(DISCLAIMER: All characters and the whole Harry Potter franchise - except for Jeremiah Hallysworn, Mallory Evans, Alice Urie [plus a few other more characters I haven't decided to get into the story yet] - belong to none other than J. K. Rowling)

That was the very first time that Mallory had received 'Outstanding' remarks for her homework.

But she was so guilty about how she acted towards Tom Riddle that she barely had time to celebrate her small victory. Plus, she wanted to keep up this thing in Arithmancy. It was quite nice to have high grades in a subject you absolutely despise. Even though that sounds a tad bit contradictory.

She needed a plan for her apology. See, Mallory was never one to go rogue on her deeds, especially if it came to something related to education.

Every other subject was fine, it was just Arithmancy she needed to buff up on. And she just had to blow up her chance of actually getting better at it.

"You worthless, stupid imbecile. You would've had been able to to have a chance at being a prefect and being recommended by your professors to a spot the Ministry! You would've been an accountant! Oh my Merlin, I hate myself," said the Ravenclaw as she walked into the corridor where Helena would often lurk in.

The figure loomed over to her side. "I have a feeling you've been in contact with a certain Slytherin, have you not?" The ghost asked with a smug look upon her face.

Mallory glared at the ghost and rolled her eyes. "So what if I did?"

"Oh, nothing," the ghost teased.

"You tell me what's nothing. I finally got a decent grade on my Arithmancy homework! Well, not just decent, but labeled Outstanding as per the professor," she ranted.

"It was who Riddle helped you, I presume?" teased the ghost.

Mallory leaned with her back against the wall. "Yes."

"Now, why are you upset?" the ghost teased once more.

"I'm not. You could say I'm just disappointed. It isn't like me to just throw away opportunities like those," Mallory huffed.

"Well, then. Weren't you the one who was quite intent on trying to avoid Riddle?" the ghost pressed on.

Mallory turned red at the statement. She didn't know why, she didn't want to know why either. Her face was warm and she felt like she could burst any minute.

"Wait," Helena's soft voice broke her from her thoughts. "You fancy him," she remarked with disbelief and amusement.

Mallory was quick to react. "What on earth are you going on about? Me? Fancying Tom Riddle? Are you mad, Helena? No offense, but has anyone done anything to you?" She tried to ramble on and on against Helena's statement but her companion's smile just seemed to get bigger and bigger as each excuse comes.

"Besides, Helena," Mallory sighed in defeat, her voice tainted with a barely noticeable of frustration, "even if I did fancy him, it wouldn't get me anywhere. I'm better off with someone kept in Azkaban. Or no, maybe no one at all."

"Don't be too harsh on yourself, Mallory," the ghost scolded and the young girl sighed.

"No matter," Mallory tried shaking it off, "I'll just be locked up in my room which I share with three other girls who don't seem to even try and stay just for the night, trying to figure out what in the bloody Merlin's beard is Riddle trying to do with your bloody artifact. Because I'm sure as hell that he isn't going to destroy it."

Mallory turned on her heel amd walked without another word and strided out the hall.

++++++++++

Curious as it may be, Mallory found it curious as well, she kept stealing glances at the boy who confidently strided into the classroom each time she had the chance to.

Every syllable that comes out from his mouth seemed to have affected her more than ever before. Like it stroke a very dangerous match that could light her whole body aflame. Truly, it would.

"You seem to be preoccupied there, Evans."

Mallory dropped her book in shock. The sound resonated through the bookshelves, loud enough for the librarian to hear it. She was about to contemplate whether she would run, hide, or possibly blame it on Riddle just for the purpose of spite.

"Merlin's beard! You startled me!" Mallory managed to rush. Her heart was pounding as she stared wide-eyed at Tom. She had the urge to ask 'What are you doing here anyway?' due to her constantly annoying curiosity, but she knew that the boy would snap back with a witty comment that'd just make her look stupid. Deciding to play it safe, she stayed silent. She looked downwards, shaking her head with a smile on her face. Her faced warmed up a bit and she had no idea why.

'Why indeed?' she heard the probable response of Helena. That ghost was just a constant drag, and Mallory swore that if Dumbledore hadn't told her about the fact that Helena was indeed a ghost, she'd think of herself insane.

Something that made Mallory skip even more beats was when the resonating chuckles of Tom Riddle had been heard. "Well, I'd like to apologize."

Mallory hid a smile and nodded her head, unsure of what to do.

"Apology accepted." Those were her last words before a silence overtook both of them. In the silence, she picked up the book she dropped due to her astonishment and opened it ungracefully.

The boy had taken a seat across from her, a leather notebook in hand. He seemed to be re-reading notes, from what Mallory could see.

In a split second, Mallory noticed how she was staring at the boy in Slytherin robes and shook her head as a way to clear it.

"You seem to be troubled, Miss Evans."

Mallory saw Tom inserting something between a page in his notebook before closing in his hand. She looked at how long and slender those fingers are. She wondered if they were soft as they appear.

What in the name of Merlin am I thinking about? Surely this isn't normal.

"Huh?" The girl responded in confusion.

Next thing she knew, he was leaning toward her, looking curiously into her eyes. "You've been wanting to talk to me. Tell me what is troubling you."

Mallory had her cheeks red and warm. She looked down at her lap, trying to avoid his intense stare. She fidgeted with a folded edge of her robe, thinking hard of what to say.

Shall I tell him? What, no, don't be stupid, Mallory!

"I-uh," she gulped and looked up only to see the boy still looking at her with the same amount of intensity. 

Just say you're sorry. For being such an absolute arse. 

She took a deep breath, looking down once more, before looking at him straight in the eye, "It's my turn to apologize."

The boy had no visible reaction. It worried Mallory.

"My behavior the other night was improper, inexplicably so. I've realized that you were simply trying to help," she daintily confessed. 

The curious look on Tom Riddle's face had somewhat softened and lowered in intensity. "Apology accepted," he mirrored her words.

Mallory let out a breath she did not know she was holding.

"Now, I know it's a bit rather... sudden, but this weekend, would you possibly like to accompany me in my endeavors to Hogsmeade?"

Mallory held her breath once more. She struggled with the analysis of the words said by the boy before her. Why? She did not know exactly. 

"H-hogsmeade?" she managed to say with uncertainty.

The boy replied with a curt nod, "Yes."

Mallory could not believe it. She couldn't even process a possible image of her accompanying him, side-by-side, casually strolling through the cool, busy air present in Hogsmeade. No one had ever had the thought to invite her.

"Well," she coughed, "alright."

The boy showed a sly grin, "Delightful."

++++++++++

Mallory stared gloomily at the fire. She was in the Common Room, just after dinner. The argument she had with Alice hung heavy above her head like a looming stormcloud. If anyone would be look at her and ask what they'd interpret of it, they'd probably say that she was thinking about how to tame a unicorn, or how to ride a Pegasus; but never would they expect that such a scene would contain the darkest and gloomiest thoughts one could possibly have. The bitterness was still present beneath her tongue, nagging at her to be felt and tasted.

She just wanted Alice to be careful, but starting anything with Tom Riddle, anything at all, would ensue chaos and severe damage on anyone who does.

Why was Mallory so cold about this thought? She was cold because of something he had done.

It had been three times that Mallory had accompanied Tom Riddle to Hogsmeade the weekend. At least, she said, she accompanied him three official times. There were times that someone would suddenly drag her out of the hallway without being seen, that someone turning out to be Tom Riddle, and then going through mysterious paths twisting inside the school she never knew, going to places that have never even met the rays of sunshine.

She remembered how she was lying on her lone bed, flustered and flushed after being dragged into one of Tom's adventures. She remembered how she ended up crying in the same spot the next day. The explanation? Well, Mallory would be ashamed, but for the sake of context, let us shed a bit of light to what actually happened, shall we?

It was another day when Tom had dragged her randomly out the hallway. His grip was significantly tighter this time, almost hurting Mallory's arm. Almost.

They stopped in front of a door. It was the ladies' bathroom.

She spoke in a much smaller voice, noticing Tom's dark stare at the door, "What is it?"

"Listen," he gestured to the door and Mallory heard the faint crying she assumed was from the other side. Her eyes widened.

"Who is she?" she asked in a hushed tone.

"Myrtle, a first year. Ravenclaw."

He spoke so stiffly, it made Mallory worry.

"Do you know why she's crying?"

Tom stayed quite for a while before answering, "She was cornered."

Mallory had her eyes widen even more. "I'm going inside."

Tom didn't stop her.

She walked in, her shoes clicking against the tiles and a gasp was heard. Mallory stopped walking abruptly.

With hesitance, she called out, "Myrtle?"

"Who are you?" A harsh, yet scared voice.

"Umm," she paused, thinking of what to say. What if Tom brought in a cave troll and did something to make it sound like a little girl and lied to her about it? She shook the thought out of her head. "I'm Mallory," she answered in response. She walked further in an saw a small girl in Ravenclaw robes crouched down, hugging her knees.

Their eyes met and the small girl Myrtle quickly stood up.

She wiped a hand over her tear stained cheeks and another to her eyes. She asked with a bit more hesitation, "Are you going to tease me?"

Mallory furrowed her brows in confusion, "Tease you? Why on earth-"

"Olive Hornby just teased how ugly my glasses looked. She said something about going out and getting backup. No doubt to get her pompous lackeys." The girl stopped and glared at Mallory. She asked her in an accusing tone, "Are you one of them?"

"No. No, of course not," Mallory pushed while trying to get closer to her.

The younger girl only stared. She shook her head and asked her with a less accusing tone and more of a curious one, "Then why are you here?"

Mallory came up quickly with a story, "Well you see, I was walking by, I just happened to someone crying in the bathroom. I'd just want to see if I could be of any help."

Myrtle looked down and muttered darkly, "Only someone who understands me would be able to help me." She crouched back down into her previous position.

Mallory felt a twinge in her heart. Somehow, she thought, they were the same. Nobody really would understand Mallory, because no one really did know her. Nobody really was in the same exact circumstances she was in.

"I do," Mallory said in a soft whisper. She walked nearer to the girl and held out a hand. She had a faint smile painted on her face, "let's get you fixed up, shall we?"

The little girl took her hand carefully to stand back up.

A while later, Mallory had the girl cleaned up from any tears she had on her face. She was given a sort of pep talk by the older Ravenclaw. She also had gained a sort of acquaintance.

When they both got out, however, Myrtle had somehow retracted from her now jolly state into a slightly quite and frightened one at the sight of the boy waiting outside. Mallory smiled at Tom and he had a curt nod in response. Myrtle gave Mallory a small, short thanks and quickly scampered away.

Mallory watched as the girl in pigtails slowly disappeared from her view.

"You've somehow made her feel better," Tom Riddle had spoken up.

Mallory looked at him and coughed to clear her throat, "Yes, I somehow have. Thanks for noticing that."

She looked back at the direction the little girl had previously passed through, "Are you going to tell the teachers?"

She heard a scoff and that made her very confused. Tom asked, "Why would I?"

Mallory's insides suddenly felt a stinging sensation. "What do you mean why would you? Can't you see she was being bullied?"

"Yes, I do indeed," He answered curtly.

"Well then, help her." Mallory let a breath of frustration, "Like you helped me."

Tom stared at her for a second with eyes analyzing and computing. "I will not."

"Why not?" Mallory asked, belwildered.

"I chose to help you because I chose to, and I know you have intellect that could possibly help me. As for the other side of this two-faced reason, I felt pity."

Mallory was distraught and asked disdainfully, "Why not help her? Do you not pity her?"

"She had it coming to her, there'd be nothing we could do. She's an easy target, of course people would chose to belittle her."

"I don't quite understand."

"I helped you because I knew you were being bullied for something you should not be ashamed of. These thoughts, these words, your level of intelligence! These are things that should not be teased at! But did that girl have anything that could be worth the fight?"

Mallory had thought this boy was different from all the prejudiced and judgemental people. His thoughts were . . . unusually discriminating. He judged based on intellect! If she thought judging based on blood was bad enough, the way he reasoned it out was preposterous!

"You- helped me because I was of intellectual standards?" Mallory had asked in disgust.

"Why yes, I thought you'd be flattered." He answered promptly.

"I feel disgusted and offended. So intellect is all that matters to you?" Mallory accused.

"What's the use of an ally without brains or resources? Truly, these are what we should be around, Mallory. You deserve much more than being around thicked-skull mindsets who tell you nothing but how they are much better due to a certain trait that isn't even of value!"

Mallory was clenching her fist as his words fell out in passion.

"I always thought you better than to wallow in such judgement," she shot.

"And I always thought you saw past that. You're just like them," hearing those words as he pushed past her was the most pain she's had.

I can't believe I fell for someone like that!

Fell?

Mallory's eyes widened in realization as the thought encircles her. Her tears flowed unwillingly. She looked around to find the hall she was in completely empty and made a dash for it.

And then she realized that things were never going to turn up well for her Arithmancy grades, as well.

++++++++++++++++++++

Now it's just a ghost of a memory. Almost like it never happened. But the pain was there and it was present, reminding how stupid Mallory was to even think that she could like a boy like that.

She goes back to being alone. And now, the very person she had hoped to be her friend without trouble was treading on thin ice as she once did.

If Alice was really insistent on this, the only thing Mallory could do is be there when Alice will come running, asking for help.

The thing is, knowing Alice, will a time like that ever come?

;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;-;

I feel like Tom's a bit too OOC here, sorry 'bout that. Aaaaaand it isn't really what I'm most proud of.

But let's go straight to business.
Okay, guess who's back from the dead.

Definitely not me, but I'm back to updating as much as I want to because school has ended ❤ (about a month ago and I had to rack my brain.)

But let us reflect.

Because this book has been on Wattpad for a YEAR NOW.

K. That's all.

Also, I'd like to tell you that my I shall try to join the Wattys. Feeble attempt, I know. But yeaaaaaah. Keep doing whatever you guys are doing because it's great.

Also: HOW DID WE REACH 15K READS. (Amazing, so very much.)

Just keep commenting and voting (if you want to, no pressure) because really, it motivates me to keep writing even though there areas of blockage.

Okay, 'nuff said.

Hope you liked it!

All the love as always,

tuffhufflepuff xx

P.S. still unedited (I am a lazy piece of broccoli. Some people hate broccoli.)