I continued to not feel guilty well into the next day, it was going perfectly well all morning.
Tom and I had sat through lessons pretending nothing had happened between us.
It was only when Cedrella joined me in the library late afternoon, her eyes alight and a serene smile on her face that a knot formed in my stomach. She was just so happy that we had bonded in the last few weeks. It was silly, but in a way I felt I had betrayed Cedrella who was clueless to the whole situation.
But nonetheless I sat and laughed with her as we made lists about what we were going to get each of our family for Christmas. Besides, I had only kissed Tom after all, it was nothing. We are friends.
The next week passed uneventfully, apart from going to Hogsmeade as promised, I did nothing out of the ordinary. Meetings with Tom continued, but they were as they had always been. Though we had not actually entered each other's' minds again, we had discussed literature citing rare theories.
Tom's sudden, profound ability to use Legillimency had shaken me, it was as if a switch had been flicked in his mind.
There was only one thing that I could think of which would suddenly elevate his powers, and that was the same thing which had aided me- a noble inheritance. I knew he would be discovering that better left unknown secret, soon.
But although I did not know the exact time, I knew I should have been expecting it, watching out for it all year.
I watched from then on, noticing slight changes in the way he carried himself. He had always had exact, straight posture, but now he seemed to hold himself as a prince.
Perhaps his looks of distain grew in intensity, because hordes of younger students would part before him, either not bothering to cover their gaping mouths or fixing their gaze straight at the floor and hurrying away like disturbed beetles.
I was sat, looking out of the window, alone with my thoughts in History of Magic when the realisation came to me. The chamber of secrets, where else would he have tapped into such power?
I chewed my quill thoughtfully and turned to look at him. His eyes were fixed onto Professor Binns, one eyebrow quirked in interest. But his eyes were glazed and his pen was still.
Of course he was not actually listening, it was far easier to catch up in the text book later. Not to mention much more interesting. But should anyone walk in, he looked like he was the perfect student, naturally.
He must have been down to the chamber of secrets, which meant soon he would discover the nature of the basilisk and start attacking muggleborns.
But that was not the only thought I had.
That little piece of my mind- that one that no one ever admits to possessing, but everyone had. The one so entirely focused on the self- nudged me- he had gained extra power by visiting a place sacred to his ancestor. Is there such a place associated with Rowena Ravenclaw?
"Tell me Poppy," Tom said. "What do you know about politics?"
"What kind of question is that Tom?" I scoffed, sipping my tea and curling my legs up into the emerald green armchair.
"You are a Black, you must hear things, back at the manor," he said with a polite interest. "What do you know about the state of the ministry?"
"It is falling apart at the seams," I replied flippantly, regarding him with narrowed eyes. "You look pleased to hear that."
"Of course I am," he replied. "It is about time we were governed with some skill, is it not?"
I shrugged.
"What system does the resistance propose?"
"Someone is elected to lead, not a king, but not a minister either. When they stand down, they choose a new leader. Someone who they believe has proved themselves to be worthy and competent- their deputy or a promising member of the Wizengammot. They have one year, to prove themselves to be adequate, if not, they are removed from their post. If they do well, they officially take power and the cycle continues."
"And who do they propose to instate as the first?" Tom asked.
"I'm afraid that I do not know," I admitted. "They may well have not decided themselves yet. The muggle war and the growing threat of Grindlewald are making them uneasy, but there needs to be a spark to kick them into action, in my opinion anyway."
"And do you agree with their ideals?"
"I agree that things need to change," I said levelly, trying to decipher his expression.
We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. Each mulling over the things the other had said.
"I have a proposition Poppy," he said with a smirk. "I am going to be starting a little… group. I would like you to join it." I frowned.
"What kind of 'little group' do you have in mind?" I asked. Tom gave a wry smile.
"One worth joining."
"If that's all the information you have for me I'm afraid I'll have to decline your generous offer," I teased.
"One where we will discuss politics and certain branches of magic, our first meeting will have to wait until September of course, I just wanted you to be the first I discussed it with," he said.
"September?" I repeated, secretly thrilled he told me. "That can only mean one thing, that Cassie is not welcome. Is it something she would not approve of, or something she would try and take over?" Tom laughed.
"Perhaps a little of both," he admitted.
"Well then," I said. "How can I say no?"
I visited Cassie the next day, she had summoned me to have some measurements taken for the ball gown that was being ordered.
As soon as Cassie opened the door to her chambers, I could sense something had changed. Whereas before there were magazines and make up littering the surfaces, now there were stacks of, heavy books bound in leather with pages of thick, yellow parchment. One of them was stained with blood, I was certain. I pretended to notice and as I was ushered in.
"How are you darling," she asked, looking me up and down and smiling a tight lipped smile.
"I am well, thank you Cassie. How are you?"
"Perfect," she replied, pulling me over into the middle of the rug and brandishing her wand.
"Let's get this done quickly shall we?" A tape measure sprouted from the tip and started to slither its way around my waist.
Despite Cassie pulling out a book of fabric swatches and rattling on about length and bead detailing, I could tell that she had no interest in what she was talking about, her eyes were wild with passion for something, but she was also distracted.
"Err Cassie?" I interrupted eventually. "Do I really need the distance between my ears measured for a dress?"
"Oh no, no," she said, waving a hand which caused the tape measure to drop. "That will do, I'm sure we have everything needed to make it perfect now."
Cassie's attention had already been captured by a book open on the chest of drawers and she was reading intently, chewing the end of her thumb.
I bid her farewell and made a note to find out what she was so enthralled with.
On the way out of the Slytherin common room I was caught by Cedrella.
"Poppy I must talk to you," she said excitedly. Pulling me out of the common room without giving me a chance to reply, she found a disused classroom near the common room's entrance and shoved me inside.
"I have the most wonderful news to tell you Poppy," she said. "I was on my way to inform Cassie about it. But I'm glad I found you first."
"What is it?" I asked.
"Charlus Potter-" I interrupted by raising a hand and warded the door.
"Carry on," I instructed.
"You know when Charlus had his fall?" I nodded. Of course I did.
How could I forget?
"Well apparently, he was so grateful to Dorea for her help, that he invited her to Hogsmeade last weekend and they had a wonderful time," she exclaimed. I paled.
"How did you find this out?" I asked, voice sounding hollow.
"Dorea told me, she asked me to keep it a secret, because she does not know how he truly feels about her yet. But it's such great news! A Black and a Potter. Cassie is going to be so pleased!"
"No," I said quickly. "You cannot tell Cassie yet."
"Why on earth not?" she asked. "She will be ecstatic."
"Dorea is her sister, she must hear it from her or she will be distraught," I said, procuring excuses from thin air.
"Do not be silly, Cassie is not so sentimental," she replied.
"Well perhaps not. But what if Charlus does not feel that way about Dorea, Cassie is bound to owl home, and it will be a huge embarrassment if it does make way for a relationship between the two," I explained in earnest. Cedrella regarded me for a moment.
"If you say so Poppy," she conceded. "I trust your judgement."
"Thank you Ced, I know I am being overly cautious, but we cannot jinx this," I said my relief showing in my easy smile. Cedrella smiled sweetly and pulled me into a hug.
Lizzie and I sat beneath a tree by the lake on our afternoon off with a bottle of butterbeer, enjoying the views of the frosty mountains. We huddled together around a jar of bluebell flames, toasting our hands above the flames.
"So… you and Raimond have been getting along," I said, taking a deep sip, relishing in the warmth that slipped down my throat. She must have seen my knowing smirk.
"Poppy Black you little minx!" she exclaimed, snatching the bottle playfully and taking a swig herself. "Where do you hear such rumours?" I smiled wickedly and she laughed in reply.
"Obviously a reliable source," she muttered, still smiling.
"I know he likes you Lizzie," I told her bluntly. "Not that my opinion matters in the slightest, but I approve. Very much so." She glanced over at me, laying a hand on my leg.
"You're mistaken Poppy," she replied, with a kind smile. "Your opinion matters more to me than most. You were the one who said that Raimond wasn't that bad, and to be honest… I wouldn't have talked to him without you. I would have dismissed him as a slimy, sneaking snake. But that would have been very unfair."
"Well he is a slimy sneaking snake," I laughed. "But that's not the only thing he is."
"Perhaps," she replied, looking out across the lake. "You said he likes me?"
"Yes," I responded honestly. "Do you like him?"
"I do," she said eventually, donning a ridiculous high-born accent. "But there is no point getting involved with Prince Raimond of Aquitaine, is there?"
I raised my eyebrows.
"Do you not fancy being the Duchess of Bordeaux, and raising dozens of little princes and princesses," I teased. She laughed with me.
"Well, perhaps I could get used to that," she laughed, before becoming serious. "But it is a big undertaking, he has been raised his whole life for that role. Is there more to him, or has he let it consume him already?"
"I can say without a doubt that there is definitely more to Raimond than just being the son of a duke," I told her. "There are many strange things in old pureblood houses like the Lestranges, but there are a great many facets to his character."
She nodded.
"And besides, if you struggle you have a scion of the ancient and noble House of Black to assist you," I added sardonically, bowing low with a sweeping arm.
"You're right," she laughed, she looked thoughtful for a moment. "It's not a reason to discount Raimond. Maybe I might examine a few of these facets."
I grinned widely and took another drink. She caught my eye and we both laughed at the ridiculousness of it all.