Author's Note: Another installment of the Riddle Me This AU world.
Disclaimer: Hmm…come on! You know they aren't mine.
'telepathy or mind-to-mind.'
ss,parseltongue,ss
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Riddle Me This 04
By Renatus
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Croy wasn't at home at the end of the summer that Harry got his Hogwarts letter, the day of Harry's eleventh birthday. He had taken a job that held some urgency, and was eyeing the size of a rather vexed dragon hovering over a small clutch of eggs the moment that the Boy-Who-Lived finally got his letter. Croy heard all about it when he returned, but only allowed a small thought of the boy while he faced down a peeved Welsh Green.
While not as violently vicious as the Hungarian Horntail, an overprotective mother dragon was certainly something to avoid if one could. The problem was that the Welsh mare had decided to lay her clutch in the middle of Stonehenge.
Croy couldn't for the life of him figure out the dragon's reasoning in this location, it was nearly constantly swarmed with people, and only the night time offered any amount of opportunity for a dragon to swoop in to lay eggs. He would have thought that the creature would be a bit more picky about her locales.
"This should be fun." A red-headed wizard said from his side. Croy glanced over to the Weasley, finding the young man smirking up at the hackled dragon. If Clay didn't know any better, he would have sworn that Charlie Weasley was actually serious about the fun part. Barely out of Hogwarts, the second Weasley son was youthfully excited about the prospect of Dragon Handling and the joys that came with it. Croy thought the boy slightly mad.
'You should have left me at home.' Riddle said shortly.
"Then go home." Croy replied softly. The raven puffed up its feathers indignantly, digging his talons into his shoulder painfully.
"Pardon?" Charlie asked, turning to him. Croy shook his head, and pointed to the bird perched on his shoulder, "Just talking to the fur-ball."
Charlie barked out a laugh, and Croy ignored the insults rolling into his mind from the bird. It continually irked him that no one else ever heard a word of the raven's speech. Only Croy could hear the telepathic words of the once Dark Lord. The second irritating point was that Croy could not speak telepathically back. He had to speak aloud in order for Riddle to hear him. It made for some interesting conversations, especially if anyone was around to hear Croy seemingly talking to himself.
"How are the boys?" Charlie asked. "Laurie is what, three now?"
"Four, actually." Croy said, thinking of his son. "Though I swear he's still in his terrible twos, the way he acts most of the time. Sirius is a bad influence on him."
Charlie laughed, and Croy glanced over at him with a smile. Sirius had made it his life's ambition to teach Harry and Laurence all he knew about being a Marauder, and the two boys had taken to his lessons like fish in water. Croy was generally amused by it all, having always appreciated a good prank even though he rarely participated in them. His wife, on the other hand, seemed to expect a slightly more refined behavior from the boys, especially Sirius. Croy doubted that Emmeline would ever manage to bring Sirius in line, but he figured that Harry and Laurie's manners might still be salvageable.
"Let's go!" a stocky older wizard called. Charlie trotted over to him, his wand already in his hand. Croy followed at a more sedate pace, falling in behind the half a dozen other wizards – and one witch – his wand held loosely in his left hand as he leaned on the cane to his right. He ignored the skeptical looks the others gave him. Few ever believed that he could do anything useful with a cane in his hand. Croy rarely bothered to voice the truth of the matter, and let his actions speak for him. The mangled leg and cane rarely stopped him from accomplishing whatever mission he faced. He could fight a Dark Lord with it, he could face an irritated dragon without any trouble.
"Liam Croyus, right?" the stocky wizard asked, eyeing Croy's cane. Croy nodded. "You come highly recommended, Dumbledore said you have faced a dragon before. Is that truth?"
Croy nodded again. "Three young Welsh's flew into the Hogwarts grounds last spring, we had to re-route them from staking out their territory in the middle of the Quidditch pitch."
The man chuckled. "I'm Marcus Leland." He introduced himself, not bothering to offer his hand while he kept one wary eye on the dragon in the middle of the ring of stones. "Think you could distract her while we net her and the eggs?"
Croy nodded and tapped his wand against his cane three times. The cane morphed and turned into a sleek looking broom. It was one of Croy's more useful tricks. It took him years to get the two objects to interlink with each other.
Charlie grinned at the broom, having seen that trick before. Croy took off into the air, Riddle flying in a distant circle around the area. While an angry dragon may be a challenge to face, a group of Dragon Handlers facing a single Welsh Green, even with a clutch, would be an easy task, no matter Croy's unofficial status as a Handler and the presence of their newest Apprentice, the young Weasley.
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"What's left on the list?" Croy asked, leaning on his cane and looking over Harry's shoulder at the length of parchment.
"A wand, and a pet." Harry said, folding the paper back up and slipping it into his jeans pocket. Croy nodded and pointed to the Magical Menagerie across the street from them with the length of his cane. Harry smiled up at him and headed in that direction. Croy followed the boy, now eleven and going to Hogwarts, into the animal shop. He almost couldn't believe that Harry was already of the age for Hogwarts. It had gone so fast.
"Do I have to choose between the three listed?" Harry asked.
"It is the rules." Croy said, glancing around the shop. "We already have an owl. Hedwig will deliver letters for you while you are at school. So you can have a rat or a toad."
Harry scowled at him, and Croy smirked back, knowing that Harry didn't have any particular fondness for either type of creature. While Croy wouldn't straight out and say it, he would personally let the boy choose which type of familiar he wanted, no matter its species. He rather figured that Harry knew that, which was why he let the boy browse through the shop on his own while he waited near the door and ignored Riddle's attempts at conversation.
Harry returned with a grin on his face and holding a small green lizard in his hand. Croy raised an eyebrow at the reptile, and shook his head slightly as he pulled a few galleons from the money pouch on his belt. Harry's grin got wider as he took the galleons to the clerk and paid for his new familiar.
Croy led Harry out of the Menagerie, eyeing the little lizard curled up beneath the boy's collar with minor amusement. The clerk hadn't been sure, but suspected that the lizard, while largely Mundane, had some magical aspects to it. Watching it change colors slightly to blend in with Harry's shirt color, Croy had to agree.
"What will you name him?" Croy asked as they made their way down the alley towards the Wandmaker's.
"I'm not sure, what do you think?"
Croy shrugged with one shoulder, as was his habit, "He changes color, did you know?"
"Really?" Harry asked, turning his head and trying to spot the small lizard on his shoulder. "What color is he now?"
"The same color as your shirt."
"Heh. Wicked." Harry said, petting the lizard and giving up trying to see it.
"What about Spas?" Harry asked.
"Spas?"
"Yeah, like Sir Spasdosas Dell."
"The spell crafter?" Croy asked, having heard about the man from Harry on more than one occasion. Harry had found a biography on the man and had become incredibly intrigued by him and his work.
"Yeah!" Harry said, "I'll call him Sir Spasdosas, or just Spas for short."
"Sounds like it'll fit." Croy said eying the lizard as he held the door open to Ollivander's for Harry.
"Will the Headmaster let me keep him at the school?" Harry asked a bit worriedly.
"I'm sure we can work something out with Albus." Croy said. "He lets me bring Riddle into the school, after all."
'I heard that.' Riddle snapped. Croy didn't respond to the telepathic bird, instead eyeing the old man hovering behind the door, and inching his way closer to Harry's back. Croy turned to face the old man straight on, causing Ollivander to stop rather suddenly and stare back at him. Croy smothered the urge to raise an eyebrow at him.
"Mr. Ollivander." Croy said, hearing the mixed Russian and British accents taint his voice. The accent had become second nature to him. He didn't even think of it anymore, hadn't for years. He even still swore in Russian, much to Sirius' amusement.
"Good morning, Mr. Croyus." Ollivander said, "Ashwood and Augurey feather, ten and a quarter inches." Croy gave the man a nod, feeling the length of gray wood in his pocket. "A most unusual wand." Ollivander commented, his eyes narrowed at him. Croy didn't respond. Ollivander made the same comment every time they saw each other since Croy had bought the wand from the man ten years ago. He was somewhat intrigued that Ollivander had never brought out the Holly and Pheonix feather wand for him to try, but the Ashwood wand had suited him well, and Croy was pleased with it.
"You keep it in good condition, I hope." Ollivander said, eyeing Harry as the boy turned on his heel to take in the sneaky wizard.
"Of course." Croy said.
Ollivander nodded curtly then looked down the length of him with an intent eye. "You do realize that your robes are singed."
Croy sighed, and glanced down at his charred robes. He was pretty sure that he could still smell the ash and smoke from the dragon's fire that had nearly taken him off his broom. As it was he got away with a good length of his robes burned into ash. "Got a little close to a nesting dragon this morning, I'm afraid."
Ollivander watched him a moment more, and Croy was sure the old man was amused, though it was hard to tell. Ollivander turned suddenly to Harry, causing the boy to start a bit at the sudden attention.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, not chasing the alley strays today I see."
Harry flushed slightly, remembering the occasion quite clearly. So did Croy, who was fighting his amusement fiercely. Harry had been nearly ten at the time, and with them living in a flat above Diagon Alley, it was inevitable that they all were in the alley itself often. Most of the shopkeepers knew the family quite well, and Harry had a reputation for chasing a scruffy looking hound down the length of the alley and back while on his bicycle – only because Croy wouldn't let the boy fly his broom in the alleys.
Of course the 'stray' Ollivander mentioned was in actuality Sirius in his animagus form. Ollivander had nearly been bowled over by the two the summer before, and Sirius had at some point ended up crashing into three tables at Fortesque's Ice Cream Parlour. Croy still had no idea how his godfather had managed it. Fortesque's was across the street from Ollivander's and nearly a block away.
"We left the stray at home." Croy said with a small smirk. "Harry needs his wand, Mr. Ollivander, if you'd please. We have a birthday to celebrate tonight."
"Happy birthday, Mr. Potter." Ollivander said as he nodded curtly to Croy.
"Thank you, sir." Harry replied.
Croy watched with minor interest as Harry suffered through the measuring, slightly amused by the cross-eyed look the boy had as he tried to focus on the tape measure stretched across the bridge of his nose. As soon as the tape fell to the floor in a heap, Harry eyed it warily and pushed his glasses back up where they belonged.
The wand choosing process was much the same as Croy remembered his own being – both times. He had dug the old memory out the depths of his mind the day prior, curious about the first timeline's handling of the event. He hadn't thought of his first few years at Hogwarts in a long time, letting the faded, distant memories sit buried in the fog that covered his other life.
He could pull them out when he sought them now, yet they were not readily accessible to him in his everyday tasks. He had to meditate to find them and dig them into his consciousness, then fight the tide as the rest of them tried to surface. It was most peculiar, not being able to readily remember his childhood, the first twenty-seven years of his life. In some ways it was like it was someone else's life, yet he knew it to be his own.
Harry waved a wand, eliciting a fall of golden sparks, bringing Croy out of his musings.
"Holly and phoenix feather," Ollivander said, eyeing Harry speculatively, "Curious, most curious."
"What's curious?" Harry asked.
"Hmm." Ollivander said, shaking his head and taking a step away from them. "Ask your uncle, child."
Croy was surprised at the response. He had not expected the man to direct Harry to another source, not answering the curious question. Harry looked between Ollivander and Croy, slightly confused, before settling on his uncle. Croy pulled his narrowed gaze away from the irritating wand-maker and met Harry's eyes.
"Mr. Ollivander, which phoenix donated the feather within that wand?" Croy asked, eyeing the familiar wand in the boy's hand.
"I do believe that it is the Headmaster's familiar at the moment." Ollivander said, turning away from them and beginning to stack the boxes of rejected wands. Croy watched the man for a moment before sighing and pulling out the galleons for the wand. He left them on the counter as the man disappeared into the shelving and ushered Harry out the door into the alley.
"Uncle Liam, what did he mean?" Harry asked, sticking his new wand in his back pocket.
"I'll tell you when we get home." Croy said, limping alongside his counterpart back to their flat. It was past time that Harry was told more; about the prophesy, about Croy's past life. Croy recalled a long ago conversation with his Headmaster when Croy was finally told of the prophesy, that Albus had cared for him too much, that he hadn't wanted to take his childhood from him, that he had already gone through so much and Albus didn't want to add to his burdens. Croy remembered the anger he had had at the long delay in the knowledge of the prophesy. He remembered the years of wondering if knowing sooner would have changed things, saved more lives, killed Voldemort faster.
Croy did not wish to live vicariously through Harry, but he did not want to repeat old mistakes. He and Sirius had decided years ago that eleven would be a good age for some of the heavier information. It was information that Harry should know going into Hogwarts, no matter that one of his uncles would be there with him.
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The twenty-third of August dawned chilly and the alleys were covered in an early fog. Croy sat in his usual chair on the balcony off the flat's living room, watching the sun rise over London's skyline through the slowly dispersing fog. The flat's other residents were still asleep, though Croy knew that Emmeline would rise soon, her stomach calling for food to nourish her and the growing child within her. Croy would have to rearrange some of the flat's rooms to make space for the new addition to their family before winter. He was considering finishing the third floor attic space for Harry. The boy would likely appreciate the large space for himself, even if he would only inhabit it through the summers.
"Morning, Liam." His wife said, coming to stand behind him on the balcony. Emmeline dropped a kiss on his cheek as he smiled up at her.
"Morning." He said, eying the loose house robe over her nightdress that barely disguised her growing belly.
"Augusta wanted us at the manor by one, remember." She said, returning to the flat.
"I remember." He said, following his wife. "Sirius is taking Harry out this morning to buy him a new broom."
"I don't know why," Emmeline said, "He can't take it with him to Hogwarts."
"You never know." Croy said, "Maybe he'll make the team."
Emmeline gave him a look, and he held his hands up in surrender. "First years are not allowed to fly for the school teams." She said, "No matter that they're a celebrity or not."
"Yes I know." Croy said, not bothering to contradict her. She was correct, the school rules clearly stated that the first years were not allowed to bring a broom, nor try out for their house teams. Despite Croy's vague memories about his own first year at Hogwarts, he knew that Harry's may turn out to be very different. And as one of the boy's guardians, he felt a certain bit of protectiveness that made him hesitant to allow Harry to even try to fly for the school team. Croy knew how dangerous Quidditch could be, especially with the way he flew.
"You better get the boys up, Liam." Emmeline said as she pulled out bread and tea for breakfast. "Sirius and Harry should get an early start else they'll never make the party on time."
The morning passed quickly for the household, and with Sirius and Harry out, and Emmeline giving Laurence reading lessons, Croy was able to work on his lesson plans for his classes. By the time Sirius and Harry returned near one o' clock with a shiny new Nimbus 2000 broomstick, Laurence and Croy had begun a game of exploding snap in the living room with Regulus prompting Laurence through the game.
Emmeline ushered them all into the fireplace shortly after, giving each of the guys a thorough inspection of their clothing and attempting to make Harry's hair lay flat. Sirius apparated with Laurence first, and as they disappeared, Croy pulled Emmeline and Harry close to him. Riddle was perched on his shoulder, digging his claws into his skin.
"Don't you dare flood my kitchen while we're gone, Regulus." Emmeline warned the ghost floating in the corner. Regulus simply smirked at her behind his skull mask and floated up through the ceiling. Emmeline scowled after the ghost, and turned to Croy.
"Really, Croy." Emmeline said. "I am perfectly able to apparate on my own."
"Emma, love." He said, wrapping his arm around her, "You are five months pregnant. Molly specifically said that after five months you should not apparate by your own powers."
Emmeline looked at him with some defiance. She didn't like the safety restrictions suggested by their midwife. Molly was admittedly a bit cautious, but Croy was just fine with being a little overprotective of his wife and unborn child, even if Emmeline chafed a bit against their care.
Emmeline sighed and wrapped her arms around his stomach, not deigning to respond verbally. Croy smiled at her, gripped Harry's shoulder, and apparated them all out of the flat.
They appeared in the large receiving room of the Longbottom's family manor, with Sirius and Laurence waiting for them at the doorway. Croy glanced around at the opulence displayed in the marble and carved woodwork of the room, reminded somewhat of the Potter's manor in Godric's Hollow. While they didn't use the manor, Croy and Sirius had spent quite a lot of time repairing the damages done to it.
Croy spotted Augusta Longbottom standing in the middle, equally capable of greeting her guests from either the apparation point or the large fireplace on the opposite wall. Augusta looked the three over with some surprise before settling her eyes on Harry.
"Oh good, you're here." Augusta said. "Neville is in his room." She said, looking at the boy pointedly. Harry got the hint and left the receiving room with a nod at the older woman. Croy shook his head slightly, bemused at Augusta's actions before turning to the woman with all courtesy, taking her hand and bowing over it with a murmured greeting.
Augusta smiled at him with approval, and turned to Emmeline. "Mrs. Croyus-Black," she said with a nod, "Welcome again to my home."
"Thank you, Mrs. Longbottom." Emmeline said, perfectly comfortable with the noble traditions of high Wizarding society, "I am honored by your invitation."
Augusta nodded at them again and led them from the room. Sirius and Laurence joined them, and they all headed towards the grand hall. Augusta left them there, returning to the receiving room, no doubt to properly welcome the rest of her guests.
Croy paused in the doorway as a smartly dressed house elf announced their arrival. Heads turned to peer at them, and Croy took the time to identify those he knew. It was surprisingly many, and half of those in the room made him distinctly uncomfortable. With Voldemort's many years absence, most of the higher society had returned to their social traditions, and leaving out a family at such an important gala as the one Augusta was hosting was considered quite the insult, no matter their alliances.
Croy escorted Emmeline on his left, limping slightly with the use of his cane and Riddle's weight on his shoulder. Laurence stuck to Sirius' side, the both of them muffling their laughter at whatever nonsense Sirius was whispering to the boy. Croy kept only half an eye on his son, more to make sure the boy behaved than concerned for his safety. He knew that Sirius would protect him if the need arose, and Croy also knew that Sirius, while appearing nonchalant and unconcerned, had noticed the Death Eater families amongst the crowded hall.
Croy let Emmeline subtly guide them into the hall, spotting her father and sister nearby. Lord Nolan was dressed smartly, his red robes trimmed with grey colored celtic knotwork. His youngest daughter, Nanette was by his side, dressed similarly, though with white lacework up her chest and around her sleeves. They made an impressive pair, though they were hardly the most extravagant amongst the hall full of nobles.
"Emmeline, dear, how are you?" Nolan asked, greeting his daughter with a kiss on her cheek.
Emmeline returned it with a smile, "Well father, and you?"
oooOoooOoooOooo
A/N: And another scene I'm not particularly in the mood to write out…
( Enter confrontation with the Malfoy's. Esp. Harry, Neville & Draco. )
oooOoooOoooOooo
Sirius took the morning off from his job in the Ministry's Auror Department to see Harry and Croy off to Hogwarts. Emmeline and Laurence joined them as well. Sirius had Laurie on his back, the boy's arms circling his neck tightly as Sirius bounded through the train station, sending the four-year-old into peels of laughter. Croy escorted Emmeline behind Sirius and Harry, her arm linked through his own. He left his left side open, only holding his cane loosely in his hand, wary of their surroundings so that he could draw his wand quickly if it would be needed. His instincts were harder to suppress than his memories.
"Well, Harry," Sirius started, throwing an arm around the boy, and talking through Laurie's laughing. "Ready for the sorting? You know you have to wrestle a troll, right?"
Harry threw Sirius's arm off his shoulder, giving the man a look. "I do not. Bill and Charlie may be able to trick Ron and Neville into that for a while, but I know that no troll is involved, thanks."
"Ah. You sure about that?" Sirius said, winking at the boy.
"Yes." Harry said shortly.
"You may not have to wrestle a troll for the sorting," Croy said nonchalantly, "But it is on the first year's final exams for Defense."
Harry paused, staring at him as they continued walking towards the platform. Croy glanced back at him, hiding his smirk and looking at the boy with a mixture of concern and curiosity.
"It isn't." Harry said, jogging to catch up to them, pushing the trolly with his trunk ahead of him. Croy simply looked at him, his face carefully blank. "Is it?"
"Liam!" Emmeline scolded, smacking his arm. Croy gave her a sheepish look. Harry stared at him a moment before glaring at him.
"There's no troll!" he said, his green eyes narrowed. Croy just shrugged, smiling at the boy, and then laughing as Sirius looked at him as if he had grown a second head.
"Did you just pull a prank?" Sirius asked, staring at him. "You did! You pranked him! I'm so proud of you!" Sirius jumped over to him, dislodging Emmeline from his arm and engulfing him in a rough hug. Laurence squealed at the motions, his arms squeezing Sirius's neck and shoulders. Croy stumbled slightly at the sudden movement, snarling silently at the man.
"Get off." Croy said, hitting Sirius's knee with his cane. His godfather jumped away from him as quickly as he had jumped towards him, nursing one leg and giving Croy hurt looks. Croy ignored him, taking his wife's arm again and keeping one eye on the man.
"She's expecting, you klutz." Croy growled at him. Sirius stuck his tongue out at him, prompting Laurence to do the same. Croy sighed, rolling his eyes at the two as they laughed at him, thinking how they were both likely lost causes. He just hoped he'd have enough time to save his son from his godfather's idea of fun.
"My apologies, my dear Lady." Sirius said, bowing before her at his waist. Laurie giggled as he started to slide towards the ground. Sirius quickly stood upright again, catching the child from falling.
Emmeline shook her head at him and waved him away, chuckling lightly as she placed her hand over the bulge of her stomach.
"You're worse than Sirius." Harry grumbled at him. "People expect Sirius to pull a prank."
Croy laughed, watching as Sirius started whispering at Laurie and giving Croy a look that promised revenge. Croy shook his head at him.
"Don't corrupt my son." Emmeline warned. Sirius gave her an innocent look, that really just made him look more suspicious, and slipped through the barrier with a jaunty little wave.
Croy watched the two disappear and then nodded to Harry. Harry pushed his cart and trunk toward the wall, and disappeared as he walked through the barrier to Platform nine and three quarters.
"Shall we, my dear?" Croy asked, gesturing in the general direction of the barrier. Emmeline nodded imperiously and Croy walked them both onto the platform smiling at her.
The platform was crowded with people; parents and families and Hogwarts students already in their school robes, some even with the pointy black hat on their heads. The cacophony of sounds and conversation rolled over the platform, only slightly muffled by the thin fog of the morning. Sirius and Laurie were guiding Harry towards the Hogwarts Express, dodging around the milling crowds dramatically, causing no few parents – and students – to glare after them in disapproval. Croy could hear Laurie's cries of glee, even as they three troublemakers got farther away.
"I'm beginning to think it may be rather hopeless." Croy said, watching as Sirius narrowly missed running over a first year, causing Harry to nearly crash into the man with the trolly.
"I'm still holding out hope." Emmeline said with a sigh. "There is still the option of locking Sirius away in a dark closet where he can't corrupt my sons any further."
Croy looked down at her with some amusement, noticing, not for the first time, that Emmeline had claimed Harry as her own. Croy had recalled the first time she had called Harry her son in front of the boy, startling both Harry and Croy with her fierce protectiveness. Harry took it all in stride, used as he was to having loving parental figures, but Croy treasured his wife and her claim to them all.
"Croy, Emma, dears," a voice called to them. Croy paused and turned, finding Mrs. Weasley's arms suddenly around him. "It is good to see you."
"Hello, Molly." Croy said, returning the hug. Molly patted him on the shoulder and turned her attention to Emmeline, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her rounded belly.
"Emma, dear, how are you?" Molly asked, pulling the woman in to a gentle hug.
"I'm doing fine, Molly." Emmeline said, "A bit more tired, but that's to be expected."
"How many more months, Emma?" Arthur asked, coming up behind his wife, Ginny clinging to his side and looking around in interest. None of the other Weasley children were in sight, no doubt already aboard the train.
"Oh, only three now." Emmeline said.
"Have you chosen a name, yet?" Molly asked.
"We've thought about it some, yes." Emmeline said, smiling over at Croy, then back to the Weasleys, "We've only recently learned that we have a few more names to decide on than we thought."
"Oh?" Molly looked at her, holding her at arms length, her brown eyes alight with knowing happiness. "Really?"
"Twins." Emmeline said, grinning. "A boy and a girl."
"Congratulations, dear!" Molly beamed, pulling her into another hug, and resting a hand on Emmeline's round stomach. Croy just took in a deep breath, still reeling a bit from the information. They had known of the twins for a few days, but he still had a hard time fully grasping it all.
"Congratulations, Liam." Arthur said, clasping Croy's shoulder in a firm hold.
Croy nodded at him. "Thanks, Arthur."
"Two at a time isn't quite so bad." Arthur said with a smile and wink. Croy raised an eyebrow at him, thinking of the Weasley twins and their continued antics. He wasn't entirely comforted by hearing such a line from Arthur Weasley.
"Hi, Ginny." Croy greeted the girl.
Ginny smiled brightly at him, "Hello Mr. Croyus."
Croy heard a familiar squeal, and looked up in time to see Sirius bounding through the crowds with Laurie clutching at his neck.
"Daddy!" Laurie called, laughing as Sirius made to run into them all before changing course at the last minute, dodging around them all and causing the boy on his back to laugh manically.
"Sirius Arcturus Black!" Emmeline scolded, sending the two a stern glare, "Can't you behave in public for once?"
"Ooo, Sirius, you got all three names." Harry said, coming up beside the group with Ron at his side, "You're really in trouble."
Emmeline sent a similar look to Harry, causing the boy to gulp and take a step backwards. "Don't think you are off the hook, either Harry James Potter." Emmeline said, and turned to wave a finger at Sirius and her son, "You three have caused about enough havoc for one day. Sirius, put him down, would you, the last time you ran around with Laurence on your back he ended up hanging upside down from the ceiling by his heels."
Sirius gave a dramatic sigh and set Laurence on the ground. Laurie looked up at him with sad eyes, which prompted Sirius to give a similar look to Emmeline, pushing his lower lip out for more effect.
"That will not help you." Emmeline said, eyeing the two of them, as Laurie imitated Sirius' expression. "Either of you."
Sirius shrugged and grinned down at Laurie, who gave him a toothy grin in return. Harry laughed, earning another look from Emmeline, and causing all the Weasley's to grin. Croy shook his head at them all, leaning on his cane as he watched his family go through familiar motions. Arthur clapped a hand on his shoulder again, and gave him a reassuring grin.
"You'll be just fine, Croy." Arthur said.
"You need to be on the train, Harry." Emmeline said, turning to the boy, and attempting to tame his wild hair. Harry scowled at her and dodged away, running his fingers through the unruly locks and making it all stick up in odd directions.
"Laurie," Croy said, motioning to his son. Laurence bounded over, flinging his arms around him as Croy lifted him up with one arm. He was nearly unable to do so, with the boy's growing form, Croy found it increasingly difficult to hold his son without both hands. Walking while holding the boy was also becoming difficult. His mangled leg was not fond of carrying the extra weight of the growing boy.
"You behave for your mother, Laurie." Croy said, holding his son to his side. Laurence wrapped his legs and arms around him, resting his chin on his shoulder as he nodded. The boy's unruly brown hair tickled at his throat.
"Come on, then." Emmeline said, herding Harry and Ron towards the train. The Weasley's followed, Molly still talking to Emmeline about her pregnancy and their twins to come. Croy suspected that the woman was possibly more excited about the unborn twins than Emmeline and he was yet.
Croy bid goodbye to the Weasley's and Sirius, kissing Emmeline as he handed his son over to her. Emmeline gave one last warning to Harry, echoed by Molly, as Sirius mimicked their small lectures from behind the women, eliciting barely contained laughter from the two boys and smiles from Croy and Arthur. Herding Harry and Ron onto the Express with his cane, Croy boarded the train just as the whistle blew, sounding the impending departure.
"Let's find a compartment, then." Croy said as the train rolled out of the station. Harry and Ron led their way down the length of the train, dodging a few students who were still looking for compartments to sit in. Croy spotted Cedric trying to help a young first year girl with her trunk near the back of the train. Ron and Harry both greeted the boy as they passed him, entering one of the compartments at the end of the train.
"Can I help you?" Croy asked, touching the girl's shoulder lightly to get her attention. She jumped and whirled, causing her to trip backwards and sit down heavily on the lid of her trunk. "I'm sorry," he said, suddenly recognizing the girl, "I didn't mean to startle you."
"It's ok." She said, pushing her bushy hair behind her ear, as she looked up at him. Her eyes widened slightly at the sight of him, looking between him and the raven perched on his shoulder. Riddle cocked his head, turning it to the side to peer at the girl with one eye.
"I'm Professor Croyus." He said, helping her to her feet. "I'll be teaching you Defense Against the Dark Arts."
"Oh!" She said, "Pleased to meet you, sir. I'm Hermione Granger." She turned and gestured towards the boy standing behind her, "This is… oh, I don't think you told me your name."
Cedric smiled at her, shrugging a bit shyly before giving Croy a grin. "That's alright. Me and Professor Croyus know each other." He said, and held a hand out to her, "I'm Cedric Diggory." Hermione took his hand and smiled. Cedric looked up at Croy, "I told my friends I'd meet them." He said, looking down the length of the train. Croy nodded and waved him on, watching as Cedric gave Hermione another smile and bounded down the train.
"Where'd he go in such a hurry?" Ron asked as he and Harry returned to see what had held him up. Croy shrugged before turning back to Hermione.
"Do you have somewhere to sit?" he asked her. Hermione glanced around at the doors to the compartments before shifting her eyes back to him and shaking her head.
"You can sit with us, then." Harry said. "C'mon Ron, grab her trunk."
Ron sniffed but grabbed the other handle, pushing Hermione out of the way a bit in the process. The two boys lifted the trunk, though Croy could tell it took them some effort. He wondered how many books the girl had managed to pack into it. Ron and Harry managed to carry the trunk without help, though they struggled some. Croy simply watched them with a small smile as he guided Hermione after them.
Neville was already in the compartment, and the blonde boy watched with amused interest as Ron and Harry bodily pushed the trunk under one of the bench seats. Croy followed with Hermione, and once Ron and Harry had collapsed onto the bench next to Neville, Croy gestured the girl to sit opposite them.
"Do try to behave." Croy said, giving Harry and Ron warning looks.
"Where are you going?" Harry asked.
"I need to brief the new Prefects, since they're all here." Croy said. "It's easier to do so now rather than schedule a meeting for them all during the first week of classes."
Harry nodded, and turned his attention to the girl sitting across from him. "I'm Harry Potter." He said, offering his hand. Croy caught Hermione's look of surprise as he slid the compartment door shut.
The rest of the train ride passed without great incident for Croy, though he suspected that Harry had gotten a visit from Draco Malfoy, if the blonde's dark look was any indication. Croy eyed the young, soon-to-be-Slytherin as the boy passed him in the corridor, his two side-kicks racing to keep up with Draco's quick steps. Draco looked more frustrated than hurt, which Croy had rather expected to see if Harry refused Malfoy's friendship.
Ignoring his own curiosity, Croy decided to keep an eye on the relationship between Harry and Draco in the coming weeks rather than ask either of the boys about it. Croy had joined the first years in the compartment in time to buy them all a selection of snacks off the trolly. Hermione's eagerness to share her knowledge had Ron's face twisted before the train even arrived at Hogsmeade. Croy simply tried to dampen the resulting tension between the four children, as much for his own comfort during the trip as anything else.
By the time the train rolled to a stop, Ron and Hermione were speaking very little to each other, causing Neville to look between the two nervously. Croy sighed, giving Harry a warning look as the boy looked like he was about to burst into laughter. Sirius definitely had a lasting effect on the Boy-Who-Lived. It was just like Sirius to find the tensions between his friends to be a laughing matter. Then again, it was likely a good way to get the two in question to focus on something else.
Croy led them all off the train, holding his cane at his side rather than try to use it in the crowded corridor. By the time they made it onto the platform, Riddle was grumbling darkly in his mind, and Croy's leg was starting to throb. Croy waved the first years towards Hagrid's calls. He gave Harry a reassuring nod as they left, and turned to find a carriage to take him up to the castle, trying to ignore his own nervousness about the coming Sorting.
oooOoooOoooOooo