Prologue
"Are you sure?" asked a deep, melodious voice, taunting the cowering blonde in front of him.
"Yes master, the Professor will leave tonight, it is safe" trembled Abarax Malfoy, losing his confident persona as Tom pressed his wand harshly to his neck.
In the heart of the forbidden forest, where no ordinary wizard dared venture in the dark of the night, Tom Riddle smirked at the hooded figures in front of him. In a circle they were all on one knee and had their heads bowed out of fear and respect. Oh how Tom relished in seeing his followers quiver in fear, only just understanding how dangerous he can be. Tom stood tall and proud in the centre of the circle, his dark magic cackling around him fiercely. He turned his haunting grey eyes to Abarax's and saw truth.
Tom nodded and lowered his wand away from the boy; he had proven himself very useful tonight. Tom could feel his magic cackling excitedly, suffocating everyone in his presence with the darkness and force it held. He was going to open the chamber of secrets once again. The old fool of a professor Dumbledore had left, once disappearing to Salazar knows where, now was the time to strike. No one would ever suspect the perfect prefect Tom Riddle. He had managed to win the hearts of Hogwarts within days of his first year. No one could ever look past his raven black hair that elegantly rolled in waves, or the color of his ivory skin and aristocratic features. Students and teachers alike were bewitched by the beguiling colour of his grey eyes. No one ever notice that cold malice in his eyes, not even when he smiled. No one noticed but Dumbledore himself.
It would seem that Dumbledore had seen through Tom at the start. Since the day he appeared at his orphanage. Tom seethed when he thought of the sadness and knowing look that the professor gave him with his bright blue eyes. Tom's eyes glinted red with hate with thoughts of the troublesome fool.
Never mind him, now was the perfect time to attack, Tom thought. The only person to suspect Tom for his crimes was gone and Tom knew he only had minutes till he returned.
Tom's eyes wandered over his followers once again and murmured gently "leave me". Instantly the knights stood up from the ground, dusted their robes and left arm in arm, as though nothing unusual had just happened. Tom watched the figures retreating to the castle, whispering excitedly among themselves.
Ah yes, they are excited, Tom thought with a cunning smirk. His followers were thirsty for the death of the filthy mudbloods that soiled his school; it was only a matter of time now, before he should rid of them.
BOOM! Came a loud noise from behind Tom. Swiftly, he turned around to see a piercing purple light that blinded his eyes. He raised a hand to protect himself and squinted, making out a slender figure of a teenager. He strode towards her confidently with his wand drawn only to find her unconscious. She was lying on her back and her caramel brown hair spiraled in curls around her head. Tom noticed she was wearing a Hogwarts uniform, but he was adamant he had never seen her before. She had delicate features and round, red lips that were slightly parted. Tom inspected her for any injuries and found she had none. While inspecting her he noticed she was a Gryffindor, brilliant, Tom thought sarcastically.
Tom stared at her like a predator, deciding what to do with the strange intruder. As a prefect, it would be in his best interests to talked her to the hospital wing and get her thoroughly looked at. She began mumbling quietly, but her eyes remained closed.
He resolutely waved his wand and wordlessly levitated the girl in the air, leading her back towards the castle.
The corridors of the castle were empty as he lead the unconscious girl out, his followers had gone back to the Slytherin common room as ordered and every student was in their beds, as it was well after midnight.
Tom made his way up the moving staircase when the girl began to stir, slowly gaining consciousness. He stepped in front of the turning girl and released the levitating charm, catching her in his toned arms and holding her bridal style.
He was just about to make it to the infirmary when professor Slughorn rounded the corner and nearly collided with him.
"Oomph! Oh, Tom m'boy! Gave your old professor a heart attack you did! Say, what are you doing at this hour of the night boy?" he asked, eyeing the wriggling girl in his arms with concern.
Tom plastered on his charming smile and answered politely "I'm sorry sir, this girl appeared out of nowhere when I was doing my prefect rounds and she is proving to be quite difficult" he grunted out as she moved again, agitated.
"She apparated to the Hogwarts grounds? Tom m'boy, that's impossible!" the professor exclaimed.
Tom eyes flashed with annoyance at the pointless fact. He knew that already. So how had this girl done it? The girl in his arms had finally stopped squirming and rested her head on his broad chest.
"It seems not professor" Tom murmured, gazing in fascination at the girl.
Professor Slughorn seemed to snap out of his stupor and looked at the intruder with concern. "Well, Tom, I wont be keeping you. See to it she makes a full recovery, I'll inform headmaster Dippet and Professor Dumbledore" he assured Tom, not noticing tom's jaw clenched and his eyes growing cold.
"Of course sir" he murmured in his velvet voice and a smile that never reached his eyes. The pale girl moved slightly and placed a hand on his chest. Tom glared at the girl furiously for touching him, his magic furiously attacking the girl in his arms. His anger ceased abruptly when he looked at her pale hand. On her wedding finger she wore a ring. It had a large black stone on it and was made of rose gold. The ring was identical to his own, his horcrux.