September 1st, 1942

Merissa winced as her mother stabbed another pin into the crown of her dark hair, apparently to secure the tight bun on the nape of her neck.

"Stop moving," Rosalynn Thorpe snipped coolly, and she dug the pin vindictively further into her hair, poking painfully into her scalp. Merissa was quite sure that this much force was not at all necessary, but her mother seemed intent on reprimanding her for her behavior earlier that day.

"There will be no need for anymore unladylike comments for the rest of the morning, or especially after you leave," her mother began, not moving her eyes from her project of taming her daughter's dark waves, "Abraxas has ensured us that he will be more attentive to your discrepancies this year since Joseph will be busy with Head Boy duties, but nonetheless, I do not wish to hear that he has had to speak to you at all. And I will hear if it does happen Merissa, don't doubt that. Neither you nor I want it to get to your father."

Merissa decided, against her baser instincts, that this would be a good time to physically bite her tongue, so she did. Abraxas Malfoy was her boyfriend (or was it fiance? She was never sure, as they have been betrothed officially since age ten and unofficially since before they were born) and his sole purpose in life seemed to be making absolute sure she never had any fun. Merissa had not been looking forward to him taking over her "supervision" as her mother called it as her older brother would be too busy this year.

"Pearls," the older Thorpe demanded and a tiny house elf darted forward, haphazardly balancing several open jewelry boxes over from a neighboring table.

"Hmm," her mother mused, icy eyes surveying the boxes down her slightly upturned nose, "You really do not wear this lovely one Abraxas got you from Paris enough, I'm sure he must think you are unappreciative."

Merissa had to bite down harder.

"Yes, this one will do," Rosalynn said, moving the pearls to her daughters delicate neck, where it brushed the neckline of her dove gray dress.

"I hardly think he notices, since I'm sure his mother picked it out, not him," Merissa said scathingly, no longer able to contain herself.

The strand of pale pink pearls was suddenly very tight at her neck as her mother forcefully clasped it, saying hotly, "Luckily, Mrs. Malfoy has a wonderful opinion of you, which you most certainly won't be tarnishing today or any other day until you and Abraxas are happily married. Unfortunately, I cannot hope your insubordination will go unnoticed past then."

Merissa tasted blood as she stopped herself from commenting.

Her mother turned a disdainful eye to the house elf that looked in danger of dropping the boxes still balanced in her small hands, as the creature had not moved since Rosalynn had ordered her to come with them.

"Pack the rest of those immediately! We will be leaving soon."

"Of course Mistress Thorpe!" the house elf piped, happy to be able to move again, and dashed away with the boxes, closing the door softly behind her.

Meanwhile, the younger Thorpe woman had begun tugging on her hair, trying to relieve some of the sharp pains that were already forming on her scalp because of the impossibly tight bun that had been sculpted at the base of her neck, only to have her hand smacked down by her mother's elegant fingers. Her elaborate family crest ring scratched Merissa, drawing a red line of blood down her hand, but Rosalynn took no notice of her daughters discomfort. Instead she bore her eyes into Merissa's in the mirror.

"I mean it when I say there will be serious consequences if I hear even a whisper of any senselessness on your part this year, Merissa Rose."

The two women held each other's eyes coldly, neither blinking.

The older eyes flashed and Rosalynn twisted the chair around so that her daughter was forced to look into her actual eyes. Merissa's chin jutted out, almost a knee jerk reaction to meeting her mother's stare. Finally, after several moments, Merissa's face melted into a small polite smile.

"Of course, mother. I wouldn't dream of disappointing you."

Merissa wouldn't dream of it because instead she would put purposeful effort into doing it in her waking hours. Generally, she found that if her parents disapproved of something, that was exactly the thing to do. Not that she felt the need to share that.

Her mother looked carefully at her for a moment before accepting triumph and beginning out the door, "Be downstairs in two minutes," and then the door was closed with a finalizing click.

Merissa immediately took the opportunity to pull at her hair more, feeling great relief as the bun was further loosened. She met her own startling blue eyes in the mirror, so similar to her mother's, except hers were looking more and more dead by the day. She could hear slight cracks as hairline fractures appeared in the vanity as her hopelessness began to manifest itself. Sighing, she stopped herself, waving her wand and murmuring "Speculo repario" before heading to the entry hall where her mother and father were waiting for her.

/_\

Tom Riddle, while liking few things in this world, enjoyed today above any other day of the year. Holidays, weekends and even his own birthday brought him nowhere as close to happy as he was every September first since he had turned eleven.

He was a wizard after all, and today he would be leaving the gloomy orphanage where he lived during the summer to return with all his peers to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as he did every year on this day.

But this year was even better than most, because he had finally done it.

Last year had been the year he had finally discovered where his wizarding blood came from. He had been disappointed when he found out it was his mother who had been magical, and not his father, however his disappointment was short lived when he discovered who his mother - and therefore who he - was descended from.

Salazar Slytherin, the founder of Riddle's own house, had been his great-great-great-great grandfather, making him the last known descendant of the mighty wizard.

He made sure of that, when he had killed his father, grandfather and grandmother and then framed it all on his uncle not even a months time ago. Now he was returning to Hogwarts with a family ring and a secret, making him just like the rest of his house mates.

Admittedly, being halfblood had seemed like it would be a hindrance to climbing to the top of the pureblood pyramid that was Slytherin house, however Tom had found it to be exceptionally easy. A few well placed threats and countless readings on etiquette had made him indistinguishable to any other well-bred young man. Few of his classmates had even an inkling of the squalor he lived in away from Hogwarts.

Not that this changed the fact that he was waving away a rat from his musty jacket, the one piece of Muggle clothing he had ever purchased for himself. It was folded carefully under his neat pile of robes, unlikely to see the light of day again until he returned to this awful place. He would have been happy to leave it here with the rest of his clothes, but it would almost certainly be stolen if he didn't take it with him. No one would ever dare touch his things at Hogwarts anyways, he had made sure they were all too afraid of him for that.

And this year would be the most successful yet. How could anyone question his authority now that he had discovered his heritage? He was not only the most talented, but the most worthy leader Slytherin house had ever seen. He had only the greatest ambitions in mind as he latched his suitcase and began down the steps and out the door.

/_\

"How they expect us to come through the main entrance with all the muggles roaming around now is simple testimony to the degradation of wizard-kind," Merissa's father sneered, not bothering to keep his voice down as he swept in front of them, spearheading the family.

The Thorpe's were attracting some stares, as none of them had tried to conceal their wizarding apparel. Her father insisted it was below them to try to disguise themselves as muggles. He was dressed in regal black robes with harsh borders of orange. Around his neck was a large silver Thorpe family crest. It was by far his most gaudy outfit, so he was always sure to save it for September 1st, as the return to Hogwarts was the only day of the year he spent around muggles.

Her older brother, Joseph, eagerly followed him, hanging onto his every word. Joseph was a seventh year and the absolute special snowflake of the family. He had always been much more accepting of their parents' wishes than Merissa, probably because he drew no distinction between their beliefs and his own. Merissa thought he was the most stereotypical Slytherin she had ever encountered, ambitious, cunning and an absolute suck up to anyone who could further his position of authority. Joseph had proposed to his long time girlfriend, Walburga Black, while the whole family was vacationing in Spain just a few months ago, to both pairs of parent's absolute zeal. To top it off, he was made Head Boy this year and was proudly displaying his shiny badge on a puffed up chest today, making it impossible to miss. It made Merissa want to vomit.

In comparison, she was sorted into Ravenclaw. It was a slight disappointment she knew, as most of her family were in Slytherin in their time, but nonetheless, she had been made a prefect this year (to her own slight bemusement), so that was enough to pacify her parents for the time being.

Merissa hardly noticed as she pushed through the seemingly solid brick wall that served as the entrance to the hidden train platform with her mother at her side. She was so used to this now, as she had been coming here since her brother's first year, and was now a fifth year herself.

The platform was swarming with throngs of wizarding families, as usual. Most, unlike the Thorpe's, had attempted to dress as muggles, the results ranging from reasonable to hilarious. One family of flaming redheads where saying tearful goodbyes to their mother and father, both of which were wearing heavy snow gear despite the warm summer breeze. The youngest was held in the mother's arms, wearing a furry parka and goggles.

Typical Prewetts Merissa thought, hardly able to contain her grin. The family was known for being eccentric as they no longer associated with any of their pureblood relatives. Bloodtraitors, like Fitzwilliam Prewett, were not welcome at family gatherings.

Her father seemed to have spotted the family as well as he started hissing about having pride in wizarding apparel. Joseph nodded passionately, while Merissa tried to move to the scarlet engine, uninterested by their indignation. Before she could make it more than a stride away, however she was prevented from doing so by a vise-like grip around her forearm. She did not need to turn to know it was her mother, however she also knew she would not be allowed to leave until she dealt with her, so she turned.

"Yes, mother dear?' she asked in a falsetto that earned her a grim look from her father.

"We do not wish to hear even whispers," her mother hissed, scarlet nails digging into her prisoner's arm, though she was deliberate in keeping her voice low so that no one could hope to eavesdrop. This made Merissa's jaw clench.

"Careful, mother," she growled, yanking her arm back, "You wouldn't want to leave marks. People might start asking questions like they did after my 'vacation' to France fourth year!"

Her outburst shocked her parents so much that she was able to escape into the refuge of the steaming train. Hopping onto a step, she entered the train without a second thought. She knew she wouldn't be missing much - her family was never much for affectionate goodbyes even in the best of times. She walked swiftly down the corridor, not bothering to glance into the compartments as she went.

They were always in the one at the very back of the train anyway.

Right before she had reached it, she paused in the hall and took a long breath. Her eyes flickered up at her reflection in the glass door of the neighboring compartment, which was currently vacant. She looked normal, which was surprising, as she felt like screaming. With one last breath she pulled opened the door to the last compartment and slide inside.

Almost of the inhabitants were clad in their robes already, or, more likely, they had never bothered wearing Muggle clothes in the first place. All of them had a coiled snake emblem embroidered into their robes. Slytherins only sat with Slytherins.

A few looked up and offered some sort of polite greeting. A boy with shoulder length dark hair grinned up upon her estrance and patted the seat next to him enthusiastically. He was the only one in Muggle clothes, wearing a simple black button up and slacks, though his house scarf was still wrapped around his neck, indicating he was from the same house as the rest of them.

She began to sit while he greeted, "Hello Mer! Abraxas isn't here yet, but I'm sure he'll be along. Something about waiting for Riddle," his brown eyes danced in amusement, a sure sign he was about to make a joke, "Honestly, I think he forgets which one of you he's supposed to be with."

She gave him a grim smile. It was true - her boyfriend had been practically enamored with Riddle since they began spending time together their third year. Abraxas Malfoy valued two things in people: proper manners and magical talent, so the pairing was natural, however Merissa had never particularly cared for his friend. The other's apparently did not find his comment so amusing.

"Watch your tongue, Black," hissed a hard jawed boy, leering from across the aisle.

"Calm down, Lestrange, it was only a joke," Merissa said to him with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Aldophus Lestrange, although growing up with them along with a majority of the compartment, had never been a friend. His strict adherence to their parents opinions made him unapproachable and the echo chamber his niche of Slytherin house had created only intensified these heavy beliefs. Not to mention, there had been several nasty incidents involving Muggles over the years . . .

"Ugh," agreed Alphard, scooting away as if distance would keep him from Lestrange's unwanted stare.

Merissa examined his face for a moment. She had known Alphard Black her entire life, her oldest companion other than Abraxas, and certainly her oldest friend. Despite their closeness it was rare for them to see each other over the summer (mostly due to both families busy travel list for summering), and Merissa was concerned by the sharpness of his cheek bones and the dark bruises under his eyes that had not been present at the end of the previous term.

"You alright, Al?" she asked quietly, hoping the din of the compartment would mask her question.

"You worry too much," he avoided, grinning at her, "It's you who should be asked about."

"I'm fine," she frowned, "I spent all of summer in Spain with the Malfoys. I'm almost tan, look," she displayed the nearly translucent skin on her arm to him, making him raise his eyebrows.

"Mediterranean almost," he joked, but did not push the matter, for which she was grateful, "No worries though, we always have room for our favorite Ravenclaw!"

She rolled her eyes at him, but smiled. Alphard knew how to calm her nerves, and for that reason was her favorite Slytherin, "I am flattered, but I am fairly sure I am the only Ravenclaw most of you have ever talked to."

Andrew Nott overhead this and chortled, looking at her appreciatively. Merissa was popular with Abraxas' friends as she brought some much needed irresponsibility into their otherwise seemingly bland group. Merissa, of course, had no idea about their meetings with Riddle at the dead of night, which were far from bland.

Alphard's grin spread wider, and he leaned in conspiratorially, "You're right. I suppose you're also our least favorite Ravenclaw."

Their laughter was cut short when the compartment door slid open, "I do hope you have not been antagonizing my girlfriend like this too long," drawled Abraxas as he entered after Riddle.

Merissa glanced up and smiled at Tom politely, before moving towards Malfoy and embracing him swiftly, "Can we go for a walk?" she asked up at him.

"Ooh it this finally it? Re Thorpe vs Abraxas Malfoy, duel of the century," teased Alphard from behind her, "You haven't even said hello and you're about to get a talkin' to, Malfoy."

Abraxas didn't look pleased about this infamousy, no matter the scope, "Do not be ridiculous Black. Is it not enough that you insist on using that Mugglesque dialect of yours, you can stop calling her that ridiculous nickname. It doesn't make any sense."

"Of course it does! You called her Meri sometimes, right? Well just shorten Meri and you have Re," Alphard argued playfully.

Malfoy scowled, but Merissa pulled his arm gently, "C'mon Abraxas, I don't mind it. Besides, there's no room in this compartment anymore."

Alphard looked pleased and smirked at the couple as they made their way out to the corridor. Once outside, Merissa began to feel anxious. Alphard was always a good laugh, so she had momentarily forgotten her discomfort about her spat with her mother. Now that Abraxas was with her, she longed for the comfort she had originally sought out. They began to walk down the corridor, Merissa picking up her pace as she surveyed the compartments.

"Is something the matter, Mer?" Abraxas asked, watching her peculiar behavior, "Are you looking for something?"

"Mmm," she said as she spied an empty alcove and pulled him into it, "Found it!"

She spun around and pulled him close, leaning in hungrily. He politely obliged her lips, but pulled back when she became uncharacteristically greedy.

He arched an eyebrow at her and let out a nervous laugh, "My dear Mer, this is hardly the time or the place."

"Take me to the time and place then," she insisted, catching his lips again, before he could protest.

He pried her arms off, surprised at her strength and determination as he did so, and held her wrists in one hand, "No Merissa," he said firmly, "This is inappropriate."

"I am upset," she replied crossly, "Distract me, please Abraxas?" she allowed a charming smile to cross her face.

He sighed, exasperated, "What is bothering you? Did you fight with your mother again? Joseph told me that you left all your luggage and he had to bring it onto the train for you."

She grimaced and looked away as she realized she had indeed done that. Unwilling to answer, she pulled at her wrists, which were still clasped in his hand. He allowed them to drop, seeming to decide she was not about to attack him again.

"I may have done that," she muttered to the patterned carpet of the train.

Abraxas frowned and tilted her chin up, "Do not mutter, Merissa, it's unladylike," he scolded her.

She threw her hands up in indignation and pushed him away, proceeding to spin dramatically around and crash into a firm chest, "Watch it!" she snapped, before looking up and meeting the cool eyes of Tom Riddle.

She blinked and almost apologized before she decided she was too angry to make it authentic, so she just moved passed him, cringing slightly as his eyebrows disappeared into the fringe of his dark hair. She moved quickly down the corridor, heading to the front of the train, where the prefect compartment was. When she slid inside she found Joseph was already there, pointedly ignoring the head girl - Minerva McGonagall, a Gryffindor with long brown hair and pretty eyes - and talking with a sixth year Slytherin prefect boy who had arrived to the meeting early.

They all looked up as she closed the door behind herself and her brother scowled at her as she moved over to him, "Done pouting are we? Very well, Abraxas had to help me get your abnormally heavy trunk into here," he kicked her pristine luggage unceremoniously, scowl deepening as this turned out to be a bad idea for his toes, "But here it is. Just hurry, the meeting will start soon."

Merissa didn't have it in her to glare back at him, so she just thanked him quietly and managed to get her trunk out with a minimal amount of commotion. She was careful to not bump anyone, feeling she had already received her quota for glares today. She managed to haul it down the corridor and into her usual compartment where a small gaggle of her peers were seated together. Her vision was momentarily blocked by a mound of red ringlets. She laughed as she pulled back from the petite girl, examining her head with confusion.

"Abigail, what happened to your hair?" she asked, still laughing.

The smaller girl beamed, "I ordered some Madame Culforts finest curling potion! Do you like it? I hoped Edward might, since it adds a few inches. He dated that leggy Hufflepuff last year, you know-"

She was cut off by a low laugh from a tall, olive-skinned girl, "Goodness Bach, let her breathe! She has to go anyways, she has a prefect meeting."

Abigail Bach and Merissa both rolled their eyes at her, "Come here Susan," Merissa insisted, opening an arm, "I do need to go soon but not without saying hello first."

The two girls embraced warmly. Susan was the person Merissa had missed the most over the summer. She greeted the other two people in the compartment, Mary Longbottom and James Patil, before she hurried to the prefect meeting, promising to come back as soon as she could.

"Tell us who the other prefects are when you get back," James requested, "I've heard some pretty wild speculation and I'm wondering if my predictions were correct."

Merissa mockingly saluted him as she made her way out of the compartment. When she entered the prefects compartment for the second time today, Joseph gave her a scalding look which prompted her to move to the open seat next to her prefect counterpart, Edward Thomas. Edward smiled a winning smile at her as she sat down. She supposed it would have been flattering if he hadn't always slightly unnerved her with the size and whiteness of his teeth. She kept her eyes down, avoiding the glare she knew would be ready for her if she made eye contact her brother and twisting a lock of her dark hair around her wand. Once everyone was inside, Joseph began giving them detailed (and extremely long winded) explanations of their prefect duties, and Merissa felt comfortable enough to look up and see who else had been made a prefect this year.

Across from her was an outgoing Gryffindor, Charlus Potter, who offered her a friendly grin as she met his eyes. Next to him was some other Gryffindor, a girl who she knew the face but not the name of. She moved onto an insignificant Hufflepuff boy who was literally on the edge of his seat listening to Joseph's nonsense. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes as they panned over the the rest of the members. The other Hufflepuff was Emily Brown, who was known for her exception skills in charms. Olive Hornby was a particularly unpleasant blonde from Slytherin who had apparently been selected to be the new female Slytherin prefect. She looked quite pleased to be next to her co-prefect, Tom Riddle.

Merissa began to blush as she remembered how she had crashed into him only a little while ago, deciding she really should apologize formally for that. She barely knew Riddle, despite Abraxas being his closest friend. He was always aloof and rarely around when she was. This never stopped him from make her uncomfortable though, because all of Abraxas' friends seemed to be both infatuated and terrified of him. As she mused this over, his dark eyes flashed up, seemingly having sensed that she was looking at him. She quickly took a breath and looked back down. She was really going to get Abraxas in trouble now! She silently cursed herself.

The remainder of the meeting went on dully, Merissa being sure that she made no eye contact with anyone else until the end. This meek behavior was leagues from her usual, but she had spent all of her gall earlier today.

When Joseph dismissed them, she was quick to stand up. She didn't see any point in lingering like some of the others did, hoping to make a good impression. Joseph would see right through it anyways. As she was heading back down the corridor, Thomas jogged after her.

"Hey! Thorpe! Merissa! Mer! RE! RE THORPE!" she turned back, slightly annoyed that he had yelled her shortest nickname, which was only to be used with her closest friends.

She smiled pleasantly, despite this, "How can I help you Thomas?" she asked, doing her best to keep the annoyance from her tone.

"I was hoping to discuss patrols. You know, we have one after dinner tonight and wanted to know what your preferences were in general."

"I'd prefer later I guess, just so I can have a chunk of time after dinner for homework" she said shrugging. Conversations with Thomas had always bored her. She could never understand why so many girls flaunted over him.

"Yes, and I suppose those parties of yours don't start until real late anyways," Edward said leaning in, a knowing smirk playing across his face as if that the well known piece of knowledge he had just spouted to her was an astute observation. Merissa jerked back frowning.

While he was speaking, she noticed Riddle making his way down the hall from over Edward's shoulder, "Whatever you want Thomas," she said quickly, hoping to catch Riddle before he passed, "I need to go," she hurried passed him, coming towards the Slytherin prefect.

Tom raised his eyebrows as she did, "Are you going to run into me again?" he asked.

She looked at him carefully. If it was anyone else, she would have laughed and jokingly walked into them, but she couldn't tell if he had meant for the comment to be funny at all, "I wanted to apologize, Riddle," she began seriously, "For running into you and being so rude about it. I am having a very off day, however that is no excuse for my actions."

His eyes were unreadable as he surveyed her face, "That's quite alright, Miss Thorpe," he accepted her apology easily. He was always impossibly polite.

"Right," she agreed nodding; his black eyes were making her uneasy as they seemed to strip into her soul, "Well," she said, putting on the politest smile she could, "I am going to return to my compartment now. I am sure I will see you again soon."

"Have a nice day, Miss Thorpe," he replied cordially, but Merissa could swear he was laughing at her behind his inscrutable mask.

He moved past her, most likely back towards his lair, she thought coolly as she turned to go into her own compartment. Her friends were eager to hear who the new prefects were.

"Of course Edward is," Abby sighed dreamily, and Mary grinned along with her, "He's perfect after all."

Merissa, although slightly hindered by the fact that she was pulling her hair from her bun, pretended to retch. Susan laughed loudly while James smiled to himself, though he was deep into a book.

"Really Patil, consider me shocked that you don't care more about not getting it," Abby said crossly, offended no doubt by the attack on her self-proclaimed future husband, "You could have everyone in bed by ten and spend the rest of the night reading in silence."

"Nah, James is a good sport when it comes to noise, you know that Abby," Susan placated, patting him like a dog, fondly, "Speaking of which, Re, when is the first party of the year going to be?"

Merissa smiled, and leaned back in her seat, considering the prospect. Her mother had been extremely explicit about this kind of behavior, which made her equally eager to begin it. She had just managed to get her hair out of the constricting bun, and it now hung in soft waves past her shoulder blades, "I think Alphard could get us some bottles by this evening if I really bent his arm about it."

"Oh please," Mary laughed, "He is the one who enjoys them the most, except maybe you, Mer. You only have to mention it to him."

Merissa grinned, "Yeah, but don't you feel so much more special this way? Like I have to really work for it for you guys."

"Yeah, okay Re," Susan snorted, nudging her playfully, which spurred a full blown war between them throwing things, and when the trolley came, candy too.

The only force powerful enough to end it, in fact was the slowing of the train, signifying their arrival. Merissa grinned up at Susan, who was flicking various colors of Bearnie Botts Every Flavored Beans off of her robes. The girl noticed her gaze and they spent a moment doing nothing but exchanging fiendish grins, "I think its bound to be a really excellent year."

After all, Hogwarts was synonymous with home for both of them.