Hey guys :D kk, i know its been a while but its finally here - R&R :)

As she walked wearily through the door to the common room she noticed Tom sitting at his spot; his eyes closed in forced concentration while a book lay propped up on his lap. Sneaking forward she tried to read the title of the book only to smirk.

The Memory Charm: The Art of Deception

He would never be able to break that spell, even if she had underestimated his powers before, unless he was an accomplished occlumens. Otherwise he'd rip apart his mind doing so.
Walking away she didn't catch Tom's eyes which had slit open while she was hovering over him and which had caught her smirk. Nor did she catch the way that his eyes narrowed dangerously as she skipped away, her tiny first year body disappearing almost immediately in the mass of students cluttered in the common room.

Her brow crinkled in determination as for the hundredth time that day she tried to find a pattern in the newspapers, something that could tell her what Tom had been looking for but she could see nothing.
Exactly
She froze as that thought leapt through her mind. Growling in anger she leapt off the bed and ran down the stairs in a blur. Of course there was nothing in those blasted newspapers – that was why Tom had thrown them away – and while she was up there in her bedroom wasting time over something useless he was somewhere else in the castle with Malfoy, plotting and playing with lives.
She had underestimated him before – that was clear when his magic had nearly caged her and she felt stupid for never thinking about it before.
He was Lord fucking Voldemort now wasn't he? Of course he had an unnatural level of power as a kid otherwise anyone could be a Dark Lord when they grew up.
Now all she had to do was figure out why he hated muggles so much. He would have to have a reason for certes but all she knew was that he had grown up in an orphanage where he had bullied near everyone.
But why?
From Harry's account of Dumbledore's memories Tom had no reason to hate as he did.
Stupid Bigot
Sighing, she let go of her anger at his stupidity and concentrated on Dumbledore's words that were only too easy to recall.
"Teach him what it's like to have a friend that won't use him, to have a friend that will care for him whenever he needs it and a friend that will keep him away from the dark arts."
She had to – for Harry's sake if no one else's.
She ran like mad to the third floor where she had heard Malfoy whisper they'd be. At that time of course she only considered it to be a wonderful opportunity to go over the newspapers but now she knew better.

She quietly tiptoed past several rooms, determined to hear a whisper from either Tom or Malfoy, but there was nothing.
Well, of course there's nothing! There's such a thing as a silencing charm you know!
Still not quite used to the idea that Tom already knew most spells, she now placed her wand in her hand and whispered 'point me Tom Riddle.' Her wand quickly spun to her right where a door lay hidden behind a painting.
Now what?
Now, we wait. She thought. Casting a disillusionment charm on herself, she settled back down into an alcove and waited patiently for them to come out.
Oh yes, this is so productive. Her mind snorted but she ignored it. She might not be able yet to see into the room but if she waited long enough then she might catch something they said when they left it.

She had waited nearly an hour and was in the middle of a yawn when the painting quietly opened to reveal a blonde haired boy gingerly leaving the room beyond and silently running back to the common room. Not a moment later Tom stepped through and he too began making his way back to the common room when he froze.

Catching her breath, she pushed herself further back into the alcove, hiding desperately in the shadows.
'I know you're there Granger. Care to explain yourself?'

Swearing under her breath she picked herself up and removed the charm, stepping out into the light.
'What were you doing Tom?' She asked, refusing to step back down.
'It is of no concern to you. You on the other hand were spying on me which I don't take lightly to Granger.'

'Like I could actually see or hear anything,' she bit back sweetly. 'I just wanted someone intellectual to talk to and you were the first one I could think of.'

'So you spent hours in that grimy little alcove just to have a conversation with me?'

'Ye-'

'Don't lie to me Granger.'

'Look,' she whispered, lowering her eyelids as if in defeat. 'I just missed you Tom. You're always disappearing off with Malfoy and I hardly get to see you anymore.'

She warily looked up only to find a sneer waiting for her.

'Like I said. You're terrible at lying Granger.'

'But-'

'Granger, do us all a favour and go drown yourself. The world is better off without you.'

She frowned at the double meaning behind his words but chose to ignore it for the time being.

'You know you'd miss me if I did Tom,' she replied acidly before abruptly turning around and walking back down the corridor.