Riddle was due back at Hogwarts in two days and there was a definite drop in my happiness. It felt like only yesterday that Riddle had surprised me by turning up Christmas morning. Now he looked eager to return to Hogwarts but also upset by leaving me behind.
We had gone back into our silent reprieve in each others presence but this time it wasn't cold or unwelcoming, it was merely because it was too hard to say goodbye even if it was only for a little while.
However, I didn't know that I wasn't going to be seeing Riddle next Christmas or in fact for many Christmas's to come.
Mrs. Cole came bustling over in a somewhat excited manner pushing the children apart to get to Riddle and I who sat in the corner of the large room. Upon seeing her I watched Riddles face shift into one of loathing. My face remained impassive.
"Bethany" she panted beaming at me in an unnatural way "please come with me"
I glanced dumbfounded at Riddle who did so right back and wondered what Mrs. Cole could want with me. Unfortunately I didn't get time to discuss this matter with Riddle as she was already ushering me from the corner, making me follow her out the room. From the look on Riddles face I knew he itched to follow but upon better judgment decided to stay put.
She pushed me into her small office-room and sat quickly behind her desk beside herself with happiness. She was acting very unusual, I was very much used to her falseness but she was unnaturally genuine today.
I tried my best not to look frightened by this.
Finally she spoke smiling very widely at me "I have good news for you"
"Really?" I asked trying not to sound skeptic.
She blinked at my uninterested tone obviously thinking I should be just as excited as her but she continued anyway, "you remember your mother's cousin? Well since you've been placed in this orphanage they have been fighting for your return and you won't believe it but they won! You're going to go and live with them!"
She expected me to jump up and down with excited anticipation, but I did not. How I reacted was the complete opposite of what she wanted.
Shock thundered through every part of my body causing me to go numb and I began to sway where I was. My mouth opened slightly as the only thing I could think about was Riddle…My dear Riddle…My love.
"Honey?" questioned Mrs. Cole staring straight into my face looking worried "isn't this good news?"
It happened so quickly; my mind came hurtling back into the present and reality set; I was being made to leave the orphanage; made to leave Riddle.
"I'm not leaving" I said quietly staring past Mrs. Cole.
Her worried face turned to one that looked almost as shocked as mine, "pardon?"
"I'M NOT LEAVING!" I screamed so loud that dust fell from the ceiling.
There was a moment's pause.
"I'm afraid you have no choice" she whispered in reply then she spoke to herself "what has this boy done to her?"
Anger swelled inside my chest clawing up my throat with an unwavering determination.
"You can't force me to go" I said firmly trying with all my might to smother my anger with a pillow of calm.
Mrs. Cole pulled a sympathetic face which I knew she would have had a lot of practice doing after all an orphanage wasn't exactly a place where good news was given out.
She stared at me still and answered calmly "but your relatives are here now"
No sooner had her sentence finished I had already made up my mind; with a swift movement I was at the door and running out of it racing back to Riddle as my heart beat painfully against my ribcage and tears gushed from my eyes.
"TOM!" I screeched in a panic as I heard the unmistakable sound of feet in hot pursuit.
He appeared out of nowhere looking concerned and shocked. But I didn't give him time to ask questions instead I rushed into his chest clinging and clutching at him tightly not wanting to let go.
Through my sobs I spoke "They're going to-to-to take me away!"
"WHAT!?" something red flashed in his eyes but my eyes were so clouded with tears I thought it was the trick of the light.
"My adoptive family" I sobbed "the living ones, they-they want me-me back"
He pulled me extrememly close muttering comforting words that I couldn't hear. His grip was tight as the approaching feet stopped somewhere near us.
"Now really-" said an irritated voice.
Then several pairs of hands grabbed hold of me and try as I might my grip upon Riddle was slipping; we were being ripped apart and my heart was ripping too.
"TOM!!!" I screeched repeatedly.
"LET GO OF ME!!!" I heard him cry "YOU CAN'T TAKE HER AWAY!!!"
Things happened so quickly in my confusion. Before I knew it I was being forced into the backseat of a car and I kept throwing myself at the window as I watched Riddle fight Mrs. Cole from him and run toward the car screaming things that are best not repeated.
For a moment we placed both or hands on the car window trying desperately to reach each other through the glass; my tears still falling rapidly. He mouthed a small 'goodbye' as the car began to pull away and he ran alongside us; I was certain that I had seen a tear fall onto his cheek too as Riddle and the orphanage disappeared from sight.