Hogwarts was as magnificent as I remembered all those years ago. I just wished people weren’t giving me dirty looks. Lotus Riddle’s twin brother has just returned. Now, to protect her from him, Headmaster Dumbledore is bringing her to teach at Hogwarts. There, she encounters Dolores Umbridge, who has decided to try and make Lotus’ life there a living hell, and Harry Potter, her supposed enemy.

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“Tom?” I asked. Our 17th birthday had just passed. When I saw him, I knew something was wrong. His expression was pallid, uncaring, but I could feel from our twin connection that a storm was brewing.

“What?” He asked. I took a deep breath. “What’s going on Tom? You’re angry, I know you are.” His eyes burned with loathing. “You want to know? I’m angry at you!”

He stood. “What…” I started. My twin grabbed a file and threw it at me. The pictures fluttered down. I kneeled and picked some of them up. There was me, modeling from kimonos to lingerie.

“I told you I was going to start modeling. I don’t know why you don’t understand,” I said softly as I picked up the pictures off the floor. “Including dressing like a whore?”

I looked down at the pictures. I sighed, feeling my own hurricane approaching.

“Tom, if this is what I have to do to become a model, to be able to survive without joining that sadistic cult of yours, I’ll do it.” He grabbed my wrist and wrenched me up. “I will not have my own flesh and blood dressing like that!” I shook my head. “Tom, I’m going to be a model no matter what it takes. Got it?” His features shuddered and twitched in anger.

His rage was unleashed; I felt a stinging on my cheek, and my head was snapped to the side. I bit my lip as my head turned slowly back to Tom, whose iron mask was temporarily broken. He looked horrified at what he’d just done to his own sister.

I lifted my hand to my cheek, which stung when I touched it. “You’ll never change.” I walked out.

Even before Hogwarts, Tom resorted to intimidation and hidden violence.

I walked out of the Room of Requirement, and walked to the Slytherin common room, taking the pictures with me. Why didn’t Tom understand?

“Lotus? Are you alright?” I turned slightly. It was Abraxas Malfoy. I smiled slightly. “Ya, I’m fine. Just… Well, you know how my brother is.” He shrugged. “I need to go study. Do you want to come?” I shook my head. “No, I’m going to find Mamemitsu.”

I smiled at my former boyfriend. He and I had actually planned to marry, but he had an arranged marriage. It had broken my heart when he told me that our marriage would be impossible because of my blood status.

I stood, but Abraxas asked, “Why’d he get mad?” I turned back to him and held out the pictures. Why did Tom have to be so overprotective? I’m not a baby anymore! Abraxas handed me the pictures back. “No wonder he’s angry with you. These are…impressive.” He trailed off, eyeing a picture showing one of me in practically nothing.

I smiled. “Well, I’m off.” He nodded, walking over to Calvia, his betrothed. I didn’t hate her, but I couldn’t ever bear to look at her.

I walked into the warm library, and spotted Mamemitsu was studying for her N.E.W.T.s. She was the study brain in our year.

She looked up, her smile faltering when she looked at me. “What happened Lotus?” I furrowed my brow. “What?”

She stood, her expression worried. “Your cheek… why is it red?” Oh, the slap must have caused a red mark. “Tom slapped me.” Her jaw dropped to the floor. “Why?”

I handed her the pictures of my modeling, and I plopped down in the seat next to her own. She shook her head.

“He’s simply worried Lotus-kun. He doesn’t want you to be taken advantage of.” At my angry look, she added, “Although, it doesn’t give him the right. Maybe if you two gave each other some space…?” I smiled at her, and we hugged. She always knows exactly what to say.

She and I are best friends, and I know we always will be...