A/N: Hi everyone! I hope all you Tom Riddle lovers out there enjoy this Tom/OC story! :) I'm planning to make it a long and enjoyable read, so have fun! This is my first proper attempt at writing fanfiction by myself, so I hope it turns out as 'believable' as possible!

For a bit of background (because I get confused sometimes reading new fanfiction), this takes place during the very start of Deathly Hallows, from the first day of school, actually. And it will for the next few chapters anyway. Then the fun will begin and hopefully the Alternate Universe (I love that place) will become the definite setting! :) And I would love feedback (good or bad it doesn't matter) so please, please review :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter (JK Rowling does) but I own my OC's and the plot of the story :)

"We dance round in a ring and suppose, but the secret sits in the middle and knows." - Robert Frost

Chapter One – A Different Hogwarts

The smoke cleared, and the puffing Hogwarts Express slowly emerged into view. There was a feverish atmosphere in the platform; parents anxiously reminding their children to stay safe at least five times and instructing them to write home everyday. No one was standing about to casually chat for a few minutes anymore.

"That's fine, you can leave now. I can go from here," Arianne said irritably to the Auror that had accompanied her to Platform Nine and Three Quarters.

"Mr. Fine said to make sure you get on the train," he replied tonelessly, setting down the trunk next to her.

"I know what Mr. Fine said, the train is right here, and you can be sure that I will board it, so there's really no need to stay," Arianne badgered him. After giving her a pained look, he said, "Very well, Miss. Fine," and turned and vanished into the crowd.

Sighing, Arianne lugged her trunk onto the train and proceeded to drag it through the compartments, in search of an empty one. Half way down the train, she spotted her friends Ginny Weasley and Luna Lovegood talking seriously in low voices. This was, no doubt, because of the pretentious announcement in that morning's Daily Prophet, which proclaimed Severus Snape as headmaster of Hogwarts. Arianne had been furious at the height of the insult, that Professor Dumbledore's murderer be made his successor.

She made her way towards them and tapped Ginny lightly on the shoulder.

"Arianne! There you are! We were wondering where you'd got to, I'm usually the last one to arrive," Ginny said, smiling at her.

"Yeah well, Father decided on giving me a lecture right when I was supposed to leave and that made me late. What about you, when did you two get here?"

"A few minutes ago, Mum and Bill dropped me off. Charlie and Dad had work and Fred and George couldn't leave their beloved shop for 'one whole morning', or so they claim," she said shaking her head.

"Dad dropped me before Ginny, but he couldn't stay, he said he found a pixie in our garden and wanted to check it for nargles," Luna said vaguely. "They always breed during this time." Arianne, long used to Luna's family business, shared a smile with Ginny. It felt good to be back.

By now they had managed to carry their trunks into an empty compartment and shut the door with a snap. Settling into her seat, Arianne brought out the copy of the Daily Prophet that she had stolen from her house this morning. "So I'm assuming you lot saw the papers this morning then?" she ventured hesitantly.

"Yes, and it really doesn't surprise me. Now that the ministry's under You Know Who's thumb, who better to lead Hogwarts than that murdering slime ball?" Ginny said bitterly.

Luna looked up from an edition of the Quibbler she had just unfurled and said "Dad said just this morning that Snape's going to try to breed heliopaths so that he can drive the centaurs away from the Forbidden Forest." Ginny and Arianne nodded absently and smiled.

"Well, Hogwarts is going to be a different place, that's for sure" Arianne said. "Apparently the newly appointed 'teachers', or as I like to call them, You Know Who's puppies, are going to make 'significant changes in Hogwarts subjects and take charge of proper punishment," she read from the Prophet.

"Do you know these Carrows, Arianne?" Ginny asked.

"No, not well. Father only associated with the 'Dark Lord's closest and most trusted servants'. The Carrows are apparently not up to the mark and so have been sent to Hogwarts," Arianne said vaguely and vanished behind the newspaper.

After leafing through it for a few more minutes, she put it down and looked pointedly at Ginny. "So how was the rest of your summer, Ginny?"

"Oh, you know, same as usual. Mum's worried sick about Ron. She was shaking with nerves the day the Death Eaters came to see the ghoul in Ron's room. Dad had to take them up eventually, but they believed him. Apparently spattergroit's really contagious so they didn't go near him."

"And…Harry?"

"What about him?"

"Come on Ginny. You know what I mean. Did you talk to him?" Arianne asked.

"No, but I did kiss him," Ginny said mischievously.

"What?"

"Yeah, on his birthday. He's still refusing to get back together, he thinks that'll put me in danger." Ginny looked disgruntled again.

"It will put you in danger Ginny," Arianne said softly.

"And what if I don't care? I simply can't bear sitting here and doing nothing while he's out there, battling You Know Who! I feel so useless," Ginny slumped back in seat and crossed her arms.

"But Harry cares, Ginny," Luna cut in. She folded The Quibbler and looked right at Ginny. "And believe it or not, I think we can do enough right here from school."

"What?" Ginny genuinely looked puzzled.

"Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm not going to take the Carrow's orders lying down like a carpet." Luna's protuberant eyes were gleaming now, and determination emanated from her usually dreamy features.

"Yes, but Luna if we do anything they'll just punish us, and keep on punishing us. There are only three of us. We need more people." Arianne didn't know what Luna was getting at.

"And we have more people, Arianne. We'll reassemble the DA of course!" Luna looked beside herself with excitement. She had sorely missed the DA last year and Arianne had seen her place her galleon carefully under her pillow every night and check it throughout the day.

Arianne and Ginny were surprised and impressed with this.

"That's brilliant Luna! Of course, why didn't I think of it?" Ginny beamed at Luna.

"Yes, we could use our galleons from last year as well…I think I could do the Protean Charm by now, Hermione taught me last year," Arianne mused.

"Alright, this is great. I can tell Neville tonight and you two could gather more Ravenclaws right? But do me favour and leave Chang and Edgecombe out of it," Ginny said with a scowl. She still harboured sour feelings for Cho Chang and her rather spotty friend Marietta Edgecombe.

"Yes, obviously. We'll get many people, Gin, don't worry," Arianne said bracingly. Satisfied with their plans, the three settled into a comfortable silence; Luna once more disappeared behind The Quibbler, Arianne behind the Prophet and Ginny stared out of the window at the scenery, as it steadily grew wilder and wilder.

At noon the witch pushing the lunch trolley came in and they all bought Cauldron Cakes, Arianne buying her favourite Chocolate Frogs. As the train wound around the track, the day turned dark and the weather grew cold. By three in the afternoon, the sun wasn't visible anymore and strong rain was pattering on the window. The lamps in the compartments and corridor burst into life.

"So, Arianne how was your summer?" Ginny asked nonchalantly.

"Hmm, same as usual. Father wasn't there most of the time so I had the manor to myself. And of course Giles," Arianne replied referring to their butler.

"So no news then?" Ginny asked.

"No, nothing after what I told your Dad last week. Mostly Father was in the Ministry. They've made him Thicknesse's Under-Secretary now. Umbridge isn't too happy about that, she doesn't like sharing," Arianne said with a smirk. "But of course, you'd know that already through Mr. Weasley."

"Yeah, I knew that. Still, thanks for your owl last week; Dad was really happy to know that we aren't the Death Eaters' targets. I was sure they were going to root out Ron because of Harry," Ginny said looking gratefully at Arianne.

"No problem," Arianne said. "That's my job, right?" she said with a fake attempt at humour. In fact, it had been her duty for the last two years. Ever since Voldemort had returned, Dumbledore had singled her out and requested her to 'convey information to the Order of the Phoenix on the activities of Theodore Fine', namely her father. In other words, she was told to spy on her father. This did not bother Arianne though. After all, she felt as much affection for her father as she did for a Blast Ended Skrewt.

At around five in the evening, when the rain had given way to a slight drizzle, Neville Longbottom, Terry Boot and Seamus Finnegan came into their compartment.

"Hi Ginny, Luna, Arianne!" Neville said, settling down into one of the seats. Terry and Seamus also exchanged 'hello's' with the girls and sat down. Seamus seemed especially lonely without his best friend, and Arianne noticed, Neville's face had lost some of its natural roundness.

"So, Seamus, did you hear anything from Dean?" Arianne asked anxiously.

"No, 'course not. Had to give bloody Blood Status, didn't we? I think he's gone into hiding but I don't know for sure." Seamus replied moodily.

"What about you Ginny? Heard about the wedding a few weeks ago. I'm glad no one's hurt though," Terry Boot asked Ginny. Arianne knew he had always been sweet on her, but never said anything.

"Thanks, Terry. Yeah I'm glad too. But we wanted to let you guys in on the plan that Luna here came up with," Ginny said, her brown eyes sparking with purpose. "I'm sure we're not going to take Snape and the Carrow's regime without fighting back. So Luna said, why don't we reassemble the DA?"

They looked taken aback, but after a few minutes Neville said, "Yes, I'm all for it. Gran said to be careful this year, but now Harry's out there, Merlin knows doing what and so we should do something too!"

"Seamus, Terry? What about you two?" Arianne asked.

"Yes, I reckon it's a good idea," Seamus said slowly. "But we'll need to get a lot more people and figure out how to operate and stuff. They're bound to be on the lookout for rule-breakers."

"Yes, we can figure all that out once we get there," Ginny said impatiently.

"Terry?" Arianne asked her fellow Ravenclaw.

"Well, I dunno. I mean…will it be necessary? They can't be all that bad right?"

They all stared at him disbelievingly. After a few moments, Arianne said coldly "Well, its up to you. You're welcome to join anytime, but if even the slightest whisper of this reaches anyone, then your wand will find it's way to a very uncomfortable place for you, Boot," she finished threateningly.

"I know, I know, I won't rat out on you!" he said, looking alarmed.

"Good, I'm glad that's settled then," she said with an acidic smile.

"We should change into our robes, now we're nearly there," Luna said vaguely, putting The Quibbler back into her trunk.

The boys hurriedly left the compartment following this announcement and the girls changed into their robes. Arianne went to the window, but all she could see was her own reflection staring back at her. The rain had completely stopped now, but given way to a fierce wind. It was probably going to be freezing outside. Finally, the train shuddered to an absolute stop. Compartment doors were thrown open and heads and peeked out to see if everyone was exiting the train as well.

Ginny, Luna and Arianne proceeded to drag their trunks onto the Hogsmeade platform. It was cold outside and the wind was like a knife to their faces. Bundling themselves up as best they could, they quickly walked over to the thestral drawn carriages. Arianne and Luna could both see thestrals. It was another reason Arianne felt more connected to Luna than anyone else. They had both seen their mothers die. But not exactly in the same ways Arianne thought sourly.

They climbed into a large carriage near them and it took off instantly. Settling back in her seat, Arianne waited to catch her first glimpse of the castle. The carriages rounded a bend and there it was, tall and inviting. She sighed; it was so beautiful. Snape may be there, spreading his tyranny, but the castle would always feel like home to Arianne. She couldn't wait to go to the Astronomy tower again, or her Ravenclaw dormitory or even just fly around the grounds with Ginny. She didn't like playing Quidditch, she just loved flying, feeling the cold wind whip against her, and that giddy feeling of reckless freedom.

The carriages reached the Entrance Hall and Luna, Ginny and Arianne made their way to the Great Hall. Some students had already arrived and were seated in their House tables. Ginny bade them goodbye and went to the Gryffindor table. Luna and Arianne walked to the Ravenclaw table and took their seats. Glancing up at the High Table, Arianne was surprised and sad to see the familiar image of Professor Dumbledore sitting in the middle chair, deep in thought, missing. Instead, Snape's narrowed black eyes were sweeping the Hall, occasionally pausing at certain students. They stopped on Arianne and she challengingly looked right back at him, unwilling to be the one to break the contact. Finally, with the slightest trace of a smirk, Snape looked away.

By now, Professor McGonagall had brought in the first years to be sorted. Arianne noticed angrily that there seemed to be only half the amount of first years present. Indeed, the Great Hall itself seemed emptier than usual, with so many students not returning. A hush fell over the hall, and the sorting began. As Professor McGonagall went through the list of names, the older students began to fidget restlessly. Finally, when Wallows, Jacob was sorted into Gryffindor, the feast began.

Arianne helped herself to the food and realised that Snape hadn't made a speech. He was going to save it for later and was now tucking in with everyone else. Her eyes roamed the High Table and found the two Death Eaters immediately. A brother and sister, they both had sallow faces and dull eyes which were completely concentrated on the food right now. They looked really out of place compared to the rest of the teachers who were outfitted in their best cloaks, for the Carrows and Snape wore only plain black robes.

At last, when the feast finished, Snape stood up to make his speech. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. I hope each and every one of you is aware of the security measures around the castle and grounds and will not attempt any foolish rule-breaking this year." Arianne noticed he mostly seemed to be looking at the Gryffindors. His voice had a no-nonsense edge to it, and his words were a far cry from Professor's Dumbledore's warm speeches. "Now, we have some staff adjustments this year. Professor Alecto Carrow will take on the post of Muggle Studies, due to the unfortunate retirement of Charity Burbage. Professor Amycus Carrow will teach Defence Against the Dark Arts this year." This announcement was met with stone cold silence and Snape, expecting as much, went on – "Quidditch tryouts will be held from next week. That is all, go to bed."

Many people were caught off guard by this rather abrupt ending to the speech, and so it was a few minutes before Arianne realised she was supposed to show the new Ravenclaws to the Common Rooms. Getting up, she said bye to Luna and called to the first years "Right, you lot, come on, this way." She herded them out of the Great Hall and tried to take the simplest route to Ravenclaw Tower. Jack Kirby, her fellow prefect hadn't returned to Hogwarts this year. Scowling, Arianne went up to her dormitory. She had never liked Kirby with his pretentious attitude, reminiscent of Percy Weasley, but now she'd have to do all the duties herself.

She organised the contents of her trunk into the dresser and wardrobe. No one was in the dormitory yet, so she had it all to herself for now. She changed into her pyjamas just as Luna and Susan stepped into the dormitory.

"Hi Susan, had a nice summer?" Arianne asked, then immediately regretted saying that, as her mother and sister had gone missing.

"Yes, nice enough…I suppose," Susan sniffed. After that no one said anything more, but settled down into their beds. Arianne had a feeling that tomorrow was going to be a long day.

Severus Snape paced the length of the Headmaster's study. He was trying to carry out a conversation with Dumbledore in the portrait, but was finding it exceedingly difficult to speak through the snores of the surrounding portraits.

"Did you hear me, Dumbledore? Potter hasn't been seen for the past month! And yet you still consider him worthy to destroy the Dark Lord?" Snape said irritably.

"He hasn't managed to get caught yet, Severus. So yes, I do. Actually I was feeling apprehensive on a slightly different note."

"And what is that?"

"I am uncertain as to whether I have provided Harry with enough information on Tom Riddle to help him in the mission. I myself, feel that we should know more about him."

"And how do you propose to go about doing that?" Snape asked sarcastically after a slight pause.

"I do not know yet, but do you remember the curious little portkey I made last year?"

"The Time-portkey? Yes, I remember it, why?" Snape had stopped pacing at last and was looking intently at Dumbledore.

"I was just thinking, perhaps we should send someone to report on Riddle's activities when he was young, someone whom we can trust," Dumbledore finally answered.

"You mean a spy? But who? And time travelling is always risky, Dumbledore, you said that yourself. And who would be capable enough to undertake such a task?"

"I think we know someone, Severus. But whoever goes will have to befriend Tom Riddle to learn his secrets. And that is almost more dangerous than duelling him. Remember, Riddle never had any friends, nor did he want any."

After a week at Hogwarts, Arianne began to hate the place. Her subjects were fine – she wanted to become a curse-breaker and so had taken Arithmancy, Transfiguration, Charms, Potions, Defence Against the Dark Arts and Astronomy. But she was forced, like everyone else in the entire school, to take Muggle Studies. In their first lesson, Alecto Carrow had explained to them all how the muggles were vicious, violent creatures and were stupid enough to think that magic wasn't real. She also intoned the belief that by hurting as many muggles as possible, they were working towards a 'greater good' and ridding the world of vermin.

Arianne hated the lesson and was eager for revenge, but she didn't like the way the DA were going about it. Never a fan for drawing attention to herself, she preferred the more subtle methods of torture. Unlike Neville, who was always retaliating to the Carrows and getting punished for it (his face bore no less than four scars now), Arianne opted to charm a variety of objects to find their way into the Carrow's offices. A close personal friendship with Peeves helped, of course. This morning, a niffler had found its way into Alecto Carrow's office, and no doubt torn the place apart. Other things also found their way there, including several Blast Ended Skrewts, a salamander fresh from a fire, freshly caught Cornish Pixies and a convenient box of Doxy droppings. Dungbombs, Stinkpellets and Dr. Filibuster's Wet-Start No- Heat Fireworks were also present as well, but Arianne preferred the latter as Alecto Carrow's shriek at discovering her ruined office was too good to miss.

The Carrows tried to find the culprit of course, but since no one owned up, they couldn't (much as they'd like to) punish the whole school and were hence left to sulk during lesson time and handing out detentions for things like 'scratching ears' and 'twitching the nose'.

But the pranks had lost their fun yesterday, when Arianne discovered a second year Hufflepuff sitting on the third floor corridor and sobbing. She went down and asked the girl what was wrong. She pulled her hands away from her face and saw three scars stretching from her eyebrows to the side of her jaw. Arianne quickly let her go and slid down on the wall next to her.

"Who did this to you?" she demanded furiously.

"Pro…Professor Carrow. At the end of Defence Against the Dark Arts because he said something about how I smelt like…like doxy droppings and just said the spell," the girl sobbed.

Horrified, Arianne said "Oh I'm so sorry! I put those doxy droppings in his office last night! He can't go around punishing you for it! Come on, let's get you to the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey will get you cleaned up in minute."

The girl, far from being angry with Arianne, just sniffed "He would have found another excuse to punish me anyway. He said my Cruciatus Curse was too weak."

For this was what they were doing in Defence Against the Dark Arts now. Or just the Dark Arts Arianne thought. Practicing the Cruciatus Curse on students in detention, learning how to (try) to control a Dementor, using the correct method to enchant an Inferius and they were soon going to progress to killing small animals with the Avada Kedavra.

After depositing the girl at the Hospital Wing, Arianne went back to the airy Ravenclaw Common Room. After answering the knocker's question (Thin I am quick, Fat I am slow, Wind and water are my foes, what am I? – a candle) she climbed in and quickly went to her dormitory. This would require some serious investigation. If she wanted to defeat the Carrows or at least stop them from torturing students for o reason, she'd first have to look into what they had immersed themselves in so completely – basically see what she was up against. After rummaging in her trunk for a minute, she found the dozen or so books she had been looking for.

They were all old and crumbling. The print was small to read and the pictures were horrifyingly detailed. This was not the most unusual thing about them though; the fact was that these books contained Dark Magic and the last time Arianne had seen them was in the library at home. She hadn't told anyone this, but while her father had abandoned all attempts to teach her Dark Magic, she felt an uneasy pull towards it. The whole summer she had been holed up in the library, reading the books her father had collected. Repulsed by the brutality of the spells and the crassness of the wizard's intentions, she nevertheless felt the steady draw of power emanate from the books themselves. She couldn't tell anyone, because then she'd be declared a Death Eater supporter by her friends, and shipped off to her father to help the Dark Lord. But, Arianne wasn't a Death Eater supporter. She didn't use the spells or bury herself in images of her being all-powerful; but she was fascinated by the very magic itself. It was so different from what they were taught at school. Much more imaginative, more daring than anything she had known before. If only it didn't culminate in someone being turned inside out or spewing their guts onto the floor, Arianne felt that Dark Magic could accomplish great feats.

Any pull she felt towards the power of the Dark Arts swiftly vanished when she remembered her mother and why she wasn't here anymore. For Margaret Fine had died because of Dark Magic and Arianne wasn't going to fall into the very void that had taken her mother and left her with only her father for company. I just couldn't succumb to Dark Magic, Arianne thought resolutely. Could I?