An – There is a picture of Anya's gown on my profile. Xx

Birthday girl

Anya's 16th birthday was one of the best she had ever had, she was allowed to visit London with her friends to go shopping and have lunch, something she never believed her father would allow. He was obviously feeling guilty about making her go to the party.

She met her friends at the station before making her way to the Leaky Cauldron to get to Diagon Alley. Zarian had greeted her with a birthday kiss that left her head reeling and Naria making jokes all day.

She couldn't believe she had ever had more fun and she even toyed with the idea of going to see her brother, but she knew he wouldn't approve of her coming to the orphanage to see him. So they just wandered around the high street in the hopes that they might see him.

The only thing to hinder her day was when she went into Knockturn Alley to go back to Borgin and Burkes. She had brought the money she would need to buy her mother's necklace back from the greedy shop keeper, only to find that when she got there it had already been sold.

"Sold? What do you mean you sold it?" Anya demanded furious at the little shop keeper before her.

"I'm sorry Miss…but the woman was very keen to have it, wouldn't take no for an answer. Besides she paid a large sum of money for it." Borgin was unrepentant to the girl standing before him.

"You told me that you would put it behind for me!" she fumed. This was her only clue about her mother's heritage and this worthless little man had sold it, probably to some bimbo who hadn't got a clue about what it truly was.

"Indeed I did miss. However that was a long time ago and the woman was very insistent that she take it with her there and then." He paused and scratched his chin thoughtfully. "if you'd like though miss I do have other pendants, better ones."

Anya couldn't believe the man before her. Half her mind was screaming at her to jinx him into next year, while the other was trying to form a counter argument.

"Keep your rubbish. I am done here." She spat at him before marching out the shop, slamming the door behind her so the glass rattled.

Borgin shook his head at the girl, it was only a pendant surely it wasn't that important to her.

Anya had been furious. For greed the stupid man had sold her last connection to her mother. However she resolved that she wouldn't allow it to spoil her day and went to meet up with her friends once more.

Naria brought her a new cauldron and some potions ingredients, knowing that she would be studying it again for the upcoming year and for her NEWT. Anya was the best student in her year for potions, and could make an antidote for whatever the teacher asked of her.She was confident that her results would be good and couldn't wait to receive them.

"Thanks Naria. These will come in handy next year" she said to her friend.

"No problem. I could see you needed a new one, what with all the extra brewing you do its no wonder your cauldron is getting a bit worn."

Anya smiled; she couldn't believe she had such a good friend like her.

As for Zarian, he had not given her his present yet as he was waiting for the ball. She couldn't wait for him to see her in her dress and to be seen dancing with him by her father and his guests, particularly Albert.

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It was Saturday night and Anya was in her bedroom getting ready. Her maid Sybil was helping her into her dress and styled her hair for her. It was down but pulled back from her face, her long curls cascading down her back. Her gown was amazing, made with magic to perfection however, only she and her friends would know this she hadn't mentioned where she got it from to her parents, they would most likely have burnt it to a cinder if they knew. (see pic)

There was a knock on her door and her father's voice met her ears "Anya, are you decent?"

"Yes, come in father" she called back.

Her father walked in looking dashing in his tux, with his hair slicked back, he had no grey hair though it was thinning out slightly at the sides. He really did look like her brother. As she looked at his daughter he gasped and a smile spread across his features.

"You look wonderful. So much like…" he cut off looking down. Anya knew what he was going to say without him having to. She looked like her mother; she knew this from what Sybil had told her about her mother.

Anya merely smiled and walked into his embrace, she came up to his chin and they stayed like that for a while. This was why she couldn't leave her father, she loved him no matter what he did and he needed her to be there for him.

He cleared his throat and offered her his arm. They walked to the staircase to make their entrance to the awaiting guests.

Anya smiled at the looks on her guests faces. Many were shocked and in awe including Zarian who was at the back of the hall obviously just having arrived. Naria was behind him and smiled at her waving, which she returned much to the shock of the guests.

Her stepmother was looking at her with a slightly resentful look upon her face, obviously annoyed by their entrance and that she was not wearing a gown that she had picked out. Anya merely smiled and entered the crowd of guests. She got many comments on her dress and wished "happy birthday" more times than she could count. Finally she was able to get to the people she wanted to see most. Zarian walked towards her and kissed her gloved hand, he was obviously used to the customs of society, being of "noble stock" himself. She smiled at him, and then looked at Naria; she looked amazing with her long brown hair pulled up into a bun.

They talked for a while before the inevitable happen.

"Ah, Miss riddle you look amazing." Came the drawled voice of Albert Hart, he was a very handsome man but paled in comparison to Zarian who moved to stand behind Anya.

Anya grimaced but managed to pass it off as a smile. "Why thank you Mr. Hart, you look charming yourself."

Albert flashed her a dazzling grin, and gestured towards Zarian and Naria "are these your school friends?"

"Um…yes, this is Naira and…" she began.

"Zarian. Zarian Knight" she was cut across as Zarian offered his hand to Albert. The two stood seizing each other up. Anya had back a laugh as she thought of Albert fighting against Zarian for anything, he'd last all of two seconds.

Albert merely nodded at him, taking his hand and shaking it probably a little bit harder than was polite. Luckily before anything further could happen the dinner bell was rung and she took Zarian's arm to enter the dining hall.

Her heart fell though when she noticed that Albert had been sited next to her for the meal, whereas Zarian and Naria were seated further down the table. She sighed and left his arm to take her seat. Alfred looked like he would explode with happiness as he pulled out the chair for her to sit down in.

The meal was delicious and she kept up with the polite conversation that was being made around her. Despite Alfred's constant advances, and endless compliments she was actually having fun. Toasts were made, to her health and birthday, as well as to her grandparents and parents.

Music began to play in the ballroom and couples came together to walk in together. Anya caught her fathers eye and realised she was expected to dance with Alfred as he was the guest of honor. She sighed and with a apologetic look at Zarian she took Alfred's arm into the ballroom and into a waltz.

"Are you having a good time, Miss Riddle?" he asked pulling her a little too close to him.

"Yes. Thank you and yourself?" she replied trying to remain polite and not push away from him.

"Definitely." He drawled at her and they began to dance.

Zarian watched Albert the whole time, looking for an excuse to intervene. He was struggling with the urge to curse the creature into oblivion, how dare he get that close to his girlfriend! Anya didn't seem to be enjoying dancing with him and he had to stop himself from going over there and ripping her from his arms.

"Are you ok?" Naria asked him, noticing the look of apprehension on his face and placing a hand on his arm.

"Yeah." He replied stiffly.

Naria nodded and offered him her arm, which he took and they began to dance.

Anya watched Zarian dancing with Naria and was once again grateful to have a smart friend; she had noticed his angered looks. Finally the dance was over and she smiled tightly at Alfred before stepping out of his arms.

Before she got very far however her arm was caught by her father. She smiled at him and let him lead her into a dance.

"Is everything ok?" he asked low enough for only her to hear.

"Yes, why wouldn't it be?"

"I noticed you can't keep your eye of the boy in the corner. The one from…school…is something going on I should know about?" he raised his eyebrow at her, while she blushed and tried to look innocent.

"Well yes…he's actually my boyfriend." Anya looked away scared about his reaction and only glanced back when she heard her father utter a sigh.

"I guess I should have seen that coming. Well I suppose you had better introduce him to me soon then?" he asked with a small smile.

"You're not angry, that he's…like me?" she asked timidly.

"No…I suppose it would be for the best." Anya smiled and leaned against him as they danced.

"I'm guessing we should try and keep Mr. Hart away from you two then." He mumbled. And she could almost hear his smile.

As the song came to an end they broke apart, and he placed a kiss on her forehead.

Zarian walked towards her and took her into his arms before any of the other men got the chance. They danced together and for once she wasn't bothered at being pulled against a masculine chest. She leaned against him and was perfectly content with staying there forever. All too soon though, the song was at an end and they broke apart.

They walked to the garden and sat on a bench.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

Anya laughed slightly. "Everyone is asking me that. I'm fine." She kissed him softly.

"Oh I have your present by the way." He said reaching into his pocket and pulling out a square box. Opening it for her she saw that it was the most amazing silver necklace, it had a heart shaped gem hanging from it. Anya gasped and tears filled her eyes. "Its beautiful, I love it."

He reached round to fasten it around her bare neck. "Just like you." He murmured kissing her on the lips tenderly, but then more passionately.

The sound of a throat being cleared broke them from their embrace and Anya turned round to find her father looking at her with a raised eyebrow, behind him stood her grandparents who looked outraged and her stepmother whom looked shocked beyond belief.

"Um….Mother, Father, Grandparents…this is Zarian Knight he's…um, well…my boyfriend from…school." She stuttered completely embarrassed at being caught, how long had they been standing there?

"We can see that" muttered her father, looking slightly amused at the situation. "So this is Zarian?" he walked towards him and offered his hand to him. Which Zarian shook at once replying "Yes sir."

"Hmmm. Well, make sure you are taking care of my little girl."

"Dad" Groaned Anya, becoming more embarrassed by the moment.

"This is my job Anya, I am your father you know." Tom Riddle replied looking like his higher self once more. He broke the shake with Zarian before turning on his heel and walking back into the ballroom with his wife.

Her grandparents were still staring at her and Zarian; they looked terrified and maybe slightly disgusted. Anya deciding not to bother just took Zarian's hand and followed her father.

She wasn't even gonna bother trying to explain.

An – wow incredibly long added chapter lol. Hope you enjoyed it. Please review.