October 8th, 1943

Reader POV

Tom and I only got closer. As the world descended into chaos, I found sanctuary in my newfound home. While my father was shipped off to France to fight for the allies and my mother volunteering at the hospital in the school and Philip at basic training for the Royal Air Force, I was trying to distract myself by immersing myself in the wizarding world.

"Rise and shine!" I jumped in alarm at Professor Slughorn's voice. "Miss Livingston, have you decided to join the class once more?"

I could hear Tom snickering but didn't do anything about it. "Sorry, Professor. I'm just worried about the war in the muggle world."

He gave me a sympathetic look, knowing that my father and brother were part of it. "Even more reason to distract yourself. Now if you would please parter with Mister Riddle, we can get started."

I sheepishly grabbed my book and sat next to Tom who flicked my forehead.

"You ok?" He whisperer to me with genuine concern.

I shrugged. "No, Tom. My Dad could be killed at anytime...why would Philip voluntarily go to the RAF?? Is he daft!?"

"You really want me to answer that?" He frowned. "He's still holding a grudge."

"You made his nose bleed," I argued.

"It was almost seven years ago! Six years since we came here!"

"Ahem!" Both of us looked to Slughorn who was less than pleased. "If I wanted a demonstration on a couple quarreling, I would have asked! Now hush!"

I jabbed Tom who jabbed me right back.

"Now as I was saying, the love potion is a very strong and potent concoction. Anyone who falls victim is not in love with the person who gave the potion, but rather obsessed." Slughorn motioned to a kettle with a strange-smelling aroma coming out.

I didn't fail to notice how Tom stiffened at the mention. What the hell is he on, crack?

"So it is a potion that is highly discouraged from being brewed, hence why you will all proceed with caution this holiday season. During the months of October to February are the most cases reported of the potion being used. There's no better time than the holiday months to be with a loved one, only if they are consenting."

Once potions was done, Tom followed me out to the courtyard where I promised Abraxas I would teach him how to cast the patronus spell.

"What was that about?" I asked Tom. "Why did the mention of the stupid love potion make you uneasy?"

Tom looked around and pulled me into an empty classroom, locking the door behind him. "You know how I was trying to find my father here?"

I thought back to all the arguments we used to have in our fifth year about his parents until I finally learned the truth; his mother was the magical one and his father was a muggle, but that's all I knew. "Yes."

He took a deep breath and looked at me. "Promise this changes nothing between us? Nothing that is said here will leave the room?"

"Promise. Now spill."

He shook his head and let out a sign. "Abraxas and I did some digging. My mother as you know comes from the Gaunt family and my father was a random muggle. My filthy muggle father wanted nothing to do with my mother, but she was so infatuated with him. He was dosed with a love potion almost daily and it lead to me. Once my mother became pregnant with me, she stopped giving him the dosage, probably out of pity. She was left alone and ultimately died giving birth to me."

I was at loss for words, something that surprised him.

"They say there's no way for a person conceived by a love potion can feel anything," Tom said. "But Slughorn and I developed a potion, that's why I was given an opportunity to join the Slug Club."

I thought back to how he suddenly started showing up to meetings earlier in the year, which finally made sense. "So you're able to feel emotions?"

He looked at me with a sly grin. "Indeed. I feel irritated, happy, and angry."

"Cool." I shrugged it off. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? You know there's no secrets. I couldn't care less if you were the son of a boggart, or a boggart yourself."

He chuckled and leaned over, touching my face in an affectionate manner. "That's what I like most about you, Moony. You don't care as long as it's not bad. You're very relaxed and it makes me feel comfortable telling you everything. I suppose I should tell you more, hm?"

I played along and grabbed his tie, yanking it down and whispering in his ear; "But keep secrets that serious again and I'll kill you." I let his tie go and he nearly fell over onto the floor, much to my delight.

"Yes ma'am." I could tell he was embarrassed, but I didn't care. We teased each other all the way to the courtyard where Abraxas was sitting with Skyrin Larkwing, her giving us a friendly nod.

"You two sure took your sweet old time," he grumbled. "Don't tell me you were snogging?"

This time it was my turn to be embarrassed. "Shut up, ass!"

"Hm, nope." Abraxas stuck his tongue out at me. "We all know you two like each other. Do me a favor and just date so I can write to our parents about it."

Despite his parents Scorpius and my mother at odds, Abraxas was very welcome at my home and I was at the Malfoy manor. His parents often lectured us both about marrying purebloods and I knew the importance of it, and therefore also believed it.

"Never in your wildest dreams." I sat down and pulled out a sandwich to split. "I've much better things to do than date someone."

"Pity, I've seen the way he looks at you." Abraxas stood up. "Come on, I don't have much time. You teaching me the patronus or not?"

Tom gave me a smile. "Go on, Moony. I'll be fine here."

"Like I worry." I gave him an affectionate smile and left with my cousin, not failing to see the sparkle in Tom's eyes as I walked away.

If Tom actually liked me, it would be great. He's handsome and also of pureblood descent despite being a half-blood. I can see why he resents his father. Mum and Dad would be pleased to know I'm continuing the heritage by marrying magical, despite what Philip thinks of Tom.

It was just a shame that I was a naive little schoolgirl with a schoolgirl crush, about to be thrown into a whirlwind of chaos.

"What's with all the spiders?" Abraxas visibly shook as we walked out of the courtyard to practice spells.

"No, what the hell is that smell?" I looked around the corridor and followed the smell, only to let out a scream.

Inside the girl's bathroom lay Jackie Li, a quiet and very sensitive girl. Her eyes were wide open and there was a burning smell, most likely the burning camera on the sink. It looked as if she was petrified. It didn't take long for the school to be in uproar about what I stumbled upon.

"Jackie Li?" Tom thought aloud. "Isn't she a mudblood?"

"What does that matter?!" I looked at him with confusion at the way he sounded uninterested. "She's still a student here!"

"So? Mudbloods don't deserve a place here. We know this, Moony." Tom tried to reassure me. "What happens to them isn't our concern."

"But what if something happens to anyone, not just the muggle-borns?" I yelled at him. "What if something happens to me?!"

Tom immediately put his arms around me. "Nothing will happen to you, Moony. I'll kill anyone who tries. I'm sorry for not seeming like I care, I do. But I protect my own first. You, Abraxas, even the others here in Slytherin. I care about you guys more than anyone here, you accept me. I care about you."

I felt comforted by his words and leaned into his hug. "I'm sorry I yelled at you."

"I know." He stroked my head as I inhaled his scent, a lovely combination of sandalwood and pine trees. "I forgive you. You're understandably nervous. Stick with me, Moony. I'll keep you safe."

"Why do you still call me that?" I looked up at him as he still held me.

He squeezed me gently. "Because you like taking moonlight walks without permission. Would you like me to call you mine instead?"

My face went scarlet and I got out of his embrace. "Smooth. Whatever, blockhead."

He smacked my side as I leaned on his side. "Yeah yeah. Anyways, what a shame what happened to Jackie Li, hopefully this is just one incident. I'm sure Headmaster Dippet will figure it out, not to worry."

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Three updates, thoughts so far? Damn it feels so good to be back writing after so long without writing for fun.

Yes ik he discovered the Basalisk in 5th year, changing stuff for story purposes.