Devil in Disguise

A/N: Sooooo, some Tom/Allie interaction but it's mostly building up for later. On with it!

Disclaimer: I'm not J.K Rowling.

"Human nature is evil, and goodness is caused by intentional activity."

Allie was more confused than upset, so after letting Fenwick know that she was emotionally stable and of sound being she took to roaming the halls, to try to clear her mind. Around eleven o'clock she felt that someone was watching her, but she soon dismissed it for the old castle they stayed in was likely to made creaks and moans. After another hour of aimlessly walking she started thinking about Tom again. How he infuriated her to no end and then up and left her with no answers. She began wanting a stress relief and thought of sneaking into the prefects' bathroom for a bath.

She was just about to go and find a boy prefect that she would flirt the password out of, when in front of her she found a great big door. It hadn't been there five minutes ago, she was sure of it. She studied the ornate patterns carved into it and she immediately opened the great big door to find a dark room. The dark room casted shadows everywhere and in the middle of the room, in some kind of artificial moonlight, was an ivory piano. Allie called out to the room, which she was glad was found empty. Slowly, it dawned on her. She had accidentally found the room of requirement. She was unknowingly pacing in front of it, wishing there was some kind of way she could relieve her frustrations over Tom without cursing his face off. She walked up to the piano and sat on its bench, running her fingers over the milky keys. She tested one note, and it rang out into the dark room all around her.

Then, she lost herself.

She was playing a Prelude in C major absentmindedly and then it morphed into something faster and upbeat. As she listened to the song, she was reminded of songs her mom would listen to while cleaning up the house. She started to sing along to the music she played. She sang:

"You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel
But I got wise

You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise"

The song only reminded her more of Tom, but she kept playing. Did she treat him all that bad? Like he had done something wrong. He hadn't yet of course, 'yet' being the key word. She didn't know how she could be nice to Tom and not betray all that was good. As well as her father.

"I thought that I was in heaven
But I was sure surprised
Heaven help me, I didn't see
The devil in your eyes

You look like an angel
Walk like an angel
Talk like an angel

But I got wise
You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise"

Tom certainly did look the part. He was handsome. He could be very charming if he wanted to be and he was very courteous. While Professors were around, that is. If only they knew of the things he would do, the things he was capable of. Then, perhaps ol' Slughorn wouldn't sing his praises whenever someone so much as walked past the Potions classroom. Sure, she hadn't yet seen him in a compromising position, but she was sure he was on the road to becoming the monster that would be a household name.

"You're the devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise
Oh yes you are
The devil in disguise"

Allie stiffened unconsciously suddenly aware of someone else in the room with her. She knew someone had been following her earlier in the hallway, but now she would prove it. She whispered "Lumos" illuminating the dark room with her wand only to find a very confused looking Tom standing in the previously shadowed corner.

Taking in his confused countenance, she mentally shrugged. Then and there she decided she had given up on him, she would just focus on graduating school alive for now. "Pull up a chair."

Giving up the fight they had, he sat next to her on the bench and watched as her fingers flew over the keys. He was looked on, amazed at how little her hands were compared to the giant musical monstrosity before them.

He quietly asked, "Where did you learn such a dirty muggle pastime?"

She didn't stop playing, but quickly answered. "I was given a teacher around 10 years old, but soon grew out of instruction. Then, I taught myself."

With a nod of his head, she knew he was listening. "How about we make an agreement? Question for question. I answer one and then you answer one."

Allie thought about it for a moment cautiously, but then consented to it with a nod of her head. "Alright, how did you get in here?"

In the artificial moonlight, Allie swore she saw a blush creep onto his cheeks. "I followed you." His voice betrayed no emotion.

She simply nodded her head. Tom asked, "Why did you look so scared right before I left you on stage?"

Now it was Allie's turn to blush. "…Because I thought for a split second you were going to kiss me."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"Why don't you have any friends? I know you could have some if you wanted. You're smart, not exactly an eye sore, and pleasant when you're not a git."

Tom nodded thoughtfully and the room grew deadly quiet. The silence was impenetrable, until Tom spoke. " If I don't let any one close, I won't grow weak. I don't have to worry about being vulnerable and showing emotion."

And there it was. The reason why the boy in front of her would become a monster subsequently killing men, women, and children. He was afraid of denial. Allie mulled over the possibilities. "Tom, are you aware you are the heir of Slytherin?"

His voice grew quietly dangerous. "Yes. How do you know that?"

She visibly flinched, but soon recovered. "Thomas, are you aware of who my father is? I am a Dumbledore. So therefore, I know everything about everything, subsequently I will be incredibly cryptic and confusing. It's in my nature. I also know about your 'little' pet you keep. By the way, I would love it if you taught me some Parsletongue."

Tom's face contorted into a grimace. He had realized she knew about the Basilisk. His curiosity did not look satiated, but he looked on stoically.

Neither slept well that night.

The next day was a Saturday and there was an unspoken rule that everybody had to go to Hogsmeade. Even though Allie was in no mood to be around humans, not showing your face at Hogsmeade was unheard of. The last thing she needed was unwanted attention and rumors.

She rolled out of bed to confront her next conundrum: what to wear. Looking over her wardrobe she was saddened by the fact that she could not find any plain cotton shirts or jeans. She ended up picking out a tight, scoop neck, black and red striped tee and tight fitted black trousers that stopped at her calves. Slipping into a comfortable pair of red oxford flats, she turned her attention to the bird's nest on her head. Managing to tame it with a few clever spells, it soon hung in soft cascading waves down her back with pins pulling it back to frame her face (As was customary in this time). She decided to play herself up boldly by doing her eye makeup darker than usual and her lips a dangerous dark red. After deeming her reflection acceptable, she bounded down the stairs with her black outer robes thrown over her shoulder. As soon as she entered the common room everyone grew quiet and stared. Looking to her left and right and then checking over her shoulder to make sure death itself wasn't looming over her, she affirmed her suspicion: Everyone was staring at her.

Cautiously walking to Alice and her other girlfriends, Allie spoke in a low hushed tone. "Why the hell is everyone staring at me?"

Alice gaped at Allie. "You look bloody amazing! I couldn't even tell you were… you! Your outfit is so chic and daring. Almost futuristic."

Allie blanched. "Oh my, that's so embarrassing. I don't think it looks futuristic though," she said laughing nervously.

Alice shrugged. Allie was known for being humble, but also for being socially awkward and unable to take compliments easily.

Cygnus Black strode up to her confidently bowing his head full of dark chin length curls. An adorable, languid smile stretched across his face he boldly reached for her hand and placed a brazing kiss across her knuckles. "Alastrina, I was wondering if I could escort you on our trip to Hogsmeade this morning?"

Allie's eyebrow lifted unconsciously. He reminded her of his grandson in his youth. He was a couple inches above six feet, but was not at all gangly and awkward. His tanned, well cared for skin was abundant (as his arms were heavily muscled). His hair was like a rebel, wild and unable to be tamed yet still enticing in a dangerous way. His eyes were a dark tint of green and his features screamed aristocratic ancestry. His full lips were always stretched into a mischievous, lopsided grin.

His air of confidence was contagious and Allie grew brave. "Only on one occasion, Mr. Black."

He raised his eyebrows haughtily. "Name it."

"You must call me Allie."

He laughed flirtatiously. "I believe I can manage that, Allie."

They were unaware of a pair of bitter, hateful eyes were scrutinizing their every move.

Hogsmeade was everything Allie had hoped for as a kid when she was reading the books and more. Honeydukes was brightly colored and bustling with activity, Zonko's was a humorous building itself with a high pointed roof that was leaning haphazardly to the side, and Allie nearly wept with joy at being herded unceremoniously into The Three Broomsticks.

"It's everything I ever wished it would be." She said to herself while looking around in amazement.

"What was that love?" Cygnus asked placing a hand on her forearm.

She blushed and shook her head furiously. "Nothing, just trying to remember my constellations. I've got an exam in Astronomy on Monday." She lied quickly hoping to convince her companion.

He smiled charmingly, obviously buying her excuse. "Well, if this bar proves to loud for you there is another one we could go to. It would be much quieter and easier to talk. I know you've never been here, but Madam Pudifoot's is a cozy…"

She paled. Madam Pudifoot's was that teahouse where couples would go. She didn't want to be seen as a couple with Cygnus, but she couldn't show that she already knew anything about the village. "Very well then, let's go to this Madam Puddyfit's." She said sarcastically. She had no choice but to sign her own metaphorical death certificate.

He beamed at her, ushering her out onto the street. They walked past Tomes and Scrolls, a wizarding music store, and a sport's equipment shop until they reached their destination.

Madam Pudifoot's did not disappoint. Walking through the door you were hit with a magical blast of pink and red confetti. Tiny little cupids roamed the airways, singing cute little rhymes about love. They took a seat in a corner booth, but there was something wrong with the arrangement. On one side of the table was a sturdy seat that would barely fit two, but on the opposite side of the table was a bare wall. It dawned on her that it was a clever ruse to get two supposed lovebirds to have to sit as close together as possible.

Cygnus immediately took the inside seat and turned to look at Allie expectantly. "Well, aren't you going to sit?"

Allie, defeated, slid in next to him. He smelled of cinnamon and amber and his scent washed over her. After a few uncomfortable minutes of conversation on Allie's behalf, she began to get that same feeling she had gotten the night before. The back of her neck tingled, but she ignored trying her best to focus on what Black was saying.

"So I told him, if he wanted to act like a dense, daft, dim-witted mountain troll he could go ahead." He finished the sentence Allie had obviously not been paying attention to and she tried to feign interest.

His eyes flickered from her lips back up to her eyes, as he leaned into her and whispered in a husky tone. "You are quite an extraordinary creature, Alastrina."

Then the worst thing that could have possibly happened happened. Allie would have rather seen Headmaster Dippet in lingerie, and then get trampled by a Hippogriff, and then got her eyes pecked out by a turkey vulture, and then get used as a bludger in a professional quidditch game, and then take a swim with the giant squid then what happened next. His eyes flickered down once more to her lips as her took a firm hold of her chin with his hand. He leaned into her and then enveloped her mouth with his. Allie gasped surprised, giving him the entrance he yearned for. At first she thrashed about, trying to rid her mouth of the invader. Deciding to conserve her energy, she stopped fighting him and gave up. She sat there unmoving, waiting until he was done. She noted he tasted like apple butter and butterscotch, which was completely unexpected of him. When he retreated from her mouth finally, she was overjoyed that she had singular use of her tongue again. However, he was not done completely. Still with a firm grasp on her face he pulled her in for one more chaste, sweet kiss on her lips and then kissed her cheeks, her forehead, and finally pecked her nose. He sat straight up, looking down at her through his thick, dark eyelashes and smiled a lopsided grin of victory.

She scrunched up her nose, grinning an insincere smile. "Now that that is over with." She was just about to hex his balls off, when an angry voice interrupted her. "One usually asks for permission before inserting appendages into unsuspecting persons, Black."

Allie turned to see an angered, huffing Tom. Cygnus blushed embarrassed and spat back at Tom. "I don't see how it's any of your bloody business Tom."

Tom looked murderous. " I am simply here to warn you; Next time wait until the lady makes the move. Or at least ask permission."

Everyone in the teahouse quieted to watch the altercation. "You know what Tom, I think I'll do as I please." His voice dripped with venom as he leaned into kiss Allie again for effect and Allie closed her eyes tightly while tensing up. Ready for the invasion, but never feeling it she opened her eyes. The scene in front of her was worrisome.

Tom was standing over an unconscious Cygnus, wand in hand and panting. Cygnus was swollen and red with obvious boils covering his body. Tom came to from his state, realizing what position he was in. For one second, Tom's eyes met Allie's and they shared a mutual connection. He spun quickly, leaving just as abruptly as he came.

Cygnus was fine and recovering well in the Hospital Wing thanks to Allie's fast acting minor healing spells. No one found out about who was really to blame for Cygnus's condition and Allie got a feeling nobody ever would. She sat in a plush armchair that night, with a goblet of pumpkin juice laced with the Draught of Peace in her hand. She had so many questions in her mind and so many problems to deal with. The unsettling calm in the Slytherin common rooms was a precursor to the troubles that lied ahead. Her head of house strode into the room, sticking a flyer to the bulletin board located in the center of the room. After the eager crowd of fourth years filed away excitedly, Allie read in bold letters. 'Winter Ball Next Month, Dress: Formal. Theme: A Winter Masquerade.'

She groaned loudly, alarming all who sat around her. Add one more problem to her list, why not.

;o WOW! Hee, well I was a bit long with putting this one up but whatevs. So the song was "Devil in Disguise" by Elvis Presley. That's about it….. except I'm still wondering who Allie should go to the ball with c: ! Anywho, keep on keeping on.

MUSHHH LOVE!

XOXO

-Ella Mentry