Her hand fluttered briefly to her throat before then lashing out and striking him full across the face. "I'm tired of it! I never want to see you again. Ever!" Tom put a hand to his cheek and then angrily struck her hard. She fell against the bedside table but was up again in an instant. "Don't touch me!" She shrieked, her voice reaching the upper note of her register before then dropping down as she growled. "If you ever come near me again, I swear I will kill you Tom Riddle. I don't care how great and powerful you think you are."
He stood there, taking her abuse and trying to form some words to defend himself. All that came out was a bitter plea. "I...I love you."
She grappled with something on her finger and an instant later deposited a silver ring in Tom's hand. "Good-bye."
"You say this dark magic is what you like most? Well, don't think I'm illiterate! I've been reading about all these things and dark magic is so very dangerous. I don't approve."
Tom scoffed. "I don't seek your approval. I simply want to keep you informed. My friends and I have been studying dark magic and it is really the most efficient way of getting anything done. You would be astounded by the things I've learned: there are ways to ward off death itself."
At this, her eyes widened with more fear. "I don't think that's something you want to deal in. If I know one thing about the dark arts, it's that everything takes a price and the price may not always be something you are willing to give."
Her eyes were wide, green, and delicately curved, her cheekbones high and haughty. He tucked a stray brown hair behind her ear and she smiled. "You collect the finest things, Tom. I really don't think I want to know how you trick all these old ladies out of their heirlooms."
"Just some gentle persuasion is all." He laughed and kissed her lush petite lips. "I intend to gather together all the most important dark heirlooms I can find for... historical purposes."
"Right." She nuzzled under his chin and pulled the blankets up more tightly around them. "I just wish you would tell me what you're doing. What are you planning?"
"Planning? What do you mean?"
"You and your friends, you're not just talking about a whim. I know you are up to something, Tom, and I hope it doesn't get you in trouble."
"Have no fear, sweet Mary. I love you and will never do anything to put you in harm." He leaned to kiss her, but she pulled away.
"I'm not concerned for me, but for you."
"So let me get this straight." She paced back and forth in her bedroom, trying to wrap her mind around the story her recently acquired beau had told her. "You are a wizard... this boarding school you attend is for people with magic?" He nodded. "And you are learning...magic, and you can do spells?"
"Yes, but I've already told you these things." He laughed at her confusion. "Need I do some more to show you?"
"Oh no, that's quite alright: one magic show a day is quite enough." She plopped down on her bed and shook her head briskly. "How did you expect me to take this? I just..."
"Don't let it concern you. You'll see more magic the longer you know me." He kissed her deeply and longingly and her thoughts strayed to another kind of magic.
There he was, just returned from school, and what a handsome boy. On this day she would finally get up the courage to speak to him. From her vantage point in the park he watched her come across the street and-toward her. She buried her face farther into the book and pretended to read.
"Hello. Miss?" He spoke quietly as though he were younger than he surely was. "May I," he cleared his throat, "sit beside you."
Her heart raced and since she could not find her voice, she merely nodded. When she got up the courage to face him she saw he held a white rose.
"You...thank you." She said, taking the wild rose from his hand.
"I've wanted to talk to you for ages."
"You are the most wonderful person I've ever seen."
They said together.