Chapter 4

A few weeks had gone by since her first interaction with Tom Riddle. She had tried to go about her well-routined life, but found she could not escape noticing him. She knew he was in some of her classes but, like her, he didn't raise his hand to answer questions. She began analysing him more and more. Why would such a smart wizard who didn't necessarily hide from attention never feel the need to show off? She began to notice not only how little he spoke to girls, but how little he looked at them at all. He was incredibly attractive, and Anastasia had definitely heard rumours about his affairs with female students, but in those weeks she didn't see any evidence of it.

She was walking from the library back to the Slytherin common room one night when she ran into her old friend Francis and her posse. She simply tried to slip by them but heard some whispering and giggling. She froze for a second before turning towards them.

"If there's something you ladies would like to say why don't you just say it?" Anastasia glared.

"Why would we have anything to say to you jailbait?" The words came from a tall red-headed girl named Louise, a Ravenclaw. She was known as one of the brightest and prettiest girls in their year. Anastasia despised her. Louise was the type of girl who had a face of honey and portrayed herself as a classy, sweet lady, but all girls knew deep down she could be cut-throat. She had made most of the girls in her year cry at some point.

"That is exactly what I'm wondering Miss Riverne, I would think a ladies like yourselves would have something better to do than snickering in the corridors like a bunch of silly pre-teen girls?" Anastasia felt the sharpness of her tone linger in the air, and once again was left wondering why she let herself get riled up. Louise's eyes narrowed down on her.

"Just because you are a lonely, nasty little creature doesn't mean we all have to be Miss Delaney. Some of us actually have things to smile about, for example I'm smiling because looking at you reminds me how lucky I am not to be a small, foul Slytherin with no friends or family." Louise's fake smile looked down at Anastasia. Her friends all giggled to one another, and Anastasia took a second to control her breathing. She went to turn away when out of the corner of her eye she saw Tom Riddle approaching.

"Now, that's not very kind language at all Miss Riverne." Louise turned her head and immediately went bright pink.

"Oh Tom, I didn't see you there!" Her fake smile plastered onto her blushing face. "Anastasia and I were just having a bit of fun, weren't we Ana?" Her eyes flickered towards Anastasia for a moment. Anastasia tried not to roll her eyes and put on a forced smile. Tom stared at the girls before turning and smiling at Anastasia.

"Miss Delaney, I believe we are overdue a discussion, may I escort you back to the Slytherin common room?" Anastasia was so confused she could only manage a slight nod. She saw Louise's jaw drop in jealously and disbelief as the pair turned to walk down the corridor together.

"Why would you let that girl talk to you in such a way?" Tom asked once they were around the corner. His pace was quick and she felt herself almost jogging to keep up.

"I shouldn't have provoked her. There's no point in conversing with girls like that."

"Ah, but that is contrary to the point you rather fiercely made during our last encounter Miss Delaney." Anastasia smiled to herself for a moment. Not only had he found out her name, but he clearly remembered their previous discussion.

"I have analysed those girls for many years Mr Riddle, and have come to the conclusion there is no point arguing with them as that is simply what gives them power over you. They want to see me as a loon, so if I fight back I am giving them what they want." Tom stayed silent before taking a sharp left into a classroom. Anastasia followed without a thought of questioning why they were entering a classroom in the evening. Once she entered Tom closed the door behind her.

"That is where you are incorrect Miss Delaney. You are a Slytherin, and from what I gather quite an accomplished one. You are better than them. They should aspire to be you. They should fear you." Tom was assessing her whole being, looking her up and down. She became increasingly aware of her posture and body language.

"Why should they fear me? I pose no physical threat to them. I may be more intelligent, but why should I care whether they know that or not?" Anastasia decided to assess him in return, taking in his looming presence.

"Fear is power Miss Delaney. You have the ability to be great, but hide behind childish insecurities caused by thoughtless girls with insignificant aspirations." Anastasia was taken aback by his comments. The all-mighty Tom Riddle saying he believed she was destined for greatness. Why?

"What makes you think I aspire for power?" Anastasia questioned, still considering his words and feeling slightly overwhelmed. She thought he had forgotten all about her, and here he was complimenting her. Tom went to speak and then stopped himself. He stood silently for a moment and then began walking towards her.

"Because we are the same Miss Delaney. We are half-bloods without parents who are using Hogwarts to gather as much knowledge and as many abilities as possible so we can exceed everyone's expectations. You, like I, make a point to analyse every student you come across in hopes of further understanding people and how they work. You clearly care little for the frivolous nature of popularity, so you must do it in hopes it will help you ascend in the future." He stopped just before he reached her, his dark brown eyes peering down at her. She stood speechless. She had no idea they had such similar backgrounds. He had the air of being a pure-blood.

"We both were born for more despite our humble beginnings Miss Delaney. Girls like Miss Riverne, who were born to continue the tradition of expensive mediocrity, should cower when they see you." It was everything Anastasia had ever wanted to hear. She lived in constant torment in the aim that one day she would prove herself above her peers despite her childhood. It's why she loved being sorted into Slytherin, it proved to her that she was destined for something great. She considered asking if he actually believed the things he had said, but realised that would be pointless.

"She will." Anastasia spoke quietly with her eyes glued to the floor, unsure whether to trust him. "It just takes time." Tom cupped his fingers under her chin and pushed her head up to face him.

"It doesn't have to." He looked severe. "Why wait?"