Prologue
The first time he saw her do it, it was in the library. It was during the winter of his fifth year at Hogwarts and the new term had just started. Many of the students were still in the holidays' spirit and the library was mostly empty. He loved it when the library was like this and he always took the opportunity to make some research in the peace and quiet of the deserted haven. He walked in the allies of parchments and books with an authoritative stature almost as if he was parading in front of a great crowd. That is how he saw himself: high above everything, admired by everyone, and that's how he lived even when there was not a single soul to witness it.
When he reached the section where he knew his charm book to be, he stopped and took out his wand to whisper: "Accio".
The book levitated from the shelf and graciously landed in his hands. He turned to find his habitual table where he could continue his research on his father. It was when he passed the next section of books that he saw her standing in front of a shelf her gaze fixed on a point high in the air.
She was tall with dark auburn hair that stopped above her hips; her stature was thin and elegant. Normally, he wouldn't have paid attention but she seemed so focused that his pace slowed down despite himself and stopped. He was intrigued for the next five seconds but his interest died rapidly at the lack of action. He started moving forward when from the corner of his eye he saw something moving. He turned his head and saw a book levitating toward the girl. She lifted her hands and welcomed the book in her arms.
His mouth opened a little, speechless. He was sure he heard no spell being cast and she was not holding a wand. Who was this girl and how was she able to do that? Forgetting his mask of civility and to taken by what he just witnessed, Tom changed his course to follow the girl who went to sit at a table, where it seemed she was seated previously.
"How are you able to do that?" He asked without any preamble.
The girl lifted her face, puzzled. She apparently had no idea she had been observed and followed. When her eyes met his, her face went from surprised to placid. She looked back down to her book and she proceeded to read like she was never interrupted. That shocked Tom more than the amazing act of magic he witnessed. Nobody in Hogwarts had ever ignored him before, ever. He decided to regain control of himself and changed his face to a more welcoming and friendly one.
"I'm sorry, I'm being so rude", he said falsely apologetic, "my name is Tom Riddle."
The girl showed no sign she could hear him at that new interjection and Tom retracted his open hand back to his pocket. Nevertheless, he was not discouraged by her mutism.
"It was brilliant what you just did," he continued, "I've never seen students doing wandless spells before... how did you learn it if I may ask?"
Silence. Tom felt anger starting to stir up inside of him and he forced himself to remain calm. Shouting or threatening was not going to help him in any way.
"Do you mind? I am trying to read," she finally said without paying him a single look.
"I am very sorry, I did not mean to intrude," he said before turning his back and leaving.
Experience had taught him that appearing harmless and being apologetic amounted to far more than threats and anger. He expected to hear the voice of the girl calling him back to apologize profusely for her behavior before promising to answer all his questions. That did not happen. Frustrated he tried to remember if he had seen her before. She seemed familiar but the opposite could also be true. He had no interest in people from other houses and therefore paid them little to no attention. He couldn't check out her house; she was not wearing her uniform. She seemed old enough to be from the same year as him. He decided to side with the explanation that she didn't like him because he was from Slytherin, as he was wearing his uniform. He could still vividly remember her indifference as she looked at him stand before her. Whoever she was, she was going to learn that you don't ignore Tom Marvolo Riddle.