It's strange how fast time can travel when one is having fun. It seemed only yesterday that it was Christmas but now it was New Years Eve. This meant it was Riddle's birthday today. As soon as I opened my eyes that morning I bounded out of my room and straight into his, expecting him to be awake; he wasn't. For a few moments I watched him sleep and he looked so innocent and peaceful that I couldn't see how he could think himself so evil.

A small cheeky smile spread across my face as a sudden idea hit me. With one quick leap I was upon him.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" I squealed in delight.

A frown came across his brow as he cracked open an eye then it disappeared as he caught a glimpse of me and he grinned throwing an arm over me, rolling me over so that I lay beside him.

"Five more minutes" he mumbled.

"But it's your birthday!" I protested trying to wriggle free.

"What did you get me?" he asked smirking, eyes still closed.

Guilt seeped into my system, I wasn't expecting a question quite like that "well…I haven't got it yet but if you get up we could sneak out and maybe find something?" I suggested.

He pulled me closer still keeping his eyes closed "I don't need a gift"

"Yes you do! Now come and get-" my protests were cut abruptly short as Riddle planted a large kiss unceremoniously upon my lips. This was something I wasn't expecting especially at this hour of the morning.

"Good now you've given me something" he mumbled lazily drifting off again.

"That's not a gift!" I argued stopping him from going back to sleep.

"Sure you are" he muttered sleepily.

"I am not a gift!" I huffed angrily.

"Why ever not? You could be useful at Hogwarts" there was a hint of laughter in his sleepy voice.

"Useful? I am not some possession of yours Tom" my voice sounded slightly hurt by this idea.

"You miss-understood me as you so often do" answered Riddle with a heavy sigh "I could do with a real friend at Hogwarts"

"If only there was someway you could take me with you, Hogwarts sounds amazing" I had given up on my endeavor trying to get him up instead I snuggled up beside him.

He liked this because he huddled close too.

"I'll find a way" he mumbled thickly.

Within a matter of seconds we had both fallen back asleep but this time in each others arms.

Two hours later I had awoken with a start and there was Riddle staring at me smiling.

"How long have you been laying there staring at me?" I quizzed, preying to god that I didn't make any strange noises while I slept.

"No more than ten minutes" he replied still smiling though now more broadly.

That's when I realised that one of his hands was entwined in my auburn hair.

"You're playing with my hair?" I asked incredulously.

"It's just as soft as your skin" he replied.

A small grin played at the corners of my mouth as he continued to twirl my hair softly through his thin fingers.

"You're twelve today" I muttered trying not to go back to sleep.

"I know" he replied staring into my eyes "and I will be in my second year at Hogwarts"

"Another step closer to being a fine wizard" I mumbled my eyelids drooping. His touch was making me sleepy; the more he played with my hair the more it calmed me.

He shifted closer so that his warm breath ran across my face.

"What is a fine wizard without a fine wife?"

Instantly my eyes snapped open.

"What!?"

"Behind every great wizard is a great wife" he stated simply frowning at my reaction, "it's just a saying"

Such a topic was making me uneasy and it should make him uneasy as well but it wasn't. Even at his age he shouldn't be thinking that far ahead.

"Well I am sure you'll find a nice…err…witch"

I watched his frown deepen as he continued to toy with my hair and I couldn't really make out what he was thinking. It looked more like he was concentrating, "witch? Would you not want to marry me?"

This was exactly the question I was trying to avoid. Riddle always looked to the future and I know he always had it planned but I didn't think his plan was as well developed as this and I found it quite unnerving, especially because his plans also concerned my future.

"Who says that we will marry?" I giggled, "feelings change, circumstances change; we could get separated or something; no one knows what the future holds"

His hand slipped from my hair to my cheek.

"Nothing can make me change; I don't care if there is a large sea separating us I will find you"

Every word he spoke sounded certain and deep down I held onto a shred of hope that wanted him to be true although I knew he was the only one that could make himself change and I was certain he would.

"You really do like me don't you?" I asked.

There was a small awkward pause.

"Yes I do" he answered quickly.

"More than a friend?" I pressed further.

"Haven't I been obvious enough?" he asked smiling, inching close.

"You've been obvious" I answered extremely fast as my heart began to beat so quickly I thought it would burst from my chest.

He laughed lightly before yawning and he quickly got up and out of the bed stretching. As I watched him another thought crossed my mind; one that twelve/eleven year olds wouldn't ask each other but then again I wasn't exactly eleven and Riddle... well... he was a little beyond his years anyway.

"Hey Tom, have you ever thought about wanting a child when you're older?"