Plan B
Isabella120
Chapter 4
A/N: Well here's the next chapter, thanks for your reviews! Hope it was worth the wait.
~Bella
"Thanks, sorry I should go…" I mumbled rushing towards the end of the hall.
"Wait," he said grabbing my hand.
I looked at him surprised, "yes."
"I'll show the way," he said looking me straight in the eyes.
I stared back for a minute, "thanks, I'd probably get lost on the way."
He let go of my hand and jerked his head in the direction of the headmaster's office to follow him. I did wordlessly; I couldn't help but get distracted by him, and his unusual personality. He was definitely helpful, yet not the overly helpful type. I was beginning to really like him… maybe we could be friends and he could help me get to Riddle. I stopped as he did and instead of walking down the hall like you were supposed to he lifted the emerald and silver Slytherin tapestry.
"What are you doing?" I inquired unable to contain myself.
He looked at me curiously.
"I thought Professor Black said to continue down the hall," I explained.
"Shortcut," he replied, gesturing for me to go through the small archway. I never knew this passageway existed.
I moved towards the archway pausing as I passed him about to enter the passageway. We were inches apart, my breathing seemed to stop, and we just looked at each other. His eyes boring through mine was becoming uncomfortable and so I turned away proceeding through the passageway. I muttered Lumos under my breath as the tapestry swung behind me. I looked down at the stone floor the passageway was very small and it was pretty awkward as he placed his hands on my arms nearly pressing against me as he moved to lead again. We walked through the passageway quickly passing three other archways leading somewhere else, before he moved the gold backed tapestry. It was the same as before he, being the perfect gentleman, held the tapestry while I filed past him through the stone archway. I didn't look at him, the uncomfortableness of before still throbbing.
"What is your name?" He inquired.
"Where did that come from? I thought he was ignoring me." I thought.
"Rosalie Roberts," I replied.
"I am Tom, Tom Riddle," he said extending his hand.
My knees grew weak, and my mouth grew dry. My heart nearly stopped, and my head started throbbing.
"Rosalie," He said concerned, and it wasn't till then that I realized he was supporting me from falling over. I struggled to get to my feet, pressing my fingertips to my forehead.
"Are you alright?" He inquired, as I stood up, his hands still were wrapped around me stabilizing me so I wouldn't collapse.
"I am fine," I breathed, gasping for air trying to stand.
"What happened?" He inquired; his voice was laced with so much concern it through me into another state of shock. I opened my mouth but I couldn't speak for a minute.
"It must be the after effects of apperating long distance, and apperating again in a short time period," I said, totally plausible.
"How far did you apperate? Where did you say you were from?" he said, letting go of me as I stood, still the tiniest bit wobbly but fine nonetheless, as fine as you could get after running into the guy who ruined your life.
"California, America's Hathaway Academy," I replied, as the throbbing faded and I regained control.
"You apperated from America?" he inquired.
"Yes," I said leaning against the wall.
"Side-along…" he begun.
I shook my head, "no, by myself."
"By yourself," he echoed unable to keep the fact he was impressed from his voice.
"Oh dear, I am going to be late!" I said, with sudden horror.
"Good thing we took the shortcut," he muttered to himself as he pulled me along to the end of the hall. He let go of my hand walking towards the Gargoyle staircase. Would it open for me, years later even though I'd only been Headmistress in the future? That wouldn't be good. He looked back realizing I wasn't next to him like he had thought. "Rosalie," He said and I moved slowly to him as if in awe, satisfied that I was getting closer to him he spoke, "Duo mundus…"
I tried not to look guilty as the gargoyle sprung open as I got to close.
"…conflictari." He finished, puzzled.
"Wow," I murmured changing the subject.
He nodded in agreement as I followed him up the stairs. He knocked on the door at the top. "Enter," was called in an old but soothing voice.
He pulled the heavy door open for me and gestured for me enter. I filed past him with a murmured thank you. For a future Dark Lord he was extremely gentlemanly, courteous, and handsome. The office was exactly the same as the previous office but without Dumbledore's touch of odd gadgets and the odd smell of lemon drops. It lacked Minerva's cakes and flavored tea. It lacked the sense of fear and danger of her short reign as Headmistress. But it certainly did not lack the sense of warmth. A roaring fire was in the fireplace and the room was covered in an even amount of house colors on the drapes, cushions, throw rugs, and pillows on the two leather armchairs. Behind the familiar desk (slightly newer looking though) sat what I recognized to be Headmaster Dippet. The old portrait didn't quite do him justice as it didn't quite do Dumbledore or McGonagall. He had a good sized beard silvery white like his hair. He had blue eyes that were warm and kind looking but lacked Dumbledore's twinkle. He half raised his hand in acknowledgement.
"Tom," he said, with a nod.
"Professor," Tom said with a respectful nod of acknowledgement.
Dippet then turned to me, "you must be Sophie's niece."
I nodded, "yes, I am Rosalie Roberts, formally from Hathaway Academy."
"Headmaster Dippet," he said taking my hand and shaking it.
"Nice to meet you, Headmaster," I said turning on the charm.
"Sit, please," he said gesturing towards the armchair. I sat down, "I see you've met our Head Boy Tom Riddle," he said with a nod at his favorite pupil.
"Yes, he was very helpful I got lost, I apologize for being late," I said sincerely.
Dippet beamed, and shot Tom a grateful smile. "Don't worry about it my dear," he said with a dismissive wave of his hand, "you're only a few minutes late, tea or perhaps a sweet?"
"No thank you," I said with my winning smile.
"Very well, to business then, your Aunt Sophie briefed me on your request to Transfer, I am so sorry about your parents," he said, his blue eyes sincere with sympathy. Tom whipped his head in my direction in shock at the last statement.
"Thank you," I said softly, playing the role.
"I am sorry for your loss," Tom said playing up his role as the perfect student, but there was something in his eyes that made me believe him. He's an orphan too, said the voice in the back of my mind.
I nodded briefly in acknowledgement to his statement and turned my attention back to Dippet. "Im under my Aunt Sophie's care now and because of her illness she requested that I transfer to Hogwarts so she can keep a better eye on me." I explained.
Dippet nodded, his fingers were laced together where he propped his chin upon them thoughtfully, "I understand she said you had managed to score 11 Outstanding's and 1 Exceeds Expectations in your last year at Hathaway, very impressive, you have the papers I presume?"
"Thank you, and yes sir," I said, I pulled the papers from my messenger bag and handed them over to Dippet. Tom's eyes widened in surprise as his eyes flickered over the document and then back to me.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, Miss Roberts," Dippet said lowering the papers. I smiled a real smile, man it was nice to be back.
~ * ~
All the finer details had been sorted out. Tom had excused himself after Dippet's approval and with a curt nod he had left. He had let me take my normal classes and a new class I'd never taken before. Professor Black had escorted me to Diagon Alley to get robes and books. She was very nice and reminded me a lot of Ginny but she unlike Ginny knew to give me some space and not interrogate me the whole time. She went on and on about many different topics. I just nodded politely added something here and there but I didn't really try to keep up. She finally flooed me back to Dippet's office and left.
"Sit down Miss Roberts, if you please." Dippet said, gesturing to the armchair I'd sat in before.
I seated myself and looked at him expectantly.
"School doesn't start until tomorrow, so since you've already met the Head boy Riddle I'll have him show you around the castle before dinner after you settle in." He began.
Darn I wasn't particularly looking forward to one on one Riddle time yet, I thought. "But I have one thing to discuss with you before I let you retire to your room. Unfortunately we haven't prepared another bed in the already crowded dormitories so I am afraid the only room we have left is the extra room across the hall from the Head's bathroom in between the Head's rooms. It's hardly ever used, hidden behind the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw. I was wondering if you minded, or should I place you in the crowded dormitory anyway?" He inquired.
"I don't mind being on my own, thank you," I said after a minute, rising to my feet. If I was in the Head dorm I could get to Riddle much more easily. Distractedly my mind spun instantly to the fact he said that the dorms were crowded and he hadn't prepared the bed. Wasn't the room made to magically accommodate all the room's occupants spaciously? I would have to research that in the Library when I had a chance.
"Good, and since Riddle will be showing you around this year until you can get around on your own it is far more convenient for the both of you." Dippet beamed happy with my choice.
"Will I?" A voice inquired. I spun around to see Riddle approach. "You sent for me Professor," he prompted.
"Ah yes, Riddle, I was wondering if you could show Miss Roberts around the castle after she has retired to her room before dinner. Also I think it would be wise to assign you to help Miss Roberts to find her way around the castle until she can get about on her own seeing as you have nearly all the same classes." Dippet said.
Tom nodded, "Very well Sir."
"We've run out of room in all the Dormitories so in the meantime Miss Roberts will be staying in the spare room adjoining to the Head common room behind the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw." He informed Tom and turned to me, "The password for the portrait is currently the same as my password for the Gargoyle to get into my office: Duo mundus conflictari. You may keep it the same or you have my permission to change it to one of your own choosing."
"Thank you sir," I said and meant it.
"You are both free to go now," Dippet said leaning back in his seat.
I turned to follow Riddle out the door but stopped and turned to face Dippet once more.
"Just one more question Professor," I began.
"Ask away," Dippet said kindly.
"Why two worlds collide?" I inquired.
Dippet smiled, "You will find out in due time I suppose."
He leaned back in his chair once more and picked up a piece of paper off his desk. I realized he wasn't going to say anymore and my guide actually thought I was still following him. I rushed out the door praying he hadn't noticed and he didn't seem to notice. I followed him wordlessly through the halls I knew so well, yet I let him lead me through them as if I was a first year and didn't know where the heck I was. He said nothing the entire time, rapidly walking to the point of almost running without really running just walking really fast. I struggled to keep up with him at first but as he quickened his pace I became all the more determined to not just follow him. I eventually met him stride for stride. He didn't seem to notice. He was really confusing me. One moment he was almost flirting with me being all gentlemanly, and the next he was like plain ignoring me like I didn't exist. I didn't get him at all. It was obvious from the way he talked and acted around Dippet he was a total kiss up to the teachers and headmaster, like Harry had told me from the memories he'd seen in the pensive and from the journal entry that he'd shown Harry. In one way I couldn't help liking the fact he had a certain regard for the rules even if he ended up disregarding every good rule the ministry had ever issued. I had to remind myself he was the future Dark Lord countless times throughout the first five minutes. "He should have already killed his parents, had already killed Myrtle, and probably hadn't asked Slughorn about the Horcruxes yet." I summarized in my head. I finally got the courage to speak up and my mind went through all the possible things I could start a conversation with.
"How are the advanced classes here?" I inquired, hoping for an answer both for the sake of my curiosity, and to impress him.
He turned to me his stormy eyes didn't quite hold the warmth of before, in fact his eyes seemed to be hard and cold, "Hard to you, I'd suppose."
"Good," I said to his utter surprise instead of insulting him back, "I hate being bored; I always enjoy a good challenge."
"Challenge," He repeated mockingly, "you'll be much challenged I am sure and I doubt you'll ever be bored."
"We'll just see about that," I said indifferently, even though I was kind of hurt inside—I wasn't used to people questioning my abilities. I'd just have to show him up.
"Indeed," He replied.
We were quiet for the rest of the walk. The worst part about the Head dorms was that they were on the seventh floor and having to walk several floors to get anywhere, the very worst part was that I'd have to walk with Tom Riddle, a.k.a. future Dark Lord Murder and my worst nightmare, until I supposedly knew my way around.
He stopped abruptly in front of the portrait of the Hogwarts crest, lost in my own thoughts and being my sometimes clumsy self I nearly bumped into him.
He turned to me, "The password for the common room is Unity, and I'd prefer if you didn't let all your little friends in without mine or the Head girl's permission."
"I understand," I said, as the portrait opened up to the familiar Head common room. It was decked in Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's house colors, so I assumed the Head Girl was in Ravenclaw. There was a couch facing the fire as well as a few armchairs, a few bookshelves lined the walls. There was a door on the immediate right that was obviously the Head's bathroom and opposing it was the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw. At the very back were two doors at the top of a five step staircase. Head's rooms of course. There was no mistaking whose was whose one was clearly blue and the other clearly green. A blond haired girl sat on the couch hidden behind a book entitled: The Mysteries of Time Travel by Henry Eden Houser. She lowered the book as Riddle shut the door.
"Tom who on earth is this? I thought we agreed we wouldn't have our little friends over without each others permission, and I do believe that was your rule." She said. She had emerald eyes and wavy blond hair. She was obviously smart and wasn't afraid to stand up to him yet she was quite pretty. In the forty-five seconds I'd known this girl I immediately like her immensely.
"This is Rosalie Roberts the new transfer I told you about," Tom begun wearily.
"And?" She inquired, with an arch of her perfect eyebrow.
"There's no more room in the dormitories so she'll be staying in the spare room behind the portrait of Rowena Ravenclaw, I am not breaking my own rule and neither will she." Riddle explained wearily and sat down in the nearest armchair with a sigh.
"Oh," She said. She put her book carefully down on the coffee table in between the couch and the fireplace, before standing up and smoothing down her black uniformed skirt. She walked over to me, "I am Olivia Spencer, Head Girl, I am sorry for my rudeness and I apologize. I thought Tom had brought a friend over without my consent."
"Nice to meet you Olivia, don't worry about it your just doing your job," I smiled, "What edition of the book is that?" I inquired with a nod in the book's direction.
She smiled as she shook my hand, "the first edition, it's from the library the second edition is evidently too new to be there."
"No it's was there, it's up in my room," Riddle said half amused.
Both of our heads turned to him in disbelief, and then back at one another.
"Both editions are good," I supplied.
Olivia smiled, "I can tell were going be great friends, this is good although we'll probably be sick of each other by the end of the year constantly butting heads because were so alike," she joked.
"I am already sick of it," Tom half-joked but I had a sinking feeling he wasn't really joking.
I just plastered a smile on my face afraid to speak for losing my temper with the future Dark Lord. Olivia returned to her seat and picked up her book, so I turned to the portrait of Rowena. "Duos Mundus Conflictari," I said clearly to the portrait.
She smiled and swung open, "Do you wish to change the password?" she inquired.
"I will as soon as I think of one," I replied kindly stepping through. She smiled and swung shut. Lumos, I muttered to myself lighting my wand. The room was small but a decent size. A four poster stood in the middle, a wooden wardrobe stood on the left, and a matching wooden desk stood on the right. Two big bookcases stood on either side of the bed one further from the bed because of a night stand wedged in between the bookcase and the bed. The bedspread and curtains were white seeing as Professor Dippet had insisted she be sorted in front of the whole school tomorrow. She noticed her trunk was already at the foot of her bed. She enchanted a ball of light to float inside the broken grand chandelier, and sunk onto the bed. She was not looking forward to tomorrow being sorted in front of the whole school. She was not looking forward to her tour with Riddle. She was not looking forward to spend a few months being dependent on him to lead her from class to class. She was not looking forward to changing the Dark Lords heart. She was staring at the ceiling utterly loathing her worst nightmare. She sighed and pulled herself from the comfortable bed and opened her trunk. She stuffed both bookcases full of books and then hung up her new "old" clothes. She picked up the last book in the trunk curiously. What the heck was Dumbledore throwing a book on Cornish Pixy's Magic and other Legends in here for? She stuffed it in the bottom of her nightstand with a sigh and mentally declared Dumbledore off his rocker. She spent thirty minutes rearranging everything like her already perfectly organized books as slow as possible. After rearranging it for the thirtieth time she heaved a sigh and gave up. She yanked a brush through her hair until it was perfect. She took a deep breath and opened the door. She waved her hand and put out the light before shutting the portrait.
"Ready are you?" Riddle said with a raise of his eyebrow as he lowered his book.
"Yes," I said cheerily although I was mentally ready to strangle him already, his nerve!
"That was quick," he said to my surprise, as he rose to his feet carefully placing a book mark in his book entitled: Theories of immortality by Dean Kemper.
Surprised I just nodded, and followed him wordlessly through the portrait and out of the Head common room. He confused me entirely; his voice was pleasant but somehow more strained than when he talked to me pointing out rooms. He rushed through it all as if we didn't have a whole two hours to tour the castle. He talked very little to me besides pointing out the different classrooms, hallways, artifacts, and to my surprise he showed me several secret passageways I had previously been aware of. He kept his distance and showed absolutely nothing on his face. It was an emotionless stolid mask that was only in place because I was there and no one else was. I spoke very little but I did comment once or twice on things he said. His hands were balled into tight fists as if that was to stop him from pulling out his wand and cursing me on the spot. It made me very uncomfortable and I wished Dippet had assigned me to Olivia instead of him, Tom Riddle—my worst nightmare. He finally stopped at the room I'd wanted to go to ever since I first set foot here, the last stop on the tour.
"This is the Library," he informed me walking inside. It was the same but somehow different. The books were newer, less vandalized, and even the older books looked in better condition. There was obviously less books in the past than the future but it made more room for large wooden tables with comfortable looking leather benches with tall backs. Everything was in good order and perfectly organized. Finally I was home. Riddle seemed to have noticed my utter delight and satisfaction as I left his side and roamed through the aisles. There was several books I'd never read before and that certainly had not been on the shelves in my time. I ran my hand against the smooth wood as I scanned the titles. Nonverbal Magical Theories, Elemental Magic, The Real Truth Behind the Reason for the Goblin Wars and Rebellions, 100 ways to Perfect Occulmany, The Theories of Magical Accommodations,…
"A book worm," A voice said pulling me from the daze I was in, it wasn't a question.
I didn't look up, I knew it was him, Tom Riddle, "You'd think you'd be the last person to accuse someone of that, surprised Riddle—that I like reading?"
"Hardly," he shrugged ignoring my slip, my nasty comment. It wasn't until I looked up that I realized he had his arm resting on the bookshelf above my head and he was way too close for my liking.
"I am sorry to offend you, I guess you're not used to a little healthy competition," I said causally, off handedly and moved to a different aisle.
"Competition," He said with a raise of his eyebrow, as he mirrored his previous move from earlier once again too close for my liking.
"You don't think I would be?" I asked although it really wasn't a question moving to the next aisle just to be away from him.
"Hardly," he repeated, leaning against the bookcase. What was his problem? He was a 180 every other half-hour or minute. He went from practically ignoring me to acting odd on the tour, to like flirting with me. Wait was the future Dark Lord actually flirting with me? Ew!
"Is that your favorite word?" I said, smiling evilly at him, moving to a different aisle.
"Is getting on my nerves and then avoiding me your favorite pastime?" He smiled equally evilly back at me, resuming his normal annoyingly close
"Do you always answer a question with a question," I said shoving back Time Traveling throughout the Ages onto the shelf, frustrated.
"Do you?" He inquired, I looked into his stormy grey eyes upset but confused when I found them soft warm and inviting for a change.
"Rosalie, Tom," Olivia's soft silvery voice rang out distracting us both. We both turned to look at her.
"Dippet had me remind the two of you dinner begins in five minutes," she said with a raised eyebrow. I brushed past Tom and followed Olivia through the library and out into the hallway embarrassed she had caught me looking into the eyes of my future enemy, and so close at that. Tom followed close behind. The Great Hall was empty except for the staff table which was filled with the exception of three seats. Obviously I was to dine with the staff and Head's tonight seeing as there was no point in sending me to the empty house tables. The silence greeted me and I was not happy to see it. Every eye at the staff table was fixated upon me, which was quite unnerving. Would it be like this tomorrow but a hundred times worse, because right now I was ready to curl up in a ball and die. What was there to live for anyway? Love, Dumbledore's accursed words flew back at me. Darn Dumbledore, I was ready to go back to the future and let the future Tom Riddle kill me right now. The younger Dumbledore with the same twinkling eyes eyed me with curiosity like the rest of the teachers. As we finally reached the top step and neared the table Dippet stood. "May I have your attention ladies and gentlemen, it is my greatest pleasure not only to introduce this year's heads Olivia and Tom but also this years transfer Miss Rosalie Roberts formally of Hathaway Academy."
A/N:
Im sorry this took longer to type and post than I had hoped, and you probably had hoped. I hope it met and exceeded your expectations, if not please say so and why so I may. I hope Tom Riddle isn't too out of character, I've never written him before. I found him extremely difficult to write in character but with my own spin to him that and the fact that my school work this week has been insane is the reason for the lack of update. Hopefully the longer chapter made up for that. Please review and tell me what you thought of it!
Yours,
~Bella
