Disclaimer: Please make sure you have read the winning round one entry BEFORE reading this chapter.

Leaving the library, Tom felt excited and annoyed all at once. That girl didn’t know him, no one did. Distracted and thinking that he was alone, he allowed himself the moment of excitement she witnessed. But he was annoyed that he had succumbed to an uncontrolled moment of anger and dropped his normally well guarded facade to reveal something personal – his desire for eternal life. He learnt long ago that people became wary even scared of him if he let too much of his true nature show.

Unlike everyone else though he felt the rising excitement because Tom knew that before long that girl would be punished for her interruption and insufferable familiarity. But that would have to wait for a time that wouldn’t raise a lot of awkward questions and unwanted interest.

In all things control was the key.

Even before Dumbledore came to the orphanage and introduced him to the world of magic the young Tom Riddle had realised that the only thing that mattered was power and the will to use it. And it was his willingness to use his then unexplained power to bend others to his will that made even the older children fear and respect him or risk the consequences. Since coming to Hogwarts the depth and breadth of his studies had far exceeded that covered in class, focussing on his penchant for the dark arts. His power, and followers, had increased in line with his ever increasing magical abilities.

While Myrtle’s time would come, her mention of a basilisk was curious. Although she didn’t notice through her incessant chattering, she had in fact held Tom’s attention for the briefest of moments.

As part of his magical studies and attempts to trace his own heritage he had found a number of similarities between himself and the founder of his house of Slytherin, such as being a parseltongue. One of the most obscure aspects of the legend surrounding Slytherin included details of a secret chamber he created beneath Hogwarts which also supposedly contained none other than a basilisk. Finding the chamber as part of his quest for power had become an obsession in recent months. While Tom was confident that the entrance was through one of the schools bathrooms he was yet to find the way in. Perhaps the Ravenclaw girl could have some information that might help? But that too could wait.

He had found something of more immediate interest and without any real conscience thought Tom was making his way up to the Astronomy Tower. While he had no interest in the subject whatsoever, today’s constant rain and heavy cloud cover should ensure that it will be deserted, permitting him a couple more hours of uninterrupted study.

While he sensed him before he rounded the corner, Tom still feigned surprise when he saw Dumbledore coming in the opposite direction.

“Good Evening Professor” Tom said turning on the charm. With the slightest outward hint of suspicion, the Transfiguration teacher considered the young Tom Riddle as he stood before him. “Good Evening Tom, and where are you heading at this time of night?” it might have been a few hours before students were due back in their dormitories, but he was always curious why Tom was more often than not off somewhere on his own.
“Just going up to the Astronomy Tower to see if today’s cloud cover had cleared, Professor, so I could get an early start on the homework assignment.”
“And, on your own again?” Dumbledore asked. “I find it easier to concentrate on my own, sir” Tom replied although it wasn’t any of his assignments he was thinking of.
“Well then off you go, don’t forget to be back in your dormitory by 10, Tom” Dumbledore said with a final searching assessment of Tom’s face for some hint of what he was really up to.
“Good Night, Sir” Tom said as he quickly continued on his way to the seventh floor and the Astronomy Tower.

Dumbledore watched Tom as he disappeared around the corner before continuing on his usual patrol around the hallways. Considering the time since their first meeting at the orphanage, he may have matured and become what most of the girls of his year consider a handsome young man. When he chose to he could effortlessly charm and ingratiate himself with students and teachers alike and most in turn seemed eager to seek his favour. Nevertheless there was a dark side to his nature that kept most at a distance and repelled anyone seeking friendship. Except for a few of his fellow Slytherin’s seemingly hand picked for their predilection towards cruelty and bullying most others were wary or even scared of the young Mr Riddle. Even from his first foray to Diagon Alley he had preferred to act alone in secrecy. It was almost as if Tom saw any more time than necessary spent in the company of others as an unwelcome intrusion into his world.
While there had been quite a few incidents of victimisation and cruelty beyond the normal student conflicts and fights since Tom’s arrival at Hogwarts, Dumbledore was so far unable to prove that Tom had any direct influence or involvement with the perpetrators. Despite appearances Dumbledore remained suspicious of Tom, his secrecy and his ability to influence others. Perhaps more than any other student to pass through Hogwarts Dumbledore hoped there was still a chance for Tom Riddle.

“Old fool” thought Tom as he walked away. Once again Dumbledore had appeared suspiciously to confront and question him. While being only a minor annoyance Tom could always count on him to take an overly suspicious interest in his activities. Despite becoming a skilled Occlumens Tom was always on his guard around Dumbledore and quite often felt that his challenging stare was trying to delve deeper for answers. Despite being useful against lesser, weaker wizards he was never tempted to risk using Leglimency in his presence.

As always and in all things control was the key.

Stepping out onto the platform atop of the astronomy tower and checking that he was indeed alone, he allowed himself a moment of indulgence and a brief smile as he thought of his plans for that insufferable Ravenclaw girl. Extracting her knowledge about basilisks would make his revenge even more rewarding.

Reaching into his robes he took out his diary ready to take a few notes for future reference.
The diary was enchanted so that its contents would only be revealed to its owner and Tom had used it to carefully plot each step in his research into the many aspects of the Dark Arts. Caractacus Burke found it during one of his regular trips to Romania in search of magical objects and potions and Tom had brought it during one of his many visits to Borgin and Burkes last summer. Their leaning towards the Dark Arts was primarily driven by greed as they knew that the darker the magic, potion or poison meant a higher asking price and greater profit. Out of necessity their knowledge of magical items was unprecedented but it was their contacts in all parts of the magical world that interested Tom. He had cultivated his relationship with both Borgin and Burke on the pretence of a search for knowledge about all magical items despite the general prejudice against the Dark Arts although it was the lack of acceptance and justifiable caution by the general wizarding world that had made Borgin and Burke so successful, and wealthy.

As always Tom’s interest was more personal, secret and perhaps to the casual observer of the darkest nature. Far beyond either Borgin and Burke or even Dumbledore could imagine. Tom was determined that no one would know his intentions until he was ready.

Returning to “Secrets of the Darkest Art” he found his place once more.
“A Horcrux can ensure that a part of a witch or wizard survives independently from their mortal body, although the process and consequences of creating one is one of the darkest acts of the magical world. Being nearly indestructible once created, a Horcrux can ensure a limited form of immortality for the witch or wizard irresponsible enough to create this most evil magical object.” Tom beamed with excitement as he read on.

Although the text was disappointingly bereft of specific details it confirmed Tom’s suspicions that there was a way, however difficult. This was a start. With perseverance the answers would come. Time became irrelevant with the prospect of immortality. Tom knew he didn’t need to write this in his diary.

Tom sat back and considered the information in front of him and how difficult it had been to find even these scant details. He thought of the new DADA Teacher, Professor Slughorn as a source of further information. While he was conceited and an insufferable name dropper, he considered himself a king maker and had already marked Tom as being destined for greatness. While he would have to be cautious with his approach, Tom was sure he could use the Professor’s character to his advantage.