Here's chapter 10, I might get another one up tomorrow. We'll see.
Chapter 10: Holidays
"Ooh it's so cold," Gisele shuddered as she and her friends sat in the shabby Three Broomsticks, downing mugs of Butterbeer.
"It's like 3pm already and you haven't even found a single dress you like!" exclaimed Jenny to Gisele.
"But we've checked out all the shops here and there's nothing good enough for you," replied Louisa. "You really are picky. We all found our dresses, shoes and clutch in the morning."
"Except that peach dress," remembered Gisele.
"Yeah but that was way out of our price range," reminded Louisa.
"Well no use sitting here, let's browse the shops one more time and call it a day, huh?" suggested Jenny. They left their empty mugs of Butterbeer and trudged out into the snow. After coming back from the second last shop, Louisa sighed.
"This is no use. There is nothing here for you so we might as well go back and finish our homework."
"No," stated Gisele. All eyes swivelled to her.
"Look over there, next to Zonko's Joke Shop." Jenny gasped. In the shop window, was a dress. Not just any dress, but THE dress.
"That was not there before," Jenny remarked.
"Oh my, I have to try that on," said Gisele, as if she were in a trance. She walked through the snow and stumbled into the store, her eyes still transfixed on the dress.
"Hello dear, back again for more dresses?" the shop lady asked.
"May I?" asked Gisele gesturing to the dress in the window.
"Uh, well this dress is only for display. It's not for sale." Gisele looked crestfallen.
"But you can just try it on, if you like it," the lady offered.
"Go on, Gis, try it on," encouraged the others. The lady took the dress off the mannequin and handed it to her. Gisele stepped into a fitting room with the dress and the others held their breath. A couple of minutes later, she emerged hesitantly, brushing down the dress and did a little twirl.
"Oh my Merlin!" exclaimed Louisa. "Gisele you HAVE to get that dress. It looks absolutely amazing on you." Gisele stared at herself in the mirror and contemplated. It was an icy-blue dress, had two thick straps, with a fitted bodice at the top and frilled layers of georgette forming the skirt. She knew it was the perfect dress and she wanted it badly.
"I know it's not for sale, but how much is it worth?" she enquired.
" 'Bout 75 Galleons dearie. But as you say, it is not for sale." Gisele was a determined girl and she usually didn't surrender without a fight.
"But Madam, this dress is perfect. I'll pay you 80 Galleons for it," she offered. But the lady shook her head.
"Sorry honey, but my boss'll kill me if I sell that dress. It's a one-of-a-kind design, that's not available to customers." Discreetly taking her wand out, Gisele aimed it at the lady.
"Confundo," she whispered quietly. The lady suddenly looked confused, shook her head and stared at the girls.
"I'm sorry girls, what's happening now? I think I zoned out a bit."
"Oh, you were just about to bag this dress for me after I bought it," Gisele replied politely. Her friends exchanged glances of surprise and disbelief but kept quiet.
"Oh sorry honey, of course. Here, this looks gorgeous on you, let me pack it," the woman suggested. Gisele changed back into her old clothes, paid the lady and handed the lady the dress, plastering a smile on her face the entire time.
"Here you are darl, have a good day," she said and handed Gisele the bag. They waved back and after they had disappeared from view, Gisele and her friends dissolved into a fit of giggles.
"Gisele? What did you do?" asked Jenny.
"Just Confunded her. Nothing serious," replied Gisele.
"But that's illegal!" exclaimed Louisa
"It so is not! But seriously, L. She wouldn't give the dress otherwise."
"Still, I can't believe you just did that!"
"Whatever, let's just go back." They giggled their way back to Hogwarts, now with Gisele's perfect dress in her hand.
"My Lord," came a sombre voice from behind Tom.
"Yes?" he replied irritably. It was Abraxas Malfoy.
"My Lord, I've heard rumours that the next intended target of the Death Eaters is a first year of the name Eileen Prince. Please my Lord, she is my cousin, please spare her life," he pleaded.
"I have no affiliation with that group. If you want to spare her life, go ask them," Tom replied coldly.
"But Lord, they will not listen. Please, my mother would kill me if I failed in my responsibility to look after her,"
"Such compassion is…touching," replied Tom sarcastically. "Yet I have no control over them." Abraxas turned and walked off, his head hung in fear and guilt. Tom also got up off the couch and walked out of the Common Room.
He headed towards his Prefect's Dorm, muttered the password and sank onto his bed. The mattress provided perfect comfort for his tired self and as usual, he took his Dreamless Sleep Draught before going to sleep.
"Are you ready?" Gisele asked Tom.
"Yeah, of course I am," he replied. "So how are we getting there?"
"By train of course! I live in a Muggle town so there's no Floo network available."
"Muggle transport," he muttered under his breath. She slapped his arm and they dragged their suitcases to the Hogsmeade Station. They found a carriage to themselves and settled down.
"I never asked, where do you live?" Tom asked.
"In Little Hangleton," she replied brightly, confused she hadn't mentioned it before. However his reaction was definitely unexpected.
"What?" he yelled, standing up.
"Calm down Tom. What's wrong? I only said I lived in Little Hangleton," she said.
"You live…there?" he spat. She looked visibly shocked.
"Why, what's wrong? It's not a bad place you know."
"I'm not coming," he replied as he hauled down his suitcase.
"What? That's absurd. Tell me why?"
"That's where I…grew up," he muttered. The painful memories of his childhood flooded back as he remembered being ostracized and excluded, treated like a freak. "My orphanage was there. I'm not going back and visiting that hell hole."
"Wait, now you listen to me Tom whatever your middle name is Riddle. You are coming with me and meeting my family and you will put aside any prejudices you have and you will enjoy it, ok?" she ordered. He contemplated his options. Either he could stay at Hogwarts and have the same old Christmas he was used to, or he could go with Gisele and meet her family, but then also revisit his past. For the plan, he muttered inside his head and with that, he decided to go.
"Merlin, if it means so much to you," he said.
The train ride itself was boring and they passed away the hours by chatting animatedly. She gave him a full description of her cat and he had recounted stories about his past. Night fell, and she fell asleep early. He watched her sleep for most of the train ride and noted to himself that she actually wasn't the annoying, talkative Muggleborn he was beginning to think she was. She was incredibly bright and very sociable. It was probably why she was put into Ravenclaw.
Now that she was asleep, he could concentrate on his plan. Forming a friendship with her was the first thing and he had basically accomplished it. He was going to her house anyway, so that constituted a success. Second of all, would be to somehow brainwash, no, change her way of thinking. If he wanted his plan to be a success, Gisele would need to share the same beliefs and values he had. Finally could they then conquer the world. Grinning to himself, Tom also went to sleep.
They hopped off the train and looked around the station. It was deserted, not a single person in sight. Gisele looked at her watch worriedly.
"So who is picking us up?" asked Tom.
"Uh, my father said he would, but I don't see him anywhere."
"Are you sure we got off at the right station?"
"Yes!" she replied exasperatedly. They waited for a few minutes but no one came.
"Come on, we'll walk then." They both picked up their trunks and headed off.
After a few minutes of walking, Gisele stopped to take in the scenery.
"This place has changed a lot since summer. There used to be a small forest here next to an abandoned cottage but it's gone now. I suppose they knocked it down or something," she remarked.
"Mad Margaret's Mansion?" he enquired.
"Yeah! Have you ever been in it?" she asked enthusiastically.
"No I haven't, but stories about it being haunted often floated through the orphanage. I don't see what the fuss is all about," he responded disdainfully. As they neared a sign, Tom groaned.
"Merlin, Gisele. Trust you to get us lost! We're in Great Hangleton," he exclaimed, pointing to the sign.
"But...how could…no...?" she spluttered.
"I knew they wouldn't have knocked down Mad Margaret's Mansion, it's the only tourist attraction in Little Hangleton. Well it doesn't matter. We've got a fair bit to walk though."
"Oops, I'm sorry," she apologized. They picked up their belongings and trudged back the way they came, towards Little Hangleton.
Several miles later, they arrived at Gisele's street. They passed perfectly manicured lawns, expensive cars and expensive houses, until they reached Gisele's house. Or mansion. It was big. Tom wasn't a guy who was easily impressed, but even he let out a low whistle at the sight of it.
"Oh shush, it's not that special. I wonder if anyone's home," she said as she knocked. Hurried footsteps could be heard from the inside, rushing towards the door, when it swung open. Lira Blackburn stood in the doorway, in an emerald skirt and blouse combo and her hair perfectly coiffed, flustered.
"Gisele honey, thank god. We've been panicking ever since you didn't turn up at the station. Come in, come in." Only then, did she notice the other person standing there.
"Oh you must be the friend Gisele said she was bringing. What is your name?"
"Tom Riddle, madam," he replied courteously. Lira's eyes widened with shock and realization as she realized who this was.
"Oh you're Tom?" she said with slight contempt. "Come on in then," pinching Gisele inside muttering, "you will explain yourself later, young lady."
"Gisele is that you?" came a gruff voice from the kitchen. A moment later, Adrian Blackburn stepped out of the kitchen and into the parlour where everyone one else was standing around awkwardly.
"Ah, who is this young lad here?" he asked.
"Papa, this is Tom Riddle. Tom, this is my father," Gisele replied nervously. Tom nodded in acknowledgement. Finally Tom broke the silence.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr and Mrs Blackburn," he said politely, shaking Adrian's hand and kissing Lira's hand. Her stony expression did not waver.
"Gisele, I was expecting a female friend. I've already set up the spare bed in your room, but I suppose I'll get Nikolai to help move it again," she said reproachfully.
"I'm sorry Mother, I should've told you, but I wanted it to be a surprise. Wait did you say Nick was here," Gisele asked suddenly.
"He WAS here. But he and William left to go to the pond. Freaks," came a voice from the hallway. Avery Blackburn stood there, her hair dyed multiple shades of purple, a piercing in her lip and an expression of disdain.
"Back from that freak school?" she taunted as she crossed the room towards her father. "I need some money tonight," she said, her hand twitching impatiently. Adrian sighed before pulling out his wallet and giving her a few notes.
"Don't spend it on grog or that will be the last time you touch my money. And make sure that boyfriend of yours drops you back home by midnight, or you're grounded. Ok?" he warned. Avery rolled her eyes but nodded anyway. As she left the house, she gave Gisele a dirty look, before slamming the door shut. Tom stared after her in disbelief and amusement.
"She's really something, isn't she?" he commented.
"Ugh don't take any notice of her; apparently she's been a real arse lately. I didn't realize she was this bad, though," Gisele replied.
"Language, darling," reprimanded Lira. "Ok I want you both down for dinner at 7pm sharp. Gisele, show your guest the spare room."
"Yes, Mother," she muttered. Both Lira and Adrian retreated back into the kitchen.
"Miss Gisele, I will take yours and your guest's bags." A short, stumpy maid arrived and took both of their trunks.
"Thanks Bertha. Come on, I'll show you around," Gisele said. They rounded the first set of stairs and came to Gisele's room.
"Blue?" Tom commented dryly about Gisele's walls. "Is it because you're in Ravenclaw?"
"Blue is a very calming colour, thank you very much. But sort of yeah, because I'm in Ravenclaw too," replied Gisele. They left her room and walked further along, stopping in front of the bathroom.
"Ok, this is the bathroom and the toilet's just next door here," she said, gesturing. He nodded and they continued.
"This is Avery's room," she said pointing to the closed black door with a "Keep out or else" sign on it. "Don't ever go in there, or I swear she'll eat you alive," she warned. They came to the next door which was slightly ajar.
"This is William's room, I'm sure he won't mind if I show you..." her voice trailing off as she opened the door and stared. It was messy. Dirty clothes lay strewn across the room, bits of paper and various other books and soccer balls on the floor too. There was also a slightly weird smell hanging around.
"Oh, um, let's just go, then" she said embarrassed. He chuckled but followed anyway.
"This is the 'informal' living room," she said. It was a small open space with a lounge set and a TV.
"Nice," he commented. They both went down the stairs, Gisele leading.
"Ok, so you've been in the parlour, the kitchen's just over there and the other living room too, my father's study is around there, but don't even think of going in there, laundry's at the back of the house and here," she said walking up to a door, "is my favourite room. The den," she announced proudly and held the door open for him to walk into. It was just like he walked into a rainbow-attacked room. Compared to the rest of the house which was painted in neutral tones, this room seemed the life of the house. A giant flatscreen TV was mounted on the wall, beanbags on the colourful rug and bookshelves, almost overflowing with the sheer number of books crammed on to it. Posters covered the walls and a single grand piano was in the corner.
"I can see why this would be your favourite room. You come in here and unwind…" his voice trailed off. Tom went over to the grand piano and sat on the stool.
"Do you play?" she asked curiously.
"Yeah. At the orphanage we were forced to either do a sport or learn an instrument. Naturally, I chose to learn an instrument."
"Oh, that's nice. Play me something." His brow furrowed in concentration as he thought of something to play. He lifted his fingers to the keys and began to play. 'Pachelbel's Canon' floated through the room and Gisele shut her eyes. The music reminded her of her past, happier times with her family and friends. Suddenly the music abruptly stopped and Gisele opened her eyes to find Tom doubled over, gasping for breath.
"Bloody hell, are you alright?" she panicked.
"Bag...inhaler..." he wheezed. Gisele stared in confusion and then her mind clicked as she realised what he was talking about. She raced upstairs to her room where his belongings were and frantically rummaged through, trying to find the inhaler. She pulled out clothes, textbooks and various other strange objects but found no inhaler. Panicking, she unzipped the side compartments and grabbed the green inhaler.
After he had inhaled the Ventolin, she began to calm down.
"You have asthma?" she asked incredulously.
"You find that surprising?" he countered.
"Well it's just that, I don't know, it seems kind of ridiculous." He raised his eyebrow questioningly. "I mean you used to terrorise students and all, yet you're easily taken down by asthma."
"Yes, well it's usually never a problem. Only sometimes it gets bad. I have no idea why it happened today." Gisele was about to say something when the front door suddenly swung open. "…it was the last time I was ever let near a tractor," a voice said. Another person cracked up and started laughing.
"Nick…" whispered Gisele. She ran out of the room and straight into Nikolai van der Wal.
"Gisele? Bloody hell it's you!" he exclaimed, grabbing Gisele into a hug.
"Oh Nick, it is you! I've missed you so much," she replied, her voice muffled. He laughed.
"Oh no, you are back now. Now all my peace and quiets gone," he joked. She playfully slapped him.
"Oh and Will, you're here too!" she exclaimed, grabbing her younger brother into a hug, who was just as happy to see her too. Tom stood in the doorway, watching the scene unfold in front of him. Only William noticed him.
"Who's this here?" he asked.
"Oh Nick and Will, this is Tom Riddle. Tom, this is Nick and my brother, Will."
"Pleasure to meet you," Tom replied. Nick stiffened and William just stared.
"Gisele, what is this?" Nick asked slowly.
"It doesn't matter about that, Nick. He's my friend."
"Gisele, why have you invited him here?" he repeated, a little more dangerously.
"Nick, in case you haven't realised, this happens to be MY house, therefore I can invite whoever I want, ok?" replied Gisele, a little annoyed. Tom had a feeling he knew what this was about.
"You knew about me already?" he asked Nick and William.
"Sure," William replied, "Gisele told us everything in the letters she wrote us." Gisele inwardly winced.
"Oh, so you told them everything about me?" Tom asked Gisele.
"Well naturally yes. After the…incident, I told them everything. But then I wrote another letter saying that you actually weren't so bad, that you were my friend now," she replied uncertainly.
"Oh right," said Tom sarcastically - he was getting a little annoyed at the fact that they all had opinions about him without actually meeting him - "so you all think I am the bad person? That I've somehow hoodwinked Gisele into being my friend? Is that why your mother spoke to me in a condescending tone?" he turned to Gisele. She didn't meet his gaze.
"Listen, Riddle," Nick said threateningly. "Gisele is like a sister to me. If you EVER do anything that harms her in ANY way, I will make it my personal mission to make sure that you disappear from this place and NEVER come back." Tom's hand instinctively reached for his back pocket and he whipped out his wand.
"Oh god, Riddle, put that wand away now!" yelled a furious Gisele. She came in between Tom and Nick who were staring each other down. "Calm down people!" Tom gave Nick one more glare before stowing his wand away. William just stared at both of them.
"Ok we can do this again. Tom, this is Nick. Nick - "
"Forget it, Gis," interrupted Nick who turned around and walked off. Gisele stared after his retreating figure, tears forming in her eyes.
"I suppose we better go unpack your stuff," she muttered.
AN: So I don't know about you, but I don't think that went down really well :P
Reviews make me smile!
'Til next time,
xx