September 2nd 1943

The first day of classes were starting today, and Nadine was barely out of bed. Groaning, she sat up with her feet over the side, a blanket covering her thighs. Her hands rubbed her eyes. "Finally, you're awake." Leona came in, she handed over Nadine's schedule.

"Oh fantastic." Leona laughed at Nadine's sarcasm. Almost every class was with the slytherins, and if it wasn't it was with the loud gryffindors. First class of the day was transfiguration with professor dumbledore. The man had always given Nadine the creeps for whatever reason, maybe it was his all knowing eyes, or how he would always request for a meeting with Nadine, he would ask her about how it was at home, and to be fair, Nadine found it annoying. He had nothing to do with her home life, no one had anything to do with it except for her, and only her.

After getting dressed she went down to the common room, it was filled with plants, and the shining sun. Spotting Leona on the couch, she walked over, "finally, come on." She rose from her seat and started walking. It seemed Leona was in a hurry, for whatever reason.

When they arrived at the classroom, the seats were already full, and the only free spots were separated from each other. Leona had already sat next to a fellow hufflepuff she couldn't remember the name of, that left Nadine the spot next to a slytherin. She sat down carefully, he turned around to her and that's when she recognised him as the boy from the train. "Hey." He said to her with a smile. She only nodded at him back. "I'm Theon. You can call me Theo." He held his hand for her to shake, she looked at it.

"Nadine." She smiled. She wasn't used to people outside of her house paying attention to her, so when one of the most popular boys in her year started talking to her about his holiday, she didn't know what to do.

"How was your holiday?" Now that was even more surprising.

"It was nice, I helped around at home."

"That sounds nice, being able to help. My mother and father have house elves for that, so I am not really allowed to help."

"It is nice." Lie, being forced to do housework that a fifteen year old should not be doing is not nice. Scrubbing the floors while your parents sit and drink watching you, pointing out spots that you 'missed'.

"Hello, today we will be practising the vanishing spell. Does anyone know the incantation?" The professor asked. Tom Riddle was the first to raise his hand, Nadine raised her hand shortly after. "Miss Winter."

"Evanesco, sir." Nadine could sense the slytherin's scowl. He was used to being the one to answer, even if he wasn't chosen, he wouldn't expect Nadine of all people to answer, and correctly at that.

"Five points to hufflepuff."

The rest of classes went by, there was only one left, and that was potions. Nadine's worst class. She hated it, they always shared with the slytherins which wasn't that bad, but Slughorn always paired her with Tom Riddle, probably in hope that it would make her grades better, but after 4 years in his class he should know that was not working.

When everyone got there, Slughorn started calling the pairs. "Miss Davis and Mister Avery." Leona sent Nadine a look asking for help. "Miss Mulciber and Mister Nott." Now it was Theon's turn to send a look to his friends, they just shrugged their shoulders. more paris were called before her name was called, "Miss Winter and Mister Riddle." She knew it was coming.

Tom went to the front and Nadine knew she had no say in where they were sitting. "Do not screw this over for me Winter." He whispered through gritted teeth, his jaw was clenched which made his jawline more prominent if possible. He had changed, he had lost baby fat, his features were more prominent than before. She caught herself thinking this and looked away.

"Never intend on doing it." She was offended, but knew it was true. She had a talent for ruining their potions. Last year she exploded a potion right in Tom's face, the look on his face was hilarious until she had to accompany him to the hospital wing.

"This year is owl's, so I will be preparing everyone for that. Some need more help than others," he looked at Nadine, she sank in her seat embarrassed when everyone looked at her. Slughorn went on to explain what owls were for the remainder of the lesson. The class had ended and Nadine was about to leave. "Miss Winter, Tom, stay behind for a second." Nadine rolled her eyes and turned to the professor, giving her best smile. "As you both know Miss Winter is not the best in the subject." He looked at her in pity. She wanted to strangle the man, but kept smiling anyway.

"I am well aware, professor." suck up, nadine thought, the smile on tom's face faltered slightly.

Slughorn smiled at Tom and continued to speak, "And Tom, you are my best student." Nadine did not like where this was going, at all. "Wouldn't it be nice if you could tutor Miss Winter," no not at all, "you will get extra credit." Nadine's smile was more strained than ever.

"That would be lovely. Right." He smiled at Nadine, he could see her struggle.

"Of course." The sarcasm was clear as day, but Slughorn paid no mind.

The professor clapped his hands, "fantastic, you will figure it out yourselves i presume." Tom nodded.

Why couldn't it be any other person.

"I'm free on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4." He told her in a monotone voice. Of course he would want to ruin her weekends.

"Fine." And she left, not bothering to argue with him.

On his way to the slytherin common room he met with Theon. "What did sluggy say?" He questioned.

"I am tutoring Winter." A smirk on his face, which the Nott heir noticed.

"Please go easy on her." He had walked past her on the train the other day, after Natalie told him she dropped something when bumping into Nadine. He saw how empty her eyes were, how tired she seemed. It was barely noticeable, she was good at hiding things when in public, but she let her guard down when she thought no one was looking.

"Going soft on half-bloods now, Nott?" He raised a perfectly angled eyebrow at him.

"No, but you do not know how her life is outside of classes, maybe she isn't the girl you think she is." He smiled at Riddle.

The great hall was packed with students eating dinner, chatter and laughter was heard. Leona was stuffing her face with potatoes and gravy while Nadine slowly ate her steak.

"So, what did Slughorn want?" Leona asked with a full mouth.

Nadine laughed at her friend, "I'm getting tutored on Wednesdays and Saturdays."

This got Leona's interest, " by Tom?" She whispered. Nadine nodded. "Oh you poor thing."