AN: Chapter 9 is up, I'm on a roll, aren't I? Lol this is to make up for not uploading for….like a year I think ahaha
Anyway, enjoy!

Chapter 9: Understandings

Tom was anxious to get away from the tense atmosphere in the Slytherin Common Room. Dolohov had just been put into the Hospital Wing for having been beaten up by Abraxas Malfoy for attempting to abuse an innocent second year. He hurried up the stairs to his getaway, the Astronomy Tower. There he could read in peace without having to worry about being discovered up here. People rarely came here, not after 'word' had gotten round that there was an infestation of Wrackspurts, whatever they were. Tom had rounded the last set of stairs when he saw her standing with her back to him. Great. So much for trying to keep space between them. How in Merlin's name did she manage to be in this place at the same time he did? He watched he as she did a little happy dance after reading whatever was in her hand. Tom decided he would go but too late. She'd seen him. Running through all the possibilities in his mind, he decided to just confront her about this. She tried to walk past him but he wouldn't allow it.

"What?" she asked dully.

"Can we go for a walk?" he asked. She stared at him for a long time before finally nodding.

The Black Lake was rightly called so because at night that's what it looked like. A lake of black ink. Gisele walked a little ahead, her mind in no mood to forgive him. Tom watched her and thought about how he was going to apologize.

"It's a full moon tonight," he pointed out.

"Yeah I can see. Wait you're not a werewolf right?" she asked alarmed.

"Of course I'm not," Tom rolled his eyes.

"So why did you want to go for a walk?" Ok Tom you only get one chance at this so do it right, he mentally told himself.

"Gisele, you're my only friend I've ever had and I acted like a jerk to you. My reputation shouldn't drive a wedge between us because it's not worth it. So I humbly ask you to forgive me and I promise this will never happen again," he finished. There, he said to himself, you've done it. If she won't accept it then that's that.

"Hmm," she mused, "To forgive Riddle or not. That is the question. Let me see, if I forgive you then we be friends again and I can get your help with my Defence against the Dark Arts homework." She pulled a face at him. "But if I do not forgive you then i'll just hate you forever and you'll probably replan my murder again. Hmm tough choices…" Tom raised his eyebrow. "Oh fine I forgive you!" she laughed. Tom laughed along knowing it was all alright now.

"So whose the letter from?" he asked, eyeing the piece of parchment in her hands.

"From an old friend of mine back home. He's a Muggle and this is the first time he's sent me a letter by owl post,"'she replied excitedly.

"Ah, I see. Close friend?" he asked.

"Very. We've known each other since we were like two. Mother used to say that we were inseparable, but ever since I came to Hogwarts, our relationship has become a little…strained," she replied uncertainly.

"He doesn't like you being a witch?"

"No it's not that, I suppose it's because we had already planned how our lives were gonna be in the future and then for something like this to happen and just throw everything into chaos, I don't think he was comfortable with that. But he certainly reacted better to it than my parents did." He chuckled.

"What happened?" She laughed.

"Oh you're gonna love this."

"Gisele honey, please set the table now. I've asked you already and I won't ask anymore," Lira Blackburn asked exasperatedly.

"Yes Mother," an eleven year old Gisele muttered as she packed away her toys and went to set the table. She reached into the cupboard to get the good china out when William crashed into her.

"Will! Look what you've done! The china's broken and Mother is going to punish me. Why do you have to be so annoying?" she yelled. The younger boy's eyes welled up with tears and she immediately felt ashamed.

"I'm sorry Will. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. Don't run around the house like that. Mother's still gonna punish me."

"I'm sorry," he replied sorrowfully. She bent down to sweep up the broken china when she heard her mother's voice ring out.

"GISELE MARIA BLACKBURN, THE GUESTS ARE COMING HERE IN HALF AN HOUR, WHERE IS THE CUTLERY?"

"Coming Mother," she replied uncertainly. What was she going to do now? The Woods family were known for their dour, superior attitudes and it was important for Adrian and Lira to impress them if they were to secure a business deal. Gisele heard a tinkling laughter behind her.

"Ooh you're in for it now," taunted Gisele's 13 year old sister, Avery.

"Shut up Avery."

"Whatever you say Gis. Mother's still gonna ground you."
Gisele ignored her and searched for the less valuable china set they had. She was beginning to get angry because it seemed nothing was going her way.

"Gisele darling, the guests are coming soon. Why haven't you changed into your Sunday dress yet?" asked Adrian Blackburn as he passed through the corridor. That was it. Gisele's pent up anger rose from within her and before she could explode in fury, the doorbell rang.

"Avery, be a dear and open that will you? Some of us still have to look proper," Lira said glaring at Gisele.

"Yes Mother," Avery smirked at Gisele and practically skipped to the large mahogany door. She opened it and gasped. It wasn't the brooding Woods family. Rather it was a peculiar man dressed in colorful robes of some sort and a very long beard.

"May I come in?" he asked cheerfully. "It is tremendously cold out here tonight, though I must say, your gardenias are flourishing." Adrian and Lira shot each other fearful glances. The children stood frozen to their spot, staring at the strange man.

"Adrian, Lira, pleasure to see you after a long time. Keeping well I hope?" They nodded mutely. Professor Dumbledore suddenly realised the children were still staring at him, gobsmacked.

"Ah and these are your lovely children I presume?" Lira nodded stiffly and introduced them.

"Avery's the eldest one, then Gisele and William is the youngest."

"Ah excellent. Excuse me I've forgotten my manners. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore and it is a pleasure to finally meet you," he jovially said shaking each one of their hands. Lira and Adrian shared uncertain glances.

"Look, I don't mean to be rude, but we do have guests coming here - " Adrian started but was interrupted by the strange man.

"Ah not to worry. They won't be coming tonight, but expect them here tomorrow night," he replied. "Though the night is young there is a lot to get through so if we could start?"
Adrian reluctantly gestured to the right and they all followed him into the magnificent living room.

"I must say, this is a magnificent house, if you don't mind me saying so," Dumbledore commented. They sat down, with all the Blackburns crammed onto the chaise facing the Professor.

"Now, have you told them anything at all?" Adrian shook his head.

"No we haven't and we prefer to keep it that way," he responded in a gruff tone.

"Come now, Adrian. Don't be ridiculous. It was only a matter of time before they found out." Turning to the children he said, "Let me tell you a bit about myself. I am Professor Albus Dumbledore and I teach at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Avery snorted at the name. Giving her an irritated look, Dumbledore continued. "We offer the best magical tuition in this country for promising young witches and wizards."

"Witches? Wizards? Is this some sort of a joke?" Avery asked.

"No it isn't. Don't worry I'm explaining it to you. You have not realized, but there are magical folk residing everywhere around the world hidden from Muggles, that is, non-magical people. We enroll children of magical families at Hogwarts and in the rare occasion, children of Muggle families who exhibit extraordinary abilities too. I would like to extend an invitation to Miss Gisele Blackburn to attend Hogwarts starting from this September," he finished. All eyes zoned in on Gisele who suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

"Papa, how does this man know you?" William asked timidly. Adrian sighed.

"Your mother and I knew Professor Dumbledore years ago. We actually attended Hogwarts years ago."

"Wait, you guys can do magic?" Gisele yelled, standing up.

"Don't speak with me in that tone, Gisele. Yes, we can do magic. But we refuse to associate with that world again," Lira replied.

"Don't listen to your mother," Professor Dumbledore interjected, his eyes twinkling, "she was one of the best witches of her year."

"Then why haven't we seen you do magic?" William pressed on.

"Because I resent it!" wailed Lira. "My entire life was planned out for me perfectly and then suddenly I'm being whisked off to some foreign school and my entire life is turned upside down. I only continued at Hogwarts because my parents and Gina insisted I do. Besides, I'm not a failure. If I start something, I will go through with it until the end and I'll do my best. But after I left that place, I swore I would never associate myself with magic again and live as normally as possible. I suppose the only good thing that came out of it was that I met Adrian and he shared the same views as me," she finished tearfully. "We had hoped none of our children would be cursed with this, but we were obviously unlucky."

"Lira, be reasonable. Let the children make up their own opinions about magic without your prejudices. Besides, I'm quite sure Gisele will make an extraordinary witch."

"So let me get this straight," Avery started. "There are witches and wizards living around the world, my parents are magical but in denial, we are Muggles and Gisele is a witch with a place at some magic school and you're telling me this isn't a joke?"

"No, this isn't a joke. Providing she accepts, she'll receive a booklist and important information about term dates and other events."

"A witch? Where's that going to take her in life? She's already got a place at Eton College and she'll be going to Cambridge from there!" Lira said heatedly.

"I still don't believe you," Avery said. "Prove to me you're a…wizard." Dumbledore smiled and immediately, the coffee table in front of them transformed into an elephant. They all screamed. Smiling again, the elephant changed back to the coffee table.

"I trust that now you believe me?" he asked. She nodded and in a split second, the questions came flooding in.

"How are there witches and wizards and we've never realized it?"

"How come only Gisele's a witch."

"Do you like have your own wand and a broomstick?"

"I want to do magic!"

"What's Hogwarts like?" Dumbledore signaled for the questions to stop.

"My my we are a curious bunch aren't we?" he commented. "The reason that you've never noticed the magical folk before is because we are protected by the Statute of Secrecy so that Muggles can't discover us. To be able to perform magic, you need to possess a magical gene and Gisele does and that is why she has been enrolled at Hogwarts and yes you get a wand but not a broomstick until second year. I hear the Lightningstrike99 is selling pretty fast, though."

"So what's Hogwarts like?" asked Gisele.

"I had hoped your parents would've told you, but no matter. It's quite the same routine except for the subjects you do. You have breakfast then three periods followed by lunch then another three periods and then school is finished and students are free to do what they please. Oh and dinner is served too. In your fifth year you sit your OWLs, which stands for Ordinary Wizarding Levels and in your seventh year you sit your NEWTs which are the Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Tests. These qualifications are recognized universally if you were to apply for a job," Dumbledore said.

"But where will that get her in life?" whimpered Lira. "What kind of respectable job is going to employ someone with OWLS and NEWTS qualifications?"

"Ah but there are so many career options for Gisele after she leaves school. For example she could become a Healer, a magical doctor, or an Auror, a dark wizard catcher or even just be employed at the Ministry in a mundane desk job. Whatever she wants. Though I must advise you that in between school terms when you come home for the summer holidays, any practice of magic is strictly forbidden. You have, what is known as the Trace, placed on you until you are 17 which detects underage magic and you subsequently, will be punished."

"But who would want to marry a witch? No respectable family would want to be associated with such…frivolity," Lira complained.

"Now listen hear Mrs Blackburn. There is nothing wrong with being a witch, you yourself are one whether you admit it or not, and there is nothing wrong with being a Muggle. I believe Gisele will make an intelligent and bright witch and you should be proud of her for this. Now the important question. Gisele, would you be willing to accept your place at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry?" Gisele looked uncertainly at her parents, before nodding her head in conviction.

"Yes, sir." He chuckled. "I'm not surprised, you'll make an excellent witch. Now here are the details…"

"So basically my parents were shocked that I wanted to associate myself with magic and that I wouldn't become the Cambridge-educated perfect daughter they wanted," Gisele finished.

"Dumbledore was right, though, you are an excellent witch," Tom mused.

"I know, right," she joked.

"So how did your friend Nick react?"

"Oh he was shocked too, but then said something about how he always knew I was different. I'm pretty sure he was joking because I was don't think I exhibited any weird traits or anything."

"Your family seems very different to me. Of course I have no family to speak of, but they seem completely different to you." Tom commented. Suddenly Gisele had an idea.

"Oh my gosh. Why did I not think of this before? Tom, would you like to come to my house with me for Christmas this year?" He visibly paled at the idea.

"Uh, I'm not sure that that is the best idea," he hesitated.

"Aw come on, it's the best opportunity. I can prove to my family that you're not the evil wizard they think you are and you can meet them as well and experience a proper Christmas. Besides, I don't think you have anything better planned?" she asked. Tom mused about this. It certainly was tempting, to meet the people who had raised and her and influenced her and also he'd never spent a real Christmas with a family before. But the thought of mingling with…Muggles was enough to make him recoil in disgust. He looked at her pleading face and caved in.

"Oh why not. I'm sure we'll all have a lovely time," he replied sarcastically. She beamed and reassured him that he would like it.

"However as a member of the Slug Club," he mimicked Slughorn, "it is compulsory for me to attend the New Years Ball, so we'll have to back before then," he reminded. She rolled her eyes.

"Yes, sir."

The next day, Gisele yawned through all her classes, not bothering to pay attention though her exams were coming up soon. After her little chat with Louise, it seemed like a lot more people were friendlier towards her. Except Nellie. Gisele sighed. She couldn't help it that Nellie blamed her for defending Riddle, but she wished they could still be best friends. Share secrets, wag class together for Hogsmeade trips or simply eyeing the hot seventh years, she missed all that.

"Hey Gis," Louise called out.

"Hey L, what's up?" Gisele replied. Louise was panting as she tried to catch her breath.

"I…heard from…student…New…Ball…dresses?" Gisele looked perplexed.

"Uh, you heard from a student about the New Years Ball and we need to look for dresses?" She nodded excitedly.

"Sure, round up the others and we'll visit Hogsmeade on Saturday?"

"Sure thing Gisele!" And she ran off. It was evening and Gisele headed to the library to start on her Transfiguration assignment. She found a secluded spot in the corner, opened her bag to take out her books when she found the letter from Nick. Gisele took out a fresh piece of parchment and replied.

Hey Nick,
I am so glad you started to use owl post, it made my day. Yes
I'm coming home for Christmas and I can't wait to see you. You had
something to tell me, I'm really curious now, don't worry I haven't
told anyone. So I shall see you soon.
Take care,
Gisele xx
PS: I'm bringing home a friend for all of you to meet :)

She walked to the owlery to post her letter and when she returned to the Common Room, she found Nellie asleep on the sofa. Not wanting to wake her up, Gisele tiptoed as quietly as possible upstairs to her dorm. She threw herself on to the bed and it was only then she realized, she didn't even start her Transfiguration homework.

Tom walked swiftly and quietly to the Black Lake, eager to get away from the castle and for a quiet moment of reflection. In Arithmancy, he'd gotten 110% in his test and was showered with praises from Professor Merrythought. Serves those mudbloods right. No it was not right. Gisele was showing him kindness and friendship, the worst he could do was slander her kind. It wasn't right. So it served those…Muggle-borns right. He shook his head laughing. She really was changing him and it did sort of scare him. He didn't know what to expect at Christmas. Hmm Christmas at the Blackburn household. Her parents didn't seem the type to sit back and take crap, so it would take a lot of effort and charm to convince them otherwise. He could easily do charm. He'd practically been doing it every single day to teachers, the parents shouldn't be a problem.

"But why is she hanging around that creep?" a voice from below the stairs came. He paused to listen.

"Aw come on, I'm pretty sure he's not as bad as we think he is," came a reply.

"Oh so that's just it, is it? You forget about all those bad things he's done and side with Gisele because she 'thinks' he's not that bad? Honestly Louisa, I sometimes wonder if you even have a brain," the harsh voice snapped.
Anger flared up in Tom. They were judging Gisele on who she chose to hang out with? Namely, him? Who did they think they were? He was just about to go and rage at them but he held back. If Gisele found out, she wouldn't be too happy with him. No, she wouldn't. Besides, they were most likely jealous of how much time she was spending with him rather than them. He chuckled inwardly at that thought. It was true, he had been spending more time with her and he liked it that way.

AN: That's probably all I'll do for today, give you some time to read it all...
Hope you enjoyed it,
xx

PS: Reviews translate to cupcakes for me
Go on...you know you want to give me one :)