Madonna stepped inside the greatest hallway of Hogwarts, which seemed to be completely new to her. In this year most things would be completely different to her, she had seen so many new faces while entering the hallway and everything seemed to be completely different. She was very curious for all the new challenges that she would face this year, but first, she was very excited to see all her friends and her past teachers of Hogwarts, this year she should be attending some new class too. Maybe she would make some new friends also and might be able to discover many new mysteries.
Madonna was standing near the Slytherin row, admiring everything as if it was completely new to her eyes. Suddenly someone called her name from behind, ''hey, Madonna''. She turned back and was overwhelmed to see Sophia standing in front of her after so many days, and some else was standing beside her. She was most probably looking like the first year and she was timider than her sister too. She seemed to be very afraid of coming to Hogwarts, a world that seemed to be completely different from the world she was living in. She was really looking confused and pathetic. ''Hi Madonna, I told you about my sister, Elizabeth Myrtle, last year. Did you remember it?. And I am so happy that my sister too had got a chance in Hogwarts, I was praying for her whole winter. And see she is finally standing inside the Great Hall with me in Hogwarts."Sophia exclaimed happily
" Sophia, your sister seems a bit upset to come here in Hogwarts," Madonna stated while seeing Elizabeth being completely traumatized on observing everything that was happening here. " She is just a newcomer that's why she looks so confused, after a few days she will get adjusted here just like me. And I also hope she finds a friend just like you!".
" I have heard so many stories about you from my sister. You are one of the bravest and most intelligent students here. You are my biggest role model here", the little girl spoke in a squawky and very low voice to Madonna. "So she can talk", Madonna joked and all the three started laughing. Suddenly the announcement of the headmaster caught all their minds. Madonna and Sophia went and sat on their respective places, they both started watching the house sorting ceremony and Sophia was pleased to see her sister sorted into Gryffindor house, at least no one would bully her there.
After the long speech from the Headmaster, it was finally the time for Madonna to talk to her previous friends. She searched for Henry when suddenly her eyes meet with Riddle. It seemed that he looked more antagonistic than the previous year, his face was looking more hostile and pale, his eyes became more grimful. She went towards Riddle although she thought, he didn't like anyone to be around him. She stood in front of him and smiled, though Riddle's facial expressions didn't change a bit. "Happy New year Riddle, how did you enjoy...". "What is it to you, I don't have to tell you how I spent my holidays, do I ?" Riddle protested angrily. Madonna spoke with him softly "I know that you live in an orphanage and you aren't happy to stay there, so...". "Enough Phillips, how the hell did you know so much about me," Tom burned with anger. Madonna turned around and took out a little present from her purse.
"I have brought this present just for you Riddle, I really hope that you will like it." Tom face changed its expressions, suddenly he became blank devoid of any emotions. Till now no one had gifted a present to him out of love or care. His mind became totally confused although he tried to stay focused and confident all the time. Madonna took his hand and placed the present gently on it. Then she let go his arms and said "see you later" before turning back and leaving the Great Hall. _
Tom's P.O.V
As Madonna left the Great Hall I was completely mortified, why did she behave in this way? She always seemed to suspect me and also know my true nature, unlike all the other girls who always try to gain my attention. I took the present and went out of the hall immediately. I came inside my common room and sat on my couch near the fireplace. I was pleased to see no one here. For some minutes I became totally confused and then I opened the gift. My eyes caught in the brilliance of a beautiful shining emerald ring that was packed neatly inside the box. Although this was given by one of my enemies still it seemed to be more valuable to me than any of the gifts given by my loyal friends.
The ring well suited on my fingers. It also seemed to portray royalty, which I value a lot. Till now no one seemed to care about me so much as to gift a present to me. And I don't know why it felt so different on receiving the present.
Power and control are the only two things in my life, but would I ever desire to have love or care. It just seems gross to me, meaningless. Love or care has no value in this world, but power certainly does. Everyone seems to be well within my control, afraid to despise me, except that overbearing girl, Madonna. She is the only one whom I should get rid off, who dared to stand on my way. But what made her give such a precious present to me and what more does she knows about me? I have to find everything about her before she could find something else about me.
Madonna was reading some of the advanced potion making books in the library, sitting all alone under a shadowed corner. Suddenly she could spot a face behind the darkness. She felt a bit alarmed to see Riddle's face emerging from the shadows, she always felt uncomfortable to be with Riddle inside an isolated room after the incident that happened with her in the previous year. She feltfurther eeriness as he stepped closer to her. She didn't know how Riddle would react after giving a present to him. Riddle stood in front of her and bent down towards her face. Madonna's uneasiness seemed to increase every second.
"Thanks, Madonna for the present", Riddle whispered softly.
"So you can say 'thanks', Riddle. I didn't really think that you can appreciate anyone". Madonna mocked him.
Riddle didn't reply anything but abruptly sat on the wooden bench and came close to her. She felt the eeriness of silence between them, she was getting nervous again. Riddle could see the turmoil in Madonna's eyes, which he always liked to see. "Riddle do you have something to tell me," she said shuddering. "No, I don't ". "Then why are you here," she said shakily. Riddle smirked. She felt something wrong was going to happen. Riddle watched Madonna's hands slowly going inside her robes and taking out her wand. Suddenly few words were chanted out from Riddle's mouth and Madonna's wand flew in one corner of the room from her hands. "Why do you always have to put your wand out, you wouldn't be able to duel with me anyways, no one will ever be. And I won't hurt you. I just want a help from you", he spoke softly. Madonna went through a complete turmoil within her soul.
He wanted help from her, what on Earth was the thing that he couldn't do by himself. And why did Riddle want help from his enemy, he had so many of his loyal friends and his fangirls who are ready to do anything for him. So, what could be the thing he wanted Madonna to help him in? All these thoughts trembled her.
