T H I R T E E N
Tom's Theme

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do. Two can be as bad as one, it's the loneliest number since the number one."

***

I yawned, rubbing my eye lids sleepily as I trudged into the common room. Both Walter and Lavender were meeting with Dippet about the recent pranks Gryffindor students had been pulling.

Apparently, he was scolding the two on not doing anything about it and making Tom discipline our houses students instead. It was quite obvious Tom was Dippet's favorite student alike to most other teachers here, so it came as no surprise that he was frazzled at the thought of Tom doing extra prefect work.

My tie simply hung loose around my neck, considering even after two weeks—I still didn't know how to tie it. I didn't even know where my robe was, not that I wanted to either. I perked up; however, at the sight of Tom himself leaning against a wall just outside of the common room.

My eyebrows furrowed when I caught sight of a book he was reading, well not reading but writing in. It was plain black leather, but what caught my attention was the small golden letters adorning the back.

'Tom Marvolo Riddle'

Was this a diary?

Shaking it off, I looked around catching sight of no one near him. It looked as if he were waiting for someone.

"One is the loneliest number that you'll ever do." I said in sing-song voice, bounding a bit closer toward Tom.

His head snapped up, our eyes quickly locking. His jaw clenched as he shut his book—placing it in the pocket of his robes. I then remembered my little get away from him last night. Crap, he had been waiting for me.

"Two can be as bad as one, it's the loneliest number since the number one." I sang, taking a few steps back as he came closer.

He tilted his head, looking at me through narrowed eyes. "What in Merlin's name is that God-awful racket you are singing." He asked, walking closer.

I kept taking backwards steps away from him, putting on an innocent smile. "I call it, Tom's Theme." I snickered at the look on his face.

"Do not talk to me that way." He snarled, nostrils flaring.

"Like what way, I was just saying the new name of my song. I like it, I can see it on the billboards now. Tom's Theme." I motioned with jazz fingers, as if it was the next big thing.

It wasn't really a song I made up, it was actually a song titled 'One Is the Loneliest Number' set to be released in 1968. So about twenty-five years away.

He glared, still approaching me even as I turned the corner into an abandoned corridor. God damn it, what is wrong with me? Why do I keep trapping myself in abandoned corridors!

"Lightly." He hissed lowly, motioning me over with a finger. "Come here."

"One is the loneliest number, that you'll ever do! Oh, it's worse than two!" I sang dramatically, spinning on my heel running away.

"Stop right there!" He yelled, grabbing my waist pushing me against the wall.

Alike to a few days ago, his body was flush against mine holding me in place. He glared daggers into my eyes, scowling.

"What were you doing in the corridors last night?" He demanded, a deadly look in his eye.

"Are you scared someone might find out you're asking about..." I paused dramatically taking a deep gulp of air, eyes flashing mischievously, "Horcruxes?" I taunted, Tom's eyes flashed and before I knew it—his wand was to my neck.

"One wrong move; Lightly." He threatened making me roll my eyes.

"What? And you'll jinx me? Been there, done that—not a fan." My voice held a sharp tone, causing Tom to look surprised for just a second. "Listen Tom Marvolo Riddle. I could care less if you want to destroy yourself, do whatever the hell you want." That was a lie. The whole reason I was here was to save him. "But leave me and the rest of my friends out of it." I glared, shoving him back with normal human strength.

His eyes flashed with both shock and anger, before his wand was back to my neck. "How is it you know my full name. I never mentioned it." His wand harshly poked into my neck.

"Are you kidding me right now?" I was exasperated. "Practically every student here say's your full name at least once a day, and your diary or whatever has it on the back!" I exclaimed at a loss for words at how paranoid he was.

He eyes held a conflicted look, before they went hard once more. "I swear, Lightly. You better not tell a soul about this. You know as well as I that just a single complaint from me to Dippet could have you expelled." He warily put his wand down.

I crossed my arms, raising a brow. "Trust me, I am definitely not planning on shouting Slughorn and your's 'little secret'." He rolled his eyes at that.

"There is something desperately off about you; Lightly. I plan on finding out exactly what it is." Tom spoke coolly, his eyes shining in pure suspicion.

"Gee thanks, Tom. Because every girl wants to hear a boy talk about how 'off' they are." I sarcastically applauded him. "There is nothing wrong with me." I stopped clapping, giving him a heated glare which he only smirked at.

"There's the puppy." He mock cooed at me, causing my cheeks to burn bright red. "And every girl in this school would listen to me call them 'off', if I was giving them the time of day." He said, arrogantly.

I only scoffed out a snicker, because what he said is true. I think most girl's here would gladly listen to Tom offend them—if he was actually paying them attention. His gaze drifted down to my tie which hung limply off my body.

"Oh, Lightly." He chided, bringing his hands up grabbing my tie. His touch sent chills shooting down my spine. "When will you ever learn." He tied the tie around my neck perfectly, doing it even better than Lavender.

His hands lingered for just a second, as he glanced into my eyes. He cleared his throat pulling away as if he were shocked, looking to be in a debate with himself.

"Wow, you need to do my tie everyday." I complimented, feeling the now straight tie.

"Yes, and you need to wear your robes. The Gryffindor prefects may let you off the hook, but I certainly won't let you off for much longer. I don't care if you're new, you must abide by the rules." He spoke, crossing his arms.

"I don't like the robes." I pouted, glaring at the ground.

"No one likes them! You still need to wear them!" He exclaimed, throwing his arms in the air.

I only shrugged, a smirk eating at my face. "No one wants to die, that doesn't mean you make a Horcrux." I coyly smiled, at the glare he was throwing me.

"Sorry, I had too." I held my hands up, laughing at my own stupid joke. "Why do you even want to make a Horcrux?" I questioned.

He looked proud at the fact. "I want to be beyond Death, master it." He spoke.

"Yeah, but there are other path's to immortality—less dark ways." I told him.

"I don't believe you." He sneered, "I have been looking since my second year, Horcruxes are the only true immortality." He said, not believing me.

"Whatever you say, come to me when you actually want to learn it."

Before he could reply, a smooth hissing noise was heard. We turned only to see a medium sized Garden snake slithering through the corridors, obviously lost. It didn't take a genius to figure out the snake was hurt.

On it's back was blood, and it moved in a quick way saying it was trying to get away from something. Tom went very quiet looking at the snake softly. He moved to the snake in a way so unlike his usual harsh self, it was foreign to see.

The snake noticed him, and began moving away—only for it to suddenly stop; looking to Tom. He seemed to be making a sort of trust foundation with the snake with his slow quiet movements. However, that all ended with the sound of multiple footsteps.

The snake began hissing aggressively slithering away from the sound. Tom looked toward the sound with a deadly glare, a sneer across his handsome features. Five boy's two from Hufflepuff, three from Gryffindor came barreling around the corner.

"Look there it is, the snake!" One Hufflepuff boy cried pointing to the snake.

"Bombardo!" One boy cried, pronouncing the name to a spell wrong, as nothing happened.

"It's Bombarda you idiot!" Another said, before pointing his wand at the snake.

Before Tom could step in, the kid had screamed the word. "Bombarda!" However, he somehow missed the snake aiming for the spot right next to where I was standing.

"AHH!" I yelled jumping away, just as the spell hit the spot.

The spot exploded making my eyes widen at its sheer violence.

I watched from where I now stood, as the boy looked to me with wide eyes. "I am so sorry, are you alright?" He frantically questioned, only to be shut up at the look Tom was giving him.

Tom seemed to be having trouble staying calm, taking deep breaths. "Why in Merlin's name would you lot ever try to harm an animal?" He asked, figuring the blood was from them.

"Because it's a snake!" One Hufflepuff exclaimed, pointing at it.

Tom slowly turned to face him, with a glare that would make even Grindelwald himself flinch. "It doesn't matter the species, you do not come and attempt to kill an animal! Not only that, but with your aim you could have easily hurt Rhiannon." He said using my first fake name.

"Sorry." A Gryffindor pathetically tried, causing Tom's eyes to blaze.

"GET TO THE HEADMASTER'S OFFICE, NOW!" Tom roared, making them all jump nodding and scurrying off.

I watched with wide eyes, as Tom quickly calmed down turning to face the snake which was coiled in fear. He almost silently hushed it, taking calming steps toward the frightened creature. He bent down holding his hand out, a gentle smile crossing his face.

The snake quickly slithered into his hand, coiling itself around his arm—while he stroked it's head. As he stood up, he turned toward the outside doors preparing to bring it out there.

"What was that!" I exclaimed, quite loudly causing the snake to hiss.

Tom turned with a glare, motioning me to be quieter. "You just picked up a wild snake!" I said, acting as if I had no clue on him being a parseltongue.

This was the perfect opportunity to get closer to him, gain more trust. Tom glared, sighing.

"Lightly, your loud tone is scaring the snake, be quiet." He snarled, making me cross my arms.

"You're a parseltongue." I said, in fake realization—making it seem as if I had just found out.

Tom gave me a dark look, that sent chills down my spine. The snake hissed at me, feeling his emotions while he glared.

"I think you should go to the breakfast." His voice came out as a harsh, cold whisper.

"Wait-" I said, understanding that instead of getting closer I had pried my way in and now he was angry at me. Again.

"Go to the great hall." He hissed, eyes flaring.

Figuring I would give him time, I turned away walking to the Great Hall feeling both his and the snake's eyes on me. Even if it didn't seem like it, this was progress.