Leona folded half of her coffee cake into a napkin, trying to carry it as inconspicuously as possible as she left the dining hall and climbed the stairs. Coffee cake was a rare treat in the orphanage. Mrs. Cole said it would keep the younger children awake, so even on occasions like this it was served only to those older than thirteen. But Tom had insisted Leona sneak him some. She had taken quite a liking to the clever young boy, and as usual, had been unable to resist his charm.

Tom looked up as the door to his room opened. His face split into a grin.

"Happy birthday, Tom," Leona said, handing him the napkin full of cake.

"I won’t be eight until tomorrow," he laughed.

"Perfect timing for the day trip. I’m going to take you on an adventure."

They stood at the edge of the cliffs, a brisk ocean breeze blowing through their hair. They had slipped away from the others; now it was just Tom, Leona, and the churning sea. Tom spotted a small gap in the rock face, down where the waves crashed. He pointed it out to the older girl.

"Think we can get down to it?" Leona asked. Her sly grin posed a playful challenge.

"Is it safe?"

"Who cares?" She laughed that bright, joyful laugh that Tom loved so much, and lowered herself over the edge. "Coming, Tom?"

He slithered down after her. In minutes, he had reached the base of the cliff, while Leona still picked her way over the rocks ten meters above him. “Hurry up, slowpoke!” he called. He peered into the cave, anxious to explore its black depths.

Tom heard the clatter of rocks and the scream. He whipped around, and Leona was falling, plunging toward the jagged teeth of the hungry sea. He reached out his arm as if to catch her, knowing he was helpless. Another scream. This time it was his own.

Tom sat unmoving on the rock at the edge of the sea, watching the sun set and his world darken. Staring at the frothing waves that could have just as easily claimed his own life as Leona’s… Leona, who was bright and funny and good, whom he had loved, but it meant nothing because he could not save her…

The last light of day dipped below the horizon, and Lord Voldemort stood up.