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Chapter 4: Confrontation
[Houa POV]
No, she didn't pass out. After vomiting, Houa heard April apologizing to the Head Boy on her behalf as she managed to find the strength to stand up and run through the crowds of bewildered students. To where she didn't know, anywhere was good as long as it was far from the boy everyone admired.
Luckily, April had chased after her, finding her in the alcove where the two had first become friends and practically dragged her to the infirmary and explained the situation to the mediwitch who took over.
"I'll stop by lunch to see you ok?" promised her friend to which Houa nodded.
So yes, she missed out on Divination class with April. In fact she skipped Arithmancy too which she was looking forward to with Vivienne.
However, that was the least of her worries as she lied in the infirmary after taking off her school uniform to be washed by the House Elves and wearing a simple patient outfit.
According to the Madame Cara, no spells can be cast to clean Houa's clothes, check for symptoms of any kind nor heal injuries due to the so-called Ministry of Magic protection spell for Squib, however potions should serve to work perfectly as they can be ingested.
"Thank goodness I am stocked up on potions for most worst case scenarios," the matron stated after giving a stomach calming draught to Houa, which really did help her upset stomach.
"Just rest here in the bed cox until I check up on you again," the kind witch made her way over to her office.
Sighing in bed, Houa finally had time to process everything now.
Tom Marvolo Riddle.
First of all, he is...he is not who everyone claims him to be. He is what he desires others to think of him be.
Thoughts of her earlier conversations with April and her roommates at the dining table returned. Though she would have very much liked to agree with them to rid her of anxiety, she could deny it no longer, not now after she has felt his dark aura.
It was something she has only ever felt around those of Xellarius who had done something unimaginable, something unspeakable, something unforgivable!
And energy never lies.
Gulping, Houa continued her inspection.
Second of all, I vomited on his shoes. Something he will not take lightly given his aura.
And Third of all, I do not want to encounter him again. Face to face talk will not do as it will most likely end up like our first meeting.
So Fourth of all, a letter of apology will have to do. I surely hope that would suffice.
Fifth of all, I will have to check my schedule to ensure whether or not I have any other classes with him. I shall bring with me stomach draught at all times and keep my distance as far as possible in those classes.
Now that she has somewhat of a plan layout, she finally allowed her mind, heart, and body to rest as she waits for her friend to arrive.
True to her words, April came to visit her during lunch and gave her a gentle hug.
"By the way Houa, Riddle asked me to pass a message to you," her friend pulled away with a grim face.
A cold shiver went down Houa's spine at his name, "Message?"
"He wants to meet you. To have a private discussion about this morning's incident I think. Just apologize alright?"
Oh God, Oh God, please Noooo! Oh why did I think a letter would work? I'll surely die in that private discussion.
"When and where exactly?"
"I don't know. He didn't say."
Well that's just perfect. Going to stoop in and surprise me again eh Tom?
"Well, you seem good to go now Miss Songly," the mediwitch handed her washed uniform back, "Go get dressed and get lunch before your next class."
No, I don't want lunch. Especially if I am going to be meeting him! I must convince Madame Cara to let me stay longer.
"Are you sure? I'm still feeling light headed," Houa feign touching the side of her head.
"You sound alright seconds ago Houa," April was confused.
"Nonsense Child," the mediwitch said with hands on her wide hips, "I know a healthy student when I see one."
Darn it!
In the end, Houa walked out of the infirmary with several supplies of stomach calming draught. Her reasoning being she gets stomach upset easily which satisfied the two witches considering the morning incident.
She has only one more class for today and she'll need these potions if she is to eat before facing Tom.
Sixth of all, when going into the same vicinity as Tom, I must strengthen myself!
This one, she decided is the most critical of all.
Houa understood why Aunt Songly placed her in Care of Magical Creatures and was exceptionally looking forward to it after lunch.
Back in her Home Academy, she was a proficient student in Anomaly Communications, slowly learning to become a tamer of creatures and nature in her realm. It was quite normal in Xellarius to possess such abilities which is why she was thrilled to be placed in Herbology as well.
However, all thoughts of happiness left her upon discovering Tom Riddle in her class. Although he sat up front as the perfect model student he portrayed to be, Houa felt no safer being in the back of the classroom.
She kept her attention focused on the instructor, a white hair old wizard by the name of Professor Kettleburn, whose physical disability showed just how dangerous his subject really is.
With slanted bandages on one eye, dressed in a brown coat accompanied by an artificial lower left leg and robotic left arm, Houa was glad Professor Kettleburn made safety protocols the first lesson.
The lecture ended with the excited instructor assigning everyone to do readings on the nine tailed foxes for the next few days as he hurried out to tend to his newly arrived magical creatures.
Upon class dismissal, the chestnut hair girl was ready to dash out of the class, but found her chair stuck as if it were glued to the floor! She could not push out of it nor scoot to the side no matter how hard she tried and could only look up as every other student began packing and leaving.
What is going on here? Is my chair broken?
She tried again and again, suddenly feeling a familiar tightening sensation around her. And it was getting more painful by the seconds!
Looking down at her desk, her eyes widen in understanding.
Oh God, Oh God, Oh God.
NO MATTER WHAT DON'T LOOK AT HIM.
STILL! BE STILL!
OK, now Relax, Relax, RELAX…
OK, now Focus, Focus, FOCUS!
With all her might, Houa pulled herself together to strengthen herself: physically extending her exhale to calm her heartbeat and stop her shaking, mentally focusing on the clearing her mind, coming back into center, into the quietness within, emotionally cancelling out all fear and anxiety, and spiritually nullifying energies and auras not her own and reinforcing her auric shield.
She breathed softly.
The pain suddenly disappeared as if a metal net was lifted from Houa. She found herself relaxed and calm. Her heartbeat, normal even at the oncoming dark wizard.
She did not need to look up to know Tom was standing beside her desk.
[TOM POV]
Riddle knew she was in class the moment his Knight Joseph Avery discreetly eyed him and nodded slightly. It had been helpful to find out from the Hufflepuff prefect the new student had no other class after Care for Magical Creatures as did he.
In return, Tom lightly tapped his index finger on his desk a mere three times signaling to his Knights in the back what they needed to do.
Thus right before class ended, one of them had placed a stick charm on the girl's chair, preventing her from escaping so early like she had in so many of the classes they share, Potion, Divination, and now Care for Magical Creatures.
Nearly everyone had departed the class except for the pitiful student who was at loss how to exit her desk due to her charmed chair.
Making his way slowly across the room out of her view, he noted how the panicked girl immediately sensed him. And like this morning she was beginning to shake and taking in quick breaths at the oncoming danger.
Abruptly she stilled herself in her seat. Perhaps surrendering herself to the situation.
Her posture changed and she became more relaxed and calm as if confident in what is going to occur next.
Interesting.
He stood beside her looking down at the girl whose eyes continued to be transfixed on her desk, "Come."
Though he would like to make her spill everything out right now, it would not be good when the next class arrives. His wandless incantation removed the sticky charm and he walked out towards the Room of Requirement.
Taking the more desolated corridors to avoid students and staff, the Slytherin kept his distance. Should they encounter a student, all would think it would be because she was trying to apologize to him.
Should Dumbledore question his motives later, he would have reasoned her improper behavior to counter him in front of the Headmaster, having more than enough students as witnesses.
Yet everything worked perfectly as no one had been in the passages as he predicted which means he can always use the vomit incident to approach the Girl again in front of everyone.
Arriving near the room, he hastily grabbed her arm who gave a yelp as he forcibly pushed her within, causing the poor Girl to fall on the ground as the door slam shut behind them.
Walking around the Girl surrounded by the scatter mess of her school supplies having fallen out of her book bag, the young dark lord accio her fallen wand into his pocket.
He saw her hands fists on the ground, her breath heavy disclosing her fears when he stood before her.
She spoke putting on a strong front, "Regardless of my actions this morning, you have no right to treat me like—."
"Shut Up!" he took out his yew wand, "What connection do you have with ME and DUMBLEDORE?!"
Her eyes widened, "What are you—."
He aimed his wand at her, causing the girl to stand up immediately, "Do not make me repeat myself."
"I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!"
He shot a vicious hex purposely missing her right cheek by an inch, causing the girl to fall back into the wall behind her, "I won't miss the next time."
"I'M TELLING THE TRUTH—I REALLY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING!" she shouted, turning around to bang on the concrete wall where the vanished door was, "LET ME OUT! HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!"
Enough play! She had her chance!
"Cruscio!" the red flash flamed from his wand and hit her right shoulder with the deepest intent to crush and leave all but a breath in her body.
However, when the Girl only slumped slightly, hand on her shoulder feeling the intensity of the dark magic instead of racking in spasm of pain as if her blood were made of acid, his eyes widened in shock.
That's IMPOSSIBLE!
She turned around angry with what seemed like a minor pain in her shoulder, "HOW DARE YOU! I'M GOING TO INFORM THE HEADMASTER OF THIS! JUST YOU WAIT—AH!"
Tom shot the unforgivable curse again at her abdomen, causing the Girl to recoil at the pain on her belly instead of giving the reaction he knew so well she should be doing.
Outraged, he advanced on her who quickly tried to run only to find her throat constricted by his hand as he crushed her back against the wall.
"TELL ME WHO YOU ARE!"
Trying to catch a breath, both her hands attempted to remove the Head Boy's hand by scratching and kicking, but to no avail as he lifted her up by the neck.
He has to try, has to know if it would work!
His face drew deadly closer to her own and the moment her earthy eyes aligned with that of Riddle's own dark abyss, wand in hand he spoke.
"Legilimens!"
TBC
Some information: Spells or curses cast AT Houa do NOT WORK. However, said spells or curses casts will WORK as long as it does not hit her. For example if it is cast around her like the Sticky Charm on her chair or Muffliato which goes around.
Unforgivables will not WORK on Houa, but she can feel the intensity and darkness behind the curse which is why it causes pain. This will be explained in the later chapters. There's a reason why I decided that it won't work. Muahahaha, you'll just have to stay tuned and find out!