Year 2

Tom boarded the Hogwarts express once more, letting out a sigh of relief and a small smile to play on his lips. He took out a book gently from the leather satchel for his birthday, he smiled down at it for it was the first gift he had ever received. They had owned each other back and forth throughout the summer, the two sharing Maria's owl for the contact. He opened the book, he had barely read a line before he heard the compartment door slid open and the familiar scent of vanilla and cocoa hit his nose.

He opened his eyes and saw Maria smiling down at him, she looked different. She had gotten taller that was for sure, but so had he luckily but this time he was an inch and a half taller than her. She had lost some baby fat but still had her ever-familiar soft curves and full cheeks. She was wearing a simple outfit made up of a puffy skirt and button-down blouse. Her hair was in a braid on her side with a bow headband on top to give it a childish touch.

"Hiya Tom." she cheerfully greeted, as she plopped down on the seat in front of him.

" Hello Maria," he returned with a small smile, the moment was short-lived though when the compartment door slid open again. Mae stepped in with a smile and Tom's mood immediately soured. He and Mae didn't get along in the slightest, even though the two were in the same house.

" Hello Maria, " she cheerfully stated, her eyes then took notice of Tom and her smile dropped.

" Tom," she acknowledged and he nodded in return. The three began to chat, well it was more like Mae and Maria chatting with Tom chiming in every so often. Halfway into the train ride, the door slid open once more, Abarax and his lackeys standing at the entryway. Abarax had a smirk on his face with his arms crossed and the two brainless dolts behind him were struggling to copy it.

" Why hello there Rowen, making friends with mudbloods again I see." Abarax taunted with a raised eyebrow. Maria scowled up at him as Mae had an offended look on her face.

" Excuse me?! What did you just call me?" Mae angrily asked as she stood up to face the Malfoy. Abarax sneered down at her and the two glared at each other. Tom watched in interest to see which one of them would make the first move. Mae huffed and turned to Maria.

" You know what Mari, I'll see you at the feast. I don't wanna waste my energy on jerks like him." Mae said as she grabbed her stuff and shouldered Abarax on her way out of the compartment. Maria looked up at the three Slytherins in anger.

' Why would you say that? and to her face for that matter." Maria exclaimed at them. Abarax moved into the compartment but signaled the other two with him to wait outside of it.

"Rowen I don't know why you waste your time on mudbloods like her." Abarax spat out in disgust.

" Well you see Malfoy that's my business, not yours." Maria huffed and crossed her arms over her chest. Abarax shrugged his shoulders and threw her a nonchalant look.

" Whatever Rowen, but one day you'll see that I'm right. Later Rowen, Riddle." Abarax left the compartment with those words. Tom watched Maria huff and sigh as her red face slowly turned to its normal shade of tan. Maria didn't say anything to him or the raised brow he directed towards her. He couldn't stand it and decided to do something to break it because it was weird when Maria wasn't all bubbly and chatty.

" Second years are allowed to bring brooms and tryout for quidditch, right?" Tom asked the solemn girl who's mood took a full 360. Her face brightened as she started to talk about quidditch and stuff.

" I'm so trying out for either the beater position or chaser. Are you trying out Tom? I think you would make a great seeker. Though we would have to go against each other who doesn't like a little competition." Maria chatted away, Tom putting in his input every so often. He liked it this way, with Maria's attention only on him. He had to hold in a smirk, he was the one who had told Malfoy to rile Mae up enough for her to leave.

Soon enough it was time for them to wear their robes and leave the red and gold train. The two made their way towards the self-drawn carriages and sat in one. They were joined by a group of chatty Hufflepuff and Maria hit it off with them immediately. Tom quickly shot them down when they tried to talk to him, choosing to look out the window instead.

They arrived at the castle and immediately made their way towards their respective house tables. The opening ceremony with Headmaster Dippet saying his usual speech and the sorting hat sorting the first years into their houses. Tom noticed how Professor Dumbledore carefully watched him and whenever their eyes met, he gave him a knowing smile.

Soon the feast ended and the prefects led everyone to their houses, Abarax droning on about something but he wasn't listening. He finally found the Rowen twins, they were quietly talking with each other with heads together. By the time he and a couple of other second year boys got to their room, Tom had already started to scheme of how to slowly gain power and social ranking while also staying a teacher's pet.

It was important that he start to make his way to the top now if he wanted to accomplish his goals.

" Tom, you alright mate?" Abarax asked the quiet Riddle, Tom was pulled out of his thoughts and he nodded at Abarax. Abarax offered him a smile and said goodnight as he turned on his side and quickly fell asleep. Tom watched him and wondered what was wrong with him. Abarax had been acting weird around him and sent him odd looks every time he thought Tom wasn't paying attention.

Tom chose not to dwell on it and instead got ready for bed himself. He dozed off as he dreamt of his perfect future and a small smile appeared on his sleeping face. Who wouldn't smile while dreaming of ruling the 'perfect' world.