Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter- as you may have noticed. As my name happens not to be J.K.Rowling

A/N. Thanks for all the reviews! I'm lagging behind in Updates as usual due to no pre-written chapters... Ugh, school sucks too with Homework and tests and everything else to prevent me from switching on the computer. My parents have started restricting internert usage too...UGH! Life isn't really great and as the house is mine for the next three hours, I've finally decided to Update. Anyway, enough moaning! On to the chapter...

(Thanks to enchantedlight, notavailable and Soft-Ball Rocks!)

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CHAPTER NINE

Andrea Mortenson was like a delicate little flower to look at. Her long, thick sheet of dark blood red hair standing out against her pale skin drew attention to her light ice-like grey eyes that gleamed prettily. Her pixie-ish features and pointed nose added to her fairy-like elegance. She was like a Princess cut out from an ancient book. Although he loved the way she gave him the look she shared with none other and permitted noone else but him to kiss her passionately... Every happy fairy tale had its tough edges where decisions had to be taken. Decisions that could change his life.

She was waiting for him in the same corridor where they had bumped into each other last year. He was then an innocent Thirteen Year old. No, he had never been innocent... She greeted him with a short, yet lingering kiss and almost melted his heart with her brief smile. It was common knowledge that Andrea seldom smiled. She was more of an Ice Princess.

"So...you said you needed time and I've given you enough," she said breaking away from his embrace. Her tone was impatient and to the point. It was a miracle that she wasn't scared of anyone, even him. He straightened himself playing for time.

"Well...you wanted a relationship? But Andrea, I don't have relationships. Love is tainted, it does nothing but ruins lives. It did that to my mother..." he said finally abandoning his game. She saw right through his faked hesitation.

"So...why not continue to live as we are?" he asked meeting her gaze.

Andrea allowed his cobalt blue eyes to stare at hers and she didn't break eye-contact. Her cat-like grey eyes studied him for a second. "So you want to live a life of denial?" she asked softly.

"No Andrea...I can't." the dark haired boy argued as he cupped her chin. "I can't."

She noted the finalty in his tone. The edgy and dangerous edge to his voice, all shouting plain denial.

"Very Well..." she said curtly. With a brisk and oddly formal nod, she turned away and walked back towards her tower.

As he watched her walk daintily, not tripping an inch and perfectly posed, he let out a sigh of regret. She was the only one who had made him feel guilty like this, he couldn't allow such emotions to shatter his life. His mother had been a fool enough. He had to make sure he would never see her again, only that would make him forget. Forget the way love could turn his heart from hard ice to warm butter.

The next day, Andrea Mortenson had vanished from the castle.

xxx

Ginny Weasley listened to her friend, Samantha Yale chatter endlessly, at supper the next day, her mind oddly aloof. Tom Riddle's expression that day at the graveyard had made her sure... He was capable of killing her in an instant, she had to be careful. Tom had been quite clever till now, twisting away the story telling her what she already knew. He did not intend to tell her more, only one bit slipped out unexpectedly from his mouth. The Horcrux and Salazar Slytherin's Diary was hidden away in the dark Chamber. She shuddered as a picture of The Chamber Of Secrets swam in her mind, the place contained memories so dark that she could never forget that incident.

"So, well... I was wondering if you could introduce me to Mathew Livid?" Samantha asked flicking a strand of her chestnut brown hair. Her eyes were shining with expectation making Ginny feel quite guilty of tuning her chatter out, so long.

"Er...why?" Ginny asked as Terry Glish, a Slytherin in her year passed by giving them dark looks.

"God, Gin...why else? He is soooo cute!" Samantha exclaimed shaking Ginny back to reality.

Ginny hadn't really talked to Mathew inspite of them living in the same Quarters. Livid didn't seem to mind either as he entered the Quarters merely to sleep. Neither of them had paid much attention to their duties and thankfully that hadn't mattered as it was their first day of classes.

"Um, sure. Yeah, he is. Isn't he? Why don't you come with me after we're done.." Ginny offered as the meals dissapeared and the table was now filled with desert.

"Oh God, Gin! You are such a friend!" Samantha cooed hugging her lightly before hurrying up with the dinner. "I mean, Mathew is like..."

Ginny tuned her out again. She had promised Harry to send daily reports on the Horcrux details, She guessed that would have to wait till morning. She, for today, while Samantha would be flirting with Livid had to rack her brain up in order to find a way. Think out of the box in order to vanquish Riddle. She wondered what Dumbledore would advice if he were alive...

"Probably try to get him to be a Goody boy," she thought but shook the idea away. Tom's brain was too evil and cold to alter it, this just wasn't happening today. She was better off getting hold of the Horcrux till then.

A few tables away, a boy concentrated on a redhead and a brunette in conversation. Morelike, the brunette yakking away while the red sleeping to glory. He heard the brunette let out a jump and shriek, "YOU ARE SUCH A FRIEND,"

"Oh yes, you are. Aren't you?" he thought with a chuckle.

xxx

Fleur Delacour glanced at the carved snake spitting out a piece of parchment. Her eyes widened with surprise as she picked it up with a delicate finger and read it to herself softly. "Watch him like a hawk,"

Smiling slightly to herself, she produced a piece of scented parchment. A letter to alert a spy stationed would do the job. After sending it she inserted a parchment into the snake's tongue. It read: DONE.

xxx

Angelique, the Beauxbatons transfer tossed away her perfect sheet of blonde hair as she stared back at Mathew Livid. He kissed her gently at her cheek and sat down opposite her without invitation. What could she say? It was his common room as well as hers. They were both Ravenclaws after all.

"I don't know...Mathew, I just... I-I-I can't go on. I came here to escape from...but he's found me again," she complained softly as he smiled.

"Cheer up, Angel!" he said patting her awkwardly.

"Don't call me that!" she protested. "Its Lique or Angelique,"

Edging away from his grasp, she settled more comfortably in her armchair.

"You don't have to do this," he offered as she sighed irritatably.

"Yeah. I won't do this. Then, I'll die. Its not like I'm going to go scot free," she burst out sounding more loud than she had wanted to. Alarmed, he nodded.

"Yeah, yeah. But death is not a bad price to pay compared to what your going through. Well, I'm leaving," he said waving as she nodded managing to look annoyed.

Her irritated look vanished after he dissapeared. "Death is not a bad price to pay," she muttered softly to herself before retiring back to bed.

xxx

A/N. Alright, that completely sucked. You are free to flame! Anyway, there will be lot more of Ginny and Tom next chapter. I'm just too tired to add on the Tom/Ginny bit now. Believe it or not, it took one whole hour to write THIS. Well, This chap. might seem confusing and it'll clear up as the chapters go on. Review guys! More Reviews Faster Updates and More Length.

-Emotionlessxxx