Previously on A Riddle With Another Name 28: An Unpleasant Monday Morning
Conjuring up a soothing lotion, Avery sat down on the side of the bed. "Simple really. I went banging into the men's and nearly knocked Robbins over. He obviously thought I was attacking him and drew his wand. I drew my wand to stun him. He ducked the spell and took my wand by Expelliarmus. I think he meant to do me some damage but suddenly, Dumbledore appeared and took both wands from Robbins. Dumbledore gave us both a stern telling off, took five points from Slytherin House, five points from Gryffindor then gave me and Robbins lunch time detention where he read us the riot act over and over for an hour.
Did I forget to mention Dumbledore being the miserable sot he is also took five more points because I was not in my seat when class started. The only good thing is Gryffindor got what we got. I don't have to tell you that. You were there for the last of it. You were also there when Dumbledore literally stopped Tom from cursing me in the middle of the Transfiguration Corridor. That's it except Tom called me into his rooms to finish what he started in the corridor."
"What a morning you've had mate. Dinner is in forty. Shrink down an extra plate so you'll have something for later on. On the off chance our Lord and Master doesn't allow you out to have dinner, I'll bring you a sack."
"Thanks mate. Always good to have someone I can count on. I'm going to close my eyes for a few."
Or so he thought. Just as he closed his irritated eyes, Avery heard his name being bellowed across the room.
"AVERY."
"Here we go. Master Voldemort must have needed to rest his wand arm a bit. I'll probably need your Healing Spell again. Bring a dinner, if you can manage." Avery whispered before opening the door to face his irate Master yet again.
Nott sympathized with Avery's plight but sat there thanking Salizar Slytherin it wasn't him.
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name 29: Standing Behind Their Leader
Tom Riddle had woken in a miserable state and was still in a fit of fury. He head felt full of cotton, his eyes were stinging and his chest felt as though some beast was sitting on it. He was going to take out his misery on someone. Unfortunately for Avery, he was the target.
His best wizard had let him down and had to be punished. Ten freaking points had been taken from his House and Tom wanted retribution. He had thrown a few stinging jinxes at Avery but was still mad beyond compare that Avery had done something that ended in the Gryffindors getting the better of him. If truth be told, it really hadn't been the Gryffindors. It had been the despicable Dumbledore doling out the punishment. There wasn't anything Tom could do about Dumbledore, but he could fix Avery so he would think twice about being an absolute arse in the future.
Avery hurried across the dorm room thankful that all lower years had the good sense to keep their eyes directed to the floor. He was going to be thrashed. He didn't need to see every Slytherin gloating over his fate. Avery hurried over to Tom's rooms and stepped in. As soon as he was inside, he had to immediately duck because Tom had whipped his wand out and pointed it at him. With a growl, Tom ridiculed Avery for having the nerve to duck out of the way.
"How dare you duck out of the way of my wand? How bloody dare you? If I raise my wand in your direction, stand there and take whatever is coming."
Avery was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. Stand there and get hexed or duck and still get hexed. He was certainly sick and tired of having to kowtow to a mad wizard. However, there weren't any options. Avery brought himself up straight still internally griping about his Master's belligerent behavior especially after all the help in getting information on the Glover mutt he and Nott had given Mulciber. Resigning himself, Avery straightened his shoulders and apologized.
"My apologies Master. It is my duty as a Slytherin to stand straight no matter what punishment I am to receive. It won't happen again."
Then surprise, surprise. Instead of throwing a hex or a curse, Tom sat down on the side of his bed. "You are my most favored Avery. I expect better. However, I will overlook it this time. Because I can't be seen as weak, I want you to run a quiet errand."
Weak? Avery didn't have a clue about what Tom had on his mind. He took the safe way out and remained silent sure Tom would explain. It had only taken Tom five minutes to state his requirements.
"I will not belabor the point. I will only say some miscreant has done the impossible. I, Lord Voldemort have been the recipient of some kind of hex. I will get to the bottom of it, but first I'll need you to go to the hospital wing and present yourself as being ill and in need of medicine."
What? Thought Avery. Pretend to be ill to get medicine for Tom? Madam Pomfrey would never give takeaway potions to a student. If anything, she'd have his arse in a bed so fast his head would swim. His Master was barking…..but what else was new? Avery knew he shouldn't speak on his thoughts, but again he had no recourse.
"May I speak Master?"
Tom gave a wave of his hand gesturing for Avery to speak.
"I am quite well versed in the use of a wand Master and feel as though I can serve you much better than the nosy Madame Pomfrey who would run and tell Dumbledore I was asking for takeaway medicines. Perhaps I can secure a small, empty bottle before a discreet visit to Professor Slughorn's stores where I will summon a bit of Wiggenweld potion to bring you back to full health."
Tom liked Avery's idea. He liked it a lot. However, he was the Master and could not let himself be seen as weak and uninformed.
Turning to directly face Avery, Tom had to bluster before accepting the idea. "Full health? You think I'm not at full health because I made a suggestion? Be careful Avery or I will think you are plotting against me. The line of dolts is long. Do not try to be at the back of it."
Once again, Avery had to choose between speaking and remaining still. He didn't want to be in any line behind Malfoy and Mulciber so he spoke up for himself. It was time to grovel before the great Lord Voldemort. "You misunderstand Master. I realize nothing can harm you and you are in extremely good health. I just want to ensure you have everything you require at your fingertips without coming under the surly gaze of Dumbledore. However, I am yours to command."
Deep furrows appeared between Tom's brows making Avery think he had stepped in it. However, three seconds later, Tom reared back with nose in the air to give directions exactly as Avery had stated them but without acknowledging where they came from.
"Here's what I'd like you to do Avery. First, find a small, empty jar then as discreetly as possible, go to old Sluggy's stores to secure a bit of Horklump Juice, and a few Dittany Leaves. There is a potion I want and the best way is for me to brew it myself."
Nodding, Avery hurried to do as he'd ordered all the time laughing to himself over Lord Voldemort's inability to admit someone other than himself might have had a good idea.
"Do it with all speed Avery. Continue to please me and you won't end up at the back of the line after all." Tom called out before pointing his wand to close the door with a snap.
Tom's door was firmly shut so Avery took the chance to slither into his dorm room where a worried Nott jumped up from his bed expecting the worst. "You made it out alive mate. Good work."
Avery spoke in a whisper. "Yes. For the moment, all is back right with Lord Voldemort. I'll explain later. Right now I have orders. I'm starving. If I don't make it to dinner, remember to pack me a sack. I'll be back as soon as I can."
Nott watched his mate slide out of the barely opened door thanking Salizar Slytherin it was Avery instead of himself. Two bright spots of red appeared on his cheeks as he mentally chastised himself for wishing bad on his best mate.
/*/
Avery wasn't back by the time Slytherin House headed to dinner so Nott resigned himself to filling a sack for him. However, just as he plunked himself down at the table, Avery came striding across the room. All Slytherin eyes turned to look at Avery but with one gruff order from Nott, all eyes were suddenly on the plates before them.
"Glad to see you made it in time for dinner Avery."
Avery nodded at Nott. "Yes. My task took less time than expected. However, there is one thing, which I intend to delegate, left for me to do. Our Master does not care to make an appearance at the dinner table. He has important shite to do." Turning his eyes towards a skinny Third Year, Avery softly called out. "Nickerson come here."
Frightened at being called out by the top Slytherin, Nickerson hurried around the table. Again all eyes turned towards what was going on, but a quick growl from Nott set things right.
The frightened Third Year appeared at Avery's side. "Yes sir?"
Avery didn't waste time. He pushed the two large dinner sacks he and Nott had hurriedly put together into Nickerson's hands. "Deliver these dinner sacks to our Master. He is waiting. Knock on his door and call out your dinner is here Master. Do not say anything else. Hand the sacks over then get back here to the table. Hold those sacks steady as there are drinks in there as well. Get going."
"Yes sir."
Nickerson hurried away.
Avery spoke with a mouthful of roasted potatoes. "I'll probably catch another hex from Tom for sending Nickerson, but you know how to heal and I need to eat. We'll see." At that moment, Avery started to discuss stealing Zach's information from the mail room, but suddenly it felt like there were fingers walking through his mind and he forgot whatever he was about to say. At that same moment, Nott and Mulciber got the same feeling of something messing about their minds and just like with Avery, the feeling passed in seconds.
Up at the professor's table, Dumbledore smiled down at his beef stew. He had fixed it so none of the miscreants would remember any of their adventure. That's one for Dumbledore and zero for Lord Voldemort.
/*/
Nothing adverse had happened in the Slytherin dorms as Nickerson was there and back in five minutes.
Nodding at the entrance hall, Nott clapped Avery on his shoulder. "Nickerson is back seemingly in one piece. All's well that ends well."
Avery shrugged. "We'll see."
/*/
Over at the senior end of the Gryffindor table, Bertie, Jackson, Butters and Summerlin were laughing and joking as if the Monday morning events had never happened. Jackson and Butters were chuffed their mate was back to normal, or seemingly back to normal. Summerlin who knew some of it just went along with the hilarity. Beth sat quietly eating dinner only offering a word here or there until someone spoke directly to her. Jackson and Butters noticed but Bertie who seemed unaware finally addressed Beth directly.
"I apologize for not wanting to go into the courtyard earlier Beth, but I had things on my mind. It's still nice out. Would you like to take some air with me after dinner?"
Although she wouldn't be so gauche as to grin outwardly, inwardly, Beth was grinning like a maniac. Of course she would like to take some air with the wizard she wanted. She replied in a level, pleasant manner. "That would be lovely Bertie. I'll meet you at the doors after a quick visit to the ladies."
"That's great. I need a stop off at the men's myself. Hopefully, one that will go better than this morning."
Although Jackson, Butters and Summerlin didn't comment, they did wonder what Bertie meant.
/*/
The three amigos were famished and had tucked right into dinner without many words. However, after Aiden had devoured his first three slices of roast beef, he had kicked Zach under the table.
"What Aiden? I'm trying to eat here." Zach said through a mouthful of stew.
"Look down table."
Zach glanced down the senior's end and immediately knew what Aiden meant. "I guess I was correct then. It seems Bertie was not being a beast. He was just stating facts."
"What are you talking about Zach?" Trevor asked.
Zach wiped the bread crumbs from his hands before pointing at Aiden. "Aiden is referring to the fact that I was correct and you two loonies were wrong."
Trevor still wasn't catching on. "About what Zach even though I'm never wrong."
Aiden smiled while Zach explained. "This afternoon you accused Bertie of acting like a beast to which I disagreed. You two, like dolts were wrong. If you will look down table, you'll see what I mean. Beth is smiling like someone offered her…"
"A marriage license." Taunted Aiden.
"Oh be quiet Aiden. I was right and you two were wrong. That's it."
Trevor waved his fork at Zach. "Really Zach? Are you really nitpicking over some slight you think we aimed at your beloved? Guess what. Bertie may be smiling and not acting like a beast, but I'll bet it's a cover."
Zach looked at Trevor like he had two heads. "A cover? What does that even mean?"
Patting the side of his nose, Trevor leaned in. "Bertie is pretending to be happy. Our House is down ten points and it looks like Bertie might be the cause. So, that is why I'm saying his laughing and joking are a cover for what he's really feeling."
Zach let his fork clatter to his plate. "You're barking mad Trevor. I wouldn't be saying stuff like that out loud. It's bad form to denigrate our leader. We probably lost those ten points some other way. Bertie is one of Professor Dumbledore's favorites. He'd never take points because of him. In addition, if Butters or Jackson heard you saying that, all three of us would be in for it."
Trevor shrugged. "Believe what you will Zach, but Aiden and I heard two Fourth Years talking. Something happened with Bertie this morning which caused Dumbledore to take points. The Fourth Years left the men's before we heard the rest."
Zach frowned at Trevor and Aiden. "Whatever! If Bertie is the cause, he'll explain it all. Do you want to go to the library or back to the common room? My sister sent a letter. I want to read it before I begin studying."
"Let's go to the common room. I need to study Charms spells as well." Offered Aiden.
"And in case Bertie has something to share with us." Added Trevor in a low voice.
Grabbing his books, Zach gave Trevor a frown but didn't reply to his bit of sarcasm. He wanted to read what Zaria had written. Even though he felt important having successfully completed one whole week at Hogwarts, he still missed his mum, dad, sister and papa.
/*/
When they reached the common room, Zach kept on walking towards the dorms while Aiden and Trevor plopped down in chairs.
Aiden made an offhand remark. "Zach certainly is tightly wound over what you said. I hope Bertie wasn't the cause of our lost points."
Trevor pulled out his Charms book before answering. "Zach will be fine. If Bertie is the cause of the lost points, so be it. He's top in everything he does. A few lost points mean nothing."
Aiden didn't bother to reply even though he knew Trevor was being obtuse. Losing points meant a lot to a House.
They studied in silence for the next hour.
/*/
Zach read Zaria's letter three times. His sister was such a nutter. Some of the stuff in the letter made him laugh and some of it made him sad, but he knew all of it was coming from a place of love. He smiled thinking how mad Zaria would go when she became a part of the best Magical School in the world. Zach wrote a quick letter back to Zaria especially commenting on her need to be dramatic. His letters burned her hands. As if. After the letter was safely in his case, Zach finally got down to studying. He was reciting potions formulas over and over when Aiden stuck his head in the door.
"Come on out Zach. Bertie wants to have a word with all of us."
Zach dropped everything onto his bed and hurried out to the common room where Bertie was standing in the middle of the room surrounded by all the House members.
/*/
There were two more late comers behind Zach. Once they were either settled in a chair or leaned against the wall, Bertie began to speak about what led up to Gryffindor House losing ten House points. As he explained what had happened, the room went so quiet all you could hear was breathing. Their Bertie had lost them points. No one could believe it. However, as Bertie got deeper into the explanation, the atmosphere became tense. Older Gryffindors seemed ready to go out to hunt down the first Slytherin they saw. Realizing this, Bertie was quick to discourage any such actions firmly letting them know there would be consequences for anyone who accosted a Slytherin without cause.
"Without cause? They've given us a cause." Stated one of the older Gryffindors.
Bertie became firm as he turned to the fellow who had made the remark. "You heard what I said. Do not allow this unfortunate incident to get your arse in trouble. Had I been thinking it wouldn't have come to this. I wanted this time to offer my apologies to the entire House and caution you all about acting before thinking. In no way does this mean you should allow others to run over you, but there won't be any unnecessary retribution. So that's the story of how I lost us ten points. Faces front and shoulders straight. Let this be the first and last time we have to think about points lost. That's all I have. Return to what you were doing. Lights out in twenty."
Neither Aiden nor Trevor dared to look at Zach. It would be heartbreaking to see a mate cry. Neither Gryffindor had to worry though because outspoken Zach spoke his thoughts before everyone dispersed.
"Thank you for telling us Bertie. It's a private matter you could have kept to yourself. No matter what happened or what points were taken, we are all behind you one hundred percent because you are one of the most trustworthy and reliable students at Hogwarts."
Zach then headed to his dorm room neither looking left nor right.
The room was silent for a moment after Zach's little speech until Jackson stood and began clapping. Then everyone was cheering and trying to clap Bertie on the back all at the same time. An embarrassed Bertie made a little joke.
"And I'm fun to be around."
The cheering turned to laughter and remained laughter until the common room emptied out.
Jackson, Butters, Summerlin and Beth all gathered around Bertie but Jackson spoke.
"I tease you about the hero worship Zach has for you, but tonight he said what everyone was thinking. Thanks for sharing mate. I'll see you all later. I'm going to the dorms."
Realizing Bertie might want a few minutes with Beth, Jackson headed for the new dorms gesturing for Butters and Summerlin to follow. After saying goodnight to Beth, that's exactly what they did.
/*/
Beth was ecstatic. She had chosen to get on the calendar of the most forthright and upstanding wizard in Gryffindor probably all of Hogwarts. He deserved a few discreet kisses. Even though the common room was empty, Beth guided Bertie to the private alcove below the stairway to the girls dorms to give Bertie the kisses he deserved.
Bertie welcomed them all.
/*/
In the First Year dorms, Trevor spoke earnestly to Zach. "That was a great statement you made about Bertie. Aiden and I might laugh and joke about certain things, but we agree with every word you said out there tonight. Bertie is the wizard."
"I agree." Aiden added.
Zach, who had expected to hear a ton of nonsense from his mates was overwhelmed. "I only said what I feel. Thanks for the support mates."
"That's how we feel Zach, but Jackson and Butters will probably take the Mickey out of you until the end of Seventh Year."
Zach laughed. "I'm sure they will."