Chapter 18: The Deal
Sofia felt the man's large hands tightening around her throat, her feet were kicking in the air. He squeezed tighter and tighter until she felt her vision go black.
She gasped, sitting up in bed. Her fingers grasped at hands that were not there. It took her a moment to realize she had been dreaming. Was that what full lucid dreaming felt like? She did a reality check and held her nose. She couldn't breathe, good she was awake this time.
"I hate nightmares." She moaned.
She got dressed and went out into the hallway. A fifth-year student saw her and stood up.
"When did you get back?" He demanded.
"Get back? I've been asleep!" Sofia said.
The boy shook his head and shrugged. "You better go see Riddle in his office right away. He was looking for you and you weren't in your room." He said.
"Really? Was I sleepwalking again?" Sofia asked.
The Gryffindor boy shrugged.
She sighed and went to Riddle's office. What time was it? It wasn't locked, unlike her strange nightmare. Sofia poked her head in and saw Riddle busy writing something with his quill.
He looked up at her as she entered and put his quill down. "Come here."
"Something wrong?" She asked.
Riddle interlaced his fingers, watching her a moment before speaking, and leaned forward at his desk. "Where did you go last night?"
Sofia shrugged, "As far as I know, I never left my room."
Riddle stood up and walked around the desk. With a wave of his wand, Sofia was pulled towards him, her face landing with a thump against his chest.
Sofia's face turned red and started to pull away when he grabbed the side of her face and pushed her chin upwards and felt his hand around her throat with the other. Even though he didn't cause any pain, she pushed him away and protectively covered her throat.
"What happened?" Riddle demanded.
"What do you mean?" Sofia asked.
"You have bruises on your neck," Riddle said.
Bruises? Her strange dream came back to her. Did she injure herself while dreaming?
"Explain!" Riddle demanded.
Sofia cringed at his sharp command. "I had another strange dream, this one was different though. It felt like I was awake. I was attacked in the dream, but he was just some random guy."
"The student on guard duty insisted you never walked out of your room. Yet when I checked on you, you weren't anywhere to be seen. Also, a piece of property of mine has been stolen from my office. A piece of parchment. Know anything about that?" Riddle asked.
Sofia remembered James and his friends acting suspiciously over a blank parchment but shook her head. She was at a loss for words.
"Fine. I'll just have to keep a closer eye on you from now on. Go to the nurse and have her look at your neck," Riddle said.
He turned and went back to his desk, focusing on his paperwork.
Sofia nodded and started to head out when Riddle spoke up.
"Before you leave, go get James Potter and tell him to come and see me right now. Tell him to bring the parchment unless he wants to be expelled." Riddle said without looking up,
Sofia frowned at the command. James was going to think she sold him out. "Um... isn't he in class right now?"
"Yes, Transfiguration. You do know where it is don't you?" Riddle asked.
"Well, yes but..."
"Then go get him. You're dismissed," Riddle said.
Sofia stopped in the bathroom and looked in the mirror at her neck. She gasped as the bruises showed a large handprint. She couldn't have done that to herself. She placed the tips of her fingers over the bruised thumbprints. Her fingers were too small. Maybe there was more to this than simple dreams or sleepwalking. She thought of the man that attacked her. He didn't look familiar in any way.
Sofia arrived at James's classroom. She could hear the teacher's voice booming out a lecture. She did not want to go in. She turned the knob quietly and peeked inside. She could see James, Sirius, and Remus inside.
The instructor suddenly stopped and looked up. "It seems we have a visitor. Can we help you?"
Sofia was so startled, she nearly closed the door and ran away. She could imagine Riddle's sour lecture and would probably punish her again. She smiled and stepped inside. The entire class was looking at her. Luckily James was near the door. She didn't recognize the professor.
"Sorry, I need to speak to Mr. Potter," Sofia said.
James got out of his seat and met her at the door. "What?"
Sofia stared at James, reluctant to tell him.
"What is this about? The entire class would be interested to know why you interrupted us." The professor asked.
"Mr. Riddle wants to see Mr. Potter in his office," Sofia said.
"Tell the headmaster he can see him after he's done with my class ." The professor demanded.
"Sorry sir, but he needs to see him right now," Sofia said.
James sighed and started down the hall. "Wait."
Potter turned to Sofia. "Yeah?"
Sofia started wringing her hands together. "Riddle wants you to bring the parchment you stole from his office or you'll be expelled."
Now Sirius was out of his seat and at the door. "What the hell did you tell Riddle? See James, I knew she couldn't be trusted!"
Sofia pushed out her lip, frowning at Sirius who was glaring at her.
"It's fine Sirius. Sofia, tell Riddle I'll meet him at his office." James said.
Sofia turned from Sirius and headed down the hall after James. James didn't really seem angry like Sirius, but he looked disappointed. Sofia wiped at tears, trying to pull herself together.
Sofia took her time getting back to Riddle's office. She had to go into the bathroom and wash her face. Riddle and Potter were already there when she arrived.
"You're late. Come inside. We've been waiting for you." Riddle said.
Sofia stole a glance at James who was avoiding looking at her. Riddle was sitting at his desk. He held out his hand as James reluctantly gave him the parchment.
"What's the big deal about a blank parchment anyway," Sofia muttered.
Riddle gave a knowing smirk. "We both know this is more than it appears don't we Mr. Potter?"
James crossed his arms and shrugged.
Riddle placed the parchment on the desk, stood up, and stepped around the side. He pulled out his wand and waved it over the parchment. "I solemnly swear I am up to no good."
James looked up startled. Sofia looked closer as the parchment opened up. Lines formed, turning into a larger picture as the map continued revealing itself.
Sofia's jaw dropped and she leaned in closer. "Is that a map of Hogwarts? Woah, look at all the little feet running around! Are those real people? Wait, is this is how you've been keeping track of me?"
She looked up as James was glaring at her. "As if you didn't know."
Riddle turned to Potter. "Now Mr. Potter, before I keep this map and confiscate the invisibility cloak we both know you have.."
"No way in hell am I giving you that!" James stood up and clenched his fists.
"Mr. Potter, right now you are lucky that I don't expel you. I do have an offer to make, however. An offer if you agree to my terms, I'll let you keep both the parchment and the map."
"How did you know how to open the map? Did your little spy here help?" James accused, nodding in Sofia's direction.
"One of your friends did inform me, Mr. Potter. Although it was before Sofia arrived," Riddle said.
James looked at Riddle, suddenly confused.
Sofia understood immediately. "Pettigrew... was your informant?" Sofia whispered.
"Yes, he was. Up until he was no longer useful anyway," Riddle said. He noticed Sofia's harsh gaze but ignored her.
James remained silent and stared at the floor. His friend's betrayal hurt.
"What do you want from me?" James asked.
"So far, I've had various students keep an eye on Sofia here. All have failed as she keeps going missing. The map itself showed her missing from the castle last night. I want you and your friends to take her out of Hogwarts to my house. She'll be more isolated and easy to keep track of. You, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin will keep track of Sofia every day, every hour. I want to know where she goes if she sleepwalks again. Use your map. Just to make sure you're doing your job right, I'm sending Severus Snape with you. I want regular reports." Riddle said.
"And if I refuse?" James asked.
"Then you, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin will be expelled from Hogwarts. I also keep the map and your cloak." Riddle smiled.
James snatched the map from Riddle. "Fine. Deal."
"Mr. Riddle, your house only has 3 bedrooms," Sofia said.
"You won't be going back to that house. You're going to my childhood home."
"We'll be missing a lot of school," James said.
"You'll all make it up next year. I suggest you go tell your friends what's happening. You leave tomorrow," Riddle said.
James got up to leave and noticed Sofia still standing there, her fists clenched.
Riddle simply went back to his paperwork.
Potter gently grabbed Sofia's wrist and tried to pull her away. She aggressively snatched her hand away and went up to Riddle's desk.
"Did you tell Pettigrew to attack me before you arrested him?" Sofia asked.
"Why would I do that?" Riddle asked.
"He told me someone ordered him to attack me. You conveniently showed up afterward and rescued me." Sofia said through gritted teeth.
Riddle looked deep in thought as he studied Sofia for a moment. "Sorry I can't help you," Riddle said.
Sofia grabbed his paperwork and threw it across the room and shouted. "Answer me!"
James' eyes went wide but remained silent.
Riddle narrowed his eyes, "This is something you should have brought up the day it happened. I could have questioned him about it. It's too late now. I suggest you watch your tone and go pack." Riddle said.
Sofia stormed past James, letting the door slam against the wall, and vanished down the stairs.
"One more thing Mr. Potter," Riddle said.
James sighed and waited.
"Make sure Sofia doesn't go sleepwalking. If I find out you lost her, you're all expelled. Am I clear?" Riddle asked.
"Yes sir," James said. He turned and walked down the stairs to find Remus and Sirius. Something told him, this was going to be a long year.