N I N E T E E N
Oh, Karoline!

***

I rolled my eyes, looking at the photo which had somehow manifested itself in my bag.

'Congratulations, you played yourself.'

- Balthazar

Balthazar was no doubt trying to screw with me. I smiled realizing he wanted me to visit soon. With a sigh, I stuffed the picture back into my bag before anyone in class could see it.

It would be rather hard to explain how a colored photo with printed words managed to get in my bag, photos in the forties weren't necessarily colored. I guess I could always say it was a charm, but even then it would still look slightly suspicious considering I could barely even perform the simplest of spells.

Lavender nudged me with her foot just as I was through with stuffing the photo at the bottom of my bag. I quickly sat up in my desk, blowing away a strand of hair from my face.

Lavender rolled her eyes at my obviously distracted nature, pointing to the front where Tom was giving his rather educational presentation on werewolves.

Professor Merrythought decided to go ahead and give the entire class a subject to present. Me being me completely forgot about it, and unfortunately it would seem the rest of the class remembered.

Tom was currently presenting his, and of course it was the damn best in the class.

He had a mouth of silver, easily able to persuade the entire class to agree with his point of view. Tom explained why werewolves and most other half-breed creatures were dangerous.

He even went as far to state that half-breeds are a danger to the student population and should possibly be banned from attending. He managed to persuade the entire class with his silver tongue, causing a majority to agree with him. Especially Slytherin House, whom all screamed in joy once he was finished.

"Thank you, Tom." Professor Merrythought grinned no doubt marking him full credit.

Tom nodded back graciously, sauntering over to his place in the back with the rest of Slytherin House.

It would be very hypocritical of me to agree with him, considering I was a half-breed myself. Our eyes met once he was sat, me raising an eyebrow at him causing him to smirk in reply.

"Rhiannon Lightly." Professor called me up to present next, making the color drain from my face.

Tom being the ever attentive person he is noticed immediately rolling his eyes, realizing I forgot about it. He gave me a 'really' expression, exasperated by my forgetfulness.

Ignoring him I cleared my throat, hesitantly standing up. My legs shook taking me to the front of the room where I was meant to present a creature I had not a clue about.

I cleared my throat, scratching the back of my head. Lavender and Walter both gave me sorry looks, knowing full-well I didn't do this assignment.

Professor Merrythought only nodded to me eagerly, making me bite my lip. Well... time to wing it.

Trying to be casual, I look pulled up my sweater sleeve getting a look on the creature I had written down. Sadly, basically the entire class saw this as snickers rang around and Merrythought frowned.

Flesh-Eating Slug.

My eyes widened at this foreign creature with the horrible name.

"Flesh-Eating Slug!" I exclaimed, in horror.

Lavender slapped her hand to her head, Walter's mouth dropped agape, and Tom placed a hand to his mouth sighing in disappointment. Professor Merrythought's eyes shone in slight disappointment, not that I cared that much.

"Well, I assume a Flesh-Eating Slug basically eats flesh. If you ever come across one don't touch it." I shrugged, looking around. "Any questions?"

Only one person rose their hand. A fifth-year Slytherin with floppy brown hair. Pointing my index finger, I nodded at him.

"You assume?" He snidely questioned, crossing his arms. "What kind of presentation was that?" He remarked, causing all of Slytherin house except Tom Riddle to laugh. Though Tom's eyes did shine with a bit of humor.

Rolling my eyes, I sniffed at the rude fifth-year. "Okay, well look at your presentation. You actually remembered to do it and it still sucked!" I threw my arms in the air, the Gryffindor's laughed and Slytherins glared at the ones who laughed.

"That is enough Miss Lightly, ten points from Gryffindor for both your failure to present and your rude comment to a fellow peer." Professor Merrythought was obviously was under the belief I would feel bad for getting my house docked points.

I only shrugged with a smile. "Sweet, no detention. Thanks Professor, you're the best." I walked back to my seat with a smile, Professor Merrythought glaring heatedly at me.

The rest of the class, including the Slytherins only watched wide-eyed. Tom himself simply watched in humorous disbelief, tilting his head.

As soon as I sat back down, Lavender flicked me causing me to wince. "Uh, ow." I stated lamely.

Lavender only shook her head. "You are something else, Rhiannon Lightly." That sentence made me feel an ounce of guilt at her lack of knowledge on my name.

It was a shame Lavender didn't know my real name.

Class was over soon after, Professor Merrythought harshly failing me. Quick on my feet I was one of the first out the door, unsurprisingly Tom straight after me. He smoothly glided up to my side, keeping up with my pace with ease.

"Yes?" I rolled my eyes at him.

"Fantastic presentation," Tom began in an arrogant-sarcastic tone. "Just marvelously splendid." I scoffed at him, shaking my head.

"Is that all you wanted? To compliment me on my amazing presentation." I pretended not to hear the sarcasm in his words, making him roll his eyes.

"No." He said blankly. "I'm just walking you back to Gryffindor tower." I froze at that, Tom watching my reaction with a raised brow.

"Why?" Suspicion laced my tone.

"Why not?" He fired back. "You never know what kind of creatures lurk the corridors."

"Let me guess..." I started. "The kind that have bottled blonde hair and a creepy fetish for innocent Gryffindor girls who go by the name Lavender?" I mock questioned, implying the one and only Abraxas Malfoy.

Tom threw his head back a loud laugh escaping his lips, his mouth forming a big smile. Unable to contain it myself I laughed along with him, shaking my head.

"When you look at it that way." Tom breathed after a second of laughter between us.

"You have to admit it's a little creepy!" I exclaimed, making Tom chuckle.

"Fine." He chuckled a bit more. "It's somewhat creepy." He shook his head, the two of us stopping by the portrait which guarded Gryffindor tower.

I smiled, turning to the portrait. "Morgenstern." I stated, not caring all that much if Tom knew the password.

The portrait swung open, me turning back to Tom in order to wave him bye. However, my eyebrows furrowed when I saw he was gone. Looking around there was no sign of him whatsoever.

"Now, that's creepy." I sighed to myself, walking into the common room.

~

"I'm sorry I'm late." I rushed up to Walter and Lavender who were both waiting for me at the edge of the forbidden forest.

Lavender only laughed as I approached, eagerly bouncing on her toes. Walter looked excited as well, edging closer to the entrance; ready to sprint in.

"Come on! I want to see the unicorn!" Walter grabbed our hands dragging us into the forest. I laughed at his excitement, going along with him.

Lavender let off a huge smile, allowing him to drag us toward the creek we first saw the unicorn at. With their excitement it only took a few minutes to get there, Lavender and Walter quickly taking off their robes as for them not to get wet.

I; of course, didn't even have my robe on, only taking off my shoes. Walter gasped loudly making me snap my head up looking to the direction he was. I smiled upon seeing the familiar unicorn, nodding 'hello' in her direction.

The unicorn trotted over, Walter and Lavender both jumping to pet her. She made a noise that sounded much like a purr at the grooming hands.

"We need a name for you." I told the unicorn joining the other two.

"Yes I do, Nephilim." The unicorn said softly into head.

She nuzzled into me waiting to see what we came up with.

"Marissa?" Walter suggested, earning a huff from the unicorn.

Lavender giggle at Walter's confused look. "She obviously doesn't like that. What about Angelina?" The unicorn and I both snorted at the ironic name.

The unicorn gave a nae in retaliation, shaking her large head in a 'no' fashion. We all laughed, Walter smirking at Lavender.

"Cornelia?" Another protested look from the unicorn.

"Diana?" Nope.

"Belinda?" Absolutely not!

"What about Freya?" Are you kidding me?

I giggled at the unicorn's comments, thinking up a name myself. Suddenly, it hit me.

With a large grin, I looked the unicorn in the eyes. "Karoline. With a K." I stated, causing the other two to stop bickering over names.

The unicorn seemed to ponder it for a moment, before nodding. "Yes, I like that." She told me, the other two unable to hear her, but understanding she liked the name.

"Well, hello Karoline." Lavender smiled at the beautiful creature.

Walter shook his head, continuing to pet her. "Why do you come up with all the good names?" He rhetorically questioned, making me burst in a fit of laughter.

He smirked my direction, going back to stroking Karoline. A sudden memory of the last Quidditch game hit me.

"Hey, what's up with you and that Quidditch player. What was her name again?" I said, trying to remember who the female Quidditch player that Walter was staring at the whole time is.

Lavender smiled widely, craning her neck at Walter who blushed furiously. "Darcy Miller? The muggle-born?" She giggled at Walter, who scratched the back of his head.

"Nothing." He mumbled, looking down with a small smile.

"What's that word you Brits use when you like someone." I teased at Walter. "Fancy? You fancy her, don't you!" I shook my head at Walter's little crush.

"No I don't!" Walter said too quickly to be true.

"Yes he does, has since first year just won't admit it." Lavender butted in, teasing Walter as well. "I don't know why, she's been waiting for you to ask her on a date since forever." Lavender sighed, making Walter snap his head up to glare at her.

"Really?" He squeaked in shock, making Lavender nod as if he was an idiot.

"Yeah, it's kind of obvious." She rolled her eyes, making Walter flick her on the arm.

"And you wait till just now to tell me!" He yelled desperately, no doubt internally panicking.

Karoline snorted in amusement, me petting her watching the scene unravel with gleaming eyes.

Lavender shrugged, a smile playing at her lips. "Sorry." She didn't really sound sorry.

"This changes my entire life." Water sighed dramatically shaking his head.

"Aww." I cooed mockingly, causing Walter to glare at me.

Walter tilted his head to the right tauntingly, with a look that just screamed he was about to roast me to Hell. "Let's talk about Tom Riddle and you, how about that." He rose his brows, Lavender turning giving me a curious look.

"Wha-? No-Nothing! Nothing is happening." I stubbornly, crossed my arms standing my ground.

Walter and Lavender both looked at each other, before bursting out laughing. "That was so funny!" Walter pretended to wipe away a tear, breathing heavily.

I scowled, at them sticking my nose up slightly. "What exactly is so funny?" I questioned.

"The fact that you're trying to say there's nothing going on, and yet whenever you two speak it's like all you want to do is kiss the each other senseless." Lavender stated matter-of-factually, my jaw dropping open at that.

"That is such a lie." I shook my head, Walter pursing his lips.

"Yeah right. Tom looks at you like he wants to smash you against the wall and shove his tongue down-" Walter was cut off by me.

"Shut up!" I stuck my fingers in my ears as if not to hear about the things Walter thinks Tom wants to do.

To be fair, I don't have that much of a problem with those ideas.

"Listen," Lavender started seriously. "Tom has never spoke to anyone outside Slytherin house other than to be polite, ever. Honestly, Tom probably speaks to you more than anyone else." Lavender ended Walter nodding along, making my cheeks heat up a bit.

"Tom and I are barely even friends. I just like winding him up is all, he's funny to watch when he's frustrated." I snickered at the end of that, making Lavender snort.

"Okay." She chuckled sarcastically. "Let's see how long it takes until he really does pin you against the wall and-"

"Lalala! I'm not listening!" I shouted, Karoline letting out snorts of amusement.

"I said smash. He wants to smash her against the wall and shove his tongue down her throa-" Walter began, but alike to Lavender was cut off by me.

"Oh my Jesus! Please for the love of God stop." I begged, cursing myself for using 'God' instead of 'Merlin'.

Lavender and Walter gave me an odd look shrugging it off as an American thing. Karoline nudged me, making a small 'yipping' noise.

'Is this the very same Tom from your task?' She gave an all-knowing snort.

Sighing, I remembered telling the unicorn of my task when I first met her a few weeks prior. I only nodded patting the unicorn on the head.

"Instead of speaking about our love lives, how about we talk about the fact that I just bombed that presentation." I stated pouting at my grade no doubt failing.

Walter only snickered, while Lavender scowled. "I told you to do the presentation, you didn't want to." She lectured, rolling her eyes. "It's your own fault you failed." I smirked at that.

"Thank you for that clarification." I mock nodded in appreciation, causing Lavender to lightly hit my arm.

"I'm just saying." She held her hands up in defense. "That if you actually wanted a good grade you would have done it. You unlike most people here, aren't motivated into trying for a good grade." My mouth dropped at that, and I looked to Walter to see his thoughts on it.

He gave a little shrug, pursing his lips. "Sorry, can't disagree there."

"What." I said dramatically. "I'm totally motivated..." I trailed off, laughing as those words came out.

"HAHA!" I laughed, shaking my head at the thought of actually being motivated into trying at school. "Okay, never mind." I grinned, "You're totally right, the minute I become motivated into doing school-work is the minute Malfoy parties with muggles." That earned a few laughs from the other two.

"Maybe it'll happen one day, we all know Malfoy enjoys a good party." Walter shrugged, earning silence from both Lavender and I.

The three of us looked to each other before we went out into loud obnoxious laughter. The image of Malfoy twerking in some downtown New York club made its way to forefront of my mind making me laugh all the more.

~

Eating a turkey leg at dinner, I made it a point to keep an inconspicuous eye on Tom. As of late, more students had begun getting petrified, something I felt slightly guilty over. I was suppose to be stopping this from happening, and yet I was doing nothing to turn Tom away from the dark.

Biting my lip, I watched Tom read a small fragile book which looked to be falling apart at the seams. He wasn't doing anything suspicious, not even eating—something I noticed about Tom. Every meal he seemed to only have a couple bites, he never ate much something I could only blame the orphanage on.

Any normal person wouldn't be able to make out the title of the book Tom was reading, but with my supreme eyesight I was easily able to read what it said. 'Secrets of the Darkest Arts.'

To be completely honest, in comparison to some rogue witches and warlocks I had come across, it didn't appear to be that sinister. Now, that's not saying it wasn't a horrible book full of defiled magic; however, it wasn't the worst magic possible.

Still my heart pounded when I realized that book no doubt had information that was essential in Tom becoming the dark wizard he did. Without warning, Tom put the book away, getting up from the table and strolling out of the Hall as if he owned the place.

I tilted my head, unable to stop myself from checking him out. He was slim and tall, and he held himself with confidence making him seem all the more intimidating. Somehow, Tom was able to keep his obsidian hair neat but in a messy way.

How was that even possible?

He truly was a sight to behold, with those glaring crystal irises of his. I quickly snapped out of it, realizing I was staring not wanting to be caught. Unfortunately, Walter of all people noticed giving me a thumbs up.

I scowled with a huff, rolling my eyes. Scratching my hair I knew it was probably in everyone's best interest that I followed the psychopath to make sure he didn't kill anyone.

"I'll see you two at the common room." I muttered leaving the Hall, making sure to stay discrete.

As I left the Hall, Dumbledore gave me a small smile his eyes twinkling in appreciation. I waved just as I exited through the large entryway, silently padding behind Tom far enough that he wouldn't notice.

"Of course." I muttered to myself, just as he entered the cursed second floor girls lavatory. "Just fucking great, thank you Tom for making my job so much harder." I huffed, trudging behind debating how I should go about this.

I stopped just outside the entrance, placing a hand on my face praying for mercy when I realized what my only real option was right now.

'Fuck you, Tom riddle!' Were the only thoughts making its across my mind.

My face heated in embarrassment to what I was about to do. Knowing I had to go in before he successfully opened the chamber, I began jogging in place as loud as virtually possible. Anyone in this corridor could no doubt hear the clicking of my shoes, including Tom Riddle who was in the restroom.

'You can suck my non-existent dick, Tom.' Was my last thought, before I burst into the bathroom flustered.

Of course, due to me allowing Tom to know I was coming by my false footsteps gave him time to hide. Okay, Pandora time to make this look as real as possible.

'Let's take it up to 2002.'

I pranced into the bathroom cheering to myself loudly, shaking my braid. This had to be my most ridiculous plan, and I've had some pretty ridiculous plans.

Bending my knees, I placed my hands on them whipping my hair all around in some sort of odd dance.

"Let me see you get low, you scared, you scared." I suddenly began popping my chest, twerking in front of the mirror over the sink that led to the chamber of secrets.

Okay, maybe I was getting a bit too much into this but whatever.

As if my sanity was thrown out the window I began making facial expressions, possibly doing one of the worst made up dances in my life.

"DROP YOUR ASS TO FLOOR, YOU SCARED, YOU SCARED!" I was slapping my butt, jumping all around letting any and all built up frustration out in this horrible, awful dance.

Fine. I was definitely way too into it.

"Stop." I told my reflection. "And wiggle it." I shimmied around in dance-like fashions, singing the one and only 'Get low.'

"WOOO!" I dropped it, barely seeing Tom walk behind me.

"What are you doing?" Tom's voice coolly pierced my singing.

I screamed jumping around to face him, determined to make it look as if I didn't know he was in here. Tom stood watching me with a mixture of emotions written on his face. Confusion, amusement, and shock.

Embarrassment was drawn on my face, my cheeks and ears tinting an obvious pink. "The better question here is what are you doing?" I pointed to him, looking around. "If you haven't noticed this is the girl's bathroom!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up.

Tom took a second to reply, slowly allowing his gaze to slide over my messed up hair and frazzled appearance. He lulled his head to the right lazily pulling his lips into a smirk.

"I thought I heard some suspicious activity and as a prefect it is my duty to check." The lie rolled off his tongue easily.

I narrowed my eyes, pursing my lips. "Why didn't you just get a female prefect." The question was thrown at him quickly.

"There was no female around and had I left to go find one the suspicion could have been gone by the time I arrived back." He reasoned in perfectly charismatic charm.

"Mmhmm, and did you find whatever suspicious activity you claim you heard?" I bit back in a sassy tone, placing my hands on my hips.

"Yes..." He drawled much to my surprise, before he turned to a moving painting of a mermaid in the back. Each time she glided through the water it made small splash noises. "The male restroom doesn't have such a painting, I heard her splashing around and assumed the worst." His hands were behind his back in a perfectly poised manner, his natural charm shining through.

A moment of silence was shared, between us before I began shaking my head a scoff leaving my mouth. "I don't buy it, Tom. Come back when you have a better excuse, pervert." I added the last bit for my own fun.

Tom's demeanor momentarily fell, his face showing shock that I outright called him a pervert. Spinning on my heel I sauntered out of the restroom, slamming the door shut behind me as I went.

I knew I had spooked Tom out of opening the chamber tonight in fear I or someone else might pop up and catch him red handed. However, I don't know how long it would take me to live down that embarrassment.

~

THIRD PERSON

Late into that early spring night, it began to rain; an occurrence quite popular to the Scottish Highlands. From the Slytherin common room, the upheaval of the black lake was obvious through the window.

The only source of light in the Slytherin common room came from the lanterns, which cast eerie green glow around. The large room was silent, the only life coming from the small breaths of the occupants.

Tom Riddle in all his handsome-terrifying glory sat in his throne like chair—a place no one else dared sit. His followers sat in the couches nervously watching their leader, flickering their gazes back and forth from each other unsure about this silence.

Unbeknownst to any of them, their seemingly emotionless leader had only one thought occupying his mind. The one and only; Rhiannon Lightly. The queer female who had come stomping into his life, shaking everything up.

Since he was born, Tom was able to read everybody around him alike to a book. He was able to manipulate and use them to his advantage.

However, that was not the case with Rhiannon Lightly. She was constantly surprising him at every turn, and no matter what he did he could not read her. Truthfully, all he knew on her was what she decided to tell him.

Ever since Tom could remember he cared for no one but himself, most people he actually hated. Though, when Tom thought about Rhiannon he couldn't bring himself to hate her; yes, perhaps irritation was aimed at her, but not hate.

It was no secret that Rhiannon Lightly was stunningly beautiful, possibly even the best looking female in this entire school. Tom was not blind he could see how just very beautiful she was, but something about her beauty was different.

With most girls their beauty was something you looked at and simply nodded your head—thinking 'yes, that girl is pretty.' Rhiannon was different. She was glaringly gorgeous, in a sense that drew people in; alike to Tom himself. However, unlike his sharp handsome features—Rhiannon was angelic.

She usually kept her dark hair in a braid, but Tom had no doubts that when it was down it fanned across her face in deep curls. Hazel eyes adorned her face, but something was almost off about the color. They always held some sort of golden hue, like a rich gold was hidden behind. She was average height for a female, yet she had long legs and a great figure for being just fifteen years of age.

For the first time in Tom's short life, he was attracted to someone. No girl had ever caught his attention, the way Rhiannon did. Yes, she wasn't the smartest, but she made him laugh. No one had ever succeeded in making him truly laugh.

Tom wasn't sure what this foreign feeling he felt for the girl was, and he also wasn't sure whether or not he liked it. Around him his followers debated on calling his name seeing as it looked as though he dazed off.

Before any of them could actually say something, Tom's gaze snapped to them all. The ominous glow around the room made Tom look all the more intimidating.

Sitting up, Tom glowered at them all. "Knights." He addressed using an eerily chilly tone, a tone no other student nor teacher at Hogwarts had ever heard Tom use. "I am expecting good news." He eyes showed a threat to anyone who brought back nothing.

All his followers put their eyes downcast, not willing to meet their lord's gaze in fear of the Cruciatus. Ignoring the coward movements of them all, Tom took his attention over to the oldest of the group.

Gideon Lestrange.

Twirling his long bone-like wand through his fingers, Tom tilted his head toward Lestrange. "Lestrange," He acknowledged in slightly hair-raising tone. "Have you pinpointed a direct location to Ravenclaw's diadem?" Tom Riddle had assigned Lestrange the task of getting any leads to the lost diadem last month.

Gideon Lestrange gulped, pulling on the collar of his robes. "I haven't got a location," He paused at the terrifying glare Tom was throwing him and quickly continued. "But I believe no one alive has ever seen the diadem since Ravenclaw's daughter, and it just so happens the house ghost of Ravenclaw is-"

"Helena Ravenclaw." Tom finished, his eyes lighting up with the new information.

"Yes," Lestrange nodded. "Helena knows the location of it, she's the only one who can tell you." He stated, causing Tom to nod accepting the progress his follower made.

Tom looked around the entire group, ready to address them all. "Have any of you made progress in finding information on Lightly?" He questioned, with a coolly raised brow.

This time it was Abraxas Malfoy who sat up answering. "No, it would appear that the Lightly family has no ties whatsoever to the European side of the wizarding world." Malfoy said, Victor Rosier jumping in after his comment.

"Yes, I lettered my father asking if he knew any wizarding families who went by the name 'Lightly'. He was quick to respond saying he knew of no European families by that name." This had caught Tom's full attention.

"That's what mine said." Marcellus Nott added, Tom turning his head to look at his other follower. "However, I doubled check and looked into the ministry records of pure-blood families, even glanced into the half-blood side in case she was lying. I found nothing on Lightly." Tom furrowed his brows at this.

No ties to Europe whatsoever, how was that even possible?

Malfoy jumped in once more. "She may just be from a very old American family, I've asked my brother about possibly getting family records from MASCUSA." Abraxas stated the American wizarding government.

Tom eagerly gulped down the knowledge, even more curious on Rhiannon than ever before. "And what did your brother say?"

"He told me he would try, but it would be hard. MASCUSA won't mail any sort of records to other countries, so he'd need to make a trip down there himself to check. Not only that, but MASCUSA may have it different, they may not keep all their families on record considering practically every single family there is pure-blood." Malfoy sounded jealous that America didn't allow any sort of breeding with muggles. "My family is planning to vacation there this summer, so I will have the records back by the beginning of next school year." Abraxas ended in an unsure tone of Tom's reaction.

Tom was disappointed; of course, that he wouldn't have any answers for a few months. However, he knew Malfoy couldn't just drop everything and go to America, people would notice, and so Tom just had to settle for what he could get.

"Very well." He nodded, making Malfoy breathe in relief.

Giving one last look at his Knights of Walpurgis, he stated. "You may all leave." No one wasted anytime in scurrying upstairs eager for bed.

Tom rolled his eyes, slowly standing up walking to face the fire. Tom never needed much sleep to run on, he only ever got two or three hours; five if he was lucky. He'd never admit to it, but night terrors of the days he was bullied in the orphanage usually ran across his mind during sleep.

He dream't of the way he used to not be able to defend himself, when he was weak. If he was fortunate enough, he would dream of his mother; of a family he never knew. Though, in this particular moment Tom only thought of Rhiannon Lightly.

Of how curious she was, and of course of the way she made him feel. Thoughtlessly, Tom thought up a life where him and Rhiannon lived forever. A world in which she was his, and his alone.

***

Authors Note;

The proposal anyone?