Snake Charmer

Chapter Two: Flashback: Fifth Year.

Asteria glances up from her book as Tom and his thugs walk passed where she sat in the court yard. She rolls her eyes and glances back down at her book. She wanted nothing more than for the Slytherin's to disappear. They were nothing but bullies and Tom sweet talked all the teachers to get them out of trouble...most of the time.

"Is there a problem Dumbledore?" Asteria suppresses a groan, the sound of Tom's voice was right in front of her. There was no way she would be able to look up into his blue eyes and not fall for his charm either. It would have been so much easier to hate him if he looked like a troll. But unfortunately Tom Riddle was unsettling attractive.

"Of course, not Riddle. Just the stench of hair gel was just overwhelming." She says smugly. Tom chuckles before snatching her book from her. She lets out a frustrated breath finally looking up at him.

"Return my book Riddle." Asteria was far to tired to fight with him today. She stands and holds her hand out toward the book. Tom arches an amused eyebrow at her.

"Where's your fighting spirit gone today?" He inquires smirking down at her. Asteria mentally curses that he was almost already a head taller than her. She shakes her head and lets out a clipped sigh.

"Just keep it." She snaps moving passed him. Tom's eyebrows draw together in concern. She was acting differently today and he normally found her temper atleast somewhat amusing to him.

Tom sighs loudly before striding toward her grabbing on to her wrist. Asteria hisses in pain spinning around quickly to look at Tom. But Tom was more concerned with her reaction to his touch. He dropped the book on the ground between them and gently pulled up Asteria's sleeve, revealing the fresh, tender purple and black handprint bruise. Asteria's heart skips a beat at Tom's blue eyes peer into her eyes.

"Who did that?" The Sharpness to his voice confuses Asteria as she searches his face.

"It's nothing." She denies softly trying to pull her wrist away from Tom. Bit instead he yanks her forward making her stumble over the book and straight into Tom's chest. Asteria squeaks and her face grows hot as she tries to right herself as she looks up at him.

"I want a name. Now." Tom was eerily calm and it was like someone had dumped a bucket of ice water down Asteria's back. On impulse Tom puts a finger under her chin slowly tilting her head up to peer into her crystal blue eyes that he had come to adore seeing, no matter what emotion that they held. A shuttered breath leaves her.