It was the day of break, I had spent most of my time either in the library or in the Slytherin commons, reading, studying and getting my self prepped for the wrath of my parents. Deciding not to go to the hospital wing, for potion or to exercise. I didn't want to seem more down than I already was. I had packed up my clothes, and Capones little hut. With him sleeping happily in a pocket on the inside of my robes. I walked into the commons, seeing Draco at the bottom of the stairs he waited for me at the bottom.
"If you need to get away from your folks at all, let me know" He whispered, walking out of the commons with me, with his suit case in tow, "Consider it a gift from me, I'm sure mother and father wouldn't mind" he seemed to understand more, then most of the other students did, what it was like to live with people, where names and reputation matter.
I smiled softly, "I should be fine, thanks though Draco" I whispered, going on a bit louder I asked a question, "Ready to go home? Excited?"
He scofted at me, "I would be if we didn't get homework, I haven't even started, I presume you got it all done?" he replied assuming correctly.
"Me not get work done ahead of time, you don't know me very well Malfoy" I replied, in a cocky tone, sticking my nose up in the air, in a joking matter.
"Should let me copy off of you, at least with the essay for history of magic and you answers for the transfiguration sheet" He suggested, "You know it would be a nice gift to me"
I chuckled, "I'll think about it" I replied to him, "I need to say goodbye to some other people, I'll meet you on the train yea?" I asked, as his two fat friends joined us.
He nodded waving me off, "I'll save you a seat, love" He chuckled walking away. His friends in tow.
While I walked to the great hall, seeing Harry and Ron playing wizards chest. Walking over I took a seat, next to Ron, observing them play for bit, Hermione was bound to show up soon. Ron was winning the game, which surprised me, a game of strategy, of mind he was good at. Who knew?
As his queen took out Harrys knight Hermione appeared, a face of displeasure, "What a barbaric game"
"That's wizards chess for you, I see both you and Amber have packed" Ron responded looking at our luggage.
"I'll be back, once I find something on Flamel, Once I have I'll be back, I don't want to stick around" I replied, looking to realize he wasn't packed.
"I see you're not" Hermione retorted.
Ron shrugged, "Change of plans, my parents decided to got to Romania to visit my brother, Charlie; he's studying dragons there" He explained simply.
Hermione nodded, "Good, then you can help Harry find out more about Nicolas Flamel" She ordered, I nodded in agreement.
"We've already looked a hundred times, not including how often you and Amber are in there looking" Ron objected.
Hermione leaned in closely, "Not in the restricted section"
I then leaned, matching Hermione's tone, "And look a hundred times if you have to." Standing up, I smiled lightly, "Also don't get caught" With that, I turned away, Hermione did as well.
The train ride didn't last as long as I had hoped. I sat with Draco and his friends, helping with their work and talking about the year, I of course left out a few things. Now I was standing in the door way of home, with my sister, whom had changed her hair, from dirty blond to brown. Obviously, not wanting to show up different, knowing they would snap on her for not looking the way they wanted.
I felt my right arm and shoulder tense up as Ava pushed the door open. I followed close behind her.
"Ava, love!" Mother greeted, coming down the stairs, walking to Ava, she embraced her. "How's my baby" Mother than walked Ava upstairs, not accknologing me what-so-ever.
Here it begins. I was ignored. I walked past the staircase, quickly to the library, with my luggage in tow. Hoping to stay ignored. But of course that didn't happen as my father had walked out of a room on the first floor.
"Come with me girl.", he commanded walking past me. Why should I follow him? He's just going to scold at me and lock me away.
"No. I've got work to do" I replied, walking into the library. Taking my cloak off and setting it carefully on a chair, Capone crawled out of the hood. Ignoring the harshness of the door being slammed behind me as father walked in.
"Now. This is an urgent matter and we will speak of it now." He grumbled. I turned to meet his dark brown eyes, they were glaring at me and full of terrible emotions. "Do you realize what you've done? You've let both your mother and I down, you've let Ava and your brother down, and you've let down Rowena Ravenclaw."
"I've done nothing." I replied, keeping a cold tone, as I went on, "I've been sorted into the house that the sorting hat believes I belong in. It chose Slytherin, so Slytherin I am"
"How dare you, after everything we've done for you! " He rumbled walking close to me.
"What have you done for me?" I paused before I went on, "Everything you've ever done, was it ever for me, Ava or Rowen? Or was it for your pathetic image?"
His eyes narrowed, "You could've stopped it! you must've known that the hat wasn't going to put you in Ravenclaw! This is our family pride we're talking about, have you no idea what you've done to us? To this name?"
I felt a ting of guilt, but held my ground. "Family pride?" I laughed, "What an absurd thing, I have my own pride, I don't need yours, mothers. I'm living up to my standards, my pride is perfectly fine" I lied a bit, aside from the stupid accident, I was fine, "I'm living up to the Ravenclaw name, better then you or mother have, or ever will. " Taking a breath I went on, "Now leave me alone, Rowen, once I find what I'm looking for I'm leaving, I don't want to be here any longer than I have too." I paused, noticing him not moving, I then gave a promise, "Leave or I'll make sure you disappear, trust me I'll have you erased faster than you can lift a finger, to stop me." I turning away I walked to the books.
"Are you threatening me?" He demanded daring me to go through with my threat. With a thought in mind, I needed him to know, I was serious. Was I serious? Of course I needed to seem like it. Maybe not make him disappear but, make him just leave me alone. Til I could find something.
As I was deep in thought of boils. It wouldn't hurt him, but it would cause him to leave. It wouldn't be a big enough, or bad enough curse to get noticed, at least I wouldn't think so. With a nod I thought of the spell, turning around, I stared at the man, my father, Furnunculus! After the simple curses name was thought of, small boils appeared on his hands. His eyes narrowed at the boils, as if questioning what was going on. He looked up to me in a glare, as boils got to his face, and the ones on his hands got bigger, his expression changed from one of bitterness, to pain, as his mouth began opening slowly, but nothing left it, he turned and left the room quickly. Once gone, I began my task. Hunting for anything on Flamel.
Two days into the searching, I found myself sitting at a desk on the third floor. I'd search the first two floors of books, not a single thing on Nicholas Flamel. Not even a book on French townships. Which was odd, this library had the directories for; the American countries, and Australia. I've read so many names, I've never been so tired of books than I was right now. It felt as if my shoulder was going to pop right off, what I'd do for some relief. Did we have anything on healing potions?
Getting up from my seat I went towards the closest shelves. Instead of finding a potions book, I found an orange book, the side read 'Pierre Philosophale' what caught my attention about the book, was the author, 'nikɔla flamɛl'. Of course, I go looking for something else I find something with 'Flamel' on it. Taking the book from the shelf, I walked back to the desk. Opening the book, I began to read it, thankful, that I sat with Ava through our French tutoring.
"The philosopher's stone, a legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals into gold or silver. It also able to extend life, giving it another name, of the elixir of life. Useful for rejuvenation and for achieving immortality. The largest goal alchemy. It symbolized, the mystical terminology of alchemy, perfection at its finest, enlightenment and heavenly bliss. "
Alright so, Nicolas Flamel, studied the philosopher's stone. Did he find it, steal it or make it though? It must've been what Fluffy was guarding Quickly, I stuffed the book into my bag, wanting to go back to my room to read it, where I could charm my room, so I wouldn't be bothered. Grabbing my bag, cloak, and suit case, I felt slightly embarrassed, realizing, I haven't slept, or even been to my room. I must've looked terrible. I've spent the past two and a half days in the library. I was brought out of my mind by Capone climbing onto my bad shoulder, causing me to wince and want to holler in pain. I didn't, but I really wanted too.
Once in my room I place Capone on my desk, followed my the book of I had just found, along with the diary. Taking a seat I opened both up. Wanting to talk to someone while I read. Grabbing a quill I wrote to Tom.
"I apologize, I've been quiet, I've been enwrapped in other things."
The diary then replied.
"I understand, what's been happening? How'd Quidditch go?"
I let out a huff, to hell with the sport! Never happening again.
"Quidditch went worse than I expected, I was knocked off my broom. Currently, my right arm is useless, thankfully I charmed my quill, so neither you or I would have to suffer to horrid handwriting, of my non-dominate hand. As for your other question, I've been searching for information on a person. Also being haunted by my parents"
~Tom's Point of View~
Haunted by her parents? Were they not alive? I'd been under the assumption they were? I quickly wrote a reply.
"Are they dead? Haunted how?"
She quickly wrote back.
"They aren't dead, but they are a well known, their reputation, they think was ruined by my house placement."
Were they not fans of Slytherins? Slytherin was the only house of purebloods, the worthy. Even if I myself were not a pureblood. Before I could reply she wrote again.
"We are decedent of Rowena Ravenclaw, me ending up in any house other than Ravenclaw would have be disowned. Before you ask, yes my full name is Amber Rose Ravenclaw, I left out the 'claw' earlier, as I was suspicious of, you, this diary being a trick."
This information answered so many of my questions, she had to have been a pure-blood, if the reputation of her family had been wounded. She had to have been a first year, if her house placement was just starting the cause her grief. Good, No filthy mudblood, and a first year, it'd be easier to take attempt to overrule her spirit, so I could go about my plans. However, in my weak state, if I were to attempt to take her over, it'd use up the little bit of magic I had, that would cause me to vanish. I didn't get to reply, as she had wrote once again.
"I'd like to ask a question, curious, you were obviously a real person, at least at one point, you must be apart of a person correct?"
This would've caught me off guard beforehand, but I've gotten used to her, a person that thrived with knowledge, desired more. I wrote a reply.
"At one point in time, I was a student at Hogwarts. Now I'm just a memory, preserved in these pages, of Tom Riddle. I have no idea if my other, the real Tom Riddle is alive"
It was all true, for the most part. I want to Hogwarts, I had no idea if my other part was alive. I wasn't just left out the horcrux. The girl than replied.
"Makes sense,how'd you do it? I presume it was a charm? how long have you resided within this book?"
She was probing. I wouldn't tell her everything, just basic details, I wouldn't revel anything till I was strong enough, to where this girl knowing didn't matter.
"I did use a charm, it went terribly wrong. I put the memory of half of my personality within these pages. I've been in these pages for a little over fifty years. "
She then asked another question.
"What were you like when you were a student? You don't have to answer that, if it's to invasive, just curious."
It wasn't a terrible question, none of her questions were. I replied on an impulse almost, not thinking before I wrote.
"I've always found it hard to describe myself. From what I what I was told, I was a good student, excelled in my studies, most if not all of my professors liked me, I alike you was sorted into Slytherin. What about you, give me details. It's fair."
I had to create some sort of bond, she needed to trust me. So, my plans could be pushed.
"Well, I'm alike you in the school aspect. A good student, I'm excelling in my studies, though they are rather basic, I would've been happier with more challenging classes. But Dumbledore refused my request, as well as my request to enter the restricted section, so I could do some learning of my own. Thankfully, it had no impact on the skills I wanted to learn at the time. For classes, it'd seem I'm stuck with swine. I'm liked by most of my professors, though I feel one professor isn't my biggest fan."
I glared at the name Dumbledore. That old fool. But I was also intrigued by the girls desire to be challenged, when I had gone to Hogwarts, I had felt the same way almost. Everything was so basic, I wanted more. Still do. To learn and master everything. To become a lord. What teacher was she talking about? It couldn't be Slughorn, I assume he would have collected Amber within a heartbeat, just by reading her last name. Could it have been Dumbledore? If he's the one to turn down her study request.
"I presume Slughorn has roped you into his little parties? He managed to get me to show up to them as well."
I was a bit shocked. Slightly. By her response.
"Slughorn? Was he a teacher once?"
Slughorn couldn't have been at the age of retirement. Had he died?
"He was the potions teacher when I was at Hogwarts. It's strange even after fifty years, he should be younger than the usual retirment age for the wizarding world. Dumbledore is still there, who are your other teachers?"
Curiousity took over. Who was still there?
~Ambers Point of View~
I thought about the professors I had, Snape obviously for potions, Sprout for Herbology, McGonagall for Transfiguration, Fliwick for charms, Hooch for flying, I had Binns for history of magic, Waffling for magical theory, and Quirrell for defense against the dark arts. If I were honest it was odd that, that type of man, a man coming off as timid would be teaching such a class. How'd he even get that job to begin with?
I couldn't help, but to think back to when I broke into the library. How Quirrells face just changed in the middle of the hall way, and that voice. It still sent a shiver down my back, the creepy voice, raspy in tone, as if it belong to a person struggling to breathe. Where was that voice? It was obvious Quirrell heard it. Better question, why would he have to make sure Snape knew he wasn't with Fluffy? Is Quirrell after the Philosopher's Stone?
Recalling to hearing that Quirrell was the first one to spot the troll, apparently he had ran in in some sort of panic scream, about the troll. Before he fainted. Did he let the troll out to begin with? It'd be a genius idea, releasing it, and running into the great hall screaming about it. Getting everyone to worry about the troll. Then again that's what Harry, Hermione and Ron were saying about Snape. I unknowingly had closed the diary, distracted by my thoughts. I had walked over to my bed I laid down thinking over the idea, that Quirrell was the professor to be worried about.
Quirrell's timid, frightful usual appearance could be fake. A ruse to make everyone not suspect him. I probably wouldn't expect him if it weren't for us running into each other. If that horrid voice, that came from him, but wasn't him didn't speak up. If Quirrells face hadn't changed the moment that voice spoke. I needed to know more about Quirrell. Doubting he would be in the library, I got up, I walked out of my room, going down the stairs, to the second floor I walked to the door with a gold knob, with a decorative 'R'. Opening the door slightly, to make sure that the room, the office, my fathers office was empty.
It was. Walking inside closing the door, I walked to his desk, being apart of the ministry, ha had to have some sort of information on people. Hopeful, I searched his desk. Not finding anything on Quirrell, sadly. The only thing remotely interesting was a file, on something my father and his boss, Barty Crouch, trying to get some tournament together. Nothing useful to my hunt. I leaned back in the chair biting my lip.
How am I going to get more information on Quirrell. The school might have something, Quirrell being a professor. I need to get back to Hogwarts. The library must have something on Quirrell. If not then it'd need to get into the ministry. Doubtful I could get in there. Getting up from the chair I walked back to my room, packing the diary and the French book on the Philosiphers stone into my bag. I needed to get to Hogwarts now. I needed to know more. Quietly I put my robes back on, placing Capone into one of the pockets. My wand into the other. I ignored my shoulder as I placed the strap of my bag over it. The pain wasn't important right now. Quirrell was the priority. grabbing my suit case. I walked out of my bedroom. With everything I had at my door, I than realized a dilemma, how was I going to get to Hogwarts?
A Note from the Author; :O What's going to happen next? How's she going to get to Hogwarts? What's your favorite Professor within Hogwarts? I hope you enjoyed reading, my loves!