"Dying is a Delicate Moment"
A fanfic by Agara
"Kill me. Kill me if you ever loved me."
And he kills her.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN : THE NIGHT WE MET
Song : The Night We Met by Lord Huron
01.09.1943 :
"Hi Tom."
"Hello Grace."
As Hermione sat in front of Tom, she felt his gaze following her movement. She took a good look at him. Hermione expected him to be much more different than the last time she saw him, he had lost another part of his soul. However, he was no different. He may have grown a few centimeters, his shoulders may have broadened a little, but he was still the same.
"How are you ?" Tom simply asked.
"Since when do you care ?" Hermione smirked.
Tom snorted and nodded his head a little. "Yes. You are right." He looked at her and cocked slightly his head to the left. "I only have a couple of minutes Grace. Do you have something for me ?"
A few days after Myrtle Warren's murder, Tom had come to her. He had explained that to get in his little circle she had to give a piece of valuable information. She had sneered and had reminded him that she was the reason why he was still free. But Tom didn't care, because what had happened on the 13th of June was not part of what she wanted in. And just like everyone, every lad, she had to offer him something to prove her value.
Hermione knew that she was already valuable and that Tom knew it too.
"Of course I have something for you."
They both heard the lads from afar coming their way.
"Tonight, 11PM, Quidditch bleachers."
Hermione nodded. The wagon's door burst open and the lads entered. The tense atmosphere that surrounded the wagon a couple of seconds priors was gone, and as Tom and Hermione looked at each other, they both saw the other one slipping back into their usual character.
"Hi lads !" She smiled. "I'll catch up with you later, I have all my stuff in Pollux and Cole's compartment." She shot a last glance at Tom with a small smirk on her face standing up to leave.
"Isn't Pollux fed up with you yet ? You've already forced him to stay with you." Dolohov sneered.
"What are you on ?" Edgard said, lost.
"From what I've heard, Hortense couldn't stay alone in her house back in France after her being officially the last member of her family."
Hermione wasn't particularly mad at what Dolohov was saying. She was angry that he tried to hurt her where he knew it should hurt.
"Wow Antonin. You're going too far there. Have some respect." Thorus intervened.
"You know Dolohov" Hermione smirked. "For someone who doesn't like me, you sure take a lot of interest in my personal life."
On this, Hermione left the compartment and found herself in the small corridor of the Hogwarts Express. She noticed Cole and Pollux on the far left, she went to open the door but caught a part of their conversation.
"You're in complete denial." Cole spat.
"And you are exaggerating." Pollux replied through gritted teeth.
"Try to see it from my point of view Pollux"
"I am trying."
"You sure look like you're…"
Someone in the corridor slightly pushed her to pass and Hermione stood in front of the glass door. The two Slytherin stopped talking. She slowly opened the door. Hermione could feel the tense atmosphere.
"You're still here Cole ? Aren't you going to be late for the prefect meeting ?" She smiled, trying to diffuse the tension.
"It can't start without him. Let them wait." Pollux grinned.
Hermione nodded and settled next to Cole.
"So tell me what you think Kiddo. I was telling Cole he should try out for the Quidditch team this year." Pollux explained. "It is his last year, and his father is the Head of the Department of Sports for Merlin's sake." Parkinson stopped and stared at Cole with his brows furrowed and his head cocked on the right. "Isn't it mandatory if your father is the head of the department ?"
"Fuck off." The blond replied fed up. He stood up to get out. "Maybe I will. At least one of us would try to do something." Cole left the compartment, leaving the two of them alone.
A silence followed Woodcroft's departure. Pollux put his right hand through his hair and exhaled. He stood up and went by the window. It opened in a small creak. Pollux took out a cigarette and lit it. Hermione went to approach him but saw him shake his head no. She settled back on the bench and waited for him to finish smoking. Once he sat back in front of her, he started talking.
"So, who you've gone to see ?"
"Tom and the lads."
"It's not Riddle anymore ?" Pollux genuinely asked.
Hermione only looked at him and scoffed.
A knock on the door startled Hermione. She looked towards the direction of the noise and noticed the trolley lady.
"I'm starving." Pollux exaggerated. "Would you be so kind as to provide me with some food ?"
"Yes." Hermione smirked while extending her hand asking him silently for some money.
The oldest Parkinson obliged and put some galleons in the palm of her hand. Hermione went to leave the compartment when she heard a chuckle from behind her. "Keep the change !"
Hermione closed the door behind her and approached the old lady.
"Hello sweetie, what could I get you ?"
"I'd take two Sugar Quills, some Dew Dew Psychodrops, and one Sugared Butterfly Wing, please."
While the lady looked for her candy inside her trolley, Hermione looked around her. She saw some first years, excited about seeing Hogwarts for the first time, already in their black robes. On the far right, she caught sight of two blond Ravenclaw playing exploding snaps. And finally, as she turned her head to the left, she caught a glimpse of Walburga Black, trying to leave her compartment but a hand preventing her to do so. Hermione took the candies, put them in her pocket and started approaching the compartment the two Blacks were in.
"Miss, don't forget your change." She heard the old lady telling her.
"Keep it." She said dismissively.
Hermione kept herself out of sight and listened to their conversation.
"I told you it was nothing." Walburga explained.
"Yes, you told me. Now you need to show it to me." Orion replied.
"I did ! I've put a stop to it, I talked to him, I can't do more. I've lost everything Orion." Hermione could hear the tears in her voice.
"Come on ! Stop acting like you're the only involved in this shitty deal. I've lost as much as you did, do you hear me complaining about it ? No, so keep it together."
They both stopped talking for a couple of seconds, and Hermione could imagine the tension between the two.
"So swear it." Orion finally spoke up.
"Swear what ?"
"Swear that you won't try anything with Cassandre Parkinson."
"I swear."
"Good. Now believe it."
On this, Orion Black left the compartment hastily. Hermione quickly turned around and went back to Pollux, the conversation still running through her mind. She silently sat in front of him.
Should you tell Pollux ?
No. Hermione, you know that Walburga and Orion will get married.
You know that they'll have two children.
Hermione felt Pollux grabbing the candies from her pocket.
"Where's the change ?" He asked his mouth full. "I was joking when I told you to keep the change."
"You should have been more explicit." She smirked.
01.09.1943 :
Tom had his eyes fixed on his hand, playing with his new ring. He rose his head from the table as Milton spoke up. "I am starving."
"You've eaten half the trolley on the train." Malfoy sneered.
"I am a growing boy." The other one replied in a small voice.
"Not growing in the right way." Edmund snickered.
Dippet's voice stopped the conversation, and the entire hall went silent.
"Welcome back everyone. I am very pleased to see you all today and begin a new year with you. Without further announcements, please let the first year in Albus."
The doors of the Great Hall opened and masses of first-years, all anxious, followed the Deputy Headmaster towards the stool on which the sorting hat laid. Tom examined them trying to find out who will join the Slytherin rank's when a carefree laugh made him turn his head to the left. Grace was slightly leaning towards Pollux, laughing at something Cole just told them.
"Ok, let's get started." Pollux clapped his hands. "Kiddo, you're first."
Grace turned around and looked as the first kid was called. "George Aslan."
"Hmm… Gryffindor." She guessed.
"Noted. Cole ?" Pollux turned towards his best friend.
Woodcroft looked at Grace and narrowed his eyes. She looked at him with a small smirk on her lips. "Same as her." He finally said.
"Noted. I'd say Ravenclaw."
The three friends turned around and waited for the hat to decide which house to put the kid in. "RAVENCLAW !"
The entire Great Hall applauded, Pollux the loudest among them, grinning.
"It was just a lucky guess." Grace mumbled.
Sore loser it seems.
"Helsie Avery." Dumbledore called next.
Grace spun around and looked directly at Isodor who was trying to hide. She smiled then faced the two seventh-year once again.
"Slytherin." The three of them blurted out at the same time as the hat did.
The small blond first year approached the table and sat not far from where they were all gathered.
"Aren't you going to ask her to join us Avery ?" Tom mocked.
"Quit it Tom." The blond replied, his jaw clenched.
The lads began taking the piss out of the boy. Suddenly Grace called her. "Helsie. Come sit with us."
"Fuck you Grace." Isodor let his head drop to the table while the lads laughed all together.
Helsie approached them and sat in front of Pollux, next to Cole.
"Hi, I'm Grace Hortense. Nice to meet you."
"I'm Helsie Daisy Avery." The small girl smiled. Tom could see from the corner of his eye, Isodor silently mockingly imitating his little sister, as if she was used to doing that.
"Isodor never told us that you'd enter Hogwarts this year." Cole gently told the first year.
Once again Tom was faced with the fact that he was not in the inner circle. They all knew each other since birth. They all knew each other's family. And Tom did not. Yet.
"There is no one new." Abraxas noted. Tom looked at him, a questioning look on his face. "Professor. Look at the table, no one is in Merrythought's chair." Malfoy explained.
Tom's gaze met Grace's, they shared the same thought.
Who is it going to be ?
The last first-year sat down at the Hufflepuff's table and Dippet rose from his seat.
"Welcome to the first years. You've been sorted in what will be your family for the next years to come. I count on all the prefects to make them feel welcome and help them if needed. Let me introduce you to the new HeadGirl and HeadBoy for the year 1943. Please give a round of applause to Matilda Biggs from Hufflepuff and Cole Woodcroft from Slytherin."
The two rose and smiled.
"As everyone knows, professor Merrythought left us last year." Dippet continued. "I guess you are all wondering who will replace her in the Defense Against the Dark Arts class. He could not be here tonight and won't be there for the next two months because of a prior engagement. Nonetheless, I hope you will give a warm welcome to Professor Aldritch when he will join our ranks..."
"Atticus Aldritch ?" Edgard asked the lads. Malfoy nodded.
"...For the meantime, Professor Wink and Professor Dumbledore will be in charge of this course. Professor Wink for the first four years, and Professor Dumbledore from the fifth year." Dippet finished.
The students applauded the two professors. Tom, reluctantly, followed his classmate and joined the applause. However, Grace didn't, confusion written all over her face.
"Well, we'll see how it goes." Dolohov spoke up.
OoOoOo
01.09.1943 :
Tom had both of his elbows on the guardrail, a cigarette between his lips, and his thumb playing with his ring. He readjusted his coat to keep himself warm against the cold air of September. As usual, Tom had his hair cut during the summer at Wool's Orphanage and he shivered as he felt a chill breeze on his bare ears.
"A new bad habit Tom ?" He heard Grace chuckled behind him. He turned around and saw her walking down the Quidditch bleachers, her hands in her pockets. She had her hair tucked into a dark scarf and a snarky smile on her pink lips.
"The list is getting longer." She finished.
"Are you keeping a list Grace ?" He smirked, inhaling the white smoke.
She snorted and settled next to him, her back leaning on the guardrail.
"So we are here. I am listening. What do you have for me ?" Tom asked her.
Grace was looking at the sky, the moonlight making her skin paler. "I've heard an interesting conversation." She replied without taking her eyes away from the night sky. "Tuft wants Avery out."
"Tell me something new Grace. I have known about that for months." Tom huffed, disappointed by her supposedly good information.
"But do you know the reason why she wants him out ?" Her eyes fell on him and a small silence settled.
"Tuft is planning on creating a new department. I couldn't catch the entire name, but it has something to do with a transition and Avery's job, so international magical cooperation. From what I heard, she wants him out because he won't approve of the new department." She turned to face him entirely. "Were you aware of that ?" She smirked.
"Where did you hear that ?"
"Quidditch World Cup. Don't know who they are though. But I saw their faces."
"So you could recognize them."
Grace simply nodded. Tom took the last drag out of his cigarette and threw it away. Grace's gaze fell on his hands and she stared for a couple of seconds.
"New ring ?" She noticed.
Tom snorted. "You know a lot of things about me Grace, whether I want it or not. I do not know how you know that much yet, but I am not willing to talk further about it."
I will not talk about it at all.
"Not until you have as much leverage on me as I have on you, right ?" She finished his thoughts.
Tom didn't answer and looked at the Quidditch pitch. They didn't talk for a couple of minutes, both not looking at each other. Tom finally took out his cigarette pack from his coat and lit another one.
"Do you remember the man they found in the ruins after the attack back in January ? The one whose body was butchered ?" She asked.
"Entrail-Expelling charm, from what they said." He competed.
"It was me."
Tom expressly turned around and saw her staring at the bleachers. "Here's your leverage Tom."
"What did he do to you ?"
"Nothing." She replied while facing him.
She is as twisted as I am.
"We are not that different Grace." He told her.
"Oh no, we are that different." Grace pointed his ring with her gaze.
And she does not even know it yet.
"So ?" She questioned.
Tom took a drag.
"2nd Thursday of September. Fifth floor."
Grace approached him even more, slightly leaning in his personal space. He kept his gaze steadily away from her. Her cold fingers slowly took out his almost finished cigarette from his hand. He turned his head and looked at her as she put the fag between her lips, her eyes set on him. She inhaled and let the white smoke out her mouth. Grace took a step back and put it out against the guardrail. With a final smirk, she turned around and left.
Riddle's turned his face one more time and looked at the goals.
The fuck was that ?
OoOoOo
09.09.1943 :
Tom was sat at his desk, his gaze stuck on the professor. He couldn't help but feel already fed up with the entire situation. Defense Against the Dark Arts was one of the classes Tom was particularly interested in. He briefly scanned the room and saw the looks of admiration Dumbledore was getting. Including the lads. The only one who seemed as exasperated as he was, was Grace.
Tom kept looking at her, his mind wondering how so much anger and hatred settled between the professor and the french girl. She was absently doodling on a blank parchment, sometimes raising her head to look at the professor's desk. Tom squinted his eyes trying to get a better look at what she was drawing.
An "S" ?
Dumbledore had just finished telling the curriculum for the year when he clapped loudly his hand. The entire class rose their heads and stared at their new DADA teacher.
"I can see you are all falling asleep, so let's get things started, shall we ?" The professor made a sign for all students to get up and with a flick of his wand, Dumbledore set the room ready for duels. Excitement spread around the room.
"Don't worry, nothing too rough today, just to get you back into practice." The redhead completed.
Tom leaned against a desk in between Dolohov and Avery. Dumbledore called out two names, and the two students stepped forward.
"You know what to do." Dumbledore simply told them.
The two Gryffindors bowed, got ready to fight and counted to three. This pattern repeated itself for other students. The lads were all commenting on the fights, some comments were constructive and other just purely useless. From time to time, Tom could hear Grace, seated next to Isodor, mumble her own comments.
"He lasted two minutes." Dolohov whispered. "I hope he lasts longer in bed."
At that, Isodor laughed loudly. Dumbledore turned toward him. "Mister Avery, would do us the honor of showing your skills ?"
The blond boy approached the middle of the room and waited for his opponent. Galbanda Greengrass was called next. They both got ready. Galbanda shot him a curse and Isodor stumbled back while shielding himself. Tom heard a loud exhale next to him. He slightly turned his head to the right and saw Grace.
"They never duck." She said to him, however keeping her gaze focused on the duel.
"We do not all have been on the battlefield Grace." Tom simply answered.
"And that's why you should take notes Tom." She smirked.
"You are too confident. Someone should put you back in your place." He replied.
"Humour me." She smirked.
Is that a challenge ?
As the fight ended, Isodor joined them back.
"Miss Hortense." Dumbledore called.
"Professor, if I may… ?" Tom took a step forward.
"No you may not Tom." The professor cut him. "Mister Dolohov, you're up."
What is he playing at ? Everyone is well aware of the hatred between the two.
Dolohov turned to face Grace. "Don't go mad on me."
Tom could see from the corner of his eyes Grace getting tensed. Tom finally got interested in the class, he wanted to see her fight, he needed to know how wild she would go on him. The two Slytherin got to the center of the room, and Tom saw it. The same smile she had sent him down in the Chamber of Secrets, the one that says "I am playing you."
"Remember no dark curses." Dumbledore simply said.
Grace and Antonin took out their wands at the same time. Everything happened too quickly for Tom to understand. In the end, Dolohov was on the ground and Grace smiling with two wands in her hands. A loud silence settled. No one moved, no one talked.
"The fuck ?" Dolohov shouted while standing up.
"Don't be a sore loser Dolohov." Grace sneered.
Tom couldn't help but loudly snort at the sassiness.
"You're fucking mad. You can't do that !" Dolohov turned to face Dumbledore. "She can't do that, right ?!"
"There is no can or cannot here Dolohov. Do you really think people count to three in the real world ? For once in your life Dolohov, try to learn something from your failures. There are so many to come I'm sure." Grace continued.
Antonin took large steps forward, his eyes reflecting the anger within him. Dumbledore settled between the two of them. "Mister Dolohov step back." He said. The student didn't listen. "Mister Dolohov step back." The professor repeated in a menacing voice.
"She can't do that." Antonin defended himself. "I wasn't ready. I want a rematch."
"She shouldn't have done that." Dumbledore replied. "However, she is right."
Dumbledore addressed to the entire class. "We are in class, and I know there is a protocol to follow. Nonetheless, in a real fight, you need to be ready for everything."
The latter asked the two Slytherin to get back to their spot.
"What a cunt." Antonin whispered to him when he sat on the desk next to Tom.
Tom simply snickered.
Dumbledore clapped his hands to get the students' attention. "Thank you everyone, we will stop here for today. I expect you to read the introduction and the first chapter for the next session."
The students gathered their belongings and went to leave the room. Tom gave a head sign to the lads telling them to wait for him outside and went by Grace's side.
"You did it on purpose, didn't you ?" He began.
She put the last parchment in her bag and rose her head. Her hair was put in a messy bun put some strands were circling her face. She tucked them back behind her ear before answering.
"I don't like him."
Tom opened his mouth to remind her Dolohov was a part of what she was now a part of, but Dumbledore interrupted him. "Miss Hortense, may I have a word with you please ?"
09.09.1943 :
"Miss Hortense, may I have a word with you please ?"
Hermione tore her eyes away from Tom and looked at her new DADA teacher. Riddle left the classroom and she approached Dumbledore's desk.
"I understand what you did back then, and you were right. But you're in a classroom Miss Hortense and you need to follow the rules."
"You only said not to use dark curses professor."
"You need to remember that you are not on a battlefield anymore. You've been here for a year now Miss Hortense, I think it is time for you to accept that."
How can you accept that Hemione ?
That you've been stuck for a year.
"May I leave ?" She asked him.
Dumbledore exhaled. "I've heard about your grandmother. I am deeply sorry."
She wasn't your grandmother.
"I've also heard that my brother was there with you." Dumbledore finished.
"Are you keeping tabs on him or me ?"
"I am only trying to make sure you're not using him to get to me."
"The world doesn't revolve around you professor." She cut him.
She picked her bag from the floor and went to the door. Hermione didn't let him the time to answer back that she was out of the classroom and heading towards her next lecture.
OoOoOo
11.09.1943 :
On this second Thursday of September, Hermione went to Slughorn's private apartments just after her classes. She knocked twice on the door and heard the loud voice of Horace urging her to get in. After closing the door she sat on the same leather chair she had sat in months priors.
"Would you like a cup of tea ?" He asked her. Hermione nodded a small smile on her lips. Slughorn sat in front of her a couple of minutes later with two steaming cups. He put one in front of her and got himself comfortable in his chair.
"How is your sixth year going so far ?"
"So far so good."
"Jolly good. That is nice to hear." He chuckled. "How are the DADA classes with professor Dumbledore ?"
Hermione sent him a warm smile but cut him in his tracks. "Nice."
"Jolly good. Well, so about our classes. I don't think you need more guidance in potion so I thought about alchemy. What do you think Grace ?"
You think this might be interesting.
"I think this is a great idea Professor." Hermione answered.
"Good. Good. I have already talked to our common friend Nicolas Flamel about what you've already learned in Beauxbatons…"
Our common friend ?
"... I also think that we can skip the first lessons." Slughorn finished.
Hermione slightly shook her head to get out of her thoughts and smiled at the large potion master.
"I am sure I'll learn a lot. I always enjoy classes with you, professor." She praised him. "Maybe one day I could be on your shelf. It would be a great honor."
Hermione didn't particularly enjoy praising Slughorn but she knew how he worked. As the words escaped her mouth, she saw something in Slughorn's eyes : pride.
"Come take a look dear." He gave her a sign to follow him towards the said shelf.
You're going to be late Hermione.
Your first meeting.
Her eyes wandered on the pictures. She saw Isobel Darthmouth, Chudley Canon's Quidditch Captain, then Isaac Keptbell, a famous potion master. Then her gaze fell on something she was not expecting.
"Who is that man ?" She pressed, her finger pointing at the picture.
"Well Grace, don't you recognize him ? This is Atticus Aldritch, your soon to be DADA professor."
That's him. That's one of the men you saw at the World Cup talking about the new department.
11.09.1943 :
The lads and Tom were all gathered on the fifth floor, in the same classroom. He was sat at the end of the table, as usual, Dolohov and Malfoy just next to him. Tom was playing with his ring.
She is late.
The lads were talking altogether about nothing in particular when Dolohov felt the need to get this meeting started. "So my father…"
"Not now." Tom cut him.
The lads shot him a questioning glance and all shut their mouths. Tom shot a discreet glance at his watch.
She is fucking late.
The door opened in a small creak. Everyone turned their heads toward it and saw Grace stepping in the room.
"You are late." Tom told her as he stood up.
"I know." She answered.
The confusion was written all over the lads' faces. Grace fully entered the room in complete silence.
"Milton, move next to Isodor." Tom ordered the small boy. The latter shyly stood up and left the chair next to Abraxas available. Tom pulled out the chair as an invite for Grace to sit down, which she did. Tom sat back in his own chair. No one talked except for the two since she got here as if they all accepted her presence.
Dolohov, however, didn't look so pleased by this turn of events. He looked at each boy, his brows furrowed and his jaw clenched. "No one is going to say a thing ?!" He finally said. "The fuck is she doing here ?"
"Don't even start Antonin." Tom warned him.
"No."
Come again ?
Antonin suddenly stood up and leaned above the table in a menacing way towards Grace. Tom straightened in his chair and put both of his hands flat on the table.
"What is she doing here ? What has she done for you to get here ?" Dolohov kept going.
"Same as you did." Grace answered. "I gave Tom information."
"How can you know something we don't already know about ?"
"Well, have you heard about the creation of a new department Dolohov ? The one Tuft is trying to keep secret for the moment ? The one that has a link with the Department of International Magical Cooperation ? The one our next DADA teacher, Atticus Aldritch, is aware of ?" Grace retorted.
Tom turned his head at this last bit of information towards her.
"You are only here because your father worked at the ministry and could give you information. And what is going on with your father right now ? He just got fired. So the real question here Dolohov, is what are you doing here ?" She finished.
Silence settled for a couple of seconds before Tom talked. "And that is why she is here."
Dolohov turned his head towards him and sat back down.
"What are you talking about Grace ?" Isodor asked.
"During the World Cup, we have learned that on top of doing a cabinet reshuffle, Tuft had decided on creating a new department." Tom answered. "One that is directly linked to your father's job Isodor. That is why we need him to keep his place more than ever." The blond nodded his head in acknowledgment. "Atticus Aldritch ?" He asked Grace.
"I was in Slughorn's private apartment and I saw a picture of him. I recognized him. However, he wasn't the one trying to take Avery's job." She answered him.
Tom faced the entire table and joined his hands. "Grace saw two men talking about that. One was Atticus Aldritch apparently, and we still need to find out who the other one was. I need you to give her all the pictures of the World Cup you have got." Tom ordered them.
"What about my father ?" Isodor inquired, apparently worried.
"I can help, I can try to dig up some dirt on the man." Dolohov started.
"It is a good idea Antonin. However, how are you going to do that without knowing who the man is ?" Tom said in a condescending tone.
As usual, the meeting led to talking about politics, plots, and schemes. As Tom ended the meeting, everyone finally relaxed.
"So, what you thought about the meeting Grace ?" Isodor asked her.
"I wasn't expecting that. I thought it to be more dramatic." She chuckled. "Do you even have a little name ?" Grace mocked.
"No. But we definitely should." Milton intervened.
Tom could see that Grace was joking at first but the lads seemed quite into finding a name.
"What should we call us ?" Edmund wondered. "What about the Green Snakes ?"
"Are you serious ?" Abraxas mocked. "The Slytherin's heirs."
At that, Tom tensed while Grace chuckled. He shot her a glance. The lads kept suggesting names ideas.
"You should be called the Knight of Walpurgis." Grace interrupted them.
Shakespear ?
"I don't like it." Thorus complained. The lads nodded, all agreeing.
"I like it." Tom finally said.
OoOoOo
11.09.1943 :
Everyone had left the room already, except for Tom and Antonin, the former still in his chair smoking a cigarette and the latter leaning against the wall.
"Really Tom ?" Dolohov started. "Does she really have to be here ? I don't like her. I don't trust her."
"Neither does she but you do not see her complaining, do you ?" Tom simple said. "It is better to have her in our ranks than against us."
"I just don't see why she needs to be here. If it is only for the intel, she can simply tell it to you, she doesn't have to attend the meetings."
"Just say it Dolohov."
"What ?"
"Just say what you really think."
"If it's only for a quick shag Tom, you don't have to go that far."
"Dolohov." Tom stared at him, anger rising in his blood. "Remember who you are talking to."
OoOoOo
19.09.1943 :
The common room was quite crowded on this Friday evening, some of the lads were doing homework and others were casually talking on the couch near the chimney. Tom was comfortably reading on the next couch, his feet propped on the coffee table and his right fingers absently playing with his ring.
The loudest voice in the room belonged to a certain Pollux Parkinson, taking almost an entire couch for himself. He had his head on the armrest and the rest of his body on the couch, his feet on Grace's lap.
"What about strippers ?" He seriously asked.
"Strippers ?" She repeated. "Sure Pollux. We can bring strippers to a private school in the middle of Scotland." She smiled, her voice filled with irony.
"You asked me what I wanted for my birthday." He shrugged.
"Why am I the one organising it ? Why isn't it Cole ?" Grace complained.
"Because kiddo, you don't see Cole around, do you ? No. So it's your job."
Tom tried to focus on his book, but he had read the same sentence twice already, his ears only focusing on the conversation between the two friends.
He needed to know how their friendship worked, how Pollux gained her trust.
The common room's door opened and the blond HeadBoy entered.
"Oh mate !" Pollux almost yelled as he saw his best friend. "From the look on your face, I believe it was a good date." He mocked.
Cole approached Grace and Pollux and exhaled. "Move Parkinson." The latter obliged and Woodcroft settle between his two friends. "And shut it." He simply said, unknotting his tie and putting his right arm behind Grace.
Tom needed to know how their friendship worked, how Cole gained her trust.
"Now Cole is here." Grace looked at Pollux. "It's his job right ?"
"What are you on ?" The blond asked as he heard his name.
"This one's birthday." She said lifting her chin towards a grinning Parkinson.
"No. Not again. I've done it for years." Cole shook his head no.
"Fine. You'll have to be a stripper then. Do you look good in a bikini Cole ?" She laughed.
Tom turned his page, noticing he's been staring at the same one for too long. He quickly looked at the three of them and could see a little confusion on the Headboy face. However, the latter joined the joke promptly.
"I look good in everything Grace." Cole winked.
"So Cole, what about the date ?" Pollux casually asked, one brow lifted.
Grace laughed at that.
"Please Grace, don't encourage him. You're both aware it was a HeadBog-HeadGirl meeting."
"Meeting." Pollux mimicked quotation marks as he repeated the word.
Grace let her head fall back on Cole's arm and laughed out loud.
She is so carefree.
I need her to be this carefree with me.
Woodcroft rolled his eyes and bent towards the coffee table to grab Grace's cup of tea. He drank without asking for her permission and she didn't seem to mind. As he took the first sip, his eyes widened and he turned completely towards Pollux, who was himself taking a sip, trying to hide his smile.
"Don't look at me." Pollux defended himself. "She is the one who wanted to celebrate."
"It's the birthday of someone I used to know." She simply said.
Tom was interested in what she had just said. He remembered vividly the night they spend together playing chess when she confessed forgetting one of her friends' birthday. She had been sad that night, however, she didn't look like that tonight.
"Well, happy birthday." Cole grinned at her and took another sip of what smelled like firewhiskey.
27.09.1943 :
The morning breeze was freezing, Hermione was muffled in her coat sitting next to the lads. The Quidditch tryouts had just begun and like last year, the lads were taking bets, however this time, Hermione was not taking a part in it.
"Have you had the time to look at the pictures ?" Tom asked her.
"Not yet."
"And when will you have the time ?"
Hermione turned around and looked at him. "Do you really think it is the right time to talk about that ?"
"You are the one who wanted to get in. Now you are in. So get things done."
Hermione pursed her lips and chose to escape this conversation. From afar she saw Pollux grinning at her on his broom. She got up and said to Tom. "Don't worry Riddle, I'll get things done." She heard him exhaled loudly, apparently fed up with the situation, with her, before she left the lads behind and approached the guardrail.
"Watch me !" Pollux said to her.
"I am Pollux and it's not impressive." She shouted.
"Well ..."
Hermione looked on her right and saw Cole approaching then mimicking her position. He turned his head and smiled at her.
"... It is quite impressive…" He continued
"Knowing how much he drank last night ?" She finished his sentence.
Cole turned his head and looked at the try-out in front of them, however, Hermione kept staring at him.
"Yes." He simply said, as if he waited for her to keep talking about the subject.
"Knowing how much he drinks." At this sentence, Cole faced her.
"You've finally noticed then." He declared.
"I think I've known for a while now."
They both stared at one another until Hermione opened her mouth. "He is an alcoholic, right ?"
"Yes."
"And what do we do about it ?"
"Today is his birthday, so we do nothing."
"And tomorrow ?"
Cole pursed his lips. Hermione understood that Cole had tried several things but nothing had worked so far.
"Is he even aware of that ?" Hermione asked.
"He is in complete denial."
"Who else knows ? Cassandre ?"
"Cassandre is one of the reasons he is drinking. His father is so blind by the image of his perfect heir that I am sure he hadn't noticed yet. And his mother is sharing her bottles with him. The first time he got drunk it was with me. We were about thirteen years old, during a posh dinner, we were so bored that we stole a bottle of wine and drank it in his garden. After that, there had always been an occasion to drink, but now he keeps drinking when there isn't." Cole closed his eyes and exhaled.
"Should I say something to him ?"
"Don't." Cole replied quickly, panic in his voice. "You're only going him to rub him the wrong way."
"So, we can only witness him destroying himself ?" Hermione told him, tears in her voice.
"For now, yes."
"And after ?"
"We make sure he doesn't die from alcohol poisoning alone in the streets."
Cole put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her temple. "He is going to be alright Grace."
"Did you see that ?" They heard Pollux shouting at them.
Hermione nodded her head, a smile on her face not reaching her eyes.
OoOoOo
27.09.1943 :
Everything was ready in the common room. People were chatting over a drink in their hands. The charmed radio was broadcasting wizard music, Hermione was leaning against the table with food and drinks on it. She was wearing a white long-sleeved dress, her hair was falling past her shoulders. She saw Pollux talking to a group of his fellow seventh-year before catching her gaze and excusing himself to join her.
"I can't see any strippers." Pollux grinned.
"Cole is behind you."
He snorted.
"Where is my present kiddo ?"
Hermione smiled and gave him 2 galleons and 3 knuts. Pollux looked at her puzzled.
"Am I supposed to buy my own gift ? It doesn't work that way you know."
"This is your change. You know, from the train ?"
"Oh right. So where is my present ?"
"You are quite demanding tonight."
"You haven't seen him in bed." Cole intervened as he just arrived next to them.
"And you did ?" Hermione joked.
"We've been living in the same dorm for seven years." He replied, disgust evident in his voice.
"That's gross."
The two boys nodded their heads.
"So what is my present ?" Pollux pressed.
Hermione gave him a small package and watched him as he tore the wrapping paper. He took out a book and read out loud the title : "How to stay silent so others keep believing that you are smart ?".
Pollux and Cole burst out laughing. "Oh, I love you kiddo."
Two seventh-years called out Cole and Pollux to take some shots. They both invited her to join but she told them she wanted to spend some time with some of the lads. They smiled at each other before she left to join Thorus. On her way towards the boy, she bumped into someone's back.
"I am sorry." She excused herself. The person turned around.
"Grace." Tom smirked and sized her at the same time. "You look lovely tonight."
What ?
Hermione didn't know how to answer that and apparently, Tom was enjoying watching her so confused and his smirk grew even larger.
"Well, enjoy the party." He finally said before leaving.
The fuck was that ?
Hermione stood alone for half a second before joining the conversation between Thorus, Isodor, Edmund and Belone.
"Congratulations Belone on your engagement." Thorus smiled.
"He knows who you are going to marry, but I do not ?" Hermione faked being hurt.
"I hope you'll soon meet Benedict, Grace I am sure you'll love him." Her friend gently smiled at her.
"He is Galatis' cousin." Isodor whispered to Hermione.
She is the mother of the Carrow's twins.
Nice.
"Oh look Thorus !" Edmund intervened, pointing his finger towards a fifth-year girl. "This girl is your soulmate. I met her at the Quidditch World Cup, and I swear she is made for you."
The entire group turned towards where Edmund was pointing out. The said girl had long blond hair, an angelic face and was talking to some of her friends. Hermione then looked at Thorus and saw him uneasy.
"You know I am betrothed. " Nott mumbled.
"Let's change the subject." Isodor quickly said.
The party was going smoothly, people were all enjoying themselves. Belone was dancing with Galbanda near the chimney, both of them smiling and clearly having fun. On the far right, Pollux and Cole were laughing loudly with their friends, all of them having a drink in their hands. The lads, well some of them, were gathered next to the door, chatting enthusiastically with some fifth-year girls.
Hermione went to the table and poured herself a drink when she noticed the two in a corner of the common room. She squinted her eyes to make sure those two boys were, in fact, Tom Riddle and Antonin Dolohov. She quickly looked around her to see if other people had noticed the two talking together. She took her glass and discreetly approached.
"What are you playing at ?" Antonin whispered at Tom.
"I do not know what you are referencing to." The prefect lied.
"Lovely ?"
They're definitely talking about you.
"That was convincing, wasn't it ?" Tom snorted.
"So I was right, you're playing with her."
"Of course I am. Don't be daft. I do not have the time nor the envy to befriend her. So what is the easiest way to gain her trust but to seduce her ?"
Dolohov silently laughed at that and clinked their glasses together.
"But why do you need to gain her trust ?"
"Because I do actually need her. She has been useful so far. And I am sure she will be useful again."
He is apparently playing you.
Two can play this game.
And if you recall correctly, you won last time.
Hermione took her drink in one sip and went back to where the bottles of alcohol were lying. She repeated the conversation she had just heard in her head. A smile spread across her lips. Tom didn't know that she knew. Once again, she was one step ahead.
"Drowning yourself in alcohol ?" She heard his voice next to her, on her right.
She made the smile disappear and faced him. He was wearing a white bottom-up tucked into dark trousers. He had both of his sleeves rolled up to his elbow. His hair, as usual, was perfectly styled and contrasting with his pale, flawless skin.
"Your presence just gave me a reason to." She joked. He laughed.
Fake laughed.
"I heard a strange thing." He began and took a sip of his drink. "Pollux spent the last week of August partying in his beach house."
"How is that strange ? We are talking about Pollux."
"What is strange Grace, is that you said he stayed with you in France after your grandmother's death."
Hermione laughed at that. "Once again Tom, you misunderstood. I've never said that. Dolohov did. And I just didn't correct him. »
Tom furrowed his brows.
"And now you are wondering who I stayed with." She had a small smile on her lips. "But where is the fun in telling you ? Isn't Abraxas still keeping tabs on me ? Maybe he knows."
"Are we still playing a game ?" Tom smirked, clearly enjoying their banter.
"I don't know Tom. Are we ?" Hermione said while walking away, her head turned towards him.
Tom took the bait and followed her. They both went by Pollux and Cole's side.
"Remind me to thank Abe for the alcohol." Pollux told her.
"Will do."
"Abe ?" Tom repeated the bartender's nickname.
"You don't know Abe ? He is an institution." Cole replied.
"Who is he ?" Tom kept pushing.
Before anyone could answer his question, someone went by their small group with a tray filled with shots. Pollux stole it and invited them to take a shot each.
"Happy birthday git." Cole rose his glass.
"Happy birthday prat." Hermione followed.
Tom only nodded.
They took the shot.
OoOoOo
27.09.1943 :
Grace had lost track of time and Pollux. She had looked around but hadn't seen him anywhere for quite some time now. She followed her instinct and went up to his dorm. She gently knocked on the door and entered. The room was dark and only the moonlight was enlightening the room. She found him, sitting on one of the beds, his head in his hands.
"Hey." She whispered.
Pollux raised his head. At the sight, her heart broke a little. His eyes were red and puffy, and his cheeks still wet from tears. She sat next to him on the bed.
"It's your birthday, you shouldn't be crying." She gently told him.
"I am not crying." He lied, his voice still thick.
"Well, you shouldn't be staying alone in your room then."
"I am not alone." Pollux sent her a small smile.
Hermione just took his hand and let the silence fall back around them. It was not an uncomfortable silence. They stayed like that for a dozen minutes.
"He didn't come." Pollux finally broke the silence.
Hermione felt she shouldn't answer, so she let him continue.
"Cassandre. He didn't come." He kept going. "I know it shouldn't be a surprise, but still. I keep wishing one day he will stop hating me for who I am, for what I am. I believe one of the reasons he didn't show up was because of a fucking watch. I don't even want it, it is not even a pretty watch. It is just a tradition. The heir has this watch. Been that way for generations. I am not saying I don't want to be the heir, I just want him to understand that it was not a choice. Merlin, I am pathetic."
He let his head drop back into his hands.
"You're not pathetic Pollux. You're just human. He is your brother, he is your family. You want him by your side, it is normal."
"Fuck, I am the worst. Here I am complaining about my family when you…" He couldn't finish his sentence.
"As I said, you're just human." She gently squeezed his hand. "I was planning on giving you another gift tomorrow when you'll be hungover and in front of everyone. But I think you'll enjoy it more now. I hadn't had the time to wrap it properly."
She put her left hand in her pocket and took out a small, bright blue, muggle watch. She opened his hand and put it in his palm. The watch was clearly designed for a child, the bracelet was in leather but the dial was white with warplanes drawn on it. Pollux let out a wet laugh.
"Because you're still a fucking child." She explained in a small voice.
Pollux took her in his arms, his head tucked in her neck, both laughing and crying at the same time. Hermione couldn't hold him any tighter.
Authors' Notes :
Hi guys,
So we took a little bit more time than what we anticipated with this chapter, midterms and everything...
We also realized that today is our birthday : we've been writing DDM for a year now !
We hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Thanks so much for all of your reviews
Lots of love,
-DDM's Managers