Chapter Nineteen
The night after the exams had ended in a small party. As the seventh-year Hufflepuffs stayed up late with snuck-in butterbeers and sweets. A self-playing flute was playing in the air as they danced around the room to the fast flute music. Some of the fifth and sixth year students had remained up to join the party. The 'Head Boy' and 'Head Girl' making sure the noise levels weren't too loud so the younger students could sleep. The Ravenclaw and Gryffindor common rooms were very similar as dancing, laughter and some tears could be heard as the seventh-year students knew they were on their final few weeks at Hogwarts. Down in the dungeons however in the Slytherin common room. The seventh-year students were huddled in a corner as they were hushing to each other. No party or celebration was to be seen in there. Charles (who witnessed Tom Riddle and the adder snake) was among them as he was in his final year as well.
"We are leaving behind a very unhappy house. I should be glad but I'm not...You know if things go wrong, we'll be blamed. The likes of Slughorn has worked so hard to prove that Slytherins aren't evil...then we have Tom Riddle to just ruin that hard work" Charles spoke in a quiet but serious tone.
"A lot of his so-called friends are clearly frightened of him. The first-year is suppose to be wonderful but not for them. His...he's like a dementor. Those poor children" the seventh-year girl paused as she looked at her friends faces..."Yes! Poor children I call them. Tom Riddle is the root cause of this"
"I declare the likes of Walburga and Druella are only too pleased" another seventh-year boy chimed in.
"Well some are but I'm sure most aren't. We know that...Eileen Prince for example, she's never smiled since she come here. Tom is sucking whatever life she has left in her...No wonder Irving Malfoy took his son out of school" that same seventh-year girl added.
Though the sudden creaking made them stop as Tom Riddle entered. He could sense they were talking about him. He sat down in the chair and stared right at them, knowing they would be gone soon anyway. The seventh-year students broke apart suddenly as they walked towards Tom. Sitting in the empty chairs and couches as the mood went lower than ever before. The seventh-year girl tried to give him a polite smile but he didn't give any look back.
"You're up late, Tom" Charles spoke up, feeling pathetic at being scared over a twelve year old boy.
"I couldn't sleep. Heard voices" Tom replied.
"Oh sorry. We were trying to be quiet" the seventh-year girl from before said.
Tom remained silent as he just sat there. The older students looked between each other as they reluctantly said good night to each other. Annoyed that Tom Riddle had interrupted them. It was pathetic that these seventeen and eighteen year old students felt threatened by a twelve year old. Though the control he had over the other children and teenagers was something that worried everyone. Any complaints were shot down by Hogwarts as overreactions. All but one seventh-year student remained as Charles said he would be up in a minute.
"What are you playing at, Tom?" Charles asked when everyone else was gone.
"I don't know what you mean" Tom answered simply.
"Don't take me for a fool. I met children like you before...Those who think they know everything. By the third-year, most of you fall flat on your face. The whole child prodigy thing doesn't look so shiny when you reach your teenage years"
"I'm no child prodigy. I'm something much more...You won't be here to see it of cause. You'll be stuck in some dead-end job at Diagon Alley or something by the time I reach my goal"
"And what is your goal?" Charles questioned; the small dig went under the radar.
"Now that would be telling, wouldn't it? Just wait and see...Charles. Now I must go to bed. Good night" Tom said.
Getting up from his chair and going back to his dormitory. Charles was left with his thoughts and they were racing. He hoped that was just empty flannel. Surely he has no real plan. The faint sounds of snoring and breathing from the sleeping students made Charles retreat to bed himself. Though he couldn't sleep hardly that night as his short chat with Tom had left an impression.
...
The end-of-year feast had began a couple nights later. As students from all houses sat around their respective tables. The Slytherin seventh-years looked close to tears and it wasn't just because they were leaving Hogwarts. They were upset about leaving the younger students behind to deal with Tom Riddle. The sixth-year students coming up to their final year had promised to look after them. Headmaster Dippet stood up as he began his speech, making the students and teachers alike fall into silence.
"I would like to begin by saying what a remarkable year it's been. Now as some of you had already guessed and I'm forced to announce some sad news about one of your classmates. Abraxas Malfoy left some months ago now as you all know and he will not be returning as he will be home-schooled" Dippet began.
Sounds of murmurs were heard among the tables. Many of the students had guessed this but to hear it from the headmaster himself confirmed it. Some thought he might still return but he really wasn't coming back. Irving Malfoy of cause would have no say on future generations who may wish to attend. Though in regards to his son, he wouldn't be coming back.
"Quiet down...quiet down. Now let's get to the more fun part as I announce the winner of this year's house cup. In fourth place is Hufflepuff with 120 points" Dippet said.
The Hufflepuff table giving nervous smiles as they looked at each other. Sarcastic claps from the other tables were heard. Lucy giving a sigh, she was so disappointed. She had lost 30 points for them during the school year. Ruth giving her a gentle pat on her shoulder as if to say no hard feelings.
"In third place is Ravenclaw with 127 points"
This made that table groan slightly. Archibald Filch wasn't happy at all he scanned the table, wanting to berate those who lost his house points. Nobody was fessing up however as they remained quiet.
"In second place is Gryffindor with 135 points"
Another set of loud groans was heard as the Gryffindor students glared at the Slytherin table.
"Which means...with 146 points...Slytherin is in first place!"
The Slytherin table erupted in cheering and loud clapping. As Dippet made the Slytherin house colours decorate the great hall. Horace Slughorn stood up as he clapped himself, getting stares from the other heads of houses. As he shouted...
"Well done! Well done!"
His students looked very happy for once. Even the seventh-years had perked up as it was lovely for them to be able to win on their final year. Tom Riddle however didn't look that pleased. He was just mildly smug as to him, it didn't mean anything. Dippet clapped again as the feast appeared on each table. The Slytherin table eating away happily. The other houses began chatting among themselves as they began to eat the glorious feast.
"They only won because they keep getting high marks in lessons" Ruth Fisk spoke up to the Hufflepuff table.
"I know. They are a very clever bunch of students, most of them. Though it's a shame because we worked so hard as well. Every house has good and bad students...I just think Slytherin's got quantity over quality at the moment" Poppy chimed in.
"No doubt, Poppy. Let's hope the balance is restored this September" Ruth said.
...
The 'Hogwarts Express' pulled into 'King's Cross Station' as the summer break had began. As the bustle of students once again came out, Lucy walking out with her friends again like last time. The children coming onto the muggle platform were soon blending in with the crowds. Lucy's trolley was filled with her suitcase and pet cat 'Mr Filch'. As she waited on the muggle platform with Ruth and Myrtle. Poppy and Victoria's parents were once again right on cue. For the first time, the girls saw Tom Riddle out in the wild so to speak. He stood on the muggle platform with his suitcase. He briefly spoke to Eileen (giving her a note) as she put it in her pocket. Before walking away into the muggle crowd and out of sight. Eileen walking back towards the centre as she waited for her father and step-mother.
"I wonder what note that was...probably a note on how to bully people better next term" Myrtle spoke up, making Ruth and Lucy glance at her.
Ruth giving a chortle at the suggestion.
"Quite right, Myrtle. Anyway, what are you girls planning on doing over the summer?" Ruth asked.
"Oh I don't know. Hoping we don't need to use our shelter I expect. Mother's been sick with worry ever since the army demanded young men sign up again. It's alright for you pure-bloods with your protective charms around your houses" Myrtle answered; making the mood go sour.
Though that was the sad reality for muggle-borns returning home this year.
"Sorry, I didn't think. The minister for magic has been talking with the muggle prime minster quite a lot according to the Daily Prophet" Ruth informed them.
"It's awful, really. We just got to be careful...try not to fret Myrtle. Nothing's been confirmed yet. Though I understand why you worry" Lucy spoke, trying to reassure her.
Deep down however, she was just as worried as her about it. Ruth couldn't quite relate for she lived in the middle of nowhere and they had a protective charm around the house for extra measure. She didn't live right in a muggle town or city like these two did. The mood wasn't very good anymore as they waited a few minutes in silence. Severus Prince was seen walking towards his daughter Eileen during this time as the girl went away quietly with him this time. Her step-mother was notably absent.
"My parents are over there. I must go...see you next term, girls" Ruth spoke.
"Bye Ruth" Lucy replied.
As she watched her make a quick exit as she rushed towards her parents. They embraced her warmly like last time. Once again, the muggle-borns were the last ones waiting for their parents as the the trains pulled in and out. Lucy waited and waited until a train pulled in. Out came her parents and out came Myrtle's parents as the girls rushed towards them. They missed them dreadfully. The Norris family and Warren family kept in touch nowadays as both muggle parents could relate to each other like nobody else could.
"How was school?" Edwin Norris asked his daughter as they pulled apart. He gripped onto her suitcase.
"Fun. We had exams though" Lucy told him as she lifted up Mr Filch in his cage.
The chat was quite casual as the parents talked to each other again. Making plans to let the girls visit each other during the holidays. The Warren family lived quite far however so when they did, they knew it would have to be a short holiday as one would have to live with the other for a couple days. Lucy mentioned visiting Argus Filch as well if his parents agreed. They just told her they would think about it as writing is one thing, visiting is another.
...
TBC