A/N: Okay, the sap is nearly over! Back to the fun stuff!

Disclaimer: Yeah... I don't own em

Of Potion Ingredients and Secrets

And so it is
Just like you said it should be
We'll both forget the breeze
Most of the time
And so it is
The colder water
The blower's daughter
The pupil in denial

–Damien Rice

Voldemort felt the pensieve whirl yet again. He was growing rather used to this, and was becoming quite impatient. What did all of this nonsense have to do with him? What did she do? As much as he was confused, he couldn't deny the curiosity that kept him watching his teenage self during his, well somewhat content days. Sure, Tom wasn't exactly ecstatic, but he did notice that the boy seemed to be letting his emotions show a little more then comfortable for him. Voldemort chided himself for being so immature at that time.

He felt himself sitting now, in the dungeons yet again, but this time, it was spring. The flowers had bloomed outside the window, and he guessed it must've been a couple of months from the promise she had made. He berated himself for even believing her, for that moment. At first he was sure he was alone in the room, but his thoughts were interrupted by the voice that haunted his dreams, which he had grown to hate.

"Hm... that's odd..." she muttered, leaning over a cauldron billowing with turquoise smoke.

Voldemort spun around from staring out the window. He noticed her with a puzzled expression on her face. He soon saw Tom shuffling through his precious diary, as if searching for answers.

"What?" Tom asked, obviously aggravated for being interrupted, looked up from the small book.

"It should have thickened by now..." she frowned, her brow furrowed. It was obviously the weekend, since all of the younger students were outside, basking in the sunlight. The elders must have been in Hogsmeade, Voldemort noted, since the adolescents sitting by the lake looked like... well children.

Tom snatched up a bottle and put exactly three drops into the potion. Instantly, it became glutinous, sticking to the spoon with which she had been stirring. He seemed to have an aloofness about him, as he stalked about the room, still flipping through the black book. He murmured under his breath incoherent words, nibbling his lip in concentration.

"You do know that one mistake will ruin the entire potion." he said scathingly, still searching in the book.

"Well, I figured, considering that this is highly advanced." she replied, her intelligence getting away with her. "But, if you think I'm going to start all over if we screw this up, you've got another thing coming."

"Well, it shouldn't happen as long as you don't screw anything up." he said sharply.

"Okay, what the hell are you looking for?" she finally snarled, losing her patience. She had learned to try and withhold some temper, but Tom saw that he had burned her fuse to the breaking point. Not in the mood to argue with her, he surrendered his information.

"I wrote down the next segment in here!" he said exasperated. They had spent the last month working on this blasted potion that would help them both immensely. The point was to be able to morph into any shape they desired. Dianthe assumed that it was just an outlet for intelligence, but Tom very much doubted that he'd change back into Tom Riddle once the transformation was complete. He enjoyed the fact that he would be able to leave this horrid stage in life, and rise up to the occasion. Unfortunately, he couldn't find the next procedure...

Di stirred obediently, but still refused to speak with him on such a short temper. Tom didn't mind much at the moment, she could stay in this sulky silence as long as she wished. He prodded a page with his wand, and magically the words appeared. If Tom had been normal, he might've been giddy. Still, he sighed in relief and read the next words to her.

"Alright... we need..." his heart dropped. "Powdered unicorn horn... shit."

That won't come cheap.

She threw her hands up hopelessly. "Fuck! Ugh..." she uttered curse words that made her extremely unattractive. Tom raised his eyebrows at her, but she didn't stop her from letting her feelings out.

"Great... just great... I am not stealing from Professor Meister again! He already suspects me for the veela hair! Nope... no way!" she said, taking the cauldron off of the fire, letting it cool.

"Okay! We'll just have to find another way to get it!" he grumbled, not exactly surprised that they wouldn't be able to steal another ingredient from the Potion Master's storage. Who, oddly enough, was a bit of a git where Tom was concerned.

They sat in silence, both thinking of a way to get the horn.

"You think we could get it in the forest?" Tom asked thoughtfully... Killing a unicorn wouldn't be too hard.

"There is no way I'm killing an animal that innocent!" she said haughtily.

"Calm down! It was just a suggestion!"

"Oh fine," she said in a reluctant tone. "I'll steal it next time we go to Hogsmeade..."

Tom smirked.

"Good, let's go."

"Now!" her eyes widened.

"'Course."

Tom stood stiffly against the stone wall of Honeydukes, the new candy shop in which tons of students were raiding. They had agreed to meet there, and he did not doubt for a minute that she would fail. She had yet to fail at anything, and Tom had full confidence. Her quick hands and almost scary way of deceiving people was uncomparable. He waited impatiently, checking his watch every thirty seconds.

Suddenly he saw her, grinning mischievously with her hand tucked under her robe. He would have stolen it himself, but the enjoyment she derived from stealing permitted him to let her. She strolled casually up to him, a grin plastered on her small mouth. He sighed in relief, smirking slightly.

"Easy?" he asked.

"As pie." her smile widened.

Voldemort stared at the first person who would have gladly done whatever he had requested. The keyword was requested. He knew, somehow, that this girl would have refused to do anything if he tried to force her. Yet, that was what made her charming to him as a teenager. Now however, it only was an annoyance to him. Trained minds have a hard time seeing the clarity that we have when we are untainted.

Tom squeezed her shoulder, forcefully. To most, this would seem like a hostile move, but Dianthe knew it was simply his way of showing affection. She pocketed the horn, eyes darting suspiciously.

"Alright then. Let's go." he said quickly, beginning to walk back to the castle.

Dianthe cleared her throat. "I don't think so Tom! We should get a butterbeer while we're here."

Tom spun around. What did she think? They were playing? She was obviously very mistaken.

"We are going to go finish what we started." he commanded, Voldemort felt a surge of pride for him.

"Well, I would think you would at least take you girl-erm... friend for a drink!" she said uncertainly at first, but seemed to rebound herself well. "Especially after what I just did!"

Tom rolled his eyes. "So your saying that I owe you, is that it?" he asked, sarcasm dripping from every word.

She shrugged. "Do what you want, but I'm going to go get a drink."

Urgh how he hated the way she'd do that. Act indifferent to something that she wanted him to do. She had given up trying to make him do something, but by pretending she didn't care made Tom wish to prove himself. He scoffed, as he hated losing.

"Fine." he said with spite. "We'll get something, since you obviously really want to."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets. Right now, he could be brewing success. He remembered the way the book had said to brew the Comutatus Potion. It would change the drinker to any form they wished, depending on the last ingredient added. However, the consequences were incredible, since there would be no turning back once he had drank it. He pondered on what exactly he'd want to turn out to be. Then, he contemplated on what Dianthe would want to be. Oddly enough, he was concerned about that. He wasn't sure if he really wanted her to change.

They sat in the crowded bar, receiving many stares from surrounding students. It was a rare occasion that people saw Tom Riddle and Dianthe Costa enjoying a drink together. Although rumors milled that they were together, many denied such ideas. Yet, they saw the two, not exactly flirting or acting like a couple, but whispering as if they had a forbidden secret.

"People are staring... aren't you worried about being seen with me?" Tom asked facetiously, taking a sip of the warm liquid.

She turned around and glared at the closest spectator. They quickly broke the eye contact and pretended to resume speaking with their party.

"I've been seen with worst, Tom." she sneered.

A piece of hair was sticking up at the crown of her head. It was annoying Tom, feeling the type A personality he exhibited. Not thinking clearly, he combed it flat with his fingers. A gasp was heard throughout the room.

"Oh come on!" Tom said, agitated. "Will you idiots grow up!"

However, something drew all of the attention away from the unlikely couple. The door of the room burst open, letting the sounds of shrieks and cries from outside leak into the bar, filling Tom's ears. A man, or at least what he thought was a man, was looming in the doorway, not at all perturbed by the pain that his accomplices were creating outside.

His face was horribly distorted, as if he had been severely burned in a fire. His eyes, black and somewhat like dark, empty tunnels. He was short and stocky, and held a black, shiny wand in his right hand. His hair was fair, but it was easy to see that this man was probably balding. He sneered angrily, making almost everyone cringe as his monsterous features curled and twisted maniacally. Tom shot a glance at Dianthe, but she had her mouth hanging open, in a silent scream. Tears were pooling on her lids, and she looked more frightened and inferior then he had ever seen her.

Voldemort was beside himself, as if someone was watching the climax of a movie. He knew that man at the door. He knew what exactly he was.

When the being spoke at the door, his voice was harsh, as if he was a heavy smoker, or hadn't used his voice in years and years.

"Reality check for my dear Dianthe Lamya Costa."

A/N: SCREW THE SAP! We got the action back baby! AHAHAHA sorry I'm really hyper and psyched about writing the next couple of chapters.

Also another question... I'm in a bit of a pickle! I dunno if I should change the rating to R and include a scene with "profanity" As much as I could just go on with the story without it... the pervy side of me kinda wants to write about Tom sexually... Let me know, okay?

Reviewers I love:

Gaerwen: Haha yes I know it was quite sappy, but I'm over it now. Lol on to the good stuff, eh? Thanks for the review as always. Love ya!

Flavagurl: I missed you! I know I wanna kiss Tom as well... ;) quite hot. Let me know what I should include in the next chapter (see above). Thanks for the review! I hope you do it again!

MUAH MUAH!

Review please! I wanna get at least 30 before submitting chappie 11!

LOVE YOU ALL!