A/N: *Sniffle* You guys are so awesome! I've got so many follows, favorites, and reviews! Thanks PLENTY!
Sadly, I have some bad news for you. School's approaching [and it's comin fast! Aah! The horror!], and I'm gonna be BUSY! Of course, I'll still update, but . . . sadly, slower. *Sniffle*
Anyways, today's sunny, instead of all gloomy like last time, so . . . wipe the tears young ones!
Guesssss what?! The Poll, for what name should Voldemort's son name be, is still going! There's 4 choices now! I hope you'll vote!
Thanks Random Google and JoeCool989 for reviewing those names to me!
Also, remember how I said IHaveASparklyFace was awarded a character? Well, her name is Nikki! She is mentioned in this chapter. Don't worry, she'll come in person later . . .
Answer to the riddle is . . . 100!
Disclaimer: Hmm . . . let's see, I should buy that green/pink dress J. K Rowling wore, so I can be J. K! Uh, yeah, I'm too old to play dress up. Sadly, J.K Rowling is a [complete] different person.
MCat: Aww, the answer to the riddle isn't right, but I did update for ya! Hope Chapter 13 is considered a "great" chapter?
Ambrosia-Ilektra: Hehe, sorry! I have a bad habit doing that . . . Thanks though!
IHaveASparklyFace: -_- Ugh. And, you actually did. . . remember the Mini Chapter 12? About the poll? I was hoping it wouldn't do that, but whatevs.
equestrain2011: Aah! Yeah, bad habit of mine-_-.
xXallegedangelXx: Hahaha! Hilarious! Hmm . . . you just gave me an idea;) Love your review! Full of ideas! I always wondered what people thought after the read the chapter! So, thanks for telling me. And they give me a lot of ideas, too! Just, A LOT of Thanks! :D Aah! *shudder* The Spoon?! Oh, please, spare me! I even wrote the chapter for you! *Sighs with relief*. Hehe;)
Might Ruler of Gummi Bears: That's because I'm awesome, of course. Hehe;) And, yep, got the riddle right!
JessicaMoonbeam: Thank you!
Love2Read: Hehe;) I love action! Haha! XD And, let's see if you're right!
Chapter 13
Hermione yelped out in surprise, and barely had time to stuff the book under the covers. And, at the door, stood no other than Harry and Draco.
"See? I told you she's fine." An annoyed voice came from behind them.
Worried that Tom would see the books from the future, Hermione quickly fumbled, "Er- guys, I'll see you later." She gave the slightest nod to Tom, and reluctantly Harry and Draco backed up.
Hermione shut the door- and locked it. She felt kind of bad, shutting them out, but, it wasn't safe with Tom there, too. She knew the reason they barged in, was because she . . . well, disappeared! Vanished from Hogsmeade, didn't return for the meeting, so of course they were worried sick. But, she'll explain everything later. Today was-.
Hermione's eyes widened. Today was Christmas! Oh, how could she have forgotten?! 'Maybe 'cause I was too busy trying not to get killed,' Hermione thought, half-sarcastic. She looked at her closed closet, where she had stashed all the presents for her friends. Hermione sighed. She would have to give them later.
She glanced at her bed, where the presents were piled up.
After making up her mind, Hermione made her way back to the Gaunt book. This book was special to her. She had found it in Hogwarts, with Dumbledore's handwriting in it. Before, she had no idea what Dumbledore was writing about. Before she could research about it, however, she had to change tasks and needed to help Harry. And now, this book just might help a lot. And answer many questions. Hermione started reading.
GAUNT FAMILY
The Gaunts were purebloods, descendents of Salazar Slytherin. Their race was thought to be ended in the year 1943. The last three Gaunts were Marvolo, Morfin, and Merope. They lived in a shack, a little ways of a muggle village. This village was owned by the Riddles.
Morfin noticed that Merope was always looking at one particular muggle- Tom Riddle, their enemy. Angered, he beat her, then hexed Tom.
When a Ministry worker came to investigate if the Gaunts had used magic in front/on muggles, Marvolo and Morfin acted violent. The ministry worker escaped, and came back with more workers. They surrounded Marvolo and Morfin, and after a small fight, they managed to send them to Azkaban.
Marvolo had a sentence of 6 months, while Morfin had a sentence of 3 years. Merope was left in the shack.
Merope, who was finally free with her abusive father and brother, finally was able to do whatever she liked. She brewed up a love potion, and somehow managed to make Tom drink it. Merope wrote a letter to Marvolo and Morfin, then she and Tom both ran away and married.
Marvolo returned to the shack, thinking that Merope was still there, but instead found a letter. After he knew what Merope had done, he had a small heart attack, causing him to die early in life.
Meanwhile, Merope became pregnant. After a while, she decided to stop giving Tom the love potion, in hope that Tom was really in love with her, and that he wouldn't leave her or the child. Either way, she was wrong. When Tom found out, he immediately fled, terrified.
Back at the village, Tom said he was forced to marry Merope, which was only half the truth. He didn't say the real truth, thinking that the villagers wouldn't believe it and think he was mental. He lived back with his parents in the Manor.
All alone, Merope managed to end up in a muggle Orphanage, where she gave birth to a boy, on Christmas. She named him Tom Marvolo Riddle, after the boy's father and grandfather. Soon after, she died.
Meanwhile, Morfin came back to the shack, learning what his sister had done, and that both sister and father were dead. Morfin went into deep anger and depression. He hated the Riddles and his sister. He always thought his sister killed Marvolo. Morfin continued to stay in the shack.
Tom Marvolo Riddle had originated the skills of the Gaunts. He could speak Parseltongue, and was a wizard. Albus Dumbledore, a teacher at Hogwarts, arrived at the Orphanage, to speak to Tom. Tom attended Hogwarts, and like the Gaunts, was selected in Slytherin, and was interested in the Dark Arts.
When Tom was roughly 17, he ordered a Basilisk to kill a muggle-born, Myrtle. Though, Remues Hagrid was accused.
Just a few days on Christmas Eve, Hermione Lucretia Black, a pure-blood witch, found out that that Tom was the murderer, and not Hagrid. She accompanied him to Hogsmeade, where they actually left and apparated to the Gaunt Shack.
At first, Morfin threatened Tom, thinking he was Tom Sr. After a short conversation, Tom learned about his mother and father. At that time though, he did not know about the love potion. Instead, he thought Tom Sr. left because Merope was a witch- which was only half-true. Angered that his father would leave a helpless woman, Tom barged into the Riddle Manor, where his two grandparents and father were.
Their conversation was quick and ended violently. At the end of their talk, Tom Jr. killed Mary and Thomas with the killing curse. Hermione tried to stop Tom Jr. in killing Tom Sr. as well, but Tom stunned her.
Tom Jr. then killed Tom Sr.
Tom Jr. quickly apparated with Hermione to the Gaunt Shack, returned Morfin's wand, and apparated back to Hogsmeade.
The Ministry accused Morfin, who admitted he did kill the Riddles because they stole his father's most prized passion: a ring. He received a life-sentence in Azkaban, and passed away within the walls.
Later though, it is found out that after Tom stunned Morfin, he took Morfin's wand and ring, and also tampered with Morfin's mind. By then, Morfin was already dead, and Tom was out of Hogwarts.
And that was the end of the Gaunt Family.
Hermione took a deep breath and read it again. And again. And again.
A million thoughts went to Hermione's mind, and each one she couldn't believe.
She sighed, cleared her thoughts, closed her eyes, and sat there for a few minutes. She had learned this from her father, to keep herself calm, and think better.
Hermione opened her eyes- and the thoughts came back to Hermione. Though, more slowly.
Merope used a love potion. So, it wasn't completely Tom's fault. Apparently, he already was in love, and Merope used the potion . . . Hermione felt a sudden urge to strangle Merope. Why did she have to fall in love with Tom Riddle Sr., because of his looks?! Of course Tom would run away!
Tom Jr. had thought it was all his dad's fault, of leaving Merope because she was a witch . . . Hermione's eyes widened. That's why he hated muggles so much! It was because of his past! Clearly, he had gone to the Shack, to learn more about his family and history.
Hermione closed her eyes, and recalled Tom's outburst: "Filthy muggles! Wizards and Witches are better than you! And yet, you treat them like mud! You've forced them to hide their powers, to look like muggles! Do you know, how many wizards and witches are tormented each day? Do you know how many of them, just wish to whip out their wands and kill the muggles? But they don't. Why? Because they aren't allowed to! Well, now, that's all going to change! Wizards and Witches have been hiding way too long. I shall lead them to power, to freedom, and it will be you- you hear me?! YOU! You muggles will bow down before us, instead of us bowing to you! We will!"
Tom had left out hints on his past in his message, without knowing it. He must have been 'treated like mud', was 'forced to hide his powers', 'to look like muggles', was 'tormented each day', 'wished to whip out his wand and kill muggles,' . . . but he didn't. And, he's decided to change it. Now, he has decided to become the new Dark Lord.
Hermione frowned. Then . . . why did he create these meeting with Death Eaters, and Horcruxes? Was there a different reason? Was he . . . could it be true? Was he actually not planning to become a Dark Lord? But why? He was a master at Dark Arts. Grindelwald could have helped him even.
Hermione sighed. More questions to answer.
And . . . it must have been Tom who had put Hermione back into her room. Her eye's widened. Which meant he put her back in her bed last time, too! The time, when she was so tired after Harry's lessons and the meeting. She had collapsed onto the couch, and Tom must have dragged her into her room.
Hermione jumped up, and rushed to her cabinet. She moved the scrolls and paper outside, and sighed with relief when she saw the Felix potion was still there. Foolishly, she had not locked the cabinet. She did so, but she was still confused. Tom could have taken it. But, he didn't.
After Hermione checked her whole room, she found out that Tom took nothing. He didn't even browse around. But why? A very confused Hermione plopped onto her bed.
There was another huge question that kept on nagging her. The book mentioned Hermione Lucretia Black. And last time Hermione read the book, the name was mentioned nowhere. How could it be?
Hermione glanced at the book again. She was going to have to ask Ginny.
Hermione suddenly remembered Tom telling her that he would leave after Christmas morning. Which meant, after breakfast. She glanced at the clock, and was clearly surprised. It was very early morning.
Hermione locked up the book, and sat down, peering at the presents. She grinned like a mad ma- no, like a mad woman.
She had gotten new books from Ginny, Harry, and Ron, with an addition of Honeydukes candy. Lavender gave Hermione make-up. Draco's gift was Hermione last Christmas gift, a muggle poem book, with a note that said, 'I don't understand a bloody word of this! Do muggles speak a different language?! Last time I checked, their language status was English. I was about to rip the book to shreds, but I thought it would also be a nice Christmas gift to you. Have to return the favor, unfortunately. ~Draco'
Hermione had rolled her eyes, chuckling.
Alice and Ashley both gave her cards, a book, and candy. Though, one gift Hermione was impressed by, was from a girl named Nikki. She must have been Lucretia's best, best friend. It was a book of Quidditch tactics, and broom. Obviously, Nikki was rich. Hermione would have to meet this girl. After all, she was Lucretia's friend.
Though, the most surprising gift was from Tom Riddle, himself. It was just a plain black card, with the just one single golden word: Thanks. Even still, Hermione was shocked.
Hermione, now, got up clearing away the gift wrap. She spotted a yellow ribbon under the bed. Hermione got down on all fours, and pulled the ribbon. Though, it was heavier than Hermione thought it would be. Too heavy.
Hermione lay flat on the floor, and peered under the bed, slowly pulling the ribbon. The ribbon was connected to another present.
'It must have fell down by mistake,' Hermione thought, sitting up-right. The gift was small, with yellow ribbons, and green gift wrap. Neatly tucked into the ribbons, was a small note.
Hermione read the words, completely confused. 'I knew you would want this. I'm sorry for giving it so late.'
Hermione hesitated, debating to open it, or not. Curiosity took over her, and she ripped the present. She uncovered a small, maroon jewelry box. She opened the top, and gasped in shock.
It was a locket. The locket. It shined, with a golden S engraved on the locket. Shaking, Hermione held the locket to her face. That was when she noticed something small sticking out of the locket.
She slowly opened it up, revealing a beautiful woman, and a note fell on the ground. Hermione had no time to think or read the note, because just then, the world turned black.
A/N: Hmm, the chapter is kinda a filler. Ehh, hope you still like it though. ;)
If you have any questions that I haven't clarified [sometimes I forget, sorry!], please review them to me! I'll make sure to put them in the chapter.
Anyways, Riddle of the Day!
If three cats catch three mice in three minutes, how many cats would be needed to catch 100 mice in 100 minutes?
Please review your thoughts and answers! I always like to hear from ya guys!
Also, make sure to check out the poll and vote! Thanks guys! :D