Chapter 7
Taking over the Slytherin have been a simple task; divide and conquer all those who challenge me, all to install fear and respect to those in the house of snakes. Change the opinion of how the other house treat Slytherin and view the house is a long war. Even if the entire Slytherin house is under strict order to not to cause trouble or travel alone, the other house went out of their way to attack members of our house seeing that the whole house is lack of house is lack of reaction and refuse to retaliate they took advantage of releasing the years of hate they harbor. The attack on the elder of the house I can tolerate since they can defend themselves, also they're not completely innocent in starting some of the fights over the years, but attack on the younger years I won't tolerate.
Especially when the attacks on the first years lead by Gryffindor's like now "Weasley you will step away from them right now or they're won't be any of you left for anyone to find." I saw red when I turn the corner on my way to the Great Hall for dinner, how dare anyone corner a first year when they have done nothing wrong. How dare they disarm and threatened him, and everyone else just watch and think is ok?
"I am just teaching the first years a lesson in respect."
By now I reach them, discreetly I pull the first year behind me. "Respect is earned not given, especially to a sorry excuse Gryffindor like you. If the founders are here they'll be ashame of every single one of you that is here right now watching this shameful cowardly display of power over a child much younger, and yet not a single one of you is doing anything to help those who cannot help themselves."
"You know nothing about respect you stupid Slytherin, why don't you go slither back to the dungeon."
"I will be whereever I please within these walls, unless Hogwart herself ask me to leave. Since you do not own this castle you have no right to reject my presences anywhere." Hogwart made her displeasure known when someone asked me to leave her grounds, by now few of the Slytherin stand by me with their wands discreetly drawn. More than half of the house may not like me but they will tolerate me, especially when standing against Gryffindor.
"Don't you dare talk down to me as if you are better than me, now if you just give me the little Slytherin maybe we can have some fun later? I won't even care if you a Slytherin."
"Do not kid yourself Weasley, I would never lower myself to you, red head is not my taste. Besides from your actions so far, I seem to have more moral in standing than you'll ever do."
"Why you? I'll show you!" Menacingly, in slow motion he drew out his wand, I sense the presences of the teacher drawing near now is a good time to see just how deep the hatred for Slytherin lie. I motion for the other Slytherin to put away their wands, if it does get to a point of violence that I will be required to defend myself with magic then there is always wand-less option. He cast a cutting curse at me I dodge somewhat, it still cut through the robes of my uniform drawing blood.
"Mr. Weasley put that wand away, ten points for harming a student. I believed the Great Hall is now open; the house elves would be disappointed if their work goes to waste. Ms. Snow why don't you go to the infirmary to get that fix?"
"Deputy headmaster Dumbledore is that all the punishment that Mr. Weasley will receive for purposely corner with intention of harming a younger student, and for drawing blood on my person?"
"All student offense is dictated by the offender's action, and their punishment is taken into consideration by the professor. It's not up to the student themselves to judge whether the punishment is appropriate."
"I disagree, your action seem to made it clear that you favor members of your own house, and that you seem to support their violent behavior against members of my house. Since you have witness the entire event through the hallway that you just came from, and yet you refuse to step in till blood is drawn. Therefore, I must question your actions and challenge your ability to care for student which you sworn to protect. Now, I ask again is that all of the punishment that Mr. Weasley will receive for attacking not one but two Slytherin student?"
Whisper from the student surrounding us grew as they watch Dumbledore's next move. I sense a presence invading my mind; I paid it no heed and batter it away effortlessly. Waiting for Dumbledore's next action, silently the other professor is waiting too.
"Mr. Weasley will also be receiving detention with me for the remainder of the week, as well as his privilege revoked for the next Hogsmeade trip."
"I also want an official apology from Mr. Weasley himself for hurting Mr. Rosier and myself."
"WHAT?"
"Or is that too much to ask?"
"How dare you ask an apology from me a noble pureblood house you filthy mudblood?"
"Easy, is common courtesy. If you cannot comply then I will challenge you to regain my honor."
"You're a woman."
"I'm your better." From his previous comment he will be at the end of the most female population's scorn for a long while. I was about to walk away when I felt spell pass me hitting where my head was a second ago, the dodge spell hit another viewing student. "I didn't know a pureblood wizard practice such underhanded trick? Are you going to overlook this as well Professors? Teaching the rest of the house you sworn to protect and teach when you all become head of the house? Are you setting an example that is ok to outcast an entire house just because the Deputy headmaster practices such discrimination?"
Flitwick was the first to recover, "100 point from Gryffindor for such improper conduct against another student you never attacks someone when their back is turn." The other professor made gesture of agreement still shock of the passing events.
"It's quite alright professor, thrice you have offended me Weasley I was more than generous in letting you go the first offense. However you throw my generosity against me, I Irene Snow challenge you to a wizard duel for my honor."
Foolishly he accepted even when Dumbledore's hand restrain and warn him not to. "Till the first blood. For your insult I will also call for retribution, of your hand."
"Then I must ask for you to put in a clause of equal value."
"What do you want?"
"You're the heir of Weasley are you not?"
"Fine! The name and fortune of the Weasley family will be yours shall you win."
"Shall mote it be."
"Shall mote it be."
For the first time in a century a duel will be taken place in the halls of Hogwart. The surrounding student created a semi-circle around the both of us; Professor Flitwick raised a ward around us to prevent injury from way ward spell. The headmaster himself will be judging this duel despite his nervousness.
"I believed till the first blood will be appropriate since you draw mine earlier." The wound I heal long ago wandlessly and silently, the stained uniform is just there to serve as a reminder.
"So mote it be, I wish to add disarmament."
"Agree, so mote it be."
With the magic binding us we salute and waited in our separate sides facing each other. As disappointing as this is, it will be it will serve the purpose of opening the eyes of the other house that is ignorant of the injustice afforded to the house of Slytherin. Weasley cast the first spell to begin our duel, easily I sidestepped return viciously with a spell of my own creation binding him, causing him pain, the pain he afforded others. Wounds opening all over his body marking him with the same injury he cause others, never drawing blood. No I did not want to end this too early.
I was surprise when Weasley was still capable in spell casting in his pain induces state, a spell graze me cutting my uniform unluckily for him it didn't draw out blood. I decided to end this early and be a bit merciful in the presences of others. Wordlessly I cast a fire spell to scorch his wand arm, a cutting curse follow. Meeting the requirement of disarmament and first blood, "I believed the Weasley fortune and name will be mine to do as I with."
Dumbledore made move to stop me, likely hoping he'll be able to recite the Weasley's heir's mistake in putting his fortune and name in the duel. "Professor Dumbledore this will not have happen if you just properly punish the members of your own house for their offenses, so do not think I will relinquish the spoils of my battle."
Silently, I left the hallway all intent to eat in the kitchen a floor below. As I tickle the pear I heard a voice calling my attention, the caller of the voice surprise me more than any other events that occurred this entire day. "What can I do for you Riddle?" He stood still in front of me as if he was making up his mind on something; it would have last longer if both of our stomachs have not made itself known. "Come on we can talk and we eat."
I led him to a table in the far corner of the kitchen ordering for the both of us. As of late, meat cease lost all its appeal in my diet, though I'm quite sure Riddle would not agree in my choice of food I let the house elves decided for him. When my garlic bread supreme arrive with my cream of corn soup I was delighted to begin my dinner, Riddle however seem to be overwhelmed by the amount of food the house elves prepare for him not knowing what to eat first. "Eat what you wish, and remember not to be in a daze next time you come to the house elves for a meal."
A few bite into his food he seems to come to term with whatever he had wanted to ask. "Can you teach me?"
I stop at mid bite of my delicious garlic bread that sandwich heaven layers of mozzarella cheese, basil, and tomato. I consider teach him, in a way it would be an indirect way of keeping my promise to Sal. After all I can't always be here to protect him; I don't know when the pain would return to take me to another time. However, if I do teach him it would also be similar to arming a murder with a gun. Decisions decisions. "Why should I teach you when you a first year? Barely begin your Hogwart education."
"I… I have already read through all my first year text books, I'm almost through with the second."
"But the practical elude you right? You also want to learn something that is not taught in school I suppose?"
"Yes."
"If I decided to teach you, will you do everything I instructed and not trying to disapprove me the whole time?"
He looked genuinely hopeful, and awe. At this moment he truly looked like a child. A neglected child who never had anything before. "What is your class schedule?" For the remainder of the meal we discuss the time we can have our lessons.
A child should be allow to be a child at least every once every while. The similarity between us frighten me, while I had uncle Regie he never had anyone. He never had anyone to confine in, to trust in, nor anyone who would stand up for him. While, I have no wish to be a parent I suppose I can be the stand in for however long as long as he wants me to be. It does not matter to me even if he will be the future dark lord. For now he is Tom Riddle, a first year Hogwart student.
After dinner we made our way back to the Slytherin common room where we were meet the silences, both of us stare at the gather presences of the entire house in the common room staring back at us. Finally, a familiar blond stood came over toward me, "Thank you." What he said surprise me, the agreement of the whole house for that statement surprised me more.
"You're welcome."
"It was never your intention to make us fear you in your dominations, but you did it to control us."
"Control matter in revolution, but public matters more in exploiting the truth. That is the Slytherin way, it always was. Somewhere, along the way that was lost, and it need to be resurrected if we are to survive in this war, and the one after." By now the entire house's attention is now directed at me, mesmerize by the horrors of my words. "Go to sleep now, is late." Slowly they trickle out of the room to their own dorm room, likely to discuss the events that have transpired today.
Tom was the first to leave, however of those who challenge me on the first night when I usurp their power stayed. "You know more than you are saying; will Grindelwald fall in the upcoming confirmation?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about?"
"Of course you do, if we heard rumors that our esteem deputy headmaster is going to confront the Dark Lord I'm sure you will have heard it as well."
I consider how to answer that without further incriminating myself. "I have heard of such rumors long ago, I'm not surprise giving the fact to how close Dumbell and Grindelwald was not so long ago."
"What do you mean?"
"Both of them grew up in Godric's Hollow, the rest you figure it out for yourself. Good night gentlemen's." It has been a long day, as I lay on my silk sheet bed 'courtesy of Slytherin's donations' after a long shower I wonder how long would I be able to stay in this time period. Now that I agree to taken Tom under my wings I really don't want to leave him alone without knowing everything he needs to know.
