If you are currently reading this you are either presently aware that I do not own any character, theme or part of this story except for Elizabeth, Roger and Becky, or you need to read Harry Potter because you're are obviously not familiar with it. So without further ado, I give you my latest story. Enjoy… 

Case Haley

A Serpent's Grip

Certain snakes are known to constrict their prey, winding their bodies around it until it slowly suffocates and dies. All it can ever do is close its eyes and hope the snake is merciful.

***

I sat in the crowded dungeon waiting for Slughorn to enter. The room was filled with the incessant buzz of new summer gossip, the scrapes of bags across floor, and the occasional scratch of a quill against parchment as the class waited for the arrival of our teacher. I'd recently transferred back to Hogwarts, from Beauxbaton, after my father had moved our family from France, to the family estate in the English countryside. At my father's request, and Dippet's approval, I'd been accepted as a 6th year. I looked down at my own desk, admiring the rather elaborate quill my parents gave me as a return to school present, when the door flew open. Slughorn hurried in, dropping a rather large stack of leather-bound books on his desk before facing his now silent students.

"Class, I apologize for being late. I got caught up in an important conversation with my colleague."

He paused to scan the room, taking in the faces of his students for the first time. I felt my heart skip as his beady eyes rested on me.

"Ah," he exclaimed gesturing towards me with his hand, "We have a new student this year. A transfer, actually, from Beauxbatons, am I right? Ms. Elizabeth Fredrichs. Please make sure you all give her a warm welcome."

Slughorn's rather gaudy announcement shattered any wish I had to blend in to the best of my abilities with the other students.

"Now that we've introduced our new student, let's begin by reading chapter 3 of Advanced-Potion Making."

As the lesson began, I reluctantly reached in my bag for my book. I began flipping slowly through the pages when I felt the person sitting to my right tap my shoulder. My neighbor was a tall lanky boy with light blond hair and dark brown freckles across the bridge of his nose. The crest on his cloak, I noticed as he rotated in his chair to face me, was the golden lion of Gryffindor.

"I'm Roger," he said, holding out his pale hand under the desk. "I see you're in Gryffindor too."

I took his hand nodding. "I'm Liz."

"Well, nice to meet you Liz. So you really transferred from another school?"

I glanced up at the round man writing slowly on the chalkboard. He seemed too enthralled in his monotonous lecture to notice anything else.

"Yea, my family just moved from France."

"So do you like Hogwarts so far?"

I nodded.

"I was here before for my first year and half of my second, I'm not too unfamiliar with the school."

"Oh," Roger whispered back.

"Mr. Lennins!"

Roger sat up attentively at Slughorn's sudden exclamation.

"Yes Sir?"

"What is the main ingredient of veritaserum?"

"Uh…lace wings?"

"No. If you were paying attention, maybe you would have heard me. Does anyone else know the main ingredient of veritaserum?"

I vaguely remembered covering this last year. What was it again? As I thought to myself I heard Slughorn call out another student's name.

"Tom, my boy."

He gestured towards the dark haired boy lounging somewhat casually in his desk across the room. His black robes, the same color as his neatly combed hair, bared the emerald green emblem of Slytherin. His eyes, which were previously busy observing the parchment before him, flicked up lazily to look at Slughorn. The fakest smile I could have imagined came across his face.

"I believe it would be dragon's blood, sir."

The boy's falsely enthusiastic response seemed to fool Slughorn brilliantly.

"Brilliant, Tom, brilliant! Ten points for Slytherin!"

Slughorn turned back to the board and continued his lesson with a more enthusiastic edge. I turned my attention back to the boy. His fake smile was replaced with his former bored expression. He seemed occupied with his quill, turning in back in forth between his thin fingers. He was rather pale, with hollow cheeks that emphasized his pointed bone structure, yet these traits seemed to emphasize his attractiveness. He was the only one in the class who wasn't bothering to take notes. His apparent lack of interest in the lesson, along with half-hearted answer earlier, made me find him incredibly arrogant. I leaned over to Roger, who was busy puncturing his sheet of parchment with the pointed end of his quill.

"Roger."

He acknowledged my inquiry with a simple "hmm," never pausing to spare his paper.

"Who's he?"

He finally stopped and sat his quill down. He sat up straight in his chair and leaned towards me.

"Who?"

"That guys over there, in Slytherin."

"It's a Slytherin Gryffindor class, half the room is Slytherin guys."

I pointed towards him subtlety with the feathered end of my quill towards him.

"The arrogant arse that's not taking notes."

Roger smirked at my remark.

"That's Tom Riddle. He's one of the prefects this year. He's a bloody obnoxious goody two-shoes, he is. Full of himself too. I'm surprised you don't seem to fancy him. Just bout every girl here does."

Roger rolled his eyes as I heard him mutter "damned prick" to himself. I looked up at him again. He was still amusing himself with his quill, wearing an expression that suggested extreme boredom. Sure he was attractive, but I wasn't in to the arrogant self-absorbed type he seemed to be. I was as he suddenly stopped playing with his quill and looked dead at me. His mouth didn't change but his eyes seemed to be smirking at me. His actions caught me off guard and I immediately looked down blushing. It was almost as if he'd heard me. My thoughts were interrupted as a shrill bell rang out through the room, indicating the end of class. I quickly gathered my things and hurried towards the door. If Slughorn's announcement hadn't been enough, I wasn't exactly ready to be the center of everyone's attention yet. My rush to the next class was halted when I felt a hand grab my arm. I turned quickly, furious for the rude and unnecessary at the invasion of personal space. As I did so, my grey eyes met the deep green ones of Tom Riddle.

"You must be Elizabeth," he said slowly, keeping his eyes on me. "So you're new here this year?"

His voice was soft, but it had a hypnotic velvety quality to it. I found it somewhat unnerving.

"I am and let go of my arm."

He smirked and though never releasing it fully, he softened his grip on my arm. I wrenched my arm out of his hand and turned to walk away. Apparently, to my dismay, he wanted to continue the conversation.

"You know, I've never heard of a transfer student at Hogwarts. How does that happen?"

His proximity to me and his soft alluring voice were beginning to make me uncomfortable.

"You come to Hogwarts from another school," I quipped, "That's generally how that works."

This time I hurried my pace in an effort to get away from him. I was nearly at my next classroom, according to the school map Dippet had given when I felt him grab my arm again.

"That wasn't very nice," he purred, his voice slightly sterner, "You should watch your tone."

"Well, Mr. Riddle, I have class now and you're making me late. So if you wouldn't mind, would you let go of my arm and skip off to your next class."

For the second time, I wrenched my arm out of his grasp.

"And for your information, I can use whatever bloody tone I want. You don't control me."

With that I turned towards my classroom across the hallway. As I got to the large wooden door and began to turn the gaudy brass door knob I could've sworn I heard him say "yet." However, when I turned around, he was nowhere to be seen in the crowded hall.

***

The bell rang at the end of my third class. I looked at my schedule. 12:30- break. Finally, I sighed, happy to be free of the endless torture that was 6th year classes. I shoved my books into my bag in a rather unceremonious fashion and slung it over my shoulder. As I stood in the hallway, I felt a hand grab the back of my shoulder. I turned around sharply.

"Can't you leave me alone?!" I asked frustrated, only to find the hand on my shoulder belonged to a now surprised Roger.

"Oh…I'm sorry," he said, his face falling.

"Oh no, I didn't know it was you. I thought it was…" I trailed off. "Never mind. What do have next Roger?"

"I have free. All 6th and 7th years do now."

"Oh."

"Well anyways, I don't know bout you Lizzy but I'm hungry. Shall we?"

He offered me his arm. I shook my head laughing then took his arm. We walked a series of long and complex hallways before arriving at the grand entranceway I recognized from my arrival at the school two nights ago. We continued through the entranceway towards the Great Hall. The four house tables were covered in a series of glass serving trays, overflowing with sandwiches of every variety. Roger let go of my arm and headed down the table to find a sandwich. I looked back and forth, amazed at both the variety and the quality of each one. I finally settled with a ham sandwich with cheese and jam. I wrapped it in a napkin and headed towards Roger at the end of the table. I looked at the impossibly large sandwich he held in his hand.

"My God, Roger, what is that?"

"Dur-key" he managed to say through a very large mouthful.

"Ah."

I sat down next to him, eating my sandwich slowly. I was incredibly impressed when Roger finished his sandwich, while I was still halfway through my own. I was looking around the hall when my eye caught a very curly headed blonde heading to Roger and me.

"Hey Roger!" she piped, eyeing both of us excitedly. "Who's this?"

"Lizzie, this is Becky, Becky Lizzie."

"It's wonderful to me you," she cried, shaking my hand quickly, "I heard about you in transfiguration today. I was listening to Mollie talk to Maggie about some boy she snogged over the summer, when your name came up. She said you're an exchange student from Beauxbatons, in France. Did you know that could happen? My sister went there, but she not there anymore—she graduated. My parents asked me if I wanted to go, but I said no I wanted to go here. I'm really glad I didn't cause I probably would've never met you. Maggie was describing you to Mollie so that's how I figured out who you are. And Roger here, he's always so friendly and stuff that I knew he probably find you too. So do you like it here? I would've asked Maggie and Mollie more about you so we wouldn't have to talk about school, but they don't really like me. They think I'm annoying. Ha! Imagine that!"

"You don't say?" I heard Roger mutter. This didn't seem to discourage Becky.

"Well anyways, how do like school? Who are you friends with? Do you like Gryffindor? How bout your classes? Any cute guys?"

I paused and looked at her. My brain was thoroughly strained from trying to comprehend everything Becky had said and at the speed at which she said it.

"Uh, the school and the classes are fine. I haven't really talked to anyone much except for Roger and I haven't seen any cute guys except for Roger dahling here."

"Really?" She asked seeming surprised. "Hmm."

We sat there silently for a moment staring into different directions.

"So, do you all want to go outside? It's a nice we can go sit by the lake."

I looked at Roger. I couldn't deny that I'd been itching to get outside since my Transfiguration this morning. I shrugged and stood up from the table.

"Why not?"

Roger smiled at me, getting up from the table. I watched as the glass plate he'd been eating off of disappeared, leaving the table as untouched as if he had never been there. I followed him out the Great Hall towards the large wooden doors at the front of the school. After having my nose shoved into books for the last four hours, I was extremely relieved to finally feel cool fresh air on my face. We made our way through the stone courtyard and out onto the ground. In the distance, I could see the black large lake stretched out as far as I could see. When were close enough that I could see the rocks on the shallow bottom of the edge of the lake, we sat down under the protection of a large oak tree. The peaceful silence under the cool shade of the tree was quickly interrupted as Becky began to point out the various students. The first was a rather stocky boy with particularly greasy blond hair.

"That's George Clipsley. He's really tall, but perhaps not the brightest bulb. He's in Hufflepuff."

"There's no surprise there," I heard Roger say.

I snickered at his comment as Becky began gesturing to a rather dress up group of girls. Their attention, as well as their conversation, seemed centered around the redhead in the center.

"That's Catherine Belkry and her crew. They're not really the nicest bunch, always gossiping about one thing or the other. I'd be surprised if there is a guy at Hogwarts that group hasn't slept with."

"Ahmm."

"Except for Roger here," she added, laughing.

Suddenly, Becky sat up attentively.

"Oh my goodness look!" She squealed, attempting to smooth the ball of brown frizz that was her hair with her hands.

Roger, who'd been lying on his back with his eyes closed sat up.

"What Becky?" He asked, sounding frustrated after having his nap disturbed. He followed her line of vision before groaning.

"Seriously Becky, you had to wake me for that?" He fell backwards with his arms outstretched and closed his eyes again.

"What?"

This time instead of squealing she pointed to a group of boys heading in our direction. The tall dark haired boy leading the group caught my attention. He looks…Ah. My dear friend.

"That's Tom Riddle," she squealed, hastily unbuttoning the front of her blouse and pushing her chest forward. "He's just dreamy, isn't he?"

He's sure something alright, a real…

"Hello, Lizzie."

"Thomas."

I saw he green eyes flash briefly at my use of his first name.

"How have you been enjoying your day?"

His soft voice had calm, yet sharp edge. He stared at me with his dark green eyes, never once taking his eyes away from mine.

"Fine," I replied.

I was in no mood to talk to anyone and especially not him. I watched as smirked slightly, his eyes still unwavering from mine, as if he seemed to know something I didn't. His presence was beginning to unnerve me again.

"And sorry to ruin this lovely opportunity to converse with you, but I have to go."

I got up from my position against the tree and turned around, planning to walk back up to the castle, when Tom called out to me.

"Elizabeth, where are you going? It would be rude for me to let you go without first introducing you to my friends."

He gestured to the four guys standing behind him. I took a deep breath and turned back to Tom. He gave me a very mischievous smile.

"This is Abraxas," pointing to the thin impossibly blond boy, "Avery, Rodolphus, and Yaxley."

I nodded in response to his introduction.

"Well it's nice to meet you all, but unfortunately I still have to go."

Without another word or glanced, I turned my back to them and walked towards the castle as briskly as my legs could manage. I could feel Tom's gaze but I never looked back to confirm my suspicions I had reached the carved stone courtyard. All I could see behind me was a green hill which obscured my view of anything except the vast lake behind me. Even though I was far from the lake and surrounded by the school's stone walls, I couldn't help but feel I was still being watched.

***

Back at the shore of the lake, Tom Riddle smiled to himself.