A/N: Another chapter up! Thanks for the wonderful reviews, they really make my day! Now in a minute I'm gunna upload another chapter because I'm gunna be gone for a long time (Until next Friday) and I figured I should leave you guys with two chapter instead of one(:
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN.
Chapter Seven: Tell Me, What Do You Know of Bad Choices?
"So you're new to the school too?" The chubby first year's surprised gaze held Morgan's attention. "Even though you're like, sixteen?"
Morgan nodded seriously, unable to speak due to the muffin clamped around her teeth.
She had decided, after departing from Black and co. / the minions of Tom Riddle, that she would prefer the company of someone who actually talked without carefully choosing their words first. After minor deliberation and some half-assed observations, Morgan realized no one at the Slytherin table knew how to hold an unscripted conversation. At least, that's what she thought until she met Lyra Smeaton.
Lyra was rather short with child-like wonder hidden in her large brown orbs. She spoke her mind freely, and openly relayed her fears of Hogwarts to the elder Slytherin. In other words, the kid was uncorrupted by the less than desirable company she held.
Morgan had just finished chewing her muffin when the morning bell rang. "Well, off to classes then, oh joy." She muttered crossly, standing up from the table and waiting for her new friend to join her.
"I know what you mean," Lyra said unpleasantly. "This castle would be amazing, if only we didn't have to waste our time learning in it." The eleven year old came up to Morgan's chest and walked with her brow furrowed in irritation. "I don't like any of my dorm mates either, all they do is laugh at me cause' I'm a half-blood."
Morgan threw her bag over her shoulder and started off towards the Great Hall exit, "You don't say…"
"Yes, they all laugh and say I'm not worthy. It's ridiculous." Lyra fiddle with her robes. "It's bad enough that my parents can't afford anything for me, and that we have to borrow money from the school to get second-hand stuff…"
The sixth year puzzled over her younger friend's words, stuffing her hands in her robe pockets, "You know, Lyra, I think you're pretty amazing."
"Yeah, and everyone seems to hold your opinion in such high regard."
Well, there was really no arguing with that statement.
The duo paused outside in the entrance hall, Lyra watching as the other first year Slytherin students trailed down a corridor to the left. First year Ravenclaw students soon followed after.
"I guess I should go then," Lyra mumbled unhappily.
Morgan nodded affirmatively before her eyes sparkled, "Yes, you should, but you ought to not follow your other classmates."
"What do you mean?"
Morgan physically turned the small child's body to the right, so that they were both gazing at a dark passageway. "You have Defense Against the Dark Arts first, correct? On the second floor, third door in?" The witch didn't wait for her companion to answer. "Take this hallway and start climbing up the second staircase that you come across. I promise you that you'll get there faster than everyone else, even with the head start they have."
"How do you know that?"
"I snuck out after curfew to explore the castle last night. I think I'll be doing it more often too, but don't worry, I'll show you any of the secret passageways and shortcuts I find." Morgan lied while giving Lyra a small push, "Hurry up Smeaton, you wouldn't want to be late! What would the professors think?"
Lyra hurried down the dark hallway, glaring over her shoulder at Morgan before turning a corner, "I could say the same to you Hume!"
Morgan scoffed. She had already wasted five years of her life hurrying to classes anxiously, she wasn't about to waste another.
---
Tom Riddle's back was meticulously straight in the wooden chair he sat upon. His cold features were collected into a thoughtful expression as he appeared to listen intently to the teachings of Professor Bragidly. In the seats next to him were only a few of his loyal followers: Nott, Malfoy, and Lestrange, and though Riddle had the decency to pretend to listen, they did not.
Fortunately for them, the sound of the Charms' classroom door opening offered an appreciated distraction from their forthcoming lecture.
"The new student? Miss Hume? Can I inquire as to why it is you were late?" Bragidly looked over his round glasses at the girl walking in. His beady eyes darkened in disapproval as he took in Leah's slouching stature and absentminded expression.
Tom's eyes glanced over the girl dismissively, as if she wasn't worth his time. He had already decided that she was a person to be simply tolerated, and only dealt with unless absolutely necessary.
"Yes, yes you can." He heard Leah answer, her hands annoyingly stuffed into her pockets again. She was standing by the front of Bragidly's desk, staring at the professor expectantly.
"Well?" Bragidly tapped his wand, waiting for an answer. "Why haven't you answered my question?" He demanded.
Leah grinned, her features lighting up, "Oh, but I did answer your question. It's not my fault it was a poorly worded one. You asked me if you could inquire as to why I was late, you did not ask for the reason." She pulled her thin hands out of her pockets and clasped them behind her back, rocking on the balls of her feet.
"Miss Hume, I will not tolerate any cheek from my students, new or not." Bragidly eyed her seriously. "Five points from Slytherin. And now you will tell me why it is you were seven minutes late to my class." The middle-aged man stood up from his chair then, walking around to the chalkboard in the room and waving his wand so that instructions appeared on it.
"Well, you see, I was having a rather engaging conversation with a first year, sir."
"You were speaking with a first year? Were you asking for directions? I was under the impression that Mr. Riddle was to show you around the school," Bragidly shot Tom a withering look from the front of the class. Tom was about to speak up and defend himself when Leah interrupted.
"Professor!" She mocked, "You wound me! I was not lost. I simply preferred the first year's company over that of the other students in my house. Slytherin's aren't really a welcoming bunch, if you know what I mean." Leah made a show of glaring at Tom now, before her eyes rolled over to Lucretia Black.
Bragidly bristled for a moment, unsure of how to proceed with the situation. Never in his time teaching had he come across such an outspoken young lady. He didn't like it. "Right. Well, off to your seat then."
Leah shrugged, her smile siding off her face, while for some odd reason, she rubbed her left forearm irritably. Tom noticed the way her blue eyes turned to him once or twice, an unspoken accusation lingering in their depths. A few of the Hufflepuff's in the room smiled at her, approving of her insults to the Slytherin house; Tom's fist unconsciously curled. It was only her first day in classes and the girl was already a traitor, speaking poorly of her own kind. It sickened him.
Once Leah was seated all the way in the back of the classroom, Bragidly began his lecture. He prattled on and on about the ridiculously easy Atmosphereic charm that they would be casting. Tom let his mind wander, knowing that there were more important things that he could be doing. As the heir of Slytherin—he slowly stroked Marvolo's ring at the thought—he didn't need to be wasting his time with spells and charms he already knew. No, instead he could be spending this time looking for that necklace…the one with all that power.
A small smile came over his face at the thought.
---
Morgan grumpily browsed the library shelves, her eyes trailing over the spines of books while her mind thought to the Charms essay she had to write. What kind of teacher assigned homework on the first day of class? Bragidly was off his damn rocker, if you asked her.
She ran a hand through her hair while she searched for spell books. She was looking for a strong concealing charm, deciding that hiding the Dark Mark should be her top priority. In her previous Defense Against the Dark Arts class she had sat in the back of the room and unknowingly rolled up her sleeves. Halfway through the lecture a curious Gryffindor questioned her about the spot of black on her arm and she nearly had a heart attack
The student, Charlus Potter, had simply chuckled at her reaction before pulling her into a conversation. The boy had learned about her scorning of the Slytherin house, and along with his friend Kayden Macmillan, had decided that she wasn't so bad for a snake. Morgan found herself getting along with the Harry Look-Alike very well, realizing that his mischievous nature was just the thing she needed in such a serious environment.
It had been fun befriending the Gryffindors, but the fact still remained that her encounter with Charlus had been a close call. If he had been staring for just a moment longer at her Dark Mark…well, she didn't want to think about what could have happened then.
Pulling out a few books, Morgan waddled over to a nearby table and began religiously pouring through them. She ignored her grumbling stomach—she was used to going hungry anyways—and tried to read speedily. The faster she worked on hiding the Dark Mark the sooner she could start searching for the Founders Necklace.
After an hour of studying pages full of charms and spells, Morgan scooped up the books under her arm and went to check them out. The librarian gave her an encouraging smile and sent her on her way.
Morgan checked her schedule, noting that she had Transfiguration next. She cheered silently at the fact that she would be able to speak with Dumbledore. Stuffing her other books inside her bag she happily wandered down to the first floor where she knew the sixth year class was being held.
She actually arrived on time, and Dumbledore greeted her cheerily. "Hello Miss Hume, how has your very first day at Hogwarts been?"
Morgan stopped and straightened her posture, a large smile taking over her usually thoughtful features. "It's been okay. I don't think Professor Bragidly thinks very highly of me though."
Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled, "Can't win them all over, can you?"
Morgan sighed, "Yeah, I guess my charm doesn't work on everyone."
Dumbledore noted her bulging bag, "Doing some extra reading already?"
"Yeah, I never had access to such a library before," Morgan said, the lie slipping from her tongue easily. She wandered into the classroom then, picking a seat near the front. Moments later the rest of the students filed in, and the Ravenclaws gave her a weary gaze. Morgan sent them a sarcastic smile and wave in return.
She saw Tom Riddle walk into the room, his footsteps crisp and precise. They didn't spare each other a glance. Black and co. soon followed after, chatting politely and stiffly with one another. Violetta Fanding came in next, and without a word she stole into the seat next to Morgan.
"Good morning students." Dumbledore stepped back into the room, spreading his arms out wide. "And welcome to yet another year at Hogwarts. Now, as sixth years it has come to my attention that most of you will come of age during these next few months. With that in mind, I have decided to alter the curriculum slightly so that we may spend a small period of time going over Animagus Transfiguration."
Many of the students leaned forward in their seat then, pausing to give each other hopeful glances.
"Today, I shall bring forth a device that, when looked upon, reveals what your Animagus form will be. Then, should you decide that you want to explore this Transfiguration further, you will be presented with the opportunity to take extra lessons to become a registered Animagus with the Ministry of Magic. These extra lessons, of course, will take place much further in the year and only those with impeccable grades will be accepted into the course." At this time, the old wizard leaned down before his desk and brought out a large silver bowl. Runes shined around the bowl's surface, glinting in the daylight. Inside the bowl a curious clear liquid with a bluish sheen that rippled every so often.
"Now then, one row at a time."
Quickly, the people in Morgan's row hopped to their feet, eagerly sorting themselves into a line. Morgan and Violetta filed in last. One by one the students stared into the bowl, some gasping with delight and others sighing unhappily at what they saw. When it was finally Violetta's turn, the blond witch merely peered into the liquid before walking away impassively. Morgan went next, her blue orbs gazing into priceless bowl.
The liquid shimmered and rippled for a long moment, showing her reflection, before her face in the water began to change. Instead of staring at herself, then, she was staring at a small black fox with shining eyes.
Her mouth gaped open for a moment before the person behind her poked her in the back, "Hurry up, we want to see too."
Morgan resisted the urge to tell the Ravenclaw to stop acting like such a twat and instead smiled up at Dumbledore, stepping away from the bowl.
"What did you see, Miss Hume?" He asked soothingly.
Morgan grinned, "A black fox."
"A really useful form, if I do say so myself," Dumbledore nodded in approval. "I do hope you will consider Animagus Transfiguration."
"I will," Morgan promised before returning to her seat. She eyed Violetta, "What was your form?"
Fanding gave a small shrug, "Lynx."
Morgan didn't even know what that was.
---
Later that evening, while everyone else was at dinner, Morgan was in the library again, pouring over her spell books. She vaguely registered that Tom Riddle was also there, bent over a thick book with a piece of parchment and a quill. She almost considered going over to him. Part of her told her to forget it, and that he was probably doing homework, while another part of her urged her on, in case he was looking for the Founders Necklace.
Eventually, with her mission in mind, Morgan made her way over to Riddle's table. "Hey Riddle," she greeted simply. She leaned over his back, trying to sneak a peek at what he was reading when he slammed the book shut roughly.
"What do you want Hume?"
"A bit touchy, aren't we Riddle?"
"You're the one that said we were not going to pretend to be pleasant to one another." Riddle leaned back in his chair and Morgan walked around to the other side of the table.
"Yes, well," She once again tried to look at the book he was reading, "That was before I needed help with Defense Against the Dark Arts." She randomly ripped out a piece of parchment from her bag and slid it across the lacquered wooden table.
Tom Riddle raised an elegant eyebrow before he reached for the paper. His dark eyes skimmed over its surface while his hands simultaneously pushed the thick book he was reading out of the way. Morgan frowned.
"This is the Charms essay prompt." He said silkily. "Not Defense Against the Dark Arts work." Tom leaned back in his chair then, appraising her with his eyes. "Were you lying to me again, Miss Hume?"
Morgan didn't even bother to try and deny it, "Yeah." She grabbed the paper back and gave Tom a smirk. "Thanks for your help anyways, by the way, what was that book you were reading?"
She could have sworn she saw Tom's thin lips shift upwards in amusement, "Now, now, no need to be nosy Miss Hume."
Morgan stood up then, "I suppose not." She pulled up the sleeve of her right arm and feigned looking at a watch. "Wow, would you check out that time! I must run. Be seeing you, Tom Riddle."
"Good day, Leah Hume."
As soon as she exited the library, Tom walked over to the table Leah had previously occupied and suspiciously glanced over the books she had been searching through all day. Concealing charms? Interesting.
---
Morgan decided to make a quick stop to dump her rented spell books in the Room of Requirement. Tomorrow, she decided, she would go in there at lunch to practice the charms. It was too risky to do so anywhere else. For the time being, she went back to her dorm and hastily dressed down. She had a bad feeling about tomorrow.
---
The next day began with double Potions for Morgan, and she tiredly shuffled the whole three feet from her common room to the classroom thirty-seconds before Slughorn began his introductory speech.
She had wisely decided to sleep through breakfast, knowing that she could stop by the kitchens later and pick up a sandwich.
"Miss Hume, what a pleasure!" Slughorn chortled loudly. There were far fewer students in his class now, and Morgan realized it was because many people did not pass the Potions O.W.L. testing. She only recognized Tom Riddle, Avery, Fanding, and Kayden Macmillan who was chatting with a Ravenclaw girl.
"Morning sir," Morgan chanted back, plopping down in a seat by Violetta. She leaned back in her chair and her eyes rolled to the ceiling lazily.
If Slughorn was bothered by her behavior, he didn't show it. Instead he continued speaking, "Now, for today I want you students to correctly brew a Draught of Living Death."
Morgan almost laughed out loud, Slughorn had obviously deviated very little from his teaching plans, because in her own sixth year that was the first potion they were expected to brew.
Slughorn set his students off then, telling them they had a short amount of time to do what was expected of them. Most students set off at a breakneck pace, while Morgan tiredly gathered her ingredients. She took her time following the instructions to the potion, altering the directions every so often, remembering that in her fifth year she had been warned by Harry to not try and cut the sopophorous beans, but instead to squish them. She did so, and finished the potion rather easily.
Tom Riddle, as she was learning, was something akin to a genius, for he had finished way before her and anyone else. Violetta had followed Morgan's steady pace, and even though their potions were completed long after Riddle's, most of the other students were still having trouble.
"Well! Might I say, Miss Hume and Miss Fanding those are two wonderfully brewed potions!" Slughorn's mustache moved floppily with his excited speech. "Very wonderful indeed, not as good as Tom's though, but good enough!" His large eyes sparkled then, "Miss Fanding, as you are already aware I have these little gatherings every once and awhile, the students have dubbed it the Slug Club—" He smiled fondly, "—And I was wondering if you would perhaps like to attend this year. You as well, Miss Hume!"
Morgan flushed over her cauldron. She remembered Ginny's account of the rather crowded party that Slughorn had, and it didn't sound too promising.
"Of course, sir," Violetta answered for the both of them. "We would love to attend."
Slughorn chortled happily, "Marvelous, absolutely marvelous! Our first get-together is a month from now, on October second. I'm having a large party to celebrate another great year at Hogwarts!"
Their professor waddled on his way and Morgan glared unhappily at Violetta, "Did you really have to do that?"
A small smile chiseled itself into Fanding's features, "Yes, I wasn't going to go alone, now was I?"
---
With a sandwich clamped around her mouth an hour later, Slughorn's little party was long forgotten. The Metamorphmagus witch (who was pleased to say keeping her hair one solid color was becoming rather easy) was wandering down the halls on her way to her Care of Magical Creatures class.
The sound of books falling interrupted the witch's journey though, and she turned around a corner to see a tall group of Slytherin boys pushing around a first year Gryffindor.
"Where ya going little lion? Not so tough without your older brother, huh Darley?" The leader of the Slytherins thrust one arm out and pushed the small boy into the wall. The Gryffindor let out a yelp.
Morgan had seen enough, she put the rest of her sandwich in her pocket and started down the hall, "Oi! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
The boys froze, squinting down the hallway. They sneered when the recognized her. "If it isn't the traitor," they hissed darkly. Morgan realized they were seventh years.
"Shove off, assholes," Morgan snapped, she reached the group of boys then, and to the Gryffindor's surprise, put a comforting arm around his shoulder. "Come on Darley, I'll take ya to your next class."
The Slytherins jeered at her unpleasantly, though made no move to stop her from pulling the first year along. As soon as the boys had disappeared from their sight, Morgan turned to the boy and grinned slightly, "Don't mind them, bunch of tossheads they are."
Darley sniffled, "But you're a Slytherin too." He pointed out.
"Not all Slytherins are bad, just most of them." Morgan said cheerily. Darley smiled.
"I'm going to Transfiguration, I think I can find my way from here."
"Naw, it's cool, I'll walk you there, besides, I love Professor Dumbledore." Morgan pulled the eleven year old up to the second floor where the old wizard preferred to have his younger classes.
She stopped outside the door, they were ten minutes late. Darley knocked apprehensively.
Morgan broke out in a large grin when Dumbledore pulled open the classroom door. His eyes twinkled in surprise when he noticed Morgan there, though smiled softly at Darley. "Now what happened here, Miss Hume?"
"Ah, some Slytherin jerks were giving Darley a hard time, so I told them to shove off and decided to escort him to your class. Sorry he's late."
Dumbledore smiled again, "I suppose that's alright, hurry in now, William, and find a seat." William Darley scuttled past the professor and Dumbledore turned back to Morgan, "Thank you Leah."
Morgan shrugged and pulled out the other half of her sandwich, "It was my pleasure sir," She smiled, "Now I really gotta go or else Kettleburn will kill me. I'm late as it is." She took a bite out of her sandwich.
Dumbledore waved his wand and conjured a note out of thin air, "Give this to Professor Kettleburn, and I assure you, nothing bad will happen."
Morgan gave her favorite professor another grin before leaving.
---
Dumbledore had been right, after showing Kettleburn the note the lively man chortled heartily and shoved her towards the rest of his students. Morgan recognized Charlus Potter among the bunch, and quickly stood beside him. The Gryffindor gave her a large smile while Kayden Macmillan patted her on the back.
"Heard some other Slytherin seventh years cursing about how you helped out William Darley," Kayden whispered happily. "Good job mate."
Morgan shrugged, "Yeah I kno—" She paused, studying the form of a tall cloaked figure standing beside Kettleburn. Hagrid!?!
"Right, well we're gunna start this year off lookin' at Thestrals! Hagrid, my boy, bring one over! Now, don't be worried if you can't seem em' but these are the beauties that pull your carriages to the castle. Now, raise your hand and tell me why some people can seem em' and why others cannot!"
Morgan stared in blank shock at Hagrid before turning to Charlus, "Who's that?" She whispered.
The Gryffindor Potter looked at Hagrid, "That Rubeus Hagrid. He got expelled last year because supposedly he kept a pet Acromantula that killed Mrytle, another student. Tom Riddle told the Headmaster, but Kayden and I believe it's a lie. Hagrid would never keep anything that would harm anyone. Riddle's just got a stick shove up his ass."
Morgan looked at the fifteen year old Hagrid then, frowning unhappily. She would have to dig deeper into the situation. So Tom Riddle turned him in? Well, then there would certainly be some mention of it in that file Snape provided her with.
Later that night, instead of going back to her dorm, Morgan collected all of her things and brought them to the Room of Requirement, she stayed until morning testing out concealing charms and reading up on Tom Riddle. The habit of doing so, though she didn't know at the time, was going to develop into an unhealthy one.