AN: I really like this story and want to see how it develops but if I don't get enough reviews, I'm going to assume you don't like it and I shall discontinue this story. We'll see how it goes.

Chapter 3: New Beginnings

"Relax," Tom chuckled, "I'm not going to hurt you," he said putting his wand away. Now she looked positively furious.

"TOM RIDDLE, DON'T YOU EVER DO THAT AGAIN!" It was odd how he liked the way she said his name, even though he loathed it so much. And he had to admit, she didn't look half-bad when she was mad. Hang on, did he just say that the girl, Blackburn, was alright-looking? Blimey…his plan definitely was going downhill. He was supposed to be intimidating her, for Merlin's sake! Well seeing as nothing was going to plan, he might as well come out with a true shocker.

"Listen, uh, Blackburn? I'm, uh, well I actually am…" Blimey this was going to be harder than he thought. "I'm sorry."

She just sat there with her mouth wide-open. Was that a good reaction? He'd never apologised to anyone in his entire life before and it felt weird. Good, but weird nonetheless.

"I-I actually don't know how to respond to that," she said slowly, staring at him as if trying to decode some hidden meaning in the apology. "I guess I should say that that's alright, but I dunno. You did try to kill me. Not to mention Myrtle." Tom's heart sank. She hadn't forgiven him. And how, in his right mind, could he expect her to? Yet, there was that hope…He tried to shrug it off but it was no use. Here he was, grovelling for forgiveness from a mudblood and she'd refused.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" a voice drawled from behind him. Tom spun around. It was Rowle and Carrow, accompanied by basically the rest of his 'group'.

"You know better than that to address me like that," Tom sneered.

"Yes well we thought we knew better too. Turns out we know nothing apparently." The group chuckled. "So we see you're with a mudblood, eh? Looks a bit like you're getting along with it," Dolohov shot Gisele a dirty look. She glared back at him.

"Dolohov, get out of here now. I will deal with all of you later for your insolence and disrespect," Tom hissed. The group glanced at each other.

"Too late, Tom," replied Mulciber, emphasising the 'Tom'. "We're not your followers anymore, not since you started associating with filth." And with that, they turned on their heels and walked off, Tom staring murderously at them.

"Your followers," Gisele asked quietly. "You mean those rumours of your little Death Eater cult are true? That you and your pathetic henchmen go around torturing innocent people? And to think I was almost about to forgive you! I can't believe I fell for your remorse; you're just trying to use me, a filthy little mudblood, eh? You're a good actor, Riddle, I'll give you that," she practically yelled.

"No, listen Blackburn. You've got to listen to me," Tom started.

"Get out."

"Aw, come one. You're being unreasonable."

"I said GET OUT!" she screeched. Tom shot one last defeated look at her then walked out.

As she watched his retreating figure, she berated herself for trying to see the good in him. He did try to apologise, she mused, but the whole Death Eater thing, how many senseless acts of violence here in Hogwarts are because of them? How can someone be a leader of that cult and then try to apologise to a Muggle-born?

Madam Pomfrey rushed out, having heard the commotion.

"Is everything alright, dear?" she asked kindly.

"Yes," replied Gisele crossly.

"Ah, ok then. Well judging by your outburst a moment ago, I'd say that you have recovered well enough to be discharged. You can leave now, but remember to take this potion twice a day for the next three days. It's a Blood-Replenishing potion to help strengthen you. Now hurry along to class, you've missed out on almost two days of work."

"Ok, Madam Pomfrey," she replied. After getting dressed, Gisele hurried back to her dorm, eager to get her books and forget about the last two days. She was halfway towards her classroom when she realised she'd forgotten something important. Her wand. It was not like she'd forgotten it; someone else had it. And that someone was the last person she ever wanted to see, but she really needed her wand back. Gisele turned around and walked toward the Slytherin Common Room when suddenly she got yanked into a broom cupboard.

Cosy.

Turning around to face her captor, she gasped. Speak of the devil, it was Riddle himself! What was he doing? She was supposed to have worked on her composure and expression so she appeared threatening, but no. Here she was. However now was not the time for niceties.

"I want my wand back."

"I'll give it. Just hear me out."

"I don't have time for this."

"Yes you do. I can explain." She sighed exasperatedly.

"Give me the bloody wand now, Riddle."

"What you heard there was true. I had a group of people who were fascinated by the Dark Arts, myself included. And yes, they were my followers. But you gotta understand, Blackburn, I'm trying to change here. You saw how I basically got disowned from my own followers. And for some reason, something prevented me from killing you. I've somehow changed and they've realised it. So I understand you have every right to be mad at me, but I just wanted you to hear my side of the story," he finished. Gisele was speechless. How, in Merlin's name, was she supposed to respond to that?

"Er, well, um, oh fine. I suppose you're forgiven then," she relented. Grinning, Tom gave her wand back,

"See, now was that hard?" he teased.

"Don't make it a regular thing," she shot back. "So is that it?"

"Yeah, I suppose so," he replied slowly. Suddenly the door opened and Professor Dumbledore's face filled the doorway.

"Not skipping class now, are we?" he asked, winking.

"No, no of course not," Tom replied hastily.

"Well, don't let me ever catch you doing this again or it will be detention. Especially for a prospective Head Boy, Tom." And with that, he left.

"Ugh, the last thing I need now is another detention," Gisele groaned. "I should go to class now."

"Yeah, yeah me too," Tom said. They both stepped out of the closet and stood awkwardly in the deserted corridor.

"Uh, ok well, um thanks for the wand."

"It's your wand."

"Oh yeah, that's right."

"Ok well I'll see you around."

"Yeah." And with that, they both headed in opposite directions to their classes.

AN: eeee so we're seeing a changing Tom and some hint hint awkwardness between them? Or maybe not! i know there haven't been much other characters but expect a whole lot of them in the next chapter. Read and review and chapter 4 should be out soon :D

Til next time,

xx