The next afternoon, Elle, Anastasia, Aubrey and virtually every other girl from Hogwarts were in Gladrags Wizardwear, trying on dresses, in the little town of Hogsmede. The village was bustling with a variety of Hogwarts students, a majority of whom were shopping in preparation for the Halloween ball, which was only four weeks away.
"What do you think of this one?" Anastasia asked, emerging from the dressing room in a short, red dress.
"Ana, it's gorgeous!" Aubrey gushed, as Ana began twirling around.
"It's short!" Elle said, "pretty risqué...I like it!"
"Do you like it more or less than the yellow one I tried on last time?" Ana asked, studying herself in the long mirror.
"Tough call" Aubrey said, still picking through dresses on the hanger.
"They all look good on you, Ana" Elle said, and Aubrey couldn't help but agree. Anastasia had yet to look bad in any of the dresses she tried on, as they all fit perfectly on her slender frame and looked striking against her delicate features.
"Have you found one yet, Aubrey?" Ana asked, now holding up the yellow dress to compare.
"I don't know" Aubrey said, realizing she was the only one yet to put on a dress.
"Do you want to try on this red one?" Ana asked, pointing to her own gown.
"No!" Aubrey laughed, imagining the difficulty she would face by squeezing herself into Ana's little dress. "What do you think of this one?" and Aubrey held up a long, royal blue gown.
"It's cute" Ana said, "try it on."
"Are you going to put that cream coloured one back on, Elle?" Aubrey asked, referring to a gown that had looked stunning on Elle, and that she absolutely loved.
"Yeah, I think so" Elle replied, who was picking through another rack of dresses, "I'm not really seeing anything else."
A few moments later Aubrey emerged from her dressing room in the blue dress. It was made of satin, fell all the way to the floor, and had short, light flowing sleeves.
"Oooh, very pretty Aubrey!" Ana said, "do you like it?"
"I'm not sure" Aubrey answered honestly. While she had had no trouble picking out dresses for the various balls Laurier Academy had thrown over the years, she was struggling with what to wear for the dance at Hogwarts. Somehow, this ball seemed different than all the others she had been to, and none of the dresses Aubrey saw at the busy shop, though all gorgeous, made an impression on her.
"Well" said Elle, who finally emerged, "what do we think a second time round?"
"It's lovely!" Ana said, and Aubrey nodded in agreement. It was a cream coloured gown with long, lace sleeves. The long fabric cascaded down Elle's tall body perfectly, and stood in a stark contrast to her thick, black hair.
"Brishen would die if he saw you in that" Aubrey added, and Elle blushed.
"I look like a bride" Elle said bluntly, examining herself in the mirror.
"Maybe Black will propose, then" Ana said, teasingly, and Elle continued to turn redder.
"That's nice, Bree" Elle said, now focusing her attention towards the blue dress.
"You like it?" Aubrey asked, still yet to form an opinion on the gown.
"Of course" Elle said, "it looks gorgeous on you."
"Do you think Tom would like it?" Aubrey asked.
"Definitely" Ana said confidently.
"I think Tom would like you in most things though, to be fair" Elle winked.
"I'm not sure about it" Aubrey said, turning towards the mirror.
"Well" Elle said hesitantly, "I like it but... you do look like a Ravenclaw."
"It's a no, then" Aubrey said automatically, without thinking and the other girls laughed.
"We shouldn't make a decision right away" Ana said, "let's go to the Hogs Head and talk it over."
"Sounds like a plan" Elle smiled, and as she turned to re-enter her dressing room she bumped straight into another girl who was wearing the same, cream coloured gown.
"Nice dress, isn't it?" the younger girl beamed up at Elle, "I just love it!"
"Yeah..." Elle said weakly, quickly turning away from the girl and darting into her dressing room.
A few minutes later the girls were sitting at a small table inside the Hogs Head pub, warming up over mugs of Butter Beer.
"I thought you were going to get that dress, Elle" Ana said, in between sips.
"I was seriously considering it" Elle said, "but then I saw that other girl wearing it. I cannot have the same dress as her."
"You gave me flack for that earlier!" Aubrey said, remembering how Elle had made fun of her for complaining about having the same gown as another girl at Laurier.
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I don't believe it, Bree" Elle smiled.
"Afternoon, ladies" a male voice interrupted them from overhead, his long, blonde hair hung in curtains in front of his face.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Anastasia said rudely, staring up at the Slytherin Prefect.
"Just wanted to let you know about a small get together going on tonight in the castle" Malfoy said coolly, "it'll be on the east third floor corridor, last classroom on the left."
"Who's all going?" Elle asked, sounding sceptical.
"Anyone who's worthwhile" Malfoy sneered back, before turning on his heal and rejoining his table of friends across the room.
"What a git" Ana said, once Malfoy had left.
"You dated him, Ana!" Elle retorted.
"Yeah, but that was different" Ana said defensively, "that was before I met Garridan."
"Yes" Elle said, "much more mature than Malfoy, look at him over there, fawning over those...toys from Zonko's Joke Shop."
"Yeah well Black isn't any better!" Ana noted correctly.
Both Garridan and Brishen were laughing at a variety of practical joke devices that were laid out neatly on the pub table and purchased by Marcus Avery earlier in the day. They looked like little boys, Aubrey thought, snorting and giggling over the tricks.
"Ugh" Ana sighed, "boys can be so immature sometimes."
"Mhm" Elle agreed, solemnly.
"Where's Tom?" Aubrey asked, noticing that the Head Boy wasn't present at the table full of his friends, "I don't think I've seen him in Hogsemede all day."
"He's at school, probably" Ana said.
"He doesn't usually come to Hogsmede" Elle added, "he will sometimes, but not often."
"Why not?" Aubrey pressed.
"I imagine because it would interfere with his study time" Elle said coolly.
"I heard" Ana added in a low whisper, "that it's because the muggle orphanage wouldn't sign his permission slip for the trips to Hogsmede, so he only ever does come when Professor Dippet makes an exception. Dippet really likes Tom for some reason."
"Those are only rumours, Ana!" Elle hissed, "besides, Tom doesn't really strike me as one to get excited over Zonko's practical jokes. He always acts like he has better things to do."
"So no one knows what happened to Tom's parents?" Aubrey asked again, having already inquired as to Tom Riddle's vague background before.
"Nope" Elle said, "they're dead I suppose, but it's like we said on your first night here, Bree; Tom doesn't talk much about the orphanage. Everyone just knows that he was born and raised in one, and that he returns there every summer."
"And that he's poor" Ana added, as though it was important characteristic worth noting.
"Hmm" Aubrey said ignoring Ana's comment and suddenly feeling sorry for Tom, who had to stay cooped up with muggles each and every summer that he was away from Hogwarts.
"But he won an award two years ago, right?" Aubrey said, "you two said Tom was given some sort of trophy?"
"That's right" Elle said, "an award for special services to the school. It's virtually the highest award you can be given, at Hogwarts."
"And it figures Riddle would get it" Ana added, causing Elle to laugh.
"That's a pretty big deal" Aubrey said slowly, "Didn't he catch a murderer?"
"Mhm, that Hagrid kid" Elle explained.
"That was a complete surprise!" Ana explained, "I certainly didn't think that oaf was the killer."
"Me neither" Elle agreed, "But it's a good thing that Tom caught him, a lot of people were getting scared-"
"Only mudbloods!" Ana interjected.
"Muggleborns" Elle corrected her, rolling her eyes, "but yeah, it was serious Aubrey. Dippet was going to close the school after that girl was killed."
"I'm surprised it's not talked about more" Aubrey said honestly, as she was genuinely surprised that Tom Riddle didn't brag about his special award more, or even at all.
"I think everyone's trying to forget about it, honestly" Elle said, "and Riddle's never been much of a talker. He keeps pretty quiet about some things."
"Well he did" Ana added, "until Aubrey came along."
Aubrey blushed and continued to drink her Butter Beer. She allowed her mind to wonder more about the handsome wizard and his mysterious past, and pleaded that things would return to relative normalcy between them soon.
That Saturday evening Aubrey, Elle and Anastasia made their way up to the third floor of the castle for the party Malfoy had invited them to earlier.
"I hope Pringle doesn't catch us!" Elle whispered as the trio climbed the stairs, "Apollyon Pringle, that's the grouchy old caretaker" Elle explained to a puzzled looking Aubrey.
The girls made their way to the far end of the east side corridor, entering an abandoned classroom. Inside sat twenty or so students all of whom, Aubrey noted, were from Slytherin house. They all sat scattered on various desks and chairs, circling the room and engaging in various, animated conversations.
"You're late!" Brishen Black said as the three girls made their way towards the circle, "I thought Pringle had caught you or something."
"Of course not" Elle said brightly, sitting down next to him, "we just took a little longer getting ready is all" and she shot a look towards Anastasia, who had now cozied herself up to Garridan.
"How's it going, Aubrey?" Brishen asked as took an empty seat next to Elle.
"Good thanks, Brishen. You?"
"Not too bad" he continued before leaning forward and speaking in a whisper, "I hear your mark in charms has improved, it's about time!"
Aubrey smiled and allowed her eyes to scan the rest of the room. Sitting directly across from her, and surrounded either side by his friends, was Tom Riddle who looked bored while observing a game of Wizard's chess that took place in the middle of the room. There, at a little table, sat Abraxas Malfoy and a boy who Aubrey only knew as Lestrange. They were sitting across from one another, intensely studying the few remaining pieces that were scattered at the board before them.
"Checkmate!" Malfoy called a few moments later victoriously.
"Nice one, Abraxas" Lestrange said graciously, waving his wand and directing the various pieces back to their respective spots.
"Honestly!" Anastasia sighed loudly, still hanging off the arm of Garridan "how boring could you possibly get! Playing Wizard's chess at a party!"
"Just because you don't understand something, Anastasia" Malfoy responded coolly "doesn't make it boring."
"I could beat you any day, Abraxas" Ana replied, trying to ignore the chuckling from other party guests.
"I'll believe that when I see it."
"I could!" Ana insisted, "Aubrey's been teaching me."
"It's true" Aubrey said, once all eyes had shifted towards her. "She's good" she continued, remembering Ana's drastic improvement since they had started playing together in the Slytherin common room a couple of weeks ago.
"Well, that sounds like challenge" Abraxas said, grinning widely. Anastasia's eyes lit up, and she made a motion to stand up and join Malfoy at the small table. She was just to her feet before Malfoy made a comment, causing her to promptly sit back down again.
"I meant a challenge for Aubrey and myself" he said coldly.
"She'll do it!" Ana exclaimed, grabbing Aubrey's arm and thrusting her towards the middle of the room.
"No Ana!" Aubrey hissed, "I don't want to!"
"Oh, you'll beat him easily!" Elle reassured her in a hush whisper.
"Perhaps" a deep, cool voice said, "Aubrey would like to challenge me, instead? Seems more like an even playing field" Tom finished.
"Thank you, Tom" Malfoy said appreciatively, assuming that the compliment was directed towards him.
"I didn't mean for you, you fool" Tom snapped. The rest of the students laughed, and Malfoy's pale white face turned a bright shade of red.
"So" Tom continued, now looking directly at Aubrey, "what do you say, Miss Knight?"
"You have to play now!" Elle gushed, still in a low whisper. Aubrey thought for a moment, contemplating on whether or not she could actually beat Tom Riddle.
"Maybe" she thought to herself, "maybe if I play him, he'll start behaving like himself, again. Maybe if I beat him, he'll stop pitying me and everything will go back to normal!"
"Prepare to lose, Riddle" she said calmly, taking a seat at the small table.
"You think you can beat me, Miss Knight?" Tom said, taking a seat across from her.
"I know I can."
"So that's what they teach you at Laurier Academy?" Tom smirked, and the surrounding students began to laugh, "childhood games are the top priority then, are they?"
"Mhm" Aubrey nodded quietly, resisting the urge to add "and wandless magic."
The game lasted far longer than Aubrey would have thought, and at about an hour in, neither Tom nor Aubrey showed any indication of a lead, and neither was any closer to winning. The room was quiet, in exception of the few murmurs from observers in between turns, and all eyes remained glued on the two sorcerers and the chessboard at the centre of the room.
"I'm surprised Tom" Aubrey spoke, breaking the nearly hour long silence that had existed between them. "You're much more of a defensive player than I would have anticipated."
"Never judge a book by its cover, Aubrey. I'm full of surprises."
More moments of silence continued to pass, and soon Aubrey found herself in a position to set Tom up for checkmate.
Doubt that he'll fall for this Aubrey thought to herself as she made her next move, but it's worth a shot. Aubrey instructed her Bishop to get in line with Tom's King. Next turn she would move her Bishop forward, capturing Tom's pawn and, with no escape due to her Queen and Rook positioned nearby, place him in checkmate.
He's not that dumb, Aubrey! she thought to herself, just as the move was completed. It was obvious what had to be done; Tom would capture her Bishop with his Knight, foiling her plan and preventing his loss. "Stupid move!" she continued to think, frustrated.
Tom leaned forward, observing the position of the pieces carefully. He looked up at Aubrey and they made brief eye contact. For a moment, she swore she saw him smile.
"Knight to E7" he said calmly, sitting back. To Aubrey's surprise, the little, black Knight did not move to capture her attacking Bishop, but glided gently along the board in the opposite direction, creating a clear path of victory for Aubrey.
One final move on behalf of Aubrey and the game was done; she had checkmated Tom Riddle.
"Well done!" Elle said, coming forward and hugging her friend who still sat at the little table, replaying over in her mind Tom's loss and wondering why he had let her win. She suddenly felt offended. Did Tom Riddle not think that she could beat him fairly? Aubrey worried that her plan to make Tom treat her normally again, as he had before, had backfired.
"Yes excellent work!" Ana agreed, and the rest of the students, one by one came forward to offer their congratulations to Aubrey.
"It's not often that someone beats Riddle in chess!" the boy called Lestrange called excitedly.
"Unlike you, Lestrange" Tom said calmly, "I don't have time to perfect my strategies for silly, mundane little games."
The group of students laughed and began to file out the classroom, heading back down to the common room or various other parts of the castle.
"Where's Ana?" Elle asked Aubrey a few moments later, once the class had cleared out.
"I think she left with Garridan."
"Oh" Elle said, "I think I might hang out with Brishen for a little while."
"Be safe" Aubrey replied teasingly, causing Elle's cheeks to turn a light shade of pink.
"Are you going to go back to the common room or hang out with Tom?" Elle asked teasingly.
"I don't know" Aubrey answered, now focusing her direction towards Tom who seemed to be in a deep conversation with Malfoy, "he looks kind of preoccupied."
"That's because you destroyed him!" Elle said cheerfully, "are you going to be okay though, getting back to the common room, Bree?"
"I'll be fine" Aubrey replied, "go, have fun!" and Elle ran towards the exit to catch up with Brishen.
"Miss Knight" a cool voice said, which Aubrey recognized immediately as Tom's, "excellent playing, it was a well deserved victory" Tom continued, outstretching his hand.
"Thank you" Aubrey replied rather sarcastically, placing her hand into his, "though I am insulted Riddle, intentionally loosing like that."
"I don't know what you mean" he said, a smile on his lips, still clutching her hand gently.
"You saw what I was doing" Aubrey said, pulling her hand away, "I saw that smirk of yours, you knew what was going to happen, and all you had to do was capture me with your Knight, but you didn't."
"That's a bold statement for you to make, Aubrey" Tom said, "it doesn't sound very gracious."
"Oh gracious smacious" Aubrey retorted, fully aware that she sounded completely immature, "I could have beaten you without you forfeiting, Tom."
"I have no doubt" Tom said unconvincingly, "but you must admit Aubrey, it was getting to be a very long game, I felt it best for everyone's interests to end it quickly."
Aubrey tried to hold back a smile.
"See you, Tom" Marcus Avery called over his shoulder as he and some other Slytherin boys exited the classroom, and Aubrey noticed that she and Riddle were the only ones still left in the dimly lit room.
"Might I accompany you back to your common room?" Tom asked politely.
"Sure" Aubrey replied, grinning.
"So, how have you been doing?" Tom asked more seriously, as they began walking down the many flights of stairs leading to the dungeons.
"I'm fine" Aubrey said sternly, her smile vanishing as she suddenly began to feel uncomfortable. She knew where Tom's question was leading, and she did not want to discuss Professor Stretton any further.
"Good" Tom said, "I'm glad."
Aubrey remained silent.
"It wasn't your fault, you know."
"I know" she lied.
"Do you?" Tom asked, now looking at her. "It's Stretton's problem, Aubrey. Not yours. You did nothing to deserve this."
Aubrey again nodded silently and continued to walk down the stairs.
"He deserves to be punished" Tom continued, seriousness returning to his voice, "he deserves to suffer-"
"Tom, don't hurt him!" Aubrey interjected.
"That wasn't going to be my first suggestion, but it is an idea" Tom said with a grin.
"No!" Aubrey replied, a smile again forming across her lips, as she was completely unaware that Tom's playful banter about hurting Stretton was much more than harmless, empty threats.
"Has he been behaving more appropriately?" Tom asked.
"Mhm" Aubrey nodded, "and my mark has improved."
"I thought it might" Tom said confidently, "that's good."
"How did you know?" Aubrey asked, "How did you know I needed help?"
Tom thought for a moment. "Intuition I suppose" he said calmly, "which your screams eventually confirmed."
"Thank you" Aubrey said, stopping in the landing and looking at Tom. "I'm sorry it took me so long to say it, but thanks."
"It's not a problem, Miss Knight" Tom said politely, beginning to walk again.
"It is though, Tom!" Aubrey protested, grabbing his arm. "I'm really grateful that you came...if you hadn't, I don't know what would have happened..." and she began to trail off.
Tom stood quietly facing Aubrey, her hand still latched to his forearm.
"I'm truly appreciative" she finally spoke again.
"Is that why you accepted my invitation to the ball?" Tom asked, concern laced in his voice.
"No" Aubrey answered, honestly. Tom didn't respond, but continued to stare at her, studying her. "I accepted because it's what I wanted to do at the time."
Tom nodded and once again continued moving, guiding Aubrey down the final set of stairs leading into the dungeons.
"I still don't feel right about the headmaster not knowing" Tom continued in a more normal tone, "it allows Stretton to get away with his behaviour, at least temporarily."
"I know" Aubrey sighed, "Elle and Ana aren't pleased with my decision either. They're worried Stretton may do it again."
"He won't be attacking you again, I'm quite sure" Tom said calmly.
Aubrey wasn't surprised to hear Tom's comment, as Elle and Ana had told her about Tom's assurance that Stretton's behaviour would improve. Nevertheless, she was still unsure of how Tom could be so certain, but she tried to shrug off his odd comment.
"I don't want anyone to know" she said defiantly for what seemed like the hundredth time this week. "I don't want any sort of attention, I just want everything to go back to normal."
"I agree" Tom said, as they entered the dark corridor, "this experience hasn't been enjoyable. And you've been a bit off all week-"
"Well given the circumstances" Aubrey suddenly said, defensively.
"It's not a personal attack, Aubrey" Tom said calmly, looking sideways at her, "merely an observation. But there has been no sarcastic remarks, cynical humour or your usual dry wit, Miss Knight-"
"Neither have you, Tom!" Aubrey again interrupted, "you've been acting all friendly towards me, being kind, treating me like all the other students!" Aubrey again interrupted in protest.
"True" Tom said, "I'll admit, I wasn't sure quite how to behave around you after-"
"Treat me normally!" Aubrey again interrupted, "I'm no different because of him!"
"You're quite right" Tom smirked, "And I'm pleased to see that that worthless git didn't damage your spirit."
Aubrey's heart nearly skipped a beat as she walked alongside Tom in the dark corridor. Was Tom Riddle was being sweet? She smiled broadly at him as the Slytherin entrance revealed itself in the near distance.
"Damage my spirit?" Aubrey asked, still grinning.
"Yes" Tom said, "you're one of the few people here at Hogwarts who challenges me, Aubrey, and I must admit, I quite enjoy our banter...like you attempting to insult me tonight, for instance."
"Attempting?" Aubrey said playfully, "Riddle, I was successful."
Tom smirked.
"So things are back to normal?" he asked as they stopped outside the common room entrance.
"Yes."
"That means I can do this, then" and Tom grabbed her hands with his, pulling her close, and placed his lips to hers. Unlike his kisses before, this one was gentle as his tongue gently parted her lips and made soft, circular motions inside her mouth. His hands left hers and moved up towards her face, each on either side as his fingers brushed against her neck. Aubrey placed her hands on his sides and could feel Tom's hard muscles underneath his shirt, moving up and down as he breathed deep. A cold shiver ran down her spine as Tom tilted his head and deepened his kiss. She grabbed suddenly onto his sides to keep from going over and falling completely into his warm kiss.
"Goodnight, Aubrey" Tom said with a smirk when their mouths parted a few moments later. His right hand was still on her face, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
"Goodnight" Aubrey smiled back, a feeling of relief beginning to wash over her. She had been nervous to kiss Tom Riddle again since her encounter with Stretton. Though she hoped the Professor's unwanted actions wouldn't ruin her experiences with Riddle, she was nervous that Tom's touch would remind her of last Monday night. To her relief, however, Tom's gentle kiss melted away all feelings of distress within Aubrey, and her thoughts of Stretton had vanished temporarily from her mind.
