Chapter 5: Just a bunch of prefects and the head boy breaking rules. Business as usual.


V.
Not Stalking, Just Walking
[Hogwarts | October 1943]


The night before Halloween, Spektor's out roaming the corridors, unable to sleep. She peeks into the Great Hall to catch sight of this year's decorations being prepared by the house elves, many of whom are sitting cross-legged on the floor carving elaborate jack-o'-lanterns. Skirting along the walls, she blends in well with the late-night gloom. She has what you might call an odd predilection for fading into the background, becoming one with the scenery. Wandering down by the dungeons, she hears footsteps behind her and ducks behind a suit of armor, careful not to rustle the metal. A group of boys hurry past, taking care not to make any noise. They're Slytherins, and she recognizes the faces of Lestrange, Avery, and...Riddle. Hmmm... She slips out from behind the suit of armor once they pass and follows them at a distance. After turning a few corners, the three disappear into a darkened classroom. The door closes before she can get to it. No matter. Spektor lurks in the shadows outside the classroom, drinking liberally from her flask, waiting for the three to remerge in hopes of catching some stray fragments of conversation.

"Spektor?" A surprised voice behind her says, causing her to nearly jump out of her skin. She didn't hear the door open, let alone close, and she turns around to see the three Slytherin boys standing in front of her. The voice belonged to Lestrange. "Fancy meeting you here." A creepy smile curls upon his pockmarked, slightly ruddy face.

"What do you think you're doing?" Riddle demands, his arms folded.

"Couldn't sleep." Spektor says, yawning convincingly. "What are you doing here?"

The three boys exchange looks.

"Homework?" Avery offers, a little too unsure of himself, and looks at Riddle, who shoots him a dirty look in return.

"A young lady such as yourself shouldn't be wandering these corridors alone at night, Spektor." Lestrange says, stepping forward. "It isn't safe. Here, let me escort you back to the common room." He proffers his arm.

"We're all going back to the common room." Riddle states forcefully.

"I was thinking of going to the kitchens...actually..." Spektor says, gesturing in the opposite direction, "I'm a bit hungry..."

"It's after midnight. I doubt...wait...you intend to just walk into the kitchens? And ask for food?" Lestrange scoffs.

"I didn't say anything about asking..." Spektor mutters, starting to walk off down the corridor. Lestrange watches her for a moment, debating with himself whether to follow her. But the three boys set off in the opposite direction. Then, Riddle stops suddenly.

"I think I might've forgotten something... Go on, I'll catch up." Riddle says, and as the two continue on without him, he doubles back and catches up with Spektor.

"Why are you following me?" Riddle demands, in hushed tones. Spektor halts.

"I believe it is you who is following me at the moment." She turns around to face him.

"So you just ended up outside of that classroom by coincidence?"

"I was on my way to the kitchens. I stopped to have a...think..."

"You mean 'a drink.'"

"What do you want, Riddle?"

"I want to know what you want, Spektor."

"A snack."

"Where do you go at night, Spektor?"

"All over. Wherever I feel like. Tonight, the kitchens. Sometimes the Astronomy tower. I don't sleep much."

"Why not?"

"My dreams aren't safe anymore."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Oh...I dunno..." She trails off. Then, "Why are you so curious about me all of a sudden? What's it to you?"

"Shouldn't I be curious about someone who's so curious about me?"

"Don't flatter yourself."

"Why do you drink that stuff?"

"For protection."

"Protection?"

"Again—what's it to you?"

"Oh, nothing..." Riddle drawls, shifting his weight, looking like he was considering an exit.

"While we're playing Twenty Questions: what was that all about back there, anyway?" Spektor asks, folding her arms across her chest, mimicking Riddle's stance. "I hardly believe Avery..."

"It's none of your business."

"Suddenly so secretive...Now, I don't think that's very fair..."

"You've read my bloody diary...why don't you take a guess?"

"Well then, all that sneaking around must've made you hungry...Come along—there's probably cake..." V smirks, stalking off down the hall. She doesn't expect Riddle to follow, and Riddle doesn't quite know why he is following. He's not even hungry.