Hello friends, long chapter for you today. I am expecting to update again next Friday or sooner. Enjoy!
October 31st, 1942
Merissa was not sure of many things, but she was sure that her hand was inexplicably wet. She became gradually more conscious and moved her hand, hoping for the strange sensation to leave her. It continued, so she groggily squeezed her hand into a fist. Not only did this make a strange squelching sound but also did not result in a fist. It was not only wet and cold, but solid!
She bolted up, fully awake and looking wildly around. Laughter erupted from around her and she recognized what had happened. Susan, Abby, and Mary were grinning, standing around her bed. She looked down to her hand to see it was immersed in a bowl of green slime.
"Happy Halloween," Susan sang, tossing a rainbow of cellophane wrapped candies on to Merissa's bed, as she sat down on her own, "We thought we'd do something special, it being your favorite holiday."
"It was when I was a kid," Merissa gasped, still recovering from her initial shock, and accepting a small hand towel from Abby to wipe her hands off on, "And we rarely were able to actually sneak out to celebrate. I think you just wanted to wake me up with this glop."
Despite her accusation, she not only knew Susan did this for her, but also that it had cheered her up. So often lately, whenever Merissa was scared it was because of a serious reason. It was refreshing to be frightened by a harmless prank. Nothing had even gotten on her bedspread.
"We may have had ulterior motives," Abby agreed, winking as she collected the slime. It flopped around the bowl, oozing as it turned more liquid without Merissa's hand in it anymore. Merissa wondered if they had made it themselves or found it at Zonko's. It seemed well made either way - it had certainly served its purpose.
"We'll be back," Abby told her, "Mary wants to see if we can get James."
Merissa nodded to her friends as they slunk out, conniving the best way to enter the dormitory without being heard as they went. She unwrapped a candy and then offered one to Susan.
"Thank you," Merissa said earnestly, now that they had the room to themselves, "I needed that. This Muggle candy reminds me of us slinking out of your parents' house all those years ago and going door to door collecting treats."
"They thought our robes were costumes," Susan recalled, grinning as she popped a lemon drop into her mouth, "Thank Abby for the candy though. Her mum picked it up at a real Muggle store for her. Can you imagine?"
Susan's expression glazed over as the vision of such a thing danced before her eyes. Although she was usually willing to go on an adventure, the Muggle world intimidated her, and she was therefore impressed by anyone who dared venture into it. It was one of the reasons she admired Alphard so much. His ability to function in both was revered as a near superpower.
"Susan," Merissa laughed, "Her mum is a Muggle."
"Still," she insisted, shaking her head, "Brilliant woman. Anyways, are you going to get ready?"
Merissa pulled her blanket up defensively, unwilling to leave the warmth of her bed unless Susan had a very good reason.
"Get ready for?" she asked.
"Hogsmeade of course!" Susan said, glancing down at her worriedly, "Are you sure you didn't hit your head too hard when Abraxas stunned you?"
"I'm sure," Merissa said, though she still stayed in bed and looked down at her legs, still tucked under the covers.
Hogsmeade was something she had always greatly looked forward to, however now she was feeling apprehensive about even standing up and leaving this room. She didn't know what to expect, since she knew she wouldn't be sharing a butterbeer with Abraxas in the three broomsticks or with Avery and Nott plotting the use of Zonko's products on their unsuspecting classmates. While they were small things, which she did not enjoy nearly as much as moments spent with Susan or Alphard, they were still moments she was accustomed too, and now they would likely never come to pass again.
"I considered not waking you up," Susan confessed, her tone dropping when she saw her friends expression, "Because I thought it would be hard for you. But I knew you'd still want to."
"I don't want to," Merissa countered, though she pushed back the covers and stepped out of bed.
She went to her wardrobe and pulled out a black collared jumper and skirt, winking at Susan, who was watching her with mild bemusement, "It is Halloween though. I'm dressing as a powerful witch."
Admittedly, Merissa was still dreading seeing anyone at Hogsmeade, as the news of her attack and brief duel with Riddle was still fresh in everyone's mind, causing her to be an even greater spectacle than before. Although the most recent events turned her from a pariah to a sympathetic character, more than anything she wished she could go back to when everyone greeted her neutrally. Despite this, it felt good to depart down the gravely trail to the village alongside Susan with Abby, James, and Mary farther back, unhappy with the pairs swift pace. Merissa and Susan could have been sisters, their dark hair blending in with their black clothing and pointed hats. Susan had suggested they wear them, as everyone had them at school but rarely used them. They had giggled at each other's appearances, but Susan had insisted they keep them on.
"Where are we going first?" Merissa asked loudly, hoping their friends would hear her. When no one responded, she glanced back to see if they had an opinion, and found that they were almost a half mile behind, only recognizable because of Abby's vibrant hair and the figure they were now walking with, Edward Thomas.
She did however see a dark shape slip behind a tree as she turned. Her eyes darted back and after a moment, recognized that it was Alphard creeping up with his fellow beater, Kenneth Wilson. Both were close behind her and Susan now. He put a finger to his mouth when he saw he had been spotted so Merissa turned back around, hiding a grin.
"They're way behind us now with Thomas," Merissa told Susan, "No need to even look, you can't see them anymore."
"Honestly," Susan sighed, shaking her head, "Faithless creatures, subjecting James to that prat too. Where do you want to go then? We have an hour before we're supposed to meet them in The Three Broomsticks."
"I would really fancy a drink in Madame Puddifoot's," a raspy voice whispered into their ears, arms grabbing their shoulders.
"Bloody hell Alphard," Susan hissed when she saw it was just the pair of mischievous Slytherin beaters. Kenneth greeted them politely, pushing back his ashy brown hair from his forehead as he shook hands with Susan. Merissa exchanged a conspiratory look with Alphard that told her all she needed to know.
"You knew, didn't you," Susan realized, nudging Merissa, as they began walking again, "That's why you told me not to look. You're the real faithless creature."
"Happy Halloween," Merissa reminded her merrily, tossing a candy from her bag at Susan, who, due to her exceptional chaser abilities, caught it easily and popped it into her mouth.
"Madame Puddifoot's sounds like the most frightening of options," Alphard mused, "I've heard Druella finally swindled Nott into going with her. Bound to end in gore. Which would be fitting for the day. . . My Merlin Merissa, I'm joking," he added, seeing her horrified expression.
Merissa had a vendetta against the establishment ever since Abraxas had dragged her there on their first Hogsmeade trip, third year. Not only had they been suffering the natural awkward tendencies of their age, but there were countless couples in varying levels of the same uncomfortable state surrounding them. She had finally convinced him to leave after she nearly fainted at the mere smell of the place, before they even had their second cup of poisonously sweet tea. Abraxas had not attempted to recreate the date again fortunately and after that they went to The Three Broomsticks together like a decent couple (though they had never been one).
But not anymore, Merissa reminded herself, suddenly feeling rather lonely.
"I want to get a cat," she said seriously, as Alphard and Susan groaned simultaneously, "I know I always say that!" she defended hastily, "But I mean it this time. You two are so busy now, I need a friend. And I'm so used to having so many animals at home. . ."
"Oh, honestly," Susan said, exchanging an exasperated expression with Alphard.
Kenneth, who was had never been along with her on a Hogsmeade trip was quite puzzled by their spirited reactions, "Do you guys not like cats?" he asked.
"No, cats are great," Alphard muttered, "It's just that she's so indecisive. Shopping with her, especially for something so important, takes ages."
Merissa huffed exasperatedly and moved forwards to link arms with Susan, who turned to add, "Not to mention she drags us here every trip."
Merissa frowned, "Only because I can't bring Abraxas. He sneezes when he walks by the place."
"Why would you get an animal your boyfriend is allergic t- Oh!" Kenneth stopped abruptly when he saw Alphard's expression.
"More reason to," Merissa muttered under her breath as they reached the village.
It was already swarming with students, which made her even more eager to escape into a less frequented place. It was too easy to be watched on a day like this, and if the last few weeks had been any indication, someone was always doing just that. She wondered vaguely how Riddle might select who followed her when, or if they just drew lots. Refusing to glance over her shoulder despite this, Merissa marched into the village airily.
She headed towards one of the smaller shops on the street, passing under a bright yellow, though slightly worn sign that read Happy Tails Pets: From Niffers to Puffskeins and Everything In Between. The door jingled as she pushed it open and her friends filed in after her.
The smell hit them before anything else. It was staggering, though not necessarily offensive. It did not smell of excrements, but of the slightly musty warm smell of animals and their habitats. The air was thick with moisture and sawdust, which lined the bottoms of almost all the cages and dusted the floor.
The floor that was visible, that was. Most of the concrete surface was concealed by various types of cages, both full and disturbingly empty. There were cages, in fact in every conceivable spot in the room: hanging from the ceiling, on the floor, on tables, on top of each other and one filled with vibrant orange birds hung out of the window, so they could hop around in the fresh air
"Keep the door closed please," called a frazzled looking woman who was selling a Kneazle to an elated looking boy and his young mother, "If the gnome gets out again I will never hear the end of it."
Kenneth, who had entered last carefully shut the door behind himself. Merissa had already moved into the shop, wasting no time to press herself up against a cage full of small kittens, who were mewing. One came closer as she poked a finger in through the bars, intrigued by the foreign object. Alphard ducked beneath a cage full of irritable pixies who tried to yank at his hair and past a hairless rat scurrying across the floor to come up beside her to see the small furballs and the cautionary sign on the cage that Merissa had ignored.
"It says not to put anything in the cages. Some of them are apparently vicious," he said, eyeing Merissa as she put her face within swiping distance of the cage.
"Nonsense," she said, as she began petting one's tiny head with her extended finger. The tiny black kitten rubbed up against her, making her coo, "What a darling."
Alphard bent down to also examine it. After a moment of watching it coddle Merissa, he hesitantly inserted a finger, which the black kitten immediately scratched. He cursed and withdraw it quickly, blood pooling on his finger tip.
"She's shy, you need to be gentle," she chided, as the kitten returned to her finger expectantly and she began stroking it again.
"It looks like a demon," Alphard said unsurely peering at the kitten, "Aren't they supposed to have blue eyes as babies? Those are black."
"Don't listen to him," she told the tiny creature, "He's colorblind. Your eyes are dark blue, aren't they?"
"They're black," Susan agreed, passing by on her way to look at the owls with Kenneth, "I can't believe you don't have one. They're dead useful and don't have to be fancy," she said, gesturing to a barn owl.
"I'll have to get one, so we can write over the summer about those quidditch matches you and Alphard have. . ."
Their voices faded away as they went deeper into the shop. Merissa looked up from the cage to give Alphard a sly smile, "They're certainly getting along," she noted, "Could almost have been planned."
Merissa had known Kenneth had held Susan in high regard for several years, but given Susan's disinterest with almost everyone at Hogwarts, she had never mentioned it. Now she was thinking perhaps Alphard had the right idea.
"Almost," he agreed, winking at her. She went back to petting the black cat, who responded enthusiastically. It was unclear who was crazier about the other: Merissa about the cat or the cat about Merissa.
"Are you really going to choose this little devil kitty though?" he asked seriously, "All the agonizing hours we've spent in here could have been solved by a black furball?"
"I disapprove of your tone talking about my daughter," Merissa snipped, patting the cat with her index finger again before pulling it back to stand and call the shopkeeper over. As the aging woman climbed over some inconveniently placed cages, the kitten mewed in complaint. Merissa kneeled back down, not minding the sawdust getting on her knees as she did so and gave the kitten a few more strokes.
"I'd like the black one please," Merissa told the woman when she finally reached them, making her eyes widened.
"Black cat on Halloween?" she asked suspiciously, eyeing the pair, "What are you going to do with it?"
"Pet it, feed it, hug it, love it," Merissa replied, irritated to be asked such a ridiculous question, "I'm not going to sacrifice it if that's what you're asking."
"Alright, alright," the woman said tiredly, moving with some difficulty back towards the front counter, "You can never be too careful. I'll give him to you for four galleons since you're taking him off my hands. Most black cats don't find homes, especially this time of year. Superstitious folk don't want them, you see."
Merissa followed her, scowl deepening the further the woman went on. She held her new pet protectively between her hands, as if it would hear the shopkeeper and be offended.
"I'll pay the full five," Merissa insisted, as they reached the front of the shop, which was marginally less crowded. She pulled of the galleons from her bag and placed them on the counter, "She's not a discount cat to me."
"Suit yourself," the woman agreed, seeming to finally take in Merissa's thick cloak and well-made shoes. Merissa shifted uncomfortably. She was not the one who chose such extravagant clothing, yet she still often felt people thought her frivolous for wearing it.
"It's a boy by the way," the woman told Merissa as she wrote her a certificate of ownership, "The only one in the litter."
"A boy," Merissa said with all the adoration of a new mother as she picked up the kitten that was now hers and held it like a baby. Alphard rolled his eyes at her.
"What are you going to name your bouncing baby boy," he sighed, knowing she was waiting for him to ask.
"His name will be Charles, and just for asking, I'm going to name you his godfather," she sang, cradling the cat in her arms where it reclined lazily, looking happy. When Alphard extended a hand, it hissed however and swatted at him.
"Gentle," she repeated, though Alphard was now scowling at the creature. He usually liked cats but was having his doubts about this one now. He picked up the paper for her and thanked the woman as Merissa was too distracted.
"C'mon you two," Alphard called when Susan and Kenneth emerged from the back room, "Merissa got a demon cat and now she's ready to leave."
Merissa huffed at him, but Susan had hurried over and was fawning over the animal as they began to walk outside. The kitten had fallen asleep in one of Merissa's pockets by the time they arrived at the next shop, Tomes and Scrolls, the larger of the two bookstores in the village. Kenneth and Susan were eager to continue onto the sporting goods store across the street, so they left two the pair, talking animatedly about the last match.
Merissa generally made her book purchases in Diagon Alley during the summer, so this shop was unfamiliar to her. Alphard stepped in first, the bell jingling loudly. This shop was much larger than the pet store, however it was just as crowded. The shelves were pressed so close together that one had to turn their shoulders to walk through the aisles, and must have been supported with magic given all the books they were supoprting. The only place to sit were a collection of tables pressed against the walls. Despite this, the place was cheerful and lively and there were a handful of customers scattered throughout the shop. Alphard followed Merissa to their section on defensive magic without batting an eye. Even in the Hogwarts library this was her ritual now.
Merissa began pulling out books and stacking them on an already overcrowded table. She pondered the titles for lengthy periods but ultimately made the decision to buy everyone she laid her eyes on. She figured she really couldn't be overprepared. Though she was getting better under Alphard's patient hand, she knew that Riddle was unlikely to play fairly, so having a few spells up her sleeve seemed like a good idea. Alphard did not comment until the stack was nearly fifteen books high, some of them thicker than Hogwarts: A History.
"Do you have that much gold on you Merissa?" he asked, eyeing the growing stack. Some of the books looked rather expensive and she wasn't checking the prices on the back.
"If I don't I can charge it to my account," she shrugged, pulling out Defend or Be Offended: Complete Guide for Shield and Counter-jinxes. She glanced over the cover before setting it down on the top of her pile.
"Don't you think your parents will be suspicious of you buying a hundred galleons worth of defensive magic books?" he asked, picking up the book she had just laid down, "I have this one already, you can just use mine."
She frowned down at the stack. It was true that she hadn't given the cost of the books a second thought, not being used to such restrictions. She had withdrawn a few hundred galleons in the beginning of the summer, but there had been a long and hot summer between then and now. Her bag contained only about twenty galleons and ten sickles now, looking slim.
"They would notice even one book on defense, since I'm not allowed to study it any more than strictly necessary for OWLs," she sighed, and started to put the books away.
"I didn't say not to get them," he laughed and scooped up the mighty pile with some difficulty, "I'll just charge it. I am leader of the Dueling Club after all. My parents won't bat an eye at this purchase."
"Al . . ." she began unsurely. While he might have even fewer monetary restrictions than her, him paying for them still put a strange feeling in her throat. She already felt in his debt for all his unwavering support, and this kindness felt like too much.
"Hush," he commanded, "You can donate them to the library after if you insist on feeling so guilty. Just grab that last one - I don't have a hand for it."
Merissa picked up the book and held it against her chest, careful not to bump it against her pet, who was still sound asleep. As they sidestepped back to the front of the shop together to pay for their books, Merissa noticed Davao Rosier lurking in the shadow of one of the shelves, watching them. She gritted her teeth but kept walking. After all, punishing Rosier for following her would do nothing. He probably wanted to be there as much as she wanted him to be.
The book keeper behind the counter was a young witch with pretty copper skin who gave Alphard an overly warm smile as he approached. She smiled up at him from beneath a fringe of dark hair as she asked, "What can I help you with?"
Merissa told herself she must have just imagined the double meaning of the words, but the way Alphard seemed to take an unconscious step forward said otherwise. She scowled.
"Just these," he replied, unloading his armful of books onto the wooden countertop, making it sway under their considerable weight. Merissa stepped forward to add the single book she had been holding onto the top of the pile, though the witch didn't give her a second glance.
"You must be a wonderful reader," the woman complimented, pulling out her records book without asking them any questions. She had almost immediately spotted Alphard's Black family crest ring shining from his middle finger and while the witch may not have known what specific family he belonged to, she knew that he could afford all of these.
"Are you a student?" she asked, writing down the third title and glancing back up to give him another warm smile, "I don't recall these being on any book list. . ."
"They're not," Alphard said, offering her a charming smile in return, "I'm captain of the Dueling Club at Hogwarts."
Merissa felt rather like sinking into the dark shelves at this point, but when she took a step back Alphard noticed at once and ushered her back beside him. She grimaced at him, making him smirk back while the woman, still writing, was obvlious to their exchange.
"How impressive, seventh year then?" the woman questioned eagerly, writing even faster than before. When she looked up again she seemed to see Merissa for the first time and her expression cooled.
"Fifth actually," Alphard corrected quickly, "We both are."
"Oh," the woman said, smile dropping completely. She had little to say for the rest of the interaction, simply scribbling the lengthy titles of the books down rather viciously.
When she had finally finished, she flexed her wrist and looked back up at them, though the interest in her expression was almost completely gone, "How will you be paying for this today?"
"Charge it to Pollux Black," Alphard indifferently, making the woman's eyebrows raise as she scribbled down the name. Her demeanor turned back to pleasant for the remainder of the transaction, but Alphard was no longer interested.
"Would you like them sent to you? Or would you like to take them now?" the witch asked once the books were wrapped neatly in brown paper.
"Err," Merissa glanced over at Alphard who had retreated to the Transfiguration section moodily and was no longer paying attention, "Just send them please," she requested.
The woman nodded and somewhat stiffy handed Merissa a receipt. Alphard looked up, and seeing their purchase was finished, started strowing to the door where Merissa was waiting.
"Charge this one to the same account," he called back to the shopkeeper, waving the book he had taken a liking to in the air, "It's called Tricks of Transfiguration."
The woman was still scribbling furiously as they pushed back out into the cold outside air, Alphard chuckling to himself.
"Was that for not flirting with you when she found out you were fifteen or because she started flirting with you again when she recognized your surname?" Merissa asked mildly, surveying his smug expression. She didn't blame him in the least for lashing out, even finding it to be refreshing after becoming accustomed to Abraxas' constant self-restraint.
"Both," he said seriously, "But she'll get her galleons. She just will have to work for it. I didn't give her the author."
"True evil," Merissa laughed as they entered the building labeled Spintwicthes Sporting Needs to extract their friends.
It took almost fifteen minutes to find Susan and Kenneth inside the shop, as it was filled to the brim with a plethora of sporting equipment and even more customers. This season, or at least from what Merissa had heard through Susan, had been a popular year for quidditch, both professional and house teams. Apparently, England had an exceptional team this year and was squashing all competition for the first time in anyone's memory.
"Jones is like an eagle when he hits the sky," Susan was saying animatedly, even as Merissa dragged her from the shop, reminding her over and over how they had agreed to meet Abby, James, and Mary at The Three Broomsticks.
"They'll have Thomas with them too, I'm sure," Susan complained as Merissa lead her outside, only allowing it because Kenneth was walking alongside them. Alphard was physically restraining himself from laughing now, unbeknownst to the pair.
"Probably," Merissa agreed, unable to deny that this made it far less appealing, "But there will also be butterbeer. You can handle it Nigellus," she assured her.
Alphard mentioned a controversial player for England's name, which sparked a heated debate between Susan and Kenneth to no one's surprise. Merissa was finally able to let go of her friend, who was compliantly walking along as the conversation moved.
"Brilliant," Merissa complimented as Alphard came into stride with her.
"Don't thank me yet," he warned, "They won't shut up for the next hour, I assure you. The mere amount of penalties that man has gotten. . ."
The conversation did thoroughly distracted the pair until they reached The Three Broomsticks. They had continued through the doors when they noticed Merissa had stopped just outside.
"Should we go inside with him?" Merissa asked, gesturing to the sleeping creature still tucked away in her pocket Even from outside they could tell it was a busy day at the pub. It would be especially noisy and crowded, not ideal for keeping Charles calm.
"We could make a carrier out of some sticks and see if he likes it?" Kenneth suggested.
Merissa nodded and picked up a few twigs from the ground, turning them into a padded cat taxi with a latch door. Charles, however had other ideas. Upon being awoken, he inserted his claws into Merissa's coat sleeve, unwilling to go inside of the cage. After several attempts it was clear the cat was no going anywhere.
"I can just hold him," Merissa concluded, "He doesn't seem like much of a flight risk."
Alphard looked skeptical, but he opened the door for her anyways. The Three Broomsticks was bustling with students and older witches and wizards. There was even a man with wild black hair, who must have been at least half giant, who to Merissa's astoundment was wearing Hogwarts robes. As Alphard steered her away she managed to make out his house: Gryffindor. She couldn't imagine how she hadn't noticed him before. As they passed the bar, a man with powder blue hair who looked vaguely familiar started over towards them, but Merissa ducked out of his view at the last second when she realized he was a reporter. Her family was no stranger to press because of her father's ambitions and her mother's attendance to high society galas. Merissa had started attending these events herself with Abraxas last spring when she had turned 15. After her own cotillion, she had begun having to dodge the press as well.
"That one is relentless," Alphard whispered to her as he they sat down in a corner table, nodding towards the blue haired man, "He follow me on broom, his cameraman barely hanging onto the back last year after my father's scandal."
Merissa nodded somberly. While the image of Alphard zooming through the air pursued by this flamboyant man was amusing, she had remembered the repercussions of the coverage on the Black family in The Prophet. Fortunately for her, Abraxas had intercepted the man and was now chatting with him as he lead him back to the bar. She couldn't imagine what Abraxas would have to say to this man, but she was not about to question such a lucky escape.
Charles had become restless in her arms, so she let him down onto her lap where he curled up and began purring enthusiastically. Merissa beamed down at him and began rubbing him between his ears. He nearly blended in with her skirt.
She looked up when their butterbeers came and met eyes with Abraxas, who was walking back from his discussion with the reporter to his table. He was seated with Tom, Avery, and Nott on the other side of the pub. The boys all had their heads ducked together, probably listening to Riddle whose mouth was moving incredibly quickly. Merissa shifted on the bench to try to get a better look, hoping to read his lips. No such luck. Avery's oversized head was blocking her view.
But she was never one to give up so easily. There had to be some excuse for her to cross the pub.
She eyes began scanning the adjacent tables, though after just a moment her face broke out into a triumphant smirk. Her ticket in was sitting with Walburga Black and some other Slytherin seventh years. Joseph was looking as grim as ever, no one at his table even smiling. They were sipping their drinks and speaking a few words in between. It was the driest group in the pub, and Merissa couldn't wait to join it.
She had not spoken to Joseph more than a few times since school had started, which was unprecedented, as he was generally scolding her for something every few hours as it reached his ears. This year, he had passed on the torch to Abraxas, who was far less zealous about it. This change seemed to suit Joseph though, as he looked in much better spirits than usual. Still, it felt wrong as a little sister than she hadn't bothered her older brother at all this year, so she started standing up, scooping Charles back into her arms.
"I'll be back," Merissa announced to her table, earning three equally confused stares.
"Abby, James and Mary haven't even shown up yet," Susan stated, as if this should be reason alone for Merissa to sit back down, which it probably should have been. Unfortunately, her preoccupation with Riddle was all consuming.
"Sure," Merissa nodded as she started away, "I'll be back, like I said. I just need to talk to Joseph."
Susan watched her small friend sashay towards the somber Head Boy before turning to Alphard, "What is she doing?" she hissed.
Seeing Merissa in proximity to Riddle made Susan nervous by default lately. It was even more concerning for her to be purposefully positioning herself near him. Of course, neither Susan or Alphard had any idea what the other knew, so he simply shrugged, feigning ignorance.
"Not talking to Joseph, I'm sure," Alphard muttered, half standing up in his seat to see where she was going through the crowd. So far it did look like she was going to Joseph's table, which was somewhat reassuring. Perhaps he could keep himself from intervening today.
"Congratulations, you're an uncle," Merissa greeted her brother as she reached his table, making him look around in wild confusion until he spotted the cat in her arms. Out of the corner of her eye she watched Riddle's table, where Abraxas also seemed to have heard this and glanced up looking confused.
Dammit. She hadn't wanted to draw attention to herself from any of them. Tom had stopped talking and was glowering at her now. There was no way he would say anything else until she was back across the pub. But she had to act like nothing was amiss anyways.
"Alphard is already the godfather, sorry Malfoy," she called, making him look back down in embarrassment. Avery shook his head, grinning and said something to Abraxas that she couldn't hear over the din of the room. Tom just continued to stare, unphased.
Merissa chewed on her lip as she looked back to her brother, who looked about as pleased as a hippogriff caught in a hailstorm.
"That isn't amusing little sister. Mother will be unhappy you bought another animal" Joseph snapped, giving her a condescending glance over, "Why aren't you in your robes?"
"Because its Sunday," she replied cheekily, "Do you want to pet him?"
She extended Charles to him as a peace offering. He put a disinterested hand out and patted the cat on the head once before withdrawing it. She had rather hoped that Charles would be as opposed to Joseph as he was Alphard, but the creature seemed entirely apathetic to his touch.
"Is that all you came here for?" Joseph drawled, though he was still glancing her over. When had she gotten so boney? He couldn't recall.
Shit she thought desperately. Only a Slytherin would have questioned it either, they were just so suspicious sometimes. He knew she wouldn't seek him out for such a little thing, and Merissa was acutely aware that Tom was still listening.
"It's not every day we get a new member of the family," Merissa qualified, "I thought you'd be more excited to meet Charles."
He didn't look like he believed her.
"Charles? It's a cat," Joseph deadpanned, but he was interrupted by a boisterous laugh.
"Merlin Joseph, don't be such a grump," chided Phillip, coming over and clapping him on the shoulder, which only deepened Joseph's scowl, "Like you said, it a cat."
Avery held out his hands expectantly and Merissa had no choice but to hand Charles over to him incredibly slowly. Once the animal was settled into his grip, he grinned and raised him up in the air as if we were an idol to be worshipped, "Charles Emerson Thorpe," he began in deep vibrato, which was incredibly uncharacteristic to him, "You were born onto this world just another orphan, little did you know you would be adopted by a wealthy family and rise to greatness."
He seemed to be preparing more bizarre dedication, but Merissa took the opportunity to cut him off, "I'll take him back," she said quickly. Something about him had been noticeably off this year, and she would feel much better if her new pet was out of his hands.
He grinned down at her but kept his hands up. Her expression darkened. She hadn't wanted to make a scene, but she certainly would if a scene was needed. Like Alphard had said, Phillip was no longer her friend.
This was not necessary though as a moment later, Avery seemed to think better, seeing her face and returned the cat to her arms.
"He's sweet," he told her earnestly, not wanting to offend her, but she was already in a mood and just gave him a cool smile, turning back to Joseph.
"Warmer greeting that you gave him," she snapped, feigning offence to give her an excuse to retreat to her table.
She didn't glance at Riddle's face until she was back across the room. He was standing up, the rest of his table following suit. As he donned his coat his eyes flashed to hers, quicker than she could hope to look away innocently. His eyes were narrowed suspiciously and upon seeing she had indeed been watching him seemed to confirm whatever theory he had.
Merissa broke his gaze to finally assess her own tables reaction.
Susan, though surely having her own take on what had just happened, was still talking quidditch with Kenneth. Alphard was sipping his butterbeer and pretending to read the Transfiguration book he had purchased today, though he was not moving his eyes but glaring at the middle of the page. Still, they were getting much better and acting as if nothing was amiss for her benefit.
Merissa sighed inaudibly, allowing her shoulders to drop down, though she had not realized she had been clenching them in the first place. Alphard took Charles from her lap and started scratching him behind the ears. He hadn't looked at her since she had sat down, irritated with her for being so reckless. They both glanced up when they heard a commotion at the door between two familiar voices.
"Well obviously you ran into him, coming barreling out of there without looking where you were going!" Abby's soprano carried from the opposite side of pub.
The red-haired girl had her arms crossed in front of her angrily at Tom as Mary helped James back up onto his feet. It seemed Riddle had run over the boy while trying to leave, his goons flanking him. Thomas, who was still holding the door open seemed at a loss, just watching the situation unfold in front of him. Merissa felt slightly light headed seeing her petite friend facing off with Tom Riddle so ferociously, and she evidently was not the only one who had a strong reaction.
Susan was nearly halfway across the room when Merissa had recovered enough to rush after her. Despite this and Susan's ability to part a crowd more easily with her height, Merissa arrived at the site of the incident just moments after.
"What seems to be the problem here?" Susan asked, her calm yet firm voice commanding everyone's attention. Even Tom turned towards her, though this might have been because he found her more threatening than the fiery red head, which was quite short sighted of him. Only one was likely to attack him.
"He knocked into James!" Abby snapped furiously, "And then told us to watch where we were going."
"How rude," Merissa agreed loudly, more partial to Abby's obvious intention to hex him now. Riddle's eyes met her's again and seemed to find their mark. She was the biggest threat now.
"Merissa," Susan muttered, "That isn't helping," and then louder, meaning for Tom to hear her, "Well I'm sure it was an accident on both parts. Nothing to be upset over..."
This was quite amusing, as everyone in both parties had a clear opinion about the situation written on their face. Merissa, Abby and Lestrange were varying forms of furious. Lestrange had even drawn his contraband wand, his own still stashed in under some summer clothing in Merissa's wardrobe. Abby was managing to look considerably larger than usual, her chest puffed out and shoulders straight as she remained challenging Riddle. Alphard, who had just arrived on Merissa's side was exchanging a cold glare with Abraxas, who's chin was poking out just the slightest, though the last thing Merissa would have noticed right now the remnant of herself displayed on him. Avery was visibly anxious eyes darting between Tom and Abby, though his leader seemed dismissive of her aggressive posture now. Susan and Tom may have appeared calm to someone who didn't know them, but Merissa noticed Susan's hand clenching and unclenching from the outline on her skirt pocket where she had tucked the fist away. James' expression was the only one strangely vacant, as Mary propped him up with her arm.
"Now Riddle, as one of your fellow prefects," Thomas began, stepping forward from the door, apparently having finally found himself, "I would classify your response as unprofessional. I feel it is my duty to correct you, as I'm sure neither of us would want this to reflect poorly on Hogwarts or our good families."
Merissa closed her eyes for a moment, making a mental note to buy Thomas a really exceptional Christmas gift. Though he had surely no idea the danger he was putting himself in, his pure obviousness was a blessing. He handled scolding her for being stunned and stopping a provoked probable sociopath with the same steady overconfidence. Riddle's jaw twitched, physically holding back a hex his tongue had just cried out. Merissa could have almost smiled if she were not involved as she recognized why the comment had bit into him. He wouldn't want it to reflect poorly on his muggle parent, whichever one if was. Personally, she rather hoped it was his father, as she could just imagine how detrimental it would be for him, being so convinced of his own genders superiority to receive his magic from his mother only. Of course, she had no idea, as she had never heard anyone mention anything about his family.
The hard line of her mouth wavered slightly, as she became simultaneously more amused and uncomfortable. Tom's eyes darkened as his mouth turned up into an abashed smile. Watching his face shift like this was frightening, whether he intended for it to be or not.
"Of course. I forgot myself Thomas. Thank you for correcting me," he said, extending a hand to the boy.
Edward took it and started shaking it enthusiastically between his own coffee colored hands, "I am always willing to do what it takes to preserve the good title of prefect," he said seriously.
Merissa was unable to hold back her laugh completely at this, though she was not sure whether it was due to humor at Thomas's ignorance or the incredibly stiff way Tom was holding his arm. Edward was moving the entire appendage with his vigorous shakes. Her quiet titter was lost to Edward, but Tom seemed to have heard her.
His eyes flickered to her again, but his face was unreadable this time. She was quick to return to her default state of glaring at him.
"Well," Susan said, also sporting a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "I am glad that was cleared up. Let's be on our way."
Susan smiled at Riddle again as she passed by him and towards the door where she stopped holding it open. Merissa caught on and followed her, linking arms with James as she passed him, as he was looking still a tad shaken. He held onto her arm tightly and she began checking him over at once. If he had so much as a scratch she wasn't sure she could continue to follow Susan's wise example.
"We only just got here," Mary reminded them, still behind and slightly bewildered. She, like most of the school, did not realize the potentially deadly consequences of the cat and mouse game Merissa and Tom where playing.
No one replied. Alphard and Abby followed Merissa towards to door just as Susan managed to escape outside. Inside, it was growing more crowded by the moment. Hardly anyone seemed to have noticed them. The encounter, though seemingly lengthy for those involved, had only lasted about a minute.
"C'mon Mary," Abby called, as she also reached the door. The rest of the group was already outside, heading up the winding path to the castle. Mary scoffed by hurried after her.
As the door swung closed behind the blonde, Tom was left alone with his entourage, still furious and a bit rattled, though he would never admit it. She was actively seeking out information now, just as he had been. It was only a matter of time before she dug something up, and he had a fair guess what the first thing would be.
If she didn't already know he was half-blood, she would by the end of the week if he did nothing. Luckily, he was Riddle and doing nothing was unacceptable. He'd be damned if she found out that secret, yet alone the more serious ones. His large ring glinted up at him, reminding him of how much his secrets cost him.
"Well," he snapped, gesturing towards the door, "Weren't we leaving?"
To no one's surprise, Abraxas was the first to the door, holding it open for Riddle to stalk through into the crisp autumn air.
Thomas was the last involved to be left in the pub, forgotten even by Abby. Considerably more unobservant than the normal person, he had no idea what to make of what happened. Once the last of Riddle's group had departed, he shrugged to himself and sat down at the bar, alone. Maybe they had a disagreement about how to interpret a prefect duty. He would be sure to clarify to Merissa tomorrow. Pleased with his plan, he ordered a butterbeer.
When Meriisa and company made it into the castle, seemingly hours later, Alphard excused himself to go practice in the Merrythoughts now frequently used office with Kenneth. He said he was preparing for an upcoming dueling match, though half of his audience distinctly recalled that the Dueling Club wasn't competing anywhere until after Christmas break. As he departed, Susan and Abby began chatting, Mary joining them, happy to cling to the only normal part of the day for her so far. Merissa and James were still walking alongside each other making it easy for her to slow their pace, making them fall behind their friends.
"Are you alright?" Merissa muttered to James as Susan let out a loud, strained laugh, "Did he hurt you?"
"No," James said slowly, though his eyes seemed to shift over the castle walls, almost as if he were looking for something on them as he spoke. She knew it was not as simple as just no.
She waited, knowing he was not purposefully suspending her, but simply searching for words as he so often did. Merissa began matching his steps as he looked in danger of falling over, his expression became more distant. Being almost the same height as him, she thought she might also have a chance of supporting him if he did.
"You should be more worried about what he might do to you Merissa," he finally said.
She blinked back at him in irritation. What was that supposed to mean? She was worried. So worried in fact, that some recent nights she hadn't slept. The worry ate at her, day, and night and even in her dreams. There was no time for his riddles today.
Her mood continued in this trajectory, even throughout the fantastic Halloween feast, which she barely touched. Every time a new Slytherin would sit down, she would jump, though she was not sure if it was because she dreaded seeing Riddle or hoped to see Alphard. Kenneth entered about five minutes late, but with no sign of his dueling captain. When neither showed up, even a half hour in, she knew they wouldn't be coming. James also seemed apprehensive, his eyes jumping to the table nearly as often as hers did.
"What is up with him?" Merissa finally whispered to Abby, his jumpiness giving her second-hand anxiety on top of her own.
Abby bit the inside of her lip, looking across the table at James, who had just jolted his head towards the Slytherin table again as if he had a tick.
"Well you know how he gets some wild ideas sometimes, because of his sickness," Abby murmured back, her voice masked from his ears by the din of the table, "He warned me something was going to happen if you didn't stop, and he said you wouldn't listen. I wouldn't think anything of it; he's so convinced of these things and they never happen-"
"What is supposed to happen?" Merissa demanded. Abby didn't answer but continued to bite her lip and look down, "What Abby?"
"I - I don't know," she admitted, "He has trouble putting them into words. Only that it wasn't good . . . and it involved you - No Re!" she cried as Merissa leaped up onto her feet.
Merissa didn't listen, already having escaped halfway across the hall. She broke into a run once she reached the lonely stairs. Everyone was at dinner after all, there was no one to see her panic.
Almost everyone, she thought as the air seared her throat, making it to the fourth floor in a record time she could never hope to beat. She couldn't stand around and let things go their own pace anymore. The uncertainty ended tonight - either she could, or she couldn't.
She burst through the doors, finding it hard to be sorry as her sudden intrusion made him nearly topple off the desk he was lying across, enchanting the ceiling with silver swirls that lasted only moments. His magic was beautiful, but she couldn't be distracted by that now.
"Alphard," she gasped, "I need you to duel me."
He laughed uncomfortably, pushing himself off the desk to stand, "Isn't that what we've been doing?"
"No," she replied, already shoving the desks aside to clear them a space. This not moving quite fast enough for her, she started shoving them back telepathically, with flicks of her wrists. Alphard moved back hastily, not wishing to be in her path.
"You're not going to follow the proper guidelines. There won't be any easy back and forth. You won't tell me what you're going to do first. You're going to duel me, really duel me, like you want to win," she said breathily.
"Okay," he agreed, edging around a table to the clearing she was still enlarging, "So you do realize I am going to beat you every time? I'm not trying to be a prat, Re. But I'm much better than you."
She grinned, the space finally large enough for her liking, turning to him at last, "That's kind of the point isn't it? We're going to duel for as long it takes."
"As long as it takes to do what?" he asked, unsure if he wanted to know the answer. She had a maniacal gleam in her eyes that he had never seen before. She wasn't scared; that's all he could tell.
"Until I win," she said, leveling her wand with his chest. He hesitated, so she snapped, "Are you in or are you in?"
He stared at her a long time before answering with just one word.
"Expelliarmus."
She rolled to dodge his spell, as it had taken her off guard. Her face nearly on the floor, she slowly grinned. He was all in.