A/N: Yes I am BAAAAAACK! Hope everyone had a Happy Easter! Or if you don't celebrate Easter... I hope you had a happy SUNDAY:)

Disclaimer: Me? Own this? HAHAHAHAHAHA

New Experiences

So kiss me hard
'Cause this will be the last time that I let you.
You will be back someday
And this awkward kiss that screams of other people's lips will be of service
To keeping you away.

–Dashboard Confessional

Voldemort felt the world in his Pensieve swirl in dark smoke. He remembered what had happened after that little experience. They had gone on with their separate lives, only acknowledging each other sparingly. She sometimes smile discreetly at him during potions, or let him catch a glimpse of her ankle. He in return would roll his eyes and smirk in a very Slytherin manner. He knew for a fact that she pretended to hate this, but it didn't stop her from doing it every couple of days.

Voldemort was utterly shocked how quickly these memories came to him. After fifty years of working so diligently to forget his childhood, these years came back without a hitch. He hated it. If he hadn't been so foolhardy, he probably could have just ignored her for the Gryffindor mudblood she was. Yet, people tend to clutch dearly to those who understand them. As much as he loathed her, Dianthe Costa seemed to comprehend how he felt at the oddest moments.

Where is she now though? Voldemort wondered, trying desperately to fathom what could have happened. How had she betrayed him? Certainly she must have, what other reason would he have to even speak to a Gryffindor. His curiosity and impatience was aching at his soul. He felt utterly helpless, which he had worked so hard to not feel that emotion ever again. He was the Dark Lord for God's sake! He couldn't be worrying about petty quarrels with some girl from seventh year.

Deciding that enough was enough, he turned to leave and return to his life. He was disgusted with himself to begin with. One cannot dwell on the past. He certainly had to think about Harry Potter and Dumbledore, not this unnatural girl who seemed to haunt his dreams.

Yet, he stopped suddenly, coming face to face with his 17-year-old self.

What happened to me?

Giving up all hope of "overcoming" his past without knowing, he sat down in the chair next to Tom.

Here we go again...

Tom Riddle was infuriated. He was jabbing a quill into a desk, carving hatred. His wand was setting off angry sparks, though it was two feet away from him. The candles flickered violently, and he was sure that he heard chalk snap in front of him. His eyes were narrowed, his face contorted with annoyance. He looked simply frightening, but he would never let anyone see him like this. His rage had to be contained by his emotionless, somewhat dead exterior.

One could always tell his anger from his eyes.

He saw her waltz and stop just outside the door. "Stupid mudblood," he spat venomously to himself. She was chatting happily with Carter Patil, the Gryffindor Quidditch Captain. They were halted in the hall, and it was obvious that Patil wasn't keen on leaving her. Though, as Costa always was, she stood independently and not in a simpering flirty way.

"I can't believe you have detention with him." he hissed, and Tom thought vaguely of how much of a gossip he sounded.

She shrugged. "Yeah, I'm not exactly excited about detention either..."

Patil stepped closer to her, invading personal space. To Tom's dismay, she didn't push him away. He curled his fingers into fist, breaking the quill in two.

Voldemort laughed at his own immaturity.

"If he pulls anything..." he whispered softly.

Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I have handled Tom perfectly fine for six years now on my own, Carter."

"Since when do you call him Tom?"

She rebounded quickly. "I think I've outgrown having childish enemies."

Patil snickered. Tom felt the utter feeling of resentment. He wanted to choke that placid snicker out of his much too pretty neck. Everything about Patil screamed a stereotypical magazine's face. Though Tom denied it thoroughly, he couldn't help but feel the ominous feeling of jealously and intimidation.

"Maybe you have, but that's what I like about you." Patil grinned, showing off every straight tooth.

He leaned in to kiss her, but she turned her cheek, literally. She smiled and patted his shoulder reluctantly.

"I'll see you later, Carter."

He shook his head, defeated. Tom watched laughingly, watching the pretty boy walk away. She sighed and seemed to look up to the heavens, dropping her hands. She pushed into the room, and he distinctly heard her mutter, "What's wrong with me?"

"Well, talking to yourself is a sign of insanity."

She jumped, clutching her chest. He smirked at the sight of her in a weak position. It seemed to be happening more, since they had begun speaking to each other with obedience. She stared at him, the way she always did, as if she was examining how he was feeling. He detested the way she did this, paid attention to the details. No one else surveyed him like she did, and as most of us react to unfamiliar things, he avoided it.

That's why she's pretty good at Legilimency.

True, they hadn't truly done that since the first time. But they studied it carefully, and she adapted the basics marvelously. They had been caught in the classroom, unsupervised, after hours by Professor Weasley, a redheaded Herbology teacher. He had found them with their wands out, and immediately figured they were dueling. Their rivalry was famous, especially with the teachers. Dumbledore had, had the fabulous idea to give them detention together, cleaning the Transfiguration classroom. Though it was mainly coincidence that they were caught, Tom still blamed Dianthe entirely.

There you go, Voldemort cheered inwardly. It was all her dirty blood's fault.

She smoothed her hair, like a cat who had frizzed out.

"You scared the hell out of me."

Tom restrained his anger. He couldn't let her think that he envied Patil. He was sure he didn't. It was just puberty that was making these feelings happen. Costa was still untouchable and insane, he was sure...

"So, dating Patil eh?" he said, as mellow as he could.

She suddenly had a distinctly ugly look on her face.

"I don't know. I guess that depends..." she shrugged.

Tom raised his eyebrows.

"Depends on what?"

She was getting exasperated, he could tell. That familiar twitch on her forehead when he aggravated her had begun shaking.

"None of your concern, Tom."

"It's the least you could tell me," Tom argued. "Being, that it's your fault we're in detention!"

"Excuse me?" she asked dangerously.

"You heard me... Costa." he added, knowing that this would anger he even more.

"Urgh! You arrogant prat!" she shrieked. Just like old times he supposed...

Just then, Professor Dumbledore happened to walk in.

"Ah, hello there Miss Costa," his blue eyes twinkled.

Both Tom and Voldemort snorted in disgust.

I guess some things never change.

She flushed a shade of brilliant fuchsia. "Hello Professor..." she muttered, obviously embarrassed.

"Hello Tom," Dumbledore smiled.

Damn his dumb friendliness.

"Hello, sir," Tom said with fake respect.

"Now, I'm in a bit of a hurry, so I'll make this quick." Dumbledore rambled on, Dianthe keeping her eyes locked on him. Tom began to zone out. "The sponges and cleaning supplies are in the cabinet by the door. You are to stay here until 10 o'clock, and then proceed straight to your dormitories. Is that clear enough?"

"Yes sir." they said in unison, however one voice seemed much more accommodating.

"Fantastic," Dumbledore smiled. "I'll be seeing you two later."

With a swish of his robes, he rushed out the door.

Dianthe hurried across the room and began taking out the cleaning supplies. Tom sat lazily, not moving yet, but letting his eyes follow her. She looked exhausted, and quite average today. She worn less make up, and Tom couldn't help but wonder if that was because she really was dating Patil. Not that he cared, mind you. In fact, why was he staring at her in the first place?

"So do you want to do desks, or the board?" she said, interrupting the thoughts that were probably forbidden.

"Board," he replied, standing finally.

She leaned over to hand him the rag, and he noticed her expression was unreadable. He was always able to read people's emotions, a talent that Legilimency seemed to help him with. However, she looked curious, and her eyes were rather large today, accentuated by the dark circles underneath them.

Tom had been used to Muggle cleaning, since he lived in an orphanage. He washed the board rapidly, wanting to finish as quickly as possible, and maybe get in another lesson for her. The anger that he had with her seemed to dissipate fast, since she spoke no more about their little quarrel.

He let his thoughts wander while cleaning. She was usually more talkative with him, but today it seemed as if they were sharing a comfortable silence. She was different today, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Softer maybe. After their little outburst, she'd lessened her spark. Actually, she seemed almost indifferent and friendly. He supposed it was because he was spending more time with her. She actually seemed... human.

Little did he know, she was thinking the same thing.

He finished in record time. Mildly pleased with himself, he turned around.

"I'm done," he said lamely. She looked up. She was on her hands and knees, cleaning underneath an ancient desk.

"Already!" she asked, obviously shocked.

He nodded, noticing that she wasn't even halfway done with the numerous desks. He knew that she would never swallow her pride and dignity and ask him to help her out. He thought how entertaining it might be to just watch her work. For once, it didn't seem too fun. Instead, he bent down and snatched up a sponge.

"I don't really need help!" she snapped.

"Hey, I can get this done faster then you, trust me."

"Why do you say that?"

"I've had a lot of practice." Tom replied, not wanting to get into the conversation about the orphanage yet again.

"Oh yeah, those bastards." she spat evilly. Tom was pleasantly surprised on how negatively she responded to his childhood. He kneeled down next to her, underneath the same desk. After a few moments of the cherished comfortable silence, Tom finally put into words what was annoying him.

"So... why didn't you kiss Patil?"

Her eyes shot up. She snickered slightly and replied. "I see you have been spying on me, Tom."

"You just happened to be in my line of vision, Dianthe."

"Urgh stop calling me that. Call me Di."

"I told you I prefer Dianthe. Your lucky that you have a good name."

He thought bitterly of being named after his dismal Muggle father.

She smiled. "Have you ever kissed someone, Tom?"

As much as he refused to answer this question. As embarrassing as it was... she'd have the permission to torment him about it forever. However, he shook his head in response, lowering his eyes and working even harder on a piece of gum stuck underneath the desk.

Her eyes widened. "Never?"

"Nope." Tom answered haughtily.

She'd been working on the same spot on the desk for their entire conversation. Tom rolled his eyes. He leaned in, coming rather close to her, but he didn't seem to notice. The perfectionist in him wanted to remove that spot that she had been working so lazily on. So, you can imagine how shocked he was when she leaned into him as well, but for a very different reason.

She brushed his lips with her own very gently. Her eyes were shut tightly, as if she'd been anticipating this. Tom wondered wildly when he gave her that signal... He tensed up immediately, not knowing what exactly to do. He didn't want to kiss her. She drove him insane, and made him question things that he had already had a stand on. Out of sheer confusion and shock, he pushed her away from him, as gently as he could muster. Though, it was a firm push.

She fell on her behind from the kneeling position that she had been in. Her face became a purplish color, and she smiled sadly. She laughed softly and foolishly in an attempt to make the situation less awkward. He was still staring at her with a look of mingled surprise and bewilderment, but not disgust or anger. She shook her head and stared down, sputtering some explanation to what just happened.

"Oh God... um... I thought you were... leaning..."

"Yeah... I was just gonna clean that..." Tom said as well, with continued abashment.

Suddenly he felt another emotion that he certainly hated feeling. Regret. He realized that against it all... he wanted to kiss her. Tom was not one to give into the urges of a teenage boy. He wasn't sure if he had enjoyed it. Then again, ever since she started screwing things up for him, he hadn't been really definite on many things.

"Sorry... That was so stupid... I-" she began.

But she was cut off. Tom snatched her by the scruff of her neck and pulled her back into the kiss roughly. Her eyes were wide with surprise at first, but she seemed to close them rather quickly. He latched onto the back of her neck, his nails digging into her flesh. To his utter surprise, she kissed him back, hungrily. She wrapped an arm around his neck, and was clutching his chest heatedly. He noticed that she seemed almost angry that they were kissing. He hated the fact that he wasn't experienced in this department. He felt empowered by her, for once she was letting him take lead, instead of battling him for control. He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her closer against him. She was unnaturally warm, and she tensed slightly at his cool touch. The kiss was greedy for him, but he noticed that he must not have been the only one feeling this way. He enjoyed the unfamiliar feeling of her skin upon his own. Although he was going against his inhibitions, he loosened his grip in her neck and lessened his pressure, kissing her tenderly.

It wasn't until he felt her hands caressing his face softly that he felt his brain screaming at him to stop. It was too personal for them. He was sure of it. Pulling away, he didn't dare look at her.

Voldemort's mouth hung open in horror. His body felt numb. He shivered slightly at the sight of him actually kissing someone so innocent.

How could I forget that?

A/N: This one was pretty long, but I enjoyed writing it. Hope its not too sappy, because that is what I'm trying to stop from happening. Not too much fluff for those two.

Next chapter, we get to learn a little more about the makings of Voldemort. :)

Reviewers I love:

Gaerwen: Thank you! Lol I like having them be kinda calm :) Such a denial relationship they have...

Flavagurl: Thanks! Lol I'm interested in Tom being single too ;) oh so sexy! Alas... it's quite sad that we get attached to people in books hahahaha. Thanks I'm really trying to portray Tom as a bit more realistic and not as evil to the core like some.

MUAH MUAH!

ContemporaryManner: HAHA nice pun there! I tried to put a little more of Voldemort's impute in this chappie! Hope you liked it. Aw thanks for the props on Dianthe! I love her too :)

Read and Review BITCHES!

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LOVE YOU ALL!