"The Serpent's Teeth"
(A Tom Riddle love story)

16th September 1944
Monday

I quietly get up and get dressed.

The darkness is leaning against the window glass like a monster asking for entrance.

Glad to be on the other side, I hang my cloak over my school uniform and get into the adjoining bathroom for my morning toilet.

After that I braid my copper red locks in to a French braid and apply mascara on my eyelashes. That's more than enough for the day.

The hallways to the fourth floor are empty as I make my way to the library.

Despite the sometimes oppressive silence, I love this time of the day.

My pen scratches across the parchment.

I've been practicing Arithmancy for almost one hour now.

I've been trying to awaken my knowledge by remembering the words of Professor Vector.

With more success than I thought.

After I was able to relax, I feel as if I have been transported back in time, where I started with this cruel and boring subject.

I'm siting in my seat on the left side of the classroom, next to the window in front of Granger.

Malfoy is sitting two rows behind me and doesn't even realize that I'm there.

Second year.

The beginning of my Arithmancy lessons.

At that time I didn't hate the subject yet , it was slightly on the more difficult side, but it was alright.

I passed the first year without too much difficulty.

In my fourth year, I started to get less interested in the subject due to the fact that I simply couldn't keep anything that we where learning in my head .

So I wasn't really surprised that I got a D (Dreadful) in my O.W.L.s in fifth year.

In other words, I failed.

This new arrogant cow from Beauxbâteau sat on my place in Arithmancy and my previous assumption that people simply couldn't see me on my usual sitting place was disproved.

She was always among the best, was on good terms with Granger, pushed into the clique around Harry Potter and was also friends with some Slytherins.

That was one hundred percent because of her Death Eater father and brother.

Not to mention her supposedly best friend Blaise.

Best Friend - yeah right!

Don't make me laugh.

She just satisfied him enough in bed, that he felt obligated to deal with her in his spare time and take her with him to the Slytherin common.

She has never noticed me... until seventh year.

Stupid Witch!

Reassuring I breathe in deeply several times and look at my clock.

Time for breakfast.

With my bag in hand, I enter the Great Hall and head for my friends.

I can hardly believe that they have taken me in from the beginning, and treat me as if I am one of them, as if I have been here for years.

"We thought that you were going to miss breakfast," Casey grins at me cheerfully.

"Never!" I say with played shock.

"We wanted to send Lee out to get you," Sasha says between bites into his jam sandwich.

"Well I'm here now," I return and squeeze down on the bench between Tracey and some unknown girl.

I'm starting to enjoy the time here.

It's like a student exchange project in another world.

Other values , problems, and no Voldemort.

I would consider it extremely peaceful, if it weren't for my job.

Failure isn't an option, but I still don't know how I'm going to complete this mission ...

But Snape wouldn't have sent me on this mission, if he didn't believe in my abilities, and the idea that Voldemort could win just because I failed, strengthens my sense of purpose.

I'm here now and there is no going back until I reach my goal.