Summary:

The war was not going well, in fact, Dumbledore and his army were losing badly. They needed a secret weapon. But they could not change current events. Or could they? That thought sparked a brilliant idea. Send someone back to a time to kill Tom Riddle before he can become Voldemort. But who should they send? They needed someone they knew he would let into his circle of close followers. The person also had to be someone they never thought would turn against them. The only person that matched that was Ginny. She would never turn on Harry or her family. What happens if she goes back, and instead of killing Tom, she falls in love with him. After all, he was seventeen when he controlled her with the diary. What can she do when faced with the man she was in love with when eleven years. Feelings as strong as that never truly leave you. What if she does not kill him, but comes back as his evil queen?

Authors note:

Welcome my lovlies! I have a story I believe will dazzle you! If you like it please review and let me know. If people like it I'll write up and post the rest of the story, I do have the first five chapters written. If ya'll don't like it I'll delete this. Also, this story will contain graphic violence. Don't like it? Feel free not to read it. No one is forcing you... I realize that sounds mean, but I hate getting nasty reviews and comments about the violence in my stories. There is a clear warning and it's rated M... Anyway, I digress. I will make it clear before I start the violent part, so you can skip that if you prefer. But I feel it'll make the story loose something.

Disclaimer:

I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters. Face it, if I did I am sure it would not have turned out nearly as well as what came out of J.K's mind. Lol, it would have been a dark book, and old Dumbles would have died in book one... Anyway... Onto the story!

Story: Mislead Loyalties

Chapter: When Sin Meets Its Match

"Ginny, where are you going?" Hermione's sleepy voice almost made Ginny curse as she turned around to look at the other girl. "Nothing Hermione. Just going to the loo" Ginny whispered softly "Go back to sleep" she needed Hermione to stay in bed and leave her alone so she could get out of this stupid house. She could not afford to be late, again. "Oh, okay" The brunette laid back down, already falling back asleep. Ginny let out a relieved sigh when she let the bedroom door close behind her with a soft click.

She moved slowly down the steps of Grimuald Place, careful to step past the creaky stair. She paused at the bottom of the stairs, listening for movement. In the distance she could hear her parents speaking, from the amount of muffling she could tell they were downstairs in the kitchen. Footsteps were rapidly approaching and she froze in place, hoping whoever was coming would turn and go down to the kitchen. She heard a giant thump and someone cursing under their breath before hearing the footsteps descend the stairs. She couldn't help but smirk, that had to be Tonks tripping over something. She had no idea how someone could be so clumsy.

When she was certain no one else was moving in the close area she slipped off the stairs and across the hall, closing the drawing room door behind her with as little sound as she could manage with the creaky door. She moved quickly across the room, pulling a small bag out of her pocket, pulling a pinch of green ash out. She stepped into the large fireplace, dropping the powder "Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts School of Witch Craft and Wizardry" she called in a voice barely louder then a whisper. She winced when green flames licked up around her, causing her to spin around violently as images of fireplaces flew past her. By the time she stopped spinning she was ready to throw up. She hated the floo network. It didn't matter if she went through with your eyes open or closed, she hated the floo network.

She stepped out of the fireplace, hearing a clock chime from the north tower. "Headmaster" she said cooly, not wanting to be here right now. She had spent every night in his office for almost three months. School started in a week and she was exhausted, she just wanted some sleep. "Ms. Weasley, I have decided to issue you another test." Ginny rolled her eyes, she could do this in her sleep. They had trained everything she could possibly need to know, and she'd taken numerous tests he had demanded. She had no idea what else he could possibly want from her. "Fine, but no more please?" She almost begged, rubbing her eyes. "I'm exhausted, and with school starting next week I want to just sleep" she said with a sigh. This year would be really strange, not having Hermione, Ron or Harry around. Her seventh year was shaping up to be very boring. She moved to sit down, not noticing the irritated look Dumbledore gave her.

"Who is the minister of Magic?" Ginny rolled her eyes, this was so old. "Faris Spavin was Minister from 1865 until 1961, he was known as "Spout-Hole". The exact reason is unknown, but it was given to him by the centaurs who later assassinated him." She took a breath, a bored expression on her face. "He is best known for his laws passed regulating quiddich and did very little anywhere else. He is the longest serving Minister in history and a Halfblood. Though he claimed pure blooded status, which was discovered to be false during Grindelwald's reign"

"How long did Grindelwald terrorize the wizarding world, how was he stopped and when?" Ginny paused, pulling all her information to mind on Gellert Grindelwald. "He was born in 1882, at sixteen he was expelled from Durmstrang, because they could no longer ignore his dark tenancies." She knew information from history lessons, but she had to remember to only give information that would be widely known by 1945. "His base of operations is in middle Europe, at the time is was only speculated, but has since been proven to be his prison Nurmengard in Poland. He is at his height of power in September of 1945, but he will be defeated in December of 1945." She paused, chewing on her lip as she called to memory all of the archived newspapers she had read. "He was known as the Dark Wizard Grindelwald, and unlike Voldemort no one ever feared speaking his name. He also was less bloody in his campaign, though his followers did commit many crimes and several political assassinations. There was no mass murder or torture like there is with Voldemort. His goal was to eliminate the need for the Statute of Secrecy, he intended to destroy all muggles or at least most muggles so Wizards no longer needed to hide." She said with a yawn, she really was tired. "He ends up being imprisoned inside Nurmengard where he remains to this day. Though no one has seen him, how can you be sure he hadn't died Professor?" she asked curiously, turning her eyes to him. She did not miss the strange look in his eye, almost like he was reminiscing something. "He lives in the tower still, Ms. Weasley." He said in a cryptic voice, making Ginny raise an eyebrow questioningly.

"Who are the faculty of Hogwarts?" He said after an uncomfortable silent moment. "Armando Dippet is the Headmaster. You taught Transfiguration and were Deputy Headmaster. Galatea Merrythought is the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and her post was highly controversial because she's a woman. It was considered unladylike for her to be teaching such a potentially violent subject, but when she defeated six wizards in a duel she was grudgingly appointed to the post. She held the post from 1895 until 1945 when she retired. The curse was not placed on the position until 1946 when Tom placed it there." She took a breath, trying to stay awake. "Horace Slughorn teaches Potions, and I'd like to point out while he is an adequate teacher, he's a blowhard with a hard on for anyone who might become someone" she ignored the disapproving look from Dumbledore.

"Silvanus Kettleburn taught Care of Magical Creatures starting in 1939, and did not retire till five years ago. Which is a miracle, because he barely had any part of him that wasn't scared... Though Hagrid is a decent teacher, despite bringing in creatures no student should be around" She said drifting off into her own thoughts. "Herbert Beery taught Herbology during the time Armando Dippet was Headmaster..." She paused when Dumbledore held up his hand, giving him a questioning look. "Very good Ms. Weasley, I believe that is enough of the staff..." He was confidant she knew them well enough, he did not need her to list off the remaining two dozen teachers and their positions.

"Does that mean I can go home now?" Well, to Grimuald place anyway, they hadn't lived at the burrow in almost a year due to the threat of the war. "Not quite Ms. Weasley. What year did Tom Riddle kill his parents and Grandparents?" Dumbledore gave her a disapproving look, she needed to be prepared and he was getting fed up with her whining. "He killed them in the summer of 1943, at his ancestral home in Little Hangleton. The following school year he opened the Chamber of Secrets and injured several students, including the death of Moaning Merytle. He also framed Hagrid and got him expelled." She said with a sigh, so ready to leave this office. "That is also when he made the diary I found when I was eleven. I need to destroy it before I'm going to be able to kill him" she said so casually that it was hard to imagine she was talking about murdering someone. "Look, Headmaster, we've been going over this all summer. Every night for three months! I'm exhausted, and I can do this. I am ready" she said in an exasperated voice. "I believe you are right Ms. Weasley, you are ready." Dumbledore said in a thoughtful voice. "Get ready, I'll have your school trunk ready for you. Arrive here tomorrow at five and I will have the ritual ready to send you back." Ginny's eyes snapped up, shocked he would send her so quickly. "Headmaster! What about my parents? And my brothers!" She exclaimed, alarmed she might not get to say goodbye to her family. Even if she succeeded in her mission and didn't die, there was no guarantee the ritual to send her forward in time would work. She might never see her family again. "I can't leave with out telling them! I won't!" She did not miss the irritated look on Dumbledore's face. He did not like having people not do as he told them. "Very well, Ms. Weasley. Be here at five tomorrow, and I will make sure your family is here to say goodbye." He conceded, a simple goodbye was not worth losing all his hard work over. He needed someone who could get to Tom's core, someone he shared a connection with. That left Harry or Ginny. He would have preferred to send Harry, as he was more easy to manipulate, but if this plan failed he would need a back up plan. Not to mention Harry had to die in order to kill Voldemort, if he had been sent back in time this would remain true. If he sent Ginny back in time the only soul piece she would have to content with was the Diary.

Ginny nodded, flooing back to Grimuald place before Dumbledore could stop her. She went to her bed, erecting a thick layer of silencing charms and locking charms to keep everyone away from her bed so she could sleep. Tomorrow would be a rough day and she did not want to enter it exhausted.

Ginny was sitting in the headmasters office, waiting for the floo to come to life. She was nervous, she felt like she might throw up any second. She knew her parents would react badly, especially her mother. Her brothers were a different story, Bill and Charlie would probably demand she not go. She expected Percy would have some kind of logical reasoning why Ginny had to stay, while Fred and George would be the only ones encouraging her. A smile settled on her lips as she thought about the twins. They really were the only family she really thought she had. They were the only ones who truly understood her, they knew things about her no one else did. They knew her secrets and still loved her, they encouraged her no matter what she wanted. They never tried to force her to be anything other then who she was. No one was supposed to know about her mission. She had to keep the entire thing a secret. She felt bad for lying to the twins, they had asked her once where she was going and she lied to them. She knew they would understand, but that only made her feel worse for lying to them. There were a few times when she thought she'd loose it and tell them where she had been sneaking off too, but she'd managed to come up with a lie and get out of there before she cracked. Dumbledore wouldn't have like it if anyone knew what she was training for.

She was so grateful that Dumbledore was at least allowing her to say good bye to her family, not to mention Harry and Hermione. A small smile formed on her lips when she thought of Harry. Everyone thought they were romantically involved. Even her mother was convinced they would get married as soon as she finished school. Not that she would mind that, Harry was nice enough. He was the kind of man everyone expected her to marry. While Harry was perfect, she had a hard time picturing herself married to him. Something in the back of her mind told her it wasn't right, it wasn't him she was supposed to be devoted to. She did love him, but in the way she loved Ron or any of her brothers.

Professor Dumbledore cleared his throat, bringing her back from her own thoughts. She coughed, glancing at the fire place. She was nervous, she almost wished she'd only demanded to say goodbye to the twins. She expected an explosion soon. They would be angry about her accepting the mission from Dumbledore, they would be angry she had been sneaking out of Grimuald place. She expected her mother would rant and rave about how it wasn't appropriate for her to get involved in the war like this. Her mother would always be of the opinion that Ginny was to young for everything. It didn't matter if she was 85, she would still be to young to do anything. Not to mention her mother's bizare delusion that Ginny would grow up to be nothing more then a house witch. More often then not Ginny was convinced her mother did not want a daughter, she wanted a clone. She wanted Ginny to stay home, keep house and pop out as many babies as she could. Anything less then Ginny being a perfect lady was unacceptable.

Ginny was not worried about her mission at all. She knew everything she would need to know. Everything from how to walk, talk and for all practical purposes, be from 1945. The most interesting part of her training had been when she had watched muggle movies from the time period. She also read books, watched Dumbledore's own memories, and listened to old lectures from the professors of the time. She was confidant she could blend in easily. She had debated on using a glamor to change her hair and freckles, even in 1945 the Weasley look was recognizable. But she decided against it. It would be to hard for her to remember every morning to redo the glamor, not to mention she could get the color slightly different with out being careful, she would simply claim she knew nothing about the Weasley clan. She did decide to use an accent glamor in order to help her story, she'd only need to use it once and then it would become part of who she was until she purposefully canceled it.

She stood up, unable to sit down anymore. She felt like she was going to go insane from her nerves. She caught sight of herself in the glass case. She couldn't believe how different she looked then when she had come in here only a few hours ago. She wore a school uniform with the Hogwarts crest, instead of a House crest, though it looked different despite the different crest. The grey skirt was longer than the uniform she normally wore, it went down past her knees by several inches. She would easily admit she like the soft blue sweater better then the white uniform shirt the girls had to wear now, it looked basically the same as the boy's uniform shirt. This one was much more feminine. She wouldn't be required to wear a tie either, which she liked not having to wear, she would wear a silk neck scarf in her house colors. In comparison she liked the more feminine uniform of 1945 then her own uniform. She also wore a pair of black kitten heals, apparently it would look unseemly if she didn't wear them. It was considered improper for a woman of breeding not to be picture perfect everyday.

What she liked most about her old time make over was her hair. It was pinned up in curls, instead of the ponytail she normally wore it in. Her hair was blown back with soft curls that framed her face. She'd used a spell to grow it out too, her hair now reaching her mid back. Dumbledore had given her several fashion magazines from the year and told her to pick someone to model her style after. After several days she finally decided on an American muggle actress, Rita Hayworth, she had Ginny's same facial structure and was very pretty.

She bit her lip as her family finally came into the office. She took a deep breath while she fidgeted nervously. She suddenly felt like a little girl who got caught stealing her brothers broom. Everyone just stood in silence as they looked around at each other confused. No one knew what was going on, they only knew Dumbledore needed them this instant and had not given them any explanation as to why. Everyone stood in silence for a long time, mostly staring at Ginny and wondering why she was dressed in a costume. "Gin, you look breathtaking. Like a doll, an old fashioned doll" Hermione said, cutting the silence. "Gin, what happened to you, you look like you came out of a really old picture." said Ron confused. Ginny swallowed the growing lump in her throat, trying to find her voice.

"Headmaster Dumbledore has been teaching me everything I need to know so I can do my part to end this war" she said, pleased her voice sounded much more confident then she thought it would. No one said anything, waiting for Ginny to explain. Though Molly looked ready to put her foot down right there. Ginny took a small breath, trudging on "I will go back to 1945 to get close to you-kn ... Tom Riddle" she realize that when she arrived in the past he was not Voldemort yet. He was just starting to have fun with the name. Even if he wasn't as bad as he was right now, he was bad enough now to need to be killed. She would be able to do this. She was trained to. She paused for the obligatory shudder before continuing. "And when he lets his guard down, I'll kill him" she said in a nonchalant voice. There was no beating around the bush. She was going to kill him, there was no way to sugar coat that.

All of them looked at her like she was crazy. Everyone remained silent for several seconds. Ginny was certain everyone could hear her heart pounding in the silence, then chaos rang out, and everyone started screaming and yelling at once. Everyone seemed to be yelling about how there was no way Ginny was going do this, there had to be some other way. With everyone yelling she could not quite make out what anyone really was saying. Harry was the loudest of all, surprisingly out yelling Molly, though that didn't make his words any clearer.

Finally everyone seemed to realize yelling at once would do no good and stopped talking so Molly could say her opinion first. "Albus you will not use my daughter to fight this war! We want You-Know-Who dead as much as anyone else, considering all the family member's we've lost. But you will not add Ginny to that list!" Molly screamed at the Headmaster, who looked wholly unaffected. "She is just a little girl and will not be participating in any of your schemes!" She snapped, her hands on her hips, ignoring the twins who said in unison "She's seventeen" Ginny sent them a thankful smile, walking over to them. She tuned out her mother's ranting and raving, throwing her arms around her brothers. "I'm going to miss you two" She said, her voice cracking slightly, the finality of this sinking in.

"We're going to miss you too Gin Bug" Fred's lips were pressed up against her ear so she could hear him with out him having to scream over his mother. Her four other brothers, her father, Harry and Hermione all seemed oblivious to the three Weasley siblings in the back of the office, focused on trying to help Molly make her point to Dumbledore. "Be safe okay Gin?" George asked, holding his baby sister to his chest so she wouldn't see the tear slide down his cheek. "I will, I promise guys" she said in an equally sad voice. She was pretty sure these two were the only ones she would truly miss. "How long do you think you'll be gone Gin?" Fred asked when they broke the hug, looking down at their sister. "I don't know" she said with a sad smile, she couldn't lie to them anymore. "Don't tell anyone else, but I may not come back." The heart broken look on their faces was almost enough to make her rethink her mission. "There is no guarantee the ritual will actually work to send me back... I may be stuck in 1945... If I do get stuck there I'd be 63 right now... If I do get stuck back there I'll stop by your shop soon. I promise" she said with a halfhearted smile. "I love you both! I'll be safe, I promise!" She said, giggling when Fred picked her up and the three of them sat down on a large arm chair, Ginny snuggled into both of them. She couldn't help but smile, remembering when she used to sit on them like this all the time when she was little.

It took almost an hour before Dumbledore simply waved his wand putting everyone except Ginny and the twins into a full body bind. "She will be going, and she will return to a safe world." Dumbledore said in almost a commanding voice that left no room for argument.

Ginny walked to where her trunk was, in the middle of a white circle on the floor. Dumbledore took a bowl filled with black leaves that looked like they were burned. He sprinkled them over the white circle, chanting some words in a language she didn't understand. "Ms. Weasley here is the packet of information about you for the school. All information on your grades. Also you will be known as Ginerva Warchol. Because there are many Weasley at Hogwarts, even in 1945," he said with a laugh and a wink of his eye, as if he was making some hilarious joke. He handed her a silver goblet with a green chunky liquid in it, white smoke flowing over the brim. She couldn't help but think it looked a little over dramatic, even for Dumbledore.

She held on the trunk, tipping the goblet up until the potion slid down her throat. It took all of her control not to vomit the gross liquid all over the floor. She couldn't understand why they couldn't manage to make potions taste better, though nothing really could be done for the chunky texture. She clamped her eyes closed, feeling a strange tightening in her chest. She collapsed on the floor, the color draining from her face. She started convulsing on the floor, her mouth open in a silent scream as she tried desperately to ease the tight coiling in her chest. The trunk and Ginny fading away quickly, leaving nothing but an empty white circle.

When she opened her eyes, she was standing in the Headmaster's office. For a second she thought the ritual had not worked until she heard a voice speaking "Ah, Ms. Warchol, you've arrived," she turned around, realizing that she was standing in the office of Headmaster Dippet. A much younger Dumbledore stood behind him. She smiled politely. "Hello headmaster, here are my records. "she said, handing him the packet of information Dumbledore had given her. She was not worried about keeping her story straight if they asked her questions. She repeated it enough times to be able to say it quite normally." The Head Boy, Mr. Riddle, will be here in a few moments, once he gives you a tour of the castle you will be sorted into a house with the first years. " Dippet said softly. "You are sixteen, but will be seventeen this month. We will put you in seventh year. Your grades are good, I do not doubt you'll be able to fit in with your classmates." He rambled, as if he was giving her some prestigious honor. She had been told to expect this, Dippet was well known for fawning over Pureblooded students.

Ginny smiled politely, reaching her arm out over her trunk, a long green snake slithering up her arm. "This is my familiar Nygin" she said softly, watching the headmaster coil away the slightest bit in fear. She had actually not chosen the name. After the chamber incident she had discovered she could speak to snakes. Nygin had told Ginny what her name was, Ginny thought it was appropriate. If you rearranged the letters in Ginny you got Nygin. Although Ginny couldn't help but wonder if perhaps her own companion was related to Voldemort's familiar Nagini, they looked strikingly similar.

She could not remember how she had procured the gift. She chalked it up to dealing directly with Riddle's soul. She was thankful that was the only side effect she seemed to have. Though she really had no idea what happened. She did not remember much about her encounter with Riddle. The things she did remember gave her nightmares. Whenever she tried to remember what happened she came up against a block, a giant wall blocking off a portion of her mind. No matter how hard she tried to remove the block she couldn't. It left her exhausted and magically drained. She had spoken to Professor Dumbledore about it once, he had gotten this strange look in his eyes and just said it was her mind trying to protect her from the horrors she endured from Riddle.

Pale fingers caressed the stone walls as a Hogwarts student walked down the corridors. Most had already gathered in the Great Hall and were buzzing with excitement at the approaching sorting ceremony. The sorting ceremony was always an exciting time for students. It marked the beginning of a new school year and for the first years it was their first taste of magic at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The only person that found the ceremony to be dull was the handsome boy that appeared now to be whispering to the walls. No one was around to hear his whispers and they wouldn't understand them even if they were. With a gentle pat against the stone the conversation Tom was having with his precious heirloom was ended and he was left truly alone in the corridors. He padded across to the window and gazed outward. It was raining outside, a dark gloomy night, and his favorite kind of weather.

"Tom!" A voice called. God, how he hated to hear that name.

The dark haired boy turned to face the figures that approached him. One was tall and lean with a slouch in his posture that made his lithe frame appear more awkward than it should. Tom had once tried to correct that fault in Deliro Lestrange but failed to make good posture of any importance to the strange, shaggy boy. His green and silver striped tie hung around his neck loosely and as he approached, Tom reached out and tightened it to the point of choking. Lestrange coughed and then loosened it slightly, offering Tom an apologetic smile.

"It's all set up." Randall Nott said, already adjusting his own tie in order to avoid the same fate as Deliro. He smoothed back his dirty blond hair and then rubbed at his nose. Randall was the sort of boy that was always dirty, for no reason other than he was just a messy boy. He annoyed Tom more than any of his other followers and as Tom looked between the two boys he wondered where the others were. It was difficult to keep up sometimes, there were so many.

"Guys, I'm worried." Charles said from behind Deliro, who turned around and gave him a hard shove to silence him. It wasn't so much the shove that made Charles quiet but the wild look that Deliro always seemed to have in his eyes. He wasn't the delicate type or the subtle type. Charles didn't seem convinced by the act however and instead was looking around the tall, skinny boy at Tom, his eyed pleading for comfort. Tom couldn't help but wonder; why must everyone be so weak?

"You won't get caught, Charles." Tom said in a gentle tone. "I've taken care of it. We never get caught." Almost immediately Charles relaxed. If Tom told the short fifth year that the sky were truly purple he would believe him. He smiled a small, halfhearted smile at the boy he believed so well and then fidgeted with the bottom of his sweater before Tom cleared his throat. When Charles looked up Tom flicked his fingers at him to signal for him to shoo and Charles immediately scuttled away. Tom watched him go and then started down the corridor with Nott and Lestrange trailing after him.

"I still don't see why you didn't just let me hex the books." Randall said, slipping his hands deep into the pockets of his pants. Tom didn't need to acknowledge the comment; Deliro was already doing that for him. "Don't be stupid, Randall. If they figure it out they'll know who hexed the books." The lanky boy said with an incredulous voice. "I thought we never get caught." Nott countered

"Exactly, Nott. We never do." Tom answered coolly. At that the two boys laughed. Nott's laugh was the sort of grunting thing that you'd expect from someone as dim as him but Lestrange's laugh was more raspy and quite pleasant to listen to if truth be told. Of the two, he preferred Lestrange for company. The boy was fairly quick of wit but believed that he and Tom were thick as thieves. Let him. He could use a slightly broken mind like that on his side. There was no telling what Deliro would do, but he knew that there was nothing Deliro wouldn't do if Tom asked. Deliro Lestrange. He supposed that the brute might be the closest thing he had to a friend, though he didn't really know what having a friend was like. Nott on the other hand was about as quick as a block of wood, yet he proved useful at times, which was the only reason Tom still kept him around.

The three boys reached a fork in the corridors and while Nott and Lestrange began to go one way, Tom started down another. The two boys stopped and their tracks and looked behind them at their leader who was sauntering off away from them. They looked at each other and then Deliro called out to Tom.

"You're not coming to the Great Hall with us?" He called. Tom responded by waving to them absently over his shoulder. He didn't have much patience for his so-called "friends". Tom was the sort, who preferred solitude to companionship, but of course that wasn't normal for a boy his age and so he needed to laugh and joke with these boys and publicly display that he enjoyed their company even if truth was that the sight of them made him groan. Most of his life he had been trying to emulate the way that other boys his age behaved, but it became so difficult when one learned that they all behaved like savages. They were so crude, so dense, so unbelievably human... It was nauseating. He wasn't sorry to be rid of them, even if it did mean being the Headmaster's pet for yet another evening of his life.

"Headmaster," Tom said warmly, nodding politely to Headmaster Dippet. Tom had slipped into the office, almost unnoticed. Almost. Dumbledore's beady eyes had been on him the moment his foot had entered the room. He disliked the professor, mostly because he was the only one in the school that hadn't been won over by Tom's charm. There was something he saw when he looked at Tom that didn't sit well with the dark boy, something he had seen the night that the useless little mudblood had died. Tom had often wondered at what it had been. What mistake had he made? What crack had been in his mask? Whatever the professor had seen it had kept those beady eyes of his glued to Tom's back since that night. It was the only thing that gave him unease.

"Ah, Tom!" The Headmaster said. He moved to Tom's side and placed a wrinkled hand on the boy's shoulder. Tom resisted the urge to move away from the old man's touch, keeping his face perfectly composed and smooth.

"Professor," Tom said, nodding to Dumbledore. There was the slightest hint of ice in his tone as he greeted the Professor but if the old man noticed it, he didn't show it. Instead he smiled politely and then gestured to the red haired girl before them. "Tom, this is Ginerva Warchol, our new student." It was at this point that the Headmaster stepped in. Not to have his official duties taken over by a Professor. "Miss Warchol, this is Tom Riddle." Headmaster Dippet said, gesturing expressively to Tom.

Ginny stood up politely when he came into the room, turning to face him. She swallowed hard, he looked just like she remembered. An instant sensation of loathing washed over her as he extended his hand to her. She took a deep breath before taking his hand, only touching his hand for a millisecond "Pleasure Mr. Riddle" she said in a carefully manicured tone, only letting a tiny bit of frost color his name. She was sure from her training that Dippet would never notice subtle changes in tone. Though by the curious look from Dumbledore she could tell he did notice, not that she minded, she doubted anyone Riddle might consider a friend was actually one hundred percent polite with him.

Nygin shot out a few inches toward Tom, her tongue flickering in and out as she smelled the air around Tom. "So you're the one Mistress tells me of. You smell of the ancient one" she hissed at Tom. "Nygin, leave him alone" Ginny said in English, she didn't need Tom to know she was a Parsletongue just yet. She especially didn't need Dumbledore knowing she could speak either, it was considered a very dark gift and Dumbledore in her own time didn't know she could speak to snakes.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Tom said, stepping forward and extending his hand, pleased to be relieved of the old fart's touch. The girl looked almost, apprehensive about shaking his hand. Was she shy? Oh, please don't let her be another one of those girls that found him handsome. What was the point of being considered good looking anyway? Finally though, she shook his hand and greeted him in return. With the introductions out of the way, Headmaster Dippet sent the two off on their way. He had to hurry himself as sorting would begin soon enough.

The two walked down the corridor and Tom eyed the girl out of the corner of his eye. Good looking, sufficient posture, calm expression. She seemed alright, but there was something he noted in the way she walked with him. She walked with a strange dignity to herself that was uncommon to see in someone in a new environment. She walked with purpose, as though she belonged here. He did notice Ginny didn't bother to look around the castle all that much. Occasionally her gaze would fall on a portrait or a statue, but she didn't marvel at the castle the way the first years did. It was like she... like she'd been here before.

"You'll be sorted along with the first years after we enter the Great Hall." Tom said conversationally. "Unfortunately you'll be the only one older than eleven there. It's not quite often that students transfer to Hogwarts from other Institutions." He explained. Another moment of silence. "What school did you previously study at?" He asked. In truth, Tom couldn't care less where this girl had come from or where she was going for that matter. However, it was normal to converse with people when alone with them. It was normal to have intrigue about a new student. It was normal to want to talk to a good looking girl. That was Tom's life. Trying to be normal. Trying to fit in. Trying to act as if he didn't wish half the students of this school were cold and in the ground, like his disgusting muggle father. Absently, Tom fiddled with the ring on his finger while he waited for the girl to answer him.

Ginny resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She knew all about the way he fought to seem normal and she could certainly tell that he was trying to probe her to see what material she was. Was she a follower or a threat? She would never be a follower, not even for her mission. She would make herself a threat to him. Sooner or later he'd get tired of fighting a war against her that he couldn't win. Sure, he was strong magically but she was strong too. She'd never be able to beat him completely, but she felt confidant that he could not beat her either. Sooner or later he'd get sick of fighting her, he'd want her as an ally, she'd make sure of it.

"I was schooled at home by private tutors. My Papa did not want me associating with undesirables." she said in a dignified tone, making her tone as close to Malfoy's, if anyone was a good example of pureblood snobbery it was a Malfoy. "The only reason I am here is because of the trouble Grindelwald is causing in Eastern Europe right now." she said "I do apologize Mr. Riddle, but I have no interest in small talk" she said in a lilting tone, offering him a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.

She held back a sigh of relief when the reached the Great Hall and she could see all the first years leading into the side room behind a Professor she did not recognize from the back. "It was a pleasure, thank you for the escort" she said in a soft voice. "Perhaps I will see you later" she did not wait for a response as she walked off toward the first years.

Tom lingered where Ginevra left him for a moment, watching her saunter down the walkway left for first years and admired the way she strode through them all. They were beneath her, that much was obvious from her strut as was the fact that she felt like she was meant to be walking here, as though that walkway were made just for her. Such a strange girl, so confident and quick of tongue. She had no problem brushing Tom aside and though it ought to enrage him to be treated as such, he couldn't bring himself to dislike her for it.

Finally, there was someone who seemed to hate the incompetence of her fellow peers as much as he did. Stifling a smirk, Tom found his seat at the Slytherin table and watched Avery and Rosier bully their way into sitting next to him. Immediately, Tom was aware of the absence of certain members of his circle. Inwardly he cursed their existences and willed them, silently, into obedience. If they were doing anything that could jeopardize Tom's position and favor within the faculty, he would make sure they rued the day. Was it too much to ask to have just one competent follower? They needn't be powerful or particularly bright. He just wanted someone who could follow the simplest of orders without irritating him.

When the Professor turned around Ginny almost wanted to turn around and leave, it was Slughorn again. Hopefully he'd leave her alone in this era, she did not want to be the focus of another Slug Club party. "Professor, my name is..." She never finished as Slughorn rounded on her, his chin fat giggling enough to make her want to gag. God, she didn't think it was possible for the Slughorn she learned from to be the slim version. "Ah yes! You must be Ms. Warchol, our new student! Come come, you'll be sorted before all the first years. You'll be quite the talk of the school, it's been a very long time since we've had someone join our family this late in their education..." Ginny tuned him out, not wanting to hear his blathering.

"Good evening everyone, this year we have a new student joining our seventh year class. She is a student from an influential family from Poland. Her name is Ginevra Warchol, please make her feel at home and do not bother her with to many questions." She entered the Great Hall gracefully when she heard the announcement. "Ms. Warchol" Dippet motioned to the stool in front of the staff table. She could hear the whispers run through the students, most of what she heard amused her. Mudbloods whispering about her being a Grindelwald supporter, something about Poland being his biggest support base. It would make the rest of the school leave her alone, and the Slytherins want to be near her. It was perfect. She sat on the stool, feeling the hat being placed on her head.

Tom was starting to get more then annoyed with the two idiots perched on either side of him, hissing in his ear about the fresh crop of students. Tom was about ready to kill them both. Perhaps he'd set them on fire, right here, in front of everyone. He'd hoist them into the air and leave them to burn to death and let everyone see it. The thought almost made a smile come to his face, but he resisted the temptation to openly revel in the idea of his "friends" deaths and instead tried to focus on the sorting ceremony.

"Hear that, Tom? Poland."

"Yes, thank you, Leonard. My hearing is just fine." Tom said coolly. Avery offered a weak smile and then turned back to watch the redhead get sorted. Tom eyed her as well. It was clear around the Slytherin table that those of high birth were taking interest in the pure blood from Poland. Those members of the house of his ancestor were quick to notice the haughty superiority they exuded in someone else and Miss Warchol was practically alight with it, the glow casting a shadow over everyone else in the room.

"Ah, Ms. Weasley" the hat's old voice rang through her mind. Though her face showed no indication she was worried, or even heard a voice, a panic gripped her soul. "Do not concern yourself, who would I tell your secrets to? It's all here in your head." She wasn't sure if she was able to trust a hat. But she would deal with that when the time came. "While what you intend to do is admiral it also sends a darkness into your soul. You no longer fit into Goderic's house, and while your Loyalty would be smiled upon by Helga's children you are not suited there either." Ginny absently stroked Nygin while she waited for the stupid old hat to tell her which house she would be stuck in. "You have a brilliant mind, but not suitable for Rowena's home." she sighed softly, "BE DONE!" she screamed in her mind, her face never changing. "SLYTHERIN!" The hat rang out, sounding slightly annoyed. When she was sorted into the Slytherin house, the table clapped, some more enthusiastically than others. Tom didn't clap very enthusiastically. He clapped only because it was expected of him. She stood up gliding over to the clapping Slytherin table.

She took an empty seat across from Riddle, recognizing many of the people around her. "Hi, I'm Eileen Prince" A raven haired girl beside her said with a warm smile. Ginny shook her hand easily, smiling as she recognized Snape's mother. "It's very nice to meet you Eileen" Ginny said softly. "This is Abraxas Malfoy, Leonard Avery, Albert Rosier, and that is Orion Black" she said pointing at the four boys by them. "Lestrange, Mulciber, Dolohov, and Nott are not here yet. Probably had to stop by the common room or something. And of course, this is Tom Riddle" she said in a dreamy voice as she introduced Tom.

"Mr. Riddle and I have met" she said in an uninterested tone. "Pleasure to meet you gentleman" she said turning her attention to the four men she was introduced to just now. "Please call me Ginny." she said softly. Ginevra was a very common name for rich purebloods, but it was terribly formal. She would only force Riddle to call her that, a sign that she was uninterested in his friendship.

Her icy tone did not escape his notice. He had said nothing that would offend her. In fact he had been more pleasant to her than he was to most people. Was she trying to impress him with her heightened sense of superiority? Was she looking to get under his skin or seek his attention? Her tone suggested a preordained dislike for him and yet they had only just met moments ago. What an arrogant, prickly girl. Not nearly as sweet as her innocent, round face suggested. How... interesting.

Tom watched her from where he sat across the table. Such arrogance must have power behind it, an interesting prospect that made Tom pay closer attention to her, his gaze falling to the snake in her lap. What was it that she had said to him in the Headmaster's office?

He smelled like the ancient one.

What did that mean? If he could get her snake alone, or even mildly close, perhaps he could find out.

Ginny smiled politely, looking at each person she had been introduced to, committing their faces and names to memory. It was much easier to pretend to be from this era when not looking at Tom. His face brought up so many feelings from a different time, he looked the same and yet she knew they were two different entities. The Tom who tortured and possessed her was a memory, a hollow shell of the man before her.

The thought of the chamber, or of Tom in general, made her want to lash out at him. She had jumped at the chance to take is mission for Dumbledore. She wanted the opportunity to kill him, take her revenge and watch the light leave his eyes. But when she thought about it, it was something she sometimes hesitated about, but she chalked it up to having to commit such a violent act.

Eileen Prince. She was Snape's mother, a member of a prestigious and long standing pureblood family. That was really all she knew about the girl. But that's all she needed to know really, she was the kind of girl that would be good to associate with. It would help her keep up the snobbish pureblood pretense, at least until she ran off with that filthy muggle. But that wouldn't be for another yer.

Ginny mentally shook herself, a bit startled by her own thoughts. There was nothing wrong with muggles, they were below them. No. They were just people. "Eileen darling" she said in a mild polish accent, thanking the heavens for vocal charms. She carried herself softly, she had spent long enough studying women from 1945 she was certain she could pass herself off as demure and poise in public while still being strong and cunning. "Since I am new to this academy you must simply tell me everything about everything." She said softly.

She purposefully angled her body away from Tom, not directly, but she was sure he would pick up on the subtlety of her body language. When it came to the art of masking ones emotions and creating a false mask Tom was the best, and she had learned from him. If he hang thought her those skills she would never have been able to hide the chamber incident as long as she had. She focused her attentions on Elieen and Abraxas Malfoy. She vaguely remembered Tom saying something about the man, but she could not remember if it was positive or negative. So much of that year was a fog.

Tom became instantly uninterested in the rest of the evenings events once the redhead was seated. He clapped only occasionally when a Slytherin was sorted and that was primarily because the student would be a relative of an existing member of his house. It was polite. Tom had spent his whole wizarding career trying to be polite. It had gotten him far. He was the darling of every class, the favorite of every teacher, and the glint in every girl's eye. He had charmed, wheedled, manipulated and worked for what he had accomplished but it still didn't feel like much of anything. Was he not still flesh and bone? Was he not still mere mortal? What made him so special?

He was expected to feel pride at the fact that he had been named Head Boy. He was expected to feel humbled by being the top of every class. He was expected to feel honored that he was so well respected and admired by both faculty and classmates. He played the part well, smiling when he needed to and showing the appropriate emotion when it was required. All that he truly felt, was disgust that this incompetent crop of witches and wizards were unable to achieve these honors themselves. It hadn't been particularly hard, but the other witches and wizards at this institution seemed distracted by other things. He supposed that they were too caught up in who was snogging with whom. How trivial. How... human.

He hated them for their humanity, for their longings and their wants. He hated them for their desires and their passiveness. He hated them for their acceptance of their own circumstance. They were all more than happy to wish Tom congratulations for his accomplishments and yet none of them cared enough to make those achievements their own. He had risen above them all and proved his worth in this school, but he still felt hollow. All that he had done, all that he had accomplished and yet he still felt an emptiness within himself. An emptiness that had sung to the heavens when he had made that diary. He remembered the day clearly in his mind, how his heart had stopped within his chest and he had felt like he was being ripped apart by invisible hands. It had been excruciating, and yet he had been hungry for more. Just as his classmates long to skip lessons, eat sweets and kiss pretty girls, Tom had longed to wave his wand and utter that beautiful curse. As he thought of it, a tiny smile curled his lip as he twirled the ring on his finger and stared off into the distance. His fingers danced across the black, diamond shaped stone and twisted the gold band round and round as his eyes became vacant. He could feel that piece of him, somewhere else far off. He could feel it missing from him and if it was somewhere else than maybe he could return to it. Maybe he'd always be able to return to it...

"Hey, Tom, could you pass the..." Leonard began, shaking Tom from his train of thought. His smile fell and the look he cast onto the boy beside him was a deadly one. Leonard's face crumpled and he pretended not to feel his left toe breaking as he bit into his bottom lip. It was reset an instant later and Tom, with the utmost grace, passed the bread rolls, knowing exactly what he wanted, to his friend who took them with shaking hands and a sheepish glance. He may hate them, but he knew them well. His wand he slipped back into the pocket of his robes with smooth elegance that none would see. Truthfully, Tom had not even been aware that the feast had begun. He scooped a bit of food onto his plate and began to pick at it while Albert muttered into his ear about the common room party that had been set up by some of the ladies of House Slytherin. Tom made a mental note to thank those particular girls later on in the evening. Such niceties were expected of him after all, so much was expected of him, so much he expected of himself.

Nygin hung loosely on Ginny's shoulder, eating the occasional beef piece Ginny was feeding her absentmindedly. Her beady black eyes never leaving Tom's face. "You better be careful around him mistress, he smells like trouble." Nygin hissed her warning again. Ginny gave no outward notice that she had understood her, simply continued petting her. Honestly, Nygin shouldn't worry so much. Ginny could handle one little boy.

The feast ended soon enough. Ginny almost enjoyed herself. Gryffindore had never been this welcoming, and she would be lying if she was not looking forward to the party tonight. "Any special reason for throwing a party?" Ginny asked Eileen, careful to keep Tom in the corner of her eye. She learned her lesson the hard way about turning her back completely to him. Just thinking about it she could feel his magic twisting her body, that horrible curse settling every nerve on fire in her skin. She shivered, shoving those thoughts as far down as she could.

"We throw one every year, a sort of welcome to Slytherin kind of thing." Eileen said, setting her napkin down on her plate as Ginny had done. Ginny was surprised, there was no welcome to Gryffindor party when she started, or any year there after. They sometimes threw parties of sorts, but that was only after a quiddich win, and that was more like a bunch of people standing around with butter beer. "How charming" she said as she watched all the Slytherin's pair off. Each girl was escorted by a gentleman of their year. At first she thought it was just the era, true gentleman were such a dying breed in her own time. But she noticed only Slytherin seemed to do it. She couldn't help but wonder why.

"Well, that sounds lovely. Would you mind showing me to our dormitory? I believe you are going to be my roommate. I would like to freshen up quickly." Ginny said, glancing at Tom with a false smile on her face. "Oh Mr. Riddle, I nearly forgot you there." She said in a sweet tone as manufactured as her smile, though no one but Tom seemed to notice. "Will you be joining in the festivities?" She asked feigning innocence.

She wondered how much under his skin she could get before their little war would explode. She almost salivated at the chance for revenge, she hoped she could get close to him rather quickly. It would be so much easier to kill him if she was close to him. Se heard Harry use a muggle phrase once. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

After spending the evening tiptoeing around discussion and avoiding direct interaction with others it was finally time for the feast to be over. Yet, Tom was still dreading the remainder of the evening. He lifted himself from his seat and prepared to leave the Great Hall and still there had been no sign of Tom's four lackeys. Avery and Rosier were relishing the chance to have Tom's ear but Tom was otherwise distracted and completely disinterested. He didn't care if Penny had been winking at Albert all night, just like he didn't care about Leonard's opinion of the Polish girl. All he could think of was how many times he'd carve his name into the bellies of those fools if they did anything that would get them into trouble. Tom rarely did the dirty work himself, as to avoid implication, but he made sure to always cover the tracks of those who did. He was clever, more so than most, even some teachers. But with them off gallivanting off on their own, who knows what kind of foul ups might occur.

As Tom readied himself to offer his arm to someone, Ginevra addressed him. There was something off about her tone when she spoke to him, as though she was trying too hard to sound pleasant. Her smile was forced and he wondered if she did that intentionally, mocking him with her false face. He had given her no reason to dislike him so and he found himself searching his carefully constructed mask for faults or cracks. Why did this girl dislike him so? He had girls trying to be impartial towards him before in an attempt to lure him in but that never worked. Tom actually liked to be ignored but this girl wasn't ignoring him, she was making a show of her disdain. Why?

"Of course." Tom answered pleasantly. There was no forcing his polite demeanor, he had practiced it well. There was nothing rude or sarcastic in his reply because he simply did not know how to respond to the girl before him. Were that she a male, he'd break her toes too and be done with it but she was a lady and certain things were expected of him, as they always were. Since breaking her toes was not an option, however, he would have to settle for a different solution, if only he could figure out the problem.

"Tom's Head Boy." Eileen said, looking from Tom to Ginevra. "Of course he'll be there." Eileen fancied Tom much the same way the other girls did. When given the opportunity she would flirt but she was not brave enough to seek him out on her own. "Will dance this time, Tom?" Eileen asked him, batting her eyelashes. Tom resisted the urge to strike her.

Ginny bit her tongue to keep herself from rolling her eyes and chastising Eileen. The girl had such wonderful potential until she went and made love sick eyes at Tom. Sure, he was beyond handsome. But surely she could not be so blind as not to see the cruel and heartless man he was. No one who was in his circle, or even his little group of followers could entertain the idea of him being the kind loving type. He was harsh, cruel and overbearing. That was Tom Riddle, but his personality was ugly enough to override his outward beauty.

"Eileen, dear, wouldn't it be prudent to allow Mr. Riddle a chance to answer?" She asked, genuinely confused why Eileen thought she was in a position to answer for him. She paused for a second, not sure why that was what bothered her about that statement. But it had already come out of her mouth, and there was no taking it back now. "Surely being Head Boy does not require him to attend such events" she said in a carefully crafted confused face, looking from Tom to Eileen.

"Perhaps." He answered with a small smile. Eileen giggled and Tom turned to the redheaded girl beside her. Others around them were pairing up and preparing to file out of the Great Hall and Tom decided to follow in suite. "May I have your arm?" He asked Ginevra politely, offering out his arm for her to take. Part of him wondered if she would be brash enough to reject him, part of him actually expected it. Tom did not fully understand the bizarre need for affection or companionship and so he had difficulty grasping the workings of the female mind when it came to approaching males. From what he understood though, that was common for boys his age and so he didn't wonder at it too much. He was suave enough without understanding each boring detail about women. However, if this was a ruse to capture his attention, it was the best one he'd seen so far because she had his attention. Quite curiously, in fact.

She shook herself from her thoughts when Tom spoke to her. She offered him the same polite smile she had before. She was half tempted to refuse him. But being out right rude would not serve her purpose. She was quite sure no one but him could see her disdain for him, and she intended to keep it that was. She could tell Eileen thought she was friendly enough with Tom, and if the looks Malfoy was shooting her, so did he.

"I would be delighted Mr. Riddle" she said. She gently linked her arm with his, resting her hand on his forearm. "So, Abraxas you were telling me about a weekend later this month when we could visit Hogsmead?" She asked Abraxas. She hid her smirk, perhaps she couldn't be outwardly rude, but being on his arm did not mean she had to pay him any mind. Abraxas seemed to think otherwise, looking at Tom with a worried almost frightened expression. Tom had not escorted a girl in the seven years he had been here that Abraxas had seen. There was never really a need, there were far more boys then there were girls. So with Tom showing any kind of interest, how ever odd it might be, Abraxas wasn't dumb enough to get in his way. "Um... Well... Yeah. I mean I guess." He mumbled, sounding decidedly unMalfoy.

When she accepted his arm, he was almost as surprised as he would have been if she had rejected him. Still her hand fell against his forearm and the other Slytherins made a path so that Tom and Ginevra could walk at the front of the group, as was Tom's usual place. As they passed, with his band following behind, the ladies of Slytherin House shot their new classmate jealous glares. These looks were not lost on Tom, not much was, though he doubted that would cause any problems for the likes of Ginevra. The girl was so prickly, no other would dare come within a foot of her to try and tempt her with taunting. As they began their journey to the common room, the girl on Tom's arm began to make conversation with Abraxas who walked beside them and a little bit behind with Elieen on his arm. Tom didn't like Abraxas. To be fair, he didn't like anyone but at least he disliked some people less than others. Abraxas was not one of those exceptions. The man was all talk. He walked tall and flicked his blond hair around as though he were royalty but with only a look from Tom, he was brought to his knees sniveling. He'd had to put the boy in his place a few times and now Abraxas knew not to stir trouble with him. He tried constantly to get on his good side, to make Tom dislike him a little less, but it never worked. Tom had no use for a cockroach like Abraxas. The cockroach was squirming now though as he debated between disrespecting the girl on Tom's arm or stealing away her attention. Like a good insect, he answered her in stuttered and half-replies before turning away. All this caused by the raising of one perfectly groomed eyebrow on Tom's handsome face. Pathetic.

It took all of her will power not to roll her eyes though she did walk a little farther away from Abraxas when he started stumbling over his words and practically over his own feet as well. How could that pathetic insect have produced anything like Lucius or Draco. Sure they were pompous asses, but she had never seen either of them cower like that. She turned her attention away from Abraxas to Eileen, making small talk about their classes. Occasionally she would answer Tom's questions but only so she didn't appear overtly rude.

The Slytherin's marched their way to the cellars of the castle, headed for the Slytherin common room. Tom led the pack as Head Boy and also the eldest among the Slytherin prefects. He made attempt to have polite conversation with the girl on his arm but she didn't seem much interested in talking to him. He asked her about her classes and what subjects interested her and got his own half-answers in response but these were out of disregard rather than sniveling. Further confused and curious about this girl's motives and interests, Tom faced the Slytherin common room door.

She barely suppressed a smirk, she was certain no one else noticed, but she did. She could read his body language like a large print book. He was confused by her, irritated even, perhaps she was digging her way under his skin a little bit. But most importantly to her, he did not ignore her. He was trying to talk to her. Whether that meant he was trying to measure her she wasn't sure. "Mr. Riddle, you hardly seem one for small talk and yet you persist. I am curious to find why" she said in a gentle tone.

"Pure-blood." Tom said in his clear, crisp voice. The doors swung open to reveal the common room. If there was anywhere in the castle that Tom thought reflected his personality best, aside from his secret chamber, it would be the Slytherin common room. The inside was decorated with green and yellow streamers, the couches and tables had been moved to accommodate dancing and celebratory drinks were lined along the tables. Tom turned to the Slytherin's that were crowded behind him and took his wand out from his robes with his free hand.

"The drinks are only for those in fifth, sixth and seven year. Try to remember that classes begin tomorrow." Tom said to the crowd of Slytherin's. His tone was pleasant, his expression charming. Would anyone here guess that he would love nothing more than to hang them all by their ankles in the dungeons? Obviously none of the friendly peers that groaned in mocking at his rules. "Welcome to Slytherin." With a wave of his wand the record player began to play music through the common room. As the students rushed past Tom into the common room to begin their party he turned to Ginevra. Holding her hand lightly in his he dipped his head slightly and then offered her another tiny smile before walking into the common room himself. There was naught left for him to do. He had been publicly polite and friendly to her. However she chose to behave towards him now, he knew that it was not by his own doing. Such a strange girl. Such an inconvenient girl. Why had he even bothered to go out of his way with her? As he tried to rationalize that it had all been for the sake of keeping appearances, a group of four familiar fingers bumped their way into the common room. Tom's train of thought derailed and he focused instead on more pressing matters, like which one of them he'd burn the ears off of first.

"Ah, our home iss it?" Nygin hissed, surveying the common room. Ginny did smile softly, though it may have been a bit more of a smirk. Now was the time to really start playing head games. She waited a few seconds till everyone was off dancing but Tom was still with in hearing range. "Yess lovely, this is our home for the next year. Go find our roomss" Ginny responded quietly, not looking at Tom, acting as if she thought no one could hear her. "I don't want to leave you alone with him. He smells of the ancient one" Nygin hissed her warning a second time. "Leave now pet, I can handle a little boy" she hissed in response, lowering her arm so Nygin could slither off to find their dormitory.

She turned her attention back to Tom, an innocent smile on her lips. "Well, if you will excuse me?" She asked as she smoothed out her school uniform. His expression wavered, his mask cracking. When she looked back at him with her innocent eyes she was met with white hot rage. How dare she.

Angry. That was the best way to describe how he felt about it. He was angry. Mere mortal yes, but a great mortal nonetheless. Not only had this girl showed him how out of tune he was with his mask of social normalcy but she had also robbed him of the one thing that made him better than all the others. He was different. He could talk to snakes. They found him on those lonely days that he spent at the park and in the country. He would sit by himself in the field and wait and they would come to him. They would whisper in his ear and tell him about the world. They were his friends, and his alone and now she had robbed him of that. No longer could he believe himself to be different. He was just like all the others. He was just like his... No. He wouldn't be like her. He wouldn't let himself be overcome by something as trivial as death and he certainly wouldn't let his mind be consumed by a silly little girl.

"I believe I will find my dormitory to freshen up quickly before truly joining in the festivities." She said moving away from him only to have Eileen grab her other arm. "I'll show you where it is Ginny!" She said practically bouncing up and down. Ginny tried to look pleased, but she found herself wanting to hex this girl nine ways to hell the more time she spent in her presence. "Thank you Eileen" she said in a manicured polite voice.

"Oh my goodness, you have no idea how lucky you are!" She said going in to detail about how every girl was so jealous of her for walking with Tom. Ginny suppressed a smirk, giving Eileen a confused look. "Honestly, I don't see why. He does not seem all that extraordinary" she said amused by the scandalized look on the girls faces who heard her. She couldn't help but wonder if Tom could hear her. Oh yes. She was enjoying this.