AN - October 16th, 2005: Go Post-Potter story, whoo-hooo! I've been dying to write something other than Raine's story, anyways. One of my bestest-est-est online friend ( who totally rawks, mind you ) gave me inspiration because...she. Is. The. BEST. FRIEND / TOM RIDDLE / FRIEND / VOLDEMORT / FRIEND / ROLEPLAYER / FRIEND / HYPER SUPER PARTY FUNTIME WHEE PERSON FRIEND. EVER. OMG. I have never ever met such a talented roleplayer / said other things before - here's to - what, nearly a year? - of roleplaying, friendly-ness, random glomps and maniacal laughter, and PURE LOVE. ( hugs teh Val-mun! ) I love you. ( sniff ) But...er, yeah, we need to get back to the original intent of this story! This entire fanfiction is dedicated to teh Val-mun. It is meant to be read. You don't have to review, though...if you want to, go right ahead! Laugh at my insanity! . Only for Val. I LOVE YOU VAL!

Disclaimer of Dh00m: I don't own Harry Potter or Tom Riddle or anyone else! All I own is teh created character that I have as well as her history and any invented spells my twisted mind can come up with. HAH! Take that, lawyers! Do not wave those expensive leather briefcases and clicky blue and black pens at me! MWAHAHAHAHAHAH! Oh chyeah. The last name McCallion belongs to my good friend Miemie. Sorry for stealing your last name, Mie! I really needed a good last name and Rogers just didn't cut it...gawd, my last name sucks. ( It's not even catchy, either! And it doesn't rhyme with anything like yours does! Besides...Dodgers. And...Folgers? The best...part of waking up...is Rogers in your cup! sings to the old coffee commercial jingle XD )

Only For You

By: Kifujin no STRAWBERRY

Chapter One

C. Mc : A Fateful Train Ride

The world as mortals everywhere has an awful funny way of working.

Then again, no one can really say anything to that when they know that even they have an awful funny way of working. Each and every person has an awfully funny and unique way of working among this world - whether good, evil, or in between the lines, walking on the thin plane between insanity and levelheadedness. But aside the point that everything is awfully funny about this awfully funny world, even she could suppose that once that strange uniquity was stripped away from the world to reveal it's inner workings, there is really nothing funny about it at all. It was a continuous cycle of death, birth, and even rebirth at some points - and as well as the cycles of nature, a continuous circle of love, hate, good, and evil.

It was either that or she was feeling exceptionally thoughtful at the moment.

Maybe she should have waited a little longer to come to the Station? There hadn't really been a choice in the matter compared to what her parents had to say - they were always so busy that she had just said goodbye to them and that whenever they decided to come say goodbye to her before she left for the school then they were free to do so. Really, she wouldn't have cared whether or not they came to say goodbye. She would have rather just gone off to Hogwarts by herself. They wouldn't have realized it until a couple days later, she was sure of that, and even then, they'd brush it off as a simple case of 'lateness' for the school train and sent her a letter telling her that they'd see her over winter vacation. Pshaw. Like she was going home over winter vacation.

The sun was all ready peeking over the top of the tallest buildings - pretty soon, the train would be arriving. She'd gotten here around 10:30 and she supposed it was around 10:40 since most of the students were now arriving - ah, she even recognized some of them! There was Rosier and Antonin, oh, and even Avery had come early today. She had almost been expecting him to miss the train and have to be transported there by broom like he had to be last year. He'd been teased much about it for a while until people had seen past that to the Quidditch season that had been coming up. Most of the students gathered there were from the other Houses, though...where were all the others of her House? She dearly hoped that they would make it in time, though with the exact punctuality that each and every one of them had displayed over the past six years that she had known them, she was pretty sure that they would make it.

Hrm. 10:45. A familar whistling sound filled her ears - yes, the train was here. Excellent. Powerful thudding and chugging filled the area with noise, and quite a few of the others stopped to watch as the Hogwarts Express arrived. A gleaming scarlet steam engine blowing powerful gusts of smoke from it's top that filled the air; wheels that began to steady to a halt as the brakes were put on by the conductor; and soon enough it stood shining in the sunlight and in the station itself. She'd always loved to watch the train pull into the station - a sort of apprehension always filled her when it pulled in - excitement...she was finally going back to a place that she'd called home ever since she had set foot in the place. It was almost like going back to her own 'home' was just a past time event until she could come back here. She could honestly say that this was true...

She supposed she should grab a compartment to save until they ( meaning the specific ones that she usually waited for on the train ) got into the station - besides, if not now, they would all be gone, since all of the other students would busy themselves with saving compartments for their friends and whatnot. The doors slowly opened and she rose from her spot on the bench, taking quiet steps over to where it was situated and raising herself and the rather heavy black trunk she pulled after herself inside. Nothing was ever going to change in this train, was it? Not really. The place was still fantastically clean yet had an almost homely air to it. The girl shrugged, silently laughing at her own thoughts, and then immediately headed for the back of the train. Last compartment on the left. Farthest side pushed to the window. Her usual spot. They certainly knew that by now.

10:50. Everyone was on the train now, and she could hear the chattered excitment building up in the separate parts of the train all ready, and the thudding footsteps as people squabbled and squirmed for places on the train. An amused smile appeared on her face. Oh, how exciting the entire prospect of it all was! Soon enough they'd all be back at Hogwarts and soon enough she'd be able to see everyone again. Certainly the time away from one another had changed one's appearance and opinion of another. Oh well, she'd just have to wait until the others arrived in the compartments saved for her House, and then maybe everyone would speak to each other again. But just as she was about to turn away from it all, to look out the window for them, a quiet yet unobtrusive male voice spoke.

"Excuse me, miss. Would you mind if I took this compartment along with you? All of the others are full."

And she found herself turning, to look up at the one who had spoke. A tall boy, all ready dressed in the full Hogwarts male uniform ( hmm, at least someone had bothered to dress in uniform before they had gotten on the train; so had she ), who wore the Slytherin Prefect crest on the left of his robes. Pale with dark eyes and a small, friendly smile curving over his pale lips. Streaks of dark hair fell against his forehead and temples, straight and evenly cut. Oh? She'd never met this boy before. Maybe he was a 7th Year? She didn't know about that; he didn't look tall enough to be a 7th Year, and most of the 7th Years who she had seen so far had grown at least 4 or 5 inches over the summer. One of his eyebrows rose slightly, and she nodded at him, before turning to look back out the window.

"Thank you."

He seated himself beside her, adjusting his robes and settling his trunk below the seat.

"You look familar," He said after a moment, and she turned to look back up at him once again. Even seated he had a good six inches over her. "Are you in the Slytherin House with me? I daresay sometimes my memory just collapses on me..." He offered a soft laugh.

"Yes, I am in Slytherin." And finally, she spoke after a moment of just gazing at him calmly. "Most people don't know me too well, though...I guess I'm too quiet..."

"Oh?" He fixated her with a rather warm smile. "Hmm. Let's see...where have I seen you before...ah, your the one who is always with Narcissa Black and Lucius Malfoy, hmm?"

"Yep, that's me."

"Ah, so that is where I have seen you!" The boy nodded and then ran a hand through his hair. "By the way...I'm Tom. Tom Riddle. May I have the pleasure of your name?"

"Christine McCallion."

"You sound like your from a very affluent and distinguished family, Christine." A soft intone on her name. Each word articulated perfectly. Like he was afraid of being imperfect? She didn't know.

"You could say that." She said rather dryly. Affluent and distinguished. Bah to them both, but it was true and fairly annoying. "Not really, though."

"Ah...hmm, I see." A nod given, and then he looked at her very directly. "Would you mind watching my trunk for a moment, Christine? Unfortunately, our conversation must be cut short before it can even begin - it is a Prefect's job to control order within this train and I fear that this is the job that I must take at this time."

"All right. I'll watch it until you come back."

"Thank you."

Another smile, and he rose to his full height at his feet, and stepped out of the compartment, sliding the door shut behind him. It seemed he had only been there two minutes before he had to leave again. Hrmph. Why should she care at the moment? She had no business wondering about him for the moment, anyways...best leave it to later on. 10:55. Minutes were beginning to pass quite quickly now. She didn't mind the change, as long as it didn't bother her or annoy or irrita-what the...? Indeed. The compartment door had been thrown open so quickly it rattled the window panes and set a faint tremor. But that was not what surprised her. All of a sudden, someone had thrown themself so quickly at her that she had no time to react and found herself fairly squashed up against the side of the compartment.

"Chriss-yyyy!"

Ah, now she recognized the voice. Seated half on the seat, half on her legs, was a beautiful, blond-haired girl. Blue eyes twinkled and danced mischeviously, and the blond-haired girl hugged her, apparently as hard as she could, causing her to cough and wince, attempting to wriggle out from underneath this girl. It was...Narcissa Black? For a second she had wondered who this pretty girl was, this girl who was squishing her with all of her dead weight, who smiled a bright white smile down at her, and then clambored off of her and onto the nearest seat. Narcissa. Her...best friend, ever since they had entered the Slytherin House as 1st Years together. She didn't know what had attracted Narcissa - or Cissy, as most of the House called her - to her...it was a secret to her.

"Oh...hey, Cissy." Christine even managed to give her a smile. A change.

"Ohhhh...how have you been!" They hadn't seen each other all summer. She supposed she should be riveted to see Narcissa, shouldn't she? " Oh, Lucius will be in here in a moment, he had to go check in with Avery and Rosier and jinx some little 4th Year who almost set his robes on fire..."

"Um. Fine, and that is very nice." An easy way to answer all three of Narcissa's questions / statements at the same time. "What about you?"

"I've been great! Lucius and I went to Paris with the Malfoys - oh, can you believe it, Paris? It's such a wonderful place, but I could do without the rudeness of the drivers...the weather was beautiful, and Lucius took me out on a gondola...it was so romantic..." Narcissa heaved a dreamy sigh and then adjusted herself. "I even learned to speak a little bit of french. I'm not too good at it, though. The people always giggled at my accent."

"Paris. Cool. Never been there before...only place I've ever been is here."

"I know, I know...maybe next summer, or even over Winter Break, we can all go, huh?" Narcissa grinned at her, and Christine only offered up a smile.

"If the parental figures will allow it. Not so sure they will, though."

And...once again, the compartment door slid open, though a lot more quietly this time. In stepped a regally handsome pale boy who she recognized only by the beautiful gray eyes and long, slicked back blond hair that touched the collar of his robes. Lucius Malfoy, this year's Quidditch Team Captain, it seemed, by the silver badge emblazoned with Slytherin's crest and a large C imprinted on the metal, and also...Narcissa's betrothed and soon to be ( once they both got out of school and were of age, of course ) husband. It seemed ever since the two of them had met they had fallen in love with one another at a spectacularly fast rate. It had made her laugh when she had caught both of them liplocking in Hogsmeade over a butterbeer that had clearly been forgotten.

Lucius was a man of few words - he only seated himself beside Narcissa ( who immediately hugged him; he gave her the one-armed, casual hug and a soft kiss on the temple ) and then sent her a rueful smile. Lucius was one of the people, besides Narcissa, who knew her the most in this world. He knew all of her secrets and her dreams...things that she had shared only with the two sitting beside her. This must have been the reason that the two were the only ones that were seen with her at all; they knew so much about her that they had seemed to just be drawn in by her personality? Huh. She doubted she had a personality...she had been told so many times that the House classified her as 'the silent one' and thought her to be strange. Oh well.

"Hello, Christine." No nicknames from Lucius, except one 'Anti-Christ' he had called her in 5th Year.

"Hey, Lucius. I hear you and Narcissa snogged in Paris?" His cheeks reddened, and a small smile curved over her lips. Narcissa went pink in the cheeks and giggled.

"Aye."

"How sweet and romantic and darling - such a wonderful thing for betrothed who will probably spawn 15 children." Christine could not help but roll her eyes at him.

"Stop being sarcastic." Lucius only offered a swat with his wand. He seemed to have it in hand from the time he came into the compartment.

"Ah, which reminds me. What jinx did you use this time?"

"Jelly Legs Jinx. It was rather funny, seeing the little bugger wobble around and crash into things." His mouth curved up into an evil smirk. "Flew nearly a foot in the air when he fell over a seat, that one did."

"Hmmph." She giggled lightly, and then blinked slightly as the train began to move. "Seems like you got here just in time before we left. Wonder if Avery made it this time?"

"He did. His mum made him go in extra early so she wouldn't have to fly him to the school again." Narcissa interjected, looking out the window and then around the compartment. Her blue eyes focused on the trunk pushed beneath the seat. "Hey...Chrissy, who else is sitting in here? Bella?"

"No. I haven't seen Bellatrix in a while, actually...I would have thought she would have come in and reserved her own seat before they were all taken. This boy Tom Riddle - a Prefect from our House - is sitting here." Christine shook her head and then looked to Narcissa, who was gazing at her with such curiosity. "What?"

"You usually don't let just anyone sit in this compartment, Chrissy." The blond-headed girl reminded her, and she heaved a sigh, resting her head in hand.

"He said there was no other place to sit. So I let him in here. Is there a problem with that?"

"No, of course not. I was just wondering, silly."

And as if he knew they had been talking about him, the compartment door that so loved to slide open and admit more and more people into the place slid open once again and in stepped Tom himself. He seemed surprised to see two other people in there, but then fixated his dark eyes on the two newcomers and gave a small, polite smile.

"Old friends reuniting. Such a lovely sight indeed." Tom said finally, and then seated himself beside her. She felt herself slightly rise an inch or so as his weight pressed down on the seat. "Please, by all means, continue."

"Um." Narcissa suddenly giggled. "Oh, your the new Prefect from our Year! Tom Riddle, right?"

"It comes as a shock that one so lovely would know me. Yes, I am him." Each word, once again articulate and carefully spoken. Narcissa went a little pink, and Lucius' eyes narrowed on Tom. One of his arms slid around Narcissa's shoulders, and he pulled her closer to him. Tom offered a soft chuckle. "Please do not be alarmed. I have no intention of stealing your girlfriend away from you."

"Hrm." Was the only thing Lucius murmured at him, and his arm tightened even more so around her blond friend. He shifted his eyes away from Tom. "So, Christine. What did you do over the summer?"

"Waited until I could come back here. I'm no pureblood with lots of money...you know." Lucius reddened just a little in the face. "Besides. There was nothing to do but wait. The parents were at the Ministry - yes, even my mother, seeing as she is now the 'official muggle captain' or whatever - all summer."

"Your parents work at the Ministry?" Tom's voice was curious and soft. "It must be hard on you. I'm sure they are very busy, if they have no time to spend with their lovely daughter."

"Try telling that to them." Christine leaned her head against the window and peered outside. Everything appeared a blur - splashes of blue in between, though mostly green.

"There will come a time when they yearn for your attention. It will be your choice whether you give it to them or not. I wonder, what will you choose?" A quill scratched against the pages of a diary held between Tom's hands as he spoke. "Drive the needle of vengeance into their hearts for loving their work more then you? Or forgive them for their lack of thought on your part? Forgive them for their detachment?"

Christine could only look at him as he spoke. Soft intones, a soft voice, and his sultry eyes darted up from the page, resting on hers, only for a moment, before he offered a smile towards her. Such strange words from someone she barely knew, even know it seemed that they had been together for six years. She pondered what he had said - it left a strange, mysterious feeling in the air. Something that she had not even bothered to notice...

"Yearn, for my attention? Heh. That will never happen," She only offered a laugh and then tilted her head backwards to rest against the seat. "They address me with 'Christine, clean your room!' or any other stupid complaints. Tch. It doesn't matter, anyways. It gets them out of my hair."

Lucius let out a sigh and then shook his head, while Narcissa looked curiously up at him. One of his hands had wound it's way lazily up through her silky blond hair, and she smiled so faintly, pulled up against him, her legs tucked beneath her. Christine only looked back out the window. The scenes outside seemed to change so much as she watched them - it lightened, darkened, and swarmed with colors as they passed different landscapes. She didn't know where they were exactly, but she knew that the entire trip was spent talking of Quidditch, teachers, classes, and the general well-being of Hogwarts himself. So far, she knew that she had all ready taken the position of Seeker; she'd been the Seeker for the Slytherin Team for the last few years ever since the last one - Gionaneg, she'd thought his name was - had gotten into a fatal injury and could not play again. No one knew what had happened to him...it was still a mystery even to her.

The train began to slow and the lights flickered slightly, and over the loudspeaker - "Students, please sit back in your chairs and make sure all of your luggage is tucked securely into all of their proper places. We will be arriving at Hogwarts Station in a few moments." - the conductor spoke those words, and in unison students scrambled for footholds as the train began to slow down - fast. Tom glanced up at the flickering lights, the quill that hovered over the parchment pages of his journal pausing in it's scratching, and Christine only returned her gaze to Lucius and the other occupants of the compartment. Narcissa untucked her legs and straightened herself out as the train slowed, while Lucius just moved his leg slightly to soften the momentum that threatened to carry them both off of the seat. It was time to leave all ready? She hadn't thought that the time would go by so fast...

"Well...I am supposing that I will see you later...in the common room." Tom spoke to them, and in unison, they all nodded at him. He offered that small, composed smile and then stepped out of the compartment, pulling his trunk behind him.

"Chrissy...that guy is really creepy." Narcissa finally blurted out, rising to her feet and standing on her toes to grab her trunk from the top shelf. Lucius rose after her, pulling it down, along with his. "Oh, thank you, Lucius..."

"It's not my fault." Christine shrugged and pulled her trunk out from beneath her. She had stored it under there so she didn't have to reach...besides, she probably would have had to have Lucius grab it for her, anyways.

"Come on, let's go. The carriages will be all taken with people if we don't hurry up." Lucius said quietly.

Together and in sync, the three Slytherin students nearly fled from the flickering light that emitted in wavering beams from the train. Steps took them to the carriages that stood silent and still, as usual...carriages took them to a familar sight that all so adored.

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, a place for learning...a place for friends...a place that Christine so dearly called her home.

AN: Wow. That's a really long chapter. . Hehe! Maybe it's all the spaces I put in between or something...but nevermind that, ne? It's still a long chapter. How'd ya like it? Fantastic? Good? Pretty good? Needs work? You suck? o.o Um. Your a horrible author and you should burn in hell? I dunno about the way that you think, but I think that chapter right there was pretty good! Took up a good 25 KB on my hard drive ( not really sure whether or not that's a lot of space up your alley considering that I'm a really crappy fanfic writer, but I'm pathetic so hey, leave me alone ), with all the Raine stuff on it and all. I've been dying to start this story for Valentine anyways.

OMFGULIEKRAWKVALLOLOLOOOOOLLOLAMORFOLILIEKGUYS! ( newb moment ) Okay, all better now! I don't know when the next chapter might be coming out, but if ya like the story, good for you! Maybe I'll get a favorite or something. I will always 3 teh Tom Riddle and teh wonderful Valentine-mun anyways. Anyways...until next time, ne? AISHITERU, MINNA-SAN / VAL-SAN!