I enjoyed how my status in the school allowed me to do things other students couldn't. For instance, when I went into the library Madam Pince allowed me into the Restricted section, even though she was notorious for prohibiting almost every Slytherin student. It was easy to charm the old hag just by talking about all the books I had read in the library which at this rate was practically all of them.

"I've never met a student as well read as you, Tom." She met me in the library, her old ugly face twisting into a wide smile. "Oh my. You look a fright, Tom! What on earth happened to you?"

"I am fine, thank you Madam Pince."

"A bit too much studying into the late hours of the morning?" She cackled.

"Something along those lines." I said lowly.

Merlin I hated this old hag. I faked a smile and she all but melted before me.

"What can I help you with today, love?"

"I am looking for books on the fundamental magic behind Unbreakable Vows. Would you know of any? I wasn't sure if there was anyone in the School who would help me with this..."

I paused for effect, recognising as her eyes lit up that she knew. And not only that, but that she would give me what I needed.

A few of the other students in the library shot me filthy looks. I didn't care. They were all inferior low lives after all who just came into the library to waste precious time. What was the point of coming to a library if you weren't researching or reading in the first place? I couldn't for the life of me see the point.

"You're in luck, my dear. I know just the right book."

I followed her as she hobbled over to the Restricted section of the library, watched as she produced a very old key from within her cloak. Everyone knew the Restricted section had an enchantment of it. Some people said that the Restricted section wouldn't always be kept tucked away in a sealed unit barred by an enchanted lock, but I knew better. If this pathetic School was smart, it would always keep the contents of these books hidden from the mundane eye. There was great power in this part of the library, and as Madam Pince permitted me entrance I could feel the sheer power of darkness in the air, as if all the books were alive just waiting for the right wizard or witch to unlock their secrets. I was going to do more than that. I was going to bend magical laws that should never be bent. I was going to bend the Unbreakable Vow I had cast over myself and Hermione to be in my favour.

The key to the Restricted section is kept within her cloak pocket. I made a mental note, it was always good to remember these things in case a situation arose when I found myself in desperate need of a book and she wouldn't be in my favour. I wasn't stupid enough to think she would let me every book in the Restricted section. However I had conned more than enough spineless teachers into retrieving selected novels for me on the Dark Arts, books I had pored over for months in my pursuit of gaining all the power I could get my hands on.

If the knowledge was out there for the wizarding community to extend their powers why the hell not take advantage of it? I would never understand why anyone with magical blood would care to exist without ever feeling a certain obligation to better themselves. Anyone who didn't, in my personal opinion, was a waste of magical blood.

"Here it is," Madam Pince said in a hushed voice. "This is the book. It will be perfect for you."

I told the book from her turning it over in my hands. It was very old, leather bound and with stained parchment. Judging by the sight of it it had appeared to have not been touched in decades. Perfect.

"Unleashing Binding Vows and the Branch of Imperious Magic." I read out loud. I opened the contents and instantly a piercing shriek split the air - the book had screamed.

"Now, now Tom." Madam Pince took the novel it back into her own hands, slamming it shut so the scream cut off at once. "You're too eager, Tom... Much to eager. This novel has to be opened using Blood magic. You know of the sort?"

"Of course." I said. "That is something that I had expected. However that's not the problem. How much blood does it require?"

"Whatever it takes. The more blood, the more secrets the book reveals. However, all of this comes at a high cost. Only murder could reveal the secrets most wizards seek from a book like this. A loathsome, prohibited act is like a key to the contents of all of these volumes you see before you. And more than many brilliant wizards have stumbled here, sacrificing many things in the name of knowledge. Of course, this is all prohibited by the Headmaster, he deems it off limit knowledge to every student minus the staff."

I took the book back from her, relishing the feeling of power in my hands. It was cold to the touch, like it had been left outside in snow for years.

"You would get very far using a small amount of blood, Tom." Madam Pince acknowledged me, "But I'm afraid not as far as you would have liked."

I tucked the book into the front of my cloak, trying to hide the thrill of adrenaline coursing through me.

"Of course, Madam Pince."