Norah was always a very impatient person, and as she sat on the edge of her chair waiting, she felt she was at her pinnacle of intolerance.

"Would they just tell us why we're here already?" she asked Anna Russell, a Hufflepuff Prefect. "Seriously, they called us in here, what, fifteen minutes ago? Has anyone even started to explain anything yet, though? No."

"Norah, be patient," Anna said looking straight forward to the front of the Great Hall. "They'll tell us why they called us here soon enough I'm sure."

In a matter of minutes, Professor Dippet walked up behind the podium and began to speak.

"Now I know that you are all wondering why you were all brought here…."

"No, you think!" Norah whispered.

"Oh Norah, be quiet! You're just irritable because you can't go to bed just yet." Anna whispered, laughing.

"Am not!" Norah shot back quietly.

"Shhh!"

"…..all know about the incident with the Chamber of Secrets last year."

Norah quickly became interested in what he had to say. She defiantly knew about what happened with the Chamber of Secrets. Her younger sister, Elizabeth, was among those that were Petrified.

"Now, we are quite sure that this hysteria is long over, don't get me wrong. It is in the best interest of us all, however, to enforce higher security this year. This is where you come in," Dippet addressed the small crowd.

The Prefects and newly appointed Head Boy and Girl all sat up straighter in their chairs, including Norah and Anna.

"The teachers and I have come up with a patrol list. We have paired you all up with one partner. Also, to help promote inter-house cooperation, everybody, with the exception of the Head Boy and Girl, will be partnered with a Prefect from another House. Now, I will read the list off, and when I am finished you shall sit by your partner and wait for Professor Dumbledore to come around with your patrol schedules."

He took out a piece of parchment and read off the names:

"Charles Belmont and Silvia Waynes. Anna Russell and Michael Lawler….."

"You and Michael? I feel sorry for you. You know he has a dependency problem, right Anna?" Norah said sniggering. "He'll never let you out of his sight!"

"Just you wait and see who your partner is," Anna replied. Though she was clearly not happy at all with her partner, she still she had a smirk on her face.

"What do you know Anna? Tell me!"

"Oh nothing. It's just that my grandfather and Professor Dippet are good friends and he came over this summer. I saw the list on my grandfather's desk." She turned to Norah with an even wider smirk.

"...Norah Harris and Tom Riddle. Well, there you have it! Once you have received your schedules you may go on up to bed. Goodnight!"

Norah couldn't believe it. A Slytherin?! No less, a Slytherin who was her rival for top grades in all classes.

"This isn't fair!" she whined to Anna.

"I'm quite sure it is, Norah," Anna said getting up to leave.

"So Anna," said Michael, who had come over to get his schedule with her. "Do you want to meet sometime to go over our schedule?"

"I'd rather not," she mumbled. " 'Night, Norah."

She left the hall, closely followed by Michael. Just across the hall, Tom sat at the Slytherin table talking to Katrina Masen, the other Slytherin Prefect. He looked up and saw Norah staring at him. He stood up and walked toward her.

"Riddle," she said staring at him indifferently.

He didn't say anything, but he nodded his head to acknowledge that he had heard her.

"I'll be right back," Norah said as Professor Dumbledore came by to give Tom their schedules. She walked up to the head of the hall where the teacher's table was. Professor Dippet was having an animated conversation with Professor Alton.

"Professor?" Norah said quietly.

"Why, yes, Miss Harris?"

"Could I have a word with you in private?"

"Of course, excuse me please, Edith," he said walking away from the Charms teacher.

"Um, Professor," Norah started timidly. "I was wondering if I could have a different partner."

Dippet sighed. "I'm sorry, Miss Harris, but you cannot. What is it you have against Mr. Riddle? Is he not the person who found the culprit to the openings of the Chamber?"

Norah thought for a minute. It was true. If not for Tom, many others could have very well ended up like her sister, or worse, there could have been another murder. Something still didn't sit well with her, though.

"Miss Harris, does this have anything to do with his House or, perhaps, your grades?"

Norah looked at her feet, feeling like a small child caught doing something they shouldn't. "Yes ,sir. It's just a silly rivalry, but still I don't feel comfortable with this arrangement."

"Well, why don't you just give it a try. Show some of the leadership I know you have and bear up. You know, I have you in mind for Head Girl next year." He winked.

Norah was speechless. Head Girl had been her dream since first year. It meant everything to her to follow in her mother's footsteps as Prefect and Head Girl.

"Alright, sir," she said.

"Excellent! Well, have a good evening." He smiled and walked away.

Norah sighed. She saw that Tom still hadn't left. He was sitting there reading the schedule. When she came closer, he stood and handed over her copy of the schedule. She looked it over quickly and found their first patrol date.

"Well, we have to patrol tomorrow. I will meet you in the entrance hall at eight o'clock." she said quickly and began to walk away.

He followed her out of the hall. She turned at the foot of the stairs.

"Goodnight, Tom," she said stiffly.

He looked quite bewildered but answered with a small farewell as he disappeared into the dungeons. Norah walked slowly up the stairs, thinking back on the meeting.

I've just got to deal with this, she thought. This patrol should be over soon enough….and then I could very well have the position of Head Girl in the bag.

She smiled and walked on, anxious to get some rest.