Year 4

The summer after the third year couldn't have gone any slower but finally, it had ended and Tom was once again sitting in the Hogwarts express, Abarax and the others chattering around him. It seemed that he wasn't the only one who had gone through changes over the summertime, they had also gone through a growth spurt, and from what he had picked up from Abarax's chattering, it seemed that had it not been for magic, his face would've been covered in zits and pimples. Fortunately for Tom, he had no such side effects from puberty, other than all his clothes being too damn small on him because of his height growing out of proportion.

" Where did you go over the summer Tom?," The entire group was looking at him expectingly, he opened his mouth to answer but Abarax beat him to it.

" He came over to the manor over the break," He announced proudly, Tom nodding and sitting back once more leaving Abarax to answer all the questions the boys shot at them. Honestly, the blonde had been so trusting over the summer, he had spent the entire time doing research in the Malfoy library and pilfering expensive items and galleons without the boy catching on in the slightest. Of course, there was also the matter of Abarax's parents leaving him to the house elves for the summer to instead enjoy some tropical destination.

Tom leaned back once more, gaze fixed on the window as he admired the view of the lush landscape that passed them. The train came to a gentle halt and the Slytherins slowly started to pour out of the compartment, Abarax hanging back to wait for Tom.

As they approached the carriages, Tom heard a familiar cackle behind him. He turned to see Maria chatting loudly with her friends, Jay and Mae also laughing loudly at the Gryffindors jokes. As if feeling his gaze, Maria looked up and gave him a wide grin, waving animatedly and before he could wave back, she was pushed into the carriage by Potter.

" Tom?" He had completely forgotten about Abarax, the boy glancing back and forth between him and the carriage Tom was looking at. He had an odd expression on his face which he quickly changed to a tight smile as he gently pulled the brunette to the carriage the rest of his ' friends' had gotten into. The entire ride there the group spent complaining about the quality of the carriages and how bumpy the ride was. Though for some odd reason Abarax kept glancing at him, Tom rolled his eyes at the boys' attempt at subtlety.

Like every year, Tom spent the entire afternoon simply drifting off in thought, mentally preparing for the year to come. When the time finally came to retire for the night Tom took out the notebook Maria had gifted him for his birthday last year. He gently ran a finger along the hard leather spine, he hadn't written in it yet in fear that the simple beauty of the book would be ruined.

" Tom, you've barely spo- what's that?" Abarax rounded the bed and flopped next to him, curiously observing the brunette and the item in his hand. He curled his fingers tighter against the notebook and inched slightly away from the blonde.

" Maria gave it to me," Abarax's expression immediately fell, eyes darkening at the mention of the Rowens name.

" You know if I were you I would stay away from Rowen," The blonde had a smug expression on his face as he warned Tom.

" That girl is nothing but trouble, her and her entire blasted family. Plus have you seen the way she gets all up and personal with mudbloods, you wouldn't even be able to tell that she's a pureblood, bloody blood traitor." He sneered, face twisting into an ugly scowl. Tom looked at the boy, thinking over what to reply with.

" Gods she and the rest of the blood traitors in that bloody house are gonna regret not putting the mudbloods in their place. " Now Tom was shocked, he knew Maria was a pureblood but he didn't know there were more purebloods in the Gryffindor house.

" Wait there are purebloods in other houses?" Abarax nodded and began explaining the many pureblood families who had children in other houses.

" They may be pureblood, but most of them don't even act it like for example take the Potters, they are a pureblood family but most of them have bred with mudbloods and muggles, thus ruining the line." The blonde explained, heart filling with pride and smugness at the brunette's enraptured expression. ' Beat that Rowen' he thought to himself while trying his hardest to contain his smirk.

" You know, I heard my father talking about some books grandfather passed down on all the notable pureblood families that existed and the ones that still exist. I can get it for you, maybe that'll help you find your family," He whispered the last part, knowing Tom didn't like his personal matter being told out loud. Riddle nodded, thanking him just as the candles blew out, signifying it was time for them to be in bed.

The next morning Tom made his way out of the Great Hall, schedule in one hand, and an apple in the other. He had decided to skip breakfast so he could figure out a daily route that would get him to Herbology fastest. He arrived at the greenhouse/classroom and set up his stuff towards the back. The Slytherin never did like the class, though like any of his other classes, he excelled at it.

Tom pulled out the Herbology textbook and started to read, hoping to get ahead. He heard the door quietly open and the sound of soft footsteps approaching him. Suddenly a figure plopped down next to him, he caught red and gold from the corner of his eye.

" Heya Tom," When he turned, he was met with Maria's blinding grin. He gives her a small smile back and returns the greeting, the two falling into their usual rhythm of Maria talking and Tom giving his input when needed.

" OH, I nearly forgot, let me see your schedule," She asked, taking out the half crumpled paper from her bag and placing it on the table. Tom took out his and placed it next to hers, both leaning in to compare the two.

" Okay we share Herbology, DADA, Astronomy, and potions, yessss, oh wait where you go your little cronies go with you," She grumbled, Tom rose an eyebrow in amusement,

" I could say the same thing about you, have you heard Percivals screeching?"

" Which one?"

" Does it matter? They're both equally loud," At this Maria finally let out the laugh she had been holding in. She couldn't help but agree with Tom because as much as she loved her friends even she knew how loud they could get. But who was she to judge when she was equally as loud if not louder.

As the other students started to pile in the two calmed down, and like every year the two partnered up for the class. It was when the Gryffindors came in that the problem really started.

" Hey, Rowen!" Maria turned to see Fleamont and the Percival twins waving at her.

" What are you doing over there with the snakes?" There was a pin drop silence, everyone was holding their breaths, eyes glancing back and forth between the two Gryffindors.

" What's that supposed to mean?" Maria questioned, face twisting into a scowl and fists clenching. This off put the three Gryffindors across the room, they didn't expect Maria to react to this angrily.

" You should be over here with people from your own house, you know your real friends. Not snakes who are just looking for you to turn your back so they can stab you. Plus we all know how much those pureblood snobs like to slither around." The pun wasn't very funny nor was it witty but it got the reaction Fleamont wanted. Most of the Gryffindors in the greenhouse burst out in laughter, while others chose to instead nervously chuckle or simply look away, no one willing to stand up for the insulted house.

Maria was flushed a dark red, not out of nervousness but rather out of fury. She looked ready to murder and just as she was halfway up, curses already flying from her mouth the professor walked in. Tom quickly yanked the girl down just in time that the professor had not noticed Maria's tirade, who instead spent his time trying to quiet the class and find out why they were laughing so much.

Maria had turned to look at the Slytherin but all of them were avoiding meeting eyes with her, most choosing to engross themselves in their books and stationery. She turned to ask Tom but when she saw his expression she paused, he was looking forward, body tense and mouth pressed into a thin line.

The two spent the rest of the class in awkward yet tense silence, with Maria's slowly festering with each glance and snicker the other Gryffindors threw in her direction and with Tom silently observing and trying to come up with the possible outcomes of said anger. Though unlike Tom's prediction, the outcome came sooner than he thought it would.

Tom and Maria had made the plan of splitting way for their free period, the Slytherin wanted to check the library for any new books acquired over the summer and the Gryffindor was hoping to catch up with Mae and Jay. They were passing one of the main courtyards when Maria paused, eyes looking at something in the courtyard. Tom followed her gaze to see Potter and the Percival twins picking on a group of first-year Slytherins. The 11-year olds all looked terrified and were trying their best to leave only to be stopped by the older Gryffindors.

" That's it," before Tom could stop her, Maria was already stomping across the courtyard, hands pushing up the sleeves of her robe and shirt to her elbows. The three Gryffindors caught sight of their fellow housemate coming towards them and grinned.

" Finally decided to join us, Mari?" Fleamont asked, the girl in question glared at the three and crossed her arms.

" I came to tell you lot to knock it off," The other Gryffindors became confused at the reply,

" And why should we?"

" They are 1st years you twat?"

" And? In case you haven't noticed they are Slytherins, and these little snakes should know how things work around here. Think of it as a precaution to make sure these spoiled brats don't turn out like most Slytherins, evil, ruthless, and no go-" A dull thud ringed through the courtyard as Fleamont staggered back with a cry. He clutched a hand to his nose as blood dripped through his fingers, the Percival twins looked at Maria with wide eyes. Her fist was still slightly raised in the air with blood on her knuckles.

As soon as he was able to properly upright himself, Fleamont quickly whipped out his wand, Maria doing the same. Both glared at each other, Maria quickly panting at the adrenaline punching the other Gryffindor had produced. Suddenly both were shoved back from each other, Potter was pulled back by an elder Gryffindor, and Maria was pulled back by the Rowen twins.

" YOU PRICK, YOU SAY SOMETHING LIKE THAT AGAIN AND I'LL SHOVE MY WAND SO FA-" Orion quickly clamped a hand over his sister's mouth and the twins were quick to drag her away from Fleamont while the upper-class Gryffindor got him to the infirmary. Tom watched the brothers take a still angry Maria away, his eyes making contact with Apollos. It was ultimately Apollo who broke eye contact when they turned the corner.

' Well, won't this be an interesting year '