Heirs of the Founders 14

The Hearing

Raye wanted to sit in the Hospital Wing when the Mandrake Draught was administered to Rufus Scrimgeour and the other victims.  However, she allowed Brutus, Rufus' brother to sit with him.  She did not want it to get out that she had a thing for Rufus too quickly.  It was enough with Serena teasing her about his feelings all the time.  It did not take long for the potion to take effect.  Within an hour everyone was released from the hospital wing and Rufus walked into the common room, flanked by his brother.  Raye happened to be walking down from the girl's dormitories when Rufus entered the common roo.  She gasped at the sight of him and his name escaped her mouth in a shout.  Somehow, her legs carried her all the way down the stairs, across the floor and into Rufus.  She threw her arms around him.

"You're all right!" she cried. 

"Yeah," said Rufus, hugging her in return.  "Mandrake juice…works wonders."

Raye chuckled, and then stopped when a couple of girls laughed and some boys whistled.  Raye cleared her throat and stepped back. 

"That's…good."

"I'm not too late for OWLS, am I?" Rufus inquired. 

"No," said Raye, "they start tomorrow."

"Good," said Rufus.  "I should pass my Defense Against the Darks OWL just for being petrified for half the year." He crossed his arms.  "Was Tom Riddle really the Heir of Slytherin?"

"Yes," Raye answered, "we followed him to the Chamber of Secrets.  That's why he petrified you; he thought you were a risk."

"We?" asked Rufus.

"Oh, Serena Moon, Amy Fawcet and I," replied Raye.  "We stopped Tom Riddle.  He and Olive Hornby were expelled; they left just this morning."

"Brilliant," Rufus said, "you should pass your OWL too!"

Raye smiled.  "Oh, I don't know if we'll both get 'Outstanding' just for that but we'll see."

"Yeah," said Rufus, "we should get a little credit.  It is a bit hard to study petrified."

"What was it like?" Raye inquired.  "Could you remember…anything?"

"No," said Rufus.  "It was like I was stuck in the moment of seeing the reflection of the snake's eyes in the water.  It was like being in a bad dream you can't wake up from."

"Well, let me help you study for your OWLS before we have to take them," Raye said, "grab all your books and let's head over to the library."

"Sounds like a plan," said Rufus and he went upstairs to get his books.  Raye went tog et hers and together they walked to the library.  Finally, Raye would alone with Rufus.  She realized how much she liked him when she learned that he got petrified.  She just wished she had appreciated it sooner.  While they were studying ingredients for sleeping potions, Raye decided it was time for her to tell him how she felt.  It was more difficult than she thought it would be.

"You know, these sleeping potion ingredients made me realize something," said Raye, glancing at her notes and playing with them. "I mean, I've been asleep in a way too.  I was creating my own world, where it didn't matter if you'd…gah!" Raye groaned, realizing that she should just come out and say it.  "Rufus…I like you.  I've always liked you but I guess I was afraid to tell you.  I wasn't really interested into boys before, but you're different.  I felt so sad when I found out you were attacked and I felt guilty that I didn't tell you how I felt before then.  I'm so sorry, Rufus.  I'd understand if you wouldn't like me back I just wanted you--,"

Rufus silenced her by pressing his lips to hers, one hand over her hand and the other touching her knee.  Her eyes widened in surprise and the kiss ended as quickly as it started.  He leaned back and she found herself staring in his lion-like eyes.

"I admit, I fancied you a little too, Raye," he said. 

"Really?" she whispered. 

"Yeah," he replied, "but of course, I wasn't sure at first.  I thought we were only friends, but with everything that happened this year, my feelings changed beyond friendship.  I guess I realized it one night when we were on night duty…"

Flashback

Prefects were standing around on each floor in the castle.  It was around two in the morning.  Many of the prefects were tired and had to use potions or charms to keep themselves awake.  Raye, Rufus and a couple other prefects were guarding the seventh floor.  To keep himself awake, Rufus made a habit of walking around.  He knew if he stood still for too long, he'd feel sleepiness work on him.  He couldn't allow himself to get tired.  The Heir of Slytherin was still at large and there was no telling when he would attack again.  It was possible that the Heir of Slytherin didn't sleep.  Perhaps, to get the most out of his mission, he may have been making a potion to defeat sleep.  Rufus wouldn't put it past him.  The Heir of Slytherin meant business and Rufus couldn't underestimate him—even though he had no idea who the Heir could be. 

Rufus turned around a corner and saw Raye opening a window.  She felt exhausted and thought that cool air might help her wake up.  Not only was guard duty taking its toll on her body but also so were her dreams.  She hadn't shared her dreams with anyone, not even her best friend Myrtle.  Raye took in a deep breath of cool air, yawned loudly and rubbed her sleepy eyes.  The breeze helped a little bit but her mind and body was still weary.  Rufus remained at the corner, watching her intently.  He could tell at the first glimpse of her that she was very tired.  He never quite realized it before, but Raye had been looking tired lately.  Was it more than the nightly patrols that were making her tired?  Could it be something else?

A breeze blew Raye's long black hair back and it moved something in Rufus.  He did not know why, but he wanted to walk to her and offer her his shoulder.  He wanted to feel her gentle breathing on his neck and he wanted to smell her hair.  Smiling sadly to himself, he realized he never knew the scent of her hair.  How could he not know that little detail if they had known each other for so long?  They have sat next to each other plenty of times in meals.  She sat in front of him in History of Magic and yet he never noticed the scent of her hair.  Again, he felt the desire to come to her and put his arm around her.  He wanted to lend her his shoulder to rest her head on.  It would be just for a moment for her to rest her weary, beautiful violet eyes.  She didn't look just tired, but troubled.  He didn't want to see her like that anymore.  Yet, no matter how strong the desire was to come up to her, something else was stronger.  Fear.  Fear was holding him back.  Raye didn't seem like the girl to be interested in boys.  She was a serious witch and concentrated her studies.  Everything to her was strictly business.  He somewhat liked that about her, but it made him think that she was unapproachable.  They were prefects and they were supposed to be doing a job.  What if she got mad at him and reminded, fiercely, why they were walking around the castle at night?  Raye had a temper and that was no secret.  Deciding to leave her alone, Rufus turned back around and walked back the way he came.

'Tomorrow,' he thought to himself.  'Tomorrow, if Raye looks tired again, I'll ask her to use my shoulder.'

End Flashback

Raye gazed at Rufus in surprise.  She remembered opening the window.  She had no idea he had been watching her.

"So, I decided I'd ask you the next day," Rufus sighed, frowning.  "But I wasn't able to because I got petrified."

Raye found herself smiling and her heart felt so full she thought it would burst.  "I would've liked that, you know.  I really would."

"I'll offer my shoulder to you after we sit our OWL's then," Rufus told her. 

"Good," said Raye, "because I might need it!"

The two started laughing so hard that the librarian had to shush them, warning that she would have to throw them out if she caught them again.

--

For some, OWLs were not as difficult as they had suspected.  For others, it was far more difficult.  They did their practical tests first and their written tests.  Amy Fawcett did well on both kinds of tests, excelling more in Charms and Arithmancy and Runes.  Raye did well in Runes, Divination and Herbology.  She believed she suffered in History of Magic.  As she took the written History of Magic test, she missed Myrtle desperately.  Myrtle had always been good in that subject.  It wasn't fair, Raye thought.  Myrtle should be here to take her OWLs.  She'll never get to be the witch she was destined to be because someone thought she was worthless.  At this, Raye's eyes began to tear up and Rufus noticed.  He looked at her a while before returning to his test. 

Serena had a similar problem.  Even with her best subjects, she was having trouble concentrating.  Her mind was on Thomas Riddle.  She knew he had done seriously wrong in opening the Chamber of Secrets, attacking the students, and killing Myrtle.  She knew he had to be punished but she was afraid what the punishment would be.  Was expulsion enough to set him straight, or would he have to go to Azkaban too?  What if he became bitter after his imprisonment and would unleash an attack on England or even the world?  It was too early for her to wonder.  His hearing date hadn't even been set yet.  She, Raye, Amy and a few others from the school would be asked to offer testimonies.  What were they going to ask Serena?  How would she answer their questions?

Serena put her hands on her head.  No.  She couldn't be fretting over this now.  She had done her part and she had to leave Thomas' fate in the hands of the Ministry.  There were trained on these matters; she wasn't. 

Serena found her Muggle Studies to be simpler compared to her others.  Instead of having to remember facts, all she had to do was write an essay about her opinion about Muggles.  Stating laws and quoting wizards and witches that worked with Muggles added points, but what the examiner was asking for were Serena's thoughts.  Serena dipped the nib of her quill in ink and wrote all her thoughts and experiences with Muggles, starting with the Muggle grandfather she hadn't met.  She even included the attacks on muggle borns in the school and Thomas Riddle. 

'I should at least get an outstanding on this OWL,' Serena thought as she wrote out everything in her heart.

After doing their last OWL's, students vacated the Great Hall to their dormitories to sleep or to go outside for fresh air.  Rufus put his quill down when time was up and he took Raye's hand.  She looked at their hands and then at his face.

"Let's go for a walk, Raye," he said. 

"All right," she said, rising from her seat.  Their hands remained enclosed as they went outside. 

"Well, I'm glad that's over," said Rufus.

"Me too," agreed Raye.  "I thought I was going to pull my hair out.  Especially on the History of Magic bit."

"I noticed," Rufus said, "You looked upset—like you were going to cry."

"Hey, the test was hard, but not that hard!" Raye said with a laugh.

"I don't think it had to do anything with the test, Raye," said Rufus softly.  "We both know how brilliant she was in it, Raye."

"What?"

"Myrtle," he said.  "She was the only one who could last the whole lesson and not only that, she participated in every class.  It was one of the few classes she feel she could speak her mind.  I mean, sometimes I think the class would've been better off if she taught it."

"Enough!" Raye shouted.  "Don't…don't talk about Myrtle.  She's gone."

"You haven't talked about her since she died," Rufus said.

"Sure I have," Raye snapped.  "Just nto to you….because…well…"

"You can talk about her still," said Rufus.  "You know, she's still here.  I don't think her ghost will ever leave Hogwarts…or at least Olive Hornby.  I heard that Myrtle left the castle with her."

"Yeah, I think she's going to haunt her for a couple of decades," said Raye.  "Pay her back for all the humiliation Olive put her through."

"I'm not sure exactly how she died," said Rufus.  "I just know she died in a bathroom."

"I…I can't talk about that now," Raye said, turning and Rufus pulled on her hand. 

"It's okay, Raye," Rufus said, "just tell me what happened.  Did Tom know she was there?"

"Yeah," Raye replied frowning, "because of Olive.  She was his accomplice.  Olive was teasing her about her glasses.  Myrtle began crying and she ran to the bathroom to be alone.  But…Olive followed her.  I came in, made Olive leave and I tried to talk Myrtle into coming out only she wanted to be alone."  Raye sighed and shook her head.  "I shouldn't have left her there by herself.  I knew something was wrong…it's…it's my fault she's dead."

"That's not true!" said Rufus.

"Yes it is!" argued Raye.  "When I threw Olive out of the bathroom, I saw Tom Riddle outside the door.  He looked like he was waiting for something."

"You didn't know he was the Heir of Slytherin at that time," Rufus told her.

"But I knew….I knew from the moment I met him there wasn't something right about him," Raye said.  "He just had a bad aura.  Even when he was acting all good, he still hat that sinister look about him.  Why did I leave her alone?  Oh, Myrtle, I'm so sorry!"

Raye put her hand to her forehead and Rufus put his arm around Raye.  "It's not your fault."

"She was my best friend, Rufus," she said.  "I let her down.  If I had stayed there, then Tom wouldn't have been able to kill her.  She told me to go because she knew I liked Charms so much…she was thinking of me."

"See, Raye?" Rufus said.  "She thought she was going to be all right.  She didn't want you to worry about her."

"I know…but it's not fair," she insisted.  "Poor Myrtle, no one treated her right.  She was always teased and ridiculed.  She lacked self confidence.  I tried my best to help her through everything but it wasn't enough.  Myrtle was killed, just because her parents were Muggles!" 

Raye sobbed and Rufus let her cry on his shoulder.  Raye was inwardly angry at Rufus for making her open up about Myrtle.  It was a sore subject but perhaps she needed to get her feelings out more than she realized.  She would thank him later.

"I know it's not fair," said Rufus finally, "but think about what good you did for Myrtle.  You couldn't save her but you were a good friend to her.  Myrtle doesn't blame you for her death.  You're not the one who opened the chamber, Raye."

She swallowed.  "I—I know."

"We've caught the perpetrator," Rufus said, "Riddle will be brought to justice and one day, I'll become an Auror to stop filth like him."

Raye raised an eyebrow and her sobs stopped.  She wiped her tears.  Now her guilt and sorrow were replaced with confusion and interest. 

"An Auror?" she asked.  "I thought you wanted to be a professional Quidditch player."

"Yeah, I did," said Rufus, "until Riddle decided to set that basilisk on me.  Changed my whole look on things.  It is so easy to underestimate people, Raye.  Riddle had us all fooled.  Some wizards in the Dark Arts are easy to spot out.  They talk about it all the time and they shop in Knocturn Alley…it's like they're asking to get caught doing something wrong.  But it's the ones that pretend to be on the good side, Raye, you have to be worried about.  They have secrets, secrets they expect to remain secrets forever.  Well, I want to become an Auror to uncover those secrets."

"I think that's amazing," said Raye.  "If Tom…becomes what I feared he would be, there would be a lot of Dark Wizards coming.  I dreamed he was this…scary wizard.  So powerful and he didn't even look human.  There were many people under his power, all dressed in black."

"I want to testify at his hearing," said Rufus suddenly.  "I know I was asleep for most of the time, but I'm sure there's something I can do to help.  I want to be there when they say what they're going to do with him."

Raye said. "Maybe it's wrong for me to say this, but he deserves all that he gets.  He killed my best friend and they can't just let him walk away with that."

Rufus put her head on his shoulder.  "It will all be over soon, Raye."

--

When Tom came to his trial, he was surprised how many people came.  Did they come to see his downfall?  Were they expecting him to spend the rest of his life in Azkaban, or to work like a slave for the ministry?  He realized, besides Olive, he didn't have anyone to speak on his behalf.  It would be hard for him to talk his way out of this one.  Yet he was not about to give up.  After all, he was not quite of age.  There was never a history of the Ministry sending an underage wizard to Azkaban.  Tom was the first witness.  Tom thought of it as a good and bad thing.  He got to tell his story first before anyone else but he did not know what the others were going to say.  Tom remained calm.  He had his story planned in his mind.  He stated his name, birthday and place of residence and then answered the questions Ogden asked him. 

"When did you begin looking for the Chamber of Secrets?" asked Ogden.

"My second year at Hogwarts," Tom answered.

"And during this five year period," said Ogden, "were you planning to open the chamber of Secrets intending to kill muggleborn students?"

"I…" said Tom.  He wasn't expecting a question like that.  Did he really want to kill someone?

"Answer the question, Mr. Riddle."

"No," said Tom, "I just wanted to see if it was real.  Professor Binns said it was only a legend."

"I see, but after you found it," Ogden said, "why did you keep attacking students?  Why didn't you tell the staff about your discovery?"

Tom scratched his head.  "The basilisk made me do it.  It must've hypnotized me."

"That is strange," said Ogden, "because I understand the legend says that the Heir will have power over the creature—not the other way around."

"The snake told me I'd have glory if I followed Slytherin's plan," Tom said.

"Glory," said Ogden.  "I see.  And after the first attack, you didn't stop.  Why did you continue?  Was it really the basilisk's doing?"

"Yes, yes sir," said Tom. 

"Tell us your attitude about Muggleborns and Muggles, please," said Ogden.  "I understand you live in a Muggle orphanage?"

"I was on my best behavior," Tom lied.

"What about Muggleborns?  Have you ever fought with one before?"

"No sir," answered Tom Riddle, shaking his head.  "I was polite and courteous.  I never harmed anyone.  The most I done was give detention to a third year Muggleborn for letting all the owls out of the owlerly."

Ogden nodded but was not convinced.  He had met Tom Riddle's uncle and grandfather.  He knew of their crimes and hate toward muggles.  Tom did not act like Morfin or Marvolo but that didn't mean he still didn't have the same attitude. 

"All right," said Ogden, "we now call Professor Dumbledore to the stand then."

Tom felt his heart drop.  Professor Dumbledore?  He should've known that Dumbledore would be testifying!  Tom told Dumbledore about the times when he used magic against other children. 

"Please tell us the day you met Tom," said Ogden.

"Yes, it was the twenty-fifth of August 1938," said Dumbledore, "a week before Tom started his first year at Hogwarts.  I came to the orphanage to offer him a place at Hogwarts."

"I understand that normally Hogwarts sends letters to new students?" asked Ogden. 

"That is correct," Dumbledore answered, "but Tom was a special case.  Tom had no real guardians and so I decided it was best for me to visit the orphanage.  I spoke with Mrs. Cole, the matron of the orphanage about the school.  I asked her about Tom's history.  She told me Tom's mother died giving birth to him.  She told me he was a funny boy and scares the other children.  On one occasion, he hung another child's rabbit from the rafters and scared two other children in a cave on an outing to the beach."

"And when you met Tom? What was he like?"

"Different from other children," said Dumbledore, "quite demanding.  He thought at first I was someone from the asylum.  When I told him that Hogwarts was a school of magic, he wanted to know if magic was what explained his abilities."

"What abilities?"

"He told me he made things move without touching them," said Dumbleodore, "Make animals do things without having to train them.  He made bad things happen to those that annoy him, even cause them harm."

There were a few voices. Tom couldn't even look at Dumbledore anymore.  Unless a miracle happened, he was doomed.  Why did he tell Dumbledore those things?  Why didn't he sound excited about the magic school, instead of blurting out that he already knew how to use abilities?

"Tom wanted me to demonstrate some magic to him," said Dumbledore, "so I put a spell on his wardrobe.  Items that did not belong to him were supposed to shake."

"Did he have things that belonged to other children?"

"Yes, a thimble, a mouth organ and a yo-yo," Dumbledore answered, "if I remember correctly.  I told Tom to return them to the rightful owners with an apology.  I also gave him a warning about thieving in Hogwarts."

"How was his behavior at Hogwarts?"

"Quite different," said Dumbledore.  "I intended to keep an eye on him after meeting him and Tom seemed to make quite a turn around."

"You believe his change to be genuine?" asked Ogden.

"No," said Dumbledore at once.  "Not after learning he was the Heir of Slytherin."

"Were you surprised when you found out?"

"Not at all," said Dumbledore, "just disappointed."

"Thank you, Professor," said Ogden and he called a few other Professors.  They all said how impressed they were with his performance in the school and how shocked when they learned how he had attacked the other children.  The victims testified, all saying that they never before had a problem with Tom prior to the attack.  When Olive was called to the stand, she looked pale and nervous.  Myrtle had come to witness the hearing.

"Be sure to tell the truth!" she shouted.

"I will ask you to remain quiet," said Ogden.

Myrtle floated to the corner, scowling at Olive.  Ogden looked back at Olive.

"What was your relationship with Tom Riddle?" he asked.

"I am—was—his girlfriend," answered Olive.  "In our fifth year."

"How did you find out he was looking for the Chamber of Secrets?"

Olive fiddled with her handkerchief before answering.  "I saw him in the common room day looking disturbed.  I thought it had to do with schoolwork.  He asked me for my opinion on the Chamber of Secrets.  I told him I thought it was real and then I asked him if he was looking for it.  I decided to help him find it."

"Why?" asked Ogden.

"I thought it might be fun," answered Olive.  "I was bored."

"What was your attitude toward muggleborns?"

Olive caught Myrtle's eye before answering.  "I—I was quite prejudiced against them."

"Was that your main reason for helping Tom Riddle?"

Olive swalloed.  "I—I yes."

There were more whispers and Myrtle smirked.

"Did you find the entrance or did Tom Riddle?"

"I did," said Olive, "it was in the girl's bathroom on the second floor.  It was a sink with a snake on it."

"Did your 'service,' with Tom continue?"

"Yes, I cornered the students," Olive admitted and she explained how she did it for each victim. 

"I feel really…really sorry for what I did," sobbed Olive, "but please—don't send me to Azkaban!"

After she spoke, Amy, Serena and Raye gave their testimony.  They said how they were able to track Tom down to the Chamber of Secrets.  Both Serena and Amy believed that Tom didn't deserve a sentence in Azkaban because he was underage, but Raye used everything she could against Tom.  This was more than for justice.  This was revenge—this was war.

"First time I met Tom Riddle," said Raye, "I had a bad feeling about him."

"I see, because of Serena's cat?"

Raye nodded.  "Not just because her kneazle sensed something, but I did too.  Something dangerous…after that his behavior changed.  He made everyone think he was a model student.  But I knew something was off."

"How did you figure out he was the Heir of Slytherin?"

"A vision," Raye said and a few people in the room groaned, while most of them moved forward.  It seemed that there were some divination supporters in the room.

"I'm one of the top Divination students," Raye said, "I put myself into a trance fire reading.  I didn't see Tom as the Heir of Slytherin first.  I was trying too, but I saw something else. I saw what Tom would become.  I had asked Olvie who killed Myrtle and she gave me a name 'Lord Voldemort'—I thought it was something she made up.  But I used it as a clue.  I believe I saw Tom Riddle as Lord Voldemort."

"What did you see?"

Raye's face grew upset and disgusted.  She closed her eyes.  "Horrible things—I saw this 'Lord Voldemort' kill and torture people.  He used them.  He kept saying his name, 'Lord Voldemort.'  His face was pale and his eyes…looked bloodshot.  Then I saw him sharing the body with another person.  I think he loses power once.  He comes back, but he looks so terrifying that it's almost inhuman."

"How did you figure that this 'Lord Voldemort' and Tom Riddle is one in the same?"

"His name," answered Raye, "he kept saying 'I am Lord Voldemort' and then I saw the letters move into Tom's name.  It all came clear.  I saw Tom Riddle with the basilisk holding the Chocolate Card frog with Salazar Slytherin's face on it.  That was my first omen, but I didn't recognize it then."

Raye looked straight at Tom Riddle, her eyes full of contempt.  "Tom had us all fooled  He led us to believe he was a perfect student.  He was polite and helpful, but when no one was looking, he was attacking muggleborns.  He has to be stopped now before he becomes Lord Voldemort.  If you all don't want to see half the wizarding population die or cursed or be under his power, then you will lock him up in Azkaban and throw away the key.  He killed my best friend.  He needs to be punished."

As Raye was the last to speak, the Wizengamot gave a short resource while they made their decision.  Olive tried to comfort Tom but he just wanted to be alone.  He sat in a corner, waiting for his punishment. 

"Raye," said Serena, "are you sure you had to tell the Wizengamnt all of that?  The stuff you saw in your vision?"

"How else would they know the kind of wizard Tom would grow up to be?" Raye demanded.  "You didn't see the things I've seen."

"Maybe—Maybe Tom is sorry," said Serena timidly. "Besides, they've already expelled him.  They can'ts end him to Azkaban at sixteen.  And what about Olive?  Should she go to Akzaban too?  Having Myrtle haunt her for the rest of her life should be enough a punishment."

"There is no Azkaban for underage wizards," said Rufus, returning with a drink for Raye.  "They'll have to send him somewhere.  After the hearing, I don't think the ministry will be foolish enough to send him back to live with Muggles.  You heard Professor Dumbledore.  Riddle already was hurting people and if we let him go, everything Raye saw in her vision would come true."

"But he can stay with us," said Serena.  "He didn't do anything when he was staying with us.  We'll keep him out of trouble."

The door to the courtroom opened and a wizard poked his head out.  "We are ready."

Everyone walked in, Tom at the back.  Tom and Olive sat in the two chairs set out for them. 

"Olive Hornby," said Ogden, "we find you guilty as Tom Riddle's accomplice.  You will not be allowed to resume your magical education in Hogwarts or any other school of magic.  Your wand will be destroyed.  You may remain here after the hearing if you wish to watch it."

Olive cried fresh tears into her handkerchief. 

"You are required to take a Muggle Safety class," Bob Ogden continued, "and you will receive the necessary information."

"A Muggle Safety class?" Olive mumbled.

Ogden ignored her and looked at Tom Riddle.  "We also find you guilty of the attacks of six muggleborns and the murder of Myrtle Mason.  Your wand will also be destroyed following this trial.  Because of your actions toward Muggles and muggleborns, past, present and future we hereby sentence you to four years in Azkaban.  You will leave immediately after the disposal of your wand."

"No!" Olive turned to Tom and put her hands on him.  "That's not fair.  Why can't he get the same punishment as me?  We were in it together!  You can't send him to Azkaban at sixteen!"

"Let go," Tom said, pushing her away.  He did not want her pity.  He did not want the punishment either but he was not going to show any anger.  It might increase his sentence.  Serena was too shocked to cry.  Was this really what the founders wanted?  Imprison the Heir of Slytherin?

"The ministry will periodically visit you in prison," Ogden continued, "and decide with each visit if your sentence needs to be modified.  Let us hope you're not as eccentric as your mad uncle and grandfather, or this Lord Voldemort."

The trial was adjourned.  Rufus and Raye hugged.  Serena stood up and ran to Tom. 

"Tom—Tom I'm so sorry," she said.  "I didn't mean for this to happen.  Maybe we can change your date after you turn sixteen.  You can stay with us."

Tom gave her an odd smile.  "I suppose they think I'm too dangerous already, Serena."

Two law enforcement officials took Tom by the arms and escorted him out of the room.  Serena was so upset, she couldn't metamorphose.  She tried to make her body look like Arabella Figg's, as she had done for the train ride.  She thought that doing so would make him remember, but she couldn't change her hair color.  She stood at the door, frozen as Tom was taken from the building to a place she feared to see.  The Heir of Slytherin was going to Azkaban, and there was nothing she could do about it.

TO BE CONTINUED