Anything from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR. Other than that, I made it all up. Angst/Anxiety/Drama. AU. Enjoy.
Rated M for language and situations.
Previously on A Riddle With Another Name 13: Memories Unbottled
Dumbledore sat down in his desk chair. He had triumphed yet he had failed. He had Malfoy dead to rights, but the slippery Tom Riddle had gotten away clean. After pondering for several minutes, Dumbledore made a decision. He would deal out the harshest punishment possible to Malfoy then punish Riddle and the rest of his toadies as well. Waving his hand yet again, he woke Malfoy. This time, Dumbledore had some strong words for the unsuspecting student.
"I have in my hand evidence you are the person who attacked Zachary Glover in the odd corridor yesterday between 11:22 and 11:55. The attack was heinous and unprovoked. I intend to set the harshest possible punishment. However, before we get to that, I'll have to notify the Headmaster and your Head of House as well. Until then, you will be detained."
As Dumbledore restrained him with a spell, Malfoy went into full panic mode. Not only because he was being detained, or the Headmaster and Tom would be notified, but because he did remember attacking Glover but had no idea why.
/*/
While Malfoy was panicking, Dumbledore was sending out messages to Headmaster Dippet and Tom Riddle requesting an immediate meeting in the Headmaster's Office on a matter of extreme urgency.
Dumbledore began tapping his fingers on the desk. "I think before this day is over, you will regret attacking an innocent First Year. Now we wait for a response."
The response from Headmaster Dippet was almost immediate. He and Malfoy should come to his office immediately.
"Time to go Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore remarked as he released Malfoy from the restraining charm. "Stand up. Let's go see if the glib Mr. Riddle can get you out of this."
/
/
A/N: I might have have misspoke in several chapters. Horace Slughorn is Head of Slytherin House not Tom Riddle. Tom Riddle made himself Head/Top wizard of Slytherin Dorms. The mistake will not be carried forward.
A Riddle With Another Name 14: The Proof Is In The Memories
As he and Malfoy walked the corridors leading to the Headmaster's office, Dumbledore stopped in place. Anger over what had been done had caused him to get ahead of himself. He had overlooked one tiny but powerfully significant piece of evidence. During the attack, Zach had heard his attacker clearly state,
What am I to do now? I'm not Tom. I don't want to kill anyone.
Because he was Albus Dumbledore, things sorted themselves very quickly in his head. He had removed all mention of Tom from Zach's memories to prevent the First Year from seeking revenge, but he had the original memories stored safely away. He had to get back to his office.
A still panic stricken Malfoy who was following behind Albus automatically backed up two steps fearing the Transfiguration Professor had decided to mete out some justice even before they got to the Headmaster.
Dumbledore noticed Malfoy's frantic movement and lashed out. "Now is not the time for you to fall apart Mr. Malfoy. There will be time enough for that when you are standing in front of the Headmaster. Stand there and do not move. There is an important piece of evidence I must retrieve."
Hurrying back down the corridor, Dumbledore mentally chastised himself for acting like some novice. He did have a way to connect Tom Riddle to the attack, an indisputable way.
While Malfoy waited for Dumbledore he tried to make sense of it all. He did remember attacking Glover, but why? He knew Tom and the others hated the upstart, but for him to just attack the boy on his own was unfathomable. He'd never do anything of the sort without being told even if he thought it would please his master. He wasn't that brave or stupid. Tom Riddle would have a shite fit and fall in it if anyone stepped over the line.
Two minutes to his office and back he was once again facing Abraxas Malfoy. "Look sharp Mr. Malfoy. The Headmaster is expecting us."
"Yes sir." Malfoy replied being careful to stay two steps behind.
/*/
As Dumbledore and Malfoy were approaching the Headmaster's door, footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs. Dumbledore didn't bother turning around. Tom Riddle had been summoned. Tom didn't say a word to Dumbledore, but growled out scathing words for Malfoy.
"If you've done anything to sully our House name Malfoy, I'll…."
Knowing what he did about the entire situation, Dumbledore interjected some words of wisdom into Tom's tirade still without turning around. "Be careful with your words Mr. Riddle. Threatening a student in the presence of a Hogwart's professor is a punishable offense, Head of Dorms or not. I suggest you save your breath until we are in front of Headmaster Dippet."
Tom snapped up straight with a hundred thoughts running through his head. How he hated this arrogant, miserable, poor excuse for a wizard. He had said it many times. Dumbledore would live to regret going up against the heir of Slytherin, custodian of the Gaunt ring, owner of a Basilisk and holder of a great secret. For now, Dumbledore might have the upper hand, but it wouldn't always be that way.
Tom responded barely able to hide the sarcasm in his voice. "My mistake Professor Dumbledore. This Head of Dorms does not care to be charged with a punishable offense."
Despicable piece of work thought Dumbledore as Headmaster Dippet called for them to enter. If he had his way, Tom Riddle would be charged with much more than a punishable offense.
/*/
Armando Dippet invited the three wizards to take seats. Once they were seated, he delivered quite the soliloquy about the reputation of Hogwarts, a student being attacked while under his protection, illegal spells and treachery. He went on so long even Dumbledore was annoyed and had intervened.
"If I may Headmaster. While all you say is true, I believe the memorial evidence I have to present will clear up everything. It is vile and hard to watch, but will lend credence to my belief a conspiracy against Zachary Glover was intentional and meant to kill him or at least inflict great bodily harm."
A sputtering Dippet rose hastily from his chair. "It was my understanding that Mr. Glover was the object of a practical joke gone wrong. Now you are telling me a student or students purposely tried to harm Zachary. Unbelievable! Show me the proof Albus and we will deal with it from there."
Dumbledore grumbled silently. He had advised Dippet of what was what, but like some uninformed dolt he had discarded the real for whatever fantasy that made sense to him. With a wave of his wand, Dumbledore produced the Pensieve and three, small vials which contained the memories. Placing everything on the Headmaster's desk, Dumbledore gave his own short soliloquy.
"These memories will prove that two Hogwarts students conspired to kill another Hogwarts students with malice aforethought for no other reason than thinking they were above Hogwarts rules and could do whatever they wished. I believe both students to be guilty, but the one who instigated the despicable deed is guiltiest of all."
Tom Riddle who now knew his deed had been uncovered jumped out of his chair in protest while Abraxas sat there in shock.
"I'm here listening to things I know nothing about. How dare you? If you are insinuating I had anything to do with the attack on Zachary Glover,….."
Dumbledore turned to glare at Tom. "Sit down Tom. This is not Slytherin House. You have no power here. Your protestations will not change anything."
Tom fell back into the chair still grumbling and mumbling under his breath while Malfoy was now beside himself. He remembered attacking Glover and now it appeared he had gotten orders from Tom to do the deed. All he could think was his father would have his arse.
Dumbledore resumed speaking to Headmaster Dippet. ""These are memories I have culled from Mr. Glover, Mr. Jackson and Mr. Malfoy. They speak for themselves."
With another wave of his wand, Dumbledore poured the first vial containing Jackson's memories into the Pensieve inviting Dippet to have a look. Because Dumbledore had chosen to have the memories viewed in three dimensional mode, Tom and Abraxas could see everything as well.
As the memory played, Abraxas let out a whimper. As big as day, he saw himself as his Disillusionment Charm faltered and Jackson appeared to have seen him or the top of his head. Either way, he had been undone. Although there was a glimmer of hope when Jackson remarked he wasn't sure of what he'd seen.
Tom was growling softly to himself. Bloody Malfoy couldn't even hold a charm. So what. It proved nothing. There were several blokes attending Hogwarts with that ugly, blonde hair.
Headmaster Dippet was sitting there sputtering. "It's a memory of students in the odd corridor. What does it mean?"
Dumbledore sighed wondering how someone so dense held the powerful position of Headmaster at Hogwarts.
"Yes Headmaster. It is the memory of a student walking down the odd corridor. Did you also notice the person under the faulty Disillusionment Charm?"
Spots of red appeared on Dippet's cheeks. "Well I… Let me have another look."
This time the Headmaster saw what Dumbledore meant him to see. "Ah yes. The charm fell away for a moment to reveal the top of a head. A blonde head. It happened so quickly I missed it."
Merlin help us thought Dumbledore. "Exactly Headmaster. I'll remind you that at this point, Mr. Glover had already been attacked and was lying helpless in one of the rooms off the corridor. Next I'll show you memories retrieved from Mr. Malfoy which will make things a bit more clear."
Even though he had Obliviated Malfoy's memories, Tom sat there fuming imagining what was coming next while trying to form some excuse if one became necessary. Once Obliviated, memories couldn't be retrieved. However, he also knew Dumbledore had his ways. He might have discovered a way to recall memories that had been removed.
As Dumbledore played Malfoy's memories, Headmaster Dippet sat straight up in his chair. "Are my eyes and ears playing tricks on me? Is that Mr. Malfoy pacing back and forth talking to himself while Mr. Glover lies bound, blinded and gagged at his feet? Did he throw the Sectumsempra Curse?"
Dumbledore straightened up. A very important wizard had just witnessed the attack. "What you saw is a true record of what happened to Zachary Glover, the culprit who precipitated the attack as well as the telling words he spoke which I'll repeat to be sure you have the entire picture. Excuse the language Headmaster, but this is how the miscreant speaks. Now what? Now fucking what? I'm not Tom. I don't want to kill anyone."
Dippet jumped up again and began speaking as though Tom and Malfoy weren't sitting right there in the room.
"Never mind the language. You and I have heard it before. Did Mr. Malfoy comment that he was not Tom? Are we assuming he meant his Head of House Tom Riddle? Are we saying Tom Riddle sent Abraxas Malfoy to attack young Mr. Glover?"
Tom Riddle was beside himself. The bloody idiot Malfoy had bollixed up everything. He was in it now. Well, he was in it if they could prove the Tom which Malfoy spoke of was him.
After turning to glare at Riddle and Malfoy, Dumbledore replied to the Headmaster. "Yes Headmaster. That's exactly what I'm saying. It was a concerted effort to hurt Zachary Glover. I have one last memory belonging to Mr. Glover. Although he was bound, gagged and blindfolded, Zachary could still hear which was unfortunate for the culprit. Mr. Glover's memories reinforce what the other memories show." Dumbledore whipped around and pointed a finger first at Malfoy then at Riddle. "They show and prove Zachary was targeted by Tom Riddle then attacked by Abraxas Malfoy. I suggest the full weight of Hogwarts be brought down on both of them."
Tom jumped up. As futile as it all seemed with the evidence against him he denied everything. Malfoy, who was scared shitless sat staring straight ahead knowing his father might not be able to get him out of this.
Dumbledore didn't respond to Tom's tirade. Instead, he suggested Horace Slughorn, Head of Slytherin House be called to the Headmaster's office after his morning Potions classes.
A tired looking Dippet nodded at Dumbledore. "You send the message Albus while I figure out what comes next.
/*/
Zach, Aiden and Trevor hadn't even gotten to their seats before Eileen was asking questions.
"What are you three playing at? You missed yesterday's afternoon classes. Where were you? It's obvious you all were excused because none of the professors asked for you. I'd like a pass like that." She added softly before giving an update. "I took notes for all three classes which I will gladly share."
Because they had been warned not to discuss anything about Zach's attack and the aftermath, Trevor replied in the simplest of terms. "You're the best Eileen. We'll get the notes after class."
Eileen gave Trevor a searching look before turning towards the front where Professor Slughorn had called the class to order.
The Potions class went smoothly. As promised, Eileen handed Trevor the notes as they left the classroom for their mandated ten minutes morning break.
"I only made one copy. I imagine you, Aiden and Zach are the industrious sorts who will be able to replicate them so you each have a copy. In other news, in case you haven't heard. Mr. Robbins will not be available tomorrow. The Quidditch placement tryouts have been rescheduled to next Saturday. Good fortune for some." She said, glancing over at Zach. "Plenty of time to get the required equipment."
Eileen might be dead smart but, at the moment, she was annoying Zach. She was standing there making cheeky remarks as though she hadn't gotten her equipment from prior year leftovers.
Zach responded a somewhat sharp tone.
"No need to be an arse Eileen just because you are blessed with the ability to snatch items out of the next bloke's hand." Turning to Trevor and Aiden, Zach snapped out a last remark. "You can stand here and be talked down to. I'm going to the boys room. I'll see you in second session."
Eileen stood there with her mouth hanging open wondering what she had said to offend Zach. Instead of standing there embarrassed, she hurried away to have a pee and wash her face.
While Eileen hurried away in one direction, Aiden had turned the other way to shout at Zach. "Oi! Get back here Zach."
Zach, who was wondering why he'd been so rude to Eileen took a deep breath before turning back to face Aiden and Trevor. "I'm sorry mates. There was no need for me to be rude to Eileen. I'll apologize when we go in for second session. I don't know what came over me."
Aiden moved in closer to Zach and spoke in a low voice. "I don't give a shite about you being rude. What's pissing me off is your overwhelming need to do the wrong thing. You were almost killed Zach. What did Professor Dumbledore tell us? What did Bert, Jackson and Butters tell us? What Zach? What did they all tell us?"
Zach felt like an arse. If Aiden hadn't shouted at him, he would have broken the rules once again. He replied solemnly while looking down at his feet. "They told us to travel together to watch each other's backs and not go off alone."
"Correct." Snapped Aiden.
Trevor stepped in. "Like Aiden said, we don't give a shite about you being rude even though you will be apologizing to Eileen. What we care about is not getting killed or expelled. Expelled Zach. Expelled from Hogwarts. Do you want us to be shunted to some other magical school we know nothing about or shunted to separate schools where we'll never see each other again? You are brilliant Zach, but right this moment you are acting like some entitled arse. Like some freaking, entitled Slytherin. Get a grip mate because Aiden and I aren't going to stand by while you get killed or get us killed. If you are going to the boys, let's go so we aren't late back to Potions. We've already wasted five minutes."
The three mates walked quickly in the direction of the boys room with Zach apologizing all the way.
They reached the bathroom, but Aiden was tired of hearing the apologies. "Stop apologizing Zach. We get it, you're sorry. Just remember, apologies won't save our arses if you keep stepping outside the rules. Let's pee and get back to class."
Trevor clapped Zach on the back. "Don't forget to wash those hands. We don't want the potions classroom smelling like pee."
Aiden laughed as Zach gave Trevor an elbow to the side. The three mates left the bathroom seemingly on the same page.
/*/
Once back at the classroom door, Zach gestured for Aiden and Trevor to go ahead. His purpose for remaining in the hall was to apologize to Eileen. Shifting from one foot to the other, Zach was getting anxious. Professor Slughorn would be closing the door soon. Finally, Eileen came down the hall walking with head down.
"Eileen?"
Eileen, who had been caught off guard looked up in surprise. "Zach?"
"Hello Eileen. Sorry I startled you. I know we are cutting it close, but I want to apologize for my comments."
She smiled. Zach had to admit although Eileen wasn't a pretty witch, but she did have a lovely smile.
"We are cutting it close Zach. We should be in our seats. Let's talk after class."
"Okay Eileen. We'll talk after class."
For now, that's all he could do. But it was something. He'd apologize after class.
As Zach slid into his seat, Trevor gave him a nod.
However, Professor Slughorn who seemed annoyed about something made a terse comment.
"Good of you to join us Mr. Glover, Miss Prince. Any later and I would have had to mark you down. Open your books to page twenty five. Give me two uses for Dragon Blood…. Mr. Gordon."
Second session Potions had begun.
/*/
Horace Slughorn had been his normal jovial self, but was now annoyed. During the ten minute break, he had received a message from Albus Dumbledore requesting his presence in the Headmaster's office after his Potions class finished. Dumbledore hadn't written much more than it was a matter pertaining to student discipline and of extreme importance.
In between whines, Horace was popping small pieces of crystallized pineapple into his mouth. "Extreme importance, bah. What is Dumbledore playing at? Just take some damn House points and be done with it. Although they are both brilliant wizards, both Dumbledore and Dippet are extremely long winded. I imagine I can kiss my free periods goodbye."
Horace placed his hands on either side of his temples trying to stop the throbbing. One or more of his miscreants had done something that warranted his appearance in the Headmaster's office. Bloody sixth years were always into something. If he had his way, they'd all be sent home to mum.
"Lovely start to a Friday." Slughorn huffed, waving his wand to clear the sugar from his hands before making his way back to the classroom.
/*/
Tom Riddle was still posturing hoping to intimidate the easily intimidated Headmaster. "I am missing my classes." He huffed. "You have evidence of someone named Tom initiating an attack on a student. You do not have evidence that it was Tom Riddle. Why aren't other students named Tom in here? Why haven't you asked Malfoy if it was me?"
Dippet sat at his desk looking constipated wishing he was anywhere other than where he was. If it came down to severely punishing a Malfoy, he could visualize Septimus or Armand II cursing him without thought. At this moment in time, even knowing this was a serious matter, Armando Dippet wanted nothing to do with the Malfoys.
Dumbledore who wasn't easily intimidated turned another glare on Tom.
"Sit still and close you mouth Tom. You are being detained because you are the Tom who gives the orders in the Slytherin Dorms. You are the Tom who manipulates students to do your bidding. You've been caught and suddenly you don't know anything about anything. It won't work. As far as this meeting goes, we will wait for your Head of House to get here before setting punishment."
Suddenly, Tom relaxed. He had a thread of hope. Horace Slughorn would come to his defense. After all, he was Slughorn's pet. The Potions Professor wouldn't sit still for anyone handing out a harsh punishment to his most favored student. With a seeming savior just over the horizon, Tom Riddle felt a tad bit sorry for what he had done to Slughorn with the crystallized pineapple. However, that sentiment quickly disappeared. Slughorn had embarrassed him. He deserved what he got.
Closing his eyes and leaning back in the chair, Tom began to think about the destruction he would bring down on them all.
/*/
Having just finished up their class in Muggle Studies, Bertie, Jackson and Butters were spending their short break standing around the hall outside the Arithmancy classroom waiting for Professor Vector to open the doors.
Butters was grousing as he did after every Muggle Studies class. "We're wizards. Why do we give a shite what happens in the Muggle world? They'd burn us all if they believed we really existed. They're so daft they think we are figments of their imaginations. Blast them all."
Both Bertie and Jackson sighed. Their mate was working himself up over nothing. Muggle Studies was a required course and would remain a required course until it wasn't. If the truth be told, there was more benefit than harm in knowing what went on in the Muggle world.
Bertie clapped Butters on the shoulder. "Calm down mate. Jackson and I have heard this all before. You don't like Muggle Studies and you can't see any benefit in taking the course. That's fine. However, seeing how you can't change the curriculum, just go with it."
"Or!" Exclaimed Jackson with a bit of sarcasm. "Speak to the Headmaster to see if you can transfer to a class of your liking. I'm sure he'd be willing to adjust your schedule because you are special."
Bertie laughed out loud. "You know you're special. Jackson and I know you're special, but Headmaster might see it differently. Besides, one day your handsome arse might fall in love with some lovely Muggle who won't mind you being a figment of her imagination."
Butters rolled his eyes but responded with a chuckle while watching a comely Fourth Year who waved at him as she passed. "Shut it you prats. The only thing you have right is I'm a handsome arse. Just ask Cecily. She'll confirm."
Bertie gave Butters a knock on the arm. "All happy now that a witch gave you a wave. You'd better get your mind off the witches and onto Arithmancy. You know, the class which isn't a figment of your imagination."
"Hahaha. Leave the bloke alone Bertie. The only way he'll pass Arithmancy is with the help of Cecily."
"The both of you can just feck off. Professor Vector has opened the doors. Let's go." Butters called over his shoulder as he strode ahead to walk in with Cecily.
Jackson and Bertie followed behind without saying another word because Cecily was a very comely witch.
/*/
Even though the events surrounding Zach had been settled satisfactorily, Richard Gibbons had remained overnight Thursday. There wasn't any sense in him going home then have to turn right around to come back for Zaria. Daniel was already off to work so he was enjoying breakfast with his two favorite witches, Samantha and Zaria.
Zaria made an out of the blue comment. "When I get to Hogwarts, I'm going to write a petition which would allow families to visit their sons and daughters. Perhaps not all the time but on weekends at least."
Papa Gibbons glanced over at Samantha who replied to her daughter. "While it's lovely to have goals Zaria, you should keep them reasonable. Interfering with Hogwarts rules that have been in force for ages doesn't seem reasonable."
Pushing around the eggs on her plate, Zaria shared her thinking. "It might not seem reasonable at the start, but I'll be there for seven years. Perhaps things will have changed by the end."
Papa Gibbons saw the catch-22. "By the time you're in Seventh Year, Zach will already have graduated and you'll be a bit old to have your parents and papa visiting you on the weekend."
Zaria thought about it for a second before responding. "That's true papa, but it would be helpful to all the new students coming to Hogwarts as a first trip away from home. So even though it might not benefit either Zach, or myself, it would benefit someone."
Samantha smiled at her grandfather. His great granddaughter was going to either be a force to be reckoned with or a persona non grata during her Hogwarts years.
Samantha patted Zaria on the hand. "It's always good to have goals. Just remember not to become an overstepping nuisance who is abhorred by everyone."
Rising from her chair, Zaria cleared the table while offering a small bit of cheek. "No worries there mum. I'm Zach's sister. Everyone will love me, my other brother not included."
Even though it was a surprising response, Papa Gibbons shook his head before Samantha could reply. "As your mum has said, it's good to have proper goals. After you finish the dishes, I suggest you go get yourself in order for the trip to my house. Be thorough. We wouldn't want mum to find a reason to keep you home."
"I'll be thorough but mum has given her word and as you know, we Glovers never go back on our word."
As much as Samantha loved her precocious daughter, she was still the mum and had to keep Zaria from crossing lines or speaking out of turn.
"That's enough Zaria. Going word for word with papa isn't the way to go. After dishes, check for Owls then make sure your room is tidy."
Zaria didn't think she'd gone word for word with papa, but she wasn't going to challenge her mum. She was looking forward to learning a few spells and helping papa with the pets. Contrary to what she'd said, if her mum thought she was acting out, she would definitely go back on her word.
"Okay mum. Your wish is my command."
/*/
Samantha used her wand to summon the tea, kettle and two cups. "Have a cup of tea with me papa."
"Of course. I'd love a cup of tea. I want to remind you I will be teaching Samantha some small bit of magic this weekend. Nothing monumental. Without a wand, it is only theory anyway."
Samantha spoke in a low voice. "Keep a good eye on her papa. I know she is fearless but I wouldn't put anything past that miserable Riddle. Like Zaria, I'm fairly certain Zach's attack was orchestrated by the filthy blighter. I don't want anything to happen to my daughter."
Daniel stood and put his arms around his granddaughter. "Zaria will be with me. I'll keep her safe. Please stop fretting and give me milk for my tea."
Twisting her wand in a small circle, Samantha moved a carton of milk to the table.
"Happy now Mr. Gibbons?"
"I'm very happy Sam. Thank you. Nice wand work by the way. Your magic is coming along."
/*/
Samantha and Richard were enjoying a second cup of tea when Zaria came back through carrying a letter from Quality Quidditch Supplies. "Daddy has a letter. I think it must be about Zach's Quidditch stuff. Shall I open it?"
"Zaria!"
"Just kidding mum." She said, laying the letter on the table. "Zach will be so happy. My brother is going to be a huge Quidditch star. I've fetched the mail, cleaned my room and packed my bag. I'm ready to go papa."
"Slow down Zaria. Papa and I were chatting. Why don't you go read for a bit? He'll call you when he is ready to go."
Zaria wanted to pull a pout but like before, she realized bad behavior wouldn't work in her favor.
Forty five minutes later, Papa Gibbons called out he was ready to leave. He shrunk down Zaria's bag and stood by as she hugged her mum. Pulling out a brass cylinder, Richard said goodbye to Samantha and told Zaria to grab on.
Two seconds later, Samantha was alone in her living room already missing her daughter.
/*/
Morning classes were over and done. Professor Slughorn was in his office after clearing up the Potions classroom. Some of the younger students could definitely use more home training he thought as he placed classwork folders away.
Horace was procrastinating. He had been summoned to Dippet's office but was reluctant to go. He honestly hoped he wouldn't have to take points or issue demerits to some poor son on this lovely Friday. However, as he proceeded down the hall and up the stairs to the Headmaster's Office, Horace knew he was probably asking too much.