A Harry Potter FanFic Featuring Tom Riddle (6th year)
and introducing Celeste Montague of Beauxbaton's -
please review - otherwise I'll stop posting. :O -----------------------------------------

Chapter Four

"Hey, Tom. That was a good training session you did just now. I think we'll be right for this saturday's match." Declan Webber, the captain, said.

"I agree." Tom replied. "Let's just hope the conditions are... playable."

Declan chuckled. "Yes. Oh, by the way - you won't be playing seeker against that stupid Jenkins. He's recovering from a nasty Doxy bite."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "So who am I playing against? Not Franklin I hope, he's a joke-"

"No, not Franklin. That Montague girl from Beaubatons put 'er hand up for it. The Gryffindors have been boasting about her all week."

Tom nearly fell over. But Webber continued.

"I snuck into their training session, Tom, and watched her play. She's good. Very. But you, Tom, are the best. Just keep your wits about you, and you'll catch the snitch for us. Seeya Saturday."

"...oh, yes. Saturday."

Tom cursed under his breath as he trudged back up to his dormitory. As he collapsed on his bed, at wits end - Will appeared at his side.

"You're not okay."

"Yes I am."

"That wasn't a question."

"Well do me a favour and don't ask any more."

"I never asked one in the first place." Will retorted, annoyed. "Aren't you getting changed? Old Slughorn will give you a hard time if you don't change."

Of course. Slughorn's 'Welcome Back' party. If he wanted to stay in Sluggy's good books, he had better head off as soon as possible. Without another word - but plenty of distant thoughts - Tom opened his trunk and changed into muggle clothes. It was a friday night, he didn't have to wear robes.

Bellatrix was waiting in the common room. She had her hair out, as black as the midnight skies. They began to walk.

"Took you long enough."

"I got caught up at Quidditch practise."

"Aren't you going to tell me what you were dreaming about last night?"

"No."

Bellatrix pouted, and the two continued in silence. When they reached the door of Slughorn's office, Bellatrix opened her mouth.

"Please, not a single word." Tom said, beating her to it. "After you, Bellatrix."

They entered the office without another word. Slughorn was handing pumpkin pasties out to a selection of students sitting in a semi-circle around his favourite armchair. At Tom's appearance, he forgot to give a small ginger-haired boy a pumpkin pastie and practically skipped to pull up Tom a chair.

"Tom! M'boy! How splendid to see you here! And Miss LeStrange, always a pleasure to have you. Sit, sit. I've got surprises for the both of you!"

As Tom did as he was told, he noticed with a heart-stopping jolt who he had just sat next to. Celeste Montague, with her lips pouted and arms crossed. He made to speak with her, but Slughorn addressed him first.

"Tom, I know you are bound for the ministy," he began. "A leader - yes, it's in your very aura. I expect you will be appointed Head Boy next year - I have no doubt."

Tom nodded modestly. "Oh please, Professor. There is no way of telling."

"Poppycock, Tom! I knew you were destined for greatness the moment I laid eyes on you in first year. Now - down to business..."

Tom was zombielike in his responses for the rest of the night, and when Bellatrix left hurriedly without him, he was hardly surprised. However, he lingered as long as he could so as to snatch a moment with Celeste.

As she passed through the doorway into the dungeon corridor, Tom appeared at her side.

"Can I help you?" She asked, her eyebrows furrowed. "Seeing as you obviously don't want to help me. You made zat pretty clear when I last saw you."

Tom looked at his shoes. "I am really, very, truly sorry about that." he began. "You have no idea how much I have regretted that over the past week."

"No. I don't." She replied, although she had softened up somewhat. Tom looked up into her eyes. They were alone once more.

"I haven't done this before," he began sheepishly. "So I really don't know what I'm doing."

Celeste narrowed her eyes and turned her head slightly sideways. "What are you talking about?"

Tom took a deep breath and stepped closer. "Celeste." he said. "I can't stop thinking about what I said, and the more I wonder why, well... it only leads to one conclusion."

Celeste looked up at him and tried not to break into a smile. Her loathing for this boy was nearly flattened by admiration... and attraction. She couldn't properly concentrate when he was simply so... beautiful. His pale, smooth skin, and deep grey-blue eyes... and that hair! Slicked back with a few strands falling across his face. Celeste took a deep breath.

"I like you, Celeste." Tom sighed. "And I don't care that I'm meant to hate your guts."

Celeste blushed and smiled, putting her arm on Tom's. But she could not give up so easily. She sighed.

"How am I to beleive zis? How am I to beleive you care more for me zan for your reputation?"

And with that, Celeste turned around and began to walk off, her heart secretly fluttering, her hands shaking with nerves and excitement.

"What does that mean?" Tom called after her. "What do I do now?"

But it was useless. She had already disappeared, and after seconds apart, Tom stared to ache. He had never ever felt fond of anyone, and this sudden burst of extreme attraction took him by surprise. As the seconds started to tick away, Tom returned to his dormitory and went to sleep.