Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Harry Potter character's or anything related to the works of J.K Rowling. I also do not own the classical music pieces listed in this chapter. I only own the plot and any original characters you might notice.
This story is rated 'M' for a reason-this chapter contains a sex scene.
I have no beta-reader so if you noticed any errors, please let me know so I can fix them as soon as possible. This chapter is a long one, so I hope you all enjoy it. I am still getting used to work and an irregular work schedule so, please,please just hang in there. I will update as soon as I can!
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December 13, 1943
First thing Professor Dumbledore heard in the early hours before his lessons of the day started was an errupture of knocks on his office door. He was worn out from a terribly strenuous side venture; Grindelwald was getting more and more out of hand. Dumbledore tried and with a couple days of his best research hunting: nothing.
Albus Dumbledore was still human and he could only do so much. As he opened the door, it revealed one of his most diligent Transfiguration students.
"Professor?" Ophelia stood in front of the doorway, she knew there must have been roughly an hour before she had his class. "A moment, please? Uh-if that is alright?" She heard from William that Dumbledore was back yesterday night and the need to check if what William said was in fact, true.
The kind man allowed the student into his office. "Miss Darwin, eager to brace the day."
Ophelia shrugged as led herself to take a seat in front of Professor Dumbledore's desk. "I suppose."
"Lemon sherbet, my dear?" Dumbledore offered as he took a seat behind his desk.
"No sweets for me, thank you." Ophelia was unsure as to how to start her opening statement. "Say, Professor, I did speak to you before, um." She had to stop herself to really grasp what she was about to say.
Dumbledore couldn't help but feel some concern growing for the girl. "Is something the matter?"
Ophelia's eyes shifted around the office. Maybe she was going mad-just like her namesake. "I did speak to you before you left? About...Riddle?"
So that was what she was all fussy for. Dumbledore didn't know if 'fussy' and Tom could be used easily in a sentence. "You did."
That blank, white slot of where a memory should have been popped in Ophelia's head. "I told you everything?"
The auburn haired wizard nodded solemnly. "Every incriminating detail but with no incrimination evidence to be reported nor found." He then found himself repeating the advice he gave his student back to their initial conversation. "You are to be extremely careful around him."
So I'm not going crazy!
"I know, I know." Ophelia placed a hand over mouth for a brief minute, her thoughts were processing too slowly and her mouth wanted to talk too fast. "I just…" She thought back to a dream she had over the weekend.
That dream, everything...Edmund, the lively tunes of Rhapsody in Blue...and Tom being there seemed so real. Ophelia's hand was still over her mouth and for a brief minute she almost felt the memory of a kiss from that all too realistic dream.
"Do you think…" Ophelia felt like something really was going to drive her mad, it was either herself, Tom, or Hogwarts.
"I do think," Dumbledore stated easily. "I tend to think often." He offered the girl a weak smile, a gesture meant to offer the girl some comfort in order to get to speak.
"Is it possible, Hogwarts might not be safe." There was a blood chilling pause as Ophelia began to make sense of what she was trying to convey. "For me, I mean. Is it possible Hogwarts might not be safe for me?"
This question caused the Transfigurations professor to experience the cold and still sensation of dread. Hogwarts? Not safe? Dumbledore couldn't comprehend that situation happening, but just because he couldn't understand it did not mean that it would never happen.
"As long as I am here, Miss Darwin, I will do my best to ensure that Hogwarts is safe." That was all Dumbledore could say because that was the only certain promise he could give.
The young lady with pale green eyes nodded her head solemnly, so came to her own conclusion. Dumbledore can keep Hogwarts safe, but he couldn't specifically keep Ophelia safe. A delicate frown settled into her face and her features look all the more serious; a thought came to her mind but she was unsure.
"Darwin." Dumbledore called out to her, "In the regards of Tom Riddle-I do not think he would hurt you. He would get nothing out of hurting you." The auburn haired wizard tried to sound comforting towards the witch but even then, Dumbledore was unsure.
Both the adult and the teen were unsure, and that was completely discouraging.
Ophelia did feel though, that Tom Riddle, in all his actions, did get something out of tormenting her.
"I better be off." Ophelia said with her best fake impression of a optimistic tone. "I do believe I have gruesome exams today, tomorrow, and all the way until Friday." She stood and readied herself to leave the kind professor's office.
Dumbledore knew the Hufflepuff found no comfort in his words or in the manner he approached her question. He was only human, he might have been one of the best wizards of all time right next to Merlin...The fact the Albus Dumbledore was human still remained and even a wizard himself could only do so much.
"Whatever it is you are planning, or whatever it is you thinking, Ophelia." Dumbledore stressed the use of having said the student's first name instead of last.
The brunette turned around and listened carefully to the older man's words; she didn't utter one word back.
Dumbledore continued on, "You make sure it isn't a brash decision."
Ophelia couldn't help but smile, she was the opposite of brash. Yes, the brunette tended to do things without thinking but that didn't necessarily translate to shrugged her shoulders, a little smile on her face. "No promises, Professor. You know me, all brash and wild."
It helped to lighten the mood but it didn't completely lift the seriousness of anything really.
"I'll see you in class soon, Miss Darwin."
Edmund Campion smiled at Ophelia Darwin as she made her way towards him; a big smile erupted on her face when the Ravenclaw waved at the Hufflepuff to take a seat by him.
"Hey, you." Edmund greeted as soon as Ophelia took a sit besides him. "Long time no see."
Steel gray eyes and dull green eyes skirted around the classroom; as per usual it was empty save the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw being present.
Edmund leaned into Ophelia and gave her a peck on the cheek. The peck was sweet and fleeting; it didn't feel suffocating or urgent. If the innocence of young flings could ever be captured in a moment: that moment would be brought by the French Ravenclaw and the ever-so-English Hufflepuff.
"Morning Edmund," Ophelia's voice wasn't too chipper considering her day so far, but her tone of voice sounded content enough. "Guess who passed their potions test from the other week?"
"I don't need to guess, I already know." Edmund playfully nudged Ophelia with an elbow. "Congrats, Ophelia. You'll finish the actual final with no problem at all, I am sure of it."
With a morning that started off with Dumbledore and Ophelia uncertain; it really was nice that Edmund Campion was...Even if it was only about tests and other things academically related. That earned the handsome Ravenclaw a peck on the lips instead of his cheek.
"You're too kind, Edmund." Ophelia said with a calm sigh and little coy smile. I wished I met you sooner.
"You make me want to be kind." On the young man cheek's there was a soft shade of red heating his face up. Not because of the kiss he got from Ophelia; it was more of a blush of embarrassment (something he didn't feel too often up until recently.) 'You make me want to be kind'? He criticized in himself in his thoughts. Great job at making yourself sound like a royal prick, Campion.
A couple more students ventured into the classroom, ready to sit down and take on their first final before winter holiday.
"Best of luck," Ophelia whispered as she heard Dumbledore began to go over the rules and outline of their test.
Edmund usually wasn't the type who believed in luck, he only took that statement from Ophelia kindly because it was her who was saying it to him and not anyone else. "Same to you."
Edmund had only needed an hour and twenty-five minutes to thoroughly complete his test.
"I'll wait for you outside," Edmund whispered as he got up to turn his work in. "Take your time and you'll do brilliantly."
Ophelia nodded along to his words and continued on with her test; there were at least sixteen other students left in the room with her.
That transfigurations test took nearly two and a half for Ophelia to finish up, she was glad she wasn't the last one in the class to turn in her work. There were at least ten students still working on the test by the time she was done.
"I don't know about you, Edmund." Ophelia said as soon as she spotted him lounging about in the hallway. "I could really go for something to eat."
Edmund was leaning against the hallway walls, his hands comfortably resting in his robe pockets. "I wouldn't mind accompanying you to the Grand Hall for lunch, if you'd like."
That's when an idea sparked in Ophelia's mind. "Do you have any other finals today?"
The Ravenclaw shrugged. "Not until about three o'clock. I have advanced potions."
"I don't have my history of magic final today until two thirty." Ophelia would never have thought of actually leaving Hogwarts so early into the day. "I say we skip lunch at the Grand Hall and book it over to Hogsmeade for some butter beer and other goodies." The Hufflepuff always wanted to switch a few hours of class for a few hours of Hogsmeade.
Edmund was quiet. Go to Hogsmeade on a Monday? He didn't like the sound of that. "Maybe another time, Ophelia?"
"Oh...Yeah." Ophelia was really hoping on Edmund saying 'yes'. "Sure." There was an obvious tone of sadness in her voice.
"It's just, well you know," Edmund began to explain when he realized the honest answer wasn't the right answer. "Finals are really important around this time and I cannot-we cannot afford to be late." Edmund wanted to grab her hand and lead her to the Grand Hall-he couldn't promise a day out at Hogsmeade but he could promise lunch together.
"Campion!"
Edmund and Ophelia turned their heads towards the feminine voice. Ophelia felt immense insignificance when the red headed beauty known as Selene Sharpe stood next to her. Edmund was rather confused that Selene Sharpe called out for him so warmly.
"Sharpe." Edmund kept his tone smooth and even. "Good afternoon."
The female Ravenclaw beamed at the French wizard. "Campion, what are you doing out here in the hallway?"
Ophelia was going to say they had both finished their exam for Transfiguration and were going to catch lunch, but Edmund managed to speak faster than her.
"I was about to get lunch. Why do you ask?" Edmund was more focused on Selene and his conversation than what he and Ophelia were going to do.
Ophelia stood there awkwardly, feeling like she wasn't worthy enough to exist when Selene's ever so perfect presence was right by her. Really? First Tom and now Edmund? Really, Sharpe?
The red-headed Ravenclaw shot a side glance at the Hufflepuff and quick flare of disgust flashed in her eyes at the sight of the half-blood. Selene fixed her gaze back on Edmund, "Astronomy, Campion."
"Astronomy?" Edmund was lost for a brief minute before his eyes widened in horror. "Astronomy!"
"We better get a move on, Professor Yohans only gave me fifteen extra minutes to find you." Selene tugged on the sleeve of Edmund's robe. "Let's go."
"Right!" Edmund dashed off with Selene. He turned his head over his shoulder slightly, "I'll catch up with you later, Darwin!"
Ophelia weakly waved at Edmund, "Bye then." She let out a hurt and rather dejected scoff from her mouth. You go from calling me 'Ophelia' to 'Darwin' that easily?
Ophelia didn't know if she had a right to feel sad or angry. Her stomach let out a deep growl, and another scoff escaped her lips. Grand Hall it is then…
There was no sight of any of her friends in the Grand Hall. Ophelia's mood was dwindling by the minute; she really wanted someone to talk to or have someone to talk about their problems so she wouldn't have to wallow in her own misery.
Ophelia's gaze drifted over the Slytherin dining table…No sign of Tom. Lunch was uneventful for the Hufflepuff, utilizing this time to prep for the history final as she ate and it made her look incredibly bookish.
A look Tom Riddle thought was a rather nice change on Ophelia's face, he was also pleased to see that no Ravenclaw was anywhere near her. He could have sat down at the Slytherin dining table, all his pure-blooded lackies gathering in around him-he wasn't interested.
Without much of an announcement, Tom slammed his advanced potions book onto the surface of the Hufflepuff's dining table. A small smirk came to Tom's handsome features as the echo of the heavy book caused the brunette to reel back instantly.
The quick and easy scare had made Ophelia very aware of Tom, who was now seated across from her.
"Eating and studying at the same time?" Tom went on, "I see you finally learned how to multitask, Ophelia." Tom, well no, young men had a habit of noticing sudden changes in a young lady all at once in one sudden setting. Tom was studying Ophelia intently. Once again her mousy brown hair had grown longer-to wear it was right in the middle of her back; her neck was starting to remind Tom of a swan's elegant neck, and her lips, while still somewhat thin began to look more shapely.
He felt an odd sense of attraction to Ophelia at that moment, it was odd only because to an extent it felt much stronger.
Whatever interest Ophelia had in her food was gone; the spoon she had used to eat her soup made a small 'clink' on the bowl; she then closed the text book she was reading from.
Tom arched an eyebrow at his Hufflepuff, his smirk was still present on his face. The handsome young man leaned in closer from across the table. "I meant that nicely, Ophelia."
Another scoff escaped from her lips; something she had been doing increasingly more today. "Tom," Ophelia was gathering her things, "You're never nice to me."
The Slytherin almost wanted to say he had carried Ophelia back to her room the other night but he kept his mouth shut-he knew it happened. Ophelia, he was sure, didn't know it was real.
"I'm heading off, having a good rest of the day. Good luck on any of your finals, Tom." Ophelia moved quickly as an attempt to get away from him.
Tom didn't like how she had grown so confident with blowing him off.
"Where are you headed off to?" Tom had easily caught up to her, his potions book tucked under his arm. "A final?"
"No."
Tom began to feel his last nerve being tested. Here he was, attempting to be much nicer to the half-blood witch he was surely beneath him and there Ophelia was, ignoring his best efforts. He was tired of this, Ophelia acting as if she was no longer phased by him, acting as if he was nothing.
Tom RIddle was the heir of Slytherin, he was not nothing...Tom Riddle was someone-he was going to be a very strong and powerful someone.
He wouldn't even be Tom Riddle anymore...He'd be Lord Voldemort and Ophelia could be there, willingly or not.
Tom quickly glanced around their surroundings, there were a few students in his sight so he knew he couldn't grab and drag the Hufflepuff anywhere. He decided to play it cool. Tom easily draped his left arm around her shoulders, his fingers forcefully pressed into Ophelia's dainty bicep.
She tensed under his grip, but she knew what this action had meant.
Tom said nothing as they walked along the hallways.
He led her to the Room of Requirement, off to the left, towards a square grand piano.
"What are you doing, Tom?" Ophelia asked fighting the urge to shrug Tom's arm off of her.
"What does it look like?" Tom replied back as he drew away from Ophelia and towards the piano. He placed his book on top of the piano and played a random note.
Ophelia felt her heart beating wildly in her chest and with each random key and note Tom played on the piano, her heart felt like it was in her throat. Her mind was kept thinking of the dream she had not too long ago. Piano...Edmund...Tom…
"Don't stand there, Ophelia." Tom snapped at her with a soft yet demanding tone.
Ophelia took a seat by Tom on the bench in front of the piano, she put her book on top of Tom's. She felt like the room was spinning and the only thing that kept her from falling off the bench, was being by Tom.
Piano...Edmund...Tom…
"Ophelia?" Tom was starting to peek into Ophelia's thoughts. He saw that she thinking of the other night she was in here with Edmund.
Tom...Piano…Edmund?
"Ophelia," Tom's voice boomed out louder, he placed a hand over hers and gave it a tight and almost hurtful squeeze. He then placed that hand over the keys of the piano. "Play me something."
Ophelia was reluctant. All she could think of was the tunes of Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. "I don't think I should."
Tom was angry for a brief moment. So you'll play for Campion in a heartbeat but you won't for me? He wasn't thinking too clearly but he tried again to get the Hufflepuff to play. "Ophelia, please, play me something. Please."
It did sound sincere enough to be true. Ophelia sighed quietly and positioned her fingers over the piano keys. The sounds of Chopin's Nocturne No. 2 in E Flat Major rang through the room.
Unlike playing Rhapsody in Blue where she would play the lively notes too fast to where she'd make mistakes by hitting a sour note every so often- Nocturne No. 2 in E Flat Major by Chopin was something Ophelia could play without flaw.
Ophelia figured Tom would prefer that she play something at precise and perfect in his company.
He did. In the orphanage Tom was told to refer as 'home' the luxury of having a piano was not available there. Music from the radio played often, but it was always cut out by a warning or by news of the war A war, Tom honestly could care less about it. Muggle wars, Tom would think as he would also remember his blood was one of the purest in the magic world. Muggle problems, not my problem and not my war.
Tom Riddle was neither sympathetic or empathetic to think that Ophelia Darwin did see it as a problem: her family lived, worked, and raised her in a muggle world.
Tom placed the hand that was closest to Ophelia on the top of her knee; Ophelia flinched at the cold touch of his slender hands but continued to play on the piano.
Out of a sensation that could only be a mix of curiosity and lust, Tom sneaked his hand towards Ophelia's skirt and rested his hand on her inner thigh. He couldn't help but smirk at this; the Hufflepuff's skin became covered in goosebumps just by his touch.
Ophelia played the piano, the song by Chopin was starting to sound distorted as she played it at an unusual pace. It had been a while since she and Tom had been intimate, Ophelia didn't know if she want end up under the handsome Slytherin.
It's not like we haven't already slept together...I mean, Ophelia thought to herself as she only played Chopin's song slower and slower. It wouldn't hurt to try someone else...to see if that's what I want? Right?
Tom started to use his pointer finger to rub against the fabric of her underwear, a specific spot where he knew her clit was.
This caused Ophelia to gasp, completely stop playing on the piano, and jump away from Tom's touch. In a hurried mess, Ophelia grabbed her things and practically sprinted away from the Slytherin prefect.
Tom felt...rejected. Is that what this is? He frowned because he realized he did not like that feeling-not one fucking bit.
Ophelia on the other hand had made up her mind about something she didn't even put much thought into. Tonight for sure, she told herself. I'll do it tonight.
"Anyone seen Pipa?" Margo asked with a small crease in her forehead as she flipped through a muggle notebook called a 'Wedding Calendar Planner'. Margo flipped through the pages, all blank. "I want her to show me how this works-there are no plans in here."
Peter sighed. "If you didn't ask your Mum for a muggle planner you wouldn't be so upset right now, would you?" Peter Elwood had been noticeably irritable since his first final of the week; he had terrible test anxiety.
"Oh, but muggle weddings seem to have a charm that wizarding and magic weddings don't!" Margo tried to find one perfect to describe what she meant but she couldn't. The Blaine witch had only ever been to other marriages of other witches and wizards in high pure-blood society and each wedding was an arranged marriage.
Muggle weddings just seem so….Oh, I'll never find the word. Margo pouted and turned her attention to the seventh year with terrible table manners. "William, have you seen Pipa?"
"No." William Zolotov lied straight to the platinum blonde witch's face. "At least not since this morning at breakfast."
The Russian wizard was a terribly great liar; he grew up as a young boy in a terribly nice manner with lavished and wonderful things. To this day, William still maintains that the old family cat swallowed his mother's engagement ring (he was five and wanted to see what would happened if he threw his Mummy's favorite ring into a fire), he also still maintains that his Father's favorite wrist watch is probably lost somewhere in their manner in Russia (even though, William wears it all the time in Hogwarts and never at home.)
Peter narrowed his eyes at William. "You sure?"
William Zolotov did see Ophelia. In fact, he saw her right before he headed towards the Grand Hall for dinner.
The half-blooded witch was in a lip lock with a certain French wizard, William saw them pull away from each other and head towards the Ravenclaw's tower.
His eyes met with Ophelia's for a brief second and he nearly laughed when he saw the wide eyed look of disgust on her face.
William placed a finger over his lips and winked at his friend; a gesture which meant he wasn't judging Ophelia nor was he going to run mouth about what he saw.
Ophelia smiled at her friend, she too put a finger over her lips and winked back at William. It was officially a little secret for now.
"I've already told you," William finally answered Peter's question. "I haven't seen Pipa since breakfast, alright?" He easily changed the subject, "You need to relax, Peter. How'd you do on your finals?"
Peter ranted on for nearly an hour about how he was sure he answered every question wrong on every test he took so far.
Margo sat quietly, content to look at the blank pages of her wedding calendar planner.
"You don't think we're maybe moving too fast?" Edmund asked in between kisses.
"No." Ophelia replied as captured the Ravenclaw's lips for another series of kisses.
Edmund's hand roamed over Ophelia's body, they were lying down on his bed: him on the bottom and her comfortably on top of him. The deep navy blue canopy of his bed concealed them from the emptiness of his dorm room.
Ophelia's skirt was off her body as was her blouse, robe, and bra. Edmund was all the way naked.
Each kiss felt urgent and feverish and Edmund enjoyed the soft feel of Ophelia on top of him; his roaming hands settled on Ophelia's backside and gave it a squeeze. The Hufflepuff in response pressed herself into his pelvic region, where she felt Edmund's erection, and began to gyrate against him.
Edmund pulled away from the heavy kiss and let out a heavy sigh. He would have never guess that the Hufflepuff, not even when he met her when she was drunk, would ever be so forward about sex.
"Are you sure you want this, Ophelia?" Edmund whispered into her ear, he placed a hand on her forehead so he pushed her mousy brown hair out of her face. "We don't have to do this, you know."
Ophelia didn't really feel like wanting to talk much, even though she did enjoy speaking to Edmund normally. Ophelia only nodded her head to confirm it as a 'yes'. She leaned in again for a kiss, but she made sure it was a light peck.
Oh, Merlin. Edmund took that answer without asking Ophelia twice. The ashy blonde male had quick reflexes, he easily flipped the position they were in to wear he was now on top of Ophelia. The Ravenclaw placed multiple kisses on the nape of the Hufflepuff's neck, slowly the kisses went from the nape of her neck to her breast, to her flat stomach, then finally right above her underwear.
Edmund nearly tore the undergarment off Ophelia's body. A surprised gasp escaped Ophelia's lips and Edmund just bought himself up to face her.
"Ready?"
He talks an awful lot...Ophelia thought but she didn't necessarily think it was too bad. It was more of an observation. She felt Edmund enter her and a gasp that sounded like pleasure echoed between their bodies.
At first Edmund's thrusts into Ophelia started slow but eventually he started thrust deep and fast into her, his hands still roamed over her, particularly squeezing her breast.
Contended moans filled the spaces around them, Edmund began to pump into Ophelia faster. Ophelia curled her toes and wrapped her arms around the Ravenclaw's neck, kissing Edmund as if her life depended on.
"Are you close?" Edmund broke away from the kiss. His voice husky and smooth
Ophelia never heard him sound like that before. A shaky moan somehow allowed her to answer. "...Yes...so close…" Ophelia bit on her bottom lip hard, she almost called out a name.
A name that wasn't Edmund's.
"Fuck…" Edmund had released into the pretty witch. His well built body nearly collapsed on top of Ophelia's body. Before Edmund removed himself from Ophelia he placed a kiss on her forehead and laid down next to her.
"Enjoy yourself?" Ophelia teased lightly.
"Very much so." Edmund chuckled as he wrapped his arms around Ophelia and drew her close to him.
Ophelia didn't say anything after that. She laid still and listened to Edmund's breathing-after nearly forty five minutes, the Hufflepuff realized he'd fallen asleep.
With as much control she could muster in every muscle in her body, Ophelia made sure she gathered her clothes and got dressed quietly so she wouldn't distress Edmund.
Ophelia made her way to the Hufflepuff Basement without running into anyone who would have questioned where she was for the past hour or so. The brunette tossed herself into a shower; she wanted the smell of heat and intimacy off her.
The Hufflepuff closed her eyes as the hot water sprinkled onto her skin and into her hair, making her head feel heavy.
Tom Riddle drifted in her mind and the thought of him stayed with Ophelia Darwin throughout the whole night.