X. The Basalisk
[ A/N: Time has gone ahead a bit here, obviously. It is the start of third year for Nicole and Tom are still dating. Things have been going relatively well for the couple, but Tom still holds a grudge against Hagrid and is jealous because Myrtle went to Nicole's castle in sweeden over the summer. But Tom has been up to some interesting things durring the summer too... Please r/r!! ]
" Man, it's good to be back! " Nicole said, stepping off the Hogwarts express. " This has been a great summer and all, but I really missed you, Tom! "
" I missed you too, Nikki. " Tom said, taking her hand as they stepped inside the carriage which would take them to the castle. " Say, where are Myrtle and Hagrid? "
" Didn't you hear about those two?! " Nicole asked, her voice bubbling with excitement, " They're dating now. "
" How... sweet. " Tom said, holding in a laugh. " How'd that come about? "
" Hagrid sent her a letter while she was at my house. She hasn't talked about anything since! "
" I take it she's never dated before? "
" No. " Nicole said, " So it is pretty special to her. "
" Well, all the best to them. " Tom said, " Let's hope they're happy. "
***
" So, how is it, Myrtle? " Nicole asked, pulling her hair up. The two were in the first floor girl's bathroom and had just escaped from one of Giles potion lessons.
" He is so sweet! " Myrtle said, laughing. " How are things with Tom? "
" He doesn't seem mad about it anymore. "
" That's good. " Myrtle said, glancing over, " Eeeekkk! "
Nicole spun around when she heard her friend scream and found her lying on the floor, dead. " Myrtle!! Oh my god, what happened to you? "
The silence was unbarable and Nicole ran from the room. As she turned the corner, she ran straight into Tom, " Hey, what's wrong? "
" Oh my god... She's dead... She's dead -- "
" Who's dead, Nikki? " Tom asked, grasping her by the shoulders, " Slow down a bit. "
" M-Myrtle's dead!! "
" Are you sure? "
" Do I look like I'm joking! " Nicole snapped, " And what's worse, I do not think the cause was natural. "
" Lower your voice a little, Nikki. "
" There's a basalisk loose in the castle, Tom! " Nicole hissed, " I saw its eyes in the mirror! "
" WHAT? " Tom exclaimed, " You were in the bathroom with her? "
" Yeah... " Nicole said, tears now pooring down her cheeks, " One minute she was talking to me and the next... She was gone. "
" Sorry to hear that, Nikki. "
" Tom, I'm scared! " Nicole said, her voice once again gaining volume, " That thing can peep through all of the pipes and kill students at random! This is an emergency! It has to be reported at once. "
" No, no... " Tom said, " We do not want to start a panic. "
" But what about Myrtle? "
" She's dead, Nicole. I doubt it is going to matter to her. "
" You're acting so heartless! " Nicole shouted, " What's happened to you, Tom? Are you still angry about this summer? "
" I was left unattended when I had a fever and was beaten six times. Should I not be angry with you? "
" That's not my fault! "
" Yes it is. Had I come with you, I would not have been beaten. Though I am starting to wonder if you would have taken care of me if I was sick. "
" Myrtle is... well... was... my friend, too! She had the right to come and visit! "
" You love her more then you love me? "
" Hey, guys! " Hagrid said, joining them, " Have either of you seen Myrtle? "
" Hagrid, I -- "
" Her corpse can presently be found in the girls' bathroom down the hall. " Tom said, smirking with his back now turned to Nicole.
" N-n-no... Oh, no... This can't be happenin'...! Myrtle! " Hagrid said, running off.
" How dare you! " Nicole said icily, drawing her wand, " Ascenda! "
Nicole's spell sent Tom flying backwards and he stopped himself from falling as he hit the wall. Watching him slowly stand up, Nicole realized that his eyes were glowing and his own wand was now out in the open. " You have never attacked me before, Nicole, so I have always tried to treat you with gentility and respect. But what you just did is completely unacceptable and you must be taught that there will be consequences if you attack me. "
" Tom? " Nicole said, " Are you okay? I'm sorry, you know. I'm just so -- "
" No excuses! " Tom said, his eyes trailing down her now shaking body, " Its about time someone gave you a crash course in reality! Cucio! "
" Arrgghh!! " Nicole screamed, bitting down on her bottom lip. Blood began to pour from the sides of her mouth and her body began to vibrate at a rapid speed. Suddenly, her legs gave way and she sank to her kness, hitting the stone floor with a sickening crack. Her palms, now covered with blood, were pressed against her temples, trying to decrease the endless throbbing within. Tom's stomache began to ache as he watched the convulsions continue. Of all the people to try his new spell on, why had he chosen the only person he loved?
" Nicole! " Tom shouted, dropping his wand and catching her drooping body before her face could smash against the cement floor. " What have I done? "
" Tom... " Nicole whispered, trying to focus her eyes on him. " I'm sorry... "
" You're sorry? No, no... This should not have happened to you... I was wrong. "
" I'm so ... sleepy ... "
" No, Nicole! You need to stay awake, sweetheart... "
" Nicole! ... What the hell is going on here, Riddle? What did you do to her? What did you do to Myrtle?! " Hagrid shouted.
" Take it easy, Hagrid. Tom and I had an arguement, that is all. As for Myrtle, I have a theory, but I will not speak of it until I am certain. "
" That's not right, Nikki! She was my first girlfriend! If you think you know what happened, you have to tell me. "
" She doesn't have to tell you anything, you blundering idiot! Now leave her alone! "
" Alright, Riddle! I've had it! " Hagrid said, running at him. Setting Nicole on the ground as carefully as possible, Tom grabbed his wand, preparing to defend himself.
" Jelly Legs! "
Instantly, Hagrid froze to the spot, leaving both Nicole and Tom to stare at him in shock. Just as the silence threatened to drown them all, Professor Verrynn entered the corridor, her face white from having just found Myrtle's body.
" What happened here, Tom? "
" Hagrid is in some form of denial. He just found out about Myrtle, and he attacked me... "
" Nicole! What on earth happened to you? " Professor Verrynn exclaimed, rushing forward to keep Nicole from fainting.
" Someone attacked me... But I didn't see them. They cast the spell from behind me, so their face never came within my view. "
" Tom, release him. Please. " Professor Verrynn said gently. " He is in pain. He does not understand what he is doing. "
" Yes, professor. Relicio! " With a wave of his wand, Tom's spell was broken and Hagrid dropped to the ground.
" P-p-professor ... ! Myrtle's ... 's ... "
" I know, Hagrid. I know... I am so sorry for your loss. For our loss... "
" Thanks, Professor... "
" Hagrid, I would like you to come with me to tell the headmaster of this tragedy. Tom, why don't you take Nicole and look after her wounds? She will have many, and will need a lot of help in the coming weeks. "
" Of course, Professor. Excellent suggestion. Good day. " Tom said, lifting Nicole off the ground and carrying her up the winding stairs that lead to the Griffindor commonroom. " What is the password? "
" Caramel Sundae. " Nicole whispered, watching through blurry granite eyes as the portrait swung aside, letting them enter.
" Where is your room, precious? " Tom asked, sighing as Nicole laid her head against him.
" First room to the left on the first stairwell. " Nicole said quietly, " Tom? "
" Yes? "
" What did happen to you over the summer? I just have the strangest feeling you aren't telling me something. "
" Do not worry about it, Nikki. Right now, all I want you to worry about is regaining your health. " Tom said, the noting her disappointment he quickly added, " When you are stronger, I will explain everything, my angel. I promise you. "
[ A/N: Hey, all!! It has been WAY TOO LONG, but with university and working on editing my first novel, recording a CD and struggling with a really bad case of writer's block, it happens. I hope you all enjoy this!! Please r/r!! ]
[ A/N: Time has gone ahead a bit here, obviously. It is the start of third year for Nicole and Tom are still dating. Things have been going relatively well for the couple, but Tom still holds a grudge against Hagrid and is jealous because Myrtle went to Nicole's castle in sweeden over the summer. But Tom has been up to some interesting things durring the summer too... Please r/r!! ]
" Man, it's good to be back! " Nicole said, stepping off the Hogwarts express. " This has been a great summer and all, but I really missed you, Tom! "
" I missed you too, Nikki. " Tom said, taking her hand as they stepped inside the carriage which would take them to the castle. " Say, where are Myrtle and Hagrid? "
" Didn't you hear about those two?! " Nicole asked, her voice bubbling with excitement, " They're dating now. "
" How... sweet. " Tom said, holding in a laugh. " How'd that come about? "
" Hagrid sent her a letter while she was at my house. She hasn't talked about anything since! "
" I take it she's never dated before? "
" No. " Nicole said, " So it is pretty special to her. "
" Well, all the best to them. " Tom said, " Let's hope they're happy. "
***
" So, how is it, Myrtle? " Nicole asked, pulling her hair up. The two were in the first floor girl's bathroom and had just escaped from one of Giles potion lessons.
" He is so sweet! " Myrtle said, laughing. " How are things with Tom? "
" He doesn't seem mad about it anymore. "
" That's good. " Myrtle said, glancing over, " Eeeekkk! "
Nicole spun around when she heard her friend scream and found her lying on the floor, dead. " Myrtle!! Oh my god, what happened to you? "
The silence was unbarable and Nicole ran from the room. As she turned the corner, she ran straight into Tom, " Hey, what's wrong? "
" Oh my god... She's dead... She's dead -- "
" Who's dead, Nikki? " Tom asked, grasping her by the shoulders, " Slow down a bit. "
" M-Myrtle's dead!! "
" Are you sure? "
" Do I look like I'm joking! " Nicole snapped, " And what's worse, I do not think the cause was natural. "
" Lower your voice a little, Nikki. "
" There's a basalisk loose in the castle, Tom! " Nicole hissed, " I saw its eyes in the mirror! "
" WHAT? " Tom exclaimed, " You were in the bathroom with her? "
" Yeah... " Nicole said, tears now pooring down her cheeks, " One minute she was talking to me and the next... She was gone. "
" Sorry to hear that, Nikki. "
" Tom, I'm scared! " Nicole said, her voice once again gaining volume, " That thing can peep through all of the pipes and kill students at random! This is an emergency! It has to be reported at once. "
" No, no... " Tom said, " We do not want to start a panic. "
" But what about Myrtle? "
" She's dead, Nicole. I doubt it is going to matter to her. "
" You're acting so heartless! " Nicole shouted, " What's happened to you, Tom? Are you still angry about this summer? "
" I was left unattended when I had a fever and was beaten six times. Should I not be angry with you? "
" That's not my fault! "
" Yes it is. Had I come with you, I would not have been beaten. Though I am starting to wonder if you would have taken care of me if I was sick. "
" Myrtle is... well... was... my friend, too! She had the right to come and visit! "
" You love her more then you love me? "
" Hey, guys! " Hagrid said, joining them, " Have either of you seen Myrtle? "
" Hagrid, I -- "
" Her corpse can presently be found in the girls' bathroom down the hall. " Tom said, smirking with his back now turned to Nicole.
" N-n-no... Oh, no... This can't be happenin'...! Myrtle! " Hagrid said, running off.
" How dare you! " Nicole said icily, drawing her wand, " Ascenda! "
Nicole's spell sent Tom flying backwards and he stopped himself from falling as he hit the wall. Watching him slowly stand up, Nicole realized that his eyes were glowing and his own wand was now out in the open. " You have never attacked me before, Nicole, so I have always tried to treat you with gentility and respect. But what you just did is completely unacceptable and you must be taught that there will be consequences if you attack me. "
" Tom? " Nicole said, " Are you okay? I'm sorry, you know. I'm just so -- "
" No excuses! " Tom said, his eyes trailing down her now shaking body, " Its about time someone gave you a crash course in reality! Cucio! "
" Arrgghh!! " Nicole screamed, bitting down on her bottom lip. Blood began to pour from the sides of her mouth and her body began to vibrate at a rapid speed. Suddenly, her legs gave way and she sank to her kness, hitting the stone floor with a sickening crack. Her palms, now covered with blood, were pressed against her temples, trying to decrease the endless throbbing within. Tom's stomache began to ache as he watched the convulsions continue. Of all the people to try his new spell on, why had he chosen the only person he loved?
" Nicole! " Tom shouted, dropping his wand and catching her drooping body before her face could smash against the cement floor. " What have I done? "
" Tom... " Nicole whispered, trying to focus her eyes on him. " I'm sorry... "
" You're sorry? No, no... This should not have happened to you... I was wrong. "
" I'm so ... sleepy ... "
" No, Nicole! You need to stay awake, sweetheart... "
" Nicole! ... What the hell is going on here, Riddle? What did you do to her? What did you do to Myrtle?! " Hagrid shouted.
" Take it easy, Hagrid. Tom and I had an arguement, that is all. As for Myrtle, I have a theory, but I will not speak of it until I am certain. "
" That's not right, Nikki! She was my first girlfriend! If you think you know what happened, you have to tell me. "
" She doesn't have to tell you anything, you blundering idiot! Now leave her alone! "
" Alright, Riddle! I've had it! " Hagrid said, running at him. Setting Nicole on the ground as carefully as possible, Tom grabbed his wand, preparing to defend himself.
" Jelly Legs! "
Instantly, Hagrid froze to the spot, leaving both Nicole and Tom to stare at him in shock. Just as the silence threatened to drown them all, Professor Verrynn entered the corridor, her face white from having just found Myrtle's body.
" What happened here, Tom? "
" Hagrid is in some form of denial. He just found out about Myrtle, and he attacked me... "
" Nicole! What on earth happened to you? " Professor Verrynn exclaimed, rushing forward to keep Nicole from fainting.
" Someone attacked me... But I didn't see them. They cast the spell from behind me, so their face never came within my view. "
" Tom, release him. Please. " Professor Verrynn said gently. " He is in pain. He does not understand what he is doing. "
" Yes, professor. Relicio! " With a wave of his wand, Tom's spell was broken and Hagrid dropped to the ground.
" P-p-professor ... ! Myrtle's ... 's ... "
" I know, Hagrid. I know... I am so sorry for your loss. For our loss... "
" Thanks, Professor... "
" Hagrid, I would like you to come with me to tell the headmaster of this tragedy. Tom, why don't you take Nicole and look after her wounds? She will have many, and will need a lot of help in the coming weeks. "
" Of course, Professor. Excellent suggestion. Good day. " Tom said, lifting Nicole off the ground and carrying her up the winding stairs that lead to the Griffindor commonroom. " What is the password? "
" Caramel Sundae. " Nicole whispered, watching through blurry granite eyes as the portrait swung aside, letting them enter.
" Where is your room, precious? " Tom asked, sighing as Nicole laid her head against him.
" First room to the left on the first stairwell. " Nicole said quietly, " Tom? "
" Yes? "
" What did happen to you over the summer? I just have the strangest feeling you aren't telling me something. "
" Do not worry about it, Nikki. Right now, all I want you to worry about is regaining your health. " Tom said, the noting her disappointment he quickly added, " When you are stronger, I will explain everything, my angel. I promise you. "
[ A/N: Hey, all!! It has been WAY TOO LONG, but with university and working on editing my first novel, recording a CD and struggling with a really bad case of writer's block, it happens. I hope you all enjoy this!! Please r/r!! ]
