Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
Summary: This is the seventh and final year for Tom Riddle Jr. and never has he once noticed Bellatrix Black until now.
Note:I'm really sorry for the shortness of the chapter. The next ones will definitely be longer than this one. I promise. This is also my first Harry Potter fanfic. I do know there is quite a bit of age difference between Bellatrix and Tom, however that is not the case with this story. Many of my descriptions will be from the movie because I love Ralph Fiennes.
Chapter 1
The long train ride was rather uneventful for Tom Riddle Jr. His blue eyes wandered along the enormous castle hidden from muggles. It was going to be another dull year since his education had extended beyond what the professors were teaching. He only came back because it was better here than the orphanage. The moment he turns eighteen, he would be forced to leave the wretched place and left on the streets with nothing but knowledge in witchcraft and wizardry. Not even friends. People from both worlds seem to avoid him.
They reached the castle in no time. Friends were meeting and telling them about their summer. No one had ever inquired about his summer ever. He didn't care. Tom preferred to be by himself. It meant there was no one to backstab him.
When they walked inside, the Slytherin took a seat at the long table to listen to the Sorting. It was never an interesting thing to Tom so he just ignored it all and ate very little when it came time.
After the meal, Horace Slughorn, the Head of Slytherin, approached him with a goofy smile.
"Great to see you, Tom. You look rather pale. Are you sick?" he asked looking the boy over.
"Same to you, Professor. I feel perfectly fine. I'm always pale, Sir," Tom said, showing no emotion.
"I see. Well, Dumbledore would like to see you in his office as soon as possible."
And with those words, Slughorn waddled off towards the other teachers.
Tom had been to the Headmaster's office more times than he could count. He had a feeling it would be about his life after graduation since he has nowhere to really go, nor family.
When Tom entered the cluttered office, Dumbledore had not shown up yet. The Sorting Hat was not here to provide him company since he was downstairs talking to returning students. The pictures only nodded towards him without any intention to speak to the quiet boy.
The door opened and Tom quickly turned around to greet the Headmaster.
"Sorry for the wait, Tom. Oh my. You are rather pale. Are you ill?" he asked walking over to the annoyed Tom.
"No, I feel perfectly fine. I've always been pale. It must be in my blood. Not that I would know though," he said with a small chuckle.
Dumbledore smiled and offered a strange piece of hard candy.
"Muggles call them Life Savers. Funny though, I almost choked on one a while ago. Not too much life saving going on there. Anyway, I'm sure you probably have a good idea why you are here."
Tom gave a nod and muttered, "When I turn eighteen in December, I will no longer be welcome at Wool's Orphanage. I have already taken what little possessions I own and have brought them here."
The Headmaster nodded, no longer smiling.
"And where do you plan on going?" he asked, sticking a red Life Saver in his mouth.
With this, the orphan let out a small sigh. No amount of smarts could've told him the answer to this question.
"I see…Well, by the end of the year, I shall prepare a place for you to stay that hopefully you will enjoy."
"Sir, I don't mean to be a bother to anyone. Once I get a job, I can live by myself."
Albus Dumbledore let out a tiny chuckle and shook his head.
"Tom, you are no bother. The place I shall find will probably be very comfortable to you. I would prefer if you didn't live alone your first year out of Hogwarts."
Tom nodded knowing it was better not to argue.
Dumbledore smiled and said softly, "You are a very bright student. I'm sure with your grades you can easily find a job at the Ministry. It's just for safety measures, Tom."
With a nod, Tom was dismissed and started walking towards the Slytherin common room. He didn't want a job at the Ministry of Magic. Instead, he really wanted to work at Hogwarts as a Potions professor. Ever since he was eleven, the school had been his home and he wasn't quite ready to leave his first home.
As he was just about to enter the dungeons, someone ran into him and let out a tiny squeal. His head managed to slam into the wall during the fall, causing him to be slightly dizzy.
"Oh! I am so sorry. I didn't mean to," a Slytherin girl said as she began to spazz. Her books flew in every direction and she quickly gathered them up only to drop them again.
Tom really couldn't help but laugh as he rubbed the incoming bump.
"It's fine, really," Tom said, helping the girl up from the ground.
After he helped her up, he stuck his hand back out.
"I'm Tom Riddle."
The girl shook his hand letting out a small smile. She moved her crazy black hair from her face and said softly, "The name's Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black."
Author's Note: I will try to update as much as possible. I am in college and I have work like everyday. (death) I hope you enjoy. It's been a while since I've written anything.