The Hogwarts Express was filled with students as they headed back to their homes for the summer. The younger years were talking excitedly about their plans over the summer while the older years discussed with each other how their OWLs and NEWTs went.

"I think I did okay on the potions exam." Ami chatted with Amber as they searched the train for Tom or an empty compartment. They hadn't seen their friend since the last day of classes and they were eager to hear what answers he had written on his tests.

However, they could not find Tom before they found an empty compartment; and they decided it was best to just save a seat for him.

"Anyway," Amber said as she sprawled herself across the plush bench in front of Ami, "what's up with Tom? He's been really moody ever since you were excused from doing Ol' Sluggy's essay assignment. Do you think that was him that shoved passed you?"

Ami sighed as she lay herself across the opposing bench, leaning her head against the wall next to the window. "The more I think about it, Amber, the more I believe it's him. I asked Tom the next day if he knew why the professor was acting paranoid; and he became really angry towards me. I know he can become very angry; but this was like he was trying to refrain from killing me."

"That's weird, Ami. I don't like the sound of that."

Ami sighed again. "Nor do I, Amber."

The door slid open to reveal a very solemn Tom Riddle, who just sat himself down by Ami's feet. Ami and Amber gave each other a quick glance of confusion from his expression.

"Hey, Tom. How were your finals?" Ami asked him gently and sat upright.

"Fine." He muttered, seeming occupied by his thoughts. Ami, fully aware something was bothering him, wanted to ask him what was wrong. However, Amber gave her a look that told her it was probably best to leave him alone.

"Well," Ami replied, trying to lighten the mood, "you probably did better than Amber and I so I wouldn't worry about it."

Tom didn't crack a smile or even acknowledge her joke. Ami tried to reach out and grab his hand; but she was too slow as Tom wrapped his arms around Ami and pulled her into a hug.

"Yikes, I don't want to see where this goes." Amber quickly clambered out of her compartment and decided it was best to leave them alone for the rest of the ride back.

Ami was caught so off guard that she didn't realize Tom had let her go out of his embrace. She blinked a couple times and then stared at her friend, who had a small frown on his face as he leaned against the back of the plush bench.

"Tom..?" He slowly raised his eyes to look at a slightly flustered Ami, who was trying to do everything to keep herself from showing her confusion.

He ascended from the seat and went by the window to sit underneath it. Ami stared at him, at loss for words as he beckoned her to come closer to him. Not knowing what else to do, she scooted closer to him, looking at his eyes, trying to figure out what emotion he was showing. Tom swung his legs up on Ami and motioned her to lean into him; and she did obediently.

Ami had no idea what had made Tom do this but was not questioning his actions as she leaned her head on his chest. One of his arms wrapped around her comfortably as the other one lazily rested on her leg, slowly drawing squiggles and circles.

She listened to his breathing. It was calm, but she could hear his heart beating rapidly. Ami concluded that he was still angry about something, but knew it was none of her business. He probably just needed time to think it through and calm himself down.

"You know I'm always here for you, right?" Ami suddenly asked him, and looked him in his dark, mysterious eyes.

Tom looked her into her welcoming brown eyes, and smiled slightly at her question. "I do. Thank you, Ami."

He felt her arm slip in the empty space between him and the wall and her other arm rest around his torso. She abruptly brought her legs from underneath him to the side of him as she cuddled to his side on the bench, practically half of her on top of him since the bench was too small.

Riddle heard Ami sigh deeply and knew she had fallen asleep as he stroked her hair and held her against him.

His thoughts of his plans for the future creeped back into his mind. What would the people he knew and himself do when they were separated? He couldn't be with Ami because he could never have any feelings towards her. Would he become a professor at Hogwarts to remain at his home or would he become a potions master for his ability to produce magnificent potions?

The sound of the compartment door opening tore Tom away from his dark thoughts and saw Amber smirking in he and Ami's direction. He shifted uncomfortably under her amused stare.

"Well, Tom, it took you long enough." She stated and sat across from her two best friends.

"It's not what it looks like-"

"You're cuddling with Ami. I know exactly what it looks like." He sighed exasperatingly at Amber's triumphant grin.

"No, it isn't. I can't have feelings for her, Amber."

She gave him a quizzical look. "You can't or you won't?"

He tightened his balled fists before he could startle the sleeping girl on him. "I can't. It's impossible."

"Only if you don't try-"

"Dammit, Amber! What can you not understand by the word, 'can't'? I can't feel anything... it's impossible!" He was glaring at Amber, who seemed a bit frightened by his sudden outburst.

However, the sudden movements of Ami waking up has quieted their bickering. Tom and Amber looked at each other, silently agreeing not to tell the now awake girl. He silently prayed that he would still be able to hold a friendship with the two young women after they leave Hogwarts as a startling, dark thought popped in his mind.