Disclaimer: don't own.
That's what happened last time:
"Miss Davies, you can work with Mr. Riddle – he is one of the top students. And you Mr. Davies can work with Miss Muriel Weasley." Slughorn said excitedly and Tom could have kissed him. Almost.
"Jana." Tom pulled out a chair for her.
Normal POV:
Jana was surprised. She would have loved to work together with her brother – they were a good team, but she was also delighted to work with TOM of all people.
Blushing a bit, she sat down on the offered chair.
TJ/&&&TJ
Why did she have to blush again? Jana was angry and busied herself with looking for her book and pencil case in her bag. 'At least Tom doesn't have to see my red face now.' she thought, breathing deeply.
"Who can tell me, what Verisaterum is used for?" Slughorn called out and simultaneously, Tom's, Marc's and Jana's hands shot up into the air.
"Oho." Slughorn said happily, bouncing on his toes. "Let's try our new blood. Miss Davies."
"It forces the drinker to tell the truth. It is often used in Ministry hearings, when they can't reach a conclusion. However, it is forbidden to use on students." Jana said, feeling immensely proud that they had already studied that potion.
"Couldn't have put it better myself." Slughorn grinned. "Ten points to Slytherin."
Jana blushed again. Tom looked at her sideways and almost melted. Although she stole my answer, she looks really cute. I cannot even be mad at her.
"I believe your father works at the Ministry for the Department of Magical Regulations – is that correct?" Slughorn looked at Jana and Marc, clear excitement on his face.
"Yes, sir." Jana said, wondering what was coming next.
"Oho. I knew him very well, but I will talk to you later about that. Now, instructions are on the blackboard." Slughorn suddenly called out.
"Can you get the ingredients? They are in the front store cupboard. Do you know what ingredients we need?" Tom asked a touch of coolness to his voice.
"Yes, I've already brewed the potion before." Jana reminded him. What did Tom think she was – a complete dunderhead?
Sighing loudly, she went over to the store cupboard and found everything they needed in no time, as everything was labelled anyway.
"Hurry up!" Tom called angrily. "I DID hurry. Have the others pairs already found all their ingredients? NO!" Jana scoffed and Tom could tell she was right. Not one single pair had already returned to their seats with all the ingredients.
When they were halfway through the potion, Jana noticed a funny smell, like rotten eggs. "Ugh, what's that smell?" she heard Abraxas sneering. "Oh, it's you, Longbottom, I should have known." Loud laughter from the Slytherins followed the statement.
At the table next to them, a round boy called Longbottom and a Gryffindor girl Jana did not know were in grave trouble. Dark grey, thick smoke was billowing from their cauldron, smelling like rotten eggs. The Slytherins, however, seemed to find this extremely funny.
"Why is it that your mother and father both work in the potions industry and you don't even know what a cauldron is?" Tom asked and as if on cue, all the Slytherins laughed again.
Longbottom's face turned even redder than Jana's and Marc's put together when they were embarrassed, and he looked towards the staff table, where Slughorn was sorting through tests, oblivious to the noise.
"Martha, how can you stand it, I wouldn't even work with him if you offered me 100 galleons." Abraxas wrinkled his nose. "But then, you are quite as stupid as he is obviously –"
However, Abraxas was cut short by Slughorn. "Please get on with your potions." Jana felt deeply uneasy. These Slytherins were a bunch of nasty people – 'don't get on their bad side.' she thought again. She looked back at Marc, who also had a deeply troubled look and he met his sister's eye, both knowing immediately what the other thought.
"Look." Tom suddenly said, interrupting Jana's thoughts. "You can use the flat dagger of the knife and it will release more juice."
Mesmerised, Jana watched Tom cutting the bean skilfully. She noticed his manly hands, his long elegant fingers and his apt at well – handiwork.
"Wow." Jana said. "That looks good." realizing a second too late that this actually held two different meanings.
"Thank you, Jana." Tom smiled, though it did not reach his eyes.
"I also know a good trick." Jana couldn't help showing off.
"Really?" Tom asked disbelieving. "We've already gone this far, I don't want to do anything that lowers my potions grade. You should have noticed that I am top of every class. And it has to stay like that." his voice was powerful and held a certain amount of arrogance.
"Fine, but Tom, you know that I've already done this potion before." Jana reminded him.
"Time is almost up!" Slughorn said.
"Please let me do it!" Jana almost whispered, looking Tom deeply into his eyes, which unsettled him for a moment, when he noticed the light dancing in her beautiful eyes.
"Okay." he sighed. "But if you mess it up, it will be your fault, and believe me, you will pay." he added in a dangerous voice.
Jana rolled her eyes at this threat. "You will eat your words, Tom." she sniggered and stirred the potion. To Tom's dismay, she added an anti-clockwise stir after 7 clockwise-stirs.
He did not dare look, when Jana let out a delighted gasp. "What?" he asked irritably, but when he looked at the potion which had turned clearer than water, he looked at Jana impressed. "Wow." he said softly, gazing at the potion.
"I'd say we are finished." Jana filled some of the potion into the flask and gave it to Slughorn who beamed at her. "Perfect." he called out so that everyone could hear. "This is a clear O."
"It was nice working with you, Jana." Tom smiled at her, feeling himself going red. 'Oh no, why do I have to go red now?' he fumbled with his bag embarrassed.
"Thank you." Jana grinned, watching her brother and a red-haired girl passing by, bringing Slughorn their equally perfect potion, which was probably her brother's doing.
"Miss and Mr. Davies? I would like to have a word with you." Slughorn said loudly, over the chattering students who were packing up and heading to their next class.
'What does he want now?' Jana thought, washing her hands in the sink and letting the icy stream numb her fingers.
When the last student was gone, Marc and Jana approached Slughorn's desk. "First of all, welcome to Hogwarts. I have noticed that you both have a knack for potions. Well done. As I have already told you, your father was one of my friends at Hogwarts, although he was in Ravenclaw and we Slytherins don't really associate with other houses." Slughorn said and Jana and Marc just stood there, not saying anything.
"I would like to invite you to the Slug Club. We get together once a week, have meetings, dinners and get to know each other and other famous friends who are invited. It will help you a lot with your future careers. Consider it a privilege that you are invited." Slughorn told them.
'Oh, that sounds like fun.' Jana and Marc thought excitedly. "Would you care to attend?"
"We would be delighted." Marc said, trying to keep his voice unenthusiastic, but failing miserably.
"Perfect!" Slughorn clapped into his pudgy hands. "Well, see you then on Friday at 8 o clock pm in my office."
"Slug Club! Isn't that brilliant?" Marc asked as soon as they were outside in the drafty hallway.
"I wouldn't get too excited, Davies." a smooth voice came from the right. Tom was standing in front of the door. He obviously had waited for them. "I've waited for you. You don't know where your next class is, and I'm going to show you. I'm headboy, after all."
"Thank you." Jana said, feeling suddenly very giddy and looking for her timetable. "It's charms next."
"I know." Tom smiled coldly at her. "That's where I'm heading now too." Lucky, you. Tom tried his best to block out his sudden interested in Jana and was glad present his 'helpful headboy image'. With that he could get nearer to Jana – at least that was what he hoped he could do.
Marc inwardly groaned, but did not dare to say anything else. Tom was EVERYWHERE. Couldn't he leave them alone? Furthermore, he noticed that his sister was wearing a stupid smile on her face and her cheeks were slightly pink. Just Great! He would have to talk to her about that afterwards.
What was she thinking?
Tom led them into the classroom – the lesson had already begun – and Marc and Jana had no choice but to sit next to some Hufflepuffs they did not know. Jana sat down next to a good-looking boy who smiled at her.
Jana smiled back tentatively and suddenly she thought she knew who that was. George Diggory, the one Eileen adored. She looked to her left and saw Eileen looking at her with raised eyebrows, a silly grin on her face. She was sitting next to Alphard, watching him with puppy-dog-eyes.
"We have two new additions, I believe." the charms teacher said with a French accent. She was a slim elderly lady, with grey hair in a tight knot, a flowery dress and massive shawls and necklaces.
Tom stood up. 'Probably to fulfil his headboy duty.' Marc thought derisively.
"Yes, Madam. Jana Davies and Marc Davies, Slytherin." Tom sat down again and the old lady smiled.
"Welcome then. My name is Claudine White and I teach Charms."
George bent towards Jana. "Always call her Madam. She hates her first and last name."
"Okay, I'll bear that in mind." she smiled shyly. She noticed George's aftershave or perfume or whatever it was. It smelled absolutely terrific. What could that be? She sniffed a bit more and only then noticed George's scandalized stare.
"I'm sorry," he said visibly shocked. "Do I smell?" he sniffed at his arm.
"No, no, I'm sorry." Jana said, blushing from embarrassment. "It's just… I like your aftershave. It smells … really good."
"Oh!" George's expression cleared at once. "It is a new one. Called Jil Sunder for Men."
"Never heard of it." Jana smiled relieved. She was pleased that George didn't mind her sniffing his perfume.
Tom was looking at Diggory and Jana. He hated this Hufflepuff good-for-nothing idiot. Not only was he a useless pretty-boy, but he was making Jana laugh. He actually had no idea why that actually bothered him, but it did.
Tom desperately wanted to be the one sitting next to her. He knew that many girls adored Diggory, although he was a Hufflepuff – even some Slytherin girls seemed to be interested in him. Why, was a mystery to Tom. He was only handsome, nothing else. That was it.
"Now students, let's practice all we've learnt last year." the teacher said. "It's procedure," she told Jana and Marc.
Diggory had taken his 5th-year book with him. "We can work together." Diggory smiled a toothpaste smile at Jana. "It's your turn first."
Jana smiled back broadly. These were spells, which she and Marc had learned one year ago. So, no problem then.
Tom watched the pair of them sourly. He was doing it again. Making her smile. Probably acting like a typical Hufflepuff-loser and offering her to SHARE his book. Ha! What kind of hero is sorted into Hufflepuff?
But then, Tom stopped short. WHY would he even care if some girl and Diggory were working together? This happened every day, but why should he suddenly feel… well… - he hated to admit it – jealous?
He shook his head to clear himself from all the confusion and turned to his partner sitting next to him - Orion Black – one of his most loyal followers. "Okay, let's get started then." he said emotionlessly.
"Wow, you are really good." Diggory said impressed, fifteen minutes later.
"Yes, we've already learned these spells a year ago." Jana grinned. "One of the advantages of being home-schooled."
"Obviously." Diggory smiled. "So, how do you like it so far at Hogwarts? Is it very different from being homeschooled?"
"Yeah." Jana said. "Especially, getting up so early. Basically, we started home-school at nine, but when we were tired, we started even later than that."
"Hmpf." Diggory grinned. "I wish, we could sleep longer too. The first day after the holidays is always the hardest. Oh and Mondays…"
Jana agreed with him. "You're definitely right. Furthermore, it's just different. Going to classes, having different teachers, being somewhere else… besides, my twin brother and I are really close. I kind of miss him."
Diggory laughed loudly and many heads turned; Tom was not the only one who glared at him.
"Really? But you were even sorted into the same house! Surely, you can't miss someone, if you share the same classes AND are in the same house?"
"We still don't share a dorm. And we probably never will. We had one and the same room back at home." Jana informed him.
A look of understanding flitted across Diggory's face. "Ah, you were really close?"
"We still are. But… sometimes, you just have to live your own life." Jana said just when the bell rang.
"So, nice to meet you." Diggory said and Tom, who had heard his comment, felt anger boiling inside his stomach. He walked out of the door, giving Jana a significant "Don't-mess-with-me"-glare.
Jana sighed. 'What did Tom's look mean? Why was he so angry?' she thought while she was waiting for Marc. Tom was getting on her nerves – but also making her extremely giddy.
"It was nice with you too. See you next lesson." Jana said to George and walked over to Marc who was waiting by the door.
"Piece of cake, wasn't it?" Marc asked nonchalantly.
"Oh yes! We learned all of these spells a year ago." Jana said. She knew something was up – Marc's voice was too hearty.
"What's up?" Jana asked casually.
"Well… I couldn't help but notice the way, Tom was staring at you, throughout the lesson." he began.
"Of course, you couldn't." Jana said bitterly. "And why would you do that?"
"He's creepy! Besides, he is dark and dangerous." Marc almost exploded.
"Well, he can stare as me as long as he wants to, Marc. Most of the people who BUY magazines do. And photographers, and make-up-artists. Besides, I did NOT notice. And why wouldn't he? I'm not that bad looking." Jana said in one breath.
"You have a thing for him!" Marc accused her.
"No, I don't." Jana laughed. "Why should I have a thing for HIM? Everyone told me to stay away from him – and they gave me good enough reasons. So, don't worry. I will definitely NOT fall for Tom Riddle.!"
TJ/&&&TJ
"So let me get this straight, professor," Hermione said in a business like voice "Jana and Marc – the twins were sorted into Slytherin more or less against their will and Tom is obviously very interested in Jana, although he doesn't show it. Jana is kind of interested in Tom as well, but would never admit it, especially not to Marc. Besides, the students already know that Tom is evil."
"Malfoy's grandfather is there as well?" Ron asked, raising his eyes to the ceiling. "No wonder, Jana didn't like him. I mean, who would?"
"The thing is, professor, we know now, that Tom has already started his deatheater meetings, but what about the killings? Has he killed anybody so far?" Hermione ignored Ron.
"No, not yet as he is not yet in his seventh year." Dumbledore replied calmly, the eyes behind his half-moon spectacles twinkling. "But maybe not even then."
"Sorry, professor, what do you mean?" Harry asked puzzled.
Dumbledore smiled at the trio. "I'll come to that later."
However, Harry was not yet finished with his questioning. "Why were Marc and Jana so upset to be sorted into Slytherin?"
Ron rolled his eyes again. "Harry, if the hat had put ME into Slytherin, I would have taken the next train home. Who WANTS to be put into Slytherin? I mean, anyone who has a bit common sense, wouldn't like to be in the Dark House. Malfoys excluded, of course."
Harry laughed, but Professor Dumbledore looked at Ron. "Mister Weasley, I know that rivalry between the students of Gryffindor and Slytherin has existed for many centuries now – and I can understand why." His eyes twinkled a bit. "Although, as a responsible headmaster, I must remind you, that Slytherin is a house like any other. Almost."
Harry, Ron and Hermione chuckled. "So, what about Marc and Jana?"
"Their father was put into Ravenclaw. He obviously knew many nasty details about Slytherin. Or maybe, he didn't want his two children to somehow become involved with Grindelwald or his supporters." Dumbledore explained. "Marc even went up to my office on his fifth day and asked me to try on the sorting hat again, because I was the keeper of the hat and Headmaster Dippet usually delegated this task to me. I knew that he was not happy about the sorting hat's choice and so I granted him his wish. Although, the sorting hat stuck to its decision – Marc was obviously ambitious and cunning enough to be in Slytherin."
"Poor him." Harry said, remembering when the hat WANTED to put him into Slytherin. 'Narrow escape.' Harry thought gloomily. 'Who knows what would have happened, if I had taken the hat's advice and ended up in Slytherin.' he shuddered at the thought. "And Riddle had seriously never felt anything before? Any emotion? Not even jealousy?"
"Not even that. Or at least, his face never betrayed him. To tell you, I was positively surprised to see that Tom could have emotions. I knew that he cared very much about Jana."
"He cared about someone?" Harry asked surprised. "I can't believe it."
"But it's true, Harry. He cared a lot about Jana, more than anyone could imagine." Dumbledore smiled. "He could be charming when he wanted to be – especially in front of the teachers, but he never really 'felt'. Before he met Jana, that is."
"But how do you know all of that?" Hermione asked anxiously, checking her watch. Still half an hour left. "Snape told us that you weren't a real legilimens."
"Professor Snape is right on one account; I am not a REAL legilimens. However, I can 'see' emotions, fears and sense somebody's feelings. This ability helps me to sometimes 'read' somebody's thoughts, Miss Granger." Dumbledore smiled even wider.
Harry and Ron gasped. "Come again? I didn't know." Ron said flabbergasted.
"Well, Mr. Weasley, sometimes, I find it better NOT to reveal all my extra abilities." Dumbledore said and even Hermione smiled weakly.
"Professor, I've got another question. You told us that Voldemort cared for Jana a lot. What happened that stopped his 'feelings'?" Harry asked curiously.
Dumbledore looked sombrely at the trio. "Now this is where YOU come in."