Disclaimer: If I was JKRowling, do you think I'd REALLY be sitting around writing fan fics???

'So... you mean you're, like, a wizard? All magic and pixies and stuff?'

'Well, yeah. I guess. That's what the letter said.'

'Oh,' Lucy paused, absentmindedly straightening the creases out of her dress. It was quite a nice dress really, once you got used to the colour. Tom was pacing up and down, running his hands through his dark hair. Both were afraid to say what had dawned on them, but it had to be said.

'So...' she chewed her lip. 'You'll be... going away, huh? Magic school, and all that? You know?'

'Yeah. On the 1st September.' Tom closed his eyes, and sat down on the damp log beside his best, and only, friend. 'I don't want to, Lucy.'

'I know,' Lucy paused again, then reached out shyly and took his hand. 'But do go. It's better than here. At least one of us should do something worth while. I mean, how can you plot world domination stuck in an orphanage in the middle of nowhere?'

Tom laughed weakly. Lucy managed a half-hearted smile. The two sat in silence for a while, but Tom suddenly became aware of how he was still clutching Lucy's warm hand in his. They both blushed, and detached themselves from one another, then went back to silence.

'But Lucy!' burst out tom, jumping up angrily. 'I can't DO magic! I've never done ANYTHING even remotely magical! I CAN'T BE A WIZARD!'

*****

'Where the hell is he?'

'Stupid little bastard,' hissed James, rubbing the dark bruise that ringed his still sore neck.

'He can't've gone far,' muttered the tallest one, Alan. The rest of the Gang nodded in irritable silence, slowly scanning the grey fields for any sign of the Riddle Freak.

'I can't be a wizard!'

'Did you hear that?' hissed Alan. The rest nodded, excited. Slowly they spread out, circling their unaware prey. The chase had ended, and the hunt had begun. And they were angry.

*****

'I CAN'T BE A WIZARD!' repeated tom frantically. 'I don't WANT to be, Lucy. I want to stay here, with the fields and the rain and everything that makes me be me. With you.'

He blushed, and turned away. He felt sick. He didn't want to do magic, so why did he have to? Nobody could make him. Tom Riddle was not a wizard! Tom Riddle was just… Tom. And he wanted to be with Lucy. He liked Lucy. He needed Lucy. He-

'Aaaaaaaaww. How sweet.'

'Looks like Riddle Freak got himself a girlfriend.'

'Riddle Freak and the Stupid Bitch,' spat James, narrowing his eyes. 'A PERFECT couple.'

'Shut up,' hissed Tom, clenching his fists. James smirked coldly, taking a step towards the smaller boy.

'You, Riddle Freak, are gonna pay.'

'Yeah, Riddle Freak.'

'You and that stupid bitch!'

'I'm sure you're mum wouldn't've wanted you to go out with stupid bitches, would've she?'

'Ha! She was a stupid bitch and all. And a slut. My Dad told me all about her.'

'SHUT UP!' shrieked Tom, springing forwards at the speaker, James. With a loud thud, the two boys fell to the floor. James yelled in rage, kicking furiously.

'Get off him!' yelled the remainder of the Gang, grabbing Tom and pulling him away. Tom struggled, swearing and spitting, but he was out numbered and not as strong as them anyhow. Lucy grabbed angrily at the boys arms, but was swatted away like a fly.

'Leave him alone!' she shrieked. 'LEAVE HIM ALONE!'

'Say cheese,' hissed James, clenching his fists. Tom struggled helplessly, knowing only too well what was about to happen.

With a loud CRACK-

James laughed-

Lucy was sitting on the floor, crying-

Tom gasped, his face exploding in pain, but he suddenly knew what to say-

And then-

There was a burst of bright green light...

(A/N: Sorry. I know. This chapter sucks. I'm not pleased with the beginning, and I've never been great at fight scenes...)