A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers. It means a lot that you take the time to read and review. And Hydra, don't worry about correcting me. If you know that I am wrong about a fact, then tell me. I also changed it so that O and E are switched.
Also, I've added the Ginny Tom chapter of "The Roles We Play", if you'd like to read that. That story is almost done. If you love the whole sociopathic side of Tom (which makes my Tom a little OOC), then you must read the story 'What Do You Want?' by mrs.kapranos. It's worth reading!!
Yay for plugs!!
Oh, and Happy New Year!!!
The rest of the day had gone rather plainly. Ginny went to Charms and then had something to eat and then talked to Dumbledore.
That had gone much like Ginny had thought it would have. There wasn't much neither Ginny nor Dumbledore could do. They had to wait for Hermione to come back with the fixed Time Turner or with some other news.
But the meeting hadn't gone entirely to waste. Oh no. Ginny could tell that Dumbledore was very cautious about Tom being involved in this whole ordeal. Dumbledore didn't trust Tom and Ginny could see it in the worry lines that appeared in his forehead.
Dumbledore didn't have to say it, but whenever Tom was brought up, he practically told Ginny to be careful.
As if she didn't know that. Ginny had dealt with the repercussions of her actions back in her first year. That diary and the whole fiasco were etched in her brain so finely since she'd been back it was like it had become an obsession.
Ginny had studied the way he was. Perhaps it was a need to believe she could trust him or to confirm that he was a conniving, slithering bastard. Either way, Tom captivated people. He could do or say anything and it was instantaneously gold.
And he loved it.
The teachers believed he would become something great. Ginny saw it in the way they looked at him. They only hoped that he'd remember them when he rose to power. Ginny was quite certain that those people probably regretted that sentiment in her time.
But it wasn't just them. Slughorn wasn't the only one drooling over Tom Riddle. Despite him being a Slytherin, girls of all houses had fallen for him. Especially the purebloods. Ginny heard one of the Black sisters talk about Tom like he was some sort of god between her classes in the fourth floor girl's lavatory. They spoke of him and his plans highly.
Ginny just angrily stalked out of there. If they only knew. If his damned followers only knew the fear and pain he could cause.
She so desperately wanted to tell Dumbledore, but what happened had to happen. In fact she couldn't even stop the events that were about to unfold. Tom would have to open the chamber and Myrtle would have to die. She could not mess with time. Hermione warned her of it and she would try her best to follow the advice of her friend.
The pain Ginny felt was growing, too. She missed her time, despite its heartache. She missed her friends, both those that passed during the War and those that managed to live on.
She missed Seamus' goofy grin and cheesy jokes. She missed Lavender and the Patil twins gossip in the corner during lunch. She missed Luna's flighty voice. She missed Hermione and her presence. She missed her know-it-all answers and her book smarts. She missed her soft smile and kind words. She missed her brother and his temper. She missed Harry now, too.
This was what real friendship was. The memories Ginny looked back on were fond, if not some painful memories. They hurt because it brought back a time when things were far better than they were at that moment in Ginny's life.
However, what Tom had was not friendship. He was their Lord. If he had not established that by this point, he would soon. Ginny had seen the way the other Slytherins had catered to him. They did his bidding and it was rather pathetic to watch.
They either kept out of his way or succumbed to his will.
Which half intrigued Ginny as she made her way up to the Astronomy Tower. What could he possibly do with her? He made it clear that he knew about her inability to tell him about the future, so what then?
He had to be lying. Because Tom Marvolo Riddle did not care a damn about another person. It was always himself. How could this situation better suit him.
Scowling, Ginny entered the room as Tom looked up. Ginny caught the cover of the book he was reading. She couldn't read it; it was something in Latin, no doubt about some form of the Dark Arts.
"I didn't think you would come, Weasley." He said, coolly.
Ginny shrugged and put her knapsack on the table in front of her. "Well, it's better than getting blank stares in the Common Room." She said as she pulling out her Charms book.
Tom shook his head. "That's why you should have been in Slytherin. No one really cares who you are or what you are doing as long as you don't bother them."
Ginny let out a snort. "Are you kidding me? Haven't you forgotten the whole aristocracy based on your heritage?" She said flipping through the book, not daring to look up at him. She could only imagine the smug look on his face. It came through well enough in his voice.
"You have nothing to worry, though. Weasley, that's a pureblooded name." He stated.
"Yes, it is. But that doesn't matter. Not all purebloods are good and not all muggleborns are undeserving of magical talent." She said, finally eying him.
Tom glared at her and shook his own head. "You're just like Dumbledore. You spout off the same nonsense and you look at me the same way."
"And how is that?" Ginny responded as she flipped another page over.
"You don't trust me. All of the others praise me, but the two of you are different." He said, smirking. He knew what he was talking about. He was also pretty sure how she'd respond.
"Perhaps that is because you are up to something. Dumbledore knows about the power you possess, Riddle. And I… I have lived it. But do not think that we are weak or foolish. We have not gotten caught up with this act you put on." Ginny said, determinedly.
She didn't want to admit that she had already gotten caught up with him in the past. He had already fooled her and here she was sitting in the Astronomy Tower talking to him like nothing had happened. She wanted to suddenly slap herself.
She was doing it again.
Ginny was falling for his compassionate, charming, attractive features. It was only a matter of time until he revealed his true nature. She had already let it slip that he had affected her. He was smart. He would know that he does come to power.
That was probably why she was there. She was like some confirmation to him that he did come to power. And he knew what side it would be. Even at the age he was then.
He sat there smugly and went back to his reading. Ginny went back to her Charms homework, hoping to get some of it finished.
Time had passed on and soon he was packing away the two other books he had brought out along with the book that was in Latin. Ginny watched him for a second before putting her own book away.
It infuriated her that he had this control over her. And she was letting him have it. He knew it, too. Whether it was his manipulative manner or his skill in Ligilimency, Ginny did not know. But something continuously kept drawing him to her.
She didn't want to admit it, but he did attract her. His looks were dark and mysterious. Plus he had this way of controlling everything around him. This power that he possessed both scared, infuriated, and excited her. It was much like her own ambition.
"Are you just going to sit there all night or what? I have Prefect duty in fifteen minutes and I will be much obliged to dock Gryffindor ten points." He said as he stood up to leave.
Ginny snapped out of her thoughts and grabbed her back and also made for the door. She remained quiet, not much in the mood for having a round of words.
She headed out of the door next to Tom and she looked over just as he did. She really couldn't help giving him a small smile. Much like the one he gave her earlier that day.
Despite all of her will power and all of her hatred towards him, she still felt that shiver that crept it's way coolly up her back. It struck each hair one by one and it killed her to know that he affected her so much.
But he didn't say anything. He just smirked at her. "See you later, Ginny." He said. His voice was calm and rather soothing. It wasn't what she expected. And yet, it held that all too familiar dominance. He did know that he would see her later, because she was captivated by him.
"Bye, Tom." She said with no undertone.
If they were on friendly terms, then so be it. Who was she to say that Tom couldn't be friendly?