"Let me see what you have," Martha said as she took Lucretia's schedule "Defence against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions, Astronomy, Charms and Divination? Why are you having all these, are you planning to be an Auror? I thought you wanted to work in the Ministry in the Department of Mysteries."

"Yes, I still do." Lucretia responded as she bit the cucumber.

"Then what's the point of having all these?" Martha asked.

"English Ministry may accept you only with Defence against the Dark Arts, Transfiguration, Potions and Charms, but in Japan it isn't that simple." Lucretia said "We're the most hardworking nation after the German."

"Oh, I've totally forgot about that." Martha said as she took some tomatoes "You're not going to stay in England."

"I love England but Japan is so different… Even its atmosphere feels magical."

"I want to see it."

"You really should." Lucretia said "So we only have Potions, Charms and Transfiguration together?"

Martha nodded "Yeah. You know, my grades have never been like yours."

Lucretia slightly nodded. A few minutes later, they were heading to the Charms class. Professor Spinnet had a speech about how important the NEWT classes were and how hard they would be. They started with turning the vinegar into wine. By the end of the lesson, Lucretia and Tom Riddle were the only ones who had managed to do that. Professor Spinnet gave twenty points to Slytherin but it was obvious that she was expecting them to do it.

Lucretia had a free hour whereas Martha had Herbology. So she went to the library, it was her second favourite place in the castle after the common room. She put her bag on an empty desk and wandered around the shelves, taking the books that interested her. When she had five books in her arms and was turning back to the desk, she stumbled and fell.

"Kuso*!" she muttered to herself as she straightened. Sometimes, she just talked Japanese. It was instinctual.

*= damn

She picked up the books and walked to the desk, not falling this time. She sat properly and took a random book, started to read it. But she raised her head as she felt someone's gaze on her. She looked around to see who was looking at her but quickly turned away when she saw him, again. She took a deep breath.

He hasn't talked a word to me for six years, I think he can continue this for two more years.

Does he… know what I saw this summer?

I really hope he doesn't. Not that I'm afraid of that pretty face, I just don't want him to mess with me.

She turned back to the book, focusing on the words. But she leaped up as she heard a cough. She heaved a sigh, she knew who had come. She put the book down furiously and looked at him with questioning eyes.

"Is this seat taken?" Tom Riddle asked, pointing the one next to Lucretia.

She took her bag and put it on the chair, then turned to Riddle "Yes."

He frowned at her "Are you serious?"

"Yes." she responded. He heaved a sigh and took her bag, put it back on the desk and sat. Lucretia frowned this time "Hey, no one gave you the permission to sit."

"I'm not asking for it anymore, Himura." Riddle said, his voice cold. Lucretia grumbled and stood up, putting the books into her bag. Then she turned to leave "Hey, where are you going?"

She didn't responded, she just left the library at a trot. She headed to Divination, her next class.

Since Martha was not there, she was sitting alone and waiting for Professor Brooks. She yawned, the atmosphere made her sleepy. But before she could fall asleep, Riddle came and sat next to her. She frowned "What's wrong with you?"

He frowned, too "What do you mean?"

"We have never talked to each other properly since we were eleven… Do you expect me to take these normal?" she said as she squinted "What's that you want?"

He looked impressed "I wasn't expecting for you to find it out this soon."

"There is a reason why we're both the top of our classes." Lucretia said "Plus, I'm not that kind of girl that can easily fall under your spell. To be honest, I don't really understand them." I cannot understand them.

Riddle raised an eye brow "You sound so sure." he said and added "By the way, don't do this."

"Do what?" Lucretia asked, still squinting.

"That thing, with your eyes." Riddle said "It looks like you have no eyes at all."

She facepalmed herself "Baka**," she muttered to herself.

**= idiot

"Did you say something?" Riddle asked.

"No, nothing." she said and shot him a fake smile. But the whole class became quiet as Professor Brooks came in. She told them what would they do, then gave them parchments to write their latest dreams. Riddle took the parchment and started to write. Lucretia heaved a sigh "I don't remember any of my latest dreams."

"Then make up one as I do." Riddle said as he gave the parchment to Lucretia who was raising an eyebrow to him "What? Did you expect me to write my real dreams? You must be kidding."

"Fair enough." Lucretia said. She read what Riddle wrote and made up her own dream. I was playing chess with a Jarvey but it suddenly turn into my father and tried to eat me but I turned him into a rubber duck.

She landed the parchment to Riddle, who read what she had written and raised an eyebrow. She shrugged "It's my dream and my imagination. You have no right to judge me."

"If you say so," he muttered and wrote another dream and again, landing the parchment to Lucretia. She tapped her chin with her index finger. Then she started to write. There were ghouls in Hogwarts which were playing hide and seek with Peeves. And I was watching them while I flew with no broomsticks.

"Two dreams are enough for this lesson." Professor Brooks said. Lucretia smirked and leaned backwards.

"Himura," Riddle whispered to her. She looked at him "You have another free hour, don't you?"

Lucretia nodded "Yeah, I do." she said "Why?"

"We're going to the library."

She frowned "Why?" she asked "Is it about the thing you want?" he nodded "So you will not bother me again?"

"Well, it is up to you." he said "You'll see what I mean."

Lucretia rolled her eyes and took out a book, started to read it. Professor Brooks picked up the parchments just a few minutes before the bell rang. She closed the book, put it inside her bag and stood up, walking right after Riddle. Soon, she caught up with him. They walked to the library silently. When they got in, he headed to the emptiest corner. She followed him and stopped, leaning the wall.

"So..?" Lucretia asked, her hands crossed.

"There are two things," Riddle started to talk, his voice low "One is about your summer holiday."

A chill ran down her back.

"What do you want to know about my holiday?" she asked, trying to act innocent.

"Where were you?" he asked "Where did you spent it?"

"In Brighton, with my family." she responded.

"Liar."

She frowned "Excuse me?"

"You were not in Brighton," Riddle talked, his voice smooth "Let's try again, shall we? Where did you spend your holiday?"

"Why do you wonder it that much?" Lucretia asked.

"You know exactly why."

Lucretia looked away. So he did see me then. There is no use in hiding it anymore "So you saw me." she said, her voice low "I was in Little Hangleton."

"Actually, you saw me first I suppose." Riddle said "While I was-"

"You were murdering your dad and grandparents." Lucretia completed his sentence as she looked into his eyes but she didn't show any sign of fear.

"It's strange that you're that coldblooded against me even though this…" Riddle said with a little smirk "You're much more than a pretty face, aren't you?"

"You should have known this the day you started to share your throne with me, Riddle." she said "And, I have seen you putting that man's wand back and taking his ring, too."

Riddle's left hand went to the ring on his right middle finger "So you followed me?"

Lucretia nodded "I wondered what you would do after murdering them." she said "Murdering the muggles."

"Did you think of what would I do to you if I noticed you earlier?"

Lucretia laughed "What, you would kill me? I'm sorry but I don't fear you, Riddle. And I'm not afraid to die." she said but suddenly stopped, suddenly everything fitted together "You… You were the one who was trying to pass through my Occlumency." she said "You killed the mudblood. You're the Heir of Slytherin."

"Well, it seems that there is no need to ask the second question." Riddle said "Since you've already figured it out and explicitly told me you've that memory of mine."

"I didn't know you were that good at Legilimency." Lucretia said.

"And I didn't know you were that good at using Occlumency."

"But, you did make a terrible mistake." Lucretia said, smirking.

"You're not telling any of this to anyone." Riddle said in a threatening way.

Her smirk grew "What if I do? What's stopping me?" she said "I have no interest in telling the others that you're a half-blood but the other two are… very precious things to use against you."

He clenched his teeth "What do you want?"

"Two favours." she said "You owe me two favours, Riddle, if you want me to keep your little secrets."

He knew that these favours could make him regret his choice, but he didn't have another "Deal."

Lucretia smirked again. Tom Riddle owes me two favours.