Black lace never looked more exquisite, love.
I looked up from the parchment, and turned to Tom with a questioning frown. Ignoring Professor Binns, as usual- he flicked another piece of paper over to my desk.
Where exactly were you going in such a hurry on Sunday morning, especially in such a gorgeous nightgown? I know you weren't with Malfoy, is there another man I should know about?
I sighed, and gritted my teeth in agitation as I scribbled a reply.
Fuck you.
And for the record, all of my nightgowns are gorgeous.
I heard Tom give a low chuckle.
Try not to sound so eager, love.
Meet me tonight as usual.
I debated staying in my room, but of course I did just as he requested, and was rewarded with a welcome of a glass of red wine.
"And this is for?" I asked bitterly.
"I thought it was your drink of choice," he replied with a smirk.
"I don't know what you are talking about," I replied airily with a small, forced smile. I would not give him the satisfaction of getting a rise out of me. I sat in my usual chair, folding my legs up under me, defensively.
"Of course."
He lowered himself elegantly into the chair, and I noticed how he did not touch the wine either. Perhaps his weekend whiskey had upset his stomach more than he cared to admit, too.
He leant back comfortably, but he surveyed with me such intensity that I resisted the urge to shift under his gaze.
"So, you put on quite the show Saturday night," he said slowly, as if it was the most amusing thing that had happened this year. "I was almost impressed."
"What are you talking about?" I asked impatiently.
"Well Abraxas might just believe you like him," he laughed. He must have been genuinely amused, because it was deep and rich.
My fingers twitched involuntarily for my wand.
"And maybe I do," I said, bristling.
"I don't want you to lie to me, Poppy," he said, fixing me with his stern gaze. "It is why I have not asked again where you were going last night."
"What do you want?" I demanded abruptly, crossing my arms over my chest.
"For now? To debate with you about the true catalyst of the first goblin rebellion."
And with Tom it had been that simple to return to normal. I thought it would have had a harder time with Abraxas, but in fact, it was simpler.
"Please don't get upset," he had said. "But I think we should hold off the relationship for a while. You know what our families are like. Booking the cathedral and choosing baby names before we've known each other six months and-"
"I completely agree," I had interrupted with perhaps too much enthusiasm, giving him a bright smile.
I was relieved I had dodged that bullet. The last thing I needed was Malfoy on my tail.
Now I could focus my attention on the Cassie situation. Her and Charlus had broken up, I had heard it myself.
So were they fucking on the sly? Or back together?
I suspected the former. But did Cassie know about Charlus and Dorea? Or did that mean that Cedrella was wrong and there really was nothing going on between them?
The next morning, I got my answers, but many more questions were raised, when Charlus and Dorea came down to breakfast hand in hand.
Lizzie who had of course been with me when we had overheard Cassie and Charlus breaking up, turned to me with a gasp as she saw them.
I could only shrug unintelligently in response, eyes wide and brow furrowed. Immediately both of us fixed our eyes on Cassie.
Her beautiful face was contorted with… rage perhaps? Humiliation? Surely not anguish?
Her jaw was set, making her beauty hard and frosty. Eyes open wide with disbelief, burning a whole into the side of Charlus' face.
Charlus bent over, placing a soft kiss on Dorea's cheek, who was smiling radiantly. Cassiopeia stood, slamming her fist on the table and swept from the Great Hall.
Knowing the possible backlash I rushed over to her seat.
"What just happened?" Alphard asked, looking from me to Dorea. Tom and Abraxas both looked interested too.
"I guess Dorea never told Cassie her about her and Charlus… you know how betrayed she would feel," I whispered, giving them all a sad smile.
"Of course," breathed Alphard. "I shall go after her." Before I could protest that she was better left in peace- lest he lose an eye, he had risen from the table and was hot on her tail.
By the time Dorea joined us, I had successfully calmed everyone down, making them a little less curious. So they did not mention Cassie's odd behaviour to her sister.
"Charlus asked me if he may court me this morning," she confided, with quiet joy. "He and I are going to be joining you and Poppy at the Christmas Ball, Abraxas."
"Capital," he replied, giving her a genuine smile. "Merlin knows I'm not Potter's biggest fan. But I do think you might be good together."
"Thank you Brax," she replied, squeezing his hand with friendly affection. I couldn't help but smile. She looked incandescently happy… but the worry that this would hurt Dorea in the long run turned the toast I was eating to ash in my mouth.
I had asked to meet with Raimond, he had of course agreed. Abraxas and Tom looked puzzled to see me walking through the common room to the dormitories, but presumably assumed that I was seeing one of my cousins.
Raimond's room was dark, but showed off his expensive tastes. He welcomed me in, offering a wide array of drinks that he kept in the many closed cabinets around his room. Everything was immaculately tidy.
He offered me a seat on the settee as he poured us both a cup of tea.
"What was it you wanted to talk to me about , Poppy?" he asked, as we both settled down into the cushions.
"You asked if I was going to be visit the priestesses after my birthday," I reminded him. He nodded.
"So you have thought about it?" he asked.
"Yes, in the Christmas holidays," I told him. "I was wondering if you would come with me."
"For what reason?" he asked.
"I'm scared Raimond, what if something happens and I cannot get home or I need your help? Please, will you attend with me? I don't know who else to ask, you're the only one I know who is dedicated to the old faith. You're the only one I can trust."
Raimond regarded me for a moment. I resisted the urge to squirm.
"It would be an honour to accompany you Poppy," he replied. "And an honour to see the temple of our faith."
I smiled and let out a sigh of relief.
"I am so happy you said that."
"Would none of your family go with you?" he asked.
"I have not asked," I admitted. "Alphard is not yet seventeen and Cassie is the only other I would trust to be magically strong enough to come with me."
He nodded once, immediately recognising why Cassie could not be taken.
"So what is your plan?" he asked.
"On boxing day there is the banquet at Black manor, so I was hoping the day after," I explained. "We shall pretend we are going riding. None of my cousins care very much for being on horseback and if we say we wish to be in each other's confidence I doubt any of them would protest not being permitted to come. I shall tell my grandmother, so she will allow me to go. The others will only be told after we have left."
"And our method of transportation?"
"We have to ride the four miles to the edge of the Black wards, then we can apparate," I said.
Raimond raised an eyebrow.
"But you are too young to learn to apparate."
"I meant you can apparate me," I said quickly. He gave me a coy smile.
"A likely story Poppy," he laughed. "Never mind."
Raimond sighed and stretched his legs out over my lap comfortably.
"You know it's kind of nice to have such an important job," he said smugly. "I feel quite superior."
I rolled my eyes but was grateful enough to let him have his fun.
A little later, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in!" Raimond shouted.
The door opened and Tom, Abraxas and Avery appeared at the door.
"Well, what do we have here," Tom said smiling pleasantly, cocking his head to one side and regarding the two of us.
"We weren't expecting to find you here Poppy," Abraxas said, his eyes were narrowed suspiciously. "We wanted to know if Raimond wanted to come flying."
It was strange to see him so distrustful and Tom the picture of amiability.
"Well you're in luck," I replied. "Me and Monsieur Lestrange had just finished our discussion and I was about to make my way back to the tower." I pushed his legs from my laps and rose.
Then I met Tom's eye and my insides felt cold. Perhaps he didn't look so carefree after all.
After hours of searching I finally found what I was looking for. In the Hogwarts library, of all places, for once held a book of merit.
There was a tower in the Scottish highlands.
Ravenclaw had lived there in isolation after the founders had left Hogwarts.
I read the tiny handwritten script in the old tome and could feel the anticipation growing inside my chest which every sentence.
I had to go looking.
I could find it.
I shook my head and thought logically. It would take Tom Riddle months to find the chamber, would it not?
However, Slytherin had been so suspicious of those around him and it was a hidden chamber, hiding a monster deep within a school. Of course it would be harder to enter. The heir must prove himself worthy after all.
I glanced the clock, seven o'clock in the evening.
I had twelve hours before I must be back… and if the tower was in Scotland. I continued to read, but the last words made her swear. It was on the island of Handa.
I almost ran back to the tower, and fumbled through my bookcase, I was sure I had a comprehensive guide to the British Isles somewhere.
My heart was hammering audibly in my chest as I finally found the tome I was seeking.
Handa had been uninhabited for almost a hundred years.
I skipped to the map of the northern Scotland. It was one of the innermost islands, separated from the mainland only by a thin strip of Atlantic Ocean.
It was not so far from here at all.
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood and made a spur of the moment decision. Grabbing my cloak, wand and the marauders map- I left the tower.