Sorry for the late update! Please, enjoy!
"Chris! You alright?" Edward asked as Christine found him in the great hall. Christine smiled.
"I'm fine. Just a few bruises" she admitted, sitting down beside him and grabbing a toast. Edward stared at her, unsure.
"You were with that Riddle guy" he stated as she finished her toast. Christine nodded.
"Hm..." she said, looking up to catch Tom Riddle enter the Great Hall. Then, she shrugged.
"I guess" She added, taking a persimmon from the fruit bowl. Edward frowned.
"I heard he's a bit weird" Edward said, "Maybe it's not a good idea to be too close to him"
Christine shrugged.
"We just took a walk by the lake" she said, "Nothing else"
Edward still looked unconvinced. Christine smiled and ruffled his hair.
"I'll be fine, Ed" she told him, "Don't worry so much about me"
Edward forced a smile and watched as Christine ate lunch. Then, he turned to catch Tom staring at Christine. Edward Potter knew that something was wrong.
"Christine" Tom called as she exited the Great hall, with Edward and Klaus on either side of her, telling her what they did in Potions. Christine was giggling as they told her about someone's potion which had exploded into a cloud of red smoke.
"... and Slughorn looked so angry! His face was red!" Edward told her. Christine clutched her sides, giggling uncontrollably. Klaus was laughing too. Christine turned to Tom and smiled.
"Hello" she said, her eyes still teary from giggling so hard. Tom stared at her and then at her companions.
"I was wondering if we could walk to care of magical creatures together" he said. Christine's expression faltered and she turned to Edward and Klaus, wondering if it was alright.
"Sure" Klaus said, "Let's go" he added. Edward looked a little relieved and Tom looked rather angry.
"Bye guys, see you later" Edward said as he turned a corner and the three others made their way down to the edge of the forbidden forest.
"So, Chris" Klaus said, "I found this amazing book in the library. It has all the details about the water-sprout radishes I was telling you about" he said. Christine frowned.
"Really?" Christine asked, surprised. Klaus nodded.
"There are instructions on how to capture it and cook it too" he added, "And something about a wasabi"
Christine frowned.
"Wasabi?" she repeated, "Isn't that a condiment?"
Klaus shrugged and pulled out an old, worn book and handed it to Christine. Christine leafed through it, skimming through the pages until she found the page that described the impossibly true radishes. Pouting, Christine read it until they reached the place where their class would be conducted.
"Aha!" Christine declared, placing her finger on the page and showing it to Klaus.
"Wasabi is a condiment" she told him, "Says here that it's used as a flavouring agent in several Japanese dishes" she said. Klaus frowned as he read it and then shrugged.
"So, what exactly are these water-sprout radishes?" Tom asked, clearing his throat and intervening at the right time. Christine turned to him as if just realising that he was there.
"They're a sort of antidote-type of plant. They grow on river beds and can be used for a number of types of poisonings" Christine said. Tom frowned.
"Why wasn't this taught in potions then?" he asked. Christine shrugged and pointed out the author to Tom. Tom squinted his eyes to see.
"Imogene Scallywag wasn't respected for being a potioneer" she informed him. Tom frowned.
"Scallywag? Wasn't she a little loony?" Tom asked. Klaus frowned.
"Scallywag is an amazing discoverer! She discovered lots of plants with medicinal qualities in all her years working for the ministry" Klaus defended.
"She is also the first woman potioneer to have her book published" Christine added, "it's quite something"
Tom frowned. Christine was supporting Klaus? That too with this crazy idea? What was wrong with her?
Tom only nodded and then turned to the professor, who was taking class. Christine smiled at Klaus.
"That's quite the discovery you've made" she told him, "Need any help putting it all together?"
Klaus grinned, rather gladly.
"That'd be great, Chris" he said, "thanks"
Christine grinned.
"In the library then, after school" she said. Klaus nodded and they both turned to the professor and listened as the afternoon wore on. After care of magical creatures, Klaus bid good bye to Christine to attend his Muggle studies class and Christine was left alone with Tom, for which Tom was glad.
"You really don't believe all that Scallywag's written, right?" he asked as they walked to the DADA class. Christine shrugged.
"There's nothing to disprove it" she stated rather firmly, "The book also says that the water-sprout radishes have the uncanny ability to run away and hide from potential seekers. So, the possibility of someone finding it is slim" she said. Tom stared at her with disbelief.
"So, you actually believe this?" he said. Christine nodded.
"Of course!" she said, "Why wouldn't I?" she asked rhetorrically. Tom raised an eyebrow at her and then shook his head with disbelief. Christine sighed.
"You think I'm totally bonkers" she stated, rather obviously. Tom stared at her and then nodded.
"Well..." he started, but Christine stopped him with a giggle.
"I guess I'm kind of bonkers" she admitted, "I believed that witches and wizards had green skin and red eyes until I was nine. That kind of proves my bonker-ness, considering mum's a witch as well" she explained. Tom stared at her.
"Green skin and red eyes? Where'd you get that idea?" he asked, smiling a little noticing the hint of a dimple on her cheek and the colour rising in them as well. A bright red colour that suited her face quite nicely. It made her look rather adorable. Christine shrugged.
"Not sure. I think I'd read an article in the newspaper somewhere. An old newspaper that was describing witch burnings or something similar" she said. Tom barely heard a word she had said, for his eyes were focused on her lips, the curve of the upper lip and they way they moved when she spoke. He felt as if he ought just stop everything and press his cold lips against hers', to share her warmth.
Christine raised an eyebrow and then frowned.
"Are you day-dreaming, Tom Riddle?" she asked annoyedly. Tom immediately snapped out of his thoughts and smiled, a smile that was too calm.
"Of course not" he said, "Let's sit together in defense" he added. Christine pouted.
"Ok" she said, "But then, why did you drop the topic about me being bonkers?" she enquired. Tom frowned inwardly. This girl did not let things go easily.
"Because it really doesn't matter. You're perfect the way you are" he said easily covering up his inability to pay attention to her. Christine sighed and sat down.
"My mum always says" Christine said as the professor entered, lowering her voice to a whisper and moving closer to Tom's ear so he could hear, added, "that all the best people are"
Tom barely caught that, for he was busy judging the distance that was between them was getting smaller and smaller. Her breath on his ear made it tickle and her sweet voice resonated in his ears and head. He turned just in time to catch her silly grin as she turned to the Professor. Tom stared as she tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and settled to listen to class. Tom Riddle did not listen to class that day, just like his neighbour. But unlike his neighbour, who was busy wondering if jumping out of the window was an easy task, Tom instead wondered how on Earth he had been suddenly attracted to Christine Young, with her strange ways and odd behaviour.
"So, what do you plan on doing now?" Tom asked as class ended and he walked Christine to the door. Christine shrugged.
"Meeting Klaus in the library, I suppose" she said, "I'm helping him with that write-up of water-sprout radishes, after all" she reminded. Tom visibly stiffened.
"Why do you spend so much time with him?" he asked her. Christine looked up.
"Klaus?" she asked. Tom nodded. Christine shrugged.
"He's the only friend I've got in my house. Besides, he's really smart" she said. Tom raised an eyebrow.
"Anyone who thinks that Scallywag's a genius is not smart" Tom countered. Christine frowned.
"That's a nasty thing to say" Christine said, "Especially after we've had this discussion before"
Tom shrugged nonchalantly.
"I just don't like the idea of you being alone with him, in the library of all places" he said. Christine frowned, but then, her face broke into a grin.
"Tom Riddle is jealous!" she declared, poking his side, "It's the end of the world!" she declared. Tom couldn't help but grin at her statements.
"So, maybe I am" he declared, "So, what?"
Christine shrugged.
"Nothing! It's cute" she said, smiling at him and then turning and walking into the library. Tom stared after her. She had the nerve to call him 'cute'? She would pay, very dearly, he thought, before realising that she would be alone with Klaus in the library, probably working late into the night. Frowning, Tom followed her.
"Chris! I thought you'd forget!" Klaus said as Christine pulled up a chair beside him.
"I would've too, if Tom hadn't reminded me" she admitted. It would not have been the first time that she'd be deserting her friend, for she had done it before, several times. Klaus nodded, looking relieved.
"Thanks a ton, Chris" he said. Christine grinned and opened Imogene Scallywag's book to the chapter on water-sprout radishes. Soon, the Ravenclaws had drowned themselves in the book, Christine scribbling in her small, indecipherable handwriting and
Klaus in his large bold letters. They were so involved with their work that they barely noticed that not too far away, Tom was sitting, trying to act as if he were interested in his book, Hogwarts: a History, but not succeeding. As soon as Christine and Klaus looked up to exchange notes, Tom stiffened visibly, almost as if they would drop everything and realise that they were madly in love with each other at any moment. How, Tom was mistaken. By dinner-time, Christine was exhausted and hungry and Klaus was just exhausted. He was a typical Ravenclaw, with no desire for food, except to keep him alive, or if it had some wonderful facts about it.
"Let's call it a day" Christine suggested, gathering up her parchment and her quill and inkpot. Klaus nodded, picking up his notes. Christine smiled as she handed her pile to him and he took it gratefully.
"Come on then, Ed'll be waiting for us at dinner" Klaus said. Christine nodded and followed him out. Tom had barely managed to hide himself before Christine and Klaus made their way towards where he had been, moments ago, watching them, waiting for something to happen.
The walk to the Great Hall was unremarkable and Tom thought, for but a moment, that he had perhaps been too indecisive of Christine's words earlier.
"Mr. Riddle" came Albus Dumbledore's voice, making Tom almost jump. Tom turned swiftly to catch his Transfigurations professor walking down a hallway.
"Good evening, Professor" Tom said, returning to his cool demeanor. Albus smiled.
"Ah! Coming from the library? Hope that was useful" Albus said, eyes twinkling. Tom nodded.
"Yes sir" he replied, and they continued walking to their common destination, "Very much so"
Albus eyed him carefully and then turned to look at the hall instead. Tom used this opportunity to catch a glimpse of Christine, who was a few feet away, walking rather grudgingly towards the Great hall.
"Is that Ms. Young with Mr. Lovegood?" Albus asked. Tom frowned and turned to look at them a moment.
"It seems so" he muttered, through clenched teeth. Apparently, Albus' voice was loud enough for even the exhausted Christine to hear, for she turned and smiled, slowing her walk to catch up to them, and Klaus followed her lead.
"Evening, Professor!" Christine said, a little more enthusiastically. Albus smiled.
"Evening, poppet" he said, smiling. Christine grinned.
"Sir! I've found the proof you needed about water-sprout radishes!" Klaus declared. Albus turned to Klaus, smiling.
"Is that right, Mr. Lovegood?" he asked. Klaus nodded and they stopped walking to discuss the issue, then and there.
"You can go ahead, Mr. Riddle, Ms. Young" Albus said and Christine nodded and she and Tom continued to walk.
"So" Tom started, glancing back to make sure Albus wasn't listening, "How was your evening?"
Christine managed a smile and then yawned.
"Alright, I guess" she said, "Interesting, but exhausting" she decided, nodding to herself. Tom nodded.
"What about you, Tom?" she asked, "What did you do?"
Tom shrugged.
"Nothing much, just walked around, I guess" he said. Christine smiled.
"Well, good night" she said, as they arrived at the door of the Great Hall. Tom frowned.
"Why?" he asked. Christine raised an eyebrow.
"Why, what?" she asked.
"Why did you say good night already?" he asked.
"I'm having dinner with Ed and I assumed you want to eat with your house-mates and then go back to the common room with them" she said. Tom frowned.
"I'll walk you back to your common room" he said. Christine smiled.
"Ed and Klaus will be with me" she told him, "You don't have to go out of your way to do that"
Tom nodded.
"Alright then" he said,"Good night"
He then stormed into the Great hall, leaving Christine looking confused and exhausted at the door. Christine sighed and shook her head and made her way to the Gryffindor table, where Ed was waiting for her, a bunch of guys on his side, talking about Quidditch or something.
"Hey" Christine said, sitting down beside him. Ed smiled and shuffled over a little, enough to make space for her and Christine sat down and leant against him, almost falling asleep right there. Ed smiled and rubbed her back, soothingly.
"You look tired" he stated, "Did that slave-driver Klaus over-work you?" he asked. Christine laughed a little, but then sighed, too tired to even laugh at the joke.
"I'm so tired, I can barely keep my eyes open" she mumbled, and Klaus took a seat opposite them, staring with a shocked expression on his face.
"What's wrong, Klaus?" Ed asked, making Christine blink her eyes open as well. Klaus turned and watched as Dumbledore walked up to the teachers' desk.
"Professor Dumbledore believed it!" he said, excitedly. Christine blinked open her eyes, wide-awake now.
"Really?" Ed asked. Klaus nodded.
"He said he'll read my report and tell me what he thinks about it tomorrow! Isn't that great?" he exclaimed. Christine grinned.
"See? Told you it would work!" she told him. Klaus nodded and then began to eat, clearly hungrier now than before. Christine smiled and shared a grin with Ed, who seemed glad that Klaus had found something that no one else believed in.
Review please!