Aubrey's red lips parted into a huge grin, as she offered a sigh of relief, recognising the low voice instantly. Turning around slowly, she took in Tom Riddle, his good looks standing out against the many faces. Donned in drapes of black material, with a matching bow tie, Tom looked tall and strong in his dress robes. His hair was parted neatly the same way it always was, allowing the chiselled features of his face to hold prominence. His dark eyes met Aubrey's and his perfect, pale pink lips parted into a slight smirk. He not only looked handsome, but completely cool and calm.

"Good evening" Aubrey smiled, returning Tom's greeting as he stepped towards her.

"You're beautiful" Tom said seriously, reaching for Aubrey's hand and pulling it up gently, placing a swift kiss against her skin.

"Thank you" Aubrey said quietly, feeling her cheeks turn slightly flush.

"Shall we?" Tom asked, holding out his arm and turning towards the doors leading into the great hall.

Aubrey looped her arm in through Tom's, and followed his lead as he weaved through the crowd of couples and towards the grand doors. Aubrey gasped as they entered the barely recognizable dining hall. The long house tables had vanished, replaced by a large stage and open dance floor whose perimeter was lined with big, round tables and plush dining chairs. The night sky poured in through the ceiling as the starlight cascaded down onto the floating candles that hovered in the air. Lighted jack-o-lanterns floated through the night sky, and black and orange flower arrangements sat neatly on each rounded table.

"Happy Halloween, Tom" Aubrey smiled, clutching onto his arm a little tighter as they made their way through the doorway.

"Happy Halloween, Aubrey" Tom returned, smiling slightly. "Come, we can go join the others near the back."

Aubrey nodded and again followed Tom's lead as he led her through the maze of tables towards the back of the grand hall, towards the stage. The hall, which was devoid of music but alive with chatter, suddenly quieted as Tom and Aubrey passed various groups of students. Aubrey's feelings of confidence quickly began to waver as she and Tom passed, feeling the angry stares directed towards her, with some girls scowling and others shooting her pure looks of disgust.

"I can't believe he went with her" she heard one girl mumble off to the side, but when Aubrey went to take a second glance at the culprit, Tom only locked in her arm tighter, pulling her closer towards him. He seemed unaffected by the stares and comments, and instead kept his focus straight ahead, avoiding eye contact while leading Aubrey towards the back.

"Here" Tom said, motioning to an empty seat when he and Aubrey had reached the back, and joined other Slytherins at table in the far corner. "Would you like anything?" Tom asked as Aubrey sat, "a drink, perhaps?"

"Please" Aubrey replied, watching Tom and members of his gang stalk off towards the refreshments table at the opposite side of the room.

"Well you made an entrance!" Elle beamed, switching chairs and scooting over beside Aubrey, Brishen in tow.

"They're judging me Elle!"

"Only cause they're jealous, Bree"

"They're wondering why he picked me" Aubrey sighed, her suspicions coming true. It wasn't only she who wondered why Tom Riddle had a sudden interest in her, the whole school had, too.

"Never mind them!" Elle gushed, "You and Tom look fantastic together! You look really great Aubrey!"

"Ha!" Aubrey scoffed, but she couldn't stop the smile that formed on her lips.

"Let's just have fun tonight" Elle beamed, "don't worry about anything."

"Good evening students!" a loud voice interupted from the back of the hall. Professor Dippet had just mounted the stage and was addressing the hall.

"Quiet, quiet" he smiled, waiting as the chatter slowly died down. "Welcome to Hogwarts first Halloween Ball!" and the sound of applause filled the great room.

"Here" Tom whispered as he slid quietly into the chair beside Aubrey, handing her a crystal glass filled with pale pink, bubbly liquid. "Cheers"

"Cheers" Aubrey smiled.

"So remember, while all the professors here at Hogwarts hope you enjoy yourselves, there is no excuse not to be safe" Professor Dippet finished, smiling broadly down onto the students. "And now...let the dance begin!"

Suddenly the sound of music filled the hall, as the Headmaster exited the stage and wizards, carrying bizarre looking instruments, ran forward, launching into their first tune.

"Ooh, I love this song!" Elle shrieked, "come on Brishen, let's dance!" and she pulled the Slytherin up from the table and followed the massive throng of students onto the dance floor.

"Would you like to dance?" Tom asked, standing above Aubrey and holding out his hand.

"You dance?" Aubrey asked surprised, placing her hand in his and rising up.

"I do a lot of things that may surprise you, Miss Knight."

"I look forward to seeing that" Aubrey replied, following Tom onto the dance floor.

The upbeat, fast tempo of the band was electrifying, and Aubrey's confidence soon returned as she noticed that other students became too absorbed with their own dance partners to focus on her and Tom. As the band played, Tom twirled Aubrey around the dance floor, spinning her out from his arms before swiftly pulling her back in, holding her close against him. Aubrey was impressed, he was by no means a professional dancer like the ones she'd seen in wizarding magazines, but Tom had a wonderful sense of timing and, of course, was a natural leader. She laughed as he continued their routine of spinning her away from him before luring her back in.

"Thank you Hogwarts!" the lead singer roared many songs later, "we're going to take a quick break, but we'll be right back."

Aubrey smiled as the music ended and Tom released her from his grasp, grateful for an opportunity to catch her breath.

"Would you like to get some air?" Tom asked.

"Sure" Aubrey smiled.

Tom grabbed her hand once more and proceeded to weave Aubrey through the mass of students and out of the great hall. Entering into the foyer, he headed towards the grand staircase, and began ascending the steps.

"I thought we were getting some air" Aubrey said, pulling her hand out of Tom's and looking up at him as he stood several steps above her.

"No" he said calmly, turning to face her. "I want to show you something. Come" he finished, outstretching his hand which Aubrey took. As they climbed, Aubrey heard couples off in the distance, hidden in a corner. It wasn't until they reached the third floor when sounds of giggling vanished, and Aubrey realised that she and Tom were completely alone.

"Where are we going?" Aubrey asked, still holding Tom's hand and following him along the dimly lit hallway.

"In here" Tom said, taking a sudden turn and leading Aubrey through a door that was neatly labelled "Trophy Room."

Entering, Tom led her to a large plaque near the back, encased in a glass case. Examining it, Aubrey saw Tom's name pop up immediately.

"You brought me here to show me your award?" she asked smugly.

"Hardly" Tom scowled, "besides Miss Knight, this is hardly the most impressive" he continued, motioning to a large, shiny trophy the stood prominently on the other side of the room. "Keep looking" he finished.

Aubrey grinned and focused her attention back onto the plaque, scanning the names as she read up through the years. Two names, one male and one female, were added each year and just when Aubrey realised that this was a plaque commemorating the Head Boys and Girls of Hogwarts was when she saw it.

"Vivian Hallson. Head Girl. Slytherin. 1928."

Her mother's name.

"Oh Tom!" Aubrey gasped, clasping her mouth and leaning forward to better examine the plaque.

"You never told me your mother went to Hogwarts" Tom said sternly.

"You never asked" Aubrey said, still studying the plaque, reading her mother's name over and over.

"That's hardly something one would think to ask, Miss Knight. Especially of an exchange student."

"I never knew her name was here" Aubrey whispered, ignoring Tom's comment.

"How would you?" Tom stated rhetorically.

"How did you find out?" Aubrey asked, turning her attention to Tom for the first time and standing up straight.

"Research" Tom replied calmly, "after Slughorn mentioned your mother at the Slug Club, my curiosity was peaked. I would have shown you earlier, but I've been quite busy."

Aubrey didn't respond, but instead focused her attention back onto her mother's name. Her mother's name! She was here, her mum, seventeen years ago , wandering the same halls and attending the same classes that Aubrey herself was now. It was a surreal feeling, and Aubrey felt a whirlwind of emotions at once. Joy for seeing her mother's name, fondness for being in the very institute her mother learned in, and sadness that she was no longer here to share this with Aubrey or be a part of her life. Suddenly, a feeling of profound sadness, anger and hopelessness swept over Aubrey, as grief for her mother's death swept over her. Tears began to roll softly down her cheeks, staining her made up eyes.

"Aubrey?" Tom asked awkwardly, and suddenly she remembered she wasn't alone.

"Thank you, Tom" Aubrey said, turning away from the plaque and brushing the tears away from her face. "It means a lot to me, to see this."

"I'm glad" Tom hestiated, still looking uncomfortable.

"I'm sorry about this" Aubrey laughed, motioning her tears and trying to keep her emotions together. While sad, she was genuinely pleased to have seen her mother's name, and was touched that Tom would have taken the time to find it for her. Surely that meant he cared...didn't it? Would he put in this much effort for a one night "fling"?

"It's fine, Miss Knight" Tom said calmly, stepping forward and relaxing slightly. "It wasn't my intention to upset you."

"You haven't" Aubrey insisted, "it's just..." but she stopped, unable to describe her feelings and not wanting to ruin their evening further. "It's one of the nicest things someone's done for me. Thank you" she finished.

Tom nodded curtly, and moments of silence passed as Aubrey continued to gaze down at the plaque before her.

"Shall we get back?" Tom asked a while later, his hand outstretched in Aubrey's direction.

"Yes" Aubrey smiled, placing her hand in his he led her from the dim room.

"You know" Tom said quietly as they descended the stairs back towards the hall, "my mother is dead, too."