Dahlia

As soon as Dahila had finished with Transfiguration the next day, she rushed back up to the Ravenclaw common room. She plopped onto her bed. She looked around to make sure nobody was looking before she pulled the diary from a crack between her mattress and the bed frame. She opened her potions book, hoping to be able to study while she was writing.

Sorry it took so long, I had Transfiguration last and it's on the other side of the school.

The diary took a moment to respond, as if it was waking up.

That is all right. I'm flattered by the fact that you returned at all. How has your day been going?

Dahlia had started her day in potions with the Slytherins. She didn't have anything against Slytherins, but one in particular by the name of Eric constantly got on her nerves. Today he had slipped an extra drop of one of the chemicals they were using into her cauldron, causing fumes that made her partner, who was downwind of them, pass out. Of course, Dahlia, who had a short temper, had gotten him back by hiding a piece of Gillyweed in his food. He had to wear a helmet full of water over his head since his temporary gills could not function in air.

Just causing a tidbit of mischief. Getting revenge on a boy who deserved it. Patricia, my friend from Slytherin, said we should have been in the same house due to my quick wit.

Dahlia hoped that Tom wouldn't judge her for taking revenge on someone who deserved it.

Slytherin is a noble House, but wit is more of a Ravenclaw trait. You are in Ravenclaw, aren't you?

Hadn't she told him that already?

Yes, I am. But many of the Slytherins I know have a quick wit... and a short temper. They don't hesitate to put that wit to good use.

Dahlia knew well that her friend was in the Slytherin house due to her heritage, but Dahlia's own grandfather had been a Slytherin. She wondered why she and her father had been put into Ravenclaw…

Tom

There are many misconceptions about Slytherin and those who are Sorted into it. I hope that you don't believe them.

As Tom wrote his reply, he thought of another thing to ask Dahlia about; her blood status. He really hoped he wasn't talking to a Mudblood... But there was just no tactful way of asking! If Dahlia truly had Muggles for parents, she might be offended by the question. The last thing Tom wanted was to drive her away. He sighed to himself, gritted his teeth, and continued playing nice.

What misconceptions are you talking about? Many other students think Slytherins cruel and turn evil. But my best friend is a Slytherin, and I find it hard to believe that she'd ever be like that.

Tom was surprised that Dahlia could discuss these things so casually. When he had been at Hogwarts, the anti-Slytherin feelings had been much more intense.

That is exactly what I was talking about, but I am glad you have a friend who defies the stereotype. When I was at Hogwarts, people were often less open-minded about such things.

Tom desperately tried to cross out the last line he had written, but it was too late. In his haste, he had forgotten that he was pretending to be an enchanted object. He wondered how Dahlia would react to his blunder.

Dahlia

Dahlia looked at the book, shocked. She wasn't sure she believed what she was seeing. Surely the book was joking, or playing with her.

YOU were a student? Are you a real person? Are you dead? Why are you writing me through a diary if you're real?

Dahlia only wrote some of the questions that ran through her head. She didn't want to overwhelm the book or seem especially rude. After a while, the diary wrote back to her. Its handwriting looked rushed and shaky, as if it was worried about her reaction.

At one time, I was a student and what you call a "real person". Now I am only a preserved memory of a boy named Tom Riddle. I don't know if I am alive or dead.

Dahlia thought for a moment.

That makes sense. How long have you been a memory in this book? What were you like when you were a student? Sorry about all the questions, but this really isn't something I'm used to.

Dahlia brushed the feather of her quill along her neck, wondering how to preserve memories in a book. She had heard of preserving them with an item called a Pensieve, but she had never known you could do it using inanimate objects. That would be something she would have to ask Tom later.

I have been in this state for about fifty years. I cast a charm that would preserve a memory of myself in this book, but it went horribly wrong. I ended up as the memory itself. As for what I was like, well... I've always found it hard to describe myself. I was a good student, and teachers liked me. I had quite a few friends within Slytherin, and was always polite to those from other Houses. What about you? I think you should give me your own answer to the last question you asked.

Dahlia thought about how to describe herself without giving this good studenta bad impression. She was pretty good at potions... That was a start. Her professor, Snape, was pleased with her skill. She was okay at Transfiguration, but she remembered the time she accidently turned the chairs they were using into hungry bulldogs. All the other students jumped onto the desks and McGonagall had given her detention.

Well, I guess I could be considered a good student. I do pretty well in most of my classes, but sometimes I make a few mistakes and get in trouble. My potions master, Snape, seems to be impressed with me, but I'm not quite sure about my other teachers.

Tom

He finally managed to divert the conversation away from himself.

So Horace Slughorn isn't teaching Potions anymore? Strange. Even after fifty years, he should be younger than the usual retirement age for Wizarding teachers. What is this "Snape" fellow like? He must be some sort of Muggle-born, because I have never heard of his surname. What other teachers do you have?

The girl wrote back quickly, eager to talk about her life with a total stranger. Tom would never understand the impulse that drove girls to do these things…

Professor Severus Snape is in charge of the Slytherin house. He is rude to most students, especially one by the name of Harry Potter. It's obvious he holds a grudge of some sort. And who is Slughorn? Was he your potions teacher?

This was all good and well, but Tom wanted to see some emotion from the girl. Perhaps he could make her feel sorry for him?

Yes, he taught Potions at Hogwarts. He was a middle-aged man when I knew him, and rather overweight. He was a good teacher, knowledgeable about his subject. He liked "collecting" famous students and had a particular fondness for crystallized pineapple. He once told me I could become the Minister of Magic someday... But that wasn't exactly what happened, was it?

Tom could feel Dahlia's sympathy, and he soaked it in. His tactics seemed to be working on the girl, but not as quickly or easily as he had hoped. Tom was getting over the initial relief of having another human being to talk to, so he resigned himself to days or weeks or months of casual, boring conversation.

I guess not. It must be awful to be trapped in a diary like that! But if you had become the Minister of Magic, you would probably be much better at it than the pig we have now. He's a worthless piece of hogwash and he's putting the Ministry through a downward spiral. Power-hungry, worthless… Have I mentioned I don't like politicians?

It seemed that Tom had found a kindred spirit.

Yes, you have mentioned your hatred of politicians, but I share most of your opinions. The one thing I disagree with is your negative image of power. Power transcends good and evil, and it can be a very useful thing to have as long as it is not misused. And as for the Minister of Magic... Well, at least it's not a man named Albus Dumbledore! I doubt you have heard of him, but he was the Transfiguration teacher when I was at Hogwarts. Biggest crackpot I have ever seen! He was quite mad, probably homosexual, and always spoke of love as if it was some sort of magic. I apologize about the rant, but as you can probably tell, I disliked him very much.

When Dahlia wrote in his diary again, she seemed somewhat apprehensive. Tom wasn't sure how he could tell, but he knew that he had said something wrong.

Actually, Albus Dumbledore is now Headmaster at Hogwarts. We have Professor McGonagall as our Transfiguration teacher. He's a pretty nice guy, and I don't know what you've got against him. Anyway… I've never seen a situation where power wasn't misused, but I'm sure there is a good use of power somewhere. If there wasn't, then I'm sure wizards and Muggles alike would be screwed.

Tom hissed between clenched teeth. Dumbledore, Headmaster? Was there no sense in this future world?

Please forget what I said about Dumbledore. I would not have voiced my opinions if I had known he still held a position at Hogwarts. Do you feel that sort of hate toward anyone? It's all right, I won't tell anyone. In fact, you can tell me anything you would like to. I would never be able to share any secrets you disclose.

Dahlia

She thought for a moment. Her ex-potions partner only got on her nerves. She wasn't very good and she was always trying to steal the credit of something Dahlia herself had done. Then there was Eric. He constantly teased her and ruined her hard work. He was selfish, rotten, and cruel. One of the few who fit the stereotypical idea of a modern-day Slytherin.

Well, there is this guy named Eric. He is a moron who always attempts to ruin my work. He's rude, conceited, spoiled, and I guess... I guess you can say I hate him.

Tom had touched a nerve in her. Before she'd written it, she had only disliked Eric. But the more she thought about him, the more her feelings approached actual hate.

Have you ever wanted to do something about him? I am not talking about anything particularly serious, of course. Not murder or anything like that. The punishment should always fit the crime. What is the worst thing he's done to you, anyway? And, if you could do anything in the world, what form would your revenge take?

Dahlia thought about it. What had he done that was so bad? There were the numerous times he had ruined her schoolwork. The time he had cursed her boyfriend... now ex-boyfriend because of it. The time he had thrown her into the lake, knowing very well she wasn't a great swimmer. He did pull her out, however, no doubt so he wouldn't get in trouble.

Well... I honestly don't know. He's never tried to kill me or anything... He's ruined my schoolwork once or twice... or twenty times. He's tossed me in the lake nearby despite the fact I'm a horrible swimmer, which he knows. Or prevented me from making friends... I don't know what I'd do to him. I gave him gills for an hour, if that counts for anything.

Tom's reply came almost instantly, writing flying onto the page. If he'd been standing right in front of her, Dahlia had the feeling that he would be amused.

Good job with the Gillyweed. Personally, I would never have done something so obvious, but I like the thought behind it all the same. If you want to do anything else to him, I suggest using a slow-acting curse and erasing his memory afterward. Perhaps the Memory Charm alone would be sufficient, if you do it well enough that he completely forgets who you are and why he is so rude to you.

Dahlia considered Tom's words. Obvious? Maybe she liked being obvious. Maybe she liked Eric knowing that she was going to get revenge and maybe she liked him knowing how dangerous she was. As for the memory charm, he had no reason to dislike her... not that she could think of anyway. If she erased his memory when there was nothing there, would it be worth it? He would just forget everything she had done to him and start from the beginning.

I don't know why he's so rude to me and I wonder if he even has a reason for doing what he does. A memory charm would be useless if there was nothing important to erase.

Tom

I am sure there is some sort of reasoning behind his actions. Everyone has a motive for the things they do, no matter how obscure. But you don't have to do anything to Eric at all. I'm only here to give advice and make suggestions, not force your hand.

Tom wrote his reply and waited for a few seconds, trying to create some sort of barrier between what he had just written and the completely different topic he was about to discuss. He wrote again:

Now, on a different note, what time is it in your world? I am guessing it is rather late in the evening. We have been talking for quite a while... Are you feeling tired, Dahlia? You aren't under any sort of obligation to write to me, though I do appreciate your company.

As always, Tom's seemingly innocent questions had a hidden subtext that only he could see. He did not want to stop talking to Dahlia, but he needed to seem polite and courteous. Also, he guessed that she would be tired, more from his drain on her life-force than from the hour (however late it may be). He was getting a fair amount of energy from her, even though she hadn't yet laid bare her soul in any meaningful way.

If Tom chose, he could probably appear in a sort of spectral form by now, but it would drain any reserves that he had. No, he must be patient and let Dahlia get used to him. He would only show himself when the time came to claim his place in the modern world. But perhaps there was another way to communicate with the girl... He had called himself a memory, and technically that was what he was. Maybe, if the occasion demanded, he could take her inside one of his own recollections.

Maybe... Tom's thoughts were interrupted by Dahlia's latest reply.

Actually, I've already missed dinner. And the prefect isn't coming yet. I suppose I should probably leave before that happens. I'm feeling kind of drowsy anyway. Talking to you is really addicting! I guess this is goodbye, at least until tomorrow.

Good night, Dahlia.

This time, Tom had time to finish writing before Dahlia closed his diary. He sat in his favorite armchair, wishing he was able to sleep.