The Golden Thread
Chapter 8: The Princes
Though she didn't quite think it possible, Lucie managed to make it through the winter holidays relatively unscathed. Mercifully, with the castle so empty, her prefect duties with Riddle were suspended until the new term. He wasn't often present at meals, either, so she was more or less able to avoid him.
Before she knew it, the day that the students were to return had arrived. Grace and Abraxas had been writing to her over the holidays, as well as Edwin, telling her of their various exploits and family dinners, but Eileen had been curiously silent. Lucie hadn't thought much of it—as far as she knew, Eileen was perfectly safe and happy.
On Christmas morning, she had woken up with a small pile of gifts at the foot of her bed. All her life, she had grown accustomed to receiving dozens of presents, but she found that she didn't mind in the slightest. Somehow, having gifts from people who really knew her felt...more special.
From Grace, there had been a vast array of elegant hairpins, so that she could put her hair up in the style of the era. From Abraxas, who shared her sweet tooth, there had been a bag full of the best candies that Honeydukes offered. From Edwin, there had been several of the most popular books of the day. From Eileen, there had been a beautiful sundress that she had sewn by herself, without magic. Eileen had made one for herself and Grace as well, and the three girls had plans to wear them to Hogsmeade as soon as the weather permitted it.
Now, a little over a week later, Lucie was waiting down in the Entrance Hall to receive her friends. She'd missed them more than she cared to admit, and it would be nice to have some tolerable company again.
Grace was the first to burst through the front doors. "Lucie!" she squealed, lunging at her friend and throwing her arms tightly around her neck. "It's so good to see you!"
Lucie giggled. "You too, Gracie. How was your holiday? Tell me everything!"
"Soon," Grace said conspiratorially, waggling her eyebrows at Lucie. "We'll all talk as soon as we get settled in." Lucie agreed, and then turned to embrace Abraxas, Eileen, and Edwin. The five of them decided to find a place to sit together in the Great Hall, since Edwin couldn't join them in the Slytherin common room. When they were settled into a corner of the Slytherin table, ignoring the dirty looks from several students there, they all finally began to discuss the goings-on of their holidays.
"I had the most wonderful break," said Eileen, her face lighting up in a way Lucie had never seen it do. "I met someone, Lucie. A Muggle boy who lives in my neighborhood."
Lucie paused to consider that. She would have expected to be repulsed to learn that Eileen was interested in a Muggle boy, but she found that it didn't affect her to the extent that she thought it would have. She was exactly comfortable with the thought, to be honest, but it was clear to her that Eileen's happiness had become a more important issue than blood status.
"What's his name?" Lucie finally asked, unable to think of any other question.
"Tobias Snape," Eileen answered proudly. "But he's asked me to call him Toby."
With a slight jolt, Lucie realized that Eileen must be the mother of Severus Snape, a war hero and a pivotal ally to the Supreme Ruler in his defeat of Harry Potter. Lucie was surprised she hadn't realized it before. It was well-known in her time that, in his youth, Snape had fashioned "The Half-Blood Prince" as a name for himself. Lucie couldn't believe she hadn't made the connection until now.
Besides, she'd seen pictures of Snape, and it was clear that he resembled Eileen. They had the same dark hair, the same nose, even the same intense dark eyes. As Lucie looked at her scrawny, oftentimes awkward friend, she found it difficult to imagine her as anyone's mother, let alone that of a war hero.
The five friends stayed together like that for an hour, talking about everything they had done over the holidays, and how excited they were for the new term. Finally, because it was growing late, they decided it was time they headed back to their dormitories. Bidding Edwin a good night in the Entrance Hall, they parted ways, and the rest made their way to the Slytherin common room in the dungeons, happy to be reunited.
…
Tom Riddle waited in an empty common room, pacing back and forth impatiently. Those idiot girls, Lucretia and Eponine, were meant to meet him, and they were late. His patience was already worn thin, and he had no tolerance for tardiness. If he didn't have to charm them into helping him, he'd curse them into the next life.
Finally, they stole into the room, thankfully clever enough to have Disillusioned themselves. Tom allowed himself to slip into his gentlemanly facade, gracing them with a dazzling smile as they lifted the Charms.
"Hello, ladies," he said smoothly. "I trust you have good news for me."
"Hardly," said Eponine, sounding apologetic. "All she and her friends talked about were their stupid holidays. I don't even know why you're so hung up on her, Tom. She's nothing special."
Tom would have loved to agree, to say that Lucie Selwyn was indeed nothing special, but he could not. Especially since she had kissed him, he found that he wanted to control her even more. For a split second, she had held the power over him, and that could not be allowed to happen again. He was going to break Selwyn down, one way or another.
"Did you hear though, Eponine?" Lucretia was saying, wrinkling her nose in disgust. "Eileen Prince is infatuated with a Muggle boy. Revolting."
This piqued Tom's interest. The Prince girl's family were pureblood fanatics. He could use this to his advantage.
"It is revolting," he said, bending his tone to match Lucretia's. He wasn't entirely lying, either. Prince had pure blood, a good family line. Why would she want to taint that by giving her affections to a filthy, common Muggle boy?
"I'm glad at least you can see sense, Tom," said Eponine, jutting out her lower lip. Tom resisted the urge to hex her. "People like her shouldn't even be allowed at Hogwarts."
"You're right, Miss Bones," he replied. "You're absolutely right. We should do something about it."
"What could we do?" asked Lucretia. "The way this school is run, Prince isn't about to get kicked out for this."
Tom smiled his most charming smile. "No, but can you imagine what her parents would think if they found out? I believe that they have a right to know what their daughter is doing behind their backs, and as some of Hogwarts' finest students, it is our duty to tell them."
Lucretia and Eponine stared at him wonderingly, and he knew that he had them.
"What are you saying, Tom?" asked Eponine.
"Write to them," he urged. "Both of you. It is the right thing to do—for their daughter's own good. You'll be doing Prince a favor."
"Of course!" said Lucretia, sounding as though she wished she'd have thought of such a thing. "Oh, Tom, you're so kind."
Tom smiled again, though his hand itched to draw his wand and kill these stupid girls. "I am a Prefect, Miss Black. I am simply doing my duty."
"Would you like us to put your name on the letter too?" asked Eponine.
"No, no. It would be better just coming from the two of you. We do not want to overwhelm them, after all. Just think! The Princes will be devastated enough by the news—if too many people are involved in writing the letter, they might think that half the school knows what a disgrace their daughter is!"
After a few more moments of singing his praises, Black and Bones left to Tom's bidding. As soon as the door had shut behind them, Tom's careful smile melted into a sneer. He hated having to subject himself to such idiocy, but it was necessary.
If all went well, Prince would be gone soon, and he would be one step closer to getting what he wanted.
…
A few days later, everything had fallen back into a normal rhythm, and Lucie found herself strangely contented. She had pushed her disastrous kiss with Riddle to the back of her mind, and only felt mildly nervous that their Prefect duties were to resume that night. The castle was full of people, after all. Too many witnesses.
It was Friday morning, and she was happily digging into breakfast in the Great Hall, her friends laughing and talking around her.
"You should have seen the look on Slughorn's face!" Grace was saying. "I thought his head was going to explode right there in the classroom!" She dissolved into giggles, unable to finish her story. Abraxas grinned, putting an arm lightly around her.
"I swear to Merlin, Grace, you're going to fail out of potions if you keep this up," said Eileen, her tone stern but her face amused.
"Oh, dear old Sluggy would never fail me—"
"WHERE IS SHE?" The voice was male, and booming, as though it had been magically magnified. Every head in the Great Hall swiveled to the main doors, where a man and woman were standing, both looking incredibly irate.
Professor Dippet stood. "Excuse me? How on earth did you get in here?"
Suddenly, a young Argus Filch, the caretaker, hurried into the Great Hall. "Terribly sorry, Headmaster! I intercepted them at the doors, but they drew their wands on me!"
"I won't have a filthy Squib order me about!" shouted the man. "Where is my daughter? Where is Eileen?"
There was a collective gasp as every gaze landed on the Slytherin table. Eileen's eyes were wide, her mouth continually opening and closing as though she had lost the ability to speak. Finally, after several long, tense moments, she stood. From Lucie's place beside her, she could see that her friend's hands were trembling. She took one and squeezed it tightly, all too familiar with fear of one's parents.
"Mother, Father...what are you doing here?" Eileen asked timidly, finally breaking the silence that had settled over the room.
As though spurred by their daughter's words, the Princes stormed forward, Eileen's father grabbing her roughly by the arm and pulling her away from her table. "You should know, you ungrateful wretch!"
"Eileen," said Mrs. Prince, her voice quieter than her husband's, but just as cold, "you are coming with us right now. We're taking you home."
"What?" asked Eileen, beginning to panic. "Why?"
"I'll tell you why!" shouted Mr. Prince. "This school has obviously been a horrible influence on you! My daughter, consorting with a Muggle boy!"
All of the colour drained from Eileen's face. "I—I can explain."
"And you will," said Mrs. Prince dangerously. "You'll have plenty of time to tell us at home, because you won't be returning to Hogwarts. Ever."
"What?" Eileen tried to wrench her arm from her father's grasp, but was unsuccessful. "No! You can't pull me out of school! My friends—"
"You will do as we say!" spat Mr. Prince. "As for your friends, say your goodbyes. This is the last time you will ever see or speak to them."
"No!" Eileen's voice had grown desperate. She turned back to the table, tears glistening in her eyes. "Grace? Abraxas? Lucie?" She peered across the Hall to the Hufflepuff table. "Edwin? Please, one of you help me! Tell them I've done nothing wrong!"
Lucie looked at Grace and Abraxas, but both had suddenly become very interested in their half-eaten plates of food. She looked at the Hufflepuff table, but was unable to find Edwin among his House. Cold disgust settled over her, along with a strange sense of resolve. She turned to the Princes, who were already beginning to drag their sobbing daughter towards the door.
"Wait!" Lucie stood, her hands balling tightly into fists. She forced herself to stay calm. "Please, don't take Eileen away from Hogwarts. My name is Lucie Selwyn—I'm a good friend of your daughter's and I know that she would never do something like you're suggesting!"
The Princes narrowed their eyes at Lucie, barely pausing. "We have it on very good authority that she has, Miss Selwyn," said Mrs. Prince. "It would serve you well to keep your nose in your own business, and to stay away from our family."
Then, just like that, they were gone. They swept out of the Great Hall, and the sound of Eileen's frantic sobs faded into nothing as they dragged her further and further away. After a few moments in which every pair of eyes in the room was trained on Lucie, she turned slowly back around and settled into her seat, refusing to make eye contact with any of her remaining friends.
Dippet, still standing at the front of the Hall, cleared his throat. "Please, return to your meals." Then he too hurried out the doors, followed closely by Filch and several of the Professors.
Lucie lifted her head to glare at Grace and Abraxas. "What the hell was that? Why didn't either of you stand up for her?"
A tear slipped down Grace's cheek, and Lucie felt a slight twinge of guilt. "Please, Lucie, you have to understand. I wanted to—Eileen has been my best friend since first year! But her parents know my family. If it got back to my parents that I was supporting Eileen's relationship with a Muggle, I would be pulled out of school too!"
Grace's features twisted as she struggled not to cry. After a moment, she gave in, burying her face in Abraxas' shoulder, her whole body shaking. Relenting, Lucie reached across the table and lightly squeezed her hand, then one of Abraxas'. He smiled weakly at her.
"I'll—I'll see you guys in class. I just need to be alone for a few minutes." She stood, all but running from the Hall, acutely aware of nearly every student in the room staring at her.
Lucie roamed the corridors aimlessly, her mind whirring. How had the Princes found out about Tobias? As far as she knew, Eileen had only told her, Grace, Abraxas, and Edwin, and none of them were about to tell her parents. Someone must have overheard them, that day when everyone had arrived back at the castle after winter holidays, and taken it upon themselves to send a message to Mr. and Mrs. Prince.
Lucie felt the now all-too-familiar disgust spread through her again. Why would anyone do that? Eileen's parents had publicly humiliated her—weren't they worried about too many people finding out? Why would they allow an entire Hall full of students to hear what their daughter had done?
A thousand questions swimming in her head, Lucie barely noticed that she had wandered to a seldom-used corner of the Transfiguration wing. She walked past an empty classroom, thinking nothing of it, but then suddenly heard voices dripped from inside.
"—better than I expected."
Lucie stopped dead in her tracks. Riddle. Who the hell was he talking to in an abandoned classroom? Suddenly reminded of the incident with Walburga, Lucie's stomach churned. Quickly, she ducked behind a nearby statue, listening carefully.
"You're not angry, Tom?" Lucie's eyes narrowed. She'd recognize Lucretia Black's voice anywhere.
"Of course not. You've done very well. With Prince gone, I'm one step closer to getting what I really want."
"What's that, Tom?" asked another voice. Eponine Bones.
"You really want to know? All right, then, but it must stay between the three of us. I want Selwyn away from those friends of hers. They're a bad influence on her, you see, and I can't have my fellow Prefect being negatively influenced. She must only have contact with me."
"Tom, you really are too kind," said Eponine. "Selwyn doesn't deserve it."
Riddle laughed lightly. "As always, I am simply doing what must be done. Now, you two better get back to the Hall before you're missed." Inhaling sharply as the door opened, Lucie flattened herself against the statue, hoping that it was wide enough to completely conceal her. Lucretia and Eponine strode past, giggling to one another, and Lucie waited until the sound of their footsteps had completely faded before she let out the breath she had been holding.
And then she was on the ground.
Something—someone—had pulled her from behind the statue, and she fell heavily to the stone floor. Heart beating wildly, she looked up to find herself face-to-face with Tom Riddle.
He looked furious, and his wand was pointed directly between her eyes. He grabbed Lucie roughly by the arm and pulled her to her feet. She stumbled, but Riddle did not give her time to fall again, as he dragged her into the classroom he had just vacated.
Realization was flying wildly through Lucie's mind. Lucretia and Eponine must have, at Riddle's request, written to the Princes. Riddle, for whatever reason, was trying to take away her friends, one by one, alienating her from everyone but him.
"Spying on me, are you Selwyn?" Any trace of Riddle's usual composure was gone, replaced by a slightly maniacal gleam in his dark eyes. Lucie didn't want to admit that this was infinitely more terrifying than the alternative. "How much did you hear? Tell me!"
She stayed silent, pressing her lips together and glaring up at him with what she hoped was defiance.
"Tell me what you heard, Selwyn," Riddle demanded, gripping her arm so tightly it hurt and pressing his wand to her neck.
"I didn't hear anything. Nothing at all." She had meant to sound bored, but her voice came out as a petrified squeak, the words more desperate than anything.
"Liar!" Riddle pushed her, and Lucie tumbled to the ground, narrowly avoiding smacking her head on the stone. Riddle advanced on her, and cold fear shot through her veins. Her eyes widened, all pretense of bravery long gone. "No one lies to me. Crucio!"
She had never known such pain could exist. It was all there was, simultaneously burning and cutting open every inch of her body. She couldn't even scream—couldn't even remember how to produce sound.
Then, as quickly as it had come, the pain was gone. Tear slipped down Lucie's cheeks, and a sob ripped from her throat. Riddle grabbed the collar of her robes, pulling her upwards.
"What do you want with me?" she gasped through her sobs.
His eyes were swimming with hate and something she couldn't name. "I don't know!" He threw her to the ground again, her shoulder—which was still healing from their last encounter—roughly meeting the floor. Riddle hovered over her, wand poised, and Lucie had never been more terrified in her life. "I ought to kill you now. Crucio!"
This time, she did scream when the pain came. She screamed and kept screaming until her throat was raw. It seemed nothing but pain would ever exist again, and she wanted nothing more than to be free of it.
"Please!" she begged. "Please, just kill me!"
The curse was lifted, and it was all Lucie could do not to choke on the waterfall of tears pouring from her eyes. Riddle grabbed her by the forearms, dragging her to her feet. She swayed unsteadily, still sobbing, and kept her eyes on the ground. Suddenly, his long-fingered hand was on her face, forcing her to look at him.
His warm lips briefly touched hers, and then his strong arms were around her as she fell into darkness.
(Last time I posted this story, I had someone ask what actors I would pick for my OC's. If you're interested, Lucie is Emilie de Ravin, Edwin is Logan Miller, Grace is Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Eponine is Stefanie Scott.)