"Well that accomplished nothing" Aubrey said defeated, returning to Elle and Ana and grabbing her discarded books.

"What did Tom say?" Ana and Elle asked in unison.

"That if I go to the ball with him, my mark will improve" Aubrey scowled, watching Tom Riddle continue down the long hallway ahead, his black robes billowing out behind him.

"Do you think you should talk to Stretton, Bree?" Ana asked.

"And tell him what?" Aubrey replied, "he won't believe me about Riddle...and I think it would just annoying Tom more."

"So you're just going to say yes?" the blonde pressed on.

"No" Aubrey answered, hesitantly, "that seems too easy."

"Let's go get ready for the Slug Club tonight" Elle said more cheerfully, "it'll get your mind off it."

That evening Aubrey, Elle and Anastasia were heading deeper into the dungeons for Slughorn's second Slug Club meeting of the term. Not to the girls' surprise, Tom Riddle and his friends had already arrived and were seated at the large, wooden table headed by the Professor. While other students sat around the table, the same three seats that stood vacant for Aubrey and her friends last time were again available.

"Excellent job in Potions yesterday, Elle" Professor Slughorn said brightly, once the girls had settled. "You're precision in brewing draughts continues to amaze."

"Thank you, Sir" Elle smiled.

"And Miss. Harrow" Slughorn continued, "how is your father enjoying his new position at the Ministry?"

"He's enjoying it very much, Professor" Ana replied.

It was some time towards the end of the meeting that Slughorn's focus shifted directly to Tom Riddle.

"And I continue to hear wonderful things about your role as Head Boy, Tom" Slughorn beamed proudly, "are you enjoying your private room?"

Tom nodded.

"Excellent...yes, a wise choice on behalf of the Headmaster" Slughorn continued, "though most well deserved, a bright, young wizard such as yourself Tom will really benefit from this position."

"You're too kind, Professor" Tom replied.

Aubrey rolled her eyes and shot a disgusted look at Elle, who pressed her lips to keep from giggling. Aubrey admitted that Riddle deserved flattery for his accomplishments, but Slughorn's continuous praise of the Head Boy was becoming nauseating.

"However Tom" Slughorn said cheerfully, as if a new idea had suddenly popped into his brain, "I hear that Miss Knight has been quite the competition for you in Transfiguration...has her mother's talent I hear" Slughorn smiled, winking at Aubrey.

The other students, in exception of Elle and Anastasia, focused their attention on Aubrey instantly with their mouths ajar. They were likely unaware, Aubrey guessed, that her mother was once a student at this very school. Tom Riddle on the other hand, while giving Aubrey a quizzical look, appeared less confused than those around him, but instead intrigued as to this new piece of information. Before any questions could be asked about Aubrey's mum, Slughorn continued.

"Well done, Aubrey" he beamed, "I've heard about your test marks in Transfiguration, and it appears you're certainly giving Mr. Riddle a run for his money."

"That reminds me" Tom said once Slughorn was finished, and had just dismissed the students, "speaking of tests, I mean...I've set aside some time to tutor you for Charms next Friday, Aubrey."

Aubrey turned a bright shade of red and flashed an angry look at Riddle. It was one thing for the whole school to know she was failing Charms, but for him to bring it to the attention of the Slug Club was another.

"Oh, I love it when students collaborate together!" Slughorn beamed, guiding the students out his classroom door, "now hurry back to your common rooms, it's getting late!"

"Going to keep playing the tutoring card, are you Riddle?" Aubrey asked, once the students had filed out of Slughorn's classroom, "you don't think it's getting a little tiresome?"

"Perhaps" Tom smiled coyly, "but your reaction is forever entertaining."

"I aim to please" Aubrey replied sarcastically.

"As you should" Tom said, "and you know what would really please me, Miss Knight-"

"Stop while you're ahead" Aubrey interjected, "begging really doesn't look good on you, Riddle."

Elle, Anastasia and even some of Tom's friends erupted into fits of laughter.

"Enough!" Tom scowled, "leave" and he motioned to the other boys, who continued to make their way down the dark corridor. Elle motioned to Aubrey that she and Ana were going to follow, and Aubrey nodded slightly.

"Sweet dreams, Tom" Aubrey said brightly, once the rest of the Slug Club was out of earshot. She turned on her heel and made her way to follow in their footsteps.

"Why are you being so difficult?" Tom asked firmly, grabbing Aubrey's arm and spinning her around to face him.

"I don't know what you're talking-"

"You're time at Hogwarts will improve drastically, Miss Knight" Tom said calmly, "if you just say 'yes.'"

"But I haven't said 'no,'" Aubrey replied.

Tom didn't respond but instead pulled Aubrey closer, slamming her into his chest, and pressed his lips to hers. Aubrey slid her hands up against Tom's chest and pushed herself away from him.

"How dare you kiss me!" she said breathlessly, immediately regretting breaking away from his kiss.

Tom said nothing, but instead stood quietly before her.

In a swift movement Aubrey's hands were back on Tom Riddle's chest, as she pulled herself closer to him, and placed her lips back onto his. She closed her eyes and arched her neck upwards, allowing Tom to explore her mouth with his tongue. His right hand moved from her side to her lower back, and he pushed her closer into him, deepening his kiss. Aubrey wrapped her arms around his neck, and she could feel Tom's fingers play with the waistband of her skirt before sliding back to their original position on her waist. Slowly, Tom's hand crept up Aubrey's side, his fingers working their way from her waist up higher and higher. Aubrey shifted her position in Tom's embrace, hoping that his hand would leave its rising position, and causing a deep growl to escape from Tom's throat. His lips still firmly on hers, Tom pushed Aubrey against the stone wall, with one hand now resting gently along her jaw line and the other back on her hip.

He's touching me! He's actually touching me! Aubrey thought to herself.

Tom's hand continued to move up and down Aubrey's side, and he tilted her face upwards towards his, brushing her cheek with his thumb. His hands had just reached the side of her bust line when a feeling of anxiety suddenly crept over Aubrey.

I can't do this! Not in the hallway! What if someone catches us?

Just as Tom's hand went to move from her side to the front of her chest, Aubrey broke the kiss, requiring her full effort to pull her lips away from Tom's.

"I should go" she breathed heavily, sliding out from Tom's embrace and running down the long, dark hallway.