(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)

Alice was pleased with her schedule, having only to share barely one-third of her classes with the house, Slytherin. She knew that having grown in prejudice about the said house in a home where her parents were Gryffindors was a bit barbaric, but she'd like to be cautious. She didn't want any involvement with anyone from there whatsoever; not a single one - at all. From the stories her parents had told, Slytherin gave off a low appeal of welcomeness in the school's society. Alice even asked once if there was at least one Slytherin either her mother and father did tolerate back in their days. They answered her indirectly with encounters of the rare occasion when a Slytherin wouldn't be a complete and total ass.

There was one more reason for Alice to avoid the said house - Riddle. Alice was smart enough to know that he was not someone anybody would have wanted to mess with. From the charming charisma façade which made him seem like the perfect student with everything and everyone wrapped around his finger to the distant and cold looks Alice had first seen, she knew what she was in for. She knew that it would cost her a life or two to even stand up to the student.

She decided to keep a low profile, she wouldn't be noticed by anyone else. Alice was already satisfied with Mallory's company. She was a sweet fellow, though her vocabulary may be composed of some unusual creatures that did not ring a bell to either of Alice's ears. Mallory had her own little universe, and Alice found that adorable. She believed that someone like Mallory would never lie about certain voices for Alice herself observed some unheard voices, too.

They whisper to her and seem to guide her. Alice took the time to realize how lucky she was that there were voices like the ones in her head. She didn't know if she'd be alive if they weren't.

Alice never spoke of herself in her conversations with Mallory. She had always been the one to listen while her friend had been the one to talk for the first few hours of their friendship. She was protective of her personal information and data that even she got Mallory to suspect a little that something was on with Alice.

But no matter, school was starting for Alice. She didn't want it to be awful as her very first day.

She sat far away from the crowded portion of the Ravenclaw table with Mallory by her side. It had turned out that Alice was probably the only girl who even considered to be friends with Mallory. Alice suspected so ever since dinner last night. Everyone was giving Mallory weird looks and seem to give Alice a look of disgust at her choice of companionship. Alice merely ignored their stares and occasionally let her icy blue orbs stare intensely at the student, willing for him or her to scamper away.

Alice always admired how her own eyes had a piercing color that given off an array of authority and novelty. She used it many times before, on people who piss her off to an extent, on salesladies who refuse to attend to her or even just at a boy who lost his way across the city and landed at her house' doorstep.

She walked towards her first class, Arithmancy, with Mallory nowhere to be seen. Fortunately, it was with the Gryffindors. She preferred a house much less outgoing, like the Hufflepuffs and her own, but this will do.

Alice found herself sitting beside another fellow Ravenclaw boy who simply said 'hello' and gave a smile. Alice smiled back and nodded as a sign of acknowledgement.

The professor only had introduced her to the class, making their eyes land on her. She felt uncomfortable under their stares. She kept a blank expression at first but then smiled a small one and nodded at the teacher.

After that, the class went on to place their full attention on the Professor writing a formula on the board.

Arithmancy was a breeze to Alice. Having been gifted with a mind whose comprehension is beyond her years, the numbers and equations just flowed easily in her mind; connecting like cogs and running efficiently.

She was called a few times to answer and the teacher was delighted to discover that their new student was gifted in the subject. She spoke with gentleness in her velvety and smooth voice that one would fall asleep just by listening to it. It was a very pleasing voice that made the teacher call her more often after each answer she emitted. Her answers gained her house points which lead the Ravenclaws to get stolen glances of admiration and awe at her before turning back to the teacher.

After Arithmancy, her next class was Potions, which was in fact taught by the head of the Slytherin house. And what made it worse was that she had it with the Slytherins. There was obviously going to be a tinge of favoritism in terms of the academic participation in his class. She had this class with Mallory, too, and that made her glad. At least someone who she knew was there.

Mallory walked with Alice, asking her how it went.

Alice shrugged and gave a smile, "It went well. And turns out, I have a gift at Arithmancy."

Mallory smiled back, "Well, I'm glad. Mind helping me out? I never was quite at level with Arithmancy."

Alice giggled slightly at that and nodded, pleased she would be able to help out her new friend.

The classroom was near the Slytherin Common Room so a lot of them could be seen wandering around at the part.

Alice kept her head straight ahead, afraid she would come in eye contact with some Slytherins. She never wanted any involvement. Never will.

Alice and Mallory successfully made it to the Potions classroom. Mallory relaxed and nudged Alice to follow her inside the room. But Alice refused to let her guard down. She kept her eyes at an intense stare as she was greeted by a man, no less than 50, Alice calculated. Be was obviously starting to bald and he was plump that he reminded Alice of a grape.

"Hello, m'dear. You must be Alice Urie!" Alice was caught off by his cheery disposition but caught on just fine. She expected someone who would sneer with every word he spit out, but it seems the stars have kept her the trouble of experiencing something like that.

Alice nodded and smiled at the small man.

"Well, I'm Professor Slughorn. Your potions teacher. I do hope you do well, I might just invite you to join my dinner party. Which is coming quite soon, might I add."

Alice just listened, not saying a word. Just nodding occasionally at the man. Alice could tolerate this. Not the sneering type, but the chatty type. She preferred it to be that way.

Slughorn finally dismissed their conversation, if you would even call it that - Slughorn was the only one talking, when he noticed that the Slytherin students had poured in as well.

Immediately, Alice chanted in her mind, 'Block it'. She felt her barriers raise at the back of her mind. Alice knew that she was indeed overreacting, but if the Riddle boy was to be in this class . . .

Speak of the devil, he went through the doors like there weren't any doors present. Alice felt the presence of someone staring at her once more but let it pass. Tom Riddle wouldn't be able to get into her mind and she was sure of it.

The class was crowded in front just as how the Professor asked them to gather round.

In front of the professor were cauldrons and tripods with vials of just about the rarest potions Alice ever encountered. She noticed a few herself; Amortentia, Liquid Luck, and her favorite one, Veritaserum. Alice was fascinated by the way it entranced the victim into spilling out almost everything that the person knew. Alice tried brewing it once, it did turn out as clear and as undistinguishable to water, but she never really was able to use. She prays that she could as she packed a whole bottle of it.

Alice smirked to herself at that thought. Someone who would mess with her would suffer a fate of humiliation and embarrassment. She knew it'd be considered as bullying in one of the biggest forms, and not to mention that it'll be breaking a lot of school rules. Alice didn't mind, she knew how to cover up.

But Alice swatted away the idea in her head. She hoped that no one would even come in her way to her business. Alice planned to be one of the students with highest remarks, if not, the highest remarks over all. But in regards to what Mallory mentioned of the stories and subjects she'd taken, it was going to be difficult. Riddle had been defending the title of the one with highest remarks of his years. Alice was determined to claim the throne. She wanted to be known for her brains, not for being a transferee.

Slughorn addressed the fact that they would be brewing all these potions this year and Alice was enthralled. She was to have more Veritaserum. This is a very handy class indeed.

"Now, who would want to tell me what this potion is?" Slughorn motioned to the cauldron where clear liquid was found. Alice was ecstatic that she didn't know what she was thinking and raised her hand. And so did Tom Riddle, as same for the past questions.

"Ah, Miss Urie, yes. Nice of you to finally participate." Alice knew that it was meant to be a joking insult but thought nothing of it otherwise. She knew that the Professor knew nothing of what could happen if Alice wasn't so stable already and good at restraint. She heard a few Slytherins, none of them seeming to be the Slytherin she had to avoid most. Of that action, she took notice. She turned her head to their direction and let her icy orbs roam across the area where snickering was heard and it silenced almost immediately

"Come now, dear, what is in the cauldron?" Professor asked in anticipation. He too was a victim to the mysterious aura Alice was giving off. Barely having to speak, he wanted to know what her voice sounded like. It was an unusual thing to be excited about but it was a usual feeling everyone had for the past few hours about Alice Urie.

"Professor, this potion is to be known as Veritaserum. Famous for its ability to entrance someone to spill out everything a caster asks for. It had been used for centuries to interrogate prisoners in war and even in royal rivalries. Almost indistinguishable to water, traces of it would be found unsuspectingly. Someone might've even put it in your drink without you noticing a thing different in your beverage." Alice spoke smoothly as her words were formally arranged. She liked having the potion as a topic and passion was laced in her words.

Slughorn applauded her, "Very well said indeed! I expect much more great things from you, Miss Urie."

Many other of her Ravenclaw looked at her again in awe as the same happened in Arithmancy. The Slytherins stared at her, shocked at the fact she said that much when they suspected she didn't talk at all.

Alice only nodded with a small smile to the professor and went back to listening. The class' attention was back to what the teacher was discussing, it was just an intro anyway, but Riddle was there, still staring at Alice.

Alice felt it and caught his eye. As her blue orbs met with his own, it seems as though the cold glare of the Slytherin was neutralized by her gaze. Alice felt something trying to move around and get in her head again, but to no avail.

To this she smirked and turned her attention back to the teacher, ignoring the boy for the rest of the class. But Tom remained frustrated and wondering how could she be doing it with such ease.

He was going to find out more about this Alice Urie. And he was going to make sure all her secrets have gotten to him soon.

Alice knew she intrigued Tom Riddle, but she knew that the situation she was in was dangerous. Someone like Riddle was to pursue knowing what he wants to know. And Alice wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of being someone he knows everything about.

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Initially, I had wanted to update once a week, but seeming as I am impatient with myself, I updated early.

I hope you liked it plus vote and comment if you would (: I'd appreciate every effort.

All the love as always, tuffhufflepuff 😁