An: Thank you for all the reviews I have been receiving saw the last HP today . It made me realise just how long I had left my story, I'm becoming my own worst enemy at the moment it seems not updating for ages so I'm sorry but here's another chapter for you and there should be more soon xx

Secrets of the Soul

The next few months flew by and before long it was Christmas. Anya was faced with a decision she really wasn't sure how to deal with. Did she go home? She couldn't see the point. After all there was no one there and the house would hold question she really didn't want to have to deal with, they needed to stay buried and therefore she didn't fancy going back there... ever again. The few weeks after the "shocking" news from Professor Dippet had been the hardest, keeping up a facade of sorrow and disbelief was hard when inside you were numb. She almost envied her brother at that point no one knew that he had met his father, so they were blind to his "grief".

Speaking of her brother, she swore the boy never left the library anymore and that was saying something as she spent most of her time there herself. It seemed every time she was there so was he, pouring over old books looking for an answer to an untold question. Anya knew not to ask but couldn't help but feel curious as to what held her brothers attention so diligently.

It was when she saw him in the library at closing time one night that she finally decided enough was enough. Walking over to him she saw he was reading yet another dusty old book she was sure he had "borrowed" from the restricted section of the library. He didn't acknowledge her presence though she was sure that he knew she was there. Anya sighed and before he could stop her she snatched the book from under his nose and read the cover.

"Secrets of the Soul?" she asked sceptically, turning the book over in her hands. Tom looked up annoyed and glared at her, silently putting his hand up for the book to be returned to him.

Anya laughed lightly "You can't be serious, why would you bother reading about souls?"

Tom snatched the book back and placed it in his satchel. "Why not, Souls are unique. You'd be a fool to overlook the power they hold"

"And what kind of power would that be"

Tom just packed up his stuff and went to leave but Anya stood in front of him with her hands on her hips and a look of determination on her face.

"What are you planning?" Tom ignored her but she refused to budge merely turned on her icy glare and folded her arms; he returned the glare but finally sat down and pulled out the book. Anya smirked to herself as she took the seat across from him.

"So, what have you been up to locked away in here all these weeks." She asked.

"Reading" he replied simply smirking in return to her glare.

"Don't get smart" she hissed impatiently getting fed up with his skittish attempts to avoid the question.

"I am smart. I also work alone." He hissed back defensively.

"O really...and what are you trying to hide."

"It's none of your business"

"You're my brother! I want to know what you're up too. It's something big or you wouldn't be trying to hide it from me. What is it!" she smirked to herself. "you know I will find out anyway so you might as well tell me".

Tom kept his glare on her before sighing and passing her the book and indicating to a page that was folded down. She opened the book and quickly read the paragraph; it was nothing special except for one word she had never heard of before.

"Horcrux? What's that?" she asked him setting the book down.

Tom shushed her looking around to make sure no one was around realising the risk he quickly changed to parseltongue. "I don't know, I've been pouring through books for weeks and so far I have found nothing more on this...rather strange don't you agree...sister "dear", something tells me Dumbledore has something to do with it." He said bitterly as he mention the teacher he despised.

"Why so interested...what have you found."

At this toms smile grew even larger and his eyes filled with a weird kind of excitement.

"Have you ever heard about splitting your soul?" he asked suddenly and curiously

"What!" she exclaimed not expecting the question in the least. "No...Is that possible"

"Splitting your soul, yes I believe it is."

"Why? What would be the purpose...?"

"I'm not sure...it's something special I am sure...and poses an interesting question don't you think..." he was smiling more to himself now as he played with the ring on his finger, it was his father's ring, the father they had murdered not 3 months ago. "Yes...very interesting indeed...like I said a soul holds great power..."

Anya seemed spooked, murder was one thing but playing with souls, she wasn't sure it was something for her and to be honest the prospect scared her slightly.

"You sure you should be diving into this...it could be risky..."

"Why not? Why should we "fear" the unknown?...if everyone did where would we be?"

Anya had no answer though she was still unsure. Something in this appealed to her where another part of her was terrified at the possibility. Souls were dangerous that she knew and splitting it seemed somewhat painful and dangerous.

"If you must pursue this, maybe you should speak to someone first...find out more about the risks and dangers...maybe a teacher..." she said deep in thought as she tried to find a way to defuse the danger she could feel stirring in her brother's mind.

Tom laughed bitterly "a teacher?"

"Who better to know the risks of dark magic than one of the professors...of course don't tell them what you're up too...but before you do anything you should know the risks...after all who can charm teachers better than you and me?" she laughed lightly.

Anya recalled all of the teachers they had managed to convince into thinking they were innocent students...Dippet, Grunlow, and Slughorn to name but a few...Slughorn! That was it, the old fool of a potions teacher.

"Have you been invited to Slughorn Christmas party?"

"Of course, why" he asked quickly before smiling..."of course...Slughorn, that old fool will tell me anything for a small price...but what?"

Anya smiled triumphantly an idea slowly forming in her darkening mind. "Leave it to me, you just make sure you are ready to approach him, I will handle the rest."

With that she quickly left the library after bidding him good night, her mind filled with possibilities. Leaving the scheming Slytherin Prince to his thoughts. He may not have liked the idea of sharing this with his sister he had to admit, she did have some good ideas. He blew the candle out and left the library heading to the dormitories not noticing a pair of piercing blue eyes that followed him in the darkness.