Disclaimer: view Chapter 01 for that one

Author's Notes: Hi everyone. I'm really sorry that you had to wait so long but RL kicked me badly with a huge workload, my moving into my first flat of my own and with my gran dying. I just couldn't write anything.

It's slowly getting better though I still have little time to write BUT I'm progressing. Thank Merlin that I had the main plot already worked out when I was still in training for my job. ^_^

I won't be able to update fast this and the next month though because a few colleagues and myself have to take a course (training for our job to have better chances at staying after the year is over) complete with exams this month.

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~...~ Parseltongue

/.../ Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)

' ... ' thoughts

~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ Flashback or changing POV

Chapter 03 - A New Student and A Wand or Friendships and Incidents

The train ride itself was very uneventful. Of course a few students came into their compartment to ask them about their meeting with the Irish Quidditch team but the children soon charmed their door shut so that no one could get inside.

Hermione was playing chess with Harry once again. Draco and Ginny were reading a book each and slept leaning against each other in intervals. Carya was reading one of Slytherin's books about Potions and softly talked to her pet-snake Salazar.

He was a very good company and she had told him about Tom too. The first reply she got from him was a clear sign that her snake was jealous of Tom and overly protective of his mistress.

~That human hassss better be careful not to hurt you, Milady!~ hissed Salazar.

~Don't you worry my dear friend, I doubt Tom would consssscioussssly do sssssuch a thing,~ she replied and the male snake relaxed a bit.

Salazar decided to keep an eye on that Tom-human who seemed to take his Mistress away from him. Soon the new first years were running up and down the corridor outside of the compartments. They were frantic about arriving shortly and created more noise than a whole class of exploding cauldrons could do.

While the spell Carya had put onto the compartment stopped people from eavesdropping on them it didn't work the other way around. They could still hear everything outside as if the spell wasn't existing.

They were still several minutes away from Hogwarts when Carya had enough. She was already a bit on the edge and this fuelled her temper even more. The Potter girl stepped out of their compartment, drew a deep breath and managed what none of the prefects had so far.

"Silence everyone! Go back to your compartments and change into your robes if you haven't already. Remain there or with your friends until we have arrived and stay clear of the corridors!" she shouted and looked furious.

The older students were instantly reminded of their Potions Professor. Carya had once again managed to sound exactly like him. Only her choice of words was a bit more ... polite than his would have been. When she returned to her own seat Draco and Harry were snickering.

"What's this about? Are you laughing at me?" she asked glaring darkly at the two boys.

"No, Carya, it's just ... you ... again ...," Draco pressed out and tried not to laugh anymore.

"It's ... you have ... you looked like Snape when he is angry and you even used the same kind of tone when you yelled at them!" Harry said gasping for air from suppressing his laughs.

Carya just stared at them disbelieving. Why would she sound like Snape? They were already imagining things. But then again, this wasn't the first time someone had told her this. It had happened quite a few times during the last three years.

'Well, if they don't bother me with that then I guess it's okay this way,' Carya thought, shrugged and resumed her conversation with Salazar.

When they reached Hogsmeade the snake was put into his basket. Carya spelled it shut so that no one could open it by accident or on purpose. After that she followed her friends to the carriages and they soon entered the Great Hall together with their fellow students.

Hermione spotted Cat standing with Terence and said goodbye to her friends. Cat was just doing the same with her boyfriend. The two Ravenclaws sat down at their house table. Although it wasn't forbidden to sit sometimes at another table, the headmaster had told them that the first evening should be spent with your own house.

Hence Hermione and Cat were sitting with Ravenclaw and the others went to the Slytherin table. Carya made sure that the seat next to her was free all the time. On the other side of that empty seat sat Harry helping her with this.

He knew exactly what she had in mind. Draco and Ginny sat opposite from Harry. Soon after all second years and above had sat down Professor McGonagall brought the first years. Most of them were staring in awe at the enchanted ceiling or watched the patched hat on the stool in front of them curiously.

Like last year many of them jumped in surprise when the had started singing.

"A thousand years or more ago,

When I was newly sewn,

There lived four wizards of renown,

Whose names are still well known.

Bold Gryffindor, from wild moor,

Fair Ravenclaw, from glen,

Sweet Hufflepuff, from valley broad,

Shrewd Slytherin, from fen.

They shared a wish, a hope, a dream,

They hatched a daring plan

To educate young sorcerers

Thus Hogwarts School began.

Now each of these four founders

Formed their own house, for each

Did value different virtues

In the ones they had to teach.

By Gryffindor, the bravest were

Prized far beyond the rest;

For Ravenclaw, the cleverest

Would always be the best;

For Hufflepuff, hard workers were

Most worthy of admission;

And power-hungry Slytherin

Loved those of great ambition.

While still alive they did divide

Their favourites from the throng,

Yet how to pick the worthy ones

When they were dead and gone?

'Twas Gryffindor who found the way,

He whipped me off his head

The founders put some brains in me

So I could choose instead!

Now slip me snug about your ears,

I've never yet been wrong,

I'll have a look inside your mind

And tell where you belong!"

The Transfigurations professor called each new student by the names on her scroll and they were sorted into their new houses. Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw got more than the other two this year. Slytherin had by far the smallest number.

They all waited for Dumbledore to make his speech but wondered why McGonagall hadn't put away the hat. They soon knew why.

"Now first I'd like to welcome you all to a new year at Hogwarts. On a second note I have to tell you that we have a transfer student this year. He has come to us from 'Calgary Institute of Magic' and will be a fourth year.

Tom Riddle, would you please come up here?" Dumbledore said and a very nervous looking boy walked towards the head table.

Carya noticed that too and when Tom gave her a brief look she smiled warmly at him. He instantly calmed down a bit, sat on the stool and put the Sorting Hat on.

'Now, whom do we have here? It has only been a few weeks time Mister Riddle, hasn't it? Almost fifty years since the first though, I think,' the Hat drawled.

'Uh, that seems to be right. Would you mind getting this over quickly? As much as I like talking to you, they are all staring at me and I still hate that!' Tom thought nervously.

'Yes yes, still doing that ... hmm ... but you have changed Tom Riddle. You are not the same boy I have sorted so many years ago any more. Now, where to put you. Yes, I think I will stand by my decisions. Although you are very smart, Ravenclaw just doesn't suit you, neither does Hufflepuff.

Well, it's Gryffindor or Slytherin, where should you go?' the Hat murmured in Tom's ear.

'Haven't we had this conversation before the holidays already? Eh, sorry but ... would you terribly mind if I asked to remain in Slytherin? My only friend is there and I don't think I'd like Gryffindor that much,' the boy thought almost pleadingly.

'So sure you are, hm? Well then, it better be SLYTHERIN!' the hat said and shouted out the last word.

Tom smiled a bit and walked over to his old house. He looked around and saw Carya gesturing towards her right. There was an empty seat next to her. It was an odd feeling he got when he walked there. She really seemed to care just like she had written in the letters.

He sat down and looked at Harry, Draco and Ginny. They just looked back. Ginny seemed scared, Draco was silently daring him to try anything on while Ginny and Harry just watched him. Well, he had expected worse.

Tom looked down at his plate waiting for the food to appear but it didn't come. Dumbledore wasn't quite finished. Suddenly he felt something on his left hand and looked further under the table. A small female looking hand was covering his, squeezing it slightly.

It was one of Carya's hands. He would never forget how they looked like. The crimson eyed boy carefully looked up to her face to see her smiling at him. Now he believed it. She liked him, even after all that had happened, she really liked him.

Tom was happy and took her hand in his own. Together they sat in silence and listened to the headmasters speech. They all would however get another shock after dinner was over. A minute later Dumbledore was finished and told them all to tuck in.

Carya leaned over to whisper something to Tom in Parsel just in case someone listened.

~I'm really glad you're here. You helped me a great deal over the summer, Tom. And I'd love to see your form tomorrow after classes. We just have to find a room no one else is in. I can't take you to our secret room because the others still might be a bit upset,~ Carya whispered.

~No, Carya. I have to thank you for all you have done. You saved my life, gave me a second chance at everything and now you're even my friend. I still can't believe it fully but it seems to be true,~ Tom replied softly.

Thankfully no one but the friends heard their soft hissing. Everyone would have wondered who the strange boy was. Well they all did wonder but believed the explanation Dumbledore had given them for the moment.

The rest of the Slytherin's quickly realised that Tom was a friend of Carya. This meant to let him live in peace if you didn't want to anger the fiery Potter girl. Not that they had a problem with that anyway.

Many Slytherin's liked the Potter's but most stayed out of their way in fear of their own parents or the parents of their friends. Soon the feast was over and Dumbledore stood once again. He cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.

"Attention everyone. Now that we are all full and happy I'd like to tell you something. First of all, Mr Filch has reminded me to tell you that Biting and Screaming Yo-yos, Fanged Frisbees and Ever-Bashing Boomerangs are now on the list of forbidden objects.

The whole list can be looked at in Mister Filch's office. Secondly I have to tell you that there won't be a Quidditch Cup this year due to the events that will take place at Hogwarts," he said.

Cries of anger and outrage from the houses where heard now. Especially from those who already played or wanted to play Quidditch. But the headmaster just calmed them down and continued his explanation.

Carya, Harry and their friends listened closely now. Was this what Sirius and Remus had talked about at the end of summer?

"I am glad to announce that this year Hogwarts will ..." Albus Dumbledore got no further.

Suddenly the doors of the Great Hall banged open and a strange man walked inside. No sound was heard from the students. The only noise made by the man himself was a dull sound of something wooden against stone every second step.

He walked right down towards the teachers table and most students were scared. His face looked frightening. There were scars all over. And his eyes weren't any better. One was dark and most likely that dark brown was his natural eye colour.

The second was an electric blue and was moving independent from the other. Draco, Carya and Tom knew what it was - a magical eye. It could see through invisibility cloaks, through objects and supposedly even through most disguises.

This would be a tough year for them when sneaking around. He reached the headmaster and talked to him so quietly that no one else heard. After they were finished Dumbledore gestured with his hand to a place next to him and then turned towards the students.

"May I introduce your new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher - Professor Moody! He will replace Professor Lockhart and I hope you'll meet him with the proper respect. As I said before. Our school will be hosting a very special event this year beginning in October and it will take much of the professors attention and time.

Hogwarts will be host to something that has not happened in over a century. The Tri-Wizard Tournament will be taking place at our school this year," Albus continued and suddenly the Hall was filled with noise.

The students couldn't believe it. There were so many stories about this Tournament. It involved the three most important schools of Magic in Europe and was held every five years before it stopped. Too many students and teachers had been injured or killed during the events. And now they wanted to restart it.

"I am very well aware that you all have heard of the Tournament itself. It was held for the first time over seven hundred year ago. Each of the three major European schools of Magic - Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang - named one Champion who would represent his or her school.

The Champion had to go through three tasks throughout the tournament to find out who was the best of them. However over the years the death rate increased alarmingly and the Tournament was stopped completely.

There have been many attempts to restart this over the centuries but to no avail. Over the last summer the 'Department of Magical Sports and Games' has together with many skilled witches and wizards worked on a new rule system that will help to ensure the Champions safety and therefore their survival.

I know many of you are eager to participate but we have this time put in an age limit. It was discussed that no one who was underage meaning under the age of sixteen should be allowed to attend," he said and caused enraged cries in the younger Hogwarts population.

"It was however decided that those under the age of sixteen and above the age of fourteen will be allowed to participate if their parents or guardians allow this. Those of you who want to try will have to write their parents to come here and approve of your participation personally.

As a warning for all the others. Be assured that there will be means of control about who enters their name and who doesn't. Good night you lot. Off to bed with you!" Dumbledore ended his speech and left the excited students whispering about the Tournament.

"So that's what they meant that night. Of all the things we thought about we naturally didn't think of this. And I assume that they meant our new Defence teacher when they said we would be safe, huh?" said Harry smirking.

"Yeah, but I don't think I like him much. I know Harry, I do have a vivid imagination and Moony said we should trust him but I don't. He feels wrong in a way I cannot explain and I really don't like how he looked at Tom and Draco!" Carya replied quietly.

Both mentioned boys turned towards her and smiled briefly. Draco turned his attention back to Ginny but Tom looked at her strangely. He then voiced what had bothered him during the whole summer holidays.

"I really don't know if I deserve your friendship Carya. What have I done to be so lucky?" he told her.

"Hm, I don't know Tom but see it this way. I want you as my friend so you have no choice and are stuck with me," she smirked playfully and looked at him.

What he did next improved the other's opinion of him a bit. He blushed bright red because he felt deeply embarrassed by what Carya had said. They walked the rest of their way to the Slytherin Common Room's in silence. The friends went to bed quickly. Only Carya and Tom stayed behind.

The girl told Tom to stay a second and dashed upwards to her dormitory. A minute later she returned with a bag. In there were all the books Tom would need this year. He didn't know what to say.

"I know, I know. I shouldn't have done this but I wanted to. I knew no one would've thought about your school supplies so I did. Hey, think of it as an early christmas present if you wish, okay? Now lets go to bed. I'll meet you down here tomorrow. It's a good thing you told me which additional classes you have." Carya asked and grinned a bit.

"Eh, thanks for this all. I don't know what to say. And my additional classes well, I thought you'd like to know. See you tomorrow then," Tom replied and went to his dorm.

For the first time since the 'Chamber of Secrets' Tom wasn't plagued by nightmares. His dreams were filled with thoughts about one single girl - Carya Potter. Said girl was not so lucky. She had a very familiar nightmare first and then dreamt about Voldemort once again.

Only this time, it was a new vision - one of the present. Wormtail and his Master were once again talking about capturing Harry. And then the snakelike creature cursed his servant before threatening him to make him Nagini's breakfast.

Later that night Carya found out that Nagini was his snake's name. She awoke with a start at four in the morning and went down to the common Room only to found it deserted like it should be at this time of the day.

'Good, at least Harry slept peacefully tonight," she thought and rubbed her left collarbone.

But she wasn't completely right. Harry had the same first nightmare but right after that he had started dreaming about his love, about Hermione. The girl sat in the darkness for about an hour when someone else came down the stairs.

He hadn't woken up because of bad dreams. He normally got up around five. It was Tom and the boy spotted Carya on the sofa as soon as he rounded the corner.

"Carya? Why are you up already? Eh, you're still in your pyjamas. What's wrong?" he asked concerned.

"Nightmare," she answered curtly and hugged her legs tightly to her chest when Tom sat down besides her feeling horrible for some reason.

"It's all my fault. If I hadn't been such a bastard the first time around you'd live a happy life now. I read about everything over the summer so don't deny it. Your nightmare's were about Him weren't they?" Tom said feeling quite guilty for something he hadn't really done.

"Stop saying that!" she said sharply and caused him to flinch. In a softer voice she continued, "If this was your fault Tom then you wouldn't be sitting here. You would be sitting in that house, being an ugly creature - half human, half snake - and plotting Harry's and my demise. But you're here, aren't you?"

Tom felt truly helpless in that moment. He carefully laid his arm over her shoulders and pulled her close. She let him and a few minutes later she had calmed down and relaxed. He hardly heard her whispered thank you but he did.

They sat for about an hour like that but then the house started to get lively. Carya got up and left for her dorm. Five minutes later she was back, dressed and ready for breakfast. She had left Harry a note telling they would meet in class.

The two fourth years took their book bags with them when Tom suddenly remembered that he still didn't have a wand.

"Don't worry. I doubt Dumbledore would let you stay without thinking about this," Carya said and they changed direction.

Instead of walking towards breakfast they went to the Headmasters office. Once they reached the stone gargoyle the next problem occurred. They had to guess the password. After six tries they got it right. It was 'Sherbert Lemon' this time.

Carya smiled when she remembered that they'd gotten Dumbledore a bag of lemon drops for christmas once. Two minutes later they knocked on the Headmasters door and were asked inside.

"Eh, good morning headmaster. Could we talk to you for a second?" asked Carya carefully.

"Of course, child, of course, sit down please. Lemon Drop?" he asked and the kids grinned at each other knowingly while taking one, "What brings you here this early?"

They hesitated but Carya finally told him, "Tom doesn't have a wand, professor," she stated and Dumbledore scratched his beard.

"Yes, that's right. We really ought to get him one but none of the teacher's is free this morning," the headmaster said thoughtfully.

"Headmaster, I know it's uncommon but couldn't I go with Tom? I know that he doesn't have some other things too so I could help him," Carya suggested.

"I see, well ... why not. Let me give you a letter for my friend Ollivander. He will no doubt be quite shocked to see young Tom here. What are your first classes today?" Albus asked.

"We don't know, headmaster. The schedules haven't been handed out yet," replied Carya and looked at him.

"Do you know how to get to 'Diagon Alley'?" the headmaster asked them.

"I thought we could floo to the 'Leaky Cauldron' from the 'Three Broomsticks', sir. I've done that before," answered the girl and the headmaster nodded in agreement.

"Well, then it's settled. Here's the note for Ollivander and I'll inform your teachers that you aren't attending classes this morning. Try to be back at lunchtime, Carya, Tom, okay?" he told the children and dismissed them.

"See, I knew we would find a way. He didn't exactly forget. It just slipped his mind for a bit," she joked and Tom smiled slightly, "Let's go get our cloaks and some bags. Do you have a pet, Tom?"

"No, I thought I'd buy a new one but I don't know how. Damnit, I forgot to ask the headmaster how to pay for the wand and the robes," he blurted out.

"Oops, don't worry. I'll lend you some, no argument here Tom. I want to and I will do so!" she stated matter of factly and he looked at her gaping.

"What?" she asked confused.

"You just sounded like Snape did the whole summer," he said equally confused and she blushed.

"Oh, eh ... sorry about that. I seem to do that a lot lately. I don't want it though. It just happens," she apologised.

"Actually it's quite funny when you do that. Although you're not less demanding it suits you better. At least you don't seem harsh when you do that. Just stern like McGonagall only a tad bit more friendly," he murmured and she smiled.

"Well then, let's go, Tom. We only have three hours to enjoy ourselves," she told him with a mischievous smile and dragged the boy outside.

Madam Rosmerta looked at them oddly when the walked into the 'Three Broomsticks' but didn't say anything. She'd never tell on a student if they weren't doing something dangerous and floo-ing to 'Diagon Alley' on the first day of classes might be odd but not exactly a problem.

She had recognised them as Hogwarts students because she knew Carya. Otherwise she wouldn't have known. The two wore only casual robes and a green cloak each. No sign of house-badges or school-uniforms.

The two children fell out of the fireplace at the 'Leaky Cauldron'. When Tom brushed the soot from his cloak Carya watched him. He looked different from the first time she'd seen him. His face was softer now and his hair longer.

The only feature that hadn't really changed were his eyes. They were still crimson and held so many secrets and emotions. His raven hair now almost reached his shoulders and she thought that he looked quite handsome like this.

They went to Gringotts first and retrieved some money from Carya's vault. Then they went to Madam Malkin's to get the boy some robes for everyday and for school and another set of dress robes. Their next stop was the apothecary for Potions Supplies.

After that they walked down the alley to Ollivander's shop. Carya opened the door and dragged a very reluctant Tom inside. He was sure the creepy silver-eyed man would remember him. And that wasn't necessarily a good thing.

Carya pulled out the letter from Dumbledore but before she could do anything Ollivander saw them.

"Ah, Miss Potter, Yew, Phoenix feather and powdered Basilisk fangs, eleven inches, correct?" He asked and Carya nodded while Tom stared at her in astonished disbelief.

He had never heard of such a wand before. And honestly, Basilisk fangs in a wand for someone like Carya Potter? That sounded ridiculous.

"What can I do for you this time? And who is your companion?" he asked trying get a glimpse at Tom's face.

But although the boy tried to look away, it was to no avail. Both children heard a sharp intake of breath and saw Ollivander's eyes widen.

"Tom Riddle!" he exclaimed and the boy cringed slightly.

No, he wouldn't show weakness. He had achieved so much since last spring. He wouldn't back down now.

"Yes?" he asked softly and carefully looked up.

Ollivander still didn't say anything he just stared half fascinated, half scared at Tom. Carya decided she had enough of that. This was the reaction everyone gave her when they had known Tom before Voldemort had been 'created'.

"Mister Ollivander? Here's a note from Headmaster Dumbledore. We want to get a wand for Tom since he doesn't have one," she said calmly and frowned at the look the wand-maker gave her.

"What?" she asked annoyed.

"Miss Potter, don't you know who this is?" he asked disbelieving.

"Oh no, not that again!" she sighed exasperated, "Why do people always judge by appearances, eh? Mister Ollivander, I know perfectly well who this is. He is Tom Marvolo Riddle, a fellow fourth year Slytherin student at Hogwarts and my friend!

And he is not the creature everyone fears. He definitely is not Voldemort for that bastard is still around. This is just Tom and would you now please read the note from the headmaster?" she said frowning and handed the adult the envelope.

Ollivander read the note but his eyes never truly left Tom. He was confused. This boy looked exactly like the Tom Riddle he had known fifty years ago but he was also different. This one was nervous and almost ... shy.

And then there was the fact that the Potter girl was his friend. That was too confusing. Dumbledore's note didn't help much either. He really ought to talk to his old friend some time over the year. But now he had to sell this boy a wand.

'I hope young Miss Potter is right with what she believes,' he thought to himself and faced the children once again.

"Well then, are you still ambidextrous Mister Riddle?" he asked the boy.

"Eh, yes I am," Tom said without looking up.

"I see, I hope we find a matching wand for you. It was difficult enough the last time you were here," Ollivander told them and when Tom looked at his friend she gave him a surprised look.

"You're ambidextrous too? Cool, just like me," she said grinning and he relaxed a bit.

'It seems we have more in common than I originally thought,' Tom mused when Ollivander came back with some boxes.

Tom tried and tried but they still hadn't found one after thirty minutes. The next wand he picked up was different though. It felt familiar somehow but foreign at the same time. Tom waved it around and green and silver sparks filled the air.

The boy smiled happily and now even Ollivander could see the changes. The child looked softer and less dark than the one he knew. Even his aura was a lot lighter. Ollivander relaxed since it seemed that Dumbledore and Miss Potter had been right.

"It appears we found your match Mister Riddle. Although I'm quite surprised. Black Cherry, Phoenix Feather, powdered Basilisk fangs, 13 inches - a powerful wand. We'll see what will become of you. Most surprising that is," Ollivander murmured absently.

"Excuse me Mr Ollivander but what is most surprising?" asked Carya and caught the wand-maker's attention.

"You see Miss Potter, just like your twin has the brother-wand to the Dark Lord, you two now share the same core. The powered Basilisk fang of both your wands comes from the same fang of a male Basilisk that was defeated nearly thirteen years ago in Japan.

On October 31st, 1981 to be exact. A very surprising accumulation of coincidences, don't you think?" he answered the children and the two just looked at each other both lost in thought.

'That was the day mum and dad were killed. I don't know if I should be happy or feel disturbed by so many similarities. Hm, although Tom seems to feel uneasy about this too. I bet he knows the date just as well as we do,' she thought and sighed heavily.

The other two heard her sigh and she simply smiled at them, "Whatever, ... I doubt this means anything big. How much for that wand Mister Ollivander? We have to go if we want to finish shopping and be back before lunch," she told them.

"That will be seven galleons, Miss Potter," Ollivander said and she handed him the money, grabbed Tom's hand and dragged him outside.

Ollivander raised both his eyebrows at this. 'Did the boy just blush when she grabbed his hand? Interesting, very interesting. I should write Albus about the wand though. He'll find this most intriguing, I'm sure about that,' he thought and went back into his workroom.

"That guy's really creepy eh? Don't look so worried Tom. Harry and Voldemort share the same core and nothing has happened so far. Why should it be bad if we have the same, huh? Come on, we'll go and find a pet for you now," she told her friend and then realised that she still held his hand.

"Oh, eh, ... sorry. I didn't want to embarrass you, honestly," she apologised and tried to withdraw her hand.

But Tom didn't let go. "No, it's alright, really, I rather like it. No one's done something like that for me before. Thank you, Carya," he said smiling softly and they walked towards the 'Magical Menagerie' hand in hand.

They two children went inside and Tom quickly found a pet. It was a green and black crystal snake, the same type as the Potter twins had. Tom chuckled when Carya told him so.

"And they never noticed anything? How blind and deaf are people nowadays, eh?" he smirked and Carya snorted slightly.

"Dunno, even Ginny didn't notice at first but then again, Salazar is very good at hiding. That reminds me, you might have problems with him at first. He's extremely jealous of any male that comes near me, regardless if it's an animal or a human.

Only Harry is allowed to come near me and now Draco too. But ... perhaps he likes your new pet-snake. What will be her name?" Carya inquired.

"I honestly don't know. I'd like to call her the same as my old one but that ... I mean," Tom began but Carya put her hand on his shoulder.

"You loved her and the name but don't want to have something in common with Him anymore, right?" she suggested and he looked surprised.

"Did you read my mind?" he asked startled.

"No but I remember you telling me that you liked being as different from him as you possibly could be," she answered honestly and smiled at Tom.

He smiled back and together they walked back towards the 'Leaky Cauldron'. Before they reached the pub Carya unfortunately spotted Lucius Malfoy in the crowd. She quickly dragged Tom in a small space between two shops and whispered something to him.

"Shit, why him, and why today. Tom, that man with the long blonde hair is dangerous. I don't want to be seen by him even if 'Diagon Alley' is crowded with people. Before you ask, I'm not scared but I don't have a death wish. He works for Voldemort, you know?

That's Draco's 'father', Lucius Malfoy and he carries a very big grudge against Harry and I. We humiliated him somewhat badly just a year ago. Tom, I need you to trust me completely until we can get back to Hogsmeade. I have a plan.

It worked well for me and Draco and now I will make it work for us if you allow me to. That means we have to take a short detour over 'Knockturn Alley' but who cares," she told Tom and he thought about it all for a second.

He never had a reason to distrust her so he nodded. Carya took out her wand and mumbled a spell he couldn't quite hear. Suddenly they wore black trousers and black shirts under their cloaks. The cloaks now looked as if they were made of black silk and had a slight green sheen to them.

The next thing he noticed was yet another spell and a little tingling on his skin. She handed him a small mirror and his eyes widened. He was looking into the face of a stranger. The boy that looked back from the mirror had long ink-black hair, an ivory coloured skin and very dark eyes.

They were almost black and seemed to glow red. Carya looked the same. Her hair, her skin and her eyes were just like his only that she was a female. They surely could pass as twins like this. All that hadn't even taken two minutes.

"Listen, we'll go in there now, I'll do the speaking part for now until the coast is clear. Don't worry, it'll work," she said and they slipped into 'Knockturn Alley'.

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R&R,

Carya

2006-08-26