Tom walked down the halls of Hogwarts in the evening, being a prefect allowed him to patrol the halls, and of course, it served him other purposes. Like the library all to himself at night.

He spent most of his time there researching his ancestry and more specifically who his family could be. While he searched and searched tirelessly, he could not find a single wizard with the last name 'Riddle'. But it made no sense considering how his mother could not be a witch. If she was, she wouldn't have died in child birth...

But he began to reconsider this now, seeing as his father's name was written no where in any archives. So he decided to try looking up his middle name.

'Marvolo'.

What a strange name it was. So odd when he thought about how strange such a magnificent name could be stuck between the two most plain names in existence. Tom Riddle was a name that did not in theory command respect.

But 'Marvolo'... 'Marvolo' was a name of dignity and pride. A name all would be glad to have.

Though this night, he did not find a source to his strange middle name, not at all befitting a muggle. He suddenly felt doubt. What if he was just... a muggleborn..?

He scoffed at such an idea. No way in hell would he dare to even say such a thing about himself! He would continue his search the next day and he would find the secrets to his past and his family.

He hated the idea of muggles infesting the school. They did not deserve the magic they could use! Why should they deserve such luxury? They were so... inferior compared to the Pureblood who made sure no foul blood taint their lineages. But then again he also feared the idea of being a muggleborn. Then he would not be worthy at all of magic.

He would rather lose magic than admit to being of a muggleborn family.

::::::::::::::::::::::::

Psyche Carrew hummed as she strolled down the halls of Hogwarts to to dining hall, eager to get some lunch. After a whole morning of classes, she figured that she needed to get some lunch before going to lose herself in her books. Callidora accompanied her and they talked.

"Professor Slughorn won't give me a break!" Callidora said exasperated as she continued with her complaining, all of which Psyche waited patiently for Callidora to finish. "10 potions to complete over the weekend! Is he bloody mad? Oh dear me, Psyche, you're good at potions, could you help me?"

Psyche paused but then smiled. "Certainly. But you must also learn how to do it, he will ask you how to make the potions."

Callidora sighed and nodded after a few moments. "True. But we can worry about that later, let's get some lunch! I'm starving!"

Psyche giggled at her friend's behavior and nodded eagerly. "Of course."

It had been nearly a month since Psyche had joined the halls of Hogwarts as a student and it all seemed to just breeze by. Her professors loved her and so did all the students. She had perfect grades so far but all the magic was child's play for her.

Speaking of professors, she had an odd encounter with one of her professors the other day. He was a wizard by the name of-

"-Professor Dumbledore!" Psyche stumbled forward, running towards the professor who had his back turned to her and was walking. He turned and stopped, seeing the young blonde race towards him.

He looked a bit concerned at her as she stopped in front of him and panted as she attempted to regain her breath. "Sir..." More panting. "I..."

"Relax yourself, miss Carrew, is there something you wanted to tell me?" He asked, his kind voice showing itself. Psyche smiled and nodded as she finally regained her breath after several seconds.

"Yes, sir! I have my Transfigurations homework for you! Thought I'd turn it in early before the weekend!" She said, pulling out an entire essay from her bag and presenting it to Dumbledore.

He looked a bit surprised at it but then looked back up at her and slowly took it before looking down at it, looking up at her once more for a quick glance before looking back down at it and scanning through it.

Professor Dumbledore slowly looked back up at her, closing the essay. "Miss Carrew?"

"Yes sir?" She replied, looking at him with innocent and kind eyes.

"This homework was given today. How did you manage to do it all during the span of one afternoon?" He asked, very interested in her answer.

Psyche smiled at him as she answered truthfully: "Well, I just wanted to do it today. I spent a great deal of time practicing most of the spells and if you need proof, I can perform them right now."

Dumbledore lifted his free hand as if to gesture that he did not require any proof. He smiled at her kindly yet also a bit amazed.

"You're free to go, Miss Carrew. Thank you for the essay." He smiled politely. Psyche smiled and nodded before running off.

Psyche was a bit lost on why this particular encounter was strange and stuck out to her. But she began to suspect it had less to do with the event itself and more with the way he looked at her when she handed him the homework.

It was a gaze of awe. Of shock. Of respect.

And of fear.

:::::::::::::::::::::::

Soon, Callidora and Psyche found themselves in the dining hall, munching on some sandwiches and chicken. Though Psyche only ate the salad and the sandwiches but she didn't dare touch the meat.

Callidora noticed of course and voiced her thoughts: "Why don't you eat the meat?" She asked, confused.

Psyche looked at her, hesitated then smiled shyly. "I don't believe in killing animals for food. I believe it is barbaric because all living things have souls and feelings. It is simply awful in my opinion."

Callidora nodded slowly and seemed to understand. "Hm, okay, Psych."

Psyche raised her head and looked at Callidora before raising an eyebrow and smirked. "'Psych?'" She asked, thinking about the silly nickname.

"Yup." Callidora replied and Psyche giggled.

"Okay, Calli." Psyche replied and Callidora rolled her eyes in mock anger, to which both girls laughed at each other's antics.

It was nice. Humans were strange yet wonderful so far from what Psyche could see. And having a friend who was human was amazing. She never thought she'd relate to someone so different to her so much. Perhaps it was because the two were the same age? It made the most sense honestly. The lords and ladies of the Solum and Caelum were ages older than her, some even from the dawn of life on earth, so it was difficult to talk about things that they would clearly not understand due to their age.

"Callidora!" A familiar voice called out and both girls turned to see Emily Flint running up to them. When Emily finally got to the two girls, she looked at Callidora and Psyche.

"Hi Psyche!" Emily smiled and waved, though inside she seethed with jealousy. It was her darkest secret that she had her eye out for Tom Riddle for the longest time. It was the fact that Tom was actively trying to win Psyche's favor, coupled by Psyche's perfect grades and how everyone loved her so much, made Emily absolutely hate Psyche.

Psyche may have everyone else fooled, but not her. Psyche's precious aura may have made everyone complacent with her, but not Emily. Even poor Tom had fallen under her secret enchantment.

But she couldn't think about that now. Instead, she looked back at Callidora and asked: "Can you please come with me to help with an... ahem, accident that Charlotte made?"

Callidora smiled and nodded. "Sure thing, Em! Hey, Psyche, you're good at magic and counter-spells, how about you come help?"

When Psyche went to answer, Emily interrupted subtly: "That won't be necessary, Callidora. I just need your help."

Psyche realized the hostility that Emily showed her and Psyche was confused as to why she was suddenly being so rude. But she wouldn't question it. After all, if Emily didn't like her for some reason, she didn't have to like her.

Though... for some reason, a sudden rage consumed Psyche, her expression went passive for a few split moments as the rage boiled inside her. And Psyche found herself wishing that the damn slutwould stop bothering her.

Psyche then snapped out of her rage and blinked a bit. It was so quick and yet she couldn't deny what had happened. Why was she so angry at Emily out of no where when priorly she had no ill feelings for the girl? Psyche knew she'd have to do some research into this. It was too weird to be just random.

So Psyche smiled and interrupted Callidora when she went to protest: "Oh no, it is fine, you girls go ahead! I have to finish my lunch."

Callidora opened her mouth to say something but Emily beat her to it. "Okay! See you, Psyche." Emily then proceeded to half drag Callidora out with Callidora completely and utterly lost.

Psyche watched them leave before turning back to her food and just as she was about to lift her fork to eat more salad, a new voice entered her hearing range.

"Psyche."

Psyche gasped slightly as she spun around to see Tom standing next to her seat. "Dear mother, you scared the spirits out of me!"

Tom chuckled a bit as he smirked and then bowed a bit, taking her hand and once again, kissing her knuckles with the utmost care. Psyche was wary of his affections, seeing how bizarre his behavior was during their prior meeting. She was a careful semideum.

"I apologize, my swan, I couldn't resist." He said calmly as he helped her relax. Psyche smiled and nodded slowly.

"Right..." Despite his strange behavior, he still made her swoon regardless, which was irritating yet also strangely pleasant.

"I was curious though... why did Black leave just now with Flint?" He asked, though his voice seemed to suggest something... and yet Psyche couldn't figure out what it was. It was like a dark secret of sorts that he dare not speak to anyone.

Psyche answered him though, not seeing any harm in it. "Well, they left because Charlotte Yaxley ruined a spell and they left to go help her out."

"Why didn't you go?" Psyche hesitated before answering.

"Because Emily didn't want me to." She said, with no emotion in her voice. Tom looked at her with an odd expression, he almost looked... scared.

"How strange..." He looked away from her for a moment then he looked back at her. "Why didn't you say anything about it when it was obvious she was being hostile towards you?"

Psyche shrugged. "I'm not sure... I just didn't want to start trouble." She said, calmly, but remembering her rage... still so unsure of where it came from.

"Is there something wrong, Psyche?" Tom asked, not with concern rather with curiosity. Psyche looked at him again before shaking her head and smiling slightly.

"I have to go." She said, getting up and gathering her things. Tom followed her movements and then grabbed her hand.

"Where to?" He asked, a bit suspicious. Psyche shook her head again.

"The library." She pulled her hand away. Tom nodded before smiling charmingly.

"Would you mind if I accompany you? I fear I have nothing to do." He chuckled and Psyche hesitated before smiling at him slightly and nodding.

"Sure. Why not?" She replied before taking his hand and leading him out the door and to the library...

:::::::::::::::::::::::

'Perfect...'

It was perfect. A perfect grade.

When Professor Albus Dumbledore looked over the essay Miss Carrew gave to him, he was beyond shocked to find that every single word written was correct. It was genius. Pure, undeniable genius. The rumors about her were true, she was indeed quite the extremely talented witch.

But then again... no ordinary 5th year student could complete this entire essay over the course of an entire afternoon...

There was more than meets the eye with Miss Psyche Carrew. Dumbledore knew this well, even though he had no proof. But even still, he feared the talent she had. He even began to suspect that she was more powerful than even the more illusive and darker Tom Riddle.

Yet she also seemed to ooze a certain aura. An aura of trust and kindness, of love and light, a stark contrast to Tom Riddle. He wasn't nearly as worried about her as he was Tom Riddle.

Tom Riddle... now he was a strange yet exceptional student. And Psyche Carrew was mysterious and also talented. And Professor Dumbledore had seen both of them together, talking in the hall earlier that day, he wasn't sure about what, but she looked tense and he looked scared.

Dumbledore was also especially surprised when Tom and Psyche left with each other. And especially the way the two held hands. It was confusing... yet oddly nice to see him with such a kind and good hearted girl.

Sure, Psyche may have been powerful and strong but she was still kind and good. He could tell from the way she moves and talks that she was of no malicious intent. Though for some reason, he felt that her being around Tom Riddle would change that...

Oh well, he was probably just overthinking this. What could evil could come from Tom liking a girl?