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 21: Onto Something
Next, there was Cecilia Wallace, blonde, age 20 at the time. There was quite a bit about Cecilia who had been engaged to Riddle Sr. until he suddenly turned up married to an ugly troll of a woman (Merope Gaunt). The articles were full of photos of a red faced Cecilia with her father's arm wrapped protectively around her. There were subsequent articles and photos of a stern faced Cecilia disputing all rumors of her getting back with her former fiance. She'd had many choice, unladylike words for Riddle Sr. And that had been that for Cecilia.
Geraldine Dorset, dark blonde, age 20 at the time. This almost plain looking woman hadn't stayed around long enough to have many photos or articles written about her and Riddle Sr. By the information in front of him, Tom surmised this woman had only been on Riddle's arm for a month or less.
Samantha Gibbons, different. Although she had a very pretty face for a muggle, she, she, she….. Tom sat bolt upright. Samantha Gibbons had married Riddle Sr. on 10 September 1931. Tom began frantically searching through every document. He found a subsequent article explaining how Riddle Sr. had walked away from Samantha Riddle in 1935. The only other information to be found was she seemed to have evaporated into thin air after her husband deserted her. Nothing else was found about Samantha Riddle after 1935.
Tom swiped his arm across the desk sending all the carefully sorted materials flying across the room. He didn't want to study another muggle woman. He had found what he wanted. His so-called father had had another wife. Did they have children? Did she go mad after Riddle Sr. left and get sent to the madhouse? Had she been left to die like Merope? What happened to Samantha Riddle? And did she have any children?
Tom stood up screaming and slashing the air with his wand. "What good is bloody information if it isn't all there? Where is Samantha Gibbons?"
Swinging his wand in a less haphazard manner, Tom sent all information except Samantha's flying back into the box. He had an idea. If old Sluggy knew anything about Samantha Riddle, Tom was he could be cajoled into telling it. With a swear on his lips, Tom shrunk the box back down to pocket size. He was ready to get back to the Slytherin Dorms. As far as he was concerned, nothing was more important to him than finding out if there were filthy, muggle children out there with Tom Sr.'s blood. If there were, they were dead muggles walking.
/*/
Over at the grandfather's house, Zaria Glover sat up in bed while still in a deep sleep and spoke to the air.
"Be careful Zach. He's coming."
By the time Papa Gibbons reached the bedroom to check on Zaria, she was back in deep sleep and couldn't hear a thing.
Richard Gibbons wasn't sure but he thought Zaria had called out for Zach. He left the bedroom worried something else had happened at Hogwarts.
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name 22: Tom Being Tom
Tom Riddle moved silently as he entered the Slytherin dorms. Even though none of his minions would dare question him being out of the dorms, he was still cautious. None of the nosy dolts needed to know his business. As it was, they knew far too much already.
Once in his room, Tom immediately threw up locking and silencing charms, just in case. Just in case? Just in case? He roared with laughter. There never had been and never would be a just in case. He was Master. He was Lord Voldemort. No one would think to enter his private rooms without invitation. With a shrug of his wand, Tom sent the box flying into a dark corner while he laid the information about Samantha Gibbons Riddle on the bedside table.
"What to do? How shall I approach this with Professor Slughorn? One thing is sure. I'll have to approach him in my most charming manner. I hope he'll be in a better frame of mind when I next approach him. Being cross and irritable was so unlike the Potions Professor."
Tom grinned knowing exactly why Horace was incensed. His favorite student had been accused of a dastardly deed and he'd had to face down Albus Dumbledore over the matter. Tom grinned even wider. That had been a sight to see. Two against one. Armando Dippet and Horace Slughorn turning on the miserable Transfiguration Professor.
"Hahaha. If Dumbledore could have seen his own face. He looked as though he was ready to explode. Good. Dumbledore needed to be taken down a peg. Back to Sluggy. If sugared pineapple isn't enough, how will I get the information I need?"
Tom began picking through the Samantha Riddle information hoping to find something he missed to no avail. Nothing so much as a paragraph about what went on between her and Riddle Sr. during the years of their marriage. Tom began to envision certain things. Had his sperm donor been donating sperm to other women during the marriage? Had Sr. had his fill when her money ran out? Was it Samantha who ended the marriage? From the sound of it, Samantha probably didn't allow him in her bed from the day they married. No chance she had given him a child. Then, like a bolt of lightning out of the blue, Tom had an epiphany. He had stopped too short in his research. He had only been looking at the women on Sr.'s arm when he should have been checking the beds of women not on his arm. The harlots. The prostitutes. The.. the. Tom really didn't know what they had been. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt wife Samantha wouldn't allow a womanizer in her bed for long. Not even a muggle would allow that. Tom Riddle was puzzled. Why had she allowed it to go on for four years?
Tom was getting excited. The only reason even a stupid, muggle woman would accept that behavior was: she was mentally ill; she was poor on her own; or, or... she stayed for the sake of a child. Suddenly Tom was annoyed. Back to a bloody sibling. He could fantasize all night, but unless he saw it in print, or it came out of Slughorn's mouth he'd never know the why or the where of Samantha Gibbons Riddle.
"If there are filthy muggles out there with Riddle blood, I will find them and give them what their father got. That's right you piece of shite. If you exist, I'm coming for you and maybe your filthy, whore mother as well."
With a quick flick of his wand, Tom gathered the Samantha documentation into a neat pile and flicked it into his bedside drawer.
"To be continued." He muttered before heading to the bathroom for a bit of manual release. Murder always made him hard.
/*/
Richard Gibbons was sitting at the kitchen table with a rapidly cooling cup of tea in front of him wondering if he was putting too much stock into what Zaria had shouted in her sleep. The realistic side of him wanted to ignore the muttering, but the magical side knew Zaria had a link to her brother which allowed her to know things. Things such as Zach being injured. That was a piece of magic he hadn't seen or heard of in all his years. He wondered if it all came down to Zaria being a seer.
Richard spoke softly to himself as he turned a spoon over and over in his hand. "Now I'm being foolish. If my granddaughter is a seer, it would have materialized long before now."
Then he thought about Zaria being a true seer.
Still speaking in a whisper, Richard reassessed. "I'm thinking too narrowly. A true seer normally doesn't manifest his or her powers until they've entered school or when someone they love is in danger."
Richard wasn't sure, but he had several books which could set him straight. Hurrying to his small library, he searched for information relating to Seers. After several minutes of searching, he found one of his older books aptly titled, Seeing. After warming the cold tea, Richard began leafing through the book.
The book hadn't shed any light on anything. As far as the book was concerned, Seeing wasn't something that could be turned on or off on a whim. A true Seer would begin to See as soon as they could articulate. Richard closed the book with a snap.
"Bollocks! Thanks Mr. Hedonis Elkins for your 1899 absolute rubbish." Richard raised his wand to clear up then chastised himself. "Sitting here in the kitchen talking to myself, as big as you please. It's time I took my tired arse to bed."
Ten minutes later, Richard was fast asleep.
/**/
"Up, up, up you three. Saturday detention with Professor Dumbledore at 10:00."
Zach, Aiden and Trevor all yawned and stretched.
"We're up Bertie."
"Really Walsh you're up? Get up, wash your arses then get to the common room. Everyone wants breakfast and you three are holding us up."
The trio all jumped up at once.
Bertie grinned as he left the room. He had to keep them on their toes. Half of Gryffindor House was probably still in bed.
/*/
Zach, Aiden and Trevor didn't dare let a frown form on their faces once they realized they'd been had. There were one or two housemates standing around the room, but it was clearly evident the entire House wasn't waiting on them to go to breakfast.
"Bertie…"
"Shut it Aiden." Trevor whispered.
"Yes, shut it Aiden. Let's not get on Bertie's wrong side." Zach added mimicking Trevor while stifling a yawn.
Aiden was irritated. There they were at the crack of dawn standing around the common room. "Well, why are we standing here? Let's get to breakfast before it's all gone."
Both Trevor and Zach rolled their eyes at Aiden. When had the breakfast ever run out? Suddenly, Bertie, Jackson and Butters appeared in the doorway gesturing for all the first years to get to the door.
"Let's go wankers. Breakfast is waiting and a few of us have a 10:00 am appointment. Move it."
The First and Second Years gathered en masse at the door waiting for the word go. Finally, they were on their way chattering about what they were going to have for breakfast with Bertie, Jackson and Butters grinning at each other.
/*/
Once the three, young wizards were at the table having their breakfast with Bertie down the far end, they felt safe enough to discuss Bertie's trick. It was a short discussion because they thought Bertie might have super magical hearing.
Zach laughed. "Super magical hearing my rear. He just knows everything."
Trevor laughed right along with Zach. Even Aiden who was still a bit irritated smiled. Zach had said my rear. "That's right. He's always watching our rear."
All three were cracking up right until Butters appeared behind them. "You three have detention with Professor Dumbledore and still have found something to laugh at. That's what I call bravery. Let's see if you're still laughing after detention. Finish up. Bertie, Jackson and I want a word in the courtyard."
Just as Butters finished his sentence, Riddle followed closely by Avery and Nott pushed past. As he passed, he softly whispered what could be taken as a veiled threat.
"See you in detention boys."
Butters reacted automatically. "What was that Riddle? If you have something to say, say it to my face."
When Butters raised his voice, three things happened, Albus Dumbledore rose from his chair to have a look at the Gryffindor table. Bertie and Jackson appeared at Butters' side and fast mouth Zach called out to Tom.
"And we'll see you."
"Shut it Zach." Bertie growled before calling after Tom. "Still picking on First Years then Riddle? I'm your match. Come here and tell me what you need."
For a brief few seconds, Tom stopped in his tracks deciding if he should turn back and put Robbins in his place. However, seeing Dumbledore had risen from his chair and was watching, he kept moving forward muttering threats and insults under his breath.
/*/
Once outside the Great Hall doors, Tom lost it and began growling threats to his toadies. Avery and Nott glanced at each other thinking their bloody Master had started the shite then gotten volatile when the Gryffindors called him out. Neither wizard was afraid of the Gryffindors, but what sense did it make to antagonize them for nothing. It made no sense, but that never stopped Lord Voldemort.
Pulling Nott and Avery aside, Master Lord Voldemort put them on notice. "That little Glover shite continues to try his better. I will not rest until he gets his due."Then Tom spoke out of turn. "This time I'll do it myself to be sure it's done right."
Neither Avery or Nott questioned anything. They didn't dare, but both wizards suddenly understood that Tom was not going to stop until he maimed or killed Zachary Glover.
As Tom rushed off at a frenetic speed, Avery and Nott slowed their pace hoping he would forget they were behind him and that he wanted someone, namely them, to hurt Glover, again. Obviously, a tray to the back hadn't been enough.
/*/
Back at the Gryffindor table, Both Butters and Jackson were fiercely working to calm Bertie down. As they sandwiched him between them to frog march him out, Jackson growled at Zach, Trevor and Aiden to get to the courtyard at double time.
The three First Years stuffed a few snacks into their pockets before hurrying from the Great Hall with both Aiden and Trevor snarling at Zach that he should learn to keep his mouth shut. Zach agreed. He should learn to keep his mouth shut.
/*/
Once in the courtyard, Butters and Jackson kept a tight hold on Bertie who was out of control.
"Stop this shite Bertie." Butters ordered. "What did you expect from Riddle, greetings and salutations? He's a fucking arsehole. A dangerous, fucking arsehole. Attacking him in the middle of the Great Hall wouldn't do you any good, especially with Professor Dumbledore watching. You know better than to let the piece of shite get under your skin. Now please calm down so I can tell you how our Mr. Glover antagonized Mr. Riddle."
Bertie calmed right down after Butters made his statement and glared at Zach. "Do tell Butters. I'm hoping it's not what I think."
"It's what you think Bert. Even though Riddle made a goading remark, instead of ignoring him, Zach snapped back."
Bertie threw up a Muffliato before charging at Zach. "What did we tell you three? What did we tell you? Answer me now."
"I-You. You told us not to engage Tom Riddle, not to say anything to him, not to take anything from him. I'm sorry Bertie. He said he'd see me in detention. I only said and we'll see you."
Bertie turned so red he was frightening his two mates. "You three get over to the other side of the courtyard and sit your arses down. We'll see to you in a minute." Jackson ordered.
Zach, Aiden and Trevor took off to the other side of the courtyard at a run while Jackson and Butters furiously whispered to Bertie. It only took a few minutes for Bertie to calm down again. This time he approached Zach, Aiden and Trevor in a level manner. After a glare in Zach's direction, he proceeded to lecture them. The three First Years were glad Bertie was taking a positive stance and listened closely as he reiterated what he had reiterated on several occasions and what was to come next.
They weren't to speak to or answer any Slytherin.
They weren't to take anything from any Slytherin.
They weren't to stay in the same vicinity of any Slytherin, and because they were fools, they would be forced to learn a few protective spells.
Protective spells? Protective spells? Zach was beside himself. This was exactly what he wanted. He wanted to learn how to protect himself, Aiden and Trevor. This was right up his alley. He obviously looked too happy because Bertie grabbed him by the collar.
"Happy are you Glover? I should wash my hands of the lot of you, but I won't. Instead, Butters, Jackson and I will teach you certain spells that will at least allow you time to get away if confronted by the Slytherins."
"May I speak Bertie?" Asked Zach.
Bertie waved his hand which Zach took to mean yes. So he spoke.
"I apologize for answering Riddle back, but he can't be allowed to think he can intimidate us or that he's better than us. I promise I didn't start anything. I just replied to a perceived threat."
Butters and Jackson grinned at each other behind Bertie's back. Their young Gryffindor was going to be formidable.
Bertie felt pride for the answer he'd received, but he couldn't let up on Zach or his favorite, young Gryffindor would surely end up dead, really dead. "Perceived threat is it? Don't get too big for your trousers Glover. Strike that. You've already gotten too big for those trousers. However, if you are determined to bump heads with Riddle and his ilk, I want you to be as prepared as possible."
Zach, Aiden and Trevor smiled at each other. Zach had finally worn Bertie down.
Bertie continued to speak. "Just because I've made a concession, don't think all other rules have fallen by the wayside because they haven't. Follow those rules and you won't need protection spells. I'll need to speak to Professor Dumbledore, but I should have a plan in place by the time detention is over. Now let's get going. It's almost 10:00."
Zach, Aiden and Trevor were slow to move so all three of them received a nice shove from their protectors.
/*/
Dumbledore had seen the little kerfuffle at the Gryffindor table. He was glad it hadn't come down to more than just words because, if that had been the case, he would have had to punish the innocent along with the guilty. It was infuriating how Tom just kept jabbing at the Gryffindors especially Zach. For the moment, his hands were tied, but justice would be forthcoming.
Knock! Knock!
"Enter."
Tom Riddle walked haughtily into the room with a desolate looking Malfoy on his heels.
"Good morning professor." Tom called out cheerily.
"Morning professor." Malfoy said softly before taking a seat away from Tom.
"Not there. Take a seat on the far side of the room. We have others coming."
"But professor. I like sitting in the middle of the room." Sneered Tom.
Dumbledore didn't give a fat rat's arse what Tom liked or didn't like. "Your likes matter little to me Mr. Riddle. Both you and Mr. Malfoy are to sit at the far side of the room."
Twisting his wand to make parchment, quill, ink and instructions appear in front of both Slytherins, Dumbledore told them they could begin.
Tom continued to sneer, but Malfoy got right down to writing his punishment.
Several seconds later, Zach, Aiden and Trevor entered the room keeping their eyes straight ahead greeting Dumbledore as they came.
"You boys just made it. I thought I'd have to send Fawkes out looking for you. You'll take seats anywhere to the right of me.
All three boys smiled.
"How low we've fallen Malfoy to serve detention with worthless First Years." Tom mumbled softly. Not softly enough since everyone in the room heard him.
Zach didn't take the bait. He simply took a seat.
"There's no need to speak Mr. Riddle." Dumbledore snapped before addressing Zach, Aiden and Trevor. "Gryffindors, a quill, parchment, ink and instructions should have appeared on the desk.
"Begin."
/*/
The two hours passed rapidly ending in the same result as Friday, sore hands. After a quick flick of his wand calling the parchment to him, Dumbledore released the five students with a caution. "There will not be any dawdling in the halls. Leave here and get to your destinations."
"Yes professor."
"Yes sir."
"Okay professor."
Malfoy said nothing while Tom smugly replied he was on his way to see Professor Slughorn knowing the Transfiguration Professor was still smarting from the beating he had taken from Sluggy and Headmaster Dippet. Tom felt good. It was as if he was putting something directly in Dumbledore's face.
Dumbledore glared at Tom but didn't bother with a response. After everyone left, Dumbledore turned to Fawkes.
"That pedantic, little twit has a reckoning coming."
Fawkes answered with a loud, song like noise as if agreeing with Dumbledore.
/*/
Contrary to all the rubbish he'd been spouting when there wasn't anyone to hold him accountable, Tom fairly scurried past Bertie, Jackson and Butters when he left Dumbledore's office even though Bertie stepped in front of him asking for a word.
After he was a good bit down the hall, Tom called over his shoulder that nothing any Gryffindor had to say interested him. Bertie started after Tom, but Zach reached out and touched him on the arm.
"Stay away from Slytherins. Don't speak to Slytherins. Do not take anything from Slytherins. Do not engage in any way with Slytherins. We will not die at Hogwarts. Please heal our hands. They hurt."
For several seconds, the silence was deafening. Then, Bertie, Jackson and Butters all began to laugh while Aiden and Trevor stood there holding their breath.
A still chuckling Butters commented on the situation. "I guess that was a young, First Year setting you straight Bertie."
Bertie shrugged. "I guess it was. If the young, First Year would heed that advice we'd all be a lot better off. Hold up those hands. All healed. Let's go have lunch then the three amigos can go find their admirers and possibly have a walk around the Black Lake."
Zach, Aiden and Trevor were at a loss to what Bertie meant. They weren't allowed anywhere near the Black Lake.
"The Black Lake Bertie? We're not allowed…."
Jackson cut across Zach. "Never mind you little terror. It will all make sense by third year."
Bertie rolled his eyes at Jackson but didn't say anything.
Trevor shrugged, but Aiden didn't want to hear anything about the Black Lake then or in third year. It looked black and scary.
/*/
Even if it was only said to irritate Dumbledore, Tom meant every word he'd said about visiting Professor Slughorn. There was information to be had if Sluggy cared to share. Tom chuckled to himself. Of course old Sluggy would share. It was share or catch another violent case of the shites.
Knock. Knock. Tom knocked more heavily than he intended. That bloody Robbins…. Never mind. He'll be dealt with at some point in time. Perhaps at the same time he dealt with Dumbledore.
Horace sighed. All these visitors were putting an already out of sorts professor more out of sorts. "Who is it? You may leave my door intact."
"It's Tom sir. I apologize for intruding on your private time but I'd like a word."
Horace sighed even louder. "Enter Tom. However, this will be a brief conversation as lunch is on the table."
"Careful Sluggy. You are coming dangerously close to disrespect." Tom mumbled softly as he turned to close the door. Thinking quickly, Tom thought of an idea that might put the good professor in a better frame of mind. "Yes lunch. If you'll extend an extra bit of your time, I'll go to the Great Hall, pick up lunch for the both of us so we can chat while we eat."
Horace couldn't find fault with Tom's suggestion. "Alright Tom. I'll have a full plate with dessert and tea. I'd also like some nuts to snack on later."
"Excellent choices sir. I'll be back before you know it."
"Tom?"
"Yes Professor?"
"What is it you want to chat about? Perhaps it's something for which I can prepare."
Tom smiled his brightest smile. "I'd like to discuss Samantha Gibbons Riddle Tom Sr.'s other wife. Back soon."
Rubbing his temples and leaning back in the chair, Horace closed his eyes. Suddenly, he felt a headache coming on.