Scotland, Hogwarts 1943

Tom Marvolo Riddle was, once again, seething.

Ever since their duel in Defence against the dark Arts he couldn't stop thinking about Maélys d'Avaugour. He was so destracted by her display of magic that he didn't pay attention to what Professor Merrythought said during the remainder of the class or what happened during his other classes of the day.

It was only when he nearly put an Ashwinder egg insted of Dreamfoil into his Scintillation Solution he banned the new girl from his thoughts. Now he needed to concentrate before he blew his potion up and his class with it.

Tom Riddle glanced one last time to where the blonde girl was standing. She didn't notice him staring at her back as she slowly stired her potion three time counter-clock-wise.

Sighing he turned to his couldron, but his attention was once again drawn to her when Professor Slughorn exclaimed:

"Miss d'Avaugour, your potion is perfect! I have to say that I've never seen such a flawless Scintillation Solution. Ten points to Slytherin!"

The blonde girl smiled at her teacher and thanked him.

Tom Riddle tried his best to keep calm and finish his own potion. No one has ever truly bested him in potions. Maybe she simply had luck, he thought. But then again no one had beaten him in chess or in a duel before her.

He stired his potion three times as Professor Slughorn approached him and looked at his potion.

"Very good, Tom", he complimented his student, "But not as good as Miss d'Avaugour's. Maybe you should ask for her help the next time."

The professor winked at him.

The boy wanted to punch his teacher for his outrageous comment but he forced himself to smile: "Of course, Professor Slughorn."

As soon as the teacher turned to Cadmus Mulciber Tom Riddle's smile disappeared.

He knew that he'd have to show her who was in charge in House Slytherin.

When classes were over for the rest of the day he tried to follow the girl but when he left the potions class room seconds after her he couldn't find her anymore.

Cursing he walked to the library. Maybe she's there, he thought. But as he walked along the isle between the book shelves it soon became clear that she wasn't there.

He sat down at his usual table in one of the concealed alchoves. The last rays of the sun fell through the window next to him and he saw his classmates walking outside in the snow.

As he turned away from what happened outside of the castle, he thought he saw Maélys d'Avaugour from the corner of his eyes. Quickly he looked back but he couldn't find her again. Instead a murder of crows flew where he thought the girl was standing just seconds before.

Tom Riddle shook his head and raked his fingers through his hair.

He should stop thinking about this damned girl, he thought.

But only when Abraxas Malfoy sat down on the chair next to him he truly focused on his Transfiguration essay.

The next time Tom Riddle saw Maélys d'Avaugour he didn't even expect her to be there.

Professor Flanagan had asked all of the prefects to meet her to discuss the details of the play Professor Beery and her would perform at the end of the semster. The meeting lasted well into dinner time and when they finally decided to adjurn discussion he hurried to the great hall.

But something stopped him in his tracks when he heard music. Someone was playing on the piano in one of the music rooms.

He didn't recognize the piece and he wondered why he couldn't bring himself to keep walking.

Something deep inside of him was moved by the music and he slowly moved closer to the door where the heavenly sounds came from. When the piece was over he tried to force himself to move away from the wall before someone could catch him listening.

In that moment the pianist started playing another piece and this time he knew it. It was the Moonlight Sonata by Beethoven. He remembered the record player in Wool's. The orphanage didn't have many records but Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata was one of the few.

The other children didn't like the orchestra music so he was the only one who actually listened to the records.

Slowly he walked through the door that was only ajar. He made no noises as he strolled closer to the piano.

The girl was sitting with her back to him but he immediately recognized her as the new girl.

He didn't know if it was luck or fate that he found her after she evaded him already twice that day but he didn't care.

This was his chance to catch her unawares and he would seize his chance.

As she played he last notes he prepared what he'd say to her.

But it was once again her who suprised him.

"Good evening!"

She didn't even turn around as she adressed him and for a moment he stood behind her dumbfounded.

How did she know that someone was in the room with her?

He had been sure that he hadn't made a sound.

"Are you going to talk to me or do you want to keep standing there?", she asked as she started playing the next piece.

How dare she?, he thought, How dare she talk to him with her back turned to him?

He tried his best to calm his inner rage and put his most charming smile on his face.

"I apologize, Miss. I didn't mean to interrupt your playing", he said as he walked around the piano to look into her face.

"No need to apologize. Nothing could distract me", she said. Her eyes were trained on the keys before her.

For a moment nothing was said and the music was the only thing to be heard. The boy had to admit that her playing was the most angelic thing he's ever heard.

Where did she learn to play like that?

"I believe that I haven't introduced myself yet", he smiled, "My name is Tom Riddle and I'm a prefect of house Slytherin. Welcome to Hogwarts."

"I know who you are, Mister Riddle. We played chess, remember? And duelled during Defence against the dark Arts."

The young Slytherin needed a moment to stop his rage from coming to the surface.

How dare she remind him of his failures?

It was only then she finally looked up to him: "I'm sure you already now that but I'm Maélys d'Avaugour."

For a moment she felt like the world stopped. It wasn't the first time that she'd seen him but everytime she looked into his eyes she felt like an electric wave ran through her body.

There was something inside him that called out to her.

"I remember, Miss d'Avaugour. I think that maybe we should repeat our chess game. I've finally found a worthy opponent in you", he tried to charm her.

"Are you sure you want that?", she asked with a raised brow, "Last time, I didn't just beat you. I destroyed you until there was nothing left to destroy, Mister Riddle."

His eyebrows furrowed. Why does this girl keep insisting on making him her enemy?

"Well, I understimated your abilities, Miss. But I'll make sure that I won't do that again."

The blonde girl only smiled at that and focused on the piano keys again. After she finished the piece she stood up and smiled at him.

"Then I'll looking forward to our next game. Good night, Mister Riddle."

Before the boy could respond, she was gone.