September 6th 1943

Nadine Winter

It's raining outside, I don't like rain, it reminds me of home. Therefore I'm spending my evening in the library, losing myself in a book that I have already read once before. The Picture of Dorian Gray. I've been sitting in the same spot for a while, ever since dinner started, Leona decided it would be nice getting to know new people, even though she has had the chance for 4 years. It isn't as if I have held her back, I fully support her in making new friends, I just hope she sees it that way. Friends support friends, I know. But I can't help being jealous at how easy she makes them. "Nadine! Didn't think I would find you here."

It has been two days since I had tutoring with Tom Riddle. Which means it's two more days until the next time I see him,which means I am probably going to end up crying once again in front of him. Also known as the most embarrassing day of my life, after the one time I accidentally spilled hot tea all over my uniform last christmas, let's just say liquid and white shirts aren't a match made in heaven. Thankfully, there was only one person there , unfortunately, that person was Tom, and the tables had been set up as one grand table. He saw it, at first i thought that he might help for once, but no, he straight up smirked in my face, whis is basically a loud laugh coming from him

I don't hate him, I just don't particularly like him. There is something about him that doesn't sit right with me. I don't know if it's the fact that he reminds me of my mother or if it's because he is Tom Riddle. I know every detail there is about his family. I'm not some crazy stalker, but when you have nothing to do and your mother has thousands of books on the pureblood families, there is only so much you can do before you crack and start reading them.

"Theon, hi." I smile at him when I see someone else behind him. He is extremely attractive, with brown curls and gorgeous green eyes. I can feel myself getting lost in his eyes, before I shake myself out of it. "And?"

"Laurence Rosier at your service, madam." He bows his head. "But call me Laurie, please. Only morons and Tom call me Laurence." Laurie chuckles.

I try to hide my smile, "so you're saying Riddle is a moron then?" I can't ignore the panic crossing his face when I say that. "I apologize, bad joke." I finish off with a fake laugh.

"So,Nadine. What are you reading that is so important that you skip dinner?" Theon says as he sits himself down opposite of me, Laurie not far behind.

I don't know how they will react if I tell them, do they know I'm a half-blood? Will they care if it's a muggle book? Will they look at me differently? I haven't known them for long, I just met Laurie. Sometimes I hate my brain, it always thinks too much or too little. "Oh uhm, you probably haven't heard of it." I scratch my arm. I'm nervous now.

"Oh, come on, we might actually surprise you with our knowledge, you know?" Laurie reaches forward to grab the book. He turns to the cover and reads, "The Picture of Dorian Gray. Yeah no, I have not heard of it. I'm not that big of a reade-."

"I have heard of it, well i haven't read it, but i know the name." Theon interrupts Laurie who is starting to get pink tinted cheeks. I'm not hiding my surprise, the chances of a pureblood knowing muggle literature is slim to none. Nonetheless a Nott. I've read about the family. A part of the most prestigious pureblood 'club' there is; the Sacred Twenty-Eight. And one of the oldest families, next to the Malfoys.

Sometimes I wonder what it's like to be a part of something so big, but I would never fit in amongst them. One, I am a hufflepuff. Two, I am not of pure blood. It doesn't usually bother me, but in times of weakness, I can't help but long for it. I don't want to, but there are certain privileges that come with it. For example not having to be called half-breed; it doesn't really bother me, it's just gotten old. Or the luxury that comes with being in a wealthy family. "Nadine." Theon's hand is waving in front of me. "You left for a second there, everything alright?" He looks at me concerned, I don't want him to be concerned.

"Yes, of course, I'm just tired." I send him a fake smile which I hope he can't see, but he does, his brows furrow and he mutters a small 'ok'.

"Here comes Miss perfect." Laurie whispers with clear disgust present in his voice. Before I am able to ask who 'miss perfect' is, Laurie puts on the fakest smile I have ever seen, "hello Nora." I still haven't turned around to see who it was.

"It's Natalie." Great, just fantastic. I'm hoping she doesn't realise I'm here, because I'm afraid I dont have the patience to put up with her antics today. "I was wondering if you knew where Tom is?" I must have made a noise, for now she is looking at me with a scowl. "What is so funny, half-breed?" In the corner of my eye I could see Theon wince.

"Oh nothing, but don't you think the name calling would have a greater impact on me if you used it properly, or," I shrugged, "maybe, I don't know, found another nickname. I am getting quite bored of the current one." I flashed her a quick smile, before gathering my things and leaving.

Mulciber is the most annoying thing to have ever set foot in this school, I am sure of that. I am pretty sure the only sentences in her vocabulary are, 'where is riddle' and 'half-breed'. It must suck to be her mother, realising that you raised the most incompetent thing to walk this earth. Even my parents raised a decent human being, and that is saying something.

Not wanting to think more of it, I decided it best to get back to the common room, perhaps I could go into the kitchens for a bite first. Some toast sounds really nice right now. Lost in the train of thought i dont realise i've just walked into a crime scene. There is water all over the floor, which now has soaked through my shoes, and bubbles are coming out of the door on my right. I grab my wand to dry my feet, muttering the drying spell. "What is going on here?" A person shouts from a short distance.

"I-i don't know, it was like thi-." I look up, and see professor Slughorn coming towards me. Oh shit, this is going to end with a detention. Slughorn isn't really a strict teacher, but when you're standing in the middle of a 'crime scene' with a wand in your hand, you can't help but seem guilty.

"Detention, miss. Winter." He looked disappointed, but I know there is no point in arguing with him. I gave him a nod and a small ok, before leaving.

Looks like tomorrow afternoon will consist of me scrubbing cauldrons.