Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, and, sadly, I probably never will.

The Eagle Girl

Prologe

Lord Voldemort did not celebrate holidays. He did not drink eggnog, exchange gifts, or decorate his quarters. This is not unusual for a Dark Lord. However, this certain date, December 25, 1995, always brought a certain memory drifting through the forefront of his mind. From the 25th until the new year, those three words where ecthed into his brain.

"Happy Birthday Tom."

To this day, Voldemort still remembered her voice, the way she looked him in the eye when she said that. It had surprised him how much fierce determination went into those three words.

One would think that after being nothing more then an unstable soul for thirteen he would have more to contemplate then a certain blue eyed girl. She had entered his life, burning like a small candle, a thing that could never bring much warmth or light, but yet, he found himself captivated by her, just like a man in the night to a candle.

Voldemort tapped his fingers on his chair. His followers were off partying and enjoying themselves. Fools, he thought, they didn't deserve to have enjoyments after abandoning him. She wouldn't have given up faith. She would have found him. She would have had enough brains to return him to his full power with mere weeks. She should be here now, instructing everyone, passing out commands, and dealing with traitors. She never did like traitors.

Even after all these years, Voldemort didn't understand her. She had been so supportive, so determined, but she was gone now. It didn't add up, but Voldemort wasn't surprised, it never did. The only thing he ever got from thoughts like this was anger and confusion. And Lord Voldemort hated being confused

Outside his window, a snowstorm raged. It mirrored his thoughts, chaotic and pointless. It took every ounce of his mind shields to keep that girl out of his mind. Unfortunately, she was just one of those people that you could never forget.

Blue eyes.

A quidditch game.

A shimmering cauldron.

A Christmas tree.

A gentle touch.

A fierce look.

Spells bounce off dummies.

Laughter.

Late nights.

The Chamber of Secrets.

STOP!

Voldemort was thrown out of the flashbacks. This would never do. A Dark Lord couldn't have flashbacks at random moments. He sighed and rubbed his temples. If he could obliviate himself, he would but that was too dangerous. To much information could be lost. He could destroy his mind.

But the real reason the dark lord refused to try to forget her was't fear for himself. He wouldn't even let the smallest, nicest part of him admit that deep, deep, down, the former Tom Riddle didn't want to forget his Eagle Girl.

Lord Voldemort sighed and closed his eyes. He truly hated this time of year.

oOoOo

September 4, 1942

"So when were you planning on telling me about your extra potion lessons?" A tall, curly, black haired girl asked another plain, brown haired girl.

"They aren't lessons, Dorothy! Slughorn is just having someone help me out," The brown haired girl said, pulling a book off a shelf of the Hogwarts library.

Dorothy rolled her eyes, "It doesn't matter what it's called! All that matters is who is teaching it, Veronica."
"Are you seriously getting excited over this?! It's not even affecting you!"

"Of course it's affecting me!" Dorothy said exclaimed, "My best friend is being helped with potions by Tom Riddle!"

"What's the big deal? He's a Slytherin. You hate Slytherins." Veronica pointed out, opening the book.

"But not him! He's handsome and mysterious! Any girl would kill to have him help them out in a subject!"

"He's no one special, just a regular student."

"Honey," Dorothy said, examining her nails, "anyone with a face like that cannot be regular."

Veronica rolled her eyes but she was secretly amused by her friend's antics. Dorothy was the most outspoken Ravenclaw of them all. And Veronica was the dumbest.

It wasn't that Veronica was stupid, she actually was incredibly talented, but all her life, she had been teased about it by her friends, family, and even some cruel teachers. So Veronica made it her personal goal to be the only Ravenclaw to act like a Gryffindor jock. She forgot her homework, obsessed over quidditch, and laughed over poor test results. She would shape up for her OWLs and NEWTs of course. Those where to important to blow off.

She had no idea that almost failing her classes on purpose would cause the headmaster and potions teacher to give her a study buddy. She never would have thought that Tom Riddle would be the one to help her. After all, he was in his fifth year, a year above her and an OWL year. He was also a Slytherin and she was a Ravenclaw. If they where even in the same year, they wouldn't be in potions together.

Veronica had marked Tom Riddle as a danger zone the second she laid eyes on him. He was smart, good looking, and charming. Just the kind of boy Veronica couldn't help but fall in love with. And if she happened to fall in love with him, she would fall hard.

Dorothy led Veronica out of the library as soon as she checked out the book.

"When do the lessons start?" Dorothy asked, her chocolate brown eyes staring curiously at he.

"Monday evening."

"Do you think I could fail potions with you?"

"Slughorn wouldn't believe you. You're the potions queen."

"Correct peasant," Dorothy teased, smiling, "To bad this queen status won't increase my chances with the king. It really isn't fair! How can you impress someone so grand?!"

"Maybe that's why he doesn't have a girl friend. Maybe he's waiting for someone that doesn't care?" Veronica suggested.

"Ver, I love you to death but if you are suggesting that you could be Tommy's girlfriend then you need help with something other then potions."

Veronica just nodded. It was well known to everyone that Tom Riddle didn't have a love interest. He never did and he never will.

It would never do for Veronica Roshan to fall in love with Tom Riddle.

A/N: This was a short chapter. They will get longer. So, like it? Love it? Hate it? Let me know!