Riddles Don't Cry

chapter 1. within the child

~*~

Fulfill your destiny,

Is there within the child,

My storm will never end,

My fate is on the wind,

The king of hearts, the joker's wild,

But we don't say goodbye,

I'll make them all remember me

-"Immortality" by Celine Dion

~*~

The rain beat down heavily, drenching the shivering first years. The lake churned violently, and the small rickety boats creaked in protest. It was the gloomiest of days, but nonetheless that day held many beautiful prospects for our young new student. Although his dark hair was plastered to his head, and his robes were soaked with rainwater, the young boy's face was alight with hope and ambition. After all, it was to be the first day of his new life at Hogwarts, and a little rain couldn't dampen his happiness.

The boat finally reached land, halting rather abruptly. The boy's eyes were filled with rapture as he gazed at the magnificent castle looming above him. Although he would have liked to dash in before all the others, years in a strict Muggle orphanage had taught him not to do things without being told first. So he waited patiently, as the other students climbed out of their boats and gathered behind a small, old wizard by the name of Skarrils.

"Now that you've all gathered, I'd like you to follow me in two straight lines." the tiny wizard shouted over the chattering. The noise quickly ceased, and two lines were formed in the blink of an eye. The boy found himself standing near the center, and frowned in disappointment that he hadn't dashed to the front in the first place.

But as they passed the Entrance Hall, and entered the enormous Great Hall, all of his previous disappointment was forgotten instantly. The boy could hardly catch his breath; for the Hall was more magnificent and extravagant than he had ever imagined. It was indeed a spectacular and grateful change from the dreary walls of the orphanage. Having spent most of his life living in a small, dank room covered with dirty, peeling wallpaper, the boy was completely blown away by the sheer beauty of the grand school.

As he passed the long tables, he could feel the stares of older students. It was hard to believe that they were all wizards and witches; he had never been in the same room with so many magical people before. And it felt strangely nice. He couldn't help but feel accepted, knowing that he belonged. After all, in a world of Muggles, an orphaned wizard was nothing more than an outcast and a disgrace.

The sorting soon began, and the boy took the opportunity to look around at his fellow students, while he waited his turn. Smiling young witches and wizards, engrossing themselves in lighthearted conversation with their neighbors. Maybe that would be him someday, happy and carefree.

"Riddle, Tom." The old witch called out, and the boy immediately walked to the front. He perched himself carefully on the stool, and placed the hat on his head gingerly.

"Hmm... Now, you're certainly not the ordinary wizard, are you, boy?" A voice spoke smoothly inside of the boy's head, startling him. "You're destined for greatness, I can tell you that... You have burning ambition inside you... Rather unusual for a child your age... You could do well in Gryffindor... for you are braver and more determined than most... But, no... There is rage. Rage and anger resides in you... It will devour you, boy... So I have no choice but to put you in..."

"SLYTHERIN!"

A table near the end of the Hall erupted into cheers. The boy, by the name of Tom, quickly joined his new housemates. A few older boys slapped him on the back in congratulations, and Tom tried not to stumble over.

"You've landed yourself in the greatest house there is, lad!" A burly Slytherin sixth year exclaimed. But the boy was already thinking of something different.

The hat had said he possessed ambition, and he himself also knew that. For he planned to make a name for himself in the wizarding world, no matter what it took. But it had also spoken of rage and anger. What could it have meant? Tom couldn't recall being particularly angry about anything. Of course, he certainly hadn't been happy about living at the orphanage, but it was just his childhood, and he knew of no other. So, anger wasn't such a familiar emotion with Tom Riddle, and neither was happiness. He simply accepted his life the way it was, and just felt grateful if there occurred a change for the best.

But it wouldn't last. The dark secrets that Slytherin held were enough to turn any ambitious young wizard into a dark one, and Tom would soon discover that. The influence that the older students gave would be enough to remind any young child of the anger, the hate that they had held inside them for so long. And although the young Tom never could have guessed it, the same thing was going to happen to him.

***

"I heard that this little lad over here is from an orphanage, is that right?" One of the older boys said, leering into Tom's face. "And to make things worse, it was a Muggle orphanage! I think we may just have a blasted mudblood in our midst!" the boy sneered at Tom.

The other boys eyed small Tom is disgust, as if he were a bug that should be squashed. Tom could only feel shocked and angry. He had been at Hogwarts for almost a month now, but far from feeling that he belonged, he felt even more secluded than before. His fellow Slytherins seemed to think it disgusting and ridiculous that a mudblood from an orphanage at that, was able to enter their exclusive house. But Tom, knew deep down inside that he belonged in Slytherin regardless of his heritage. The question was, how would he be able to prove it to his housemates?

He studied day and night, receiving full marks in every subject. But no one seemed to want to acknowledge his achievements the least bit. Yet, he plowed on, knowing that one day his hard work would result in an opportunity for revenge. Life at Hogwarts hadn't turned out the way he had expected it to be, but he would change everything to his liking soon enough. Only the true Slytherin would come out on top in the end, and he was the truest of all. Or so he thought.

Tom Riddle was a lonely boy. He could often be found sitting in the library alone, after classes. He avoided the common room as much as possible, for only jeering and cruel jokes awaited him there. He had once wished so earnestly for a friend, but as time passed, and his loneliness increased, he realized that friends would do nothing for him. In his opinion, friends were capable of betraying him any second, and so they were seemingly useless. No, he needed someone who admired him, feared him enough to remain loyal. Someone who could be of much help to him in his rise to fame.

But it wouldn't be until his second year that he finally found that 'friend'. And it was also in his second year that he would discover a new source of happiness and comfort.

***

"Second years and above, in the carriages! Four to one carriage!" Skarrils shouted. Tom quickly located a carriage, and climbed in. Two Ravenclaws and a fellow Slytherin were already sitting inside. The Slytherin fourth year surveyed him in disgust, but Tom forced himself to ignore the boy's disdainful expression.

Tom followed the rest of the students as they filed into the Great Hall, and took their places at their tables. He also sat down, waiting for the sorting. He sat in silence, as no one was paying the least bit of attention to him.

The first years finally came in, looking nervous and whispering amongst themselves. As the sorting began, many students were sorted into Gryffindor, to the Slytherin table's disdain. Tom looked upon them, believing that none of them looked worthy of joining Slytherin. This type of thinking would have struck any other Slytherin as ironic, but Tom knew better.

"Bennet, Clio."

Tom looked up, as a small girl sat upon the rickety stool. But as he studied her face, he almost let out a gasp of surprise. It was such a familiar face. The pale skin, the curly, jet-black hair, it could only be one person.

***

"Mrs. Applebaum! I've brought the rolls you asked for." A small girl peered in through the door of the orphanage. She was holding a large basket full of bread, while balancing impatiently on one foot. Tom looked at her curiously.

"Hullo!" She noticed Tom's gaze and smiled brightly. He was taken aback at this sudden greeting, and remained silent.

"It's not very nice to ignore people, you know." she said, with a sniff.

"I- I was just surprised." Tom said sullenly, not taking his eyes off of her.

"Oh. Well, I'm Clio. Nice to meet you." She said, smiling.

"I'm Tom." he answered in a small voice.

But just then, Mrs. Applebaum appeared, and shooed Tom away. He ran upstairs, but peered through the railings of the stairs. Clio handed the basket to Mrs. Applebaum, who in turn, handed her a few coins. Clio turned to leave, but just before she did, she looked over at Tom, and waved cheerfully before turning on her heel.

***

Tom was thoroughly puzzled. Clio, the baker's daughter, was a witch? She had seemed nothing more than an ordinary little girl when Tom had first met her. Had she known her true identity even while living at her father's bakery, or had she found out when she received her letter, like Tom had? He planned to ask her after the sorting. But of course, there was the chance that she might not remember him.

The small girl placed the worn hat on her head, and all the students waited in anticipation. After a few minutes, which felt like an eternity to Tom, the girl's house was decided.

"SLYTHERIN!"

The Slytherin table burst into cheers, and the little girl walked to her new table, slowly. She looked extremely nervous. Tom wondered why someone as seemingly sweet and cheerful as Clio would be sorted into Slytherin. Though he himself belonged to the infamous Slytherin house, he knew that it was no place for a little girl like Clio to be in.

Tom didn't take his eyes off of her as she approached the table. But before she took a seat a few places away from him, she stared directly at Tom and smiled. He was taken aback once again, by the mysterious little Clio. She obviously seemed to remember him, but her face didn't show the least trace of surprise at seeing him at Hogwarts. Had she known all along that he was a wizard?

After the sorting had finished, Tom followed the others back to the Slytherin common room. He walked alone, apart from the others. He was considered a known loner in the Slytherin house, but he didn't have much problem with that. The other Slytherins considered themselves powerful and evil, but it was all so transparent to Tom. He could see right through them. They didn't possess that certain glint of ambition that one would need to succeed. Of course, Slytherins were known for their rather unpleasant dispositions, but most Slytherins, Tom thought to himself, possessed nastiness that was due more to childishness than rage.

Tom was about to walk up the stairs leading to the dormitories, when he felt a small tap on his shoulder. He turned around slowly, expecting to find the leering face of one of the older Slytherin boys. But it was Clio.

"Hullo, Tom. Fancy meeting you here at Hogwarts. You did recognize me at the sorting, didn't you?" Clio smiled up at him, her large blue eyes sparkling.

Tom just stared at her silently. He tried to manage a smile, but it came out looking rather sarcastic. But Clio just smiled back. Although the two just looked at each other in silence, there was something so comfortable about it. Not once did Tom find Clio to seem awkward or embarrassed. Her every move and every word was natural, and pleasant. Perhaps she struck him as mysterious, or even unhuman in a way, because he never seemed to be able to think of anything to say to her. Nobody had ever smiled at him the way that she did. It was beyond a friendly smile. He felt as though she were looking directly into his heart, into his mind when she gazed up at him.

Clio began to follow him around often, like a sweet little sister. She would always be bubbling with stories to tell, events to explain. Tom would just sit quietly, and listen, always feeling perfectly content just hearing her voice. In his eyes, Clio was the sweetest creature to ever set foot in this world. Indeed, she understood Tom like no one else did, but there was more to her than he thought. After all, she was a Slytherin.

But apart from Clio, Tom also met a new friend. It was a third-year Slytherin named Tobias Ferrington. Tobias was a tall boy, who had a fair amount of friends and power over the other third-years. He hadn't noticed Tom much the previous year, and hadn't bothered to get to know him. In fact, it was actually Clio who first drew his attention to Tom. Tobias had indeed, noticed Clio from her very first day at Hogwarts. She was rather hard to miss, being a picture-perfect beauty even at her young age. Why someone like Clio would insist on following quiet, sullen Tom Riddle around puzzled Tobias, and that was when he decided to find out more about this Riddle character.

He started out by striking up a conversation with Riddle in the common room. Tobias carefully approached Tom who was in the middle of a conversation with Clio.

"Hey there. Tom Riddle, am I right?"

Tom looked up and nodded curtly. Clio also looked up and smiled at Tobias pleasantly.

"I'm Tobias Ferrington, third-year." he held out his hand, and Tom shook it after some hesitation. Tobias then, offered his hand to Clio, who shook it daintily. Tobias noticed the glint of anger in Tom's face when Clio took his hand.

"I heard that you're very talented in all your subjects." Tom just stared at Tobias, darkly. Tobias was slightly taken aback. He had never seen the second-year look so angry.

"Well, er, I was just wondering if you might be interested in joining a club. Alexis Vanderhoff of seventh year is currently running it, and it's a club for Slytherins who are interested in learning the Dark Arts."

Tom looked thoughtful for a second. Clio looked at Tobias curiously, having been caught by surprise at the mention of the Dark Arts. She had heard many nasty rumours about Slytherin, but she had dismissed them as merely rumours. But Tobias' suggestion had confirmed one of those seemingly absurd rumours to be true. Clio couldn't decide what to make of it. But what surprised her more, was Tom's unexpected answer.

"Alright. I'll join then." Tom said simply, sounding neither respectful nor grateful.

Tobias grinned. "That's excellent, mate! Well, then, we'll be holding the first meeting of the year on the 23rd, next week. I'll tell you the place and time that day."

Tom nodded in understanding and Tobias sauntered off back to his group of friends.

"Why did you join, Tom? Didn't you hear Tobias? They're learning the Dark Arts!" Clio cried out worriedly.

"I heard him correctly. And I'm a Slytherin too, Clio. I need the Dark Arts to succeed in this world, don't you see?" Tom said rather coldly, but his expression softened when he saw Clio's anxious face. "Don't worry. I can handle myself well enough."

But Clio still wasn't convinced. She knew that Tom was no angel, and that he was capable of more than he seemed, but she hated the idea of him getting pulled into a dark club like that. It could only end in terrible results. And most of all, she was afraid that Tom would change. He held vast quantities of rage inside of him, but he was also deep in spirit, and wiser than most people she knew. She didn't know him well enough yet, but she had known that he was special from the day she had first met him. His eyes told so many stories; stories of sorrow, pain, ambition, hope, disappointment, determination, anger, strength, wisdom. Stories that she longed to know, but could never really bring herself to understand.

But getting involved in the Dark Arts might just change all that. It might turn him into a monster. An evil monster like so many she had seen before. And she couldn't afford to lose the one person who connected with her like no one else ever had.

The week passed by, and Clio grew more and more anxious the closer the 23rd approached. Tom, on the other hand, seemed perfectly calm, and did nor said anything out of the ordinary. Clio secretly hoped that he had changed his mind, but her hopes was contradicted when Tobias approached them the morning of the 23rd.

"You haven't forgotten about the meeting, have you, boy?" he whispered to Tom in the hallway, lest any passing Ravenclaws or Gryffindors should hear. Tom shook his head. Clio strained to hear what Tobias was saying.

"Meet us at the lake at eleven tonight. We'll all go together to the Forbidden Forest from there. Make sure not to get caught on your way out. And bring your broomstick if you have one, but it's alright even if you don't. Remember eleven o' clock, by the lake. Don't be late, and don't tell anyone else about it. Alright, mate?" Tom nodded in reply, and Clio's eyes were filled with dread.




A/N: Why is sweet Clio in Slytherin house? Why are both Tom and Clio so much wiser than their years? What secrets could they hold? All will be revealed in due time, so please keep reading. And I'd also love a couple of reviews, if possible...^^

Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J.K. Rowling, Warner Bros., etc. etc. Clio belongs to me, along with the plot of this story.