About five days later came the next Keepers of the C. O. S. meeting. That morning, Thad and Titus were walking down the hall when they suddenly came upon Saelia and another boy kissing! Titus stood so still when he saw them that Thad ran into him. "Oh!" gasped Thad. "Titus! What the—"

Saelia looked at her brother, her face turning red. She looked up at the boy, and he nodded. Saelia hurried out of the room, not looking back, and the boy followed.

"I see," said Thad to Titus. "Never mind. Who on the earth was that boy?"

Titus was silent.

"Titus. Titus. Titus!"

Titus shook his head. "He's no good," said Titus. "He'll ruin her. I think that she's been so hurt by those other boys that she can't see the dangerous ones in their true light. Several girls have dated him, but afterward, they always swear that the Dark Side would be easier to suffer than him. He's a Ravenclaw, the same age as I. Thad, he's not to be trusted. You must talk to Saelia. Get her away from him."

"Only if you come with me," asked Thad.

Titus nodded. "Anything for her safety." Then he hurried off.

"Anything?" Thad said out loud. "Is there another romance budding? Good grief!"

"Saelia," said Thad as gently as possible, "that boy that we saw you with today is not good for you. You need to get away from him."

Saelia just stared up into Thad's eyes. "If you can go against what is good for you, then I can do so too."

"Saelia." Saelia looked startled at Titus's voice. "We don't want him to hurt you, and I know that he has not been good to the girlfriends he had. I don't want you to be used by him; I want you to be safe, and with him—well, you're just plain not!"

"Titus, Thad, I appreciate your concern, but there is no need," answered Saelia. "He is kind, and—he's just what I've been looking for. I will be careful for your sake, Titus, so you don't have to worry."

Titus sighed and walked away.

"Thad, what is wrong with him?" asked the fifteen year old girl.

"He is worried about you, sis, no matter what you say," Thad told her. "Come now; the meeting will start soon."

Thad and his four friends were talking together outside under a tree and Ignatius asked Thad, "Did you really write your father back?"

"Yes, I did," said Thad. "I told him that I would follow his commands to the best of my abilities, meaning I am not going to let Rosebud go."

Ignatius laughed. "You always could promise something you didn't mean, Thaddeus Riddle."

"Yes, well." Thad grinned. "Did you find your girl yet, Ignatius?"

Ignatius sighed. "Yes, I know who she is, but I can't go to her. I don't want to hurt Saelia, and it will hurt her if I date this girl."

"Could you tell us about it, Ignatius?" asked Thad quietly.

"I've just been dating around, thinking I'll find a girl that would fit what I'm looking for. It wasn't until I started dating Saelia that I found the girl. I had thought that Saelia was the one, but she wasn't."

Thad motioned with his hand to Ignatius, but he didn't understand.

"I found out that I didn't love Saelia as more than a friend, so I ended our relationship. But before I broke up with her, I found out whom I truly love," said Ignatius. "Thad, I love your littler sister, Ashley. I—I don't know how to explain that to Saelia."

"Oh, Ignatius!" gasped Derek with a look of shock on his face.

"I know; it's terrible—" began Ignatius.

Thad interrupted. "Ignatius," he said, less than warmly, "look behind you."

Ignatius turned his head, then gasped and turned all the way around. Saelia was standing behind him, wand drawn and her face pale. "Oh, Saelia!" gasped Ignatius, "I didn't mean to let you know that way!"

Saelia cursed Ignatius without a second thought and fled back into the school.

"I—I—oh, no!" groaned Ignatius after Octavius performed the counter-curse. "I didn't mean to hurt her, I swear! I have to talk to her."

"No!" Everyone stared at Thad. "The last thing she will want right now is your apologies, Ignatius! I will talk to her."

Thad hurried down the hall to where his head detected his sister was. He peeked into the room and saw Saelia crying into her new boyfriend's chest. He heard her say, "I don't care what they say, Kevin. You are very comforting to me, and I love you. I will be your girl from now on."

"Oh, Saelia, I love you," said the boy, smiling wickedly down at Saelia. Thad knew that Saelia could not see the absolutely delighted look on Kevin's face.

I can't stop them, thought Thad to himself. She's too far gone on him.

He looked back at his sister and Kevin in time to see him lift her face with his finger and kiss her. Saelia returned the kiss with all she had, and Thad thought, I am definitely going to be sick!

"What happened?" Ignatius asked Thad anxiously.

Thad shook his head. "I did not talk to her. She and her new boyfriend were 'pledging their love' to each other so well that I could hardly interrupt. She said that he 'comforts' her, and that she would be 'his girl from now on.' Nicely done, Ignatius."

"Thad—!" Ignatius saw the cold look in Thad's eyes, turned, and walked away. How was I to know she was behind me? Oh, I probably just lost a good friend over all this disaster! Why the world decided to cave in on me all at once I don't know! How could he hold me responsible for this? I already told him I didn't mean to hurt Saelia! I probably can't even date Ashley now. If I try to, Thad'll probably force me away from her. And how on the earth am I going to explain this to Thad's father if he gets upset! Since I already hurt Saelia, he'll hardly want me near one of his other daughters!

Ignatius went up to his dorm room and just sat quietly on his bed, thinking. When he heard the other boys coming, he got into bed and shut the curtains, pretending to be asleep.

Nathan walked down the hall by himself; Thad absolutely refused to let him stay with the other boys. Nathan wished he'd been more careful, but it was out of his hands. As he walked down the hall, he saw Ashley Riddle coming toward him. He smiled, thinking of how beautiful she was, but the smile was quickly wiped off of his face.

"Ignatius, I want to talk to you later!" said Ashley. "Alone!" She named a time and place and ordered Ignatius to be there. Then she stormed off.

Nathan met Ashley at the appointed time and place. She glared at him. "Why would you hurt my sister like that?" she demanded.

Ignatius nearly sighed, but caught himself in time. I feel like I am disagreeing with some sort of inquisitor! "I—I didn't mean to, Ashley. I had no idea that she was behind me when I was talking to Thad and the others. I promise that I didn't mean to hurt Saelia. I would never do that on purpose, honest!"

"I mean, why did you break up with her in the first place?" asked Ashley, not any more kindly.

"Ashley, I can't tell you that now," said Nathan, his heart pounding. "I will tell you when I can."

Ashley looked dissatisfied, but she turned and left without a fuss. Nathan sighed in relief, but his troubles weren't over yet.

"Ignatius, what on the earth were you doing with Ashley today?" Thad demanded.

A whole family of inquisitors, thought Ignatius to himself. "She asked me to meet her, and so I did," answered Nathan, trying to keep calm.

"Do you expect me to believe that?" Thad asked Nathan angrily.

Ignatius nodded. "It's the truth, Thad. I was only answering her call."

"I know what you told us about how you feel about her, Ignatius," said Thad coldly, "but I want you to stay away from my sister! Don't even speak to her!"

Nathan looked like he was going to give an angry reply, but he turned and went to bed, ignoring the other four in the room. He was silent, but found it very hard to sleep. He heard someone stir, and was almost certain that it was Scorpius. He heard footsteps come closer to his bed and wondered what the person wanted.

Scorpius opened the bed curtains and whispered, "Flake?"

"What is it, Malfoy?" asked Ignatius quietly.

"I might have an idea of something that can help you," the blonde boy replied, "but we can't talk here."

Ignatius snorted. "Truly," he said sarcastically. He got up and put on his cloak, the two boys going out to the Slytherin Common Room. "So spill," he told Malfoy.

"I—I kind of have the same issues as Thad, with the blood-purity thing and all," Scorpius began. "Please don't tell anyone about that! And I was thinking that possibly the only way to get Thad to change his mind is to have Rosebud talk to him."

Ignatius looked impressed. "Thank you, Scorpius," he told the other boy. "That might just be what I need to do. I appreciate that."

Scorpius smiled slightly. "Yes, well. Rose has changed me a lot, I guess," he sighed. "And I don't mind. I just wish I knew how to show my family what I believe and all that."

"Perhaps you should speak with Thad," Ignatius said carefully. "Wait a minute! Rose? Rose Weasley?"

Scorpius nodded, saying, "Hush! Yes, she's amazing! And my family is going to kill me when they find out, but we don't want to keep it a secret much longer."

"Well, talk to Thad. That will be the best action. Goodnight." Ignatius got up and went to his dorm room, leaving Scorpius in the Common Room.

"Rosebud, may I speak with you?" said Ignatius, coming up behind her the next morning.

Startled, Rosebud turned around and gasped. James and Vi gave the two of them awkward looks as they walked away together. "What do you want?" she asked him.

Nathan's face turned red. He remembered their first encounter and was ashamed of himself. "I—I came to ask you for a favor, Rosebud," he said.

"What kind of a favor?"

"Has Thad told you about me and Ashley?" he asked quickly.

She nodded. "But he doesn't want you near her because of what you did to Saelia."

Nathan sighed. "I know what he wants, but I know I love Ashley! I was wondering if you would speak to Thad for me and try to get him to understand me. I didn't mean to hurt Saelia, I swear! I just didn't know she was behind me when I was telling the boys how I felt about Ashley. Would you please help me, Rosebud? Thad's cut me off from his circle of friends; I am not allowed to talk with them or anything. That's not what I'm worried about, though. I want to be able to talk to Ashley!"

"You're a Slytherin! Don't you all go behind each other's backs and do shady things all the time?" she asked.

Ignatius gave her a severe frown. "No. Don't let Potter poison your mind, Rosebud. The other Slytherins do not mess with the Riddles unless they want a huge fight on their hands," he told her. "I don't want any of the Riddles upset with me."

Rosebud nodded understandingly. "I'll see what I can do, Ignatius."

"Call me Nathan."

She looked at him carefully, then said, "All right, Nathan." She turned and went off to her class.

When Rosebud met Thad in the Chamber that night, she was nervous, because she did not now how Thad would take her request. She hurried across the Chamber to him and accepted his hug and kiss. "Darling, I've missed you," he said. "In between Dirk, and Father, and Ignatius, and Ashley—I really need someone like you to calm me."

She blushed, laying her head on his chest. "Oh, Thad," she murmured.

"What is it, dearest? Do you want something?" Thad asked her.

"Well, Thad," she began timidly, "couldn't you let Nathan date Ashley?" She felt frightened when Thad instantly held her away and looked at her with shock in his eyes. "He didn't mean to hurt Saelia, Thad. Isn't it—"

Thad interrupted, becoming upset with his wife, "Rosebud, it is not possible for them to date while Saelia is with this other boy."

"But, Thad," said Rosebud quietly, "it is not Nathan's fault that he didn't know Saelia was behind him. Couldn't you just let him—?"

"No! Rosebud Swensen Riddle, I already told you it is not possible!" Thad shouted. "Do not ask me again, or I will be very angry!"

Frightened, Rosebud stepped back, but said, "Don't you know what young love is like, Thad? How hard do you think it is for Nathan to be facing a life without his dream girl? Thad, please!"

Thad's eyes went totally dark, and he looked at Rosebud with barely restrained fury. "Rosebud, get out of here this instant! Before I lose my temper and hurt you! Get out of here now, you meddler!"

Rosebud burst into sobs and fled out of the Chamber, back into her dorm room and into her bed. Oh, no! she thought, sobbing into her pillow, I've made him angry with me again because I disobeyed him! Oh, Thad, Thad! I've never seen you so angry! Oh no! Oh no! I told Mummy that I'd try to obey you, but—oh, Thad, will you always be angry with me now? I was only trying to help Nathan! Every time I see him, something bad happens! What am I to do?

Rosebud cried for nearly an hour, then quieted and tried to sleep, but it would not come to her. Suddenly, she heard the sound of someone else crying, and listened hard. The door to the dorm room opened, and someone came in. It was Vi. Rosebud quietly got out of bed and whispered, "Vi, what's wrong?"

Vi came over to her friend and fell into her arms. "Oh, Rosebud, James and I broke up a while back, and you wouldn't believe who he's fallen for now!"

"Malorie Dukk?" guessed Rosebud gently.

Vi nodded, beginning to cry again. "I want him, Rosebud! I can't let him go!"

That night, when Rosebud finally got into bed, she sighed to herself, "Why on the earth is everyone's relationships being disrupted? Good grief!" She and Vi failed to noticed that Rose Weasley was out of her bed.

"Ignatius, are you awake?" Thad whispered.

Derek snickered in the darkness. "Sure, he's awake; he's crying!"

"Shut up, or I'll hex you into oblivion," said Ignatius. "I am not!"

"Nathan, you can date Ashley," Thad told him.

Nathan gasped and sat up in bed. "Really, Thad? What made you change your mind?"

Thad sighed, ashamed he'd lost his temper with his wife. "Rosebud did, Nathan, and I hurt her terribly for it." Tired, Thad went to bed, worried about his girl being all alone and afraid of him.

Needless to say, none of them saw that Scorpius was out of bed.

Throughout the next day, Rosebud tried to avoid Thad except when they were in class together. She was frightened at the anger he had shown her, and was not wanting to be hurt. During their joint DADA class, Bethany taunted her, "Hey, Swensen! Still snogging Riddle in public? Or have you stopped that?"

Rosebud turned away from the Lestrange girl, her head down. Tears gathered in her eyes, and she finally put her head down on her desk. Bethany continued, "Oooohhh, was I right? Did he dump you, Rosie?" Bethany giggled to herself.

Thad glared angrily at Bethany. "Shut up, Lestrange," he hissed in a deadly voice, and everyone sat up and payed attention to them. Vi and Rose put their arms around their friend Rosebud, who was shaking as if she were crying.

Bethany cocked her head and asked, "Or what?" rather curiously.

Thad's eyes darkened, but before he could do anything, Rose jumped up and brandished her wand at Bethany. "Or this!" she screamed. She swung her wand in a circle and thrust it out at Bethany.

Bethany's eyes opened wide, but the spell hit her before she could move, blasting her away and pinning her to the wall. "From the Weasleys to the Lestranges," Rose taunted, grinning in triumph and sat back down, returning to comforting Rosebud. "It's funny how history often repeats itself." Thad noticed that Scorpius had a particularly pleased look on his face.

"Nice," Ignatius commented. Everyone stared at Rose in appreciation of her abilities. Also, many of the students in the room wondered why Rosebud was so upset. Rosebud did not move from her position until the professor came in and the class came to order.

Scorpius stopped Thad and asked him if they could meet that night secretly. Thad wavered a bit, knowing he really should meet Rosebud in the Chamber and talk to her first. He finally told the blonde boy, "I'll meet you tomorrow night on the catwalks near the Quad battlements."

Scorpius thanked Thad and told him, "I may bring a friend of mine," and Thad grinned, nodding.

"Rose?" he asked, and Scorpius looked shocked. "Don't worry; I just guessed it, and I won't tell anyone. I might bring Rosebud as well, okay?"

Scorpius nodded and hurried off.

That night, when Rosebud was readying herself for bed, Thad said to her (C), Rosebud, please meet me in your common room tonight so I can take you to the Chamber.

Yes, Thad, she replied, fear gripping her and making her sob out loud.

Vi turned to her friend and asked, "What's wrong, Rosebud? You look pale!" Rose glanced over at them, but busied herself talking with the other two girls again.

"Oh, Vi," gasped Rosebud, "I made Thad angry last night and he wants me to come to him tonight! Oh, I don't want him to hurt me!"

Vi looked shocked. "Does he beat you, Rosebud?" she asked in a horrified, low voice.

"No, but I'm afraid he's going to be furious with me, Vi! I was only trying to help one of Thad's friends, but I made Thad angry, and he'll never grant my request now!" Rosebud nearly began to cry again.

"Oh, Rosebud, I'm so sorry!" gasped Vi, who then tried to comfort her friend. "But he won't hurt you. I know he loves you, Rosebud."

"Do you know if his love extends through disobedience?" Rosebud asked, tears running down her cheeks. "I already disobeyed him before, and he said he wouldn't be as kind next time. Vi, this is next time!"

Vi shook her head. "Rosebud, he married you because he loves you. Not even disobedience can break that." Vi released her friend. "You'd better go."

"Goodbye, Vi," said Rosebud quickly. "Thank you."

Vi watched Rosebud go. I'm so glad I'm not married yet!

Rosebud came into the common room and saw Thad standing there, waiting. Fear in her eyes, she walked toward him. He put his arm around her shoulders and led her away, feeling her just shaking in fear. When he took her down to the Chamber, more fear washed over her, and she sobbed aloud. He began to take her toward a side room, but she saw where he was going and cried, "No, Thad, no!" in an absolutely terrified voice.

Thad looked at his terrified wife and stopped walking. He took her into his arms and cuddled her. "Dearest," he murmured in her ear, "It's all right. I'm sorry that I've frightened you so much. I am not going to hurt you. I forgive you all of what happened last night."

"Please, Thad," Rosebud sobbed, still distressed, "I didn't mean to disobey you. I was just trying to help!"

"I'm not going to hurt you, Rosebud," repeated Thad, carefully smoothing her hair away from her forehead. "I love you, darling, and it's all right. I told Nathan that he could date Ashley, and I'm not angry with you."

Rosebud began to sob in relief. "Oh, Thad, you were so angry last night," she sobbed. "I was sure if I didn't—if I wasn't good, you would beat me!"

"Darling, I am so sorry that I became angry last night," Thad told her gently. "I had no right to be so furious when you were just trying to help Nathan."

"Oh, Thad," Rosebud sobbed into his chest, "I—I forgive you." A moment went passed with Thad standing there, holding Rosebud close to his heart. Then she looked up at him and sobbed tiredly, "I have such a bad headache, Thad-y!"

"Here," he said. He lay Rosebud down on the Chamber floor and pressed his hand to her forehead. "Relax, sweetheart." She did, and he put his other hand on the first one. Rosebud sighed deeply, then closed her eyes in a deep sleep.

Thad carried her into a totally different side room and laid her down on the bed, carefully arranging her in a comfortable position. Then he sat beside her and told her that he forgave her and loved her fully, and would never beat her, no matter what. Then he crawled into bed next to her and fell asleep.

The next morning, Rosebud woke, not remembering where she was. Then she turned over and saw Thad. "Oh!" she gasped in surprise. She froze, afraid her exclamation would wake Thad, but he did not even stir. She lay back in bed, trying very hard to keep calm. Rosebud felt cold, so she snuggled down under the blanket. She felt the warmth radiating from her husband, so she very carefully cuddled up against him and laid her forehead against his cheek.

When she felt Thad stir, she tensed, afraid he would wake. All he did was put his arms around Rosebud and pull her closer. That gesture made Rosebud very happy. She was now in his warm embrace, and no longer felt cold. She was so comfortable that she soon fell asleep again.

Thad opened his eyes and looked at his lovely wife that was lying in his arms. He smiled, stroking her hair that was spread over the pillow. "My love," he murmured in her ear, "you are very precious to me. I love you more than anything else in the world."

He gently woke her, and she quietly smiled up at him. "Thad," she whispered, as he pulled her very close for a kiss, "I love you."

"Dearest, sweetheart, my love," Thad murmured to her, "you are the most beautiful woman in the world. I will never think of anyone else as highly as I think of you."

"Thad, you're so sweet," said Rosebud, blushing.

After a few minutes, Thad got out of bed and came around to Rosebud's side. She watched him very carefully, but he reached down and lifted her out of bed, swinging her around. She giggled and put her arms around his neck.

"Thad-y," she giggled, "you're so bad."

"What's wrong with my getting you out of bed in the morning?" he asked her. "Isn't that normal for you?" He grinned at her and she giggled again. "Come now, darling, we must leave for the surface."

When they got to the surface, still rather worried about Thad, Rosebud stepped in front of him, wanting him to kiss her. She sighed when he turned and walked away toward the Slytherin dungeons. Thad heard her and turned around."What is it Rosebud?" he asked.

Rosebud hadn't expected Thad to hear her, so she was surprised at his question. She looked at him sheepishly, then shyly looked away.

Thad took Rosebud into his arms and asked her, "What dearest?" He kissed her gently, his lips just touching hers.

Rosebud blushed and whispered, "Nothing, I just have a lot on my mind."

Thad could tell Rosebud didn't feel like telling him right then. He kissed her a short time in the darkness, and held her more tightly. Then Thad whispered in her ear, "Good night, my little Blossom."

Then they pulled apart and went toward their rooms in silence.

The next night, Thad told Rosebud to meet him in the library. Rosebud obeyed happily, and joined Thad quickly. He hugged her tightly, then said, "Rosebud, we're going to meet Scorpius Malfoy and his girlfriend on the catwalks tonight."

Rosebud stared at her husband. "What? Why? Who's his girl?"

Thad grinned and replied, "I'm not going to tell you. Just trust me, darling. It'll be fine."

"All right," she said, putting her hand in his. "Let's go."

Thad and Rosebud walked out onto the catwalks and looked around. He led her down one of the catwalks to where two sets of them crossed. They turned onto the longest one and headed down the hall quietly. Really, the catwalks were above a hall, very close to the ceiling.

Rosebud had mixed feelings about going to meet Scorpius Malfoy that night. But Thad's here, she thought to herself, and he can take care of anything. She gasped in shock when she saw whom Scorpius Malfoy was holding in tight embrace against the catwalk railing.

Red-haired Rose Weasley leaned away from her boyfriend, giggling. "I love you," she whispered, before finally noticing Thad and Rosebud. She motioned to them slightly and Scorpius turned around.

"Rose?" gasped Rosebud.

Rose giggled again. "You never knew!" she laughed. "For nearly two years Scorpius and I have been together, and my dorm mates never knew! They never noticed I was gone!"

Thad smiled. "You keep secrets well," he said.

"So do you," Scorpius replied. "If Lestrange and Potter and Dukk hadn't caught you two snogging in the library, nobody would know."

Rosebud blushed, then spat, "Yes, Lestrange keeps secrets about as well as a spaghetti strainer holds water!"

Rose giggled, and the two boys exchanged looks that said, "What?"

"In other words, she doesn't keep secrets," Rose said. "Aren't Slytherin girls supposed to keep secrets well?"

Thad grinned, but said nothing. Rosebud laughed. "Well, Lestrange keeps her own secrets, I'll wager, but she gives away everyone else's unless they bribe her to keep her trap shut. She's practically the Gossip Girl of Slytherin House."

Scorpius nodded. "She's different, I think, and hasn't many friends. Her parents practically control her life."

Rose snorted. "Like your parents, Scorpius," she said. Rose turned to Thad and Rosebud. "I guess you two know about PBE (pureblood extremist) parents."

"But you're only a half-blood!" Rosebud exclaimed. "I would think that that would be easier to accept!"

Scorpius frowned. "I don't think so."

"Understood," said Thad. "The Malfoys have always been different like that. Mudbloods—my apologies to all you out there—are taboo, but half-bloods (who are already screwed up, according to popular belief) are absolutely unacceptable. And Rose is a Weasley, which makes it even more awkward, for when someone hears 'Weasley,' they usually think pureblooded blood traitors. Strange it is to remember that Rose's mother is Hermione Granger."

Rosebud sighed. "Stupid, screwed up extremists."

"That's my family you're talking about!" Scorpius protested, and Thad agreed, but grinned a little.

Rosebud apologized, but added, "I still believe what I said, and I could add a lot more to what I did say!"

Rose sighed and spoke up. "Can we speak to the real reason we came?"

Thad nodded, and Scorpius put his arm around Rose. "Rose and I want to get married this summer," he said, and the redhead blushed. "I know my family is going to be furious, but Rose and I wish to become husband and wife. We don't know how to tell our families, though."

Thad began to speak, but was interrupted by Rosebud. "You can always do what Thad and I did," she began. "You could go over into the Muggle World and get married secretly!"

Rose stared at her dorm mate in shock. "You two are married!" she shrieked, then clapped her hands over her mouth.

That fact had completely escaped Scorpius and he gasped, "The Muggle World? You went to the Muggle World?"

"Yeah, it was really embarrassing," Thad laughed teasingly.

"Thad!" cried Rosebud, giggling. "Yes, we went to the Muggle World. That's where I live, see."

Rose snorted. "Well, duh!"

Thad smiled, and explained, "Rosebud's parents were able to set a time for someone to marry us over there. We had a few issues about age and all, but in the end, everything was fine. You two probably won't have those issues."

"When did you get married?" Scorpius asked.

"Last year, about two weeks after school started," Rosebud replied.

Thad nodded, a pleased look on his face. "We've already been married a year," he said proudly. "And anyway, if you tell your family that you're going to marry Rose no matter what, they'll probably only disown you and then leave you alone."

"And then you can get on with your life," Rosebud said. "Our departure from parental interference from Thad's parents is going to be a lot different. You're probably lucky."

Scorpius smiled wryly. "So, do you think that you could get us a time to get married over there?" he asked Thad and Rosebud.

They nodded. "Sure," said Rosebud. "I'll write my parents and tell them about it. They'll write back with an appointment for you two. It might be really soon, depending on the time frame you guys are thinking about. When are you thinking about being married?"

"As soon as possible," Scorpius said certainly.

Rosebud nodded. "I'll write them tomorrow. I'm so happy for you, Rose!"

Rose blushed. "Thanks. I'm still shocked that you're all ready married!"

Thad and Rosebud smiled, and Thad said, "Well, we should go to bed now—maybe. Rosebud and I are going to the Chamber."

Rose's mouth dropped open in astonishment. "That's the last place I expected a Riddle to take a Muggle-born!" she exclaimed.

Rosebud grinned and Thad shrugged. "It's possibly the safest place for us," he said with an ironic grin. "When you two get married, you could possibly come down there too. The Chamber of Secrets is huge, you know."

"Yeah," Rosebud giggled. "Thad won't let me explore it by myself 'cause he doesn't want me to get lost. Or to have the other Riddles see me there."

Thad smirked, and Rose said, "Huh! No kidding! Well, we should go. Bye!"

"Thaddeus."

"Yes, Dirk?" replied Thad, subtly putting his hand in his pocket.

Dirk sighed. "Do you ever think about anything other than that girl of yours?"

Thad watched his brother carefully, ready to defend himself if he needed. "I think about Quidditch once in a while."

"That's what I wanted to speak to you about, Thaddeus," said Dirk, not amused. "You seem so different now than when we're in practice with the team."

"Look, if you're worried about the game, Dirk, then don't worry. We'll win, I know we will," Thad said.

Dirk frowned. "Some of us are more than a little anxious about your connection to the Mudblood."

"It won't effect the game, Dirk-y," sighed Thad, deciding not to say anything about Dirk's words. "Get over it already!"

"It had better not," hissed Dirk, storming away down the hall.