Chapter 1 – Her Secret Admirer

Okay, this is me deciding that Tom Marvolo Riddle must have had a soft side and therefore if he did he must have liked someone at his age. Don't ask, the idea is strange, but I'm giving a shot at it.

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters, except the ones I created and the idea…

It was a chilly Christmas day at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, but the boy hardly noticed it at all. He was hardly touching his food, as he stared at the girl whose long blond hair fell around her body gracefully. She was laughing with her friends, who were all enjoying their lunch; she glanced over at the boy then quickly looked away. The boy sat up straight, she had looked straight at him. Now she was getting up and coming over to… Oh no, please don't come over here, the boy thought desperately as she came right over to him.

"Hello, Tom," the girl said sitting down at his table and smiling brightly, "you look pretty lonely over here all on your own."

"Hi Vanessa," Tom said shocked that he was talking to her.

"Can you actually believe it's our last Christmas here Tom?" Vanessa asked making herself comfortable.

"Nope, kind of shocking, really," Tom replied wide eyed while thinking, dang, why does she have to be in Ravenclaw? Actually, why does she have to be so dang beautiful?

"Yeah," Vanessa said, looking back at her friends who were all giggling.

Keep your mouth shut Tom, Tom thought trying not to blurt out his secret crush on her, you're stronger then what you give yourself credit for. Besides, we all know you're the best wizard here. You're smart, and therefore if you're smart you should be able to keep your mouth shu…

"Vanessa, I think I love you," Tom blurted out, his logical side mentally kicking him.

Vanessa stared at him, "what?"

"Okay, fine I don't think I love you. I know I love you," Tom said desperately.

Vanessa looked at him stunned, her blue eyes locking with his. Tom wished that he hadn't said anything now that she wasn't saying anything. Her friends seemed to have noticed that something was up because they had all gone silent all their eyes fixed on him. Vanessa finally broke her contact with him and looked down at the empty plate in front of her, her cheeks turning pink.

"To be honest, Tom, I love you too," she whispered.

"You do?" Tom asked in disbelief.

"Yes," Vanessa said looking up at Tom, "you know, you have a hard time keep things secret when you're sending me unsigned messages from the same owl… It wasn't that hard to figure out you liked me."

"Was it that obvious?" Tom asked his eyes boring into hers.

"Just a little," Vanessa said smiling leaning forward, "so, are you trying to say you want to be with me?"

Tom nodded mutely I've dreamed and fantasized this for so long. He cleared his voice, "let's go for a walk."

"Okay," Vanessa said her eyes lighting up.

Together they stood up and walked out into the Great Hall, keeping silent all the while. They made their way outside into the snow and walked around the edge lake making small conversations every now and then. As the hours slowly crept by they were soon both laughing and playing around, tossing snowballs at each other. Pretty soon the wind was blowing so hard that their faces began to numb up so they ran back inside hand in hand. Vanessa shook her head, swinging drops of water everywhere from her blond, dripping wet, locks.

"Wow," that was the coolest snowball fight I've ever had," Tom panted watching Vanessa ring out her hair.

"Yeah," she smiled, "that was pretty intense."

They laughed as the two of them locked eyes again and then suddenly their lips met. Vanessa pulled away quickly smiling while her eyes contained shock and surprise. Tom blushed but was soon surprised by Vanessa kissing him back. He put his arms around her and she entwined her hands into his hair. For several long minutes they kissed until finally they stopped to stare into each others eyes.

"Tom," Vanessa whispered, "it's getting late, I'd better get to bed."

"Right… really late… got it," Tom said in a daze.

Vanessa giggled and pulled out of Tom's hold. She bit her lip and said, "I suppose I'll see you tomorrow Tom." With that she turned and ran up the marble staircase leaving Tom confused as he stood there watching her disappear.

So, how was it? Bad, good, forget it, or continue? Let me know.

Hermione-Hermyown