A/N: Well, hey there! This kind of took a long time to put up, but I was a little busy. So please read and enjoy!

DISCLAIMER: WELL, YOU KNOW THE DRILL, I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER OR ANY OF IT'S AFFILIATES (OOOH THAT WAS A BIG WORD HEHE) AND J.K. ROWLING IS THE ONE THAT IS GETTING PAID, UNFORTUNELY (SP).

Chapter 2: Year 7

"It's A Bet."

When I awoke the next morning my head felt as if it was being ripped apart. I could hear the girls in my dormitory shuffle around as they got ready for the day. I was still in my clothes from last night, which surprised me a little until it hit me that last night was rather eventful. I groaned softly as I tried to push my covers off, my arms burned with the exertion of energy. I looked down and saw dark purplish bruises in the shape of Aaron's fingers around my forearms. Cursing softly, I grabbed my wand from the bedside table and used a spell that covered up the ugly blemishes, the soreness; however, I was going to have to deal with.

I had arrived later than usual at breakfast and many students were chattering loudly. I glanced up and down for a sign of Aaron or Tom but didn't see either of them, but then I spotted my best friend, Gwendolyn Stewart waving enthusiastically in my direction. I quickly made my way over to her and grabbed a plate full of toast.

"Soooo, how was last night?" asked Gwen brightly as she stuffed her freckled face with a syrup-laden waffle.

I chewed slowly wondering if I should share just how "wonderful" it was. I looked quickly down the table for any eavesdropping ears and turned to Gwen and explained what had happened. It was surprisingly hard to relive the events of last night, I even had to stop a few times because my emotions were getting the better of me. Gwen listened intently, though, her forehead burrowing with every sentence.

"You need to tell Professor Dippet, Sophie," she stated flatly after I was finished.

"No," I said quickly, "I don't want this to be a big thing."

"Sophie! This is a big thing! What if Riddle wasn't around to save you, then what would you have done?" Gwen placed a comforting hand on my trembling arm. "You need to tell someone."

I looked down. What if Tom wasn't there? I wouldn't be in cahoots with him, that's for sure. I didn't even tell Gwen about that part but I didn't think she would have understood why I did it anyways, I don't understand why myself. "No," I said, "The last thing I want is for this to be all over the school."

Gwen gave me a funny look, "Since when did you care what people thought of you?"

"This is different, Gwen, I don't want people feeling sorry for me," I told her looking down at my plate. It was a lie. I really didn't care about that. I just didn't want to get Aaron in any trouble. Yes, I know you're thinking that I'm an absolute idiot but some part of me wanted to forgive him. Gwen huffed and shook her head. "Look, don't judge me, okay? I want my last year at Hogwarts to be a good one and I also want to earn top marks, not have them given to me by sympathetic teachers," I poked at my breakfast.

"Sophie, the last thing I would do is judge you. But you're being ridiculous!" Gwen said and I rolled my eyes. "I don't want you to end up regretting this."

"Just trust me, ok?" I said and pushed my plate away. " I need a little fresh air."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Gwen asked.

"No, I need some time to think alone," I said gently. I knew the moment we got out of the castle she would start badgering me again. Gwen nodded with concerned eyes and a worried face. I shouldered my bag and headed outdoors, praying that I wouldn't run into Aaron.

"Sophie?"

Damnit.

"What else do you want? Or have you finally decided that I'm not good enough for you?" I spat out. A surprising rage rose within my self and all my pity for Aaron suddenly disappeared.

Aaron seemed taken aback but reached out for me, "Sophie, what I did was wrong—"

"Good call, Black." I crossed my arms in front of my chest my bottle green eyes flashing dangerously.

"I want to apologize for my behavior. I never wanted to hurt you," Aaron said quietly. His hair was sticking out in all directions, his robes were wrinkled, and a dark circle was forming around his right eye, he was the most pathetic thing I had ever seen. Too bad I wasn't going to be the one to comfort him.

"Well you did hurt me and I don't think I could ever forgive you for it," I replied shortly. Tears were starting to form in the corner of my eyes and a little lump was lodged in my throat, I wasn't sure how long I could last without bawling. Aaron's beautiful orbs of blue stared at me pleadingly, "I'll do anything," he whispered and took a step towards me.

"You'll do anything? Why don't you just go away," I said coldly and turned to walk back to the common room but he caught my arm. "Let me go, Aaron."

"Give me another chance, Sophie, please. I want to make up for what I did," he said softly. I took a step toward him and gazed intently at his face, I felt a single tear slide down my cheek and tasted its salty trail at the corner of my mouth.

"No," I raised my free hand and slapped him across the face. Aaron released my arm and I stormed down the corridor. My head was hurting even worse now. I slumped against the cold stone wall and took in several deep breaths, this was not a good way to start the morning. The lump in my throat vanished and the anger that had risen so suddenly had faded away. I peeked around the corner Aaron had gone. Thankfully, no one had been in the corridor while we were fighting. I hate drama and I wouldn't be able to stand being the start of some. I began heading towards the common room once more but the bell for class rang and a loud shuffle came from the direction of the Great Hall. I wiped my eyes and shouldered my bag once more and forced myself onward to Potions.

I wish that I could tell you that I was fine after confronting Aaron or that he never crossed my mind. I also wish that I could eat all I wanted and never gain weight, but you and I both know that will never happen. I tried acting like nothing had ever happened and ignored Aaron every time we passed in the halls or had the same classes, yet I still yearned to feel his arms around me once more. I couldn't eat, couldn't sleep, he was driving me mad! Gwen, the softhearted person she is, was starting to get annoyed with my behavior. I admit that I was treating her like crap, but she always was there incase I had a breakdown or something.

However, studying for the quickly approaching N.E.W.T.s was an amazing cure to ease my pain for a few hours. I usually spent most of my free time in the library in the far corner of the vast room by the large oriental window. It gave a perfect view of the Hogwart's ground and vast lake. Also, it was hidden from view and barely anyone went back there so I was usually left alone, something I enjoyed greatly.

One lazy afternoon my nose was buried in an overly large, leather-bound book about the different effects of Metamorphic potions when Mr. Tom Riddle decided to make an appearance. It had been nearly three weeks after the "incident" and I had not seen hide nor tail of him.

I had felt his presence but decided not to say anything and kept reading my book.

"How are you?" Tom replied sardonically.

I glanced up. His face was emotionless as the tone of his voice. "You really sound like you care." I replied quietly.

"Follow me," he said in the same dry manner and began walking out of the library.

Puzzled, I closed my book gently and squeezed it into my already overstuffed bag. I saw the tail of Tom's black robes whip around the corner leading up to the seventh floor. My footsteps echoed loudly in the large hall as I hurried to catch up with him. Breathless, I finally reached him near a large tapestry of trolls doing ballet. Tom then began to pace in front of a blank stone wall, muttering.

"What are you doing?" I finally asked. Tom was silent but stopped pacing to watch the wall contort and pull apart into an intricate, wooden doorway. Tom beckoned me with a finger to enter the room that had also formed behind it. I hesitated for a moment before entering.

The only source of light was a group of fat candles clustered in the middle of a long, rectangular table lined with straight-back wooden chairs. The chairs at each end of the table stood taller than the rest and were decorated with intricate carvings in the dark wood. I took a closer look around and noticed a large open closet filled with dark robes next to the entryway. It's like a meeting place, I thought, setting my bag down on the table and turned around to see Tom staring at me fixedly.

"We try to meet every three weeks," Tom whispered, he had his wand out and was twirling it between his long fingers.

A small smile passed across my face, "Ah, so you've learned Legilimency? Interesting, that's a very hard thing to accomplish." I complimented

"So I can always know the truth," He said simply with a small frown. Well, if he thought he was going to read my mind whenever he pleased, he was severely wrong. I had also learned the art of Occlumency over the summer and immediately shut my mind from his purging.

"Well then," I glanced around the room, "are you going to tell me why you wanted me and what this is all about?"

Tom didn't reply, and that was also annoying me quite a lot because I do not like to be ignored, but paced around the room with his gaze to the stone floor. He was still twisting his wand through his thin fingers as if thinking hard. "As I have said before, Grace, you and I could be great wizards. We could stretch the boundaries of magic to place never imagined. There is so much magic that is ignored and locked away from us, great powers that could do great things."

"You're meaning Dark magic," I stated, my eyebrows raised.

"Magic is magic," Tom replied shortly before continuing, "I wanted you to join me because, you are the only one in this school who could actually compete with me."

I raised an eyebrow with a twisted smirk, "Gee, you are so modest." But I was pleased that he thought I was talented.

"And as for all this," He dismissed my comment, "I have gathered a few followers that will help me."

"Help you with what?"

I really didn't expect him to reply because he started fixedly at the empty fireplace. And of course, he didn't. I pressed on though, hoping to provoke him to saying something.

"You speak as if you think there is magic still to be discovered. That sort of magic has boundaries for a reason, Riddle. If you push them to far, many people could get hurt in the process, including yourself," I said.

Tom looked up with a troubled look, "I know my limits."

"I'm sure that is what Grindelwald said, but look where he is now. He's locked away in his own prison."

"Grindelwald was stupid and arrogant, he deserved what he got."

"Even so, he is destroyed. I doubt that you would want that."

Tom gave a lopsided sneer, "There are ways to keep yourself alive forever."

"Yeah, if you want to be a ghost," I replied smartly.

"You know about Horcruxes," It as more of a statement than a question. His tone was light considering the topic so dark and immoral.

I had heard some about the topic and didn't like it one bit. "You want to rip your soul apart? That's your idea of living forever?" I said.

"Doesn't seven sound like a good number?" Tom disregarded my question.

"You wouldn't kill seven times," I said quietly.

Tom stood over me, a dangerous look upon his strong features. "You don't know what I am capable of."

"No," I swallowed nervously, "and that's what disturbs me. How can I trust us to be partners when I'm afraid of being blown up whenever you become angry with me?"

I could see Tom's eyebrows rise in the soft lighting, "I will show restraint towards you."

I scoffed, "You won't lay a hand on me."

He grabbed my arms, pinning me to the chair. My sudden rage rose again and Tom sprang back, rubbing his hands as if burned. He didn't say anything but gave me a withering look.

I stood and shouldered my bag once again. "When is the next meeting?" I said shortly but my anger was beginning to subside.

I thought I spotted a slight smile playing on Tom's lips, but it only lasted a second before replaced with another sneer. "Can I trust you not to blow off my head every time you become angry with me?"

"I'll try to show some restraint," I mocked his cool tone.

"Tomorrow, at midnight right here," he replied quietly.

I turned on my heel and marched out of the room leaving a taken aback Riddle behind. My feel pounded heavily against the floor but I wasn't afraid of being caught, I was Head Girl after all. Riddle's meeting had ruffled me a little, all the talk about Horcruxes was just a little disturbing. Conversely, I felt pleased that he would actually consider me as a partner of sorts.

After six years of battling in classes I had come to have a sort of dislike for the dark haired teenager. Ever since we stepped into the classroom we fought for that number one spot and the teacher's favoritism. However, Tom was rather charming and knew all the right buttons to push and I…well I wasn't so good. I usually ended up spilling ink or some random potion on the teacher and stood there awkwardly apologizing. No, I'm not exactly one of the teachers' pet.

I reached the dormitory without any difficulty and quietly sneaked into my bed. There was no doubt in my mind that Riddle wasn't going to be great wizard. If I played my cards right, I would be able to ride up to the top with him. That thought excited me. I never thought that I would ever grow up to be remembered or do great things, like Riddle had said. Several butterflies decided to flutter around in my stomach, I was actually excited about the meeting.

"So where were you last night?" Gwen whispered to me. I glanced up from the notes I had been taking.

"Clearing my head," I lied.

Gwen looked pleased, "Aaand?"

"I'm over him," I smiled widely and Gwen returned it with a warm grin of her own. It seemed an incredible weight was lifted from my shoulders. Saying that Aaron was officially out of my life seemed to give me some breathing room. I went to dinner and ate more in thirty minutes than I had in a week.

Gwen seemed to brighten up as well, she chattered endlessly about homework, Quidditch and, of course, her latest crush. "And well, you wouldn't believe how green his eyes are! They are like the color of yours but lighter. And guess what? He kept looking at me today during class. Did you notice it?"

I shook my head, my mouth to full to reply. Gwen was talking about Jason Carlson, he was in our year but I never talked to him much. "Anyways," Grace continued after a long draught from her pumpkin juice, "what do you prefects have in mind for Halloween?"

"We have a meeting tomorrow tonight. I was thinking about having a dance," I replied and dragged a plate of chocolate chip pancakes towards me.

Gwen eyed me funny as I wolfed down the pancakes. "That's a good idea! Like a masquerade ball, we could dress up and stuff!"

"It would be fun, wouldn't it?" I swallowed. "Well, I've got Astronomy next, so I'll see you around, right?"

"Yeah, see you around," Gwen replied, glancing at her watch. "I have detention tonight with Dumbledore."

"Dumbledore gave you a detention, what did you do?" I looked at Gwen incredulously; Dumbledore was a pretty laidback teacher.

"I was passing notes with dirty things about Hannah Grenslin around the room," Gwen replied shamelessly. I chuckled and shook my head and headed towards the grand staircase.

After my last class was over I hurried to the library to find a cozy nook where I could start in on my homework before the meeting. I had two essays, both a foot long to complete and they were both on off the wall subjects and were due Friday and it was Tuesday I really wanted to get them done. I pulled out several books from my shoulder bag and began reading.

I was just about finished with my first essay for Transfiguration when a distraction in the form of Tom Riddle decided to show up once again. I still didn't look up and kept writing but said, "Yes?" When I heard the table creak as Riddle leaned against it.

"Are you planning to attend tonight?" he asked.

"I would assume so," I replied as I dotted the final period of my essay with a flourish. "Why?"

"Just checking," he said. I glanced up sharply.

"Oh, really? Are you worried that I'll back out or something?" I asked and started to overlook what I had written. Tom remained silent, which I translated as 'yes'. "Well, you can just relax, because you are now stuck with me." I scribbled a few more words.

"Well, that's a relief," he replied.

"I'm sensing a little sarcasm," I smiled wryly at Riddle but it quickly disappeared when he didn't return. "Just answer me this, you're not going to make me sacrifice a pig or something weird like that, are you?"

"Um, no."

"Well, I never know with you," I jotted down my named and rolled up the essay.

"That isn't due for three days," Riddle commented as I stowed away my things.

I laughed a little, "Yeah, but I like to be on top of things. After six years you should notice." Again, he was silent. I reddened a little, it was starting to get awkward.

"Well, then, I guess I'll be seeing you around?" I began walking towards the Common Room without a backwards glance.

I realized that staying in the library would have been a better idea than coming back to the Common Room. Several fifth years had decided that blowing up tiny frogs with fireworks was rather entertaining. So three detentions and a few cleaning spells later, the emerald room was quiet…almost. There was a gaggle of third year girls chattering loudly by the fireplace. One would talk and then the other four or five would burst out into obnoxious giggles that made my head pound painfully. I walked over and opened my mouth to say something but words seemed to fail me and I turned back around towards my dormitory, blushing like an idiot as I heard another chorus of laughter ensue.

Surprisingly, I had the dorm all to my self and I bounced onto my bed. The room was a complete mess. Clothes were strung out to hither and yon, books were scattered across the floor, trunks were opened and exposed the chaos within them. All except for my little space. My bed was made and clear of any items, my clothes were folded neatly inside my trunk, my nightstand contained few things but they all had their places. I couldn't stand one little thing being out of place. Gwen always teased me about my cleanliness, but hey, I just like things clean and fresh.

I closed my eyes, suddenly very tired, believe it or not studying can wear you out and I was almost asleep when the door burst open. I sighed loudly and turned to my side, not even bothered to see who it was.

"Sophie! Wake up, it's only seven!" Gwen cooed and leaped upon my bed. I reluctantly sat up and grinned at my friend slowly.

"How were your classes?" I yawned.

Gwen moaned softly, "I could hardly pay attention Jason is just so…"

I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know, but he's something," Gwen finished dreamily. Her deep blue eyes glazed over as she weaved a curl of her dark hair around a manicured finger.

I laughed and fell back onto my pillow. "He is a little cute."

"Only the cutest guy you'll ever see, besides Aaron."

My body tensed a little.

"And next to him, Tom Riddle!" Gwen squealed. "Do you know how many girls would have given anything to be saved be him?"

"Just about all of them?" I said with a small smirk.

"Psh," Gwen waved her hands, " 'just about all of them'. Only about all of them! Too bad he freaks me out."

"Ha, he's just a little weird wouldn't you think?" I smirked.

"But guess who gets to spend all those late nights with Mr. Riddle patrolling corridors and such?" Gwen said in little singsong voice. "Sophia Anne Grace! I think he fancies you."

At this I began to burst out with mad laughter, "Riddle-fancy-me?" I spat out between gasps. Gwen stared at me with a small smile. "Where would you get such an assumption?" I stopped laughing and wiped away a tear.

"Why else would he be out on the grounds so late?" Gwen asked sweetly.

I scoffed, "He is Head Boy and we already established that he's freakishly weird, so who knows?"

"I know," Gwen said quietly and pointed a finger towards me. "And I bet ten Galleons that you will fancy him by Christmas."

"Whatever," I rolled my eyes.

"Scared?"

"No, of course not."

"Yes, you are! You're chicken!" She began to strut around the room flapping her arms and clucking.

"You have got to be joking," I shook my head at her.

"Buwak! Nope, but you, my friend, are chicken! Buuuwak!"

I couldn't help but laugh again while watching Gwen's chicken charade. "Fine, whatever, I'll take the bet."

Gwen paused in mid-flap and glanced over to me. "But I guarantee you that the day I fancy Tom Riddle is the day pigs will fly and the moon becomes purple." I stuck out my hand for her to shake.

"It's a bet."

Well, that was long...that is sort of a big feat for me. Actually I didn't get all I wanted into this chapter, isn't that surprising? Ha, well, I guess not. Anyways! So, yeah, this was not one of my favorite chapters I have ever written, but I really hope you liked it. I hope you liked it enough to leave me a little review. I have open arms to constructive critasism (sp I don't think I'll ever spell that right) So please tell me what's on your mind 'cause I would love to know! So now I leave you, and don't forget that pretty bluish button below here that you could push! hehe And I'll try to update as soon as possible!

Love,

e.M.i.L.y 3