Chapter Nineteen:
Warning and Conflict

Albus' eyes glitter with mirth, the flesh surrounding them crinkling into crow's feet. He strokes his beard thoughtfully, twirling a silver strand about his thumb. "I did not know," he begins, "that you became engaged whilst still within these walls."

I nod. "We swore for it to be kept secret."

He tilts his head slightly forward. "Well done, keeping it from the staff, even as Head Boy and Girl."

I smile modestly and cast my gaze downward. "I was so happy to have that between us," I admit. "Surely you, Albus, noticed something..."

He gazes into his now-empty tea cup as if into a Pensieve, suddenly deeply engrossed in a pool of thoughts. I watch him with interest as a wave containing a multitude of memories appears to wash upon his features, changing them from joy to sorrow. Then he smiles.

"Yes, I did. You had lightened in spirit, I recall now. However, at the time, my observations had rather befuddled me, I must admit."

I shift uncomfortably and place my cup upon a vacant table beside me, its contents grown cold. I no longer fear the cryptic dregs as I once did, for I now know that they can no longer warn me of what dangers are to come. There is nothing left that I may wait for, nothing to anticipate with hope or dread in the future. Nearly everything I have loved has been taken from me.

I feel a hot tear escape and trail down my cheek ere I can stop it.

"Ms. Riddle?"

"Albus... I would like to continue, but at the Ministry, if you do not mind. I—I cannot bear to be here any longer," I softly beseech.

He nods as though he can understand, as if he can fathom what it feels to lose so much, to be so alone. With a turn, he is gone, and moments later, I Apparate after him.

-

It proved difficult for our affection for one another to remain hidden. It pained us to be apart, yet we could not reveal to our peers that we had become more than simply friends. They still thought me not to be a worthwhile companion, but what that had once been subtle taunts subsided into the usual silence. Though it was not as if I needed them. Hagrid and Tom, I thought, would forever be all that I could need or want.

I informed Hagrid of the engagement of Tom and I soon after. I asked, first, for I did not wish to upset my fiancé, and though he agreed, I could sense his reluctance. "If you must," he had sighed. After a quick kiss, I had bounced across the grounds and knocked persistently at the door of Hagrid's hut.

I listened for an answer, but I was only met by Fang's yips.

Then, "I'm ou' back!"

I laughed as I traipsed to the carefully tended pumpkin patch behind his hut. "There you are! You had me worried!"

He beamed and thrust the shovel he had been using into a mound of fresh, damp soil. Wiping his forehead of perspiration, he said, "Well, yeh know, with Halloween comin' an' all, I got summat ter do..." He motioned with a flourished wave to the enormous gourds which lay daintily upon the patch, each extending from curling tendrils of vine that protruded from the ground.

My eyes widened and I gasped. "They are lovely!" I exclaimed. "You would not need any assistance with them at all, would you?"

The giant chuckled. "I s'pose not... but, eh..."

My face fell.

"But if yeh wanted ter help, I s'pose yeh could do summat."

I grinned. "Oh, but I would not want to be a burden-"

"'Ere." He set a watering can into my grasp. "Jus' a bit fer each one."

Though the sky was laden thickly with clouds, it was well past midday when at last Hagrid was satisfied and deemed we were through for the time-being. I began to tidy up the excess moisture with my wand while Hagrid rested his chin upon the handle of a shovel.

"Somethin's diff'ren' 'bout yeh, Danielle. Riddle hasn' done summat ter yeh, 'as 'e?" He gazed at me curiously through a wild mass of hair and tiny, beetle-like eyes.

I stiffened, though I was unsure why I had done so. "Ah, well—about Tom. We are engaged." It felt as if an immense weight had been lifted from my chest as I said it, so relieved did I feel that someone at last knew. But it would not last.

"ENGAGED?" Hagrid thundered.

"Welll, yes-" I stammered, startled at his reaction. It had not occurred to me that he would not perhaps seem as happy as I.

"Engaged, Danielle, engaged? Blimey, yer only sixteen!" He ran a massive hand flusteredly through his tangles of hair. "What're yeh doin', gettin' engaged?"

"What do you mean, Hagrid?" I asked. "Why should I not? I am aware that you dislike Tom, but really-"

"I'm sayin', yeh should wait! Give yer life a chance 'fore yeh go makin' commitments!"

I sniffed angrily. "I will love Tom Riddle until the day I die, and I do not plan upon spending my life with anyone else!"

He shook his great head sadly. "That's what yeh think now, bu'-"

"-and that's what I will think forever!" I interrupted. Rage boiled inside of my chest, filling me with its power. How could he not seem to comprehend what was most obvious? How could he not simply wish me well? At the time, I did not realize it, for it was I who did not understand. Blinded, I was, by my love, and so I could not see sense in the words of my friend. I had not put into thought any of the consequences which were bound to arise from such an early decision.

But I had told Hagrid the truth. There would never have been another I could have even imagined loving as much as I loved Tom. He had been kind to me when I had been shunned by all others around me and so had captured my heart. And I knew that he loved me, he had told me so. For there was no feigning the look in his eyes each time they set upon me, that I was assured of. He trusted me, even enough to allow me in to the Chamber. He had granted me the gift of Parseltongue, come to me for sanctuary in his hours of greatest need. Surely, it had not been a mistake to agree to become his wife!

"You are wrong!" I sobbed out of frustration. "Why can you not accept the truth?"

He glanced at me, his expression pained. "I jus'- I jus' don' want fer anythin' ter happen ter yeh 'cause of it."

"Tom will let nothing happen! He is all I need to protect me!" I felt no guilt at that moment for my unfair words to the kind giant. Though he was merely concerned for my well-being, I was not ready to accept the possibility that there would be any reason to heed his cautions.

"Good day, Hagrid," I spat curtly, and I swiveled, sullenly retreating to the castle.

"I jus' want yeh ter be careful," I heard him whisper forlornly, and immediately wished that I hadn't.