Chapter 8:

The year was finally coming to a close. It felt as though Tom had done nothing useful this year. Well, of course there was volumes done with his relationship with Nicole, but that wasn't exactly something he could brag about seeing as it was a rather well kept secret.

He knew he'd have to kick it into overdrive next year. He would find the chamber, and confront his father. But, for now he would just have to will himself to relax. The last day before school ended, he looked over his final meal, knowing it would be the best one he would have in months.

The school was clamoring with excitement. Everyone was so looking forward to going home to see their families. Tom was disgusted by them; at least he would have Nicole to keep him company. He departed from his cronies, in an attempt to seat himself with Nicole; but her compartment was already filling up with her Gryffindor compatriots. He sulked back to the compartment housing his followers, slightly disappointed though he made sure it didn't show.

The train ride seemed to drag on indefinitely. When it had finally come to a halt, Tom had found himself on the verge of drifting asleep. He and Nicole met up again just outside of Kings Cross, where they stood expectantly for Mrs. Cole.

"You think she'd be on time," sighed Tom in a bored manner. Nicole smiled.

"You'd think you of all people wouldn't be in a hurry," she replied slyly, deciding to seat herself on the ground.

Tom shrugged, and looked down at her. "You really should get some new friends," he was quick to change the subject.

"Why's that?"

"I don't like them." Tom said in a menacing sort of voice. "Especially that irksome blonde I encountered back in third year," he took a seat on the ground beside her.

Nicole pursed her lips. "And where exactly am I going to find these 'new friends'? I'm a half blood, remember? And unlike you it's common knowledge. I doubt any of your, err… friends would take me in with open arms."

Tom looked at her with a dead serious expression, "They would if I told them too."

Nicole shook her head, "It's too risky." Before Tom had a chance to ask why, Mrs. Cole came up to them looking rather disheveled.

"There you are, sorry I'm late, Bobby's been hospitalized," Mrs. Cole sighed, her voice quivering.

"That's no excuse," Tom muttered inaudibly.

"What? Why? What happened?" Nicole inquired, giving a look of sympathy for the middle aged woman.

"He and his friends were diving into the lake not too far from the orphanage. He hit his head on some rocks, and was knocked unconscious under the water," she looked as though she were going to cry. "Someone got him out of the water and rushed him to the hospital, but they haven't said anything." Nicole put he hand on the woman's shoulder.

The ride to the orphanage was dull and drawn out, broken on occasion by Mrs. Cole trying to stifle oncoming tears, it was no secret that Bobby was one of her favorite orphans. He had come into her care shortly after Professor Dumbledore had told Tom he was a wizard, back when Tom had his own room.

Maybe I'll have my own room again, thought Tom, it would be a nice change of pace. Once they had arrived, Mrs. Cole disappeared, and the whole orphanage was ripe with chatter about Bobby's accident.

"Have they nothing better to do," Tom asked harshly, Nicole sat on Bobby's bed and he stood, glaring at his open door, wishing he could close it without incurring the wrath of his so called caretakers. A bizarre rule really, not being able to shut a door while a member of the opposite sex was in his room. He didn't quite understand it.

"What else do they have besides gossip Tom?" Nicole asked, looking at the open doorway as well.

Tom glanced back at her. "I have a new name you know."

Nicole looked baffled. "Do you now?"

Tom nodded. "I wanted to tell you in the kitchens, but the house elves…"

Nicole smirked. "So you can strangle me in front of them, but you can't let them overhear your new name?"

"I thought you weren't going to hold that against me." Tom eyed her suspiciously.

"Very well then, what is it?"

Again Tom peered out the doorway; there was no one in sight. He sat down next to her. "Lord Voldemort," he whispered into her ear.

"Lord… Voldemort?" She looked at him, and then gave a half smile. "I like it," she replied after a moment, and Tom gave a glimmer of a smirk. "And you likely won't be mistaken for another," she replied in an afterthought.

He took her hand. "It's so much more than that Nicole, it's a name that holds great power, a name that witches and wizards alike will fear and respect, one day no one will dare speak it."

"Not even me?" Nicole asked curiously.

Tom laughed. "Well there's always one exception now isn't there?" He kissed her lightly on the forehead.

Bobby died within forty eight hours of Tom and Nicole's return. Mrs. Cole was virtually inconsolable, and the rest of the orphanage quieted down considerably as well. Tom continued to receive accusatory glances. Even though he wasn't there when the accident occurred, it was no secret that he and Bobby had never gotten along. Funny things always seemed to happen around him, which was no secret. Even making an appearance at Bobby's funeral didn't lessen the orphans' suspicions of him, if anything they were shocked he'd had the nerve to come at all.

"You know, the way that lot was staring at me, you'd think I'd pushed him," Tom sighed, collapsing onto his bed, having left the funeral early with Nicole.

Nicole approached Tom cautiously, not wanting to upset him. She sat on the bed beside him, wiping the hair from his face. "They're mourning. People are irrational when they mourn."

"Hmm," Tom looked as though he was mulling something over. "Yes," he spoke after a moment. "It seems the uncertain are far more easily frightened than the knowing."

"Perhaps I'll include that notion in one of the books I plan on writing," replied Nicole softly. "Don't mind if I quote you, do you?" She wrinkled her nose and smiled pleasantly.

Tom shrugged, "Why not?" He laid down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling. "Daresay I have more pressing matters to deal with."

"The chamber?" Nicole whispered softly.

Tom nodded. "I was… distracted before," he replied simply. "I'll find it before the school year's out, I promise you."

"What do you suppose you'll find?"

Tom looked at her with surprise. He honestly hadn't thought about it before, beyond Salazar Slytherin's greatest secrets. What lied within the chamber remained abstract. "I guess I'll just have to wait and find out."

Nicole and Tom's letters from Hogwarts came nearing the end of July. The two of them opened the letters together in the kitchen, after the others had gone off to bed. Tom looked pleased as a prefect badge fell out of his envelope.

"To think, I had almost forgotten." Tom looked over at Nicole, "Where's yours?"

Nicole raised a brow. "I haven't gotten one," she replied softly.

Tom shook his head. "Then who? Headmaster Dippet must have lost his mind to think that anyone else deserved such a thing."

Nicole laughed. "Most likely Minerva, she's not one to tolerate any nonsense."

Tom scoffed. "You mean McGonagall? Professor Dumbledore's pet?"

"Now, now," she stepped closer towards him. "Don't be so upset, what do I need to be a prefect for anyways?" Tom looked down at her, yet said nothing. "If it makes you feel any better," she began, "I won't listen to a word she says."

"You better not," Nicole caught a glimmer of a smile.

"I best get to bed," she kissed him lightly on the cheek. "See you in the morning."