Previously on A Riddle With Another Name 23: Emotions Bad And Good
"Get over here Avery."
Since his name wasn't called, Nott continued on to his room at double time. Once inside, he closed the door as softly as possible.
Garrett Avery went over to Tom almost at a run. "Yes Master."
Without mentioning the noise Avery and Nott had made entering the common room, Tom explained what he wanted. "My lunch was spoiled by an ignorant sot and I didn't get dinner. As you might imagine, I'm famished. Go to the kitchens and get me a full dinner plate with dessert and juice. As I mentioned, I'm famished so go and get back quickly. You have five minutes which start now."
Avery tore out of the Dungeons mumbling hateful things about Tom Riddle and the miserable kitchen elves he'd have to beg for food. However, Roly the most decent of the kitchen elves fixed the dinner without a whisper of defiance.
Avery grabbed the dinner and sprinted back to the Dungeons where Tom stood with his hand out and hateful words on his lips. "You had two more minutes before I came looking for you and that would have been bad."
Without another word, Tom went back into his room closing the door behind him with a snap.
Avery was swearing and mumbling sarcastically as he hurried to the safety of his room. "You're welcome Tom, Your Majesty, My Master, Lord Voldemort. I hope you choke on it."
Nott tried to talk to his mate, but Avery was in no mood. After several tries and getting no answer, Nott slid into bed and closed his eyes.
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name 24: Unexpected Happenings
Zach, Aiden, Trevor, Mary and Eileen remained in the library for the next bit of time taking turns reading softly to the group some of which was funny, some of which was sad and most of which was interesting. They had finally laid the books aside agreeing to go have seats on the Quidditch benches to get some fresh air before dinner.
"Come on then." Commanded Eileen. "You Gryffindors are so slow. It will be dinner time before we get to the benches."
"Pushy much Eileen?" Asked Aiden which garnered him severe looks from the rest of the Dominators.
Eileen hadn't hesitated to respond. "I might be pushy Aiden, but I'm not a slow arse."
Aiden's eyes widened as he glanced from Trevor to Zach. Although he, Zach and Trevor said a swear word every now and then, it was unheard of for a witch to use bad language. He just might have to report Eileen Prince to Bertie. Then he thought about it. Eileen was a Ravenclaw so reporting her to Bertie would come to nothing. Neither Zach nor Trevor mentioned Eileen's step out of line so he just let it go for the moment. However, when they got back to the common room, he would definitely be asking for input. When he finally looked up, the rest of the Dominators were at the library doors waiting for his slow arse. Aiden pretended he didn't see the roll of eyes he got from Eileen. Softly mumbling under his breath, he commented that Eileen should keep her ugly eyes off him.
The Quidditch benches were empty except for what looked like a pair of Sixth Years at the far end. Once they were settled on the benches, the discussion turned to The History of Magic. After a few minutes, it was clear Zach, Trevor and Mary were almost evenly matched in what information they had learned. Eileen had simply shrugged after missing two questions in a row.
"I might not know a lot of what Bathilda Bagshot wrote in The History of Magic, but I'll learn. Right now, my focus is on playing a decent game of Quidditch. After that, I'll learn the rest of it."
"And swearing." Replied Aiden.
"What?" Eileen snapped back?
"Swearing, swearing. You know saying bad words. We aren't allowed to say arse. I guess things are different in Ravenclaw."
Eileen, who had just caught on to what Aiden meant went into a full blush replying softly. "Ravenclaw students aren't allowed to swear either. I apologize for my ill chosen word. It won't happen again."
Everyone was quiet for several seconds until Zach lightened the atmosphere with a small joke. "Okay. We all agree. No more swearing...until after the first Quidditch Match."
The Dominators smiled at each other. One problem successfully solved. The rest of the time they spent on the Quidditch benches was spent in harmony.
Thirty minutes later, The Dominators were on their way to Saturday dinner. The young wizards and witches bid each other good dinner and good evening at the doors to The Great Hall. Dominator business was over for the day.
/*/
Dinner went well at the Gryffindor table. The First Years kept glancing down the table where Bertie, Jackson, Butters and Summerlin were joking and laughing about something.
"Zach wondered out loud what was going on. "Do you think Bertie is so happy because Professor Dumbledore is allowing him to teach us spells?"
"Maybe." Trevor replied. "Or, maybe he's just happy he doesn't have to chase your rear all over the school to keep you from being killed."
Aiden laughed out loud. The word rear still tickled him to hear. "Yeah Zach. Chasing and watching your rear has become his thing."
Rolling his eyes in Aiden's direction, Zach had some words. "Really big mouth? Mr. nothing that concerns you. You're still on about Bertie watching our rear. Go down table and say that to him. I dare you. Go on Mr. big mouth. We'll wait here to pick you up after Bertie beats that arse." Picking up the last chicken leg on his plate, Zach stared at Aiden. "Well, what are you waiting for? While you're down there, you can report me for saying arse."
Aiden was all flustered. "There's no need to be hateful Zach. It was just something to say. I'm through with dinner. I'm going to the common room. See you later."
Two things happened simultaneously. Trevor told Zach he was being an arsehole and they shouldn't let their mate go walking off alone. They started to get up from the table, but...
At the senior end of the table, Jackson called out to Aiden to get back to the table until dinner was over.
Aiden went back to the table but kept his eyes down. Trevor looked at Zach and Zach looked at Trevor.
"Aiden, mate. I apologize for being a prat. Come on. Have some dessert." Offered Zach. "There's no need to be upset. You do realize I don't know when to shut my mouth."
Finally looking up, Aiden agreed with Zach. "Yeah, there's that. I believe I will have some dessert."
Trevor, who was sitting beside Aiden clapped his mate on the back. "See, no problem. We're all mates here. Besides, we saved ourselves from Jackson. I think he was ready to beat you for leaving alone then us for letting you."
Both Aiden and Zach laughed. The three mates were back on the same page.
/*/
Back in the common room after dinner, Bertie advised Zach, Trevor and Aiden that Dumbledore refused his request to teach them spells so they should just follow the instructions they'd already been given. He then took Aiden off to the side for a chat.
"What's going on with you Walsh? You're not a trouble maker. Why would you try to leave the Great Hall alone before dinner was over? Answer now."
Aiden told the truth. "I-I-I. Me and Zach got into an argument. I didn't want to be around him."
Bertie leaned in close to Aiden's face. "Wake up Walsh. All mates have an argument every now and then. Just give as good as you get then suck it up and move on. What you don't do is go off by yourself to pout. Please don't go all Glover on me. One of you is enough. Got it?"
"Yes Bertie. I got it. It's just that sometimes Zach can be so infuriating."
Bertie sighed. "How well I know that. Just keep to the rules even when someone takes the Mickey. It will all pass."
"Okay Bertie. Thank you for the talk. I'll give as good as I get then suck it up."
"Good. Now get about your business."
/*/
None of the First Years were still in the common room so Aiden went directly to the dorms where Trevor and Zach were busy writing letters home. He was sitting on the side of his bed when Zach approached handing him some parchment a quill and ink.
"We're writing to our families. We thought you might want to write too."
Everything was back to normal. His mates were looking out for him. Aiden felt good. "Thanks Zach. I know my parents are looking forward to hearing from me about classes, professors and the good mates I've met."
There wasn't much talking in this First Year dorm. The good mates were busy writing home.
/*/
Bertie was busy poring over the Quidditch plays he had written and the ones he hadn't had a chance to finish before Dumbledore appeared when a Fifth Year named Beth entered the common room. As tough and controlled as he appeared to the lower years and his mates as well, Bertie wasn't all that comfortable interacting with a witch one on one.
"Hi Bert. Still studying on a Saturday evening?"
Bertie took a moment to form a thought. "Hello Beth. I am studying, but it isn't classwork. I'm writing up plays for Quidditch practice."
"You're brilliant. I like attending Quidditch games. Hogwarts has some amazing flyers, but I think you are the best of the best at Hogwarts. I guess that's because you're so strong and fit."
Bertie blushed. Beth seemed to be chatting him up. "Thanks for the compliments but there a fair few good flyers on our Quidditch teams. I'm just one of many."
Beth gave him a wide smile suddenly changing the subject. "It's a lovely evening. How would you like to get up to a bit of mischief?"
Bertie held his breath. It was sounding like Beth wanted to get up to some Third Year shite. "Get up to a bit of mischief? That would be against my principles. Professor Dumbledore has charged me with leading our House. What would I look like breaking the rules I've set?"
Beth saw the conversation going wrong and hastily explained herself. "Sorry Bertie. I didn't mean anything bad. Mischief probably wasn't the best choice of words. All I had in mind was a discreet trip to the kitchens for snacks then a sit out in the courtyard."
Even though Beth had cleared up her meaning, Bertie wasn't about to do something that might get back to the ears of Professor Dumbledore. "Your invitation is appreciated Beth. However, as I said, there are Quidditch plays I need to complete. Perhaps we can sit out another time."
"Alright then." Beth said, rising from the chair. "Maybe another time. Keep me on your calendar, just in case."
I wasn't wrong he thought. She was chatting me up. In spite of himself, Bertie was pleased to be noticed. Nodding and smiling he told Beth he would definitely keep her on his calendar.
"Perfect Bertie. I look forward to a stroll around the courtyard or a walk around the lake. Goodnight." As she headed to the girls dorms, Beth was pleased with herself. She had made her wishes known. It was now down to Bertie to make a move.
/*/
After Beth left, Bertie didn't update any more Quidditch plays. He sat there thinking over Beth's words, keep me on your calendar, a stroll around the courtyard, and perhaps most telling, she fancied a walk around the lake. In the near future, he might get to use his dick for more than a pee.
"You're barking Robbins." He said softly as he gathered up his folder of notes. "Barking at the moon."
/*/
Tom Riddle had eaten his dinner then gone straight back to leafing through files determined to find information. He'd spent the last hour growling and grumbling at the fickle muggle women who had fallen at Tom Sr.'s feet. Most of them were muggle beautiful. At one point, Tom thought he might have bedded some himself if he was prone to bedding smelly, muggle women, but he wasn't. He was more prone to whip out his wand than his dick. After the ridiculous thought, he went back to poring through the individual packets. Thirty minutes later, Tom hadn't found any additional material on Samantha Riddle nee Gibbons.
It was coming on 11:00 pm and Tom was angry, raging, frustrated and tired. Throwing all the materials back into the corner, he went to have a long held pee, put on his pajamas then slipped into bed. As usual, with his head full of hate and rage, Tom couldn't settle down. Just as his eyes were closing, BAM! A picture of a young girl with a look of panic on her face appeared at eye level speaking words he could not hear. Tom sat straight up in bed. Before he could get more than a glimpse, the picture had faded away.
Tom Riddle whipped his head around glancing into every nook and cranny in his rooms. There was nothing there. Then the surprise disappeared and the rage took over. How had someone gotten into his thoughts? He was on his way to becoming invincible. The most powerful wizard alive yet what appeared to be a muggle girl had gotten in his face warning him about something. Impossible.
"Warn me?" Tom muttered. "I need no warning about anything. I am…." He stopped in mid sentence as a memory popped up in his mind. As quick as it had been, Tom thought he recognized the girl. It was her. The one who was walking up Riddle House Road the day he killed the Riddles. She had been walking with Zachary Glover. Tom was now wide awake. How was this happening? How were two insignificant little twats getting into his mind? For the moment, all thoughts of ugly muggle Samantha Riddle fell to the back of Tom's mind. He had something much more important to explore and rectify. No one, muggle or magical was going to interfere with the great Lord Voldemort. The research he needed to be doing was on Glover and the girl. Two people who had seen him going to the Riddle House the day he had murdered his so-called family.
As Tom sat on the side of his bed glowering at nothing, another memory surfaced. This time it was about the letter Malfoy had taken from Glover's bag the day he tried, and failed, to kill the little mutt. The letter from his little sister Zaria which had burst into flames in Tom's hand. Was this some kind of game? Had the insufferable Albus Dumbledore set Zachary Glover in his path for some unknown reason with additional plans to set the sister in his path next year? All kind of thoughts raced through Tom's head before he pulled himself together.
"Albus Dumbledore will never get the best of Lord Voldemort. The stupid, little witch has warned me. I will forever be on my guard. Zachary and Zaria Glover have made themselves a permanent enemy. Given the chance, I will curse them as though they were Riddles."
Tom finally fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion with his wand clutched tightly in his hand.
/*/
It was very late and Zaria should have been asleep but the lively Kneazles that should have been snuggled beside her had decided they wanted to run all about. Zaria was speaking to them in a whisper so Papa couldn't hear. She had received a bit of a telling off earlier for stepping into an adult conversation. She didn't want another. "Lie down Casper. You too Mazie. Lie down or I'll put you out in the back house."
Casper made a faint meow and plopped himself at Zaria's side, but Mazie wanted to keep running. Being a very smart Kneazle, Mazie jumped up and laid right beside Casper when it appeared Zaria was getting out of bed.
"Good, stay there." Zaria scolded before lying back on the pillow.
Now that Casper and Mazie had settled down, the house became very still. So still Zaria could hear every creak the house made. It was during this stillness she thought about what Papa told her she'd shouted, Be careful Zach. He's coming. In her heart, she knew exactly what it meant and was sure Papa and Professor Dumbledore knew as well. He could only mean the hate filled brother. He's coming meant the hateful brother was plotting against Zach. Zaria sighed. On the other hand, she could just have been having a bad dream. Either way, both explanations were about Zach. She'd be so glad when the holidays came around and Zach was back home.
Gently rubbing Casper and Mazie, Zaria drifted off to sleep without realizing she might accidentally have the same connection with the Riddle brother as she did with Zach. Unaware of what this might mean and how dangerous it could be, Zaria, Casper and Mazie slept on.
/*/
On his way to the Sixth Year dorms, Bertie decided to look in on his favorite trio. One knock and he was in. Three pairs of eyes turned to gaze at their leader and greet him simultaneously.
"Hi Bertie."
"Hi Bertie."
"Hey Bertie." We are writing to our families. May we have permission to visit the Owlery tomorrow to mail our letters?" Asked Zach.
"Of course. That's what the Owlery is for Zach. I understand you three did very well in detention. No fuss, no muss."
All three young wizards smiled. Optimism was something they could work with.
Aiden nodded at Bertie. "It's true Bertie. We remained stalwart Gryffindors even when Tom Riddle insulted us. We kept our eye on our parchment and wrote the punishment. I'm really beginning to like the phrase, We Will Not Die At Hogwarts."
Even though he smiled along with the rest, Bertie gave a firm reply. "Really Walsh? You're beginning to like that phrase. I suggest all three of you put your minds on following the rules and off that phrase. Congratulations on ignoring that prat Riddle. He's just another filthy sot when he doesn't have an audience."
"Thanks Bertie and we will keep our minds on the rules." Trevor replied, answering for all."
"Alright then. I'll let you get back to your games. Thirty five more minutes until lights out. Goodnight."
Zach stood and pulled a sack from under his bed. "Bertie. Have a look at these. My father sent me brand new Quidditch stuff."
As he looked over the gloves, helmet, outfit and boots, Bertie smiled to himself. His little pride and joy hadn't been hiding anything from him. He'd just waited for the right time to show off.
"Nice Zach. Are you other two ready as well? I won't accept any excuses next Saturday."
Trevor nodded. "Yes Bertie, I'm ready."
"I am too, if I decide to play." Added Aiden.
Bertie gave Aiden a hard glare. "Did we not have an extended conversation this evening Aiden? You'll be ready and you'll play. Thirty minutes boys. Goodnight."
/*/
When Bertie got to his own dorm, it was empty. Jackson and Butters must be out enjoying the Saturday evening. It crossed his mind he should have taken Beth up on her offer. Too late now he thought. It will be curfew before I can get in and out of the shower. Bertie had been correct. When he returned to the dorm, Jackson, Butters and Summerlin the extra were there joking about whatever they'd done.
"Hey Bertie. We thought you'd still be working on your Quidditch plays. How's your night going?"
"Hello mates. I didn't have a chance to finish my notes."
Jackson winked at Butters and Summerlin. "Let me guess. Your trio of miscreants were acting up again. What was it this time?"
"Funny Cedric. Zach, Aiden and Trevor had nothing to do with anything."
"Just a little joke mate. Don't call me Cedric." Jackson muttered to the merriment of Butters and Summerlin.
"Laugh it up Summerlin. Isn't it time for you to be in your own dorm? I'll listen to your exploits tomorrow. Right now I'm tired so move over to the far side of the room with your nonsense."
Reaching into his pocket and pulling out a sack of what appeared to be Honeydukes items, Butters finally spoke up. "It's not nonsense Bertie. We have made a discovery of vast proportions. Right mates?"
"We did Bertie. We found an underground tunnel that…." Jackson started to add.
Bertie was getting aggravated. "I said I'm tired so cut the shite. Underground tunnel my arse. I thought better of you Jackson. Get out Summerlin."
Summerlin stood. "Fine, I'll get out, but what Butters and Jackson said is true. We found a bloody tunnel that leads right into the cellar of Honeydukes. It's on the third floor corridor. Why would we lie about something so easy to dispute?"
Bertie glanced into the faces of all three wizards. "Alright, alright. I know even you three wouldn't take a joke this far. Tell me more but keep your voices down."
Jackson began speaking and spoke for fifteen minutes while Butters and Summerlin nodded in agreement. At the end of the fifteen minutes, all Bertie said was show me.
"Show you? Now? It's late. We told you it's at least a thirty minute walk from here to there. Honeydukes is closed." Butters grumbled.
"Okay fine. Show me tomorrow. I'll say just one thing. This better not be some shite joke or I'll have all your arses."
An unhappy Jackson spoke. "Would we pull a stunt on our best mate? I think not. We'll have to go before or after lunch. As we mentioned, it's a long walk, but well worth it. I'm tired of talking. I'm going to have a shower and take my arse to bed."
Bertie knew none of his mates would take a joke this far. "Alright mates. We'll have a walk tomorrow. Let's do it right after lunch so we can be back before dinner. Be in the common room by 1:10."
Summerlin was chuffed. "Yesss. You won't be disappointed Bertie. I promise. Goodnight. I'll see you all at breakfast."
"Goodnight mate."
"Later Summerlin."
"Night."
"Okay. It's all settled. May I go to bed now or do you have more shite to shovel?" Bertie asked, stifling a yawn. "Talk to you in the morning."
Fifteen minutes later, all that could be heard was the sleep noises coming from three tired wizards.
/**/
Sunday morning was just like any other Sunday in Gryffindor House except Zach, Trevor and Aiden noticed Jackson and Butters seemed a bit more energetic than usual when they were on their way to the Owlery. The trio was there and back before their housemates left for breakfast. All Years were up and about by 7:00 am and at the breakfast table by 7:30 am. After filling up on the delicious offerings, all House Tables cleared with students going their own ways.
/*/
Bertie, Jackson, Butters and Summerlin met back up in the common room to discuss details of their upcoming adventure. Bertie, who wasn't totally sold on the idea suggested they wait until a Hogsmeade trip to use the tunnel.
Butters shook his head. "Come on mate, the next Hogsmeade trip is a month away. Besides, we have privileges. We don't need a tunnel. Traveling through the tunnel on a lark is much more exciting."
Jackson remained silent but could see their planned adventure going sideways. Summerlin not so much.
"Point taken Bertie. However, why wait a month just to do what we've always done? Besides, we have to prove what we shared with you isn't rubbish."
Bertie glanced at his three mates in turn. He wasn't one hundred per cent onboard with it, but had agreed to go so he would go. "Fine. I'll go see what this all about. If anything goes wrong and there are repercussions, I will take the three of you down with me."
Jackson clapped Bertie on the back. "We are mates. All for one and one for all. We wouldn't have it any other way. Anyway, you're the great healer. If we get detention, all you'll have to do is heal our hands."
Bertie smiled at his best mate. "You're an arse Jackson. I'm fairly certain if we are caught, it won't be as simple as detention."
"Well let's not get caught. We get to Honeydukes buy some supplies then get back here." Offered Summerlin. "Easy peasy."
"Alright, it's settled." Bertie agreed. "We leave at 1:20 pm today. Thirty minutes to get there. Fifteen to twenty minutes shopping then thirty minutes back. That's plenty of time to get back before dinner."
Summerlin again. "Only twenty minutes to shop? That's…"
Both Butters and Jackson shouted for Summerlin to shut up.
Bertie smiled at his mate. "Yes Summerlin please shut up. If you can't get what you want in twenty minutes, you don't need it. It's Sunday. Let's just hope we don't run into Madame Hooch loading up on her sweets."
Jackson and Butters got the joke. Summerlin not so much. "What?"
"Never mind Summerlin. It's an inside joke unless we run into Madame Hooch. Then it's a problem." Offered Bertie, rising from the chair and heading for the door. "I'll see you all later. I have to check something in the courtyard."