LEADER OF MEN
October 1958
"How are we doing over here, boys?"
Rodolphus looked up to see his Potions teacher, Professor Slughorn, standing beside him. He had been working diligently for the past hour on his Shrinking Solution and had just finished adding the final ingredient, turning his potion bright green.
"Very well, Professor," replied Rodolphus. "I am almost finished."
Beside him, his best friend, Evan Rosier, kept shooting him dirty looks, while stirring his potion so quickly that it was spilling out over the edges of his cauldron.
"Slow down, boy, or you won't have any left," said Professor Slughorn, walking over to look his Evan's cauldron. "I think you may have made an error with your ingredients, Rosier. This potion should be green, not purple, and it smells terrible."
Slughorn pulled out a handkerchief and put it over his face to block out the smell and walked back over to Rodolphus's cauldron. Ladling up some of the liquid inside, he held it up to examine it more closely.
Suddenly he said, "Class, please look over here! Lestrange has once again completed his potion perfectly! See the bright green colour? That's how yours should look as well. I will be coming around to check them before class is over." He turned back to Rodolphus. "Well done, m'boy, well done! Ten points for Slytherin."
As his teacher was walking away, Rodolphus heard his friend snort.
"What?" he asked, looking over at Evan.
"Nothing," replied Evan, but Rodolphus thought he heard him mutter something under his breath that sounded like 'teacher's pet'.
Rodolphus rolled his eyes. Now in his third year, he had been back at Hogwarts for a little over a month and, once again, he was the best in his year at Potions. He seemed to have a natural talent for them. Slughorn praised him almost every class, much to Evan's annoyance. Potions were definitely not Evan's best subject.
"How do you do it anyway?" Evan grumbled, as the lesson came to an end. "Why do yours always turn out perfectly and mine look terrible?"
"I don't do anything different," replied Rodolphus, truthfully, as he packed up his supplies. "I just follow the instructions in the book."
"Well, so do I and mine always look like this," Evan said, as he attempted to ladle his thick potion into a small vial.
"Lestrange! Another excellent lesson," Slughorn said, as he came back to their table. "Oh, Rosier, there's no need for you to bottle your potion up, I've seen enough." Slughorn turned back to Rodolphus, ignoring the infuriated look on Evan's face.
"Same for you, Lestrange. I've already given you top marks, as usual! You will be a Potions Master when you finish school, you mark my words!"
Evan rolled his eyes, but luckily for him, Slughorn didn't see because he was too busy beaming at Rodolphus.
"If you're interested, I have a few contacts at the Ministry that could help you out in a few years. They are always looking for skilled potion makers." Slughorn looked at him thoughtfully. "I have an idea! Why don't you come by my office tonight? I have a group of students who get together a couple times a month. We just sit around and chat. They are all such bright boys and I do what I can to help them with their future careers. I think you would fit in well with them, Lestrange."
Rodolphus had heard of this group of Slughorn's favourites before and, while Rodolphus didn't dislike his Head of House, he really had other no desire to spend time with a teacher outside of the classroom.
Trying to find a way to politely decline the invitation, Rodolphus said, "That sounds great, sir, but unfortunately I – uh – I promised Evan I'd help him with his Charms homework tonight. We have a test tomorrow on Cheering Charms."
Behind Slughorn, he saw Evan's mouth open, but Rodolphus shot him a glare to keep from speaking.
Slughorn looked disappointed for a moment, before another smile came across his lips. "But of course, Rosier is welcome to come too!" Slughorn turned back to Evan. "I happen to be something of a connoisseur in Charms. I would be happy to give you some assistance." He walked to the door and held it open for Rodolphus and Evan. "Okay boys, I will see you both tonight. Seven o'clock sharp!"
Rodolphus and Evan left the classroom and headed up the stairs toward the Great Hall. Once out of earshot, Evan gave Rodolphus an irritated look.
"Why did you have to mention my name? I don't want to join his precious little Slug Club. It's nothing but a bunch of ass-kissers."
"It's not as though I asked to go," retorted Rodolphus, as they entered the Great Hall. "I was trying to get out of it but he didn't exactly give me an option to say no, did he?"
As they sat down at the table, Rodolphus looked over at his friend to see Evan still glaring at him.
"Come on, how bad can it be?"
Evan just rolled his eyes and helped himself to a sandwich.
*.*.*
At quarter to seven Rodolphus and Evan left the Slytherin common room and made their way to Slughorn's office. When they reached the second floor they came face to face with Rodolphus' least favourite teacher: Professor Dumbledore, who taught Transfiguration and was Head of Gryffindor House.
"Good evening," Dumbledore greeted them. "Where are you boys off to?"
"We are allowed out until eight o'clock," Rodolphus said pointedly, ignoring his teacher's question.
Looking at Rodolphus sharply, Dumbledore replied, "Yes, I know you are Mr. Lestrange. I was simply asking a question."
Rodolphus' dislike for his Transfiguration teacher started during his first year, when Dumbledore had overheard Rodolphus calling another student "Mudblood" and had given him detention for it. While the detention mainly consisted of cleaning various objects used in Transfiguration class, he was forced to endure a long-winded speech from Dumbledore about the importance of kindness and acceptance of others.
Then, at the end of last year, Dumbledore had caught Rodolphus and Evan attempting a spell that was prohibited at Hogwarts. They had both received detention and letters home for that transgression. Rodolphus still had the scars from his punishment that his father had doled out after reading the letter.
This year, it seemed to Rodolphus that the Transfiguration teacher was constantly watching him, just waiting to catch him in more acts of wrongdoing. What annoyed Rodolphus the most about this was that any of the other teachers just sent students to their Head of House for a reprimand, but Dumbledore preferred to deal with students directly, regardless if they are in his house or not. Rodolphus got the feeling that Dumbledore enjoys punishing the Slytherin students the most.
Deciding it would be best to answer Dumbledore's question, Rodolphus replied, "We are going to Professor Slughorn's office. He is expecting us there for seven."
"Ah, I see," Dumbledore replied, still watching Rodolphus closely. "Well, enjoy yourselves, but make sure you are back in your common room by eight."
"Right." Rodolphus replied, as he stepped around the professor and walked away from him. He exchanged a look with Evan but neither said a word. That was one thing Rodolphus really appreciated about his friendship with Evan – they knew what one another was thinking with just a look.
Once they arrived at Slughorn's office, Rodolphus knocked on the door, which flew open a moment later. Slughorn happily ushered the boys into his office. Looking around Rodolphus noticed a big comfy-looking armchair and half a dozen wooden chairs, four of which were already occupied by other boys. Rodolphus recognized all of them as Slytherins, but only knew one personally – Prescott Avery, who was now a sixth-year.
"Good news gentlemen! We have two new members joining us tonight. Does everyone know each other?" Slughorn smiled jovially around at the boys. When no one replied, he laughed and said, "Come now, boys! You are all in the same house. You really need to talk to your housemates more often!"
He gave a small chuckle and continued, "This is Rodolphus Lestrange and Evan Rosier. Have a seat, boys, have a seat. I need to take a quick trip down to the kitchen, I will be right back."
Rodolphus and Evan took the two unoccupied chairs as Slughorn left the room. Rodolphus looked at Avery and gave him a slight nod of acknowledgment, which Avery returned.
A tall, thin boy spoke up, "Aren't you both third-years?"
"Yes," Rodolphus replied, raising his eyebrows slightly. He was a bit taken aback at the irritation in the other boy's tone.
"You got a problem with us being here, Nott?" Evan asked, coolly.
Rodolphus felt it was safe to assume it wasn't the first time the two had met, as Evan and Nott glared at each other across the room, dislike evident in their eyes. Nott opened his mouth to respond, but was cut off by the boy next to him, who had pale skin, jet-black hair and was wearing a Prefect badge. Rodolphus had seen him in the common room before, but didn't know his name.
"Don't mind Nott. He's just annoyed that Slughorn waited until he was in his seventh year before asking him to join." The boy smirked at Nott before walking over to Rodolphus and Evan, with his hand held out. "I'm Tom Riddle. Wilkes, over there," – he motioned to the other, larger boy beside Avery – "and I are in our fifth year, and we joined the Slug Club last year. Avery did too, but he is in his sixth this year. You are both probably the youngest Slughorn has ever invited here. You must have done something to impress him."
Rodolphus shrugged. "I do well in Potions, but that's about it."
"Being a Lestrange is enough to get you here," Avery interjected. "Sluggy loves getting in with the Pureblood heirs. He just makes sure you are living up to your name before he brings you in."
"Well that doesn't explain Rosier," Nott said, irritably, staring at Evan. "Haven't you heard of him, Avery? He's the unwanted third born son. From what I've heard, his parents had a third child because his mother wanted a daughter, but they got stuck with him instead."
"Does it really matter?" asked Wilkes, speaking for the first time. "Second born? Third born? What difference does it really make?"
"Spoken like a true only-child," replied Nott, rolling his eyes. "Most Pureblood families want two boys. An heir to carry on the family name, and a second – the 'spare' as its commonly called– to take over should something happen to the first. Any girls born are used to make alliances with other families, but any boys born after the first two are just a waste of time and gold."
Rodolphus watched Evan closely as Nott was talking. Discussing family was a sore spot for his friend, especially since there was a great deal truth to what Nott was saying.
Evan, who had been getting steadily redder in the face, glared at Nott. "Yeah, well at least my mother didn't –".
But what his mother didn't do wasn't voiced. Evan didn't get the chance to finish his retort because Slughorn had just re-entered the room. Shutting his mouth, Evan glared determinedly at Nott, and Nott glared right back at him.
A house elf entered the room behind Slughorn, carrying a large tray of pies and a jug of pumpkin juice. The elf sat the tray down, bowed slightly and left the room. Rodolphus watched as Slughorn settled into the large, comfy-looking chair and picked up a box of Chocolate Cauldrons that was sitting on the table next to him.
"Help yourselves to the pies and pumpkin juice, boys."
As Rodolphus stood up to get a pie, he heard Slughorn talking to Riddle. "Thank you again for the treat, m'boy. So thoughtful of you." Noticing Rodolphus watching, Slughorn winked at him. "Tom, here, is always spoiling me with treats."
Riddle smiled graciously at Slughorn, but as the professor looked away, Rodolphus watched the older boy's lips change into a smirk.
*.*.*
December 1958
As the weeks passed Rodolphus found himself and Evan spending most of their time with the other Slug Club members. They ate their meals together and, during their free time, were usually found sitting together in the Common Room. Rodolphus couldn't help but notice the looks of envy on other Slytherin's faces. Even some of the seventh-year students seemed jealous of their little group.
All six of them got along as if they had known each other for years. Evan and Nott had even somewhat worked out their differences; they were able to maintain a conversation without slinging insults at each other, at the very least.
The Slug Club members all shared common interests, but the most apparent similarity between them was their desire for a world that favours wizards, and puts Muggles and Mudbloods in their place. While this was a fairly common idealism among many in the Slytherin house, Rodolphus was pretty sure they were the only students that took it as far as they did. They were constantly coming up with scenarios on how to overthrow the establishment and put Purebloods on the top, where they belonged.
Riddle, who turned out to be very advanced at all types of magic including the Dark Arts, taught them various spells that could be used to torment some of the Mudbloods in the school. A few weeks ago, Avery and Wilkes put a hex on a sixth year Hufflepuff girl that kept making her robes fly open, exposing her knickers. She was last seen running off toward her Head of House's office in tears.
Last week, Rodolphus and Evan kept making the word "Mudblood" appear on Gryffindor Tina Gorman's desk, during their shared Charms class. True to her Gryffindor pride, Gorman didn't bother running to her Head of House and instead glared around at all the Slytherin's in the room, trying to figure out which one was behind it.
While those were minor pranks, Riddle promised to show them all something amazing by the end of year. He wouldn't tell them what it was, and they all knew better to ask. Riddle didn't appreciate being questioned by anyone, friend or not.
On the first day of Christmas holidays, Rodolphus sat alone in the common room, reading a piece of parchment that had arrived for him early that morning.
We are leaving for France today and will remain there until New Year's Eve.
You will be staying at Hogwarts for Christmas.
Renier Lestrange
Rodolphus wasn't necessary upset about not going home for Christmas. His family didn't celebrate holidays at all. The only time he remembered having any decorations in their house was when it was their turn to host the annual New Year Ball, which nearly every Pureblood family in Britain attended. That year, his father had bought half a dozen Christmas trees and there was green and red ribbon draped everywhere. All to give the illusion of a happy family home.
Usually while Rodolphus was at home, his father spent most of the time in his private study, working on things that Rodolphus knew better than to ask about. His mother stayed in her bedroom drinking sherry, wine or whatever kind of liquor she could get her hands on. The newest Lestrange, Rabastan, was only a year and half old, so he was usually with the family's hired nanny. The only time the family was together was when they sat down to supper, which was usually a very quiet affair. Speaking during meals was a punishable offense in his father's eyes.
No, going home did not appeal to Rodolphus at all. He did wonder, however, how he was going to keep himself entertained for the next three weeks. He was the only Slytherin staying behind. Everyone else had headed home earlier that day.
He tossed the letter from his father into the fire and watched it smoulder. Suddenly the common room door opened and a student walked in. Rodolphus jumped up in surprise. Apparently he wasn't the only Slytherin staying behind this year, because standing in the doorway was none other than Tom Riddle.
"What are you doing here?" both Rodolphus and Riddle asked at the same time.
Riddle smirked. "I thought you were going home for Christmas."
"Last minute change of plans," Rodolphus replied, giving a small shrug. "My family went to France."
"Without you?"
Rodolphus nodded and shrugged slightly, as if to say that it didn't bother him.
"I see," Riddle said, looking a bit confused but not saying anything else.
"What about you?" asked Rodolphus as both boys sat down in the arm chairs. "Why didn't you go home?"
"I've stayed here every Christmas and Easter break since I started," Riddle admitted.
"Really?" Rodolphus asked surprised by this information. He started to ask him why, but then remembered that the older boy didn't like being questioned, so he said nothing. Riddle, however, was giving Rodolphus an appraising look, almost like he was sizing him up.
Finally, Riddle said, "I haven't got a family to go home to. My mother died when I was born and my father deserted her before that. I spend my summer at a Muggle orphanage in London. They don't know I'm a wizard."
Rodolphus was shocked speechless by this news. He had never heard Riddle mention his family before but, given how advanced his magic was, Rodolphus had been sure that Riddle had grown up in a magical home.
"What's it like?"
The words were out of Rodolphus' mouth before he could stop them. Riddle looked at him, a hint of annoyance in his eyes.
"What's what like? Living in an orphanage? Having no parents?"
"Sorry, I – I didn't mean any offence," said Rodolphus, hoping Riddle wasn't upset with him. "I just meant what is it like living with Muggles? I've never even met one before."
"Never?" asked Riddle, raising his eyebrows. "Well, they are pretty stupid and extremely ignorant because they don't believe in magic. Just between us, I found a way to cover the trace on me during the summer, so I can mess with the Muggles a bit and the Ministry will never know. The staff there doesn't really care much for me because they know I'm behind the odd things that are happening, but they can't prove I'm doing anything."
They sat and laughed as Riddle filled Rodolphus in on all his misdeeds over the previous summers. Even with Riddle's stories, Rodolphus still couldn't imagine what that was like.
"It must be terrible to have to leave the wizarding world to go back to a bunch of dirty Muggles," said Rodolphus, sympathetically. "Can you not stay at the school over summer break? I think a few of the teachers live here year-round."
"I've been working on that. I'm planning to persuade Slughorn over the break to vouch for me with Professor Dippet. Why do you think I keep buying him sweets all the time?"
Riddle smirked again as Rodolphus laughed. Then in a more serious tone, Riddle continued, "This is to be kept between us. I haven't told many people about my life outside of school."
"Of course," replied Rodolphus. Seeing the frown on Riddle's face, he said, "I promise. Not a word to anyone. Not even Rosier."
Riddle nodded. "Thank you."
Rodolphus hesitated for a moment, wondering if he should share the details of his home life. Deciding that it would only be fair.
"I'm kind of relieved to be not going home for Christmas, you know. My mother is a disgraceful drunk who pretends that I don't exist and my father is a complete asshole who rules our family with an iron fist. If one little thing is not up to his ridiculously high standards, you can expect punishment."
He pulled up the sleeve of his robes and showed his arm to Riddle. Pointing to a scar that ran from the crook of his elbow down to his wrist, he said, "This is what I got for talking back to him." He mimicked running a wand down his arm. Then he pointed to another smaller scar beside it. "That's because I didn't go to his office quickly enough when he called for me. And this one," he pointed to large circular burn mark on his upper arm, "is for breaking an old vase that was in our sitting room. Well actually, my younger brother broke it but I took the blame for it. He's really young so...".
"They couldn't repair the vase?" Riddle asked, looking confused.
"Oh yeah, he fixed it right away but he still punished me."
Riddle nodded, watching him curiously. Rodolphus pulled down his sleeve, wondering if he said too much.
"Do you hate him?" Riddle asked after a moment. "Your father?"
Rodolphus did not even have to think about it. "Yeah, I do. Probably more than anything. The day he's gone forever will be happiest day of my life."
Riddle nodded. "I hate mine too," he said quietly, "for abandoning my mother and me." He looked thoughtfully at Rodolphus. "Someday we will get our revenge on them."
*.*.*
January 1959
On the last day of Christmas break, before the other students returned, Rodolphus lay on his bed reading a book. He looked up as the door opened. Riddle entered the room and sat down on Evan's bed, across from Rodolphus.
"I need to ask you something," the older boy said.
"Sure," said Rodolphus sitting up.
He had gotten to know Riddle better over the holidays, and though Riddle didn't share any more details about his life, like he did on that first day of holidays, Rodolphus found himself confiding in the older boy about his family and future responsibilities.
"What do you know about the Chamber of Secrets?" asked Riddle, watching Rodolphus' face carefully.
"Not very much," replied Rodolphus honestly. "It's a myth, is it not? A story made up about Salazar Slytherin making his own secret chamber, where he kept a monster. As far as I've heard, there is no truth to the story."
"What kind of monster?" asked Riddle.
"I'm not sure. The stories I've heard aren't very specific about it. But it's supposed to go around the school, ridding the place of all those not worthy to practice magic."
"Mudbloods."
Rodolphus nodded. Riddle got up and walked over to the window, where he stood for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. When he turned back to Rodolphus he said,
"Wouldn't it be great to find it? The Chamber? We could set the monster loose in school."
Rodolphus grinned and said, "It would be nice to cleanse the school. Weed out the Mudbloods." He laughed. "Too bad it doesn't exist."
"Maybe it does," replied Riddle. "It could be that no one has found it yet."
Riddle smirked at Rodolphus and thanked him for his help, before leaving the dormitory. Rodolphus stared at the door that his friend had his exited through. He knew that look in Riddle's eyes – he was planning something. Surely, he wasn't going to search for the Chamber of Secrets? Rodolphus considered following him and asking him what he was doing, but thought better of it. He knew Riddle liked to plan things alone, work them out for himself. When he was ready to share his plans with others, he would. Those who pushed him for information usually ended up on the wrong side of a nasty hex.
Lying back down on his bed, he opened his book again. However, he wasn't taking the words in, as his thoughts were now on the Chamber of Secrets and wondering if, as Riddle said, perhaps it did exist.
*.*.*
June 1959
"Did you hear? They are talking about closing the school!" Avery exclaimed, out of breath. He had just entered into the Common Room and ran to where Rodolphus was sitting Evan, Riddle, Nott and Wilkes.
"What?" Riddle demanded, jumping up out of his chair. "Why? What did you hear?"
Avery glanced around before saying quietly, "Because of the attacks. I just overheard Slughorn tell Merrythought that the Board of Governors are meeting to decide if its safe to reopen next year. They haven't voted yet, but Slughorn said it isn't looking good."
"So, what are we going to do?" Wilkes asked, quietly. "Should we stop?"
Everyone looked at Riddle, who had sat back down, looking calm once more. Always in control, thought Rodolphus admiringly, as he watched Riddle, waiting for instructions on what to do next.
It was now June and they only had three weeks before school ended for the year. A few weeks ago, Riddle had done something amazing: He located the entrance to the Chamber of Secrets and had tamed the monster inside. The boys were a bit frightened by using a Basilisk, of all things, to go around the school, but Riddle assured them that it was well trained.
So, for the past few weeks, Rodolphus and his friends had watched as Riddle set the monster to work, attacking Mudbloods. It hadn't killed anyone yet, but it seemed like it would only be a matter of time. Now though, Rodolphus wondered if they could keep going. He knew that Riddle wouldn't want to risk the school being closed. Not when he finally convinced Slughorn to talk to Dippet about him staying.
"We will wait," Riddle told the others, keeping his voice low. "Keep things quiet for a week or so, then let him attack again. This will give Dippet the change to catch the culprit. After that, we won't be able to risk setting him loose again. At least not this year."
Nott cleared his throat. "When you say 'catch the culprit'…"
Riddle rolled his eyes. "Not one of us, you idiot. We need a scapegoat. I actually have the perfect person in mind but, for now, I want you all to just stay quiet. I can deal with this on my own."
As Riddle got up and walked away from the group, the others exchanged apprehensive looks.
*.*.*
Rodolphus had lots to keep his mind occupied over the next few days with the end-of-year exams coming up. He wasn't too worried as he did reasonably well in school and knew he could sit through all of his exams without any issue. Evan, on the other hand, was great in Charms, Defence Against the Dark Arts, and Transfiguration – basically, anything that required wand work – but wasn't as skilled in others like Potions, Herbology or Astronomy.
The night before their first exam, Rodolphus sat with Evan in the common room helping him study for the upcoming Herbology exam. It was late and everyone had gone to bed, but the day had been too full of excitement to get any amount of studying in. Earlier that day, while most students were in class, a girl had died when she went to the lavatory. Most of the teachers were beside themselves with worry – after a few peaceful days, many had thought the attacks had come to an end.
Shutting the Herbology book, Evan gave a sigh. "I'm just going to have to wing it. I'm too tired to read anymore."
"You will do fine," Rodolphus said with a yawn, as he closed his own book.
"You would think that they would cancel these stupid tests seeing as how someone died," Evan complained. "Instead its just business as usual."
The common room door opened and they looked around as Riddle strutted into the room.
"You're both up late," Riddle commented, walking over to them. He looked very pleased about something.
"Studying for the stupid Herbology exam," Evan replied. "Where have you been? Don't you have O.W.L.s in the morning?"
"I do, but I don't need to study for them." Riddle waved his hand dismissively as he sat down across from Rodolphus and Evan and looked around to make sure no one else was up before quietly saying, "I was just up to see Professor Dippet. He said I should be able to stay here over the summer break."
"But I thought they were talking of closing the school," said Rodolphus, frowning. He couldn't see any way of keeping it open now, not after a student died here.
"That was before they caught the perpetrator." Riddle was grinning now and Rodolphus was perplexed. This was the first he heard of anyone being caught.
"Who was it?" Evan asked, with a smirk. "Please say it was a Gryffindor."
"It was, actually. Do you know who Hagrid is? Big guy… loves monsters. One of Dumbledore's favourites."
They nodded and Riddle continued, "About an hour ago, I caught him in the act and reported him to Dippet."
Rodolphus and Evan looked at each other and then burst out laughing.
"So now what?" Rodolphus asked. "Is he going to Azkaban?"
"Hard to say," Riddle said, unconcerned. "He will definitely be expelled. And now the school should be able to stay open for next year. Dumbledore isn't too happy about the outcome, of course, but Dippet is delighted. He said he is going to see if he can get me an award or something for what I've done."
Rodolphus shook his head, laughing. Only Riddle could set a thousand-year-old monster loose in the school, have it kill a student, then receive an award for it.
"So, what about the basilisk?" Evan asked. "It won't be safe to let him out again, will it?"
"No," Riddle said. "I've told him to go to sleep. He will have to wait until the next person opens the Chamber." He looked at Rodolphus and Evan and grinned again. "I've come up with a way to let him out again in a few years, long after we leave here. No one will know it was us, but the Heir of Slytherin will return someday."