Nick was already in his Pajamas and curled on Andrus' Coils when the distinct sound of footsteps could be heard coming down the spiral stairs. Anders stiffened and turned his head to the door, his eyes were still closed for the moment. Nick pulled out his wand and trained it on the stair case.
The shadow of the figure bent around the wall, though the figure was still out of sight. A foot appeared and then a leg. Andrus and Nick both tensed. With a final pounce, Luna Lovegood appeared in her winter cloak with a bag slung over one shoulders.
"Aren't you forgetting something?" Luna asked airly.
Nick looked down at his Pj's in bewilderment. Nothing seemed to be amise. "Er, no I don't think so?"
"Evening Andrus, Good see you again" Luna greeted the giant serpent, "What about Tom? You weren't planning on just leaving him out in the cold?"
"Feeling blunt tonight are we?" Nick grumbled. How Luna knew about Tom's disappearance was beyond Nick, but it was just the sort of oddity he half expected from Luna at this point, so he did pulled himself from Andrus' coils and start towards the stairs.
Andrus nodded a greeting towards Luna but gave no opinion on the matter. His great head rest back down on his coils and his body slowly set back into a sleepy rhythm of breathing.
Luna shrugged unapologetically and skipped the way back up the stairs.
Nick changed quickly in the back shelves of the library while Lune chatted amicably to the irate portrait of Slytherin.
"I've half a mind to wake your head of house this second" Salazar hissed impatiently. "If you aren't back by sunrise, I will report you!"
Whatever Luna had told the portrait to even get that much time, must have been very diplomatic.
With a last though, Nick pulled out a collection of magical and muggle maps from around Britain and stuffed them into his own bag. They checked the map of Hogwarts first for any professors still up. It was Madame Pomfrey on duty tonight, but she generally kept to the same hallways for a good portion of the night.
The duo were able to sneak their way to the hidden entrance that lead to the shrieking shack.
"What do you think this was meant for?" Nick asked Luna as the pair pulled themselves into the ground floor of the shack. The shack was in utter disrepair, lose boards hung haphazardly here and there and cobwebs covered every surface.
Luna said nothing but pointed to the long claw marks on the front door as she head out.
"Looks like werewolves markings," Nick hummed.
He gasped sharply as he entered the freezing night air. No wonder Luna was insistent they find Tom tonight. Spending a night out in this weather was a death sentence.
Without a word the two made their way towards Hogsmeade, all the while letting their eyes rack their surroundings for anything out of the ordinary that might point them to Tom.
The streets were empty though, even the drunk had found somewhere warm to be. There was nothing noteworthy anywhere.
"Is there a shelter or anything where homeless people go?" Nick felt the need to whisper in the dimly lit streets.
Luna turned to answer his questions when a huge shadow moved from the doorway of one of the shops, "No Loitering" the voice hollered. Nick and Luna fled down the street, "Kiddies best Run quick!" the voice cackled. A burst of alarming red light speed past Nicks right shoulder and explode onto the brick wall of another shop.
Lights began flickering on here and there but no one entered the streets. Another light speed down the alleyway, lighting the street in an iry ivy. Nick whirled around, "Protego" he hollered. A bright shield the size of a small bed burst out of his wand just in time to take the full brunt of the mystery spell.
"Expelliarmus" Luna whooshed her wand with a sharp flick. The sound of a disgruntled thud echoed off the still empty street. "Best go before someone finds use," Luna shivered.
"Are you ok?"
Luna nodded, "to many Gulping Plimpy out tonight. I didn't think to grab any Gurdyroots"
Nick wasn't the least bit sure what a Gulping Plimpy was but whatever it was it obviously wasn't good as it had Luna shivering uncontrollably now.
"There aren't any wizard shelter. Witches and wizards don't believe in that sort of thing."
"Come on then, we should be able to sneak our way to Three Broomsticks Inn and use the Floo to go check Diagon Alley." With significant effort, Nick hulled Luna through the Alley using the shadows to hide them from obvious view. Finally they found themselves in the shady pub. Sure enough the pub owner was busy chatting up the drunken regulars and didn't notice two kids strut their way over to the Floor and out the pub again.
Diagon Alley was equally bare of people including any sign of Tom Riddle. Nick was ready to head back to Hogwarts, when Luna grabbed his sleeve and dragged him down into Knockturn alley.
"It's fine" Luna assured Nick patiently as they passed an old crone whose claw like fingers brushed greedily across their cloaks as they passed.
A shady figure watched the pair with luid desire. Nick moved protectively between the beast and Luna. "I'm fairly certain this is a bad idea" Nick whispered.
Luna ignored him.
She lead the way down the alley to a shady pub called The White Wyvern. The hand painted sign of the name and what must have been a Wyvern hung on one hinge from just above the door.
Luna paused to note the artwork, "Do you think they're real?"
"What White Wyvern? Sure, I don't see why not. I've seen plenty of black Wyvern up in dragon territory."
Luna hummed happily as she pushed the door open and made a beeline for the bar.
"Yer 'bout a decade off sweetling" the bartender laughed when Luna approached the bar.
"I'm looking for a friend" Luna explained.
The bartender, a thin looking figure with skin as tanned as snow, paused to listen to Luna's detailed though odd explanation of Tom. The women brushed scaly hands through her hair and cast her eyes around the room.
"Sorry there sweet thing, 'haven't see no one like that 'round here." the women looked around the bar again, "You can try asking Gash what he knows". The bartender pointed to a ghastly looking goblin sitting at the bar by himself.
Without any trepidation or self preservation Luna thanked the bartender and approached Gash.
The goblin listened to Luna's explanation, a bone that look like it once belonged to a very small child half stuck out his mouth. It bounced on his lip as he spoke, "I saw the lad early on tonight. I've seen him before though, a long time ago. Lass, I'm not one to give advice but I can tell you now that lad is bad news."
"Where abouts did you see him?" Luna pressed, her usual airy cheerful smile as always seemed to help warm the goblin up.
"I shouldn't tell you" The goblin grumbled, "you'll only meet worse dangers". The goblin pulled the tiny arm bone from his mouth and tapped it against the bar counter. "I saw him heading in to Markus Scarrs Indelible Tattoos before supper time. He won't still be there mind."
Luna turned to go and Nick moved to follow but a bony, wrinkled hand shot out and grasped Luna, "Lass, you best just head home. Leave the lad to his own devices. If you're lucky you'll never hear from him again."
Luna grinned and thanked the goblin but made no promise to follow his advice.
Luna waved a thankful goodbye to the barkeep and the two exited the White Wyvern. Markus Scarrs Indelible Tattooz was two doors down, sitting snuggly between an empty building and grizzly shopped called "E.L.M and Wizards Undertakers & Embalmers".
The Tattoo shop was still opened a single light hung lit from the center of the shop.
"Welcome, welcome. What can I do fo- Luna? What on earth are you doing here?" The stick thin man asked. He stood from his contorted position from behind the counter.
He towered well over the two, his swarthy skin covered in magical tattoos that buzzed around. A dragon beat its wings excitedly and flew up the man's arm to disappear up his sleeve. A mermaid swam down into the open space and seem to lounge against the man's wrist bone.
"It's nearly midnight Luna, you should have been in bed ages ago" The man tisked.
Luna smiled her usual stunning smile. "I'm looking for a friend. Someone said he came in here. Tom Riddle. He's a sixth year slytherin student from Hogwarts".
The man frowned, "he came in here, 'round super time. Didn't seem like a nice fellow though Luna. Sure you should be around him?"
"Any idea where he was off to?" Nick probed.
The man shrugged, "He said he had an appointment in The Spiny Serpent. Not that that helps. Not even Lord Malfoy can get in without an appointment so you two certainly aren't getting in."
Nick grinned, "We'll see. Thank you for your time".
Luna gave the man a quick hug then followed Nick out the door.
"How are we getting into the The Spiny Serpent?"
Nick grinned mischievously, "well that's easy."
When the two approached the locked entrance door, Nick leaned in and whispered. "Open". Just as Nick suspected, the door creaked unlatch revealing an enticing looking waiting room filled with fine French furniture and an assortment of free food and drinks made for every species under the sun. A punch bowl filled with warm blood sat neatly beside a bowl filled with Seaweed water spiced with starfish. Around the bowls was a display of Acid Pops, blood Pops and, Chocolate Wands.
The two had barely settled themselves down when a bright green door flew open and out walked a Unseelie elf with rich plum colour skinned.
"You don't have an appointment, how on earth did you get in?" The elf fummed.
Nick returned the elve's glare unfazed. "Actually we're looking for a friend. Tom Riddle? He is said to have come here sometime after supper tonight."
The elf scowled.
Nick raised an eyebrow not moving to get out of his seat.
"Very well, yes one Tom Riddle was here earlier. He left hours ago though. Now get out."
Luna shifted uncomfortably but Nick hardly flinched, "Any clue where he was off to?"
"None"
Nick waited.
"To my knowledge he was off to some family house."
Nick gave the man his thanks then lead Luna out of the shop.
"I think I knew just the place. Unfortunately we can't just floo there. Flying on Brooms might work, but we have to go over muggle areas and I'm not sure how to make us invisible." Nick rubbed a hand over his eyes, trying to rub the stress lines from his face. "We can't really walk either and I don't know how to get there on muggle transite."
"I have an idea" Luna brittened. "We can take the knightbus". Before Nick could bother to ask what the knightbus was, Luna was dragging him down the alley towards the Leaky Cauldron and out into the dark muggle streets.
Luna stepped up the curb and raised her wand, "Bus please" she called.
A loud fog horn honked back in response. With a whistle of street dust, two bright lights came streaming down the street. As they neared, the front of a large purple bus became clear. Like an invisibility cloaks being shed, the bus appeared in all its glory as it pulled up to Nick and Luna.
At the back door, stood a gentleman dressed in a haggard looking transit uniform. He looked at the two with mild surprise, fishing through his waist coat pocket. With a cheer of triumph he pulled out a well worn card.
The man cleared his throat, "Welcome to the Knight Bus, emergency transport for the stranded witch or wizard. My name is Stan Shunpike and I will be your conductor this evening."
He looked up from the card and gave a toothy grin. "Well come on then! Let's not wait for the grass to grow!"
"Good Midnight Stan," Luna hopped up onto the bus and accepted the ticket Stan handed her. Nick followed suit.
"So where you off to then?" Stan asked and Luna and Nick made themselves comfortable
"The Gaunt Shack" Nick answered. It was the property that Tom's Mother grew up at. Nick knew practically nothing about it besides the fact that Aunt Gertrude had a habit say, 'this place looks like that ruddy Gaunt Shack' if she came across a property she thought was ill kept.
As it happened, Nick was inclined to agree with his Aunts unsavory assessment of the shack. The property Luna and Nick found themselves at when they stepped off the Knight Bus was in absolute shambles.
"What is this place?" Luna asked, she shivered again, "It's covered in powries."
Nick spun around looking at the creepy forest fauna, but he didn't see anything that made it stir. Luna, though, had much better sight for magical creatures than Nick did. He kept the warning at the forefront of his mind as he made his way through the doom and gloom of the forest to the front door of the cabin.
Nick rapped gently on the door, "Tom? You here?". The door creaked open, but no one answered.
Nick moved Luna behind him protectively and moved a step further into the cabin.
In the center of the room was Tom Riddle sitting cross legged with something cradled in his hands. A pryed up floor board lay forgotten to the sides. Tom didn't turn from the nothingness he was staring at off in the distance.
"Tom?" Nick called. Tom didn't so much twitch in answer.
Nick was to petrified to move, but Luna trotted past him and sat beside Tom, she shifted slightly to lean into him. "Who...Mom?" Luna gasped. Here eyes were now trained on the emptiness that Tom was staring into.
"Guys, it's late. We have to get back before the heads of House notice we're gone. Tom you're already in trouble." Nick sighed when neither moved to look at him.
Nick moved forward and rested a hand on Tom's shoulder, but Tom didn't move his gaze. Nick looked up at the emptiness only to find it filled with four figures. One he recognised as an older, more wild Luna. It must be her mother. She was dressed in a long tie dyed frock with a crown of magical poisonous flowers resting slightly askew on her frizzy blond hair. She was grinning ear to ear as she watched Luna's every move.
The second figure was a ragtag women dressed in an assortment of abandoned back alley blankets. Her teeth were off putting, her hair was wild and filled with twigs, leaves and strange objects. Even if she was clean though, there was nothing even remotely pleasant about the woman's features. Her eyes were filled with a wild furry, her hands twitched with greed, she moved sporadically like a druggie off its high. That didn't stop Tom from gazing upon her with longing. She was his mother after all and all children want a mother even one as deranged as Toms.
The last two individuals were dressed in fine clothes. The man in a silk vest and fine long sleeved shirt rolled to the elbows. It was his most classic look. The woman was dressed in her full captain's regalia. It was her favorite outfit and she always wore it with pride. She stood tall, feet a shoulder width apart, back straight and eyes set on some far off land. Her man lounged behind her, his eyes were softer and they were not cast far off but on Nick. He smiled when Nick meet his gaze. Nick didn't dare move for fear they might all of the sudden disappear.
He gazed at his father and mother longing to hear them say something. "The ship will land soon", "We'll be back in the air in no time," anything at all. Anything that might erase the last decade and a bit that he had endured. They didn't say anything though, they just stayed where they were not moving so much as a breath.
Nick was starting to weigh the options of say something first, asking a question of some kind when all of the sudden all four figures disappeared with a breeze sending a shower of dust cascading around the room.
Tom stood above the Luna and Nick.
"We should get back," Tom intoned hollowly.
Luna sprang from her feet and crashed into Tom. There was silence for a fraction of a second. A small hiccup escaped Luna, then a half cry of pain, a full blown sob of grief.
Uncertainty, Tom wrapped his arm around the tiny first year and let his own solemn tears trick down his cheeks and patter onto the girl's hair.
"Why?" Luna bagged, "Why-" she might have said something more but it was caught up in her choked out sobs.
"I'm sorry" was the only thing Tom could think to say. His tone was lifeless. "I lost my mom too. We all did" It was quiet and weak. It caught Nick off guard.
Nick slumped to the ground and pulled his knees into his chest. 'Shit' he thought to himself. 'I thought I had it together' but if he did before he certainly didn't now. Raspy sobs wracked his body. Nick buried his head into his knees and tried to taking calming breaths but the tears would not be push aside any longer.
The three sayed in the cabin until they were they were too weak to cry any longer and the sun was beginning to peak out from behind the clouds. Then Tom pulled Luna to his side and helped pull Nick off of the ground. The trio head out to call up the Knight Bus. Stan said nothing about the state they were in as the bus stretched through side streets and back country roads until they came to the huge wrought iron gates of Hogwarts grounds entrance.
The three tumbled off the bus.
Waiting on the other side of the gates was Fawks and Faer. Both were in their human form, they looked like exotic princes standing shoulder to shoulder.
"We managed to prevent anyone noticing your absence," Faer motion to Luna and Nick, "You're less lucky my friend. Molly has words for you young man."
If anything, Tom looked a little pleased at that.
Faer pushed open the gates with ease despite the fact that the wards should have prevented him from so much as unlocking them.
"You two go back to bed, Tom you're with me. Fawks if you could?" Faer grabbed hold of Tom's shoulder and the two Frosted away leaving a patch of ice on the lawn.
With far more grace Fawks laid one hand on Nick's shoulder and the other on Luna's. He first transported Nick back to Andrus lair before vanishing off again to take Luna to her dorm.
Andrus lifted his head slightly, his tongue feeling the air for the new presence. "You found him then? That's good". Andrus' head slumped back onto his mighty coils and he went back to sleep in seconds.
Nick went to bath in one of the chamber basins. He wrapped himself in his warmest JPs, socks, sweater and blanket. He found the warmest spot in Andrus' coils to make himself comfortable, then prompt fell asleep.