will fulfill a greater destiny that will lead to him having ultimate power. This would be a very different take on Riddle's character and would require a lot of development in the fanfic.
In fanfic, their relationship can be less hostile. For example, Snape may not be as harsh with Harry in class as he was in the books. He could be more understanding of Harry's situation, especially considering Harry's role in the fight against Voldemort.