T.M. Riddle
- November -
November 1
Dear Tom,
I can't remember what I did on the night of Hallowe'en, but a cat was attacked and I've got paint all down my front.
I'm trying really hard not to jump to conclusions. Please help me, Tom.
But I don't understand. What conclusions have you jumped to? Was the cat attacked with paint?
No no. The cat got Petrified.
Petrified.
And there are words all over the wall. Horrible words. They're red, everyone says, like the stains all over my shirt and my robes - oh Tom, help me. Help me.
You are certain that the cat is Petrified. Not dead.
Yes, it's Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat - they said she's all stiff and Filch is so upset -
Who said?
Everyone. I heard them all talking. I don't know what to do. Percy said I shouldn't get too upset, and that there are ways to cure the cat. He thinks I'm sad about Mrs. Norris because I like cats. And I do like cats and I am sad, but I'm not - I don't - I didn't. Tom, what should I do?
How did everyone know that the cat was Petrified?
Dumbledore said so.
Dumbledore examined the cat?
That's what Percy said.
Well then. So. Petrified.
Yes, and hanging from the torch bracket. Someone froze her and hung her on the wall - it's so horrible. Just horrible. And there are words, they said. Big ones, painted on the wall next to Myrtle's bathroom, and they say that a chamber has been opened and that the enemies should be careful. Or something.
And what did Dumbledore have to say about that?
I don't know - Tom, why can't I remember last night? Why are my clothes all red?
Didn't you go to the Feast last night?
I don't know. I'll ask Emma. She'll think I've gone mad, but -
I wouldn't ask anyone.
But I have to. I have to know, I have to make sure I wasn't doing anything - make sure I wasn't sleepwalking.
But if you ask, Virginia, and it turns out that you were not there, then Emma may begin to wonder where you were. I would not want to attract attention, just at present, if I were you.
But Tom, what if I was there?
And what if you weren't? Are you willing to take that risk?
No. Not today. The whole school's frightened. Someone will think it was me if they realize I wasn't at the Feast. If I wasn't at the Feast. Perhaps someone will mention to me that I was. Oh, I hope that if I wasn't, no one will notice, or want to ask me why. Not that I… because Tom, I couldn't have. I wouldn't even know how.
How what?
To Petrify a cat. I never even heard that word until this morning. I have to tell you about this morning and you have to help me sort out what's happening. I woke up and felt so ill, worse than ever, and I could hardly see or move, and I'd gone to bed in my robes, but I don't remember going to bed. But I heard a lot of noise from the common room and I wanted to see what was happening, so I got up, and the room was already empty, and I looked down and my robes were open and my shirt and jumper were covered in red. I was a little surprised, but not too much because I thought I'd probably sleepwalked again and done something stupid, so I just changed clothes and went downstairs. Everyone was gossiping together and trying to work it out and Percy came up to me and started to explain why everyone was so upset, because he didn't want me getting upset - and that's when he told me about the words on the wall, and then I looked at my hands and realized there was something dried up and dark red under my fingernails. So I pushed Percy off and ran up here and scrubbed and scrubbed. It was in my hair and all down my arm, I had to take a shower, and now I'm hiding in my bed and I don't know what to do with my clothes, I can't put them in the washing or someone will see and I don't know how to clean them by myself.
Burn them.
But I don't even have enough work robes as it -
If you're that worried, you'll simply have to burn them.
No. Mum would kill me. And I didn't do anything bad, so I can put them in the washing and if anyone asks, I'll just say that it wasn't -
Never mind. Don't put them in the washing. What if I teach you a little cleaning spell?
Tom, would you?
Extrahere Cruorem.Do it now, it will come right off.
.
.
.
Wow. It did. I didn't even practice. The magic felt so strange in my arm.
In your arm?
I don't know… it was like I didn't have to try. My arm just went. And I've never flicked my wrist quite so hard. It felt rather good.
Powerful.
Yes. But about what I was telling you… I haven't done anything bad, have I, Tom?
Virginia. Your conscience is too big, too sharp. You must learn not to take responsibility for actions that are so clearly not your own.
You don't think I was - that I -
Darling. How could you have?
Dad calls me his darling sometimes. When he tucks me in. I'm his darling baby and his sweetest girl, he says. It started to annoy me last year when he would say that, because I wish he'd see how grown up I am. But I miss him today. I want Mum. I want a hug.
I… realize that my comforts… cannot be enough.
They are, Tom. I didn't mean to say they're not. I wish you could hug me, that's all.
Oh, so do I.
It's hard with just paper. I'm shaky. But I won't go and get Ron, he'll just make fun of me.
You don't need Ron for this. You do not even have to worry. I have heard of Petrification. It is a Dark magic of the most difficult kind. Utterly out of your grasp, as a first year.
You're sure?
Positive. Now, don't you feel better?
Yes. A little.
Good.
I don't know what I'd do without you, Tom.
I'm hungry. But I don't want to go downstairs. I don't want anyone to realize they haven't seen me since yesterday afternoon. I suppose I'll just sleep all day. I hope I can sleep all day. I hope I don't get up and wander again. I'm so tired.
You won't get up.
Well, I wish I wouldn't, but every time I -
Then you must tell yourself to stay in bed. Train your mind. You need your rest and your strength. Think "I will not get up" over and over as you prepare for your nap, and see if I'm not right.
I'll try. Goodn - well, it's midmorning. Bye, Tom.
