Dumbledore led the five students into the hall, and that's when Tom Riddle first noticed her. The girl at the back of the line had long, mahogany coloured hair that seemed to warm her fair complexion. As she walked, it cascaded in natural waves down her back. Tom noticed that, unlike the others in front of her, her eyes did not wander or look afraid, but instead remained focused straight ahead. This instantly intrigued him, and he wondered what powers she must possess to be able to walk into a new school, his school, with such confidence. As the group passed the Slytherin table Tom noticed how her form fitted, black dress accentuated her curves nicely, and pitied the fact that she would soon have to change into the Hogwarts school uniform.

"Looks like we've got a couple of new ones, hey?" Abraxas Malfoy snickered to Tom. "Adds some nice variety...that dark haired one especially-"

"Is mine" Tom said coolly, interrupting Malfoy.

"Come again my Lord?" Malfoy protested, confused by his master's sudden interest in the opposite sex.

"I said she's mine, you can have the blonde one Abraxas... that's more your style anyway." Malfoy sighed, but did not press the issue any further. Tom smiled to himself, finding humour in how easy it had become to control others and their actions. A skill that he knew would be furthered once the headmaster announced his promotion to Head Boy.

Meanwhile, Aubrey and the four other students had, after what seemed like centuries, finally made it to the end of the great hall. She could feel the stares and hear the murmurs of whispers when the group first entered. She had decided right then it would be best to not address them, and instead kept her eyes focused on Garridan in front on her.

"Welcome to Hogwarts!" said a man in dark cloaks, descending the stairs leading to the Professors table. "For those of you who do not know, I am Armando Dippet, your Headmaster."

The group of five smiled nervously at him, some nodding their heads in acknowledgment.

"Now, as the first years have already been sorted into their houses, it is now your turn" he continued. "Once the hat has placed you into your house, you may join them for dinner at their respective table. Of course, I've already explained to the students the goal of the exchange program, so on behalf of everyone here tonight, I extend a warm welcome to our school" he smiled at each student approvingly, before heading back to his table. Dumbledore stepped forward, now holding an old hat and motioning to a stool beside him.

"Miss Broussard...if you would" he said. Before she knew it, all four of the others had been sorted, and it was now Aubrey's turn.

"Miss Knight" Dumbledore said, smiling down at her as she placed herself onto the stool.

"Well, well, well" the hat began, "I was wondering if Hogwarts was ever going to see you," it chuckled slightly. "So much like your mother you are" and then the hat paused "yet...different."

Aubrey sat motionless on the stool, feeling the hundreds of eyes focused on her. She tried not to look back at them, but instead focused her eyes to the back of the hall on the wooden doors, occasionally sneaking a peak upwards at the brim of the hat.

"Still..." the hat continued "I know you will do well in..."

Aubrey held her breath, hoping that she would be placed in the same silver and green coloured house her mother was.

"Slytherin!" the hat bellowed, and Professor Dumbledore removed the hat off her head. Aubrey smiled as the Slytherin table erupted in applause and she made her way over. She slid into the bench between a shaggy haired boy and Garridan Smith, who had also been sorted into Slytherin moments before her.

"Glad to see a familiar face" he said, beaming at her.

"Definitely" she replied, returning his smile.

Headmaster Dippet once again descended the short set of stairs leading to the professors table and began to address the crowd.

"And now with the sorting complete, I trust that all of you will make our new students, as well as our visitors, feel at home" he began. "However, before we begin our magnificent feast, I wish to make one more quick announcement."

There was a collective groan across the great hall as students seemed anxious for the food to arrive, but Dippet only smiled. "This year I am most pleased to announce that Holly MacMillan, from Ravenclaw house, has been chosen for position of Head Girl! Stand up dear so everyone can see you!" Dippet insisted.

A pretty, red headed girl stood up from the middle of the Ravenclaw table and gave a little wave as the entire hall applauded.

"And, I'm as equally pleased to announce that Tom Riddle, from Slytherin house, has been named as this year's Head Boy!"

The entire Slytherin table erupted with a deafening display of cheers and applause, and Aubrey noticed a boy stand up at the other end of the table. He was dark haired and pale, with very sharp features, yet Aubrey could not help but stare at him. He was easily the most handsome boy she had ever seen. He didn't smile, but instead stood at the head of the table, nodding his head in acknowledgement of the applause. Aubrey noticed that he looked so calm, confident, and powerful...it was as if all these other students somehow looked up to him. He looked like a leader.

"Congratulations to you both" Dippet continued as Tom sat back down, "I am confident that each of you will provide a great service to this school...and now let the feast begin!"

With a flick of Dippet's wand dishes of food magically appeared on the table before them, and hungry students began digging into the various bowls and serving dishes, helping themselves. Aubrey tried to focus her attention on the other students around her, but could not stop stealing quick glances at the handsome boy at the end of the table. Though every time she tried to make eye contact with him he was turned away, she could have sworn that she felt his dark, piercing eyes staring at her throughout dinner.

"Where are you from, Aubrey?" a brown haired witch across from her asked.

"Laurier Academy" Aubrey replied back.

"Oooh" the witch began, "A friend of my cousin goes there...do you know George?" she asked.

"Um...I don't know", Aubrey replied, wondering what George in particular the witch had meant.

"You know George" she pressed on, "he's tall, shaggy hair...I forget his surname but I think it starts with a B...maybe an H or something?" her thoughts seemed to drift off and Aubrey just stared at her blankly.

"Ah, well" the witch carried on, "my name's Celinda by the way, I think we're roommates actually."

"Great" smiled Aubrey. She didn't really mind, for despite being a little thick, Celinda seemed friendly enough. The rest of the dinner continued smoothly, with various students asking Aubrey questions about what it was like back home, what courses she was going to be taking, and whether or not she was a pureblood. Once the feast was over, Headmaster Dippet made another quick announcement instructing prefects to lead their houses to the dormitories and reminding students that tomorrow's breakfast was where they could pick up their class schedule. Aubrey watched as the mass of students began to get up from their tables and head towards the great wooden doors when a long, slender hand reached between her and Garridan. She turned around to see a long haired blond boy with a sharp noise.

"Hello" he said coolly, "I'm Abraxas Malfoy, a prefect for Slytherin house."

"Aubrey Knight" she replied, grasping his cool hand.

"I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything, such as help navigating your way through the castle, don't hesitate to ask, it would be a pleasure to assist-"

"Malfoy" a deep, stern voice called, and to Aubrey's delight the handsome wizard was walking towards them. "Shouldn't you be escorting your house down to the dungeons?" he continued, a tone laced in his words.

"I was just making sure our newest guest was taken care of" Malfoy protested, taking a step closer towards Aubrey.

"I will ensure that she is" Tom replied, dismissing Malfoy with a stern nod, who lazily rejoined the other housemates.

"I apologize" Tom said, "he has difficulty obeying orders sometimes."

"It's fine" replied Aubrey, unaware that Tom was not referring to Malfoy neglecting his prefect duties.

"I'm Tom...Tom Riddle" he said, outstretching his hand.

"Right" replied Aubrey, pretending to have forgotten who he was and grabbing his hand "congratulations" she said nodding to his Head Boy badge.

"Very kind of you" he said politely, and there were a few seconds of silence.

"Oh, I'm Aubrey!" she replied bashfully, suddenly remembering she'd been shaking a stranger's hand, yet hadn't given him her name. "Aubrey Knight" she followed, more confidently.

Tom flashed a brief smile, "pleasure" he said softly.

Aubrey felt she could stare at that slight smile all day. It was so bright and jovial and for those brief seconds and completely changed his appearance; he looked happy and carefree. Of course he was still handsome, but less stoic and serious then when she observed him from across the table.

"Aubrey! There you are!" a loud voice cried from across the hall and Aubrey, startled, pulled her hand away from Tom's.

Celinda was walking briskly towards them. "I thought you had gotten lost!" she said, "thank goodness I found you!" Aubrey tried to hide her disappointment, though for a brief second she swore Tom didn't, catching him with a scowl.

"A true relief" Aubrey replied politely, as Celinda bounded forward towards the pair, linking her arm into Aubrey's.

"Thanks for looking after her, Tom" Celinda said merrily, starting to pull Aubrey away before she could say goodbye. They were only a few feet away from him when she heard his voice again.

"Miss Knight" spoke Tom, causing the girls to look over their shoulders. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

Aubrey flashed a wide smile at him, and continued to be dragged along by Celinda. When they had exited the great hall, still arm in arm, Celinda let her mouth hang open and looked at Aubrey with big, wide eyes.

"Were you just speaking to Tom Riddle?" she asked, seemingly in amazement.

"It appears that way, yes" replied Aubrey somewhat sarcastically, still annoyed that Celinda had interrupted her time with the handsome wizard. Celinda continued to stare at her, mouth ajar.

"Why, what's the big deal?" Aubrey asked.

"It's Tom Riddle!" Celinda cried, "he's only the most handsome wizard in the entire school! He doesn't speak to anyone...unless you count Malfoy and those guys...but other than that, no one really."

"Well that can't be true" said Aubrey defiantly, preventing herself from getting excited about their brief encounter. "He must talk to people, I mean he's Head Boy...and the whole Slytherin table was practically worshiping him when the Headmaster made the announcement."

"True" said Celinda, as they made their way down the stone steps towards the dungeons, "but still...girls try to talk to Tom all the time, practically throw themselves at him, but he doesn't seem to have much interest."

Aubrey shrugged, passing off her encounter with Tom as an act of kindness by the Head Boy to a new student. She attempted to push him out of her thoughts and tried to recall the last corridors they had traveled down to get to their common room. She had been so absorbed in Celinda's description of Tom Riddle that she neglected to pay attention to where they were walking.

"Oh, by the way" Celinda said as they reached a bare stone wall deep in the dungeons, "the password is 'serpensortia.'" The stone wall moved slowly aside, creating an oval entrance way into the dimly lit room.

"The password changes all the time" Celinda continued, "but there's usually someone around to tell you when it does."

"Right...thanks" Aubrey replied, admiring the stone entrance before stepping for the first time into the Slytherin common room.