Chapter Twenty-Six

Eileen found herself once again in the Riddle gang. She knew she was only there as they all wanted to keep a close eye on her. Tom would never trust her again but he was at least was satisfied she wouldn't write to her father about him. She destroyed the half-written letter in front of them to prove her newly established loyalty. Walburga had taken her place however as Tom's most trusted female member of the gang. Though she was back in the group as she was allowed to sit with them again. Her overnight stint in the hospital wing was briefly talked about as it spread around the school. A schoolboy prank gone wrong was simply the only reason given by the Slytherin students. Nobody dared ask Eileen as she was always surrounded by the Riddle gang again. Lucy was shocked as were a lot of people as they thought she was going to be shunned forever. Betty was sat with her sister and her friends during the break as she put on her bravest face.

"Orford really looks after me" Betty assured her older Hufflepuff sister Ruth.

"Is Tom really as bad behind closed doors?" Ruth nervously asked.

The girl's facial expression changed as she put on a fake smile and giggle as she shook her head..."No, he's not bad" Betty insisted.

"Betty. You know you can tell me anything...And don't forget mother and father. We want to help"

"You know it's really hard being in Slytherin when everyone thinks you're evil. I'm sorry to disappoint but we aren't. We are just students trying to get good marks and have a good time like everyone else"

"I know not everyone in there is evil. You forget who you to speak to...I'm just worried about Tom and his gang. That's all"

"Well don't bother. They haven't done anything...I don't see people accusing Olive Hornby and her gang of being evil" Betty said firmly with her arms crossed.

She didn't like all these questions and wanted them to stop. Surely Ruth must know she can't say anything even if she wanted to. Ruth gave up as she told her fine, she won't ask anymore questions. The first-year Slytherin girl gave one more false smile before walking over towards her friends. As she began chatting away to them in a serious tone of voice as they walked towards the great hall. Ruth giving a small sigh as she leaned against the wall.

"Well that's that then, she doesn't seem in that much distress" Poppy spoke up to her friend.

"She's just putting up a wall" Ruth remarked.

"Maybe she's right though. They can't be that bad as they allowed Eileen back in the group" Lucy chimed in.

"Stop being so naïve, Lucy. It's really not going to help you in the long run. I'm saying that as your friend, alright?" Ruth asked.

Lucy giving a half-hearted shrug in response. She quickly excused herself as she spotted Argus. He still looked exhausted as it was clear that Peeves won't let him sleep still. The young assistant caretaker had his mop with him as he was on his way to the trophy room. Lucy walking there with him as she locked arms with her dear friend.

"I hope it's skurge so I can test out the new charm we learned" Lucy spoke.

"It's not skurge, it's sick" Argus grunted.

Making her pull a slight face as she walked up the stairs. Through the hallways and into the trophy room. Sick was indeed on the floor, some third-year student ate something that didn't agree with them. Lucy standing by the side as she watched him mop it up. Magic could be used but Oakleigh left these jobs to him so he could feel useful.

"Do you want to play marbles again?" Lucy asked him.

"I'm too busy. I got work to do after this...I got some plants and vegetables to collect for Herbert Beery. Then I got to clean up Oakleigh's office and room as he does the main jobs" Argus answered with a yawn.

"Is Peeves keeping you up at night still?"

"Always. He doesn't stop...I wish he would die" Argus paused before adding..."Well, be banished. You know what I mean"

Lucy giving the smallest smile in response.

...

"Hogsmeade! Hogsmeade!" Ogg was shouting out in the hallway during breakfast a few mornings later.

The older students looking excited, especially the third-years who had never got to go before. Ruth, Victoria and Poppy looking at each other with smiles as they could finally go. They said goodbye to Lucy (she only being a second-year) and told her they would bring her back something. It was a Saturday and thus no lessons were to be had. The hallway was soon left with only first-years and second-years as they all finished their breakfast slowly, some looking jealous as they watched their older friends leave for a lovely trip out. Lucy briefly looking at the Slytherin table as she saw Walburga leaning in to Tom as she said something in his ear before departing in her green winter cloak. Eileen rolling her eyes as she watched her leave with an excited Druella.

"Walburga likes you, Tom" Lestrange spoke up as he leaned in closer towards his friend.

Tom barely understanding this statement. He was thirteen next month but unlike most boys his age, he never thought about girls. His mind was on his cause and his plan. Not things like girls, relationships or even friendships. He didn't care for sports or fictional books. He didn't care for anything much as he didn't feel love or hardly any normal emotions at all. Something even his loyal friends understood as Lestrange, Avery and Nott had these sorts of chats among themselves.

"She's ugly. Very ugly" Tom replied back in a quiet tone of voice.

"Well she's no Druella. I grant you but she's not Eileen Prince either. I think she looks fine, do you really not think so?" Lestrange asked.

This question just made him look slightly perplexed. He never even thought about it as he didn't think he needed to. As Tom carried on eating without answering the question as he just gave a sarcastic snort. Making Lestrange lean back as he knew he wasn't getting any answers in that department from him. He turned towards Avery and Nott instead as he asked them...

"Tom thinks Walburga is ugly, do you think so?" Lestrange questioned them.

"She's not ugly. Tom is just hard to please...Oi Tom!" Nott called over.

Making Tom look towards him. The lad was irritated by this point as he glared in Nott's direction. Nott walked over as he leaned in to say something in a quiet tone as they didn't want to discuss girls loudly in front of actual girls as Eileen Prince and other second-year girls were present as he asked...

"Who do you think is pretty?"

"Why do you ask, Nott? Have you got your eye on somebody? Sit back down you dullard" Tom jibed.

Nott giving up too as he walked back to his chair. Eileen did hear some of that but she didn't care if they found her uglier than Walburga. The last thing she wanted to do was settle down with a pure-blood wizard. She couldn't think of anything worse actually. The first-year girls were far too young meanwhile to even notice what the slightly older boys were talking about. As Betty and her friends were giggling over something in the corner. Victor Crabbe and Graham Goyle on the other side as the two boys ate their breakfast.

...

A little while later, Argus was once again walking the hallways with his mop and bucket. The boy always enjoyed it when the students went away or were in exams as it meant less work for him. Not to mention that his brother Archibald always brought him something back from Hogsmeade. He was bored on this weekend though, he briefly passed Oakleigh Burton in the hallway which is when he felt hands going over his eyes. Lucy giggling as she pulled apart, making him point his finger at her as he got out his book and jokingly added her name to his list. Lucy giving a fake gasp.

"I'm bored too...What should we do?" Lucy asked as she locked arms with him.

"Could we play tag again? I liked that one"

"Alright"

Argus excused himself briefly as he placed his mop against the wall. Coming back with a grin as he shouted..."Tag!" as he touched her shoulder. Making her having to run after him as the children played the muggle game around Hogwarts and it's grounds. Some second-years and first-years watching them play with interest as some of the pure-blood children have never seen this game before.

"Tag!" Lucy yelled as she touched Argus on his arm just about; making her turn back around.

The children ran past an amused Albus Dumbledore. Tom knew what this game was as much as he didn't want admit to it, the muggle children he lived with played it. He just watched in silent disgust. Argus and Lucy ran in all directions as they tried to dodge each other. Charity Burbage spotting a glimpse of them from her classroom as she drank some butterbeer. It was a bit more intense than at home however as they had to avoid running into ghosts (or Galatea Merrythought).

"Tag!" Argus shouted as he touched Lucy's hand before speeding back down the hallway.

She chased him outside into the courtyard. He briefly held onto his chest as he had a stitch. Making him put his hand up as if to say he gave up. Lucy giving a small giggle as she sat besides him on the edge of the fountain. Both of them having to catch their breath. Lucy had so fun playing her old muggle games with Argus, she was happy that he could be included in them.

"It's so easy to amaze the pure-bloods" Lucy spoke with a small wink.

"Yes quite...Thank you Lucy, I needed that bit of fun. I just wish I could play better games with you"

"Tag is a wonderful game, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Besides I play gobstones for a club, not for fun"

"It looks fun"

"It's only marbles with a bit of magic" Lucy insisted; trying to make it seem less fun for his benefit.

Argus giving a small shrug in response. He really hated not having magic and he did wonder if going to a muggle school might be easier. Though he didn't want to leave the world he was born into. He just knew that he would always be wishing for more and would rather at least be near it.

...

TBC