Chapter 3

I had to drag myself to Care of Magical Creatures. I pinched my lips together. I would not get upset over a potion. I would not. Instead, I focused my energy on my heavy school bag, the weight was crushing my spine. The lightening charm I had performed on it yesterday was already wearing off but hunching under the weight of my bag suited my current mood. And it gave me some distraction.

Care of Magical Creatures was not my favourite class. It was just another class to fill in the required number of classes I needed for my exams. And it could be made into a theory class if you stood in the back and did not touch the creatures as I did. Whenever Professor Kettleburn questioned my lack of participation I informed him I had allergies, holding a handkerchief in one hand for good measure.

I rounded the last corner to the Care of Magical Creatures classroom. I was overcome by the sight of yellow and purple. No surprise there. This class wasn't very popular amongst the Slytherin population. Most saw it as only a small step up from Muggle Studies.

"Let me help you, Andromeda," A hand was pulling at the strap of my bag. "You look miserable."

I pulled back. Tonks. Of course, he had to spot me before I spotted him. I had almost forgotten that he was in the same year as me. I should have guessed that he would be here based on our last conversation.

"I am managing perfectly fine." Out of the corner of my eye, I could see his Hufflepuff friends. Two girls and three lanky boys. And they were laughing. I lowered my eyes to a Bellatrix-like glare expecting an immediate stop.

Tonks followed my eye. "Don't worry. They're not laughing at you."

"I was not worried." I backtracked and then added because I couldn't help myself. "Then what are they laughing at?"

"I did a bit of a stumble coming over to you," he smiled at his own embarrassment. "Tripping over your beauty I guess." He laughed, it sounded forced.

I did not share the laugh. I could not tell if that was a compliment or not. "I must be ugly then if it just made you trip."

Tonks laughed harder than he should have. "No – "

"I'm really not in the mood to hear this."

"You can hang out with us if you want," he nodded towards his friends that were now throwing Bertie Botts beans in each other's mouths. Someone started to choke.

"I think I will pass."

"I thought you would say that," Tonks said taking a book I was holding from under my arm. "But the option is always there."

I took the book back just as fast. "I don't know why you're being so unnecessarily kind to me, Tonks."

"We're a team. Prefect buddies - "

"Okay, stop. That is a bit too campy even for you." I frowned. "It's suspicious."

"Well," he thought for a second. "I know what it feels like to be the odd one out." My expression did not change. "Think about it. I think we could have some fun together."

And with that, he turned and headed back to his Hufflepuffs. One of them still violently choking while the rest tried to remember the airway-clearing charm. It was unclear whether it was the same bean.

Without thinking I took my wand out. I held it behind my robes where no one could see me cast a non-verbal charm in the direction of the choking Hufflepuff. I half expected it to not work but the bean shot out of his mouth across the corridor. I felt a bit better.

I set my bag down finally alone with the privacy of my thoughts. How dare he equate his muggle-born situation to my pureblood roots. It made no sense. I belonged. I was entitled to a place in this world by just being born.

And fun? Whatever type of fun he was eluding to had to be overrated.

I came out of the classroom feeling sleepy. I was ready to escape the castle and stretch my legs before dinner. That idea was abruptly killed when an arm came around me, the nails digging into my upper arm, guiding me in the opposite direction.

"Don't you have class, Bella?" I sighed.

Bella laughed. "Forget about that. I have bigger news." She grinned, giving me a full view of all her teeth.

"I can see from your smile." I pointed to my two front teeth. "You have lettuce here."

She dropped her arm, sucking on her teeth. "Unimportant. That very special wizard sent me a letter again." She forced a folded letter into my hand. The paper it was written on felt like tissue.

I glanced behind me. I could see Tonks and the Hufflepuffs not too far behind us. I accidentally caught Tonks's eye. He sent me a smile. My face felt hot.

Bellatrix punched me in the arm. "Read it!"

"Ow," I said pointedly. I held the folded parchment out to Bella. "I can guess what it is. I told you already I am not interested in such matters."

Bella scowled. "You do not know what you're talking about."

"This Tom person - "

"Lord," she hissed. "And keep your voice down. He does not like to be called by his given name."

"He's dangerous." I narrowed my eyes. Tom Riddle was the only person that could get Bella this worked up. Father could never inspire this amount of caution and dedication in her. "And I'm not addressing him as Lord. It sounds absolutely ridiculous."

"Andromeda, I will forgive your lack of respect. You are ignorant of his power. His plans. Dreams Mother and Father told us about will be made a reality in mere years or even months if we all stand beside him." She was running out of breath she was so excited. "But that will all change tonight."

My skin crawled. "What are you planning?"

She pulled me into a dusty alcove mostly obscured from view by a tapestry. "He is going to contact his loyal army at Hogwarts tonight and convince others to join us. He will show his sheer power by bypassing Headmaster Dumblebee and speaking to us through the fire."

"Do not invite Narcissa to this. She is too young." I stated. "You hear me, Bella."

"It is Cissy's choice whether she wants to be involved or not," Bella smiled her eyes glazing over. She was clearly thinking of the middle-aged Tom Riddle disrobing. To say she was in lust was an understatement. "But," she snapped back into the present. "Please do come. I might be the only witch there without you and it will be beneficial to your education."

"We don't have to concern ourselves with this," I said. "I like the way things are."

Bella rolled her eyes. "Little do you know, sister. Please. An opportunity to see his power is all I ask. Narcissa said she's coming."

My eye twitched. "Because you said 'please' I will watch from the stairs."

More like I wanted Narcissa physically as far away from this strange delusional wizard as possible. He gave me the creeps. I didn't have to ask what Bella said to make Narcissa agree. Lucius would more than likely be there. And by the sounds of it, no other witch would be standing in his view.

"What time?"

"Midnight tonight in the common room," Bella's eyes sparkled. "I made sure he arranged it on a day you weren't occupied with other hobbies. I have been telling him about you and how useful you would be as a member. And how happy it would make me."

I winced. "Any other details you wish to share?"

"It is all in the letter."

I looked down at the letter I had forgotten I was holding.

"Burn it with magic when you are finished reading it." Bellatrix tapped the paper with her wand to make a point. "I will know if you have been stupid and forgotten to. And I will be sure to hex you if you are late, Andromeda."

Love you too, sister.

" Although you may be young you are capable of helping your Lord create a true wizarding world. We have quality members now we need quantity. And unlike some, Lord Voldemort would never turn his nose up at students. Assemble trusted wizards of Slytherin house and of noble blood to the largest fireplace in the Slytherin common room at no later than midnight, the 13th of September. I expect a large gathering and silence. Do not disappoint your Lord.

Lord Voldemort "

"Cissy," I waved at Narcissa from my perch on the third step leading up to the dormitories. She pretended not to hear me remaining at Bella's side. But her eyes ever so briefly moved from her compact mirror to glance at me. "Narcissa." I scowled.

"Andromeda," Evan strolled over to me with his hands in his pockets and a smirk on his face. "I just wanted to say thank you for the help today. I really couldn't have received the Slug's adoration without you. I didn't get a chance to speak to you, I missed you at dinner."

"I had dinner early," I said. "Did you happen to mention my help to Slughorn? It would be nice not to fail."

Evan replied honestly. "Of course not, cousin. Remember these are individual projects to be done individually. I doubt Slughorn would have approved of your intervention on my potion."

"It was only worth 5 % of our final grade."

"Really?" he raised his eyebrows. "I didn't know that. Thank Merlin, I took it seriously. But let's not think on it too heavily. I am more interested in your attendance here tonight. I think it's a bit… radical. But something like pride blooms in my heart seeing my favourite female trio here."

"I would not be so quick to be prideful. I think one witch in the – this – group is enough for… the leader." I picked a stray hair off my tights. Not mine. It had the same wave pattern but darker, Bella's. Borrowing my tights again. She had a habit of making holes in hers. Especially when she went out to events like these.

"Lord Voldemort is different." Evan smiled. "He knows how to make use of every asset. Even the weakest."

I bit my tongue. "Thank you, Evan, but I'm not a member yet just an observer the same as Narcissa."

"Don't be so cautious. Lord Voldemort has the looks to make any witch kneel."

"Especially Bellatrix." I glanced at Bella she was staring into the fire, waiting. Even though there were still five minutes to midnight. I looked back at Evan. Five very long minutes. I looked ahead again Narcissa was headed my way. "What is this exactly, Evan? This society. Bella speaks only of grandeur that I struggle to understand."

Evan chuckled. "I will give you a simple explanation. Shut your eyes." I did not. Not that he knew he had already shut his own. "Imagine a world without the undesirables. Muggles, mudbloods and blood traitors. Imagine never having to deal with or even look at people like that Hufflepuff prefect. Being able to take your wand out anywhere, casting any spell. Being able to travel anywhere. No divide between the muggle and the wizarding world."

"It sounds like creating a lot of empty space."

"Exactly. Blissful."

"Sit with me," I said to Narcissa who was now hovering behind Evan.

She found him distasteful. Ever since he exposed one of her inner circle as having a half-breed relative. But Narcissa was no saviour. She was annoyed she didn't get to expose the poor girl herself. By Narcissa's thinking it made her look weak and unknowledgeable about one of her favourite subjects, the blood that runs through our veins.

"And a suicide mission," I added quietly. "There are thousands of muggles per wizard. And hundreds of improper wizards and witches. Slytherin could not achieve purity even when the numbers were lower."

Narcissa nudged my leg hard with hers as she sat down.

"You underestimate purebloods and Lord Voldemort," Evan said frowning. "I say you better keep these thoughts to yourself and as a servant to the cause - "

"She was joking, Rosier," Narcissa butted in, her tone cold. "The meeting is starting soon. I believe you should concern yourself with getting a better view over there."

"Of course, Narcissa," he mockingly bowed to us. "Your consideration flatters me. Just remember to be quiet. For all our sakes."

"Of course, Evan," I replied. "Thank you."

Evan nodded and headed in the direction of the fireplace.

"I have been looking for you," I said lowly to Narcissa. "The only reason I agreed to come here is because Bellatrix told me you would be here."

"Don't say that in such an accusing tone," Narcissa examined the ends of her silky hair. "And I was told by Bella you would be here."

"Half of the reason," my eyes travelled to Lucius. But I decided not to bring that up fully. There was no point in embarrassing her. His back was facing us his long hair back in a ponytail that would touch his backside if he threw his head back. I couldn't decide what my type was, but Lucius was definitely not it. I frowned my attention moving to Bella. "If Bella is not careful, she is going to fall into that fire."

Narcissa giggled. "I would hold her hair back from the flames if she didn't manipulate us both. But," she turned me. "I cannot help but be curious about this Voldemort business. An organisation with people like Bella… they could do anything."

It was one-minute past midnight. He was late.

"I think…" I straightened my skirt.

"Be careful, Mother always says starting a sentence with that is dangerous."

"I have a weird feeling about Tom Riddle. Bella's interest in him makes my skin crawl."

Narcissa's lips tilted upwards. She turned to me and whispered. "I overheard a rumour from one of the half-blood Slytherins that he is a half-blood."

I was not surprised. "Never say that to Bella."

This was fruitless. If Narcissa knew Bella already knew. She had sharp ears and liked to steal diaries from the dormitories during the day when students were in class. Repeating such information would result in a scream of outrage or a slap.

A shush led by Bella rippled through the common room. The orange flames of the fire turned a dark red. They started to dance higher and at odd angles. Narcissa grabbed my hand. I gave hers a squeeze.

"We can leave whenever we want," I whispered to her.

Bellatrix directed an extra loud shush in my direction. I turned my head away from the scene and rolled my eyes.

"Good evening to you all," a high male voice said. "Loyal servants of the cause and newcomers."

"My lord," Bella whispered her face consumed with a smile. A face was starting to appear in the fire. Sharp features but overall, exactly like a typical handsome wizard you would see smiling in the pages of Witch Weekly.

"Lord Voldemort is happy to see such a large turnout." He chuckled. "I have on more than one occasion bypassed the protection measures of the mighty Albus Dumbledore." The fire twisted into the shape of a snake. I blinked at the detail. Every scale glowed as the reptile extended out of the fire. A few gasped. Narcissa scooted back on the step.

The snake hissed. It's jaw-dropping unleashing a fireball that turned the whole common room red. My vision was consumed by fire. A gasp escaped my lips as I shut my eyes and threw my arm up to cover Narcissa's face. My skin felt like it was sizzling. Laughter came from the fire. I opened my eyes slowly expecting to see my skin bubbling and my clothes smoking but the snake had disappeared and the temperature had returned to normal. I was shaking.

No one else was laughing just the wizard. "I could burn this whole castle if I wished."

I gripped the staircase railing tightly. Ready to pull my shaking body up. My gut was twisting. I had to leave. This wizard was wicked. He gave off the same vibes as death from The Tale of the Three Brothers. Ready to lure me and ruin my night's sleep.

"We have to leave," I hissed to Narcissa.

She did not respond. She was frozen on the step. I shook her hard. "Something about this isn't right."

Her head turned to me slowly. She nodded weakly, her face flushed with colour. Lord Voldemort was speaking but I couldn't focus on the words.

I pulled her up with me. Forget, Bellatrix.

Narcissa froze again. The voice in the fire addressed us. "Scared are we?" Its tone was coloured with venomous teasing. I dragged her. "Please do stay. I promise my snake will not bite."

Up the spiral staircase, we went. Laughter erupted from the common room. I grimaced. No going back now.

"Bella is going to kill us," Narcissa said once we were safely in the dormitory corridor. She was out of breath and clutching a stitch at her side. "We should have stayed."

I did not deny it. "Blame me. Say I felt sick – something I ate."

"I am sure you were wrong to leave," Narcissa hugged herself. "That had to be a joke, he had to be joking. No, it was a test of wits – it had to be, and we failed. I would have stayed there if you hadn't dragged me out."

"Something was wrong." I smoothened my hair back behind my ears. "I don't want to be a part of that."

"Do you think we will be allowed back next time after that?" Narcissa wondered aloud.

"Next time?" I repeated in disbelief.

"Yes. Everyone else seemed to enjoy it. We could be looking at it in a naïve way." Narcissa frowned. "There must be more to it than just that half-blood wizard. How do we know better than all our friends?"

I stared at her with wide eyes. She was serious. And I did not have an argument for her.

My eyes darted away from her desperate for an escape. "I need to sleep on it."

Narcissa nodded. "Goodnight, Andromeda."

My feet felt heavy as I walked into my dormitory and crawled into my bed without changing my clothes, brushing my hair or washing my teeth. Was I weak? Was I creating a narrative that did not exist based on a feeling in my stomach? But, I thought as I shut my eyes, Slytherins were never commended for their open-mindedness. I would not waste my thoughts justifying Tom Riddle. My parents never said I had to join this to be successful in my pureblood duties. I did not have to make Bellatrix happy. I could continue on as usual. But the reality of acting out my thoughts was always a challenge. There were always other people to think about.