Title: Before the Fall

Author: Le Rouge du Sang

Characters: Tom Riddle/OC

Disclaimer: I'm just a broken hearted fan trying to add to the legacy of Harry Potter, everything you recognize belongs to JK Rowling.

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it's been so long. Most of the delay was caused by college, it's my sophomore year, so I've been attempted to balance school and work, so unfortunately this takes the back seat to everything else.

In other news, I've started another fic. It's a human!Lion King fic. I've been trying to finish it in one go so that it can be a one-shot. If not, it's going to be only a few chapters. So yeah, that's what you get to look forward to in the future.

Annoyances

Tom glanced over at Victoria, who was completely immersed in her potion. For someone who worked hard, she could not figure out how to complete the potion properly. There was something that just kept messing her up, but she didn't know what.

Tom could just walk over and tell her that she was not measuring the proper amount of belzoar root. But that would be too easy. He wanted to play with his prey.

"Victoria, are you alright? You seem a bit stressed."

"Hmm? Oh - yes, I'm alright, I just can't seem to figure out this..." she trailed off, re-reading the instructions.

"I don't know Vicki; I just don't think you're doing it right. I mean look at Tom's, his is absolutely perfect, like everything else."

"Hello, Nemesis. I didn't see you there." Tom tensed. If the past was any indication, his plan right now was about to fail miserably.

"Hi, Tom. Such a wonderful day, isn't it?" She made her move, latching onto his arm, digging her nails it. Nemesis batted her eyelashes and stared up at him with wide, innocent eyes.

"It's raining, Nemesis. Now at least help me finish our potion." Tom mentally thanked Victoria, and he was pretty sure a visible look of relief passed over his face, if Victoria's smirk was any indication.

"But Vicki, you know I can't make potions, I'm more of a - supervisor when it comes to potions." She moved back to Victoria's side.

"Every time, Nemesis, that's your excuse in every class. You're always my partner and then you always expect me to do all the work. I've had it with you! If you think I'm just going to take it and do all your work, then you have something else coming for you!"

Victoria threw down her spoon grabbed her bags and started walking towards the door.

"Wait - Vicki!" Nemesis grabbed Victoria's arm and turn her around.

At this point Tom knew what Nemesis was doing; he had used the same tricks on the adults at the orphanage.

Nemesis looked straight into Victoria's eyes "you know I didn't mean anything by it, I'm sorry you feel that I never do any of the work. I'm sorry I've let you down," she weaved her hands through Victoria's, "you're one of my best friends, I wouldn't do anything to hurt you on purpose." She offered a sympathetic smile, feigned sadness falling over her facial features.

Victoria had calmed down, her anger and frustration that was boiling over just seconds ago, had disappeared, "I know, Nemesis, but just once and a while, please just help out." She moved in and hugged her friend.

Tom couldn't believe it. Victoria was using the same technique on Nemesis; her words had been laced with the same coldness that Nemesis used. Women were just beyond Tom's understanding.

The next morning, Tom walked into the classroom in the dungeon, only to see Victoria and Nemesis sitting together again.

The professor set them on their way, to make a draught, again in partners. Tom saw this as the perfect opportunity to continue to grow closer to Victoria.

"Hello Victoria," he smiled, "I was wondering, would you be willing to be my partner. I mean, the potion is quite difficult and I thought that you'd be able to help me. I understand, though, if you refuse." As if she'd refuse. Tom knew that after what happened yesterday between the two girls, Victoria was more likely to jump at this offer.

"Um – I'm not sure, I mean Nemesis needs a partner –"

"No. It's alright. I understand completely." He turned. Smirking, he took two steps towards his seat. Any second now…

"Wait! I'm sure Nemesis wouldn't mind just this once," she turned towards the brunette to her left, "you don't mind do you? It'll only be for today." She offered her friend a small smile.

Nemesis just shook her head. Tom had been watching her face while Victoria had been talking. Her eyes grew wide, similar to a deer, and her mouth dropped slightly. If Tom lacked self-control, he would probably be chuckling at the sight of Nemesis's face right now.

"Great." With that Victoria walked over to Tom and his bench. Tom, with every ounce of control he could muster, hid his smirk.

"So Vicki…" he smiled and glanced over at her, "thank you for agreeing to help me."

"Don't call me that, I hate that name. And don't play. I know you asked me to be your partner on purpose, not because you actually need any help. Everyone knows that you're the best when it comes to potions." She looked straight at him, her green eyes sparkling and laughing.

Tom really did not understand her. Perhaps she was much smarter than he gave her credit for. He'd have to see how much intelligence she actually possessed.

"Well, I just thought you needed a break after yesterday."

"Aren't you sweet? Thank you." She smiled, and Tom couldn't help but sincerely smile back.

Two days had passed since that potions class. And Victoria now spoke to Tom more than she had done so in the past, and Tom took this as a sign that his plan was working.

Tom was too busy with his own thoughts to notice where he was going, which didn't happen often. Actually, it never happened. He was always aware of his surroundings be the thought of his success had preoccupied his life for the time being.

The next thing he knew, he was on the floor. Thankfully he had landed on something soft.

"Oof. Why are you so heavy? You look like skin and bones, but you're heavy. Now get off."

He looked under him, that some object was none other than Victoria. He had run into Victoria, quite literally. Her bag now law sprawled out across the hall, with some books and papers scattered around it. His things remained in his bag at their feet.

Tom noticed how soft Victoria's hair felt. It was actually shocking. From this angle, Tom observed details that he had not seen before, like her dimples when she smiled. Her eyes danced when she spoke to him and –

"Tom?"

"Oh! Sorry!" He got back on his feet and helped her up. Grabbing his bag he went over to help her put her things back.

"No, it's my fault; I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Then we're both to blame." He chuckled and handed her bag over to her, standing up straight.

"Victoria, are you alright?" A voice came from his right. A girl, Victoria's height, was looking at her, concerned.

Theresa Wilcox, Ravenclaw. She happened to be one of Victoria's friends, along with her twin, Glenna Wilcox. Glenna happened to be in Slytherin, and one of Victoria's closest friends, arguably more than Nemesis.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Just a bit bruised, I'll be alright, though." She smiled. Tom liked that she smiled often. She looked beautiful when she smiled.

"Here, I'll walk you back; I want to make sure you're alright." Tom offered her his hand, which, much to his surprise, she placed her bag on.

"Alright, but you're carrying my bag, prove to me that chivalry is not, in fact, dead." There was that smile again.

"Victoria, if you don't mind me asking, do you have any plans this weekend? I'd like to make up for the last meeting in Hogsmeade."

"Are you asking me to go to Hogsmeade?"

"Yes, I guess I am."

"Well, if you're asking, then I'd love to go."

"Then we'll meet at –"

"Hello, you two!" A grating voice came from behind them. Nemesis.

"Of course" Tom muttered under his breath.

"So how are my two favorite people?" She looked carefully at the two, scrutinizing every aspect of their faces, "not talking about me, are we?" She let out a horrifyingly high giggle.

"No, Nemesis, why would we have any reason to do so?" Tom replied, staring blankly at her, boring into her dark eyes.

"Don't be so mean, Tom. Anyway, I was wondering if you'd like to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend. Just the two of us? No other interruptions." With this last sentence, Nemesis's eyes flickered briefly towards Victoria.

Victoria opened her mouth to reply, but Tom cut her off, "I'm sorry Nemesis, but I've already made plans with Victoria for this weekend."

Nemesis's face darkened, her jaw-line hardened, indicating that she was not pleased. Her hand snaked its way onto his, she laced her fingers with his.

"But Tom, Victoria doesn't have anything to offer. Look at her. Besides, Victoria usually studies on the weekends; she's not interested in anything other than her precious books. Come o-"

Nemesis's hand had left his and was now cradling her right cheek, where the red imprint of a hand was starting to appear.

"Victoria…" Nemesis quizzically looked at her friend.

"Don't. Just don't, Nemesis." Victoria's jaw clenched, she grabbed her bag from Tom, and stormed off in the direction of the dungeons.

Well, there you have it. Thank you guys for your reviews. Please leave more so that I know what to correct and how to go on.

Thanks to Sachita and KabuKun for your reviews! Hi Mel! I hope you like this chapter as well.