Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.
Mere Memory 6
Tom's First Day
Tom ended up with sunburn to remind him of his fun day at the beach. Serena helped rub green, sticky Aloe Vera on his red peeling shoulders every hour or so. Serena felt really bad to see it but Tom didn't' seem to mind the attention he was getting. The sunburn was worth it.
"You must be really sensitive to the sun," Serena said a week later when she examined his sunburn. "I've never seen sunburn this bad—and you even had sun block on!"
"It must've washed off when I fell in the water," Tom stated.
Serena moaned sadly. "Poor guy, you haven't had that great of a summer, have you? You were in a fire. You almost drown and now you've got sunburn."
Tom chuckled slightly. "Well, it's been a summer to remember."
"You want to go to the museum later today, if your sunburn's better?" Serena inquired.
"That sounds good," said Tom with a nod.
Tom's sunburn was still a little sensitive but he wanted to spend more time with Serena outside the house. There were so many things he missed out on when he was trapped in the book. Later that afternoon, Tom went with Serena and Sammy to the museum. To keep himself safe from the sun, Tom was wearing loads of sunscreen, a loose long-sleeved shirt, jeans and a baseball cap. Sammy seemed excited to tag along with his older sister to the museum and Serena was rather surprised by that. She never liked having Sammy tag along with her anywhere. While Tom has been staying, Sammy took a great interest in Tom. Sammy thought of Tom as an older brother. Tom thought this was strange, even disgusting but he pretended to like Sammy all the same, for Serena's sake. The boys took a moment to look at the dinosaurs while Serena went to the ladies' room. Sammy saw the way Tom was watching Serena walk off.
"You really like Serena, don't you?" Sammy inquired.
"What?" Tom tore his eyes off Serena and looked at the preteen boy. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's okay, Tom," Sammy said, "I think Serena likes you too."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Sammy nodded, "Serena's really nice to people but I've never seen her hang out with anyone more than you."
"Must be my accent," Tom said, smiling as he propped his hands on the bars and looked at the Tyrannosaurus Rex.
"Probably," said Sammy, "and Darien didn't have one of those. You know what I think, Tom?"
"What?"
"I think you should steal Serena from Darien," Sammy said slyly.
"Steal her from Darien?" Tom inquired, looking surprised, though he thought of that ever since he learned who Darien was. "No, I couldn't."
"He's in America," said Sammy, "and to tell you the truth, I didn't really like him."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, I guess because he was older than Serena," Sammy said, "she was in Middle school when they started dating and he was already in college with a job. I mean, he was a nice guy. He helped my dad out once…but I think their relationship is all weird. Now he's over in America studying. Serena doesn't talk to us about him much. I think that there's something more to it than what Serena's telling us."
"Hmm," said Tom, "you really think this Darien isn't right for your sister."
"Yeah," Sammy said, "I think Serena's seeing him only because she has to. Not because she wants to."
"Why do you say that?"
"I'm not sure," said Sammy, "it's just a feeling I have."
"Hi guys," Serena said as she approached them, "what were you two talking about?"
"Nothing," Sammy said, "just guy talk."
"Oh, guy talk, huh?" Serena teased. "Come on, let's go get some ice cream."
As Serena grabbed Tom's hand and pulled him along, Sammy grinned at Tom and nodded at his sister. Tom grinned back. Maybe Sammy was right. Maybe Serena really was just seeing Darien because she had too. Serena had told him everything about her past life and her destiny. With Darien all the way in America, perhaps Tom ought to take Sammy's advice. Maybe he should steal Serena away from Darien. Tom tightened his hand around Serena's. He never held hands with a girl before. Back then he never wanted to. All he cared about was the Dark Arts, finding the Chamber of Secrets and opening it. Now he had already done that. He set the Serpent of Slytherin on Mudbloods He killed one once. And he even put his memory in his diary and had poor little Ginny Weasley act as the heir of Slytherin for him. That was years ago. The basilisk may be dead but Tom was still alive, more alive than he had ever been. Now that he was alive, what he wanted was Serena. He could have her. He could have her come with him to England and be part of his great plan. He could use her help to destroy the Muggle world.
As they stepped over to the counter to buy ice cream, Tom made up his mind. He was going to steal Serena from Darien, if it was the last thing he'd do. Smirking and fantasizing, Tom blocked out all noise and picture. He couldn't hear Sammy and Serena calling at him.
"Tom. Tom. Tom!"
"Hey, what flavor you want?"
"Tom! Hey!"
Serena jerked on his hand. "Tom, are you all right?"
"Huh?"
Tom came back to reality and looked at Serena. "Oh, I'm sorry…I was thinking about something."
Serena pointed at the list of ice cream flavors. "Well, now that you're done with that, think about what you want!"
Tom looked at the list and his eyes widened. He grew up with vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavored ice cream. There were more than just those flavors on the list. There had to be about fifty flavors up on that board. Tom couldn't decide. He didn't even see some of these flavors at Florclean's Ice Cream Shop! Or has he…? He couldn't remember! As he kept staring at the list, Sammy went ahead and ordered a double scooped ice cream cone: chocolate and raspberry ripple.
"What do you want, Tom?" Serena inquired.
"Oh, you go…I'm still thinking," Tom said, rubbing his head. He tried to remember his favorite Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans flavor. But it had been so long since he had a Every Flavor Bean. Did he even pick up a box of Every Flavor Beans in his last Hogsmeade Visit? Tom somehow wished he hadn't put himself in the diary. There were so many things he couldn't do when he was in there. He forgot about the world. He couldn't even do something as simple as eat a jelly bean.
There were different flavored sorbets. Sorbets. What were sorbets? Serena approached the counter with her mind made up.
"One scoop chocolate chip and one strawberry, please."
The ice cream man grabbed a large ice cream cone and put the scoops of Serena's ice cream of choice on top. He handed it to her and Tom stared at it. That did look good, but where those the flavors he wanted?
"What can I get you, son?" the ice cream man inquired.
"Oh, yes, er, um, ah," Tom murmured, looking thoughtfully at the list. "Hmm…let's see…so many flavors."
He hadn't had sweets in so long. What if his taste had changed in all these years? Tom looked the list over about ten times until he finally came to a conclusion.
"I'll have, chocolate and…cherry…" he said somewhat uncertainly.
"Coming up."
When the ice cream man handed Tom his ice cream cone, he took it very gingerly so that it wouldn't fall. He walked away with Serena and Sammy and licked the chocolate. It was really nice. Better than anything he had had before. He continued to lick the ice cream and took a bite.
"How's your ice cream, Tom?" Serena asked.
"Superb," Tom said with a bit of ice cream in his mouth.
"Wow, the way you took time picking a flavor," said Sammy, "It's like you've never had ice cream before."
"I haven't," Tom said immediately.
"You haven't?" Sammy asked in surprise.
"Not…not lately," Tom rephrased and he took another bite of ice cream. It was great. He finished the chocolate and proceeded down to his cherry scoop. He remembered now. Cordial cherries were his favorite jelly beans. With his choices of ice creams he created a cordial cherry himself. Tom made a mental note to try all the ice cream flavors. It was a crazy idea. He wanted to rule the world. Yet now, that didn't seem like such a priority anymore. Oh, he'll get there. Why, he already was. His other half, Voldemort was back again and everyone feared for their lives. Tom could hang out here for a while, win Serena over, eat ice cream, and go to a Muggle school again. Oh, muggle school. He hated it. It wasn't that he was a bad student. Tom was brilliant. He just didn't like the other kids. What was he going to do? How would the other students react to him?
When they arrived home, Serena had a letter from Darien. Serena got all happy and went up to her room to read in it private. Sammy and Tom remained in the living room to watch TV.
"See?" said Sammy. "Why is she hanging on to that guy when he's all the way in America? You're right here. I don't get it."
"I don't either, Sammy," Tom said, "I don't either."
Tom came up with a plan. He was going to get the mail before Serena. He would hide all of her letters so she wouldn't' read them. Perhaps that would make Serena forget all about Darien. Tom grinned.
"Cheers, Sammy," he said.
"Cheers for what?"
"For giving me the best idea I've heard in a long time," he replied. "Your sister is too good for this Darien. I'm going to steal her right from Darien's nose."
Tom did his best in doing exactly that. He spent more and more time with Serena. He hid Darien's letters from Serena. He even read a couple of them. He thought they were incredibly stupid. It didn't seem like Darien really cared for Serena. Serena could do so much better. Tom remembered the not so-friendly conversation they had on the phone earlier that summer. Tom was going to show what this 'English muffin' could do. No one insults Tom Riddle and gets away with it. Tom almost wished Darien was here. He would like to give him a real talking too. Oh, if he had his wand. Tom could have a lot of fun making Darien hurt. Tom would never forget a girl like Serena. No Memory Charm would be strong enough to make him forget her. NO way. Darien was weak. Tom was powerful. Much more powerful. Why was Serena wasting her time with that fool? Tom was right there with her. It couldn't be a coincidence that they crossed paths. Perhaps it wasn't him that needed the saving, it was her. Tom had to save her from this "fate" Serena was in. Tom could offer her so much more.
Summer was over in a flash. Tom would be going to the muggle high school. He wasn't too excited about it but at least he could walk with Serena to school in back. Tom was looking forward to that. Sammy had told Tom that Serena didn't get great grades in school. Tom would certainly be able and willing to help her with those. Yes, he'd help her study Mathematics, and Geography and perhaps sometime soon, they could study each other.
After his morning shower, Tom went to get dressed in his school uniform. He put the trousers on first and as he reached for his top, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," he said.
The door opened and Serena steeped in. "Tom are you ready…oh!" she gasped and stepped back once she saw his bare chest. "I'm sorry!"
"It's all right, Serena," said Tom with a small grin, "I said 'come in' didn't I?"
Serena blushed a little and looked at the floor. "Yes, you did." She brought her eyes back up to Tom and saw a scar on his chest. "Oh, Tom…what's that?"
"What's what?" he inquired.
Serena walked up to him and touched his chest. There was a large scar in the middle of his chest in the shape of a circle. Tom looked at her hand.
"What happened to you, Tom?" Serena asked. "How'd you get this scar?"
"This?" Tom looked at the circle-shaped scar. A perfect circle. Where did he get that? He never really noticed it before. He wasn't in an accident at the orphanage that gave him a scar, was there?
Then an image came to him. Harry Potter with the basilisk fang. The diary. Harry had plunged the fang into the diary. Tom remembered. He remembered the stabbing pain in his chest, how the poison seared into his blood. Tom had ended up with a scar, just like Harry Potter. And just like Harry Potter, Tom survived. Harry Potter did not finish him off.
Tom looked away from the scar and looked into Serena's eyes. He tried to think of a lie, a really good lie that would cause Serena to feel even sorrier for him.
"I…I was almost killed," said Tom.
"Oh no," Serena moaned, covering her hands over her mouth.
Tom nodded and sat down on is bed, fingering his scar. "Yes, someone stabbed me."
"Was it the same people who imprisoned you?" Serena inquired.
"Yes," Tom sighed sadly. "They used a poisoned dagger. It wasn't enough to kill me. I think they were just trying to torture me. Then they imprisoned me in the book."
"Oh, Tom," Serena whispered and she came to sit next to him. She slid her arms around his chest and laid her head on his shoulder. Tom grinned. It had worked. It was working like a charm. He leaned his face closer to her head.
"It was so scary," said Tom, "I wanted to fight them, but I couldn't. I thought they were going to kill me."
"You're safe now, Tom," Serena promised him.
"Yes, for now," Tom groaned, "but how long until they find me? If they ever found me, they would put be back in the book, maybe even kill me. If they found you, then they would kill you too. Maybe…maybe I should go."
"No, Tom!" Serena scolded. "Those…those monsters are not going to take you anywhere! I will protect you with my life. That is my destiny, to protect the innocent. I will not let them take you away from me."
Tom smiled. He really liked what Serena had said. I will not let them take you away from me. Not only wouldn't she just let them take him away, but away from her. Serena wanted Tom nearby.
"Never?" Tom inquired.
"Never ever," Serena promised, tightening her arms around him. Tom brought his hand up on her arm.
"You'll let me stay here with you, forever?" Tom asked.
"Yes, Tom" Serena said, "Forever, if that will keep you safe from them. I would never forgive myself if something happened to you."
"These people are dangerous, Serena," Tom warned.
"I'm not afraid," Serena said firmly. "I've been in many battles before. I'm not about to let them take you without a fight."
The way Serena talked made Tom only love Serena more. He became more determined of taking her away from Darien than the old promises he made to himself fifty years ago. There was a reason they met. Serena was to escape her fate as Darien's bride and she would end up as Tom's. It would be by Tom's side where Serena would rule the world, not Darien's. Tom could offer Serena more. Much, much more. She just needed some persuasion. Tom could do it. He was the Heir of Slytherin. He could do anything. Maybe he could make his move right now. Tom lifted Serna's chin up with his finger tips and looked into her eyes.
"Serena, I'm so glad I met you," he whispered softly.
"Me too," Serena said.
Tom wanted to kiss her. It would be so easy. Her lips were just inches away. Tom had never kissed a girl before. He never wanted to. Again, girls didn't matter to him. Yes, there were girls that loved Tom Riddle. Perhaps the whole female student body of Hogwarts thought he was the best looking wizard in school. He was smart, a model student, a prefect. Tom didn't' care about girls' affections. He just wanted to learn all he could about the Dark Arts and rid Hogwarts of Mudblood scum.
Something inside Tom changed in these fifty years. For one small moment, Tom forgot himself. He forgot about power. Right now, he just wanted to make Serena his. He felt a strange sensation in his heart. He never felt like this before. What was happening? Could he be falling in love with Serena? No, he couldn't! He was the Heir of Slytherin. He was Lord Voldemort, the most powerful wizard of all time. He never cared about love. Love didn't matter to him. Love, in his eyes was a sign of weakness. At least, that's what he thought. Tom never understood love. He only understood power. Tom felt confused. This was so unlike him. He wasn't confused often.
But yet now…all he wanted…was to be with Serena. This feeling in side him, though it made him confused and even scared, he kind of liked it. He didn't want this feeling to go away. He wanted to be with Serena more and more each day. It was like she took his very breath away whenever he was with her. There was no girl at Hogwarts that had this sort of hold on him before. What was it about Serena? Was it her deep blue eyes? Was it her long silvery hair? Was it her smile? Was it her kindness? Was it because she saved his life when the book caught on fire? Was it all of these things? It made Tom dizzy just thinking about it.
Tom cupped Serena's head in his hands. Serena looked back him, slightly surprised.
"Tom…?"
"Shh," Tom hushed her, putting a finger to her lips. "You are so beautiful, Serena…so beautiful. I've never felt like this about anyone, ever before."
Serena's eyes twinkled. She couldn't move. Was Tom falling in love with her? Or was he just playing with her heart? No, Tom wouldn't do that. Tom was her friend, wasn't he?
Tom's head inclined. His eyes closed. His lips parted slightly. The strange sensation in his stomach got stronger.
"Tom, Serena!" Mrs. Tsukino called from downstairs. "You'd better hurry or you'll be late!"
Serena pulled away and got to her feet. "Oh, oh!" she looked at the door and projected her voice. "Coming Mom!"
Serena turned back to Tom. "Er, get dressed. I'd hate to make you late on your first day."
"Right," said Tom, picking up his jacket. "I'll be right down."
Serena flushed a little and hurried out of the room, closing the door behind her. Tom pulled his jacket up on him, pondering what just happened. He thought he'd just pretend to like Serena only to keep her away from Darien. Yet somehow, the feelings he felt inside were real. Tom tightened his hand in a fist and hit the bed in frustration.
"What's the matter with me?" he wondered out loud. "What am I doing?"
For the most part, Serena and Tom walked to school in silence. Tom wasn't sure whether to apologize what happened—or almost happened—or not. He didn't really feel sorry about it. He was sorrier that they were interrupted. Maybe he will never know about his feelings for Serena unless he kissed her.
"I hope you like school, Tom," Serena said finally as they came within eyesight of the High School. "I think you'll fit in just fine. All the girls are going to love you!"
Tom smiled slightly. He didn't know how to comment on that. Maybe the girls would fall head over heels at the handsome English boy but he had already fallen head over heels for Serena.
Serena and Tom approached the high school. She saw Molly and Melvin nearby.
"Serena, Tom, over here!" Molly called, waving them over.
"Hi guys!" Serena said, waving back. She and Tom walked over to talk to them.
"Can you believe summer's over?" Molly asked. "Went by too quickly, don't you think?"
"I know," Serena agreed with a nod.
"I'm glad school's started," Melvin said, adjusting his glasses. "I've been looking forward to taking my new science class!"
The two girls shook their heads at him. Melvin looked at Tom.
"How about you, Tom?" he asked. "Are you excited for your first day?"
"Yeah," Tom answered half truthfully. He did want to learn more about Japanese studies but he didn't like the idea of being surrounded by Muggles.
"You'd better keep him on a short leash, Serena," Molly teased, nudging Serena and pointing at Tom.
"What're you talking about, Moll?" Serena asked.
"Once all the girls see Tom," Molly said, "they'll try to take him away from ya!"
"What?" Serena said, laughing. "Oh, no, you don't understand. Tom's not my boyfriend!"
"Wait, you're not going out?" Molly asked, looking at Tom and Serena in surprise. Serena was chuckling and Tom looked slightly nervous. He coughed into his fist and looked around. A couple of girls stopped at the sight at him.
"Hey, who's that guy?"
"He must be a new student."
"Wow, he's gorgeous!"
Tom cleared his throat again and looked at the ground. Serena tried to explain to Molly.
"No way," said Molly, "I always thought you two were together. Back at the beach and all the times when we hung out."
"But Molly, don't you know about Darien?"
"Yeah, he's in America, right?" Molly asked.
"Right, but that doesn't mean we broke up," said Serena.
"You're still together?"
Serena nodded.
"Oh, I'm sorry," Molly said, blushing and shaking her head. "It's just that…you and Tom…looked so cute together, you know." She looked at Tom and grinned. "Well, it's okay, Tom, I'm sure there are a lot of girls here that will love to go out with you!"
"Brilliant," Tom mumbled unenthusiastically. "Shall we go in then?"
"Oh, right," said Serena and she followed him to class.
Just as Serena suspected, all the girls were falling for the tall, dark and handsome Englishman. They were squealing as the teacher introduced him to the class. It made Tom's skin crawl. It was going to be just like at Hogwarts. All the girls trying to impress him, fighting to win his affections.
"You may sit anywhere with a vacant seat," the teacher told Tom.
"Thanks," said Tom and the girls went in a battle for where he should sit. One girl pushed the boy out of his seat that was next to hers and banged on it.
"Tom, you can sit here!" she cried.
"Hey!" shouted the boy that was pushed out of his seat.
"Sit here, Tom!"
"No, no, here! I've been to England once!"
But Tom did not go sit by the shouting girls. The seat behind Serena was empty, thank Merlin. Tom walked past her, gave her his best smile, put his hand on her arm and sat down. All the girls moaned in defeat. Serena twisted in her seat to smile back at Tom. She felt somewhat glad that Tom chose to sit near her. Serena's eyes went the empty seats. The girls were scowling at her. Lita however was giving her the thumbs up. Serena grinned and waved. Then she noticed that Mina wasn't in the room.
"Where's Mina?" Serena mouthed.
"England still," Lita mouthed back.
"What?" Serena asked.
Tom looked confused and turned to see who Serena was talking too.
"Miss Tsukino, could you please face the front?" the teacher demanded.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" Serena chuckled, turning back and chuckling.
Serena sighed. Where was Mina? Why hasn't she returned for school?
Mina was certainly still in England. She thought that protecting the Wizarding World from Voldemort was more important than her studies.
"Mina, you are a Squib," Dedalus told his granddaughter. "I can't let you into Hogwarts. Besides, Mr. Ollivander has been captured earlier this summer and I don't think I can supply you with a wand."
"I don't need to go there as a student," Mina insisted, stepping toward her grandfather, "I can stay in Hogsmeade. You can get me a job there somewhere."
"You want to work in Hogsmeade?" Dedalus asked, raising an eyebrow.
Mina nodded. "Yes, grandfather. I want to give Harry more protection. Hogwarts starts in two more days."
Dedalus sat down and cupped his chin in thought. "Maybe I could get you a job. I'd rather not have yu be a barmaid at the Leaky Cauldron. Too many shifty folk go in there."
"Oh, Granddad, I can take care of myself," Mina said with a slight grin, folding her arms.
"Yes, I know you can, my dear," he said, "but the students don't go there often. It's more for grown up wizards. There is the Three Broomsticks and place is more student friendly. I went to school with Ambrosius Flume, the owner of Honeydukes. Students go there a lot. Madam Puddifoots teashop…but it's too small and it's just a place for couples."
"A cute little teashop?" Mina asked, hearts appearing in her eyes. "How romantic!" That sounded a great place to work. She could imagine herself just sitting at the counter watching all the couples whisper sweet nothings to each other.
"But you want a place where the students spend more time," Dedalus told her, "and not just students, but the Order too."
This brought Mina out of her trance. "Huh, the Order?"
"Yes, there are a few Order members staying in Hogsmeade to give the school more protection," Dedalus explained, "Tonks, Dawlish, Proudfoot, Savage…I'll tell them that you are there to help."
"Okay," said Mina, "and they can pass information to me and I can tell them things when there's something wrong?"
"Exactly," Dedalus said, "you may find things that they won't."
"So where should I work?"
"Most logical place would be Three Broomsticks," Dedalus replied. "I'll send an owl to Dumbledore right away and see if we can work something out."
"Yes!" Mina exclaimed, jumping up for joy. "I'll go pack!"
Mina was able to get the job at Three Broomsticks the next day. Madame Rosmerta was a nice and pretty middle-aged woman and she taught Mina all about mixing drinks, until Mina decided to goof off a bit. Mina practiced trying to make drink mixing fun by putting a headband and flipping the bottles over her head. When she tossed a bottle of mead in the air, it didn't come down.
"Mina, what are you doing?" Madame Rosmerta demanded, wand out stretched to keep the bottle from dropping.
"Oh, er," Mina said with a big wide grin. "Just seeing if I could catch the bottles if I threw them…"
"Please don't show off," Madame Rosmerta chided.
"Oh, yes ma'am," she said sheepishly, "sorry. I'll be more careful."
"Kindly wipe down the tables, please," Madame Rosmerta told her.
Mina took a wet cloth and went to the tables to wash them. A group of Aurors walked in. Mina looked up and smiled. "Hi, welcome to The Three Broomsticks!"
A tough-looking wizard with wiry grey hair nodded. "You'd be Dedalus Diggles' granddaughter?"
"Yup, that's me," Mina replied.
"Dumbledore sent us to talk to you," said the woman with mousy brown hair. "I'm Tonks."
The three other Aurors went on introducing themselves.
"Nice to meet ya," said Mina, "what can I get you guys?"
"Butterbeer will be fine," another wizard named Savage said, handing her money.
"I'll be right back," Mina said and she approached the counter. "Four butterbeers, Madame Rosmerta. Shall I help?"
Madame Rosmerta nodded as Mina dropped the money in her hand. "Get me the mugs."
"Right."
As Mina grabbed four mugs from a cupboard, Rosmerta picked up a two liter bottle of butter beer. She poured the tasty liquid into each of the mugs and put them on a tray.
"Do be careful," Rosmerta said.
"The Aurors, they want to talk to me. Is it all right if I take a little break?"
"Yes, that's fine," said Rosmerta, "it's dying down."
Rosmerta poured another mug of butterbeer for Mina, who thanked her and took the drinks to the Aurors. Mina walked very slowly, careful not to spill anything. She put the tray down and the Aurors reached for a mug.
"Madame Rosmerta gave me permission to take a little break," Mina said, joining the four Aurors.
"How do you like your first day?" a tall Auror named Proudfoot inquired.
"Fine," Mina answered.
"Mina, your grandfather asked us to go over a few things with you," Tonks said, "in case something happens."
"Okay."
"We'll be patrolling the school grounds and Hogsmeade once term starts," Dawlish explained, "during Hogsmeade weekends when the students come you need to keep an eye out for anything in particular."
"These are the places where we are staying," said Proudfoot, handing Mina a piece of parchment. "Come get us if you find anything wrong."
"Thanks," Mina said, "how often will you stop by?"
"Twice a week at least," Tonks answered, "or whenever we feel that we have news for you."
"All right, sounds good," Mina said and she took a swig of her butterbeer. "I look forward to seeing you guys again."
"How did you talk your grandfather into working under cover here anyway?" Savage asked. "Doesn't he know the dangers you'd be facing?"
If Savage expected Mina to choke on her butterbeer, she didn't. Mina drained her mug, set it down and wiped her mouth.
"He does," she said, "and I do too. But it doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of danger. I've been in danger many times and I know what to do."
"You're not a witch though," Dawlish told her.
"Just because I'm not a witch doesn't mean I'm defenseless," Mina told the Aurors. "I want to help the Order anyway I can."
"All right then," said Dawlish, "we'll do our best to back you up when you need it."
"Thanks," Mina smiled, "now if you guys are done, I ought to get back to work. It was great to meet all of you."
Mina stood up with her mug in hand and went to clean dishes. The Aurors did not know that they had Sailor V on their side. Mina was going to do her best to keep Harry, Dumbledore and the rest of Hogwarts safe. She had to.
Tom's first day was just as it expected. All the girls wanted to sit with him at lunch. They followed him everywhere he went. Was every day going to be like this? He kept thinking of all the time she shared with Serena. The talks they had when he was still in the Recluse Journal, and when she let him out. Going to the beach, the museum, the amusement parks. Tom forgot how great it was to live again. There were some things he did this summer that he never hoped to do.
Tom was thinking about what Sammy told to him. Sammy actually said that Tom ought to steal Serena from Darien. Tom started to like the kid even more because of this. Molly thought that Tom and Serena was an item. If only they were and those girls wouldn't be following him around.
Tom and Serena met up after school to walk back home together. Serena was complaining about the homework load.
"And school has only just started too," she fumed, "well, enough about that….how was your first day? What did you think about Juuban High?"
"It's brilliant," Tom murmured, "looks like a great school."
"I'm glad you think so," Serena said, "everyone seems to like you too. Especially the girls."
"Yeah," said Tom.
Tom pulled his school bag over his shoulder and tried not to think about school and all those silly girls following him around. Every now and then, he'd take a glance at Serena and he'd get that crazy urge to kiss her. Tom usually planned things. He never did them on spur of the moment. He wasn't very spontaneous. So many things about him were changing and he didn't know how to handle it. He felt like he was going to explode.
The two walked on down the side walk. Tom stopped suddenly and took Serena by the hand.
"Huh? Tom, why'd you stop?"
Tom dropped his bag, pulled Serena to him and he pressed his mouth against hers. Serena was stunned. She didn't see that coming. She wasn't sure whether to back away, slap Tom or just melt in his embrace. The feelings consumed Tom more as he kissed Serena. His arms tightened around her and he blocked out all reality. All that existed were the two of them. Tom felt like he could do anything. It was the best feeling he ever felt. Why, oh why did he never think of love before? Why didn't he allow his heart to have something so special? His lips never got to taste those of a girl. He never allowed himself to hold hands with a girl, to hold her in his arms. Fifty years were wasted on the search for power. Right now, this was all Tom wanted, was just to love Serena and have her love him back.
Then finally, Tom's chest felt like it was about to burst and he slowly pulled his mouth from Serena's. He smiled when he saw the shocked expression her face. Her mouth was still wide open. Her body was rather limp. Her mouth opened a little more and then it closed, as if she were trying to say something. Tom slid his finger down her cheek and he gave her a small peck on the lips. This was great. Just the reaction he was expecting from Serena. He wanted to make her feel breathless, because that was the way he felt whenever he was around her.
Tom picked up his school bag and continued walking on, this time, whistling. Tom whistled a little off-key since he had never whistled before. It was strange. He didn't have a reason to whistle. Now he did.
It took Serena a moment to come back to reality and she ran to catch up with Tom. She didn't' say anything about the kiss until they reached her street.
"Tom," she said, still a little breathlessly. "Why'd you kiss me?"
"I wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me," he answered, "and I really like you."
"But Tom…I've got a boyfriend," she said.
"I know, Serena," Tom said, "but that doesn't change the way I feel about you."
Tom didn't want to hear about Darien. He wasn't going to let him ruin the nice moment he just had with Serena.
"Come on," he said, hitching up his bag. "Let's just get home, okay?"
"Yeah. Okay."
They walked home in silence. Tom wasn't sure if kissing Serena was a good idea, but it sure as hell felt good. When they got home, Serena went up to her room, sat down on her bed and put her fingers to her lips.
Tom Riddle had just kissed her. Serena wasn't sure how to feel. She still loved Darien and yet Tom was a little refreshing for her. She did like him in return but not the way she felt about Darien. But she should feel lucky because she was the first girl Tom had ever kissed.
TO BE CONTINUED
