Don't really have anything to say besides thank you, to all those who read, fav'd, alerted and reviewed, which is the most amazing thing :)


I didn't say a word until we were far enough from Slughorn for him not to hear us. Then I stopped and turned.

"Seven? Seven horcruxes? You're going insane!"

"Hardly. I intend to make myself truly immortal. Besides, I don't want to make seven horcruxes. I'll make six."

"A seven-parted soul, then? But why? You already are immortal! Where's the point in creating 4 more... 4 more murders, Tom, just think about it."

"I did."

I stared at him with wide eyes. "You really are insane! I can't have you do it, you can't... I just..."

"Would you please calm down? Keep it in perspective. If I would only create one, or two, it would be too easy for someone who found out, to simply destroy them. But seven parts – six horcruxes. No one could ever find them all. No one would ever find out the impact of what I am doing."

"You told me," I whispered. "I know everything you plan. What are you gonna do now, huh? Kill me and use my murder for the next one?"

He smirked at me lightly. "You would never try to kill me."

"And why is that?"

He smiled again. "Because you love me."

"You don't understand a bit about love." I didn't know where I took the courage from to tell him. I should've been worried that he would kill me. "There's far worse than death. I wouldn't hesitate a second to kill you if it was to save you from something worse. Because – and you got that right – I love you."

"You'd kill me?"

"That's all you heard?" I turned on my heel and wanted to go, but he grabbed my arm.

"You don't mean that, do you?"

"Did you listen to me? Of course I mean it!"

He slammed me hard against the wall and I gasped in pain. He wouldn't... would he?

"You listen to me now. You'll never dare to threaten me again, or I swear to you, I will..."

I pulled myself together and laughed at him. "Threaten you? I never threatened you."

"You're lucky we're in the middle of corridor now, or I would..."

"You would what? Kill me? Torture me? Go on, have at it. But if you don't, I'd like to go to sleep. If you don't mind, that is."

He stepped back. "See, I trust you, Lorraine. Don't play with me."

"Oh, Tommy," I muttered sarcastically and kissed him on the cheek. "I would never."


I would never know how I could've been so bold that night. It was probably some form of adrenaline rush.

I didn't even try to be angry at him this time and he let the subject drop at once when I sat down next to him in Transfiguration the next day. No talking of horcruxes anymore. I didn't want to know.

It was easy to keep distracted by all the preparations for the N.E.W.T.s and – even more important, if that was possible – what would come after them. A lot of people had their lives planned rather well. Had jobs organized in the ministry, marriages arranged... well at least those people I hang around with. When I mentioned any of that to my fellow Ravenclaws, they would only stare at me in horror.

I spent most of my time with the Slytherins, after all, as I had done for pretty much all my school years. No one bothered anymore.

"So, Abraxas, what about your plans?"

"Well – I don't exactly have an occupation, but you know – why would I need one? I'm..." He smiled, a bit insecure. "I'm marrying, though."

In his smile I could see that he was happy. "Irene?" I guessed and he nodded. I jumped up and hugged him. "That's wonderful, I'm glad for you."

"Yeah, thanks – I hope I'll see you all at the wedding, then."

We all agreed, of course.

"And, how about you, Nott?"

We chatted on for a little bit, but then got interrupted as Tom joined us.

"Lorraine? Didn't expect you here."

I got up and allowed him to kiss me on the cheek. "See, I wanted to find you and Avery here said you would join them soon, so I stayed."

"That's very nice, but we're really busy. We could meet later on..."

I smiled innocently. "My, are you hiding something from me?"

I could feel the shocked gaze of his "friends" on my back. They, too, knew that I played with the fire.

"I'm not hiding anything. We're reviewing for the N.E.W.T.s, I'll have to explain everything – it would be plain boring for you."

I thought about pushing him a little farther and say that I'd love to review with them, but I decided not to. He had this dangerous glimmer in his eyes again.

"Alright, fine. You'll find me later, then, I suppose?"

He nodded sharply and I left.


He found me much earlier than I had suspected. Only half an hour after I had left the library, a first-year tugged at my robes.

"What?"

"There's a boy outside who said I should go get you."

I smirked at the boy and stood up. "Thank you."

"You're welcome."

I stepped outside and found Tom leaning against a wall. "You were quite quick reviewing after all."

"Stop the charade, we both know we weren't reviewing."

"Then enlighten me, why couldn't you tell me earlier?"

"Because I had to think about how I'd sell it to you..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Go ahead, have a try."

"Alright. See... I know which job I want."

I frowned. "What's so bad about that?"

"Nothing in general. But in this specific circumstance –"

"Get to the point."

"I'll apply for the post of Professor Merrythought. As she's retiring..."

"You want to be a teacher?" I stared at him in surprise. That didn't sound at all like him.

"Yes, I do."

"You do have a plan." I eyed him suspiciously. "What is it?"

"It's not specific yet. But I do have a plan. I'll let you in when time is due."

"I don't like it," I murmured.

"Well, I don't care!"

"Tom," I muttered warningly. "Would you please...?"

"I'll go to Professor Dippet and apply. I'm pretty good after all."

"You're not gonna get the post. You have no experience."

"I have a lot of experience!"

I laughed bitterly. "With the Dark Arts, maybe, but you wouldn't want to reveal that, would you? And with their defence – well, you don't know no more than I do."

He groaned. "Can you be a little optimistic, please?"

"I am realistic. You're not gonna get it."

He glared at me once again and stormed off. He really was in a mood these days.


The look on Tom's face was murderous.

"Let me guess," I muttered as we entered the Great Hall together. "You didn't get the job."

"Said I was too young."

"Told you so."

He didn't answer me, probably because he was so very furious. "Try for a happy face, darling, Slytherin won the House Cup after all."

The Great Hall was decorated in green and silver and nearly every Slytherin seemed to be beyond happy.

Tom shrugged. "Who else should win?"

"Don't know – maybe Ravenclaw?"

The first time this evening something like a smile crossed his features.

"You wish."

"Yeah, I do."

I sat down at Ravenclaw table next to Olive and Lydia who were in a particularly good mood.

"No school anymore," Olive cheered. "I'll finally get rid of Myrtle. No more ghost following me around."

"I wouldn't count on that," Lydia grinned. "She was quite angry."

"She's never gonna leave Hogwarts!"

I didn't bother to tell her that I was quite well informed about Myrtle's plans as I had caught her planning yesterday in the girl's lavatory. But I wouldn't ruin Olive's good mood.


Graduation ceremony felt a lot like the Sorting Ceremony in first year. We were all alphabetically called to the front and handed our certificates.

We started once again with Abbott, followed by Avery.

"It seems like forever ago and yet..."

"It lasted to short," I concluded and smiled at Tom. "You're right."

"Sometimes I think I don't want to leave."

"This is just the beginning. We'll find a real home out there."

I watched Olive go to the front and get her certificate. She smiled brightly.

"I'll miss Hogwarts."

"Me, too. But it's like everything in life – it has to end eventually."

He smirked at me and I decided not to think further on that.

Lestrange, Longbottom. My eyes followed Lydia who also smiled happily as Dippet handed her the certificate.

Then, finally. "Riddle, Tom."

Tom went upstairs flashing Dippet his brightest and most charming smile.

"Riley, Lorraine."

I went to the front and shook Dippet's hand before taking my certificate.

"I wish you good luck, Miss Riley."

"Thank you, Professor Dippet, sir."

I joined Tom again and he smiled at me. The first genuine smile from him that I had seen today. We watched as Smith and Weasley went to the front and back again.

Professor Dumbledore led us outside the Hall, through the Entrance Hall and through a corridor.

"We're leaving by boat!" I whispered as I realized where we were going.

Tom nodded slightly. I believed to see something like sadness in his eyes. He was awfully silent while the little boats slithered over the dark water. He still hadn't said anything when we climbed the train and sat down in the compartment. The first time he opened his mouth, Hogwarts was no longer in sight.

"You're crying."

I hadn't realized that tears were rolling down my face. I whipped them away with a flurry gesture. "I can't believe we're leaving for good."

"Me, too. Hogwarts was the only place where I ever felt..." His voice trailed off and I added: "Happy. The only place where we ever felt happy."


Ugh. I hate that they have to leave! Don't you think? I would never want to go... however. I'll stop talking/writing now. Nobody cares about this anyway ;)