Chapter 7: Consequences

Taking another bite from my toast during breakfast, I looked over at Tom. He looked better, pale as always but healthier. After all, the cut hadn't been too bad and the curse had luckily for him no other consequences. The blow his pride had suffered on the other hand, seemed to be more severe.

Anyway, I was excited to see when he would try to intimidate me again. He couldn't let me go, after this. Brooding expression on his face, I couldn't help but smile at him. As gloomy as he had looked, his expression darkened even further. Shrugging it off, I perused the daily prophet before me. I started to read an article while Riddle shot daggers at me with his eyes. Annis was bright red when she whispered into my ear: "Riddle is staring at you." Oh, no. She clearly didn't notice the way he looked at me.

"I think he doesn't, just deep in thought probably."

She didn't believe me, I could tell it by the look on her face. Others had noticed as well. His cronies were looking perplexed from him to me.Nott tried to reach for a bowl of scrambled eggs, his arm was too short, though. So I picked it up and handed it to him with a friendly smile.

"Thank you." He avoided my eyes persistently and sighed heavily, looking down at his plate. My attention now focusing on the other boys around Riddle. Antonin Dolohov was angrily staring straight ahead. Mulciber and Rosier simply ate in absolute silence. Rookwood however answered my puzzled expression with a pityful glance. Why? Riddle suddenly smug, looked at me and sneered.

That was odd.

There was suddenly a deafening noise thundering through the castle, shortly before the heavy oak doors flew open. The teachers had all stood up and walked quickly towards the little group of wizards striding into the Great Hall. They stopped several metres from each other, Professor Dippet speaking first.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"I knocked," said a voice as cold as ice. A voice I recognised.

I was not able to move, still observing the scene before me. Six wizards stood across from my Professors. One of them completely dressed in black, tall and black haired. Three long scars ran through his face, as if caused by a wild creature.

Professor Slughorn stepped forward, suddenly cheerful.

"Cadmus? How wonderful of you to visit."

Riddle's eyes shot towards me.

"No, Professor. I wouldn't put it like that. I am here for the Ministry, as I had to hear that two students were attacked on Hogwarts' Grounds. One of them being my own daughter."

He was barely able to surpress his anger. I took a deep breath, knowing that I had to enter the stage. I took another sip from my tea and stood up, walking around the table. All eyes fixed on me.

"Father."

His hand grabbed my shoulder and looked me up and down. What he saw relieved him evidently, his shoulders relaxed instantly. He laid his arm around me, speaking to the teachers in front of him. Now furious again.

"How come that strangers could enter Hogwarts and attack two students in two days?" His voice grew louder with every syllable. Dippet now gazing apologetically at him.

"I'm afraid...we don't know, yet."

My father turned to the other wizards behind him and said in a commanding tone: "Search the castle and the grounds for any traces." They simply nodded and turned around, starting their task immediately.

"Professor Dippet, how about we have a talk in your office."

"Yes, I dare to say you remember the way."

My father turned to me now: "Go to your lessons and don't go anywhere alone, understood ?"

"Yes, Sir."

His voice was unyielding and his eyes intense, as I felt his grip tightening around my shoulders.

"Excellent."

Now he finally let go of me and followed the Headmaster out of the room, with Slughorn hurrying behind them.

I sighed and went back to my seat at the Slytherin table.

While Professor Binns droned on about the first Peace Treaty between Centaurs and Wizards, Josephina tipped on my shoulder from behind, passing me a piece of paper.

I took the folded paper from her and began to read.

The little girl gets into trouble and daddy has to save her. How pathetic.

My temper rising, I turned around, Tom Riddle smirked at me while raising an eyebrow.

I wrote a reply and handed it to Josephina. Curious for his reaction. As the note reached its destination, his face darkened visibly. After a few seconds he looked up and gave me an angelic smile. Mouthing: "You wish!"

The note read: I will murder you in your sleep.

Looking as warmly back as I could manage, I mouthed: "I do."

Giving him a little wink before turning back towards Professor Binns. Annis next to me was almost bursting with questions, after one look from me she swallowed them.

In our last lesson, Defense Against the dark Arts with the Hufflepuffs, Professor Merrythought split us into pairs and tasked us with producing a decent shield charm. My partner was Antonin, he seemed very distressed.

So, I walked slowly towards him and asked innocently: " Antonin, are you alright?"

Big eyes looked back at me, but he pulled himself together and said after clearing his throat:" Not really, I don't feel comfortable fighting against you."

I smiled as if I understood his cowardice, when the door opened.

For the second time today, my father walked with long strides into the room and everybody stopped to throw jinxes.

Professor Merrythought beamed at him.

"Well, if that isn't Cadmus Crane. Have you missed my classes so much ?"

"Not at all, I assure you." Despite his words he looked fondly at the old witch.

"You were rather bored, if I remember correctly."

"You do, Professor."

A chuckle escaped her and she finally asked what every other person in the room was thinking.

"As glad as I am to see you still alive, I can't help but wonder. What brings you to interrupt my lesson ?"

"I would like to take my daughter and Mr Riddle outside, to ask them about the attacks."

"Yes, of course. We are only practicing shield charms today."

"I wouldn't want to interrupt that, considering the circumstances. How about I join them, for old times sake?" A gleam evident in his eyes.