Disclaimer: I, Meihi Rei, hold no claim to any characters or registered trademarks in this story. (And if you were going to sue, don't bother. I'm in high school and the only things I own are this lap top, books, and some clothes)

Thanks to my sister Riv, for being my editor and to my one reviewer! I love reviews, so if you are reading this, put some thing (anything! I'm not picky. It doesn't even have to be nice!) for a review. Please and thank you.

Tom? Ginny wrote her handwriting messy with the consent motion of the train.

Yes? Tom's message appeared. His words were as neat as ever in their slightly feminine scrawl.

What's Hogwarts like? Ginny dipped the quill in her ink.

No one can really say what it's like, Ginny, Tom wrote, it's brimming with magic, the stones glitter when you look at it. Also there are ghosts everywhere and the mirrors and paintings all talk. That's the one thing you should know – never say anything out loud because it will spread in a heartbeat. If I had to describe Hogwarts in one word I'd say its home.

The girl rolled her eyes at the book and started to write. Everyone says its home, Tom, that's nothing new. I guess for Harry it is, he doesn't have a home. I don't know how he put up with all those muggles for all those years. He's so brave and strong and drop dead lovely.

I lived with muggles for a long time too, he gently reminded the blabbering girl. Tom knew that he had to win her trust by the time he got to Hogwarts, otherwise everything would fall apart. And I hated it. The muggles I was with were so filthy! On a good day it looked like they had rolled around in their own mess a few times.

Did you always think that? Even when you didn't know what you are? Ginny wanted to know. Her father was so enamored by the people; it was hard not to be curious.

Yes, I always was repulsed by them and I never knew why until I got my letter. Tom wrote, how close are we to Hogwarts?

Err… I'll ask Ginny wrote Hold on for a bit, Tom.

Oh, don't worry about it beautiful, I don't really need to know the words sped across the page.

The message struck Ginny funny. All her life no one had called her beautiful unless it was in jest. Can… can you see me Tom?

Sadly I cannot. I am a book Ginny, no matter that I have a mind of my own.

I see… Ginny sucked on the end of the quill, thinking. Seeing the flash of a camera outside her compartment, Ginny was struck with an idea. If I put a photograph in the pages, can you see it?

I do not know, Tom's words were slow in appearing as if he was thinking about the answer carefully, I would think it would be possible.

I see… Ginny repeated, would you like to see a picture of me, Tom? I would like to see a picture of you.

I'll try and find a way, Ginny, I promise you. The words spread across the page and touched Ginny for some reason.

We're here Tom! We're at Hogwarts! The inkpot tipped and more black fluid drowned the pages once again. "Darn" Ginny muttered and tossed closed inkpot, quill, and book in to the deep dark voids of pockets she had in her school robes.

Inside the privacy of his own world, Tom felt himself smile. Salazar's great work would be completed before the year was up.

Ginny fell into step with other nervous first years all around. Standing on her tiptoes, the Weasley girl craned her neck, trying to see her brother. Spinning all around her eyes darted form one end of the gold and red table to the other; Fred, Gorge, and Percy where all there. She even saw Hermione chatting with some other second year. Harry and Ron, however, where nowhere to be found.

Ginny sighed and looked at the front of the huge hall once again. It wasn't like she cared that Ron wasn't here, she had always been closer to the twins helping them pull off their tricks on Ron and Percy. The old hag called McGonagall brought out a simple wooden stool and a back rag in the shape of a hat. Unfurling a scroll the old woman's voice called over the talkative crowds. Name after name of students were called and sent to their new house tables.

"Weasley, Givanra" McGonagall called, only a few students remained now.

Tentatively, Ginny made her way to the stool and the black, torn wool thing slipped over her eyes.

"Yet another Weasley?" The hat said in her ear, "and like your brothers the twins too…"

"Mum always said we might have well been triplets" Ginny managed, the smell of the thing was making her sick.

"Well, I would put you into Syltherin, but now that your family is no longer noble, Grifferndor would be best – don't you agree?"

"We're still royalty if not on paper then in blood!" Ginny retorted, grimacing "just put me in with the lions and let's be done with it!"

"Very well, but before you go – have some free advise"

"What?"

"Be wary of Tom Riddle - I put him in Syltherin for a reason" the hat said then yelled "GRIFFENDOR" silencing any of Ginny's questions.

Ginny slid off the stool and headed to the gaudy red and gold draped table

Ginny lay in her bed, gazing at the crimson sky above her. The hat's words still rang in her head – be wary of Tom Riddle…I put him into Syltherin… Ginny sighed. The old thing was going senile. Why should she have any reason to tread carefully around her new and only friend? He understood her, and loved her. Tom would never do anything bad like her brothers. Sitting up, the girl pulled out the small black book.

Tom? She wrote, are you there?

I'm always here, Ginny, Tom replied, what house are you in?

Griffendor, with the rest of the family Ginny paused, wondering if this was the right time… what house where you in?

Syltherin.

That single word made everything real. What if the hat was right and Tom was to be feared? All her brothers every told her was Slytherins where mean and selfish gits.

The hat said I should be in Slytherin, because my family wasn't royalty anymore he couldn't. He said the same was true for my twin brothers. Why did the hat put you in Syltherin?

I don't know

Why not?

The hat never gave me an answer, I never asked. Tom's words appeared on the page. Ginny had the feeling that if he could have shrugged, he would have.

That's weird, I thought the hat told every one why they where put in each house…

And I heard the hat could see into the future and see how you turn out after you leave Hogwarts and basis the decision on that. Tom countered.

Really? Never herd that one Ginny wrote back, rolling her eyes at the rapidly fading text. Are there any other baits you would like to dangle in front of this gullible first years' eyes, Tom?

So young, and already so jaded was the reply in the now familiar hand I'm not sure I'm ready for this new side of you Gin dearest.

Ginny rolled her eyes at the book again before dipping her quill in the ink pot on the bedside table. I'm rolling my eyes at you, just so you know.

Keep rolling them and one day they will roll right out of your head!

Good night Tom.

Going so soon?

I have my first classes tomorrow!

What is it?

Potions with Professor Snape. Everyone says he's horribly mean to first year Griffendors.

Who do you have the classes with?

Ravenclaw, I think…I'd have to cheek my timetable.

I thought they gave those to you tomorrow at breakfast

They gave them to the first years right after sorting this year

That's odd

I reckon they wanted to give us as much time as we needed to get ready

How could you get ready when you don't know what to expect in the first place?

Who knows? I'm going to sleep now Tom and there's nothing you can do about it

Nothing?

Nothing. Good night Tom

Good night Ginny