Chapter 18 - Regretful Embraces

Serena awoke to the sound of Heather calling her name. She blinked, trying to remember what she was doing.

"Sweetie, are you ok?" Heather asked, sitting on the bed as Serena sat up and rubbed her face as her memories returned.

"Yeah, I'm fine" She said, her voice still quiet from waking up. "Where's Eve?"

"Oh," Heather said, shaking her head, "she had to see Professor Sinclair about some defense against the dark arts thing." Serena bit her lip. Shit. She had that exam tomorrow. Damn.

"But are you ok? Because you seemed kind of upset when you left the exam," Heather said.

"I'm fine. It's just that Professor Leena had this weird dream about me being unhappy, alone and loveless when I was older," She said. She decided not to mention the whole 'losing everything she cared about thing' as that was likely to include Heather. She didn't want to give her false worry.

"She did?" Heather asked. "Merlin! Sweetheart, it was just a dream!" Heather said, immediately trying to comfort her.

"No, its ok," She reassured her friend. "I freaked out about it, and then I saw Tom and he basically comforted me and then I fell asleep."

"Oh, he 'comforted' you did he," Heather said, giggling to herself at the things that implied. Serena rolled her eyes before her stomach growled loudly, reminding her of how hungry she was.

"Did I miss lunch?" Serena asked.

"Actually I just came up to get you for it," Heather.

"Great, I am starving!" Serena said, jumping up. Heather laughed and they linked arms and left the room, Serena very intent on filling her stomach.

0-0-0-0-0

At lunch, she wasn't surprised that Tom wasn't there. She figured he was, as normal, probably in the library, and so wasn't worried by his absence. Although, in the far back of her mind, she wondered if Professor Leena was still ok. She shook her head. She didn't think so. She hoped not. No. She threw the thought from her mind and brought herself back into the conversation. Eve joined them towards the end of lunch, but soon enough to grab a quick bite to eat. They all finished lunch and then made their way back up to their dorm to prepare for the DADA exam the next morning.

They studied all night before and after dinner and didn't end up going to bed until very late. Though they probably were prepared enough, they couldn't seem to shake their anxiety.

They stumbled down to the Great Hall for breakfast the next morning, quizzing each other on random things from their notes. Serena saw Tom at the Slytherin table and smiled. He nodded in return, smirking in a satisfied sort of way. But, what did he have to be satisfied about? She wondered. With a sinking feeling of dread, she let her eyes flutter to the Professors' table.

Professor Leena was not there.

Her heart skipped a beat. Oh Merlin! He wouldn't have done anything to her, would he? Then where was she? Merlin, it would've been her fault if anything happened to her. She shouldn't have told him! Deciding she couldn't take it anymore, she walked over to the Slytherin table, determined to get an answer.

She slipped in next to Hornby, so she could talk to Tom. Several students glanced, no, actually, sent glares her way as she intruded on their 'turf'. Tom even sent her an inquisitive glance, one eyebrow slightly raised.

"Serena?" He asked, turning towards her.

"Hi Tom," She said, making sure her voice was seductive although she was still freaking out. "I wanted to ask you something, really quickly." The request was innocent enough, but the way she said it, whispering in his ear and scooting closer to him made it look otherwise to the entire table. Tom smiled, somewhat smugly, and left the bench with her. They walked outside the great hall and down a hall so they could have plenty of privacy.

"What's up?" He asked. She hesitated. Would he be mad at her for asking? She didn't care, she had to know.

"Tom, Professor Leena, I mean," She stammered, "You didn't do anything to her, did you?" His eyes flashed.

"Excuse me?" He asked.

"It's just, I didn't see her at breakfast today or at dinner either come to think of it, and after yesterday, I mean…" She rambled off, feeling very self conscious.

"Are you accusing me?" He asked, although she could hear his amusement in his voice. Bastard.

"Yes, I am," She said, as he leaned in against the wall.

"You shouldn't accuse dangerous men," He said, coming close to her, "they might get offended." She squirmed under his gaze as his eyes traveled over her body.

"I don't think you're offended," She said. He smirked.

"I'm not," He said, "quite the opposite really. It's nice to think you're starting to realize what I am capable of." She rolled her eyes and, before she could do anything else, found his lips upon hers. Quick. Passionate. His tongues plundered her mouth, stifling a gasp. His hands found their way to her body and she soon lost herself in feelings.

But then he pulled away for a breath and she had to fight both him and herself from keeping him from coming back. She put her small hand against his hard chest and held him back.

"No Tom, tell me," She said, a little breathlessly. He smirked.

"Don't worry too much, she'll be ok. I decided not to kill her but she will be feeling quite….uncomfortable for a little while," He said. Her heart was slowing. So she wasn't dead. That was good! But then what did he do to her?

"What do mean uncomfortable?" She asked.

"I mean she'll be dreadfully sick for a while," He said airily "but she will eventually get better." Serena shivered, but she was content. He hadn't really hurt her. Her relief was obvious and Tom laughed.

"Were you so nervous?" He asked, bringing his face close again. Knowing he hadn't really hurt the Professor, she allowed him to come closer still as she nodded. He smiled at that before brining his lips back upon hers.

0-0-0-0

The Defense Against the Dark Art's exam went pretty well that day, and Serena saw Professor Leena at dinner two days the next day. She had completed all of her exams except Potions which was later in the day. The transfiguration exam was the next day and she smiled when she remembered that she didn't have to take it.

The girls scurried to the dungeons, each trying to cram the last bit of information in. They got their just as Slughorn was preparing to commence the exam. There was a written part as well as the creation of a potion, but Serena finished with ease in plenty of time.

"You didn't think that was hard?" Eve asked Serena later.

"No, it was ok actually. It could have been so much worse!" She said.

"Yeah, I mean, we'd already made that potion once," Heather said, purposely trying to piss Eve off. Eve shot her a dirty look.

"I thought it was hard," She muttered, walking faster. Serena smiled sadly as she caught up with her.

"Well, I'm sure you did fine," Serena said. Eve shook her head.

"Oh darling don't worry about it! Look, lunch is next so go eat your cares away," Heather said. Eve smiled softly.

"I can't. I'll get fat," Eve said. Serena smiled knowing that meant Eve was ok. The girls laughed, linked arms and continued to the Great Hall for lunch.

After lunch, they all walked back to the common room where Heather and Eve started studying for their Transfiguration exam. Serena meanwhile read a book so that she could keep them company without distracting them. However, they were still studying when Serena grew tired of reading. Not wanting to bother them or take away from their studying, Serena decided to leave.

She left the common room and headed outside. She was on her way when she ran into Tom, who, as usual, was headed to the library.

"Where are you going?" He asked her.

"For a walk," She said. "Would you like to join me?"

"Well, I was going to go research something…"He started.

"Oh Tom, really! Come on! Walk with me," She said. Tom sighed and hesitated.

"I don't know, I really wanted to get this done," He said. Serena pouted.

"Come on Tom, I know you want to. Besides, what if something happens to me out there? Hogwarts is dangerously close to the forbidden forest. Who knows what bad things are out there? I mean, I'm such a bad girl, I wouldn't want to get into any trouble," She purred. He rolled his eyes.

"Ok, I'll go with you, but let me put my books back first," He said.

"Sure" She agreed and walked with him down into the dungeons. They reached the entrance and she decided to wait outside while he dumped them in his room. Then they walked back up and left the castle.

The cold air stung her cheeks and she pulled her robe tighter against her. She was just happy it wasn't windy.

"So why are we walking outside?" Tom asked her, as she sidled closer to him for warmth.

"To get exercise," She responded. Tom furrowed his eyebrows and looked at her disdainfully.

"Do you want me to get fat?" She asked. Tom rolled his eyes at her.

"No, you don't," She said for him.

"You could burn calories in other ways," Tom said, his eyes running suggestively down her body. Serena smiled.

"We can do that tomorrow," She said.

"But not right now as well?" He asked.

"No," She said. It was his turn to pout.

"Why not?" He asked. "I mean there's a hill over there that people can't see behind."

"I'm not doing it outside!" She yelled.

"Why not?"

"It's too cold," She said.

"You wouldn't be cold for long," He said, running his hand across her back and down her arm. She rolled her eyes.

"I'm not doing outside." Tom sighed in defeat.

"Come, let's sit down over there," She said pointing to a secluded place next to the forest. She grabbed his hand and led him over. They sat down and she rested her head against his chest as she played with her scarf.

"How do you think you did on your exams?" She asked.

"Fine," He said. She didn't know why she was asking, he always did well on everything.

"You?" He asked.

"I think I did ok," She said.

"So I want to run something by you," Tom said. Serena turned her head to look at him. He never consulted her for anything.

"What?" She asked.

"I've been…thinking of changing my name," He started.

"Why?" She asked. His eyes darkened.

"There's no way in hell I'm keeping my father's name," He spat. Serena moved off of him, sensing his anger.

"Why don't you like your father?" She asked, knowing very well she was treading on dangerous territory. Immediately she regretted asking him. She could sense his tension as soon as she mentioned it.

"Why don't I like my father?" He asked mockingly. "You should be asking why didn't I like my father."

Serena just looked at him, waiting for him to continue.

"Maybe because he was a deadbeat muggle who left my mother to kill herself once he realized she was a witch. He got exactly what he deserved, filthy muggle bastard."

Serena's heart was beating quickly. She knew she shouldn't push him further, but now she was interested to know what happened to him. What happened to the man Tom Riddle could have called father?

"What happened?" She asked softly, her brown eyes full of sympathy. She held her breath. Tom turned towards her and his fiery eyes locked with hers. Eerily calm, yet still sarcastically, he answered.

"Oh don't worry Princess, "He said, "I killed him." Serena shivered, but she didn't gasp. Somehow she wasn't surprised. That must have been who he was talking about back there in the chamber so long ago. He had said Myrtle wasn't his first. That must mean his father was.

"Why?" She whispered. Tom scoffed.

"There were many reasons," He said. "But for the main one…I guess it was because I really didn't like him that much." She could tell from the sarcasm in his voice that was a deeply exaggerated statement. Tom must have hated him. But of course, who wouldn't after causing one so much pain. She rested her hand on his knee.

"Tom, I'm sorry, I understand what you must hav – " She started to say.

"You understand?" He shouted, almost jumping up. "You don't understand anything! You don't even know me!"

"I would if you'd let me," She said gently.

"No thanks, I don't want your pity," He said.

"That's not what I was offering," She retorted.

"No?" He asked sarcastically. "What were you? Because you sure as hell weren't fucking me right now!"

"Tom!" Serena cried, standing up. "Stop it! You know this isn't about that. I'm not trying to pity you. I don't. I just want to get to know you better. Even though I probably know you better than anyone else, I still don't really know you. I don't know, say, what your favorite color is, or what type of food you like best, or what's your favorite book? Stupid things like that I want to know. Tom, if you give me the chance, I would care." She said. He didn't respond but looked away from her imploring eyes. When he offered no further remark, she turned around and stormed off back to the castle. She was too upset that she didn't come down for dinner, but stayed up there all evening.

The next morning, they all went down to breakfast early. The girls drank coffee or tea while Heather and Eve quizzed each other. Serena drank hers while reading the Daily Prophet. Sooner than they would have liked, breakfast was over and Heather and Eve left to go take their exam. Serena had been looking forward to her whole morning alone with Tom, but after the previous night…she wasn't looking forward to it at all.

She left the Great Hall with her girlfriends and made her way up to her own common room. Sighing a little, she saw a familiar figure leaning at the edge of the portrait hole. She braced herself and hoped that this encounter wasn't going to be quite like the last one.

"Tom," She said in form of a greeting, not really sure what he wanted. Thankfully he interrupted her.

"Serena," He started. She noticed then that he was holding onto a single red rose, and he was looking into it as if nervous. Wait, Tom, nervous?

He handed the flower out to her, and of course, she took it. His now cool eyes caught hers and it seemed, pleaded with her.

"I'm sorry." He said. Wait a minute. Did Tom Riddle just apologize to her! She wanted to blink her eyes to make sure she wasn't dreaming.

"Last night, I just…I wasn't planning on talking about that and my emotions kind of got the better of me. It's never happened before. It doesn't happen. I normally have amazing control over my emotions, but just then…I couldn't." He said. She smiled softly at him. She wasn't quite sure, but she sensed that this was a genuine apology. A definite first for Tom Riddle, she was sure. She leaned over to him and lightly kissed him on the cheek.

"its fine Tom," She said. "I probably shouldn't have raised the subject…"

"No, please, don't worry about it," He said. "Don't feel embarrassed to talk to me about something." She smiled flirtatiously.

"Well, in that case, I made this plan to have crazy sex this morning with my boyfriend, but I don't really know if he's quite up to it yet," She slurred. He smirked, encircling her waist with his arms.

"Don't be too sure," He said, kissing her gently, yet sensuously. She giggled and pulled away from him.

"Would you like to come inside?" She asked, playing with his tie. He smiled.

"I'm free this whole morning." He said. She was about to say the password and lead him through the portrait hole when he stopped her.

"Wait, Serena, before we go, I wanted to finish what I started last night," He said. She wasn't sure what he was talking about. The fight? Before the fight?

"About how I was going to change my name,…"He said. And then she remembered.

"Oh yes! What were you going to change your name to?" She asked.

"Voldemort," He said, "Lord Voldemort." Serena frowned.

"Where did you come up with that?" She asked.

"If you rearrange some of the letters of my name," Tom said.

"Lord Voldemort," She repeated. "I guess I like it. It's kinky." Tom scowled for a moment, and then sighed, guessing that was the best he was going to get from her. She smiled flirtatiously.

"Are you ready now, my Lord?" She asked. Tom smirked.

"Lead on."

She finished saying the password and they climbed the stairs to her bedroom. After making sure the door was securely shut, Tom came up over to join her on her bed.

She stood on her knees while Tom came over and once he did, she began playing with his tie, slowly untying it. The she moved on, slowly removing more of his clothes, touching him, yet only enough to tease him. Eventually she finished taking off most of his clothes and moved on to herself, but he ended up helping her with that part of it.

Giggling, he laid her on the bed and began exploring familiar places with his tongue, places that though he already knew, could not seem to get enough of. His mouth moved off her lips and down her neck, slowly making his way to her chest. Their breathing grew more ragged as their play waxed on. They both took turns teasing each other, sending shivers of delight through their bodies. Finally, not being able to take the build up of passion any longer, he placed her on her back and entered her.

His head dropped as he moved in her in a steady rhythm they could both follow and enjoy. And then he felt her body shake under him, he could feel her body being thrown with the waves of ecstasy he had created. And then it was his turn.

"Serena," He called, his voice deep and husky. "Serena, say my name."

"Tom," She moaned. He dropped his face to her ear, hardly able to control himself.

"No, Serena. The one I told you. Say it. Say it," He whispered, almost begging. Her eyes flittered open for just a moment.

"Voldemort," She murmured. The syllables sounded strange on her tongue, but she could feel the excitement it built in him.

"Again," He said.

"Voldemort!" She cried.

And then they rolled around some more before it was finished and he collapsed next to her, both tired and spent.

His arm fell around her waist and she rolled over to snuggle against his chest. He played absentmindedly with a few strands of her hair while their breathing came back to normal.

"Serena," He said softly.

"Hmm?" She asked, without really asking because she was just too tired to form a sentence.

"Even though you probably know this, I like the color black. Black and green," He said. She turned her head to look at him and smiled so sweetly it could have melted the coldest hearts. Without needing to say anything, she reached up and kissed him softly on the lips.

Lunch was served later in the day than normal due to the extended time the transfiguration exam took up. However, once it was finally over, and Heather and Eve had convinced Serena that they had failed, they had to celebrate. It was the end of exams!