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Everyone else was asleep. Cedrella's words still echoed in her mind, and Eileen felt more troubled than she had ever before. Her decision had seemed so sure, so obvious…but the things Cedrella had said…she felt like a door had been opened, and more and more doubts were coming from that door and creeping into her. She felt alone in a way she had never experienced. The doubts were too big, merging together to form all kinds of questions and problems. Eileen took a deep breath, and decided to worry about everything when the time came.
Meanwhile, Tom was writing in his journal. He only did it when he knew nobody else was awake, because he knew how nosy people could be. And he didn't like nosy people.
He had decided to start the journal last year. Not only for the future, the still distant but closer future where he knew people would hold him as the greatest wizard ever, and would probably like to read about his youth and his brilliant thoughts, but also to keep his very busy mind organized. He had everything planned, from future Death Eaters, to research about his family, to the Chamber of Secrets operation. Come to think of it, he should start working on that. If Eileen was one of his own, he was left with Rubeus Hagrid. But he still had to actually visit the Chamber. He decided to do so in a few days. And he might just bring Eileen with him, so she could start to get acquainted with his world…
The next day, Eileen was getting ready to go down and have breakfast. She didn't know whether Cedrella would come with her or not…She hadn't sounded like she was cross with her, but Eileen knew she was hurt. She couldn't find her in the common room, and as she sat in one of the couches, she saw Alphard Black coming through the portrait. He didn't seem to notice her. Eileen spoke in a small voice:
"Alphard?"
He turned to her, and smiled.
"Oh, hey. Why aren't you having breakfast?"
"I'm waiting for Cedrella, do you know where she is?"
He shrugged, and came over to sit on the couch in front of her. She noticed that he, like every Black family member, had black hair, longer than most boys', hanging down to meet his jaw; he had defined, carved features; his eyes were a misty gray, and he had a rough stubble. She hadn't paid much attention to his face the previous day, and the realization that he was very good-looking made her blush a bit.
"I've no idea. You alright?" he said, looking at her. This made her blush even more.
"Sure. I'm going to go look for her, see you."
"Wait, I'll come with you." He said, with the same smile on his face that looked like it never went away.
"You've been my best cousin's best friend for years and we had never met. Come to think of it, I don't think I know your name." They were out of the common room, making their way to the Great Hall.
"Eileen Prince. I didn't know you until yesterday because she hates talking about the family."
He nodded.
"Same with me. And I might know where she is. If today's Wednesday…"
"…and it is…"
"…then she's with Weasley, in the second floor."
Eileen sighted.
"So they really are seeing each other?"
"Yeah, they are. Why, don't you like him?"
"I don't know him…" she lowered her voice, despite there not being anyone else in the cold corridor.
"Just the things people say of him."
Black nodded, and smiled even wider.
"Yeah, I know. I think it's great, now that makes me less of a black sheep."
Eileen laughed a bit, not sure why.
"Seriously, mum's been saying as soon as I finished school, she'd kick me out. At least this way she might keep me in for some more time. If I stick to a life of not talking, that is…"
Eileen laughed some more. She felt lighter, as if last night's uncertainties were lifted from her.
"Hey, you should come over to our place sometime. You could spend the holidays there, I'm sure no one will mind."
"I don't know…Cedrella's never invited me…"
"That's because she's embarrassed, but…don't take this the wrong way. I don't think you'd care about the things our parents say."
She frowned.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
He lifted his hands, as if defending himself.
"I don't mean it in a bad way. I just think you're used to that sort of environment. You know, Pureblood and all…"
She conceded, still unsure.
"Yeah, I guess so…"
He nodded. There was an uneasy silence between them for a while, except for the sound of their footsteps.
"Is it bad? I mean, for you?" she asked. He shrugged again.
"I don't really care, as long as everyone's happy, personal beliefs don't matter."
She nodded, and thought.
"But yours are different, right? Like Cedrella's…you don't feel like you fit in with the rest of us."
"Yeah…I guess you can say I've got my own mind about right and wrong."
They walked in silence, until they reached their destination. He said bye, leaving for class. She still had to have breakfast, so she went into the Hall. Cedrella was sitting in their table alone.
"Thought you were with Weasley."
Her friend looked up.
"I was, but he's having class now. Eaten yet?"
"Nop."
They ate in silence, enjoying each other's company.
At the end of the day, Eileen was leaving her Gobstones meeting in the library. She felt her arm burn, and gasped. Not wanting to be seen by anyone in the floor, she ran, instinctively, clutching her arm. She didn't know where she was going, all she felt was her arm, like all the pain of the world was focused on her arm, and the urge to go somewhere she didn't even know. Her feet stopped. She was still massaging her arm, and looked around to find she was in the girls' bathroom in the second floor. From one of the cubicles, a door opened and Tom came out.
"Hello Eileen. There is something I need to show you."
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