Disclaimer: view Chapter 01 for that one
Author's Notes: See Chapter Three ^_^.
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~...~ Parseltongue
/.../ Telepathy between Harry & Carya (in italics)
' ... ' thoughts
~*~*~ ... ~*~*~ Flashback or changing POV
Chapter 04 - Disguises and Family Secrets or A Big Shock and A Surprise
They made a small visit to 'Hellfire's Apothecary' since Carya wanted to use this chance to look at his newest ingredients. They had just exited the shop when they almost ran into Lucius Malfoy. He stopped and looked at them.
Malfoy's eyes widened slightly but no one else noticed, "Shouldn't you be in school at the moment?" he asked the two children.
Carya started smirking evilly and even Tom had to admit that she looked scary like this, "No, we're home-schooled but it is very unpolite to ask us something this personal without introducing yourself first, sir," she sneered.
Malfoy smirked right back and told them who he was, "I see, my name is Lucius Malfoy and you are?"
"A pleasure to meet you Mister Malfoy. I am Gaia and this is my twin brother Daemon, no last name though for we don't have one," she answered him and he narrowed his eyes at these names.
'Another set of twins with glowing reddish-black eyes. I've heard of a pair called Gemini and Devius but these two are different from the others. Their skin seems lighter if you can believe the rumours,' Malfoy thought but was startled out of his musings by the girls deep and dark voice.
"I you would let us pass now, we are quite busy, Mr Malfoy," she told him scathingly and narrowed her eyes to almost slits.
Lucius stepped aside and let the children pass. The boy hadn't said anything so far but they'd hear his voice a second later.
"Come on Daemon, father will already be waiting for us," she told the boy.
"Of course Gaia, we shouldn't make him wait," Daemon answered her and his voice was even darker than the girls although it wasn't exactly deeper.
With a bit of effort they managed to get near the 'Leaky Cauldron' without being seen by anyone. Carya took the spells off them and they quickly floo-ed back to Hogsmeade. Tom looked at her questioningly when the exited the 'Three Broomstick' but she mouthed 'later' and he understood.
She had done something like that before and wanted to keep it secret.
"I'll tell you tonight when all the other's are there too, Tom. Let's go, we are already late for lunch," she told him and they hurried to the school.
When they entered the school lunch had just ended. Carya sighed, they hadn't eaten anything for breakfast and now they'd missed lunch too. And now they would have to go to Arithmancy with an empty stomach.
But it didn't come to that. The two children were just about to run towards the dungeons to fetch their books when their Head of House spotted them and walked over.
"Have you two finally decided to grace us with your presence? The headmaster awaits you in his office. Go before I deduct House Points from you!" he growled and glared at them and Tom in particular.
Once they were out of hearing range Tom turned to Carya, "Do you know why he hates me so much?" the boy asked.
"Nope, but he dislikes Harry, Ginny, Draco and me too. There are rumours that he was a Death Eater once, though it was never proven. I don't care. He can despise me as long as he likes. Last year things were going a bit better but I don't know what's bitten him this year.
I do my assignments and if he gives me lower grades than I deserve without reason he knows that the headmaster would interfere," Carya answered with a shrug and they reached the gargoyle.
"Sherbert Lemon," Tom said, the two walked upstairs and knocked on the door.
"Come in Tom, Carya," a voice from inside said.
"How does he know it's us?" asked Tom and Carya shrugged again.
"No idea. That's a mystery to everyone. Even the teachers don't know how he does that," she said.
"Ah, there you are. Could you two tell me why you are so late?" Albus asked them neutrally.
"Yes professor, everything went well until we tried to buy the wand. Eh, Mister Ollivander didn't exactly take it well when we walked into his shop," Tom explained and Carya continued.
"And when we were just on our way back to the 'Leaky Cauldron', we still were on time then by the way, we nearly ran into someone. I think you'll understand our need to hide somewhere until this someone was gone, sir. It was Lucius Malfoy and I know for sure that he hates me with a passion.
And not only because Harry and I freed Dobby or had the chance to get to know the Irish Quidditch team personally. I'd rather not run into him with no adult at my side at the moment sir, not with what happened at the World Cup," Carya replied.
Dumbledore nodded and asked them about the wand Tom had bought. The children explained what Ollivander had told them and Dumbledore's furrowed his forehead in thought.
"He was right. It is surprising but very interesting too. This also indicates that you're still a very powerful wizard Tom. Not many can control a wand with such a peculiar core," he said and told the children that they were excused from their last class which had already started.
"Uh, sir? Would it be okay if I kept this as my pet?" Tom asked suddenly and took the snake out of her basket. He hadn't thought about being allowed to before buying her.
Dumbledore looked at the snake and smiled, "You may Tom. I think she will like the company in the dorm. The last weeks before the summer holidays gave me the impression that there is at least one more pet-snake in Slytherin," the headmaster said and his eyes twinkled merrily.
Carya just grinned and shook her head, "Come on Tom, we still have to put away this stuff of yours," she told the boy and tried to drag him out of the office but Tom hesitated.
"But, what about the ..." he started but the girl cut him off.
"Not that again, Tom. I said I'd give you the money for what you need so please stop feeling bad about it. Moony and Padfoot gave me so much this year that I could buy three sets of supplies and still have some left.
I like you, you needed help and you got it, period," she grumbled but then added softly, "You are my friend Tom. Friends help each other and you needed me, so I just did that and helped you out a bit. Please accept this, okay?
Now let's go. I don't want to be caught by Snape again. He really has it in for us today. I'm not keen on detention the very first day of classes to be honest."
With that the two students left the headmaster who was already deep in thought. Why hadn't he thought of that. It was obvious that Tom couldn't use his own money because his other self still had the key to the vault.
And the goblins at Gringotts would have been very reluctant to let the boy inside even if he had the key. He would have to find a solution to that and as to where Tom would be staying the next summer.
'It's a very good thing that young Miss Potter has decided to become Tom's friend, very good thing indeed. The boy certainly needs someone to be there for him. And she might just be strong enough in character to keep him on the right path,' he thought.
After the two children had left the headmaster's office they walked directly down towards the kitchen. When the stepped inside they were immediately surrounded by house-elves. Carya just wanted to ask them for some food when suddenly a voice called her name.
"Carya Potter, Madam! I is so happy to meet you again!" cried an elf and flung himself at Carya who almost fell backwards.
Tom looked startled but laughed when he saw what had happened. There at Carya's leg clung a small male house-elf and looked quite ridiculous in various articles of clothing. He wore mismatching socks, a tea warmer for a hat, children's soccer shorts and a tie but no shirt.
"Do ... Dobby?" Carya asked surprised and the elf let go of her.
"Yes, Carya Potter, Ma'am! Dobby is now working for Master Dumbledore. Dobby is getting paid! A galleon for a week and a free day too!" the small creature exclaimed happily.
"I'm glad for you Dobby but please stop calling me that, okay? I'm just Carya. Don't make me stop talking to you!" she answered him sternly.
"No, no, please not, Dobby is promising to behave Dobby isn't calling Miss Carya names anymore," the elf apologised hurriedly and Carya smiled.
"See, that wasn't so difficult, now Dobby, was it? This is my friend Tom by the way. Be nice to him!" Carya replied.
"Hello, Master Tom, sir. I is honoured to meet you. That reminds Dobby of something. Miss Carya, Dobby has brought someone with him to Hogwarts. One day Dobby is walking around and is finding a freed elf on the street. Dobby is taking her with him and now Winky is working here too!" Dobby told them.
"Winky is here? Show me Dobby!" Carya said surprised and Tom wondered what this was about.
The weird elf showed them to a corner where another elf sat on a stool. She wasn't working, she was just sitting there with tears in her huge eyes. She was sobbing every now and then and didn't look up.
Her clothes were rumpled and dirty. It was obvious that the little elf didn't care at all though. Carya knew that it would be harsh to yell at her now but she doubted the elf would listen otherwise. She still remembered the elf's behaviour from the World Cup.
"Winky, you'll listen to me now, is that understood?" Carya snapped sharply and startled both Tom and Dobby, "Why aren't you helping Dobby and the others? I know you're upset because Crouch kicked you out but that bond is broken. You are a free elf now.
You can either continue bawling like a baby or make yourself useful by finding a new Master whom you can serve as a faithful house-elf! Tell me, have you decided what to do yet?" she continued harshly.
The other two wanted to say something in Winky's defence but could only watch in shock. Especially Dobby who hadn't managed to get the female elf to talk at all and who thought that Carya and her twin were the nicest people on earth.
"No Madam, Winky has yet to do so," Winky answered in a small voice.
"Then why are you still here? What keeps you if you don't want to work here?" Carya continued scathingly.
"I is not wanting to be paid for work. I is a good elf and good elves don't get paid. They just work for their Master," Winky replied with a disapproving glance towards Dobby who didn't seem bothered by that at all.
"I see. Why stay here then, go and find a new family to serve. That doesn't mean you have to spill Crouch's secrets. You can still keep them in your heart, Winky. What stops you from going?" the Potter girl asked narrowing her eyes which scared Winky and the other two onlookers a bit.
"I is not knowing where to go. I is not knowing anyone," Winky wailed miserably and almost started crying again.
"If I told you about someone who treats their house-elves with respect but doesn't pay them would you like to go there? Would you start behaving like a good house-elf then and stop being a baby?" Carya wanted to know.
"I would like that Madam, I would like that much!" Winky answered looking hopeful.
Carya's face softened visibly and so did her voice, "Then I know the perfect place for you, little Winky. My godfather has a really big house and one of the elves died of old age last summer. We could need your help.
Would you be willing to serve us and to keep all our secrets? If you agree I will contact my guardians to collect you within the next week."
Winky's eyes lit up and she stared at Carya in disbelief just like Dobby and Tom. The Potter girl went from harsh and almost cruel to a soft, understanding young woman within the same second. That was just too confusing.
But Winky didn't seem to mind. The small elf suddenly flung herself at Carya and hugged her left leg.
"Thank you Madam, Winky will be a good elf. Winky will behave and obey her Masters!" the small female elf said crying happily.
"Good Winky. Would you now please help Dobby to get us something to eat? Tom and I had neither breakfast nor lunch and we are quite hungry," Carya told the little creature smiling.
"In a second Mistress Carya. Dobby help Winky!" Winky cried happily and dragged a flustered Dobby away.
Two minutes later Tom and Carya left the kitchen with a large amount of food and sweets.
"I still don't understand what happened there. Did you know she would react like that?" asked Tom confused.
"I didn't really know it but I knew that we wouldn't get anywhere with pitying her. Dobby tried to get her attention and she didn't listen. I had to startle her out of whatever it was first and then injure her pride as a house-elf.
She wouldn't listen otherwise. It was the only way to find out what was bothering her," the girl replied and looked at Tom apologetically, "That wasn't supposed to hurt her but to help her. And it worked. It just felt like the right thing to do, you know?"
"Now I know what they meant when calling you the 'Dark Princess of Slytherin' at the end of last year. It certainly suits you. You are full of surprises, Carya Potter!" Tom replied smiling brightly.
Carya only smiled back and they quickly made their way to their Common Room. The two kids were just finished with eating as much as they could when the portrait flew open and revealed three angry Slytherin's and one scowling Ravenclaw.
"Where were you two? Snape was livid, McGonagall was pissed and Vector wasn't exactly happy either! Explain yourself!" demanded Harry and Draco in unison.
They looked quite funny doing that. Carya and Tom looked at each other then burst out laughing. It was strange to hear a genuine laugh from Tom but Ginny had enough then.
"I don't know what is so funny but if you don't explain within the next ten seconds I'll hex you two into oblivion!" she threatened.
They barely managed to calm down but Carya could tell them that they would have a very good explanation.
"We'd ... we'd better go ... somewhere private," she gasped and the other's got the hint.
Together they left the Common Room and joined Hermione who was waiting outside. After that they made sure no one was following them by looking at the 'Marauder's Map'. The six students quietly slipped into a secret passageway and soon stood at a dead end.
"I hope you aren't angry with me that we show Tom this so soon," she asked her friends and they told her it was okay if they had a good explanation.
"Well then, here goes nothing," Harry sighed and gave the password, "Marauder's Legacy!"
"Go on! Now we can walk through it. Hurry, it closes again after two minutes from this side," Carya said and ushered Tom through the barrier-wall.
"Welcome to the 'Founder's Chambers' Tom Riddle!" Carya said solemnly after passing the barrier.
Tom just gaped in awe. He hadn't know about this. He knew much about Hogwarts but this was new for him.
"How did you find this?" he asked the others but they couldn't explain it either.
It had appeared on their father's map one day and never again vanished from there if one of the twins activated it. Not that they needed the Map anymore to get here.
"You'll like it, Tom. There are books written by the four founders in the library and portraits of them too. Not like the one guarding our Common Room. They seem more ... alive. As if their souls have been poured into them," Carya told him excited.
The kids went into the library which was their favourite spot in these chambers. Ginny sat down with Draco behind her and Harry sat besides Hermione.
"There, we're safe and private here, now spill!" Ginny snapped impatiently, her blue eyes narrowed dangerously.
"We weren't in classes because Tom and I were in Diagon Alley buying a wand and some other things for Tom. We were supposed to be back before lunch but almost ran into Lucius Malfoy. Needless to say that we had to avoid that.
I disguised Tom and myself in a similar way as Draco and I and we escaped into 'Knockturn Alley'. Malfoy met us outside the apothecary and was quite rude before introducing himself. He was surprised at our names and the fact that we didn't went to school and didn't have a last name.
I liked him looking confused like that. The two of us got back here just after lunch when Snape saw us and told us to go to the headmaster immediately. We explained to Dumbledore why we were late although we left out the 'Disguise-Part' and the detour into 'Knockturn Alley'.
By the way, the headmaster knows about Niamh and Salazar, Harry. He found out at the end of last term. Well, Tom has a pet-snake now just like we have. Oh and Ollivander made quite some trouble too. Do you remember the problem with your wand core Harry?" Carya explained.
"Yeah, how could I forget. He said it was curious that I was destined for the wand because I share the same core as Voldemort. Ridiculous if you ask me. It's the wizards intentions that make his character not his wand or his heritage," Harry told them and Draco as well as Ginny and Hermione flinched at the Dark Lord's name.
"Hm, then I'll tell you something new. You might share a similar core with old Voldie because Fawkes gave the two feathers of your wands but mine and Tom's are even closer. As you might remember my wand is made of eleven inches of Yew with a phoenix feather core and powdered basilisk fangs, right?
Well Tom's wand is thirteen inches of Black Cherry with the same core, a phoenix feather and powdered fang of a basilisk. The same basilisk I might add. The powder was made from the same fang," Carya finished her tale.
The others gaped and didn't know what to say. Hermione was the one who broke the silence after a few minutes.
"Figures," she said smiling smugly and shrugged when the others inquired what she meant.
But the look she gave Carya and Tom told those two just what they needed to know.
"Tom, why don't you show me what you wanted to, now? Don't worry there's something we have to tell you as well. I know they won't tell on you," Carya said but her friend looked still unsure.
"Come on. We're animagi too. We'll show you our forms, I promise!" the girl soothed and Tom relaxed slightly.
He was surprised that she hadn't told him before but then again - so much had happened since her last letter. To think he had friends to share this secret with made him both nervous and relieved. He might not trust the other's completely but he trusted Carya.
Tom changed and a mere second later a large, dark green and black serpent was lying on the floor looking at them all through beautiful crimson eyes. The Potter girl stared at him in astonishment.
~Do you know how beautiful you are in this form?~ hissed Carya softly and Harry watched her with a strange look in his eyes.
Now he knew what Hermione had meant. His sister was seriously falling in love with the crimson-eyed Slytherin. He smiled and told the others to change too. Soon six animals sat on the floor and looked at each other.
Two wolves, a snake, a falcon, a ferret and a kneazle - they made an odd assortment of friends because normally they would hunt each other. After they had changed back Tom smiled at them all and thanked them for their acceptance and trust.
Ginny suddenly remembered something, "Carya, we still haven't performed your charm! We have your parents family heirlooms but you haven't performed the 'Familiaris Charm' yet."
"You're right Ginny, I completely forgot about that! Wait here, Harry and I will get the items!" she shouted and left the room together with her twin.
The remaining four sat in silence until Draco said something.
"You like Carya very much, am I right?" he asked and a startled Tom nodded blushing which surprised Ginny.
The Tom she knew didn't blush. Her Tom was cruel and heartless and used people for his own advantage.
"Yeah, I really like her. I'd do everything to protect her, Draco. She's my only friend and I wouldn't know what to do if I lost her," Tom told them softly.
"She isn't your only friend anymore Tom. We might not exactly trust you right now but even I can see that you have indeed changed," Ginny replied.
Tom was shocked to hear that from Ginny of all people. He had hurt her the most and here she was offering him her friendship.
"Thank you Ginny. I won't betray this trust, I promise," he answered smiling shyly with a faint blush to his cheeks.
A minute later the twins were back with two items. An invisibility cloak and a dagger. Tom gasped when he saw the long knife. He instantly recognised the insignia on it. It once belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself.
"That is a heirloom of your family?" Tom gasped and Carya looked at him.
"Yeah, the dagger appeared when we magically looked for one of our mother's family. I don't know why though. We never suspected to be of Slytherin's family," she explained and Tom nodded numbly.
"Now we need the charm. If I recall it correctly it was 'Arbor Familiaris' and we need a large parchment for this. Or we could end it after two or three generations back, Carya told them.
"No, let's get the whole thing of our direct family," Harry stated.
"Yep, you are right, dear brother. Do you want to?" asked Carya but Harry shook his head.
He was good at charms but his sister was better than him in that subject. Carya placed the cloak and the dagger in the middle of the room, took a potions vial out of her pocket and a large sheet of parchment.
She then coated the parchment with the potion and added one drop of it to each object. They knew that the heirlooms wouldn't be harmed in any way so they weren't worried. Carya stood in front of the cloak, dagger and parchment and asked the others to step back.
"Step back a little, okay? We don't know what will happen. Salazar warned us to be careful. And don't speak, breathe or sneeze during the spell!" Carya told them and began chanting.
"Well, here it goes, 'Arbor Familiaris!'," she said clearly and pointed her wand at the parchment.
Multicoloured lines formed on the piece of paper. They connected, left names and went further over the sheet. Criss-crossing about it the inky lines drew out a family tree. After a few minutes Carya saw that about three or four generations back were covered along with their original ancestors so she stopped the spell.
She shrank the parchment a bit and was surprised that the writing adjusted so that you could still read the whole tree. Carya turned the parchment around and began reading. She gasped paled, looked at the others with disbelief in her eyes and blushed scarlet.
(A/N: If you want to have a look at the Family tree then go to the following URL:
www . caryablack . de / fanfiction / adw / index . html
Take care to remove the spacing or it won't work. The trees are under Miscellaneous. But be careful there's a huge Spoiler on the 'treeall.gif' with everyone on it! The not-exactly-Spoiler-Versions is 'treepotter.gif' ! It's what Carya sees right now! The Granger-Weasley tree is there too as is the Riddle tree. They don't appear until later in the story so be careful while looking at them!)
"Carya? What's wrong?" Harry asked concerned.
"No ... nothings wrong , well ... not exactly. We ... we are related to Draco through both our parents. Dad's father was a Malfoy and Mum is a cousin of Draco's mother. I can't believe it. But it's true. I didn't botch up the charm. It's perfect!" Carya said now once again white as snow.
(A/N: Draco's mother will be explained in the original fifth book. This is an AU story! So don't sue me for not going along with J.K. Rowling. I had this family tree and the idea behind it finished before I ever read the fifth book in either language known to me or even held it in my hands.)
"But that's nothing to be upset about, right? Draco's even more our brother than we thought," Harry inquired softly. 'There must be something else,' he thought.
"We are ... we are direct descendants of Godric Gryffindor, Harry, through Dad's mother. And Grandpa Evans was actually a Squib and a descendant of ... of Rowena Ravenclaw and, ..." she continued until shouting in shock.
"... oh my god! We ... we are closely related to Snape!" Carya said breathless and sat down on the floor.
"What! That can't be. How is he ..." Harry wanted to know.
"He's Grandma Potter's nephew and Dad's second cousin, making him an uncle of sorts for the two of us. And we are, holy shit Harry! We are related to Slytherin too! Grandpa Evans married twice. His first wife had Petunia and his second wife gave him Mum!
Mum's mother was named Kathrin Samair before she married and she is a descendant of Slytherin. Harry, we aren't even half-bloods, we're pure-bloods because there are no muggles in the last few generations, only wizards, witches and a few squibs.
They were right to call us 'Slytherin's Heirs' last year, Harry, they were right all the time ..." Carya whispered and almost started crying.
But she wasn't the only one who was shocked to the core. While Hermione and Ginny found it most interesting that the twins were heirs to three of the founders, Draco liked being related to them by blood.
It made him feel better that a Malfoy had married a Potter and produced such wonderful grandchildren. Tom was the other one who was affected just as much. He couldn't believe it. After looking at the family tree briefly he found out that they were closer related to Slytherin than even he was.
Their mother was the first witch in a long line of Squibs who never married muggles but only magical folk or other squibs with a pure blood-line. His future self had killed his own relative and he himself had tried to kill his distant cousins as well.
Tom suddenly felt sick and his face showed this too. Ginny noticed and was worried. She could only guess what he was thinking just now.
"Tom? Tom, are you alright?" she asked softly.
"No Ginny, I'm not alright. I shouldn't be here at all. I should rot in Azkaban right now. I tried to kill them Ginny, I tried to kill my only living relatives and my other self killed Lily, one of our relatives as well.
It doesn't matter how distantly we are related ...," he whispered and looked up when she touched his arm.
Ginny was shocked to see tears in Tom's eyes. No she knew for sure that this boy wasn't the Tom Riddle she knew and he was certainly far from being anything like You-Know-Who. Seeing him in such a state made her worry for his health and she told Harry who stood next to her.
Harry in turn used his telepathic link to his shocked twin to tell her about Tom. Carya looked up when her twin mentioned Tom's state. He looked horrible and was crying silent tears which slowly started to turn into full fledged sobs.
The girl got up and sat down next to her new friend. Putting a hand on his shoulder she asked him to tell her what was wrong with him. When he saw her soft features he couldn't stop himself anymore. He started sobbing helplessly like a small child.
Tom was stating over and over what he had supposedly done, what he thought he deserved and how unworthy he was of such friends like them. It was a heart-breaking sight and for the first time Carya fully realised that she truly loved Tom.
Not just liked him as a friend but loved him as she would only love a partner, a boyfriend. Slowly she gathered him in her arms and tried to calm him down. It worked only to a certain point where you could talk to him again.
"Tom, it is not your fault. You didn't know, we didn't know. This is just the way life is. We all make mistakes but we have to learn from them. Of course it would be nice to have parents but that was not meant for Harry and me.
Look at yourself. You were just born and left with no parents to care for you. That wasn't fair either. In fact Harry and I had more luck than you had. Our relatives took us in and raised us as their own. You didn't even have that.
If there is such a thing as destiny then we have to live with it. Our decisions are what defines us. You still have so much ahead of you. Please stop worrying over the past and look at the future together with us ... with me," she said and Tom looked up at the last part.
"With you? But why? I hurt you all so much. Now and in the past too. Why Carya, why are you so nice to me?" he inquired in a broken voice.
"I honestly don't know Tom. It all started down in the 'Chamber of Secrets'. I still don't know why I did what I did. But I'm truly glad that I've saved you. I wouldn't change my decision if given the choice.
I like you Tom, I couldn't stand to loose you. Please stay with me. I love you too much to loose you now. I won't allow that!" Carya pleaded and Tom's eyes widened.
'Did she just say she loves me?' he thought and too late he realised that he said that aloud.
"Yes I do, with all my heart. It took me until now to fully realise that," she replied and kissed him lightly on the lips.
Both blushed a furious shade of red but Ginny and Hermione thought it was awfully cute to see those two find each other. Tom hesitantly kissed her back and when they parted they just held each other for a long time oblivious to the world around them.
It was Harry who brought them back to reality. Tom's eyes were still red from crying but now shining with happiness. He couldn't believe that after all mistakes he had made she had liked and now even loved him.
The six students vowed friendship and left the chambers towards their Common Rooms. They brought Hermione back and then walked to the Slytherin dungeons. Unfortunately they ran into Snape on their way.
"What do we have here? Students out of bed after curfew? Well, ladies and gentlemen, you have just earned yourself a detention. You'll report to Mister Filch tomorrow after your classes and don't dare to be late. I'll ask him later! Inside with you, now!" he sneered and snapped at them before walking towards his office.
"Slimy git, he was far more manageable when he thought I was like my father," growled Draco but then added a bit softer, "But I wouldn't want to go back there if my life depended on it!"
"I know what you mean. He's even more nasty this year. I bet it has to do with Moody. If Snape really had been involved with old Voldie then Moody would be hard on his tail, don't you think? That means he's under great pressure right now.
We just need to be careful and give him no excuse to punish us. And if that doesn't work and he starts cheating on our marks we can still think of something else," suggested Carya and they all nodded before wishing each other a good night and going to bed.
They awoke early the next morning and at first Tom thought it had been a dream but when he saw Harry grinning at him he knew it had been true. Carya loved him and he had friends now. Tom had never been so happy in his whole life.
'I'll do everything to protect her. No one is allowed to hurt her anymore. I'll personally make sure of that,' Tom thought not knowing that his fears of being left alone again, his insecurities about his life and the fierce protectiveness he felt for Carya would create several problems in the future.
The five Slytherin's met in the Common Room and left for breakfast. They wanted to tell Hermione of their run-in with Snape before Latin. When they entered the Great Hall there were only a few students and most of the teachers.
For the professors it was quite a shock to see these kids chatting cheerfully with Tom Riddle. That was something no one of them could understand. The children knew who the boy was and they still enclosed him into their group.
Dumbledore was smiling slightly. He had hoped for this but never dared to believe it. Tom needed friends who stood by his side now and it seemed that he had found them. He had enough enemies already and even more should Voldemort ever come back and hear of his existence.
Latin was okay for Tom. He'd never taken that class but knew quite a bit on the subject through self-studies. The rest of the day was pure hell though. After Latin they attended the Duelling Club which was lead by Snape and Flitwick this year.
The next lesson was an additional Potions class that was required for all who took Survival Class. Their Professor took revenge for Tom and Carya missing class the day before and they had to do both assignments now and weren't allowed to leave before they were finished.
He was quite disappointed when the two students miraculously managed to make both potions without any problems. Little did he know that they had asked their friends about the potion and knew it beforehand just in case.
Survival started with re-pairing one of the groups. Tom would attend this class too and he partnered with Carya which left Harry and Draco to form the other group. Snape wasn't exactly pleased with this but he knew that he couldn't interfere.
Once the class was over the Slytherin's parted with Hermione and went towards Filch's office. Ever since their innocence had been proven last year he had been somewhat nicer to them. It did of course help that Mrs. Norris had run towards Carya after being cured and jumped onto her lap purring at the girl when Carya started scratching her head.
The rest of the students had been shocked by that because most of them flat out hated the cat and wouldn't go near her if they could avoid that. The students violent reaction to that made Filch see that Carya and her friends were different from the rest.
"There you are. Already in trouble after the first day, eh? Well, Miss Potter, Miss Weasley and Mister Riddle you'll be going with Hagrid to gather some plants in the forest and you two will be helping me to clean up the storage rooms and get the new Defence classroom ready," Filch explained and motioned for Harry and Draco to follow him.
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R&R,
Carya
2006-09-01