April 4th, 1943

The days that followed saw an unprecedented spike in the number of students in the infirmary, and the subsequent questions that surrounded the issue were almost rhetorical as an extremely suspicious amount of students who had come down with the mysterious stomach flu were fifth year Slytherins. When Druella towed her to visit Nott on the third day following, Merissa had to keep her face very innocent as Madame Charon roamed around the place replacing basins and swearing rather exuberantly in French about how students would never learn. Despite this, the entire thing seemed likely to blow over, Alphard making hearty jokes about the ill students and plans for the next bash already under works when someone took it upon themselves to inform Dippet of the occurrence.

Though the Headmaster could generally be counted on to be entirely oblivious to the late night comings-and-goings of students, word had apparently reached his mostly-deaf ears, and he found it serious enough an issue to call all of the prefects and faculty to a meeting Sunday afternoon, to which Slughorn responded with most distress, as it was only a few hours to his own dinner party that evening.

Merissa, wanting to give off only the best of impressions given the situation, arrived to the meeting considerably earlier than most of her fellow prefects, but not earlier it seemed, than Edward Thomas.

"Good afternoon, Merissa," he greeted brightly, taking no notice of the fact that she seated herself purposefully several chairs away from him, "Exciting isn't it? I don't know that Dippet had called this big of a meeting in years," he lowered his voice to near conspiratorial levels, leaning so far out of his chair to whisper that he nearly fell out, "Of course, it puts yourself in a rather bit of a dilemma doesn't it? I always have warned Abigail against these after-hours parties as you call them, but as things are, I just couldn't bear to turn her in, nor you either, as I consider you both in such high esteem, though I must admit, it was a difficult decision indeed to cast aside my duty as a prefect and as captain of a quidditch team, though I suppose the latter has less to do with -"

Thomas' rapid fire whispers were cut off by the arrival of a tall figure in the seat beside Merissa, effectively blocking him from sight and mind.

"Good afternoon, Thorpe," Tom greeted impassively. Thomas retracted himself back into his seat and fell silent. The professors begin to make their way in, looking even wearier than some prefects for having to attend such a gathering.

"Good afternoon, Riddle," Merissa agreed lightly, rather pleased with his timing despite herself. He was never one to leave her content long though, and she felt his dark eyes sweep over her as a smirk developed on his handsome features.

"Imagine my surprise hearing of this - underaged drinking in the dormitories," his eyes widened in mock surprise, just as her's narrowed, "Your parents must have just been appalled."

"Careful Riddle, you don't want people mistaking you for someone who has a sense of humor," she snarked, annoyed with him just a quickly as she had been grateful a moment ago.

"What an idea," he agreed, "Speaking of such, I had one. Do you think that if they found the person responsible they would be expelled? Or just have their prefect badge removed?"

Her face dropped to a dark and dangerous expression, "You're right, you definitely don't have any sense. That's not funny at all."

"Alas, I thought so," he replied, eyes sparkling.

She ignored him pointedly for the remainder of the meeting, which was indeed more difficult than she imagined. When Dippet finally arrived, he appeared even more ancient than usual, his faded velvet robes having a noticeable layer of dust settled upon them that shook onto the floor with each small movement of his old bones. Though he was a stern man, rarely seen to smile, his expression was exceptionally somber today and seemed like it might have been more at place at a funeral home.

"Good morning esteemed faculty. . . and prefects," Dippet began. His voice was as slow and bland as the creaking of an age-old oak tree, "I am afraid it is only for the most serious of crises that we meet today. Our long honored halls have been filled with the most distinguished magical education in the region. Even upon its fonding, it was held to a standard that sook the surpass and elevate the teaching of young witches and wizards," he sighed, the sound rather like wind blowing through an old house before he continued, giving a lengthy lecture on how upholding the standards and reputation of the school fell a heavy and serious responsibility. Thomas, was visibly riveted by the speech, but he was certainly the exception. Merissa found her eyes wandering to the various prefects and staff. Joseph was seated dutifully in the front row alongside McGonagall, but neither Head Boy nor Girl could hide their growing boredom. Nearing the middle, wearing a truly horrible shade of lime green robes was Professors DUmbledore, who thought keeping a continuously polite smile on his lips did not look particularly interested in what Dippet had to say. She noticed if she followed Tom's rather sour expression, he too was periodically staring at Dumbledore but upon catching her observing it, kept his sloe eyes carefully on Dippet.

Despite the meeting more or less being a witch hunt for Merissa herself, she felt there was no real threat. One of the more significant perks of being a prefect with near perfect marks was that her professors would never suspect her of doing anything out of line, a fact which she took full advantage of.

Once the meeting had finally ended with the declaration of several new and restrictive rules to be enforced as a blanket punishment, chatter began to pick up between the prefects and various faculty. Merissa was quick to collect her bag and had risen to leave when a familiar drawl reached her ears.

"What an exceedingly dull meeting, don't you think so, Tom?" no one else could manage to sound as bored as Olive Hornby whilst having such a coquettish inflection, Merissa had to admit. Pausing to check she had her notebook still in her bag, a few paces away she conceded was mostly driven by curiosity, though she scolded herself for it.

Olive hadn't allowed Tom to respond, plowing onwards, "I am in desperate need for stimulation after that, I would be terribly indebted if you took me along as your date to the Slug Club dinner tonight. Phillip mentioned you weren't bringing anyone -"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Tom replied dispassionately. Merissa grinned to herself and began walking again just as Tom said, "Excuse me, Hornby."

Glancing back, Merissa had hoped to peek at the blonde's stricken expression, but she was met instead with Tom, walking quickly up to her side. Turning forwards again just as he came into stride with her, she felt a strange urge to grin. How Olive would be gaping now.

"Riddle," she greeted cooly. After his threat in the beginning of the meeting it seemed only fair to act distant, even if inwardly she felt certain he had no real intention of outing her.

"Thorpe," he reciprocated. A glance told her his expression matched his tone. He appeared irritated but also wary. Of her? She wondered what she had done to earn such a look. Tom was exceptionally reserved when it came to even such minimal displays of affect.

"Merissa, you fiend!" Susan's laugh came loudly as the taller girl draped her arm around Merissa's shoulder, catching up to them in the hall, "I just heard the news, Dippets really had it hasn't he? Suspensions for being caught out of bed after hours, I mean really. I reckon it's only made Slughorn more insistent on having his dinner tonight, really test out ingenuity to get back out dormitories in time."

"Oh, I'm sure," Merissa laughed, and she turned to ask Tom for his input on the matter, but when she did, the only sign of him she caught was his tall figure disappearing around the next corner.

/_\

Alphard didn't have a date to the Slug Club dinner that evening, not that it bothered him any. Nothing was more exhausting than spending the evening attempting to keep his eyes on a girl he wasn't interested in while Merissa of all people was there. Although, since Susan was a regular member as well now, he couldn't exactly gawk at Merissa anyways, and that was probably a good thing. So he spent the evening with his eyes politely down at his food, a habit that quickly made the short dinners feel like they lasted a milenia. This meeting had started out particularly nauseating, the first thing he saw upon arrival being Riddle placing a large box of crystallized pineapple on Slughorn's desk.

"I thought you might fancy some, Sir," Riddle was saying, his long fingers still looped in the satin bow utop the box. He was giving the professor a particularly charming smile as he added, "I had an inkling it might be a favorite of yours and I did want to leave my favorite professor with a gift before the holiday."

Slughorn was bubbling with glee already and rather than giving Riddle a bit more attention than he was already receiving, Alphard turned and was pleased to see a familiar face. Susan had apparently just arrived as well and given by her upturned lip, she didn't think much of Riddle's flattery either.

"Is he always so revolting?" she asked in an undertone, "Or is he just the Slytherin prototype of Thomas? Honestly, how Merissa stands him . . ."

"Much worse," Alphard confirmed and she smirked back at him.

Alphard had feared much worse for them when he had originally broken things off, but as Susan seemed to have amended things with Merissa now, she acted as if nothing had ever happened between them, which was exactly what both of them wanted. He still was unsure what to do with the knowledge of what a downright good kisser she was, but he just pushed it to the back of his mind.

Unfortunately, there wasn't much for him to ponder instead. He simply wasn't doing anything these days, and that was the real issue with the entire thing. He was so bored he found himself becoming Malfoy's emotional support pillar, which was one of the most depressing roles he had ever encountered.

"No one has the right to look so glum all the time," he had finally snapped at him from across the dormitory, unable to distract himself by transfiguring the hangings into various jungle vines anymore.

Abraxas had looked up blankly from the roll of parchment he was working on. Nearly all his time was spent working on homework now, likely because it suddenly took him almost an hour to get any honest work done, "No one except you?" Abraxas had asked dully in reply.

"If I'm glum its from having to be around your morose ass all the time" Alphard snapped, rising to point an incriminating finger at Abraxas, "Now get it together."

They had been carrying on in that way for almost a week now, and Alphard swore it was at least part of the reason Abraxas had successfully managed to pull off a half-believable composed act this evening and was sitting - albeit incredibly stiffly - next to Merissa.

Merissa - that was something Alphard knew he under no circumstance could look longer than a few moments at. She was almost blinding, that way the sun could be. Her hair was pinned to one side he noticed shortly after taking his seat. It left the majority of her neck exposed - something that seemed to make her uncomfortable, as she kept placing a hand near it as she fiddled with the lapis lazuli pendant that hung in the hollow of her neck. This evening, it blended in with the violet oragnanza of her dress, but he still didn't understand why she wore it so religiously, and she still wouldn't tell him.

So Alphard kept his eyes respectfully down at his plate and tried to be engaged in the conversation, as dull as he might find Lestrange's account of his family's plan for the Easter break.

"And Malfoy, you haven't seen your family since the term began, is that correct?" Slughorn asked, moving the attention onto the next member in the most cordial of ways, "In fact, if I'm not mistaken a great many of you chose to stay here for the holiday this year, funny how that is isn't it?" Slughorn failed to notice the knowing glances between the boys,, "Either way, I am beside myself with excitement to hear what your father and the rest of the Wizengamot have planned for the holiday."

Abraxas appeared in danger of missing the cue at all, a blank expression still present on his pale features. Alphard kicked him vigorously under the table.

"Ow - I mean, yes, Professor," Abraxas corrected himself quickly. He straightened his back, and it did make him appear more respectable, making up for his lapse in concentration, "My father found himself bound by other obligations this year, so we will be staying in London this holiday. Alphard's family has been kind enough to host mine as well as Merissa's."

"My family is likewise, renting out a historic flat across the square I hear the Minister used to occupy -" Nott began but Slughorn continued talking over him, as if he hadn't heard a word. There was an order to be kept about these gatherings, and Nott was apparently not important enough to disturb it.

"That does sound like a crowded holiday," Slughorn laughed and clapped Alphard on the back as if he had joined in, "But do tell, what kind of business is being done then? Must be important to delay any holiday with the Wizengamont themselves."

Slughorn's tone was light but his gaze was intense, and he had neglected to have a bite of any of the delicies on his plate, a sure sign something had caught him with great interest. Abraxas seemed almost abashed by the attention and said quickly, "I'm afraid I can't entertain with many details, I've only heard it's a deal with a Romainia manufacturing company."

"My father had told me a great deal more," Andrew chimed in from down the table. He seemed to have been shaken by the professors original disinterest in him, his voice a pitch higher than before, "It's quite a large company in Romania, soon looking to expand. They do research as well as manufacturing of their products. All very state of the art, cutting edge."

Merissa caught his eye from across the table and rolled her own dramatically, nodding ever so slightly down towards Nott. Alphard grinned back at her as Slughorn leaned forwards, now interested in every scrap of information he could, the subject now deemed highly interesting. Merissa trained her gaze politely back to Slughorn and Nott, but Alphard couldn't resist to allow his attention to stagnate on her for a few more moments, just a few more. . .

Wham.

Alphard cursed colorfully under his breath. Abraxas had landed a swift blow to his knee cap that he conceded he probably did deserve. And Malfoy was right, whether he liked it or not, this was hardly the place, what with Lestrange leering at him from down the table. He fixed his gaze back onto his plate until Slughorn spoke to him directly again.

"Well that certainly is a fascinating deal," Slughorn said, nearly breathless from his own excitement, having extended Andrew's knowledge on the subject, "Your mother must quite busy this week then, aye? How is your mother? Lovely woman, Irma."

Alphard smiled cheekily, "In a tizzy I'm sure. Beyond getting the house ready, preparing to have to yell at me every morning to tuck in my shirt proper just to keep up with Malfoy here."

Slughorn boomed with laughter and Merissa smiled appreciatively at him as well, and Alphard was just feeling in great danger of starting to stare at her again when her attention was pulled away by Slughorn as well.

"Don't think you've escaped me either, Miss Thorpe, just because your holiday had been spoken for," Slughorn warned her, leaning over the table to wag a finger at her. He seemed like he might have had a few too many brandy, but his enthusiasm could also be accounted for by the sheer amount of news he was digging up.

Merissa's laugh had always struck Alphard as wonderfully musical, like peal of a bell, "I wouldn't dream of it, Professor," she assured him, "I am afraid my plans might seem a bit dull after Nott's regal of innovation" (Alphard snorted and covered it up with a cough), "The Greengrass' annual ball will be a highlight as always, but otherwise I will be at the mercy of Abraxas and Alphard's kind family to entertain me. Even Susan is going to be out of the city this holiday, and in Morocco no less, could you believe?"

"Really?" Slughorn slide on easily to Susan, "What draws your family there?"

"We were meant to summer with the Laurents last season but weren't able to, so we're talking them to our estate over the holiday instead," Susan began to explain, a tad uncertainly. She wasn't accustomed to Slughorn's interrogations like the rest of them were.

"Not the Laurent's as in the French minister?" Slughorn said, nearly clapping his hands together in glee. He was clearly pleased by his new acquisition and was drawn in for the better half of the evening.

By the time dinner had finished, the clock had crept to five minutes until eleven, and Alphard was particularly exhausted. Dinner had been eaten and cleared away long ago and now all that sat upon the table was a glass of wine Slughorn was enjoying and the box of candied pineapple Riddle had gifted him earlier in the evening.

Indeed, since Slughorn had weaseled his plump finger into the box, Riddle had become all the more popular in the conversation, if such a feat were possible. Despite having nothing to claim except lurking around the school until the holiday was over, Slughorn had been greatly amused by nearly anything that crossed his mind in the last half-hour.

"Perhaps the wine is getting to his head," Susan muttered, making Alphard snicker.

Riddle's eyes narrowed at him from down the table but he continued his banter uninhibited, "Sir, is it true Professor Merrythought is retiring?"

Slughorn seemed surprised by his knowledge, but not at all displeased, "Tom, Tom, if I knew I couldn't tell you," he shook his candy coated finger at him, but any sternness he had intended was lost to his voice. Riddle truly could do no wrong in his eyes, it seemed, "I must say, I'd like to know where you get your information, boy, more knowledgeable than half the staff, you are."

Alphard barely contained a grimace. He was hardly in the mood to applaud Riddle's great network of spies, many of which were present even here. Lestrange was blood thirsty, calculated. Avery was intimating, brutish. Nott was ambitious, but not competent enough to be any threat to Riddle himself. Abraxas was nearly leaning out of his seat to gaze longingly at him even now. They all performed their function, and Alphard wondered if Slughorn had some inkling. Networking, after all, was an invaluable skill.

"What with your uncanny ability to know things you shouldn't and your careful flattery of the people that matter - thank you for the pineapple by the way, you're quite right it is my favorite -"

Lestrange smirked at Avery and it was clear who had given him the tip. Alphard yawned, hoping to make a point, but no one seemed to hear him. Even Merissa's head was tilted in interest, he noticed with great annoyance.

" - I confidently expect you to be Minister of Magic within twenty years. Fifteen if you keep sending me pineapple, I have excellent contacts at the Ministry."

Abraxas visibly flinched and it wasn't difficult to figure why. Caught up in his adoration of Riddle, he had taken a moment to realize that people often said such things to him. He was blinking rapidly, as if trying to reset how he had heard the words in his own mind. Alphard was considering kicking him again as the other boys laughed.

Tom was wearing the small, almost modest smile that he adorned so regularly around Slughorn as he replied "I don't know that politics would suit me sir. I don't have the right kind of background for one thing."

Merissa had attempted to hide her smile behind her hand but Alphard watched as Tom carefully caught her eyes, and although it was the briefest of moments, Alphard was sure they were sharing some private joke.

The idea that they had said anything at all in each other's confidence made Alphard start, and when he tried to silently communicate the question to Susan, she just shrugged. Glaring openly down at Tom now (not that anyone was likely to notice whilst they were fawning over him, Alphard thought indignantly) the table grew attentive to Slughorn again.

"Nonsense," the professor was saying, waving his hand as if to dispel the idea and flinging sugar about in the process, "It couldn't be plainer you come from decent Wizarding stock, abilities like yours. No, you'll go far Tom, I've never been wrong about a student yet."

From behind Slughorn, a chiming sound began to rise from the gilded clock on his desk. They all seemed to be broken from the spell that was Riddle, and Alphard was glad for it.

"Good gracious is it that time already is it that time already?" Slughorn cried, "You'd better get going or we'll all be in trouble. Lestrange, I want your essay by tomorrow or its detention. Same goes for you Avery."

There was a murmur of laughter and goodnights as they guests began to file away. Alphard, who was no stranger to detention wasn't overly concerned with getting to bed on time. He moved slowly, weighed down by the large amounts of roast he had filled himself with. When he only allowed himself to stare at his plate, he tended to eat more than he should and the combination of the sherbert being particularly delicious and the conversation particularly dull had not been a favorable combination for him. As he shuffled towards the door, he noticed Tom also lingering and had half a mind to stay behind before he felt a small but firm grasp take his wrist and pull him out the door.

As he turned with some alarm, he found Merissa towing him around the corner with her. His heart pounding in his ears, he was glad for the dark, because he could feel the blood rising up his neck and knew he was blushing profusely. It was just ridiculous how his stomach flipped when she looked up at him with those indigo eyes. He never felt more a fool.

"I wanted to thank you," she said, smiling gently at him. She still hadn't looked away and she may not have meant anything by it but it was not helping him think straight, "For Abraxas, I mean. I could tell you were trying to keep him in check. We argued and now he's been treating me like a leper. I didn't think he'd even show up tonight. So thank you."

In his mind he was putting far too much emphasis on the fact they were fighting. So what weren't they always? He told himself he'd be respectful of the boundaries she wanted but he swore if she kept gazing up at him like that, it wasn't at all fair.

"Right. Goodnight Merissa," was all he managed but she smiled understandingly and squeezed his hand before she left. Feeling still rather woozy, he leaned his back against the wall to steady himself a few moments before returning to the common room.

"Look sharp Tom, you don't want to be caught out of bed after hours, and you a prefect . . ."

Alphard straightened up, realizing he could hear around the corner to Slughorn's office. Riddle certainly wouldn't want to be caught out of bed, the miserable pet. Alphard narrowed his eyes in the dim torch light and leaned closer to the wall.

"Sir I wanted to ask you something."

Riddle's voice was clear, almost compelling even through the door. Alphard willed himself not to breath so he could hear better, an almost thrumming sound seeming to rise through the walls and muffle their voices.

"Ask away, then, m'boy, ask away," Slughorn's voice replied easily.

"Sir, I wondered what you know about . . . about Horcruxes?"

Happy new year everyone! I hope you all are having a good holiday. I knows its been a hot second so thank you for waiting so patiently and for all of the reviews/follows/favorites I've gotten even while being away, it really does make my day when I see them. I hope to be a little more regular with updates now, I just graduated with my first degree a couple weeks ago! SO onto what is rumored to be a pretty easy peasy program from here (I'm praying). I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, I would love to hear what you all think. I apologize if I missed anything in editing, I did a rather shorter job than usual because I just wanted to get a chapter out because of how long its been. Anyways, I will be responding to reviews in my next update, thanks again for reading.