Thad's homecoming was much different. When he was in sight of the house, Arianna ran out to meet him. Thad picked her up and swung her around. "Thad-y!" she squealed in excitement. "You're home!"

Thad smiled down at his little sister. "Did you miss me?"

Arianna nodded. "Yes, Thad-y. Come into the house; your papers have come."

"Oh," said Thad.

"Mummy and Daddy want to know if you made it," Arianna told him.

Thad knew that his parents wanted to know if he had been made the Head Boy for the coming school year. He grinned at Arianna. "Okay. Let's go," he said, putting his arm around his sister. They went into the house to the living room, and Thad sat down on the couch by his mother, who was holding Cheyanne.

Ginny smiled at her son. "Welcome home, Thaddeus," she said to him. She then called, "Dirk!"

Dirk hurried downstairs to his mother. Upon seeing his brother, Dirk proceeded to enchant the paper he was holding to smack Thad upside the head repeatedly. Quick as a wink, Thad shouted, "Finite Incantatem!" and snatched the paper out of the air. Dirk said coldly, "That is yours. Is that all you needed, Mum?"

"Yes, Dirk."

Dirk was leaving to go upstairs when he heard Brenda sigh. He looked over at her and she frowned at him in disapproval. He scowled at her darkly and Thad laughed.

"If you have a problem with your girlfriend," Thad told him (P), "take it outside!"

Ginny looked at Thad sharply, but Dirk's face turned red with fury and embarrassment and he hurried upstairs. Thad raised his eyebrow at his brother's retreating back.

Thad grinned at his mother and quickly opened his letter. He smiled happily to himself and told his mother, "I'm going to be the Head Boy!"

Brenda feigned excitement and deadpanned, "Yay."

Ginny smiled at Thad proudly. "Good for you, Thad!" she praised him. "I know you'll do well at school this year. This is your final year, and your father and I are so proud of you!"


"Why did you say that to Dirk to make him so embarrassed?" Brenda asked Thad exasperatedly. "You know he's not too thrilled with you to begin with."

"I was teasing him," Thad told the thirteen year old girl with a sigh. "You know, it's really rather annoying to have you speak Parseltongue."

Brenda laughed quietly. "I'm sorry that it's so annoying, Thad, but it has saved lives!"

"How?" Thad asked. "I've only heard the story about the Ravenclaws who were insulting Ophicus."

Very seriously, Brenda looked up into Thad's eyes. "It saved your life," she told him gently. Thad frowned in disbelief. "Dirk was ready to kill you last year, Thad," she informed the older boy. "While you and he were dueling, I was constantly pleading with him for your life. When he came down out of the Gryffindor Common Room, he was so angry that he exploded several things in our common room before fleeing to his dorm room. I followed him into his dorm room, and found him lying on his bed, muttering to himself in Parseltongue." Brenda decided not to tell Thad that Dirk had indeed been reduced to tears. "Thad, he was so angry that I don't even know if he knew where he was or what he was saying, but he threatened you, Antigone, and the Swensen girl."

Thad looked at Brenda strangely. "What did you do?" he asked her.

"I lay down beside him to calm him," she replied. "He clung to me so tightly that I thought I would be strangled, but eventually, he became a little calmer, but still wouldn't let me go. I tried to talk things through with him, but he lost his temper and began to slap me, so I quieted, and allowed him to do what he wished. He stopped slapping me, but refused to speak to me for the longest time. I gently talked to him for I don't know how long, and he finally sighed and fell asleep."

"I didn't know that his familiar's death affected him so much," Thad said finally.

Brenda nodded. "Thad, Ophicus was not just a familiar: he was bonded to Dirk," she told Thad.

He shook his head in amazement, and she sighed. "Listen," she commanded him. "They were bonded so that they practically depended on each other to survive. Kind of like your parents: they can't survive without each other. Do you know how deeply it affected Dirk to have his bonded one ripped away from him? Dirk has died without dying, Thad."

Thad looked horrified. "I didn't mean to hurt Dirk so much," he murmured. "How will he ever survive this?"

"Oh, he will," Brenda replied evenly. "Have you noticed that Dirk has become so much more cold, Dark, and sadistic? He'll get through it, all right—but the rest of you might not! Anyway, Dirk, Ophicus, and I were all part of a familiar-ship, so that when Ophicus was destroyed, the bond that was between Dirk and his familiar now exists between Dirk and me."

"What?" gasped Thad, and Brenda nodded, a smirk on her face.

"So don't tease him about my being his girlfriend," Brenda told Thad. "I am not, really. But he needs me: I'm the only person in the world who understands the way he feels."

Thad stared at the dark-haired girl in amazement. "Thank you for preventing Dirk from going on a killing spree, Brenda," he finally said. "You are very special indeed." He looked away and saw Saelia hurrying toward the house. Her boyfriend was following her. "Go on in. I'll take care of this." Brenda hurried off into the house, going back to see if Dirk was all right.

Thad saw the boy take Saelia by the armand she turned and screamed at him, pulling herself away. Thad hurried down toward his crying sister, clearly concerned about her. Saelia saw him and came running to him, falling into his arms and sobbing against his chest.

"Thad—" began the boy, but Thad interrupted.

"Go, Ignatius," Thad ordered in a superior tone.

Nathan flinched under Thad's gaze, his eyes asking Thad to understand. After Nathan had gone, Thad looked down at Saelia. "Sis, what is it?" he asked her gently.

"He—he said—he doesn't—love me anymore," she sobbed brokenly. "Oh, Thad, I thought he really cared about me, but—he doesn't! What shall I do, Thad? I can't face him! Even if he doesn't care, I still do!" Saelia sobbed harder, and Thad cuddled her gently.

He felt very sorry for his little sister. Thad knew how deeply she became attached to her boyfriends. He also knew that this was Saelia's third hard break-up in two months. Thad also understood that Ignatius was heading into his seventh year at school and was probably looking toward the future, knowing that he didn't want to keep a fifteen year old as his girlfriend.

"Saelia, I—I'm so sorry," Thad murmured to her, cuddling her gently. He did not stop for an instant to think that he did not usually take the time to comfort weeping girls. Rosebud had indeed changed his way of thinking.

"Why do they all dump me?" Saelia cried. She looked up at Thad in horror as a thought popped into her head. "Thad," she gasped, "am I ugly? Tell me, Thad; you're my brother!"

Thad's mouth dropped open. "No, Saelia, of course you're not ugly! Those boys don't realize the gem you are. If they don't realize it, then they don't deserve you! One day, your true love will come for you, and he will love you for who you are."

Saelia nodded tearfully. "But how will I face them at school?"

"Nathan has one year left, and he will be gone. Don't worry about the others. Be who you are, Saelia," Thad told her. "Love you, sis."

They walked together into the house. As they went into the living room, the family looked at Saelia. Titus raised his head and looked at her with such compassion in his eyes that Thad was surprised, but Saelia was upset.

"Don't look at me that way!" Saelia shouted at Titus, slapping him full across the face. She stormed away upstairs to her room.

Thad was shocked that Titus hadn't even tried to block Saelia's blow. Her hand print stood out clearly on his face. Titus looked down at his book without saying a word.


At bedtime that night, Thad asked, "Titus, are you all right? I know Saelia slaps hard."

"Yes, my face stopped stinging a while ago," Titus answered.

Thad sat down on the edge of his bed. "Saelia doesn't usually lose her temper like that. I'm sorry," he told Titus.

"Don't worry about it, Thad," said Titus, propping himself up with his elbow, "but why does Saelia have such a low opinion of herself?"

Thad stared out his window, then turned to Titus and said, "Promise that you will not repeat what I tell you to anyone?"

Titus looked at Thad's very serious face and asked, "On pain of death?"

"On pain of pain," Thad replied. "I mean this, Titus. You must not tell anyone about this." Titus promised he wouldn't tell, and Thad continued. "Saelia was an unwanted child, Titus. When I was almost two years old, Father and Mother were having marital issues. I was really a handful when I was younger, and I'm still hard to control."

Thad smiled proudly, then went on darkly, "At that time, Mother never thought of telling Father not to come back to the house: she could only fight him or go to someone else for help. However, Mum hates asking for help, so after several confrontations Mum finally took all of us children to her adopted parents' house."

Titus frowned slightly, not sure he wanted to hear the story. Thad sighed and said, "Horatio and Antigone missed Father, and they ran away from the house, going to him. Father told them that although he appreciated their wanting to see him, they must stay with their mother. Antigone was upset, but she calmed, and Father took the two home."

"That's sweet of them," Titus said, and Thad snorted.

"Oooohhh, Titus," Thad drew out his words lazily, "Mother had been frantic about her two missing children and was very angry with Father when he came into the living room where Mum and the older children were. Mum slapped Father and screamed at him, and Silvanus and Elsie stared at them like they couldn't believe what they had just seen."

Thad took a deep breath and continued, "Father left the house in shock, and Mum sat on the couch and cried. Silvanus told me that nothing he said would comfort her, and that he finally had to leave her alone. Anyway, at some point during this time, Mum missed Father quite a lot and went to meet him in the Chamber."

His lips twisted in disgust. "Mum did not want any more children at that time, but Father forced himself on her when they were in the Chamber. Mum became pregnant with Saelia, and it was very hard on Mum," Thad explained, trying to hold his temper.

"What kind of a man does that to his wife?" Titus asked, still shocked at what had been revealed to him.

Thad heaved a sigh and said, "My father. And Horatio." Titus stared at Thad in shock, but Thad continued his story. "Mum carried Saelia to term, and near the very end, word came to us through one of Mum's brothers that Father was going to commit suicide in the Chamber. Mum was horrified, and hurried away to the Chamber as quickly as she could. Mum stopped Father before he could drink all the poison."

Titus stared at his friend in disbelief. "I didn't think that your father was that unstable!"

Thad grinned wryly and replied, "Well, he's not, but he can't live without Mum. It's very awkward. Anyway, Mum gave Father an antidote to the poison, but she still had a huge fight on her hands in order to save him. Obviously, he did survive. They reconciled in the Chamber, but because Mum had been under such stress, Saelia was born that night in the Chamber of Secrets."

"Wow!" said Titus. "Just—wow!"

Thad nodded. "Saelia has felt unloved a lot, I think. Father probably considers her a mistake he made, although he does love her. I believe that's why Saelia has such issues with boys: Father doesn't love her like he should."

Titus raised an eyebrow at his friend and asked, "Should you be so judgmental?"

With a scowl, Thad replied, "When Horatio mistreats your sister, you're angry with him, of course. Should I tell you not to be judgmental? No, of course not!"

Anger flashed in Titus' eyes: he understood the comparison. "Will Saelia ever be all right?" he asked.

"I don't know, Titus," Thad sighed. "I've tried to be someone she can depend on so that she doesn't feel alone, but it's hard to help her when she doesn't like people to feel sorry for her. I love Saelia; she's a very sweet girl."

Titus grinned and rubbed his hand on his cheek. "Yup," he said, "she's very sweet, and doesn't like anyone to feel sorry for her."

Thad laughed, and Titus added, "I know that she's having a rough time with those boys. I don't blame her for what happened."

Thad sighed in relief and Titus grinned. "You're quite the peacemaker, Thaddeus Riddle."

"Well, Titus," Thad began carefully, "I'm going to be the Head Boy next year."

"Oh no," groaned Titus teasingly. "I have to suffer through another year under a Riddle Head Boy!"

Thad laughed and went to sleep.


"Titus! Titus!" He turned and saw Saelia running after him. He waited for her to catch up. "Where—are you—going?" she asked him breathlessly.

"I'm going to visit Thisbe," answered Titus quietly.

Saelia looked down at the ground. "I'm sorry that I slapped you," she whispered, "and I shouldn't have shouted at you either."

"Oh, it's all right, Saelia," Titus told her gently. "I understand. I know now that when you came in yesterday, pity was the last thing you needed. I'm sorry."

"It's—all right," answered Saelia. "Are we all right now?"

Titus nodded, asking, "Would you like to come with me to see Thisbe?"

"I didn't get permission to—"

"Neither did I," interrupted Titus. "Besides, they're not my guardian; Thisbe is."

Saelia sighed in in resignation. "All right."

Titus put his hand on her shoulder. "Thisbe will want to see you and to have you help her with the little ones," he told her. Realizing his hand made her uncomfortable, he let it go back to his side. "Let's go."

She followed him cautiously, seeing something new in him that she was not ready for at all.


Arianna was kneeling behind some tall shrubs in the forest. She'd followed Thad to the woods and was watching him. He seemed to be waiting for someone.

Suddenly, leaves began to whisper and the trees began to whistle; they knew Rosebud was coming. Arianna watched as a girl about Thad's age ran to her brother. Shocked beyond words, she watched as Thad hugged the girl tightly and kissed her soundly.

"Darling! Oh, Rosebud!" Thad kissed her again. "Did you have a good time on our honeymoon?"

Darling? Arianna nearly yelped. Honeymoon? He's kissing her again for goodness' sake! Is this really my brother?

"Oh, Thad," Arianna heard Rosebud say with a giggle, "of course I had a good time—because you were there!"

"I love you, my little Blossom," Thad told Rosebud, caressing her as he held her close.

My little Blossom? I can't stand this nonsense! Arianna thought to herself. I've got to get out of here!

Arianna was leaving when she heard Rosebud say, "And I love you, my dear husband." Arianna fled from the forest as quickly as she could, leaving Thad and Rosebud laughing together.


Thirty minutes later, Arianna saw Thad coming back from meeting the girl. She stared out the kitchen window, watching him come nearer to the house.

"Arianna, please go tell your father that it's nearly time for lunch," Ginny requested, "and please ask Saelia to check on Cheyanne."

"Yes, Mummy," replied Arianna. She hurried off and did as her mother asked. When she came back, she found Dirk setting the table. Giggling, she said, "You look funny with your sleeves rolled up, Dirk-y!"

Dirk grinned at his little sister, and Ginny told Arianna, "Sit down, Arianna, and—."

"Oh, Mummy, Thad-y's coming," interrupted Arianna carefully (and Dirk scowled). "Mayn't I go meet him?" the little girl asked.

"All right, but you hurry," Ginny ordered.


Thad looked up and saw his sister hurrying toward him. To his surprise, she did not jump into his arms like she usually did. She stopped quietly in front of him. "Is something wrong, Arianna?" he asked.

"Thad, I saw you in the woods with that Rosebud girl," Arianna accused her brother. "Why were you kissing her and why did you call her darling and why did she say you were her husband?"

Speechless, Thad stared at his sister. "What do you mean?"

Arianna huffed and rolled her eyes. "Don't play stupid, Thaddeus Riddle! I saw her come running to you, and you kissed her." Horrified, Thad shook his head, but Arianna nodded. "What were you doing with her? I know she's a Mudblood, Thaddeus; she wasn't wearing a robe."

Thad laughed. "Well, what was she wearing, then, Arianna?" She knows! he thought in horror. Arianna knows the truth! It's all over for me and Rosebud!

"You know what I mean, you—," began Arianna, irritated with Thad's stubbornness. "She was wearing a shirt and—whatever you call those things."

"They are called jeans, dear sister," Thad told Arianna laughingly.

She glared at him. "Father isn't going to be pleased that you didn't listen to him and stay away from that girl, Thad-y."

"Rosebud is my best friend in the whole world," Thad informed Arianna, "and I will not leave her ever. You see, Arianna, I married her last year, but we kept it a secret because Father disapproved of my even speaking to her." Thad sighed at Arianna's disapproving frown. "Look, after lunch we'll go to somewhere and I'll tell you all," he said finally. Oh, please don't let her spill any of the secret during lunch!

"You had better," threatened Arianna. "Now let's go eat."


After lunch, Thad went upstairs to his room quickly to have a little time before Arianna came for him. He made sure that he had everything together, then went down to his sister and took her to the Chamber of Secrets.

"Now, tell me," Arianna ordered him when they were seated together in the main room.

"Well, Arianna, when I met her in the river that day last summer, I knew she was the most beautiful girl I'd ever seen. We met secretly during the summer, and we fell in love." Thad smiled, remembering. "Two weeks after we went back to school, we got married. We just had our honeymoon a few days ago, when we went camping."

Arianna looked at her brother seriously. "Father is going to be furious, Thad."

"That's why he must not find out, Arianna." Thad had a strange look in his eyes, but before he could say anything else, Arianna interrupted.

"Since Rosebud is your wife, are you going to be a father someday, like Horatio and Silvanus?" she asked him.

Thad had no idea what to say to curious sister. "Well, sis, we thought about starting a family next year, Arianna, but I still don't know what on the earth I'd tell Father about it," he said. He stood quickly, surprising Arianna. "That's why I have to keep Rosebud and me a secret. That's also why I have to do this." Thad drew his wand and pointed it at his sister.

Arianna's face became pale. "No, Thad!" she cried. "I wasn't going to tell him! I promise!" Tears came to her beautiful blue eyes.

Thad just looked at her. "I won't take a chance on you, Arianna," he said flatly. "An eight-year-old girl cannot keep secrets well. Especially in front of our father."

"Thad, no," whispered Arianna, beginning to cry. Thad came nearer to her, and she froze, unable to move. He opened his mouth to say the words, but suddenly, a person ran past him and knelt beside his sister, taking Arianna into her arms.

"Thad, you must not hurt your sister," said the person.

Arianna looked up at the person and gasped. It was the same girl she'd seen in the woods with Thad! Arianna looked up at Thad, who was staring at Arianna's rescuer and shaking his head. Fearfully, Arianna clung to the girl.

"Rosebud, Arianna followed me to the forest and was watching us. We have to keep this a secret," Thad said, annoyed.

"Yes, but—"

"Rosebud, it's necessary," Thad said emotionlessly.

She shook her head at him. "Not if you handle it the right way, Thad." Rosebud looked down into Arianna's frightened eyes. "She will not tell, Thad. Besides, our relationship cannot survive as a secret much longer anyway. Everyone will know it, not just a few. Perhaps she was wrong to follow you, Thad, but let's not make a mistake because of it. If she can't remember anything, then your father will know for sure that something is going on." Rosebud looked up at Thad. "Please don't do this to her. As a favor to me, if nothing else, Thad, I ask you."

Thad sighed. "All right." He returned his wand to his pocket, and came toward his wife and his sister. He helped Arianna stand, and told her, "but you must promise not to tell."

"I promise," she whispered.

Rosebud hugged Arianna. "I'm glad I could come help you," she told the younger girl.

"Well, it seems to me," Thad observed, "that you two are sisters-in-law."

The girls looked at each other, surprised. Arianna smiled at Rosebud. "Thad said that you and he are going to be parents like Silvanus and Lola."

Rosebud, slightly shocked, looked at Thad, blushing. "Not exactly like them, Arianna. Thad and I have a whole different situation from anyone else in his family, and we're trying to keep people from finding out what we're up to."

Arianna smiled. "I know."

Thad snickered, then stated, "You are somewhat like Lola, though. She grew up in a Muggle home as well. She and her sisters were orphans." Rosebud was surprised, and Thad smiled. "Come, Arianna," he said. "Let's go." Rosebud hurried to Thad for a quick kiss, then the three left the Chamber together.


"Thad," whispered Arianna on the way home, "I didn't mean to make you angry."

Thad looked at his sister carefully. "Arianna, there is more at stake here than you know. Do not say anything to anyone about this."

"I already told you I wouldn't, Thaddeus," said Arianna. "Now go away. You are being annoying."