FLIGHT OF THE SPIRITLESS

by. Clever Fox




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Chapter Two :: A Secret Revealed

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The evening sun set in the distance, threatening to disappear past the horizon.

In the dark stillness of the looming North Tower, the window shutters slammed against the cold stone walls, piercing the silence. The icy winter wind blew through the windows, spilling snow all over the carpets. But the two figures standing in the room paid no notice to their winter guest.

"You're just the sort to have done it, and you know it yourself!" Professor Ernest Fastun spat out angrily at the young woman standing before him.

"I did no such thing, professor ," the girl spoke, emphasizing the last word, disdainfully.

"I clearly saw you enter his office. You're not even Head Girl; what other business would you have to discuss with the Headmaster?" the teacher spoke cruelly, and a look of hurt and anger crossed the girl's face.

"The subject came up not once during our conversation, I can assure you that." The girl's dark brown eyes flashed dangerously, as she turned to leave.

"I certainly hope you are speaking the truth, you wretched girl. For if I discover that you have revealed everything to the Headmaster, I will make sure you suffer," Fastun narrowed his eyes at her, and she glared back just as fiercely, her hand on the doorknob.

"You have already made that clear time and time again, professor," The girl remarked, and opened the wooden door to leave.

Suddenly, the much older man approached her, and grasped her jaw, roughly. He held her face dangerously close to his own, and a cruel smile appeared at the corners of his mouth.

"Just a wave of my wand, and he'll be gone... Just like that. I could make it look like an accident; after all, Muggles are constantly dying of ridiculous causes. No one would suspect a thing..." The girl struggled in his grasp, and he finally let go of her. She quickly stormed out of the room angrily, but hot tears threatened to spill from her eyes.

The corridors seemed only a blur as her vision became unclear. She was definitely moving, but there was no feeling in her feet. She could tell she was nearly at Ravenclaw house. If she just turned left once more...

"Oof-!" She collided into something, or someone.

"Miss Weill!" Headmaster Dippet looked at the startled Ravenclaw, and started to reprimand her for running, but stopped as soon as he noticed her distress. "What ever is the matter?"

"You seem to be in an awful hurry." Tom Riddle stood next to Dippet, his Head Boy badge gleaming on his chest. Even through her tears, Nova couldn't take her eyes off the shiny badge. She had always dreamt of becoming Head Girl, but had unfortunately lost the spot to a Hufflepuff by the name of Linia Fredericson. Just seeing the badge itself filled Nova with jealousy.

"I suppose you wouldn't wish to discuss your problems in your current state, then? Go and rest, child. Tomorrow will be a brighter day," Dippet said kindly, but Nova could clearly make out the tired lines in his face.

"Yes, professor," Nova replied with her head lowered, and vaguely heard Tom wish her goodnight as she walked past him. 'How humiliating...' she thought to herself, as she trudged to Ravenclaw house. 'I'm always such a mess! I suppose this is one of the reasons why I could never be Head Girl...'

Emilia was sitting by the fireplace, when Nova entered the common room. She was curled up with a thick book, and a goblet of pumpkin juice. Emilia looked up and waved when she spotted her friend. Nova just gave her a weak smile, then collapsed into the nearest armchair.

"Where have you been? It's been awfully lonely here all on my own," Emilia said, as she sat down in an armchair next to Nova.

"The North Tower."

"Your uncle wanted to see you again?" Nova nodded. "I guess he didn't harm you or anything this time...?"

"No, fortunately not. But he did manage to scare me half to death with another threat towards my father." Nova grimaced.

"Inhuman of him!"

"You couldn't have phrased it more perfectly, Miss Lewis." Nova shot a small smirk at Emilia, who raised a stern eyebrow at her.

"I will never know what provokes you to become so very sarcastic whenever you're feeling down," she remarked.

"Well, it's either that or being depressed," Nova shot back, and Emilia rolled her eyes.

"At least being depressed will help you get in better touch with your feelings. You're just so closed up, Nova. It's hard enough for even me to understand you sometimes. You just become so... hostile towards everyone else."

"It's the only way to avoid getting trampled amidst this war." Nova sighed bitterly.

"What war?"

"Why, war of the wits, of course. And I'm definitely going to have to make some negotiations if I'm to exit this battlefield alive."

" Must you think of everything in that sad, twisted way of yours? Can't you just be grateful for what you have, instead of spending your days wallowing in sorrow? Sometimes I think you even hunger for attention, and so you put on your little woebegone drama queen charade!" Emilia finished rather angrily, and Nova's face instantly contorted.

"That's easy for you to say; you live in a world of cotton candy and teddy bears compared to me! Don't even assume that I thrive off this living hell of mine!" Nova shrieked furiously, her face flushed red.

"Living hell? Aren't you exaggerating a bit? To tell the truth, I'm really quite fed up with your cries for pity. You aren't the only one around here with problems!" Emilia glared at Nova, then brushed past her, towards the dormitories.

The large common room suddenly felt hollow and empty. Nova sighed to herself, as she leaned back in her armchair. She heard the slam of the dormitory door being shut, and sank deeper into the cushions. Another day messed up because of her and her evil ego.

Nova suddenly felt immensely tired; perhaps arguing had worn her out. She curled up in her armchair, and rested her head on the cushions. In less than a minute, she was fast asleep; travelling to dream worlds where she was safe and happy.

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"Time to wake up, then."

Nova vaguely heard a voice speak to her, and struggled to open an eye. She could spot the blurry outline of a figure leaning above her, but couldn't tell who it was. After she blinked a few times, the outline became clearer and she was greeted by Tom Riddle.

"Where am I?" Nova sprang up in alarm, to discover she was still lying in her armchair. She faced Tom, who was observing her silently. "What are you doing in Ravenclaw house? How did you know the password?"

Tom simply pointed to the badge on his chest.

"Oh, right..." Nova replied, but she felt her lips curl into a scowl.

"Everyone's in the Great Hall eating breakfast."

"Already? What time is it?" Nova searched the room for a clock, failing to spot one.

"Nearly nine. Dumbledore requested that I come and wake you, for your friend Emilia stubbornly refused to." Tom looked at her curiously. Nova looked away at the mention of Emilia.

"I'll be down in a moment. I have to wash up first."

"Take your time; I'm not that hungry anyway." Tom smiled, and Nova flashed him a small smile which could also have been mistaken for a grimace.

Nova climbed the staircase to her dormitory, and searched for a clean set of robes. After changing, she entered the bathroom. Towels were strewn on the floor, and drops of water still clinging to the shower curtains. Nova stepped to the sink, and began to wash her face. Cold water dripped down her face, but she didn't pick up a towel. Instead, she stared into her reflection in the circular mirror before her.

She half expected to see a beautiful, intelligent young woman who lived life to its fullest. But her reflection was exactly the way it had always been, if not a bit more pitiful-looking. Dark, brown locks of hair hung limply over her shoulders. Two large, brown eyes stared back at her intensely, as if searching for something. Her skin looked pale, as if caused by malnourishment. Tiny drops of water slid slowly down her face.

'Not much to look at...' Nova thought to herself sullenly, and brought her hands to her face. 'Perhaps this isn't really me. Perhaps I'm just dreaming, and in my dreams I become a pathetic, miserable witch who hasn't a clue what to do with her life. In real life, I may just be a completely different type of entity altogether. Perhaps I have no body, and I see and live with only my spirit. Perhaps in real life, I can get along fine all on my own, and contact with others isn't the least bit necessary...'

Nova put on a depressing expression, and studied her face in the mirror. She quickly shook her head, and silently scolded herself for acting so childish. She dried herself with a clean towel, and quickly dashed back to the common room.

Tom gave her a small smile when she appeared, and the two set off to the Great Hall.

"You sure took an awful long time getting ready. Not that I have anything against that, though. I suppose dressing and brushing and such are vital parts of a woman's daily routine," Tom remarked, and Nova rolled her eyes.

"Well, it's not a very vital part of mine. I just had stuff to... think about."

"A true Ravenclaw," Tom said, and Nova smiled slightly.

The two then, continued to walk in silence. Nova felt rather inferior standing next to Tom Riddle, but all the same had to admit it; he was a rather pleasant person.

"What are you planning to do once you're out of school?"

Nova scrunched up her forehead. "I don't really know... I've actually been agonizing over that for the last few months..."

"Why don't you get a job at Hogwarts as a teacher? I heard you're quite talented in Transfiguration; perhaps you can enter that faculty."

"Here? No thank you... I plan to get as far away from here as I can." Nova scowled to herself.

"Why is that so?" Tom raised his eyebrows curiously.

"Oh, there are just some people I'd rather not run into again once I'm out of school. People I'd rather avoid... forever."

Tom just nodded his head, as if trying to process what she had just said. Nova simply stared at her feet as they walked towards the entrance to the Great Hall.

"Miss Weill! Wonderful of you to finally join us," Headmaster Dippet said jovially, and Nova mumbled a good morning, and took a seat.

Across from where she sat, Emilia sat, avoiding her stare and shifting nervously. Nova had felt rather bad after their fight, but now she just felt angry and annoyed. She was suddenly only able to see Emilia's childishness and selfishness, and it annoyed her greatly.

Breakfast was a quick and quiet affair that morning, and Nova practically squirmed in impatience. The moment her fork clattered onto her empty plate, she was sprinting out the door, on her way to Ravenclaw house.

The door to the seventh year girls' dormitory was swung open, and Nova grabbed her broomstick. With a satisfied smile on her face, she walked outside onto the school grounds. The air had warmed considerably, and most of the snow had melted. This winter obviously wasn't planning on granting Hogwarts a white Christmas.

Nova sat on her broomstick and kicked off. She headed to the Quidditch pitch, and circled it several times. It was wonderfully refreshing, after several days spent cooped up in the quiet castle, yet something felt missing.

"If only I had a Quaffle here with me to practice..." Nova murmured to herself. She searched her memory, trying to remember where the Quidditch equipment was kept. "Ah-ha! In the storage room near the dungeons..."

She headed back towards the school, and instantly started for the flying instructor, Duquette's office. Professor Duquette was seated in his desk with a Quidditch magazine when she burst in. After some explanations, pleading and reasoning, she walked out the door in triumph, a ring of rusty old keys clutched in her hand.

Nova rushed down numerous staircases, finally reaching the dungeons. She tried the keys one by one, until she was able to open the lock to the storage room. The dank, dusty room was filled with crates of Quidditch equipment, but Nova was easily able to locate a Quaffle. She then locked the door once more, and headed back outside.

But just as she was about to go up a staircase, she heard a muffled voice coming from nearby. The tone of the voice sounded urgent... and familiar. Nova followed it until she came to spot near the dungeons. But strangely enough, the voice seemed to be coming from behind the walls; and yet, there weren't any doors to be seen.

Nova cautiously pressed her ear against the wall. She felt rather silly, but in the end, her curiosity overcame her.

The muffled sound of a male voice could be heard, but she couldn't catch everything he was saying.

"...foolish of you! If someone from the Ministry had spotted..."

Nova was frozen in curiosity, as she strained to hear the voice.

"...ruddy Muggle... got every right, I do... notice a thing..." This time, it was a different voice. It seemed as though two people were conversing in the mysterious room in the wall.

"...one, I suppose? For I've only promised... act too brashly sometimes... careful, or we'll be discovered... all ruined..."

"...worry. I don't think anyone... what's right in front of them... if you ask me..."

Nova wrinkled her forehead. She could only hear tidbits of the conversation, and it was thoroughly confusing.

"...want you to proceed... cannot do this carelessly... be sent to Azkaban...!" Nova's ears perked up at the mention of Azkaban. The conversation was getting much more interesting than she had expected.

"...afternoon, Paulins arrived... Ministry investigations... graduation day... start killing right off..."

"...carefully plan it... can't be caught because of faulty... must be rid of Dippet first... Dumbledore... for his own good... eliminate any obstacles so that..."

The voices grew quicker and an urgent tone appeared. Nova prayed silently that it was just two students playing a huge joke, for the conversation was sending chills down her spine. Although she couldn't make out everything they were saying, she could hear enough to figure out that the two wizards behind the wall were planning something horrible.

'I had better report this to Headmaster Dippet at once...' she thought to herself, but discovered that she was unable to move her legs; she was absolutely frozen to the spot. Instead of leaving, she pressed her ear against the wall harder, straining to make out the words.

"...very much below par... pathetic, really... use for such weaklings... love to kill one of them off, you..."

"...attracting way too much attention... we're to succeed... the entire wizarding world in no time... my orders, you will face the..."

"...will always... must be leaving... must attend or..."

"...on your way then... shall be expecting... not be late..."

The voices left off at that, and Nova heard footsteps approaching. She looked around frantically, trying to find an escape route. But it was nearly impossible, for she didn't even have a vague idea of where the voices had been coming from. She looked at the stairs, considering the consequences of being caught eavesdropping.

But just then, a creaking sound was heard, and a section of the wall in front of her slid aside, revealing a doorway. And standing in the doorway, was none other than Tom Riddle. His eyes widened in shock when he noticed her, and Nova too, was frozen to the spot.

The look of surprise on Tom's face soon turned into one of anger, as he glared down at her.

"How long have you been here?" he demanded, his eyes flashing dangerously. Nova felt quite flustered and taken aback; she had never seen him that angry before, and quite frankly, it scared her.

"N- not very long..." Nova stuttered nervously, but she could tell from the expression on the boy's face that he didn't believe a word.

"You lie. Now tell me; how long have you been here? How much did you hear?" the boy's voice grew menacingly quiet, and Nova felt like crying.

"I didn't hear it all, honest. I couldn't hear much through the wall anyway," Nova spoke in fright, and Tom just stared at her. He kept staring at her, as if to penetrate her eyes. Nova felt herself crumbling and buckling inside, but she kept a brave face.

"Well... that's quite alright then. I apologize for my rudeness," Tom said suddenly, in a surprisingly calm tone. Nova was completely taken aback; he seemed a totally different person all of a sudden.

"Oh... well, please don't apologize. And I'm so very sorry I eavesdropped. I won't do such a thing again, I promise," Nova said, in an almost pleading sort of manner, and Tom nodded silently. "I'll just be on my way, then..."

Nova dashed up the staircase, and continued to run until she had distanced herself from Tom. Once she reached the corridor leading to Ravenclaw house, she fell onto the floor in a heap, and exhaled deeply. Her knees still felt wobbly, and her head hurt. She had indeed heard Tom Riddle speaking of killing people, and Azkaban, and therefore it was her duty as a Prefect to report it at once to the Headmaster. But Tom had been so frightening; she had never known that he had that sort of evilness in him. Nova felt thoroughly confused, and began to rebuke herself for eavesdropping in the first place.

'My broomstick!' Nova's head snapped up with a start. She had left her broomstick down by the dungeons! She buried her face in her hands and moaned to herself; she didn't much fancy the idea of returning to that spot.

'I shall deal with that later... Right now, I must decide whether or not to report what I heard...' Nova clenched her fists in determination, and pulled herself up. Wobbling and tottering on weak legs, she made her way back to the Ravenclaw common room.

But first, a good, long rest was in order...


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::To be continued in Chapter Three::





Author's Note : It's really hard to get these chapters out, now that school has started up again. Nevertheless, I'll try my best to get at least one chapter out a week. I'd also appreciate some reviews...^^ Constructive criticism welcomed with open arms! I promise not to take it personally, as long as you're not down-right flaming me...