If you're curious about the memory Houa saw regarding Rey Potter during their handshake, I added the memory snippet in Ch. 9. I wrote it earlier and removed it due to not wanting to go over my preferred 2500 words or so per chapter. However, I really want to give you all a glimpse into my characters and their life so feel free to read it if you like.
This chapter is dedicated to my faithful followers. Enjoy!
Chapter 10: Escape
[Houa POV]
End of the week…
She should have known how soon "talk next time" meant for the young Dark Lord.
Ever since Rey had stood up for her, Houa knew having someone beside her would make it that more challenging for Tom to corner her. Said someone doesn't even have to be her friend, just a classmate would suffice as long as she could walk to and from class and back to her dorm.
Plus it would draw attention to Tom to have to ask all the time to speak with her in front of everyone. Hence why Houa have come up with a list of friends she shares class with:
Potion with Terrence, Divination with April, Care for Magical Creatures with Rey, Herbology with Estelle, and Arithmancy with Vivienne. Though she has yet to find an acquaintance for Muggle Studies and Astronomy, Houa had hoped she would by the end of the week.
But atlas here she was, the odd one out once again in Astronomy. Because of her so-called staircase accident last week Houa had missed out on the telescope setup review and was behind.
She had absolutely no clue how to operate it and who else, but the famous model student in her class had volunteered to help her out (much to Houa's and the female students' dismay and Professor Neris' delight at not having to repeat herself).
Good thing Houa already drank the stomach calming draught upon sensing his dark presence in the room. This would make it four classes in total that she shares with the Dark Wizard.
After handing out the assignment of the day, students made their way to the separate room in the back and selected their telescopes.
According to Professor Neris each cloth covering the telescopes was enchanted to prevent dust, moss, water, sunlight, rust, and other buildups from damaging it. Thus it was the number one rule to secure it on the equipment before leaving.
The sooner I select one, the sooner I can finish the assignment and escape to my dorm.
Ignoring the emotions of tiredness and boredom of the students along with visions of having sex under the stars, Houa squeezed through them and grabbed one before following the Head Boy back to his spot.
He won't try anything with Professor Neris and the class here.
That thought gave Houa enough confidence to stray closer to Tom's location as she strengthened her auric field.
"Watch me," the Head Boy commanded without glancing at her.
A comment which Houa had already taken into great consideration because he is the Dark Lord, known to be neither patient nor repetitive.
The Xellarius observed closely as Riddle tossed the cloth off, casting the felt to fold itself neatly onto the floor beside him while explaining important parts of the telescope.
Once finished, he deftly adjusted the tripod stand and angled the optical tube towards the stars. Looking into the narrow eyepiece, he began twisting some knobs.
His fingers moved carefully on the knobs and his eyes squinted in deep concentration. After two tries, the tiny tug on his upper lip formed what may be a smirk, telling her he had located the object of his desire.
He reached for the assignment parchment and scribbled a few notes in perfect penmanship.
He really does seem like a normal student...
Houa snapped out of daze hearing his gentle yet cold voice, "Come look."
She was about to decline, but seeing Professor Neris gazing in her direction, Houa set her tripod beside Riddle's telescope and approached hesitantly.
He stepped to the side and the Xellarius peered into the eyepiece.
And what she saw was Extraordinary!
Billions of jewels twinkle in the black heaven above, some pure light while others shimmer in sapphire or rose.
Scattered across the dark ocean, they winked auspiciously, sculpting artworks in various designs and constellations.
Lost in their beauty, Houa continued grinning happily into the instrument and did not notice Tom's presence return behind her, leaning his face next to her.
When she realized how close Tom's face was to her own she turned with shock, her nose brushing his cheek briefly. Her eyes widened like saucers as she tried breaking out of his enclosure, falling backward and knocking over her tripod.
Her telescope shattered on the floor drawing attention from everyone as the young Dark Lord grabbed her by the upper arm lest she joined the remains of the equipment.
Chest heaving, Riddle pulled Houa upright onto her feet as their Astronomy Professor addressed them, "What happened here?"
"It seems Miss Songly has slipped and accidentally knocked over her telescope Professor," replied the innocent model student.
But how Houa knew he was anything, but innocent! She had felt his intention when he gripped her arm. That obnoxious snake had meant for this to occur!
I was insane to think he'll try nothing in class!
Yanking her arm out of Slytherin's grasp, Houa muttered, "Professor I can explain."
"Share a telescope with Mr. Riddle til the end of class and I'll see you afterward Miss Songly," snapped Professor Neris and with a flick of her wand moved the broken instrumental parts to the other side of the room.
"But Professor–," she tried to argue.
"No more accidents, is that clear?" the elder witch walked off with a huff as the Head Boy smiled sweetly, "Yes, Professor."
Glaring at Tom, Houa completed the rest of her assignment with him and would have punched him if he attempted to surround her again, but of course the Slytherin had resumed his notorious acting skills the rest of the period.
When class was dismissed, Houa wanted to rush out along with every other student, but her discussion with Professor Neris held her back.
Though her instructor had repaired the telescopic parts with the help of magic, it turns out the more complex lens needed replacement. So yes, the cost would be billed to her Aunt, something that further angered Houa.
By the time they finished going over other details of the class and Houa was dismissed, the Astronomy Tower was practically empty. One can clearly hear the drop of a pin and the howling wind.
The Hufflepuff wanted to walk with her Professor back, but the elder witch had taken the first corridor upon exiting the spiraling staircase.
Not good! The Hufflepuff dormitory was on the other side of the school.
Houa ran swiftly and was careful to stay only in lighted hallways, however, after passing the sixth pillar, goosebumps started forming on her skin and she knew she was being tailed!
Trying not to panic, the brown hair Girl dash quickly through several dark corridors in an attempt to confuse them and then hide behind the armor knight of an alcove.
She saw it then, a lone figure in dark robes, eyeing the alcove before passing by with no sounds.
Must have cast a silencing charm or something, Houa's mind supplied for her.
After a couple of minutes, Houa began inching out to see if the coast was clear. She was about to run off in the opposite direction, but an invisible force suddenly came over her mouth and crushed both her hands against the wall.
Said invisible force must have been a student because a vision came forth: It was that same dreadful room that Riddle strangled her in, only this time he was standing near what looks to be a throne chair, overlooking other Slytherin boys.
"I expect her here when I return from my rounds," the seemingly King made his move towards the door.
"Yes, my Lord," came the voice of this follower and another.
Terror seized Houa's body and she began kicking the invisible person.
"Cooperate or else," threatened the now visible guy with a dark mask covering his all, but his exposed lower face.
Seeing the accomplice who faked leaving returned, Houa stilled her body instantly.
Oh No! There's two of them! But—but I have to try! I must!
Her heart was racing out of control and she knew she needed to calm down if she was to escape before dying of a heart attack.
Faking a nod, she commanded her entire mind, body, spirit, and heart to be strong.
"Good," the dark hair guy ordered his pal, "Quick tie her legs."
"Can't believe we can't use spells to tie the mouse up," grumbled the ash blonde student. He crouched down, conjuring up the ropes.
I only have one shot!
He was about to grab Houa's legs, but she was quick and landed a blow to his chin causing the boy to crash against his companion's right leg which loosen his holds on her hands just as she delivered a knee kick to the dark haired guy's groin.
Houa took off screaming at the top of her lungs, "HELP! SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME! HELP!"
She managed to gain an extra second when the idiots reached for their wands to hex her only to find that it had no effect, "BITCH!"
The Xellarius was still sobbing for help when she slammed into another body. More visions invaded her frantic mind, but her mouth was only able to cry, "HELP ME PROFESSOR DUMBLEDORE!"
[TOM POV]
The Head Boy was finishing his last rounds around the school when he crossed paths with the Transfiguration Professor.
"Well hello there Tom, heading off to bed now?" the older wizard spoke using his first name, knowing it fully bothered him to be referred to as such.
"Yes, Professor. I've finished my rounds," he paused momentarily.
"Good, and good to see that your shoes are still intact," Dumbledore glanced downward towards his feet.
Guess he's heard of the vomit incident.
"Magic does come quite handy in times of accident Sir," he replied, maintaining his model student behavior.
"An accident on my dear Head Boy? Why that is unheard of for someone with talents such as yours. A purposeful accident, maybe?" chuckled the Head Gryffindor.
Shit! Tom squinted his eyes minisculely, one may not even have noticed the difference, "What are you implying Sir?"
"Oh nothing, nothing at all my boy. Well goodnight then," Dumbledore turned and left through one of the corridors.
The young Dark Lord pretended to return to his dorm only to disillusion himself and head towards the Room of Requirement.
On top of finding the room bare, he waited fifteen minutes for Quillon Rosier and Lucas Lestrange to arrive empty handed.
He punished them severely with Crusio to make up for lost time and for their inadequacies, halting only at the mention of the Squib Girl encountering the Head Gryffindor.
A mere coincidence or did Dumbledore feel something too?
"Lestrange, report on Dumbledore's conversation with the Girl."
The dark haired wizard spoke from his crumpled form on the ground, "There was no evidence of us once the Girl led him back to the alcove so he comforted her saying the bullies will be located then escorted her back to her dorm."
"Rosier, did the Girl know who you both are?"
"No, we wore dark robes instead of our uniforms and had masks on our faces," came the breaking voice of the ash blonde wizard.
Riddle's eyes narrowed slightly, "Anything else to report?"
"No, my Lord," breathed the two ragged Slytherins.
Tom was getting insidiously irritated and would have tortured the two morons longer, but decided that at least with the information now, he knows Dumbledore is making a move.
The best time to approach the Girl would have been during her walk back from the Astronomy Tower, however, Dumbledore patrolling the area like today had caused a bit of conflict.
He can't make another major move lest it informs the Transfiguration Professor of Tom's attention of the Girl if it hasn't already due to these two dunderheads.
He'll have to wait until the veritaserum is completed and see if anything else unfolds between the Girl and Head Gryffindor in the meanwhile.
With a wave of his hand, his Knights were dismissed and Tom closed his eyes leaning against his embellish chair.
He soaked up the silence, waiting and waiting, but it never came...
Reluctantly, the young Dark Lord touched his right cheek in the exact direction Houa's nose had lightly grazed over and recalled the strange tingle in his blood that had occurred in those very moments.
It was the same tingle when he discovered the Chamber of Secrets, when the Girl first arrived, and now in the Astronomy Tower.
He has no idea what it is and if it was the same for Dumbledore, but what he does know is something in his blood surge because of her.
And I'm going to find out what it is no matter what!
TBC
I wrote tirelessly the past four days and had four different drafts with different scenarios to finally settle on this one because I'm a perfectionist and can't settle for less than what aligns with me.
Feedbacks are greatly appreciated and welcome. :)