Part Three
I Want..
Laura didn't look at me as I walked into the Great Hall for breakfast, despite the fact that less than five hours ago she had melted into my arms, sharing my first kiss with anyone.
I wondered, with an unwonted stab of jealousy, if it had been hers.
I must've had dark circles under my eyes, and the only person who was looking at me, from the other side of the Slytherin table, was Evan Rosier, who was intently observing my glances toward the Ravenclaws with a curious expression, as if he was finally putting two and two together.
Rosier caught my eye and grinned foolishly, waggling his eyebrows in an exaggeratedly salacious manner, as he too, looked over at where Laura Ames was deep in conversation with the sandy blond Ravenclaw boy sitting on her left. I recognized him as William Tisker, the Seventh year that captained the Ravenclaw Quidditch team.
Unbidden, a horrible, tight feeling came over my chest. I wanted to stand up, drawing my wand on the idiotic Tisker, casting the Cruciatus curse until he was less than an inch within his pathetic miserable, Mudblood life. I could probably do it, too, studying in private was my favourite hobby. I doubted it was among Tisker's.
I shoved my breakfast aside, catching sight of Rosier still staring at me with the same look, now edged with a vague puzzlement.
Leaning across the table, I reached my hand out to cover his, under the secrecy of the pumpkin juice jug, and dug my fingernails into his hand, hard. I felt the skin break, under my fingers, and smiled. Rosier stiffened, drew in a breath, but knew better than to cry out.
"One word, Rosier. Just one, and You. Are. Dead.' I hissed.
O O O O O
But I told myself that I wouldn't. I promised myself that I would just try to forget it, concentrate on being the model pupil, force myself to think on my own private projects more, and forget the distractions. I tried.
I really did try to force thoughts of her out of my mind. I must have failed, though. Otherwise, I had no other explanation for why I was waiting, patrolling this empty seventh floor corridor a dozen times, hoping to see her?
And if I was such a success, why then did I now despise myself for being so weak? I never needed anyone before. So why her, and why now?
I knew I had to have her. Somehow. And I always get what I want.
O O O O O
It was Monday morning before I decided what I was going to do.
Fresh from an early shower in the prefect's bathroom, I combed back my hair so it lay tidily, in shining black waves, a little too long according to Professor Slughorn, Head of my House. I would charm it shorter soon, it paid to be on the right side of the Faculty, I reasoned, but I preferred it this length.
I had not forgotten the feel of her hands as she ran her fingers through it, and I was craving to have her do it again.
Double potions was first Monday morning, and as I descended the stone steps into the dungeon, I felt a cool thrill unfurl inside of my stomach. She would be there, in less than…five….three…one second…I would see her. Would she look at me?
I took my seat quickly, and let my eyes sweep the room, the other Slytherin boys murmuring salutations that I did not acknowledge. But Laura wasn't there. I looked again, to be sure, but she really wasn't, her seat next to the Prince girl empty.
Then I caught sight of Tisker, the Marvellous Mudblood Quidditch Champion. If anyone knew what had happened to Laura, it would surely be the Quidditch captain. After all, the last match of the season was virtually upon us, and he would want all the team on top form for Ravenclaw versus Slytherin.
How ironic, I smirked, inadvertently catching the eye of Professor Slughorn, who appeared to have just asked me a question. I had not heard a word.
"Riddle, are you with us today at all m'boy?"
Slughorn's genial rebuff cut across my thoughts, and I straightened up immediately, tried my best to appear interested.I would deal with this now, and have a little chat with Tisker after class.
I knew I would be safe….after our talk, I knew that there was everychance the idiot Tisker would simply…forget all about it.
That would be so convenient. And I liked things like that.
O O O O O
I caught up with William Tisker after the Potions class.
I'd stalled, feigning interest in Professor Slughorn's little 'gathering' that he would, he announced, be holding that evening, in his office.
I waited, and luck must have been on my side, for Tisker was the last, apart from myself, to leave.
I hurriedly excused myself from Slughorn's genial, and somewhat one-sided conversation, and followed the Ravenclaw prefect and Quidditch Captain at a brisk pace up the stone steps to the corridor above.
"Tisker!" I called.
William Tisker did not turn to look at me, nor did he acknowledge that I had even spoken, though I knew that he must have heard me.
Riled, I quickened my pace, I was not going to allow him to ignore me.
I grinned to myself, and my fingers twitched toward my wand safely stowed in the pocket of my robes…yew and phoenix feather…my best friend.
Besides, although I did not possess Tisker's heavy build and muscular physique, I was as tall as he was…and willing to wager……quicker.
I touched my wand again, silently, and shook it down to my sleeve with a twisted smile. I may as well enjoy Tisker's company. In a manner of speaking, at least.
"Tisker! I want to speak to you."
I spoke sharply again to the other boy's broad back as it retreated up the staircase. At first I thought he was going to ignore my request again, but once in the corridor at the top of the stairs he turned round to face me, and fixed me with a look of utter contempt, his expression only a little less than an open snarl.
"What do you want, poor boy?" he sneered.
Had I not had a purpose to ask Tisker a question, I would have certainly cursed him long before now. Nonetheless, I treated him to my very best polite expression, usually reserved for Headmaster Dippet and various other Professors, and asked him,
"I was wondering…do you know….I mean..could you tell me where Laura is today? I thought if anyone would know, then you would, as she's one of your team's Chasers?"
"Why should you want to know, Riddle?" answered Tisker, belligerent as ever.
"Natural..concern, of course." I answered, quickly, maintaining the achingly polite front whilst suppressing the almost overwhelming urge to inflict torture and suffering upon the broad faced, fair haired oaf that stood before me.
Tisker sniggered, loudly.
"Infatuated are we, Riddle?" he sneered, cracking his knuckles.
"What makes you think, in your wildest dreams, that she would ever like a penniless scab like you? Where would you take her? To meet Matron at your filthy rat's nest of an orphanage?"
I swallowed, hard , to bite back the curse on my lips as Tisker continued , still sneering.
"She's in the hospital wing, if you must know, Riddle. I'll let her know that she can look forward to marrying you……when she leaves school, dressed in a floursack and living in a hovel, no doubt, isn't that the best you could afford?"
"Thank you for your help, William." I said, keeping my tone as light and nonchalant as possible until he was suitably disconcerted.
I smiled at him, pleasantly, and he looked briefly confused before sneering once more, for good measure, and then,he turned his back on me, ostensibly to leave.
Well, I did say he was an idiot.
What he was doing in Ravenclaw, I would never know.
"Crucio!"
I heard my own voice, only just before Tisker fell to the floor. Slughorn off preparing for his little party, I knew I would have plenty of time to thoroughly enjoy Tisker….. before wiping his memory.
He could blame the bruises on his beloved Quidditch.
Sometime afterward, I slid my wand back inside my robes, and made quickly for the staircases that led to the hospital wing.
Thank you for ploughing through this far! If you have, tell me what you think! Thanks!