Over a week had passed since the night the journal was discovered and there was one thing Tom Riddle knew with complete clarity… Valencia Merryweather was an incessant, irritating imbecile. She lacked the passion, the power and the animosity of the writer he had hopes to wield, for these things could be refined and directed, similar to fear and greed. Training people is easy when you know how and Tom Riddle knew how!
He spent the last two days searching through the student listings, it turns out there are several Merryweather's in this school, watching the hollow stone, but somehow always missing the culprit, finding a new entry awaiting him, writing familiar day situations but he couldn't pin the author and quite frankly it was pissing him off.
It had been a slow day, especially for a Saturday, people had come to gossip and cavort with friends all around the castle grounds. Tom ran a frustrated hand through his chestnut mane as he walks into the great hall, a scatter of students over the long tables. He noticed from the corner of his eye a girl, the raven haired girl whose name he didn't know, but he dismissed the girl, after all who really noticed a shy Ravenclaw?
Constance however made no movement; she sat studying for her Transfiguration lesson, one of the few she wasn't well practiced in. The girl shuddered, this last week had been unusual for her, for it seemed that with every entry of her journal she found herself sprinting from watchful eyes. She wasn't accustomed to such attention, not here at least. Yes people talked to her and laughed with her, only enough to meet the social necessities as to not raise suspicion.
The journal was her outlet, her secret release as to not merge with her inner demons during the waking hours.
So Constance made a decision, she was to move the journal…
Tom however stealthily makes his way to collect the journal, rounding the empty corridor he slips into a dark passageway and opens the red leather with a single word to find a new page to revise
Diary,
It's another day in this hell, another passing of pointlessness.
I dreamt of her last night, singing to me, beckoning me. These dreams, they're not dreams, but a memory of times past, the life we lead before.
I sometimes find myself wondering what could have been, however I feel no longing, no want in these thoughts. They are ideas, simple reminiscence. Father tells me its normal, laughable isn't it?
Me, normal? Like everyone else, the very thought makes me shudder with disgust. For I may be a charlatan in my own skin but I refuse to be one of them… these weak, smoldering nothings.
Lately I find myself appraised, wondering eyes lingering. Now there's an idea…
Until tomorrow
The boy's brow frowns, so his subject was in view, his only challenge know was discovery. After he turns the journal and makes his way to meet with his 'friends', he needed them to keep eyes on the Merryweather's in this school
At dinner he returned to the great hall, taking a seat with Avery and Lastrange looking to their lord but Avery's attention sways at the entrance of a man, the few within the hall turn, but not all. Tom looks over the stranger, a lean man with a greying black shoulder length mane, a tended full mustache, ocean blue eyes sunken and hollowed cheeks, attired in a cream, chocolate and gold suit and cape. His left hand clutching a gold headed black cane to support his limping form.
He stops beside a girl, her back to the Slytherin's, the stranger smiles "hello princess"
"Father!" the girl stands instantly, embracing her father tightly to her.
Tom watches the exchange, unfamiliar with such interactions. So, that's what a father looked like…
Constance smiles up to the man before her "father what are you doing here?"
"I had some business in Hogsmeade to discuss. My how you've grown… I have something for you" he smiles and pulls a large ribbon sealed box from his cape.
A few eyes watch the pair as Constance rips the package open, her face shining with awe at the contents "oh father…"
"We were hunting Gytrash's a few weeks back. I killed and skinned this beast myself! Only the best for my little girl" Black blown eyes stare as frail hands pull a majestic, flowing white fur cloak. Cloak and hood lined with a full white satin and a beautiful silver-toned leaf clasp.
The raven haired girl beams brightly as she twirls "it's beautiful father"
Smiling he reaches for the cloak, securing it around his child's shoulders "I'm so glad you like it. Now I've spoken to headmaster Dippet and he has given permission for you to attend lunch with me in town"
Tom watches with a thoughtful gaze, that girl had been there the night he waited for Valencia. He hadn't paid it much mind at the time, but thinking back he remembers the rage in her eyes before a fade come into view, like the tide washing out the pictures in the sand.
Standing, ignoring the question of his followers he makes his way to Malfoy, who's flirting with one of Tom's admires "Abraxas, did you obtain the information I asked for?"
Turning with a nervous smile the blonde nods "yes, um, the girl right… a Ravenclaw, quiet, um, good grades nothing remarkable…"
"Name, Malfoy, give me the name!" the impatient wizard barks
With a stutter the boy nods "Constance, Constance Merryweather…"
Turning from the boy Tom watches with a narrowed gaze as father and daughter take their leave of the school grounds.
Constance faces her father with a smile, taking comfort in the warmth of the soft fur encaging her "Archibald, good to see you again old man, and this must be little Connie!"
The green orbs light up with rage, fingers twitching to rap around Madam Rosmerta's throat "it's Constance!"
At the girls biting tone the barkeeper nods. The man smiles and asks "could we get a Red Currant and a butterbeer please Rosmerta"
As the woman leaves Archibald looks to his daughter with a raised brow "darling, your temper"
"I'm sorry father" she sighs, head falling, ebony curls hiding her from view
Leaning forward, hand under her chin he raises her to meet his gentle doting orbs "don't apologize for who you are my princess. You have a strong mind and a fierce heart, they will lead you to greatness this world has never seen… what do we always say?"
A smile ignites and the life lesson slips from her lips "as long as you have passion, faith and the willing to work hard, you can do anything..."
"… and have anything you want in this world. That's my girl" he smiles at her with pride
Her marble coating seems to shine at this; Constance had missed her father, the man who never judged her, who always took her side even when she was wrong, who loved her for exactly who she was and for a moment, under the light of her father's smile the mask melted away and the girl felt something rare and fleeting, happiness.
That evening Tom smiled at the professors, ate his supper and carried on his duties. Everything would seem normal to an observing eye, but that night after supper, before his rounds the head boy took a seat in the library, after all what better way to find out about your heritage than from within the walls he helped to build. Tom had discovered his relation to Salazar Slytherin during third year; it was actually Abraxas that lead him to the knowledge. After all the Malfoy's had long been admirers of the man. After that he read all he could about his ancestor, searching each stone for the chamber he was yet to find.
'Yet' being the operative word!
His priorities had not faltered, but know he was sure to whom the journal belonged, however he had to be certain. That was why he now sits in the library, half reading and half watching the entrance of the great castle, when a black coach came into view the boy quickly made his way to a certain hallway and awaited his pray…
Constance smiled, a spring in her step as she made her way through the school. Her fur cloak was carefully hidden under her school robe; it was a very identifying object after all. When she reaches the hollow cut wall opal green pools search the firelight, then attentively steals her precious journal.
Her back turns while a sickening smile breaks from the shadows "Constance Merryweather… what a pleasure"
