Anything from the Harry Potter Universe belongs to JKR. Other than that, I made it all up. Angst/Anxiety/Drama. AU. Enjoy.
Previously on A Riddle With Another Name 25: Satisfaction Fury And Envy
Suddenly, Avery and Nott were at his side. "You are being awfully loud and disrespectful. Be careful of your words Mulciber. It's our Master you are disparaging. Should the wrong people hear you, you might find yourself standing in front of a very different Tom Riddle. You've done as asked. Come join Nott and myself in a bit of distraction. You'll thank us for it."
/*/
After studying the information in front of him, Tom Riddle began to strut about his rooms. Mulciber the idiot had come through. Tom memorized the names and addresses then called out a loud, Evanesco. Poof! All the evidence was vanished. Sitting there gloating, the magnitude of what had been found had escaped Tom's notice. Then he realized what he had. Samantha Gibbons had obviously been Samantha Riddle at one time. He had found Samantha Gibbons Riddle Glover without effort.
Speaking exuberantly to the air around him, Tom elucidated. "I have found Tom Riddle Sr's second wife. If Samantha Gibbons and Tom Riddle, Sr. didn't separate until 1935, it is obvious Glover and his sister carry Riddle blood. But how? It quickly became obvious. Instead of marrying a filthy muggle, Tom Riddle Sr. had married a second witch. A witch who treasured her children. No filthy fucking orphanage for them." The last thoughts had thrown Tom into a fit of fury, but then he relented.
"I have found the Riddle spawn, but they aren't filthy muggles. They are magical. They are my siblings."
For the next hour, Tom vacillated between envy and fury. Once the fit of fury was over, Tom had made a decision. "Be they muggle or magical, they cannot be allowed to take a place beside me. I am the one and only Lord Voldemort last of the filthy Riddle line.
"For now, I'll watch and wait, but in the end, I'll do what I must."
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name 26: Follow-Up
Bertie, Jackson, Butters and Summerlin returned to the common room to discuss their trip and sort through their purchases. However, before any of the three could open their bag, Beth came through the common room doors greeting them then giving Bertie a long glance. Bertie appeared flushed as he greeted Beth. Butters and Summerlin didn't notice anything out of order but Jackson immediately thought something was afoot and stuck his nose in where it didn't belong.
"So Beth, what are you up to this lovely Sunday?" He asked keeping an eye on Bertie who seemed to be getting redder by the minute.
"I'm not up to anything Cedric. Just want to have a sit down in the common room before dinner. What are you up to?"
Ignoring Bertie's blush and the fact Beth had called him by his given name, Jackson pulled on a wide smile. It seemed this very fit Fifth Year was trying to chat him up. I could do worse he thought to himself as he snapped back with a flirty response. "I thought fit witches spent Sunday afternoon in the courtyard with all the other fit witches."
Beth blushed, but responded with truth. "Normally I would be in the courtyard on a day such as this but I stopped in to check a calendar."
Jackson didn't understand what she meant but Bertie did. The blush was now from his chest to forehead.
"What calendar would that be? I don't see anything in your hand." Inquired a now interested Butters.
Jackson wasn't slow. He realized Beth was not trying to chat him up. Her eyes were on his best mate who was sitting mute in full blush. Beth was interested in Bertie and if his red face was any clue, Bertie knew it but was shite at doing anything about it. It was time to give his mate some space. Shaking his bag, Jackson stood.
"Butters, Summerlin let's go put away our purchases. We can sort it all after dinner."
Butters didn't agree. "I have plans for after dinner. I'd rather get it sorted now Jackson. What do you think Bertie? Shall we do it now or later?"
Giving Beth a quick glance, and to Jackson's surprise Bertie suggested they sort it all out later that evening before curfew. "Dinner is ten minutes away mates. Why don't we hold off sorting the purchases until tonight?" Holding out his bag, Bertie asked Jackson to lay the bag on his bed.
Jackson automatically reached for the bag as Bertie reached his hand out to Beth. "Alright mate. No big rush. We'll sort later."
"Thanks Jackson. Beth and I will see you in the Great Hall."
Beth smiled at Bertie as their hands connected. She was on the calendar and all it taken was a little push.
Three mouths fell open as they watched Bertie and Beth leave the common room.
"What just happened?" Asked Butters as he turned to look at Jackson who still had his mouth hanging open.
"I'm as surprised as you two. It would appear our Quidditch loving, trio loving mate has added a witch to his calendar."
Summerlin let out a loud laugh. "And the witch has added Bertie to hers. Let's put these bags away and get to the dinner table. I believe we will have an addition to our end of the table."
A dazed Jackson took all four bags to the dorm mumbling how their best mate was trying to get up to some Third Year shite."
Butters and Summerlin grinned at each other. It would seem the top Gryffindor was about to make some moves and had surprised the shite out of Jackson.
/*/
Zach, Trevor and Aiden were already seated at their end of the table when Bertie walked in with Beth. Zach, who had his head practically in his plate only looked up when Trevor gave him a hard nudge and a soft whisper.
"Zach! Look up Zach."
Zach looked up at Trevor sporting a frown. "What Trevor what? I'm trying to eat."
"Look down table. Just look."
Zach straightened up and glanced down to the senior end of table. By this time, Aiden was also staring. Bertie had come to the table with a witch. A witch they had seen a few times in the common room.
"Has Bertie come to dinner with a witch?"
Trevor rolled his eyes at Aiden. "No Aiden. She's a Hogwarts ghost. Of course she's a witch."
Aiden let out a huff. "That's not what I meant Trevor. I know she's a witch. Where's Jackson, Butters and Summerlin?" Aiden replied in a tone of amazement. "Bertie and his gang always travel together. Bertie's rules."
Zach bit into a piece of beef and proceeded to chew slowly as Trevor and Aiden stared at him. "First, I suggest you both stop staring. If Bertie thinks we're trying to get into his personal business, he'll thump us good and I don't feel like being thumped. Anyway, look at the doors. Jackson, Butters and Summerlin have arrived."
Trevor and Aiden automatically looked at the doors. Zach was right. Jackson, Butters and Summerlin headed to the table where they took seats across from Bertie and the witch.
Pushing his mashed around on the plate, Zach grinned at Aiden and Trevor. "Nothing to see here mates. Bertie and his mates are back together. I would also like to mention that Bertie has allowed us to pal around with witches. He should be allowed to do the same. Now excuse me while I devour this lovely piece of pie."
Trevor wasn't ready to acquiesce. "Bertie never hangs out with a witch. Do you think he wants to get up to what the Third Years get up to?"
Aiden laughed out loud but hurriedly covered his mouth. "Maybe he wants to check her rear."
Even though Aiden's comment was ridiculous, both Trevor and Zach hunched over trying to smother their own laughs with Zach adding some sage words.
"Stop saying what Bertie never did or never does. We've only been here a week. Bertie has been here five years. You don't know what he gets up to. He might have already gotten up to Third Year stuff and liked it. Let's just mind our own business before Bertie or Jackson has to mind it for us."
"Good idea." Agreed Trevor.
"I agree." Added Aiden. "Let's just keep our minds on our dinner."
After a few more furtive glances down table, Zach, Trevor and Aiden each took another slice of pie before starting a Quidditch discussion.
/*/
Lestrange, Dolohov, Black and Rosierwere watching Avery, Nott, and Mulciber being all chummy. Even Malfoy who was sitting at an alternate table was wondering why Lord Voldemort's two top wizards were yukking it up with Mulciber. Mulciber, for Salazar's sake, was almost as low on the totem pole as himself. Malfoy didn't wonder long because he glanced over just as Avery glanced in his direction. Suddenly, Lord Voldemort's top wizard pushed back his chair and strode over to where Malfoy was sitting. Leaning down, Avery growled in Malfoy's ear.
"Just what is your dumb arse looking at Malfoy? Keep your eyes on your plate and off the Slytherin table or I'll fix it so you won't see anything ever again. Understand?"
"Yes Avery I understand. My apologies. Anyway, I was just finishing up. I'll just be getting on about my business."
"Good you arse. Do that." Avery ordered before heading back to the table and plopping himself down next to Mulciber.
Nott laughed as Avery sat down. "What did you say to Malfoy? He sure left out of here on the run."
"I told him to keep his eyes off the Slytherin table or I'd gouge his eyes out. Nothing to worry about."
Mulciber chanced a laugh but Avery cut him down with a glare. "You don't have anything to laugh at you arse. You've had your time with the top wizards. Get your arse up and get away from me. And, if you haven't realized yet how close you came to a hexing, you'd better recognize. Keep that bloody pie hole shut. Go. Get away from here."
Mulciber nearly tripped himself getting from in between Avery and Nott and sliding into a seat down the other end of the table with Lestrange, Dolohov, Black and Rosier. All four wizards waited for Mulciber to spill whatever was going on, but he remained tight lipped. Black actually asked why Mulciber had been sitting with Avery and Nott but received nothing but a glare for his trouble.
Black might have thought he was being clever, but he hadn't spoken soft enough because Nott pounded on the table telling him to keep his nose out of other wizard's business or suffer the consequences. Realizing he's overstepped, Black suddenly found his empty tray very interesting.
Avery looked up to see Nickerson the Third Year speeding towards him. "This can't be good."Avery muttered to Nott.
/*/
Zaria and Papa Richard stepped through the doors of the Glover home commenting on the good smells coming from the kitchen. Zaria hugged her mum then headed straight for her dad.
"Your favorite daughter is home daddy." She said as Daniel pulled her into a tight hug. "Did you miss me?"
Kissing Zaria on the top of her head, Daniel assured her he had definitely missed her. "The silence was overwhelming."
Zaria laughed as she headed to her bedroom to unpack her case. "Well I'm home now so let the chatter begin." As she was putting away her things, an owl began tapping on the window. "An Owl mum. I'll get it. It's a letter from Zach. I just know it. It is from Zach mum and there's one for you and dad as well."
Holding the letters up high, Zaria started towards the living room but a flash of pain in both hands caused her to drop both envelopes on the floor. For one second, Zaria was frightened, but as nothing more happened when she picked the letters up, her excitement trumped any fears as she sat down on the side of her bed to read what Zach had written.
/*/
Daniel Glover was grinning as he headed to the kitchen to greet Richard. "Hello Papa Gibbons. Thank you for entertaining our overly confident daughter. I imagine she inundated you with everything she has learned to date."
Shaking Daniel's hand, Richard had a quick reply. "And then some. In fact, there are a few things I'd like to share with you and Samantha when you have a moment."
Samantha, who had been busy in the kitchen heard Richard and immediately came through. "I hope they are a few good things papa because if it pertains to Zach being attacked again, no matter the rules I'll be pulling my son right out of Hogwarts."
Reaching out to his wife, Daniel gently pulled her down beside him. "Let's not get worked up until we hear what Richard has to say. He's a very intelligent wizard who would have contacted us immediately if something else had gone wrong. Please share what you will Richard before Sam gets herself all worked up."
"Thank you Daniel. It is my hope Sam knows I wouldn't keep anything from her regarding either Zaria or Zach."
"I do know that papa. I'm just on edge because of prior happenings. Please forgive me for being so silly." Samantha replied, laying her head on Daniel's shoulder. "Share away."
"Zaria and I had a visit from Albus Dumbledore."
Samantha sat up bolt straight. "You said…"
Papa Richard stood up. "If you are going to huff up over everything I say, I'd rather not say it. In fact, why don't I get on my way so my family can have a peaceful Sunday? I'll stop in sometime this week when Samantha is in a better frame of mind. I will say I'm a bit insulted you think I don't have Zach's well being at heart. Enjoy the rest of your day. Say goodbye to Zaria for me."
Daniel was on his feet. "Stop Richard. Please stay." The normally laid back Daniel was annoyed with Samantha's goings on. "Stop it Sam. You'd run your own grandfather away because.. Because, I don't know why. You know Richard loves our children as much as we do. Why would you treat him like some usurper? If you don't care to hear what Richard has to say, perhaps you should have a lie down because I want to hear what he has to share."
Samantha was ashamed of herself. Rising from the couch, she walked over to Richard and pulled him into a tight hug. "I'm sorry grandfather. I'm acting like a child. Please forgive me. I do want to hear what you have to say. In fact, why don't we have dinner then a discussion. I don't want my lovely roast pork dinner to go to waste. Okay?"
"Okay love. I promise you. I have nothing bad to say. Let's get Zaria and have some of your fine roast pork."
"Alright papa. Why don't you and Dan go to the table while I get Zaria? I'll be quick."
Dan agreed as well. Clapping Richard on the back, Daniel's smile was back on his face. "Let's get to the table before I have bind and silence your granddaughter."
Richard broke out in a wide smile. "I could never allow that so let's get to the table before it comes to that."
/*/
When Samantha reached Zaria's bedroom door, she was met with an enthusiastic daughter who was holding out a letter. "Mum. We got letters from Zach. One for me and one for you and dad. He's happy mum. He's met two wizards named Trevor and Aiden who have become his mates. In addition, he has met three Fifth Year Gryffindors who have taken him under their wings. Next Saturday will be his first Quidditch practice. Oh mum, Zach loves Hogwarts."
"Slow down love. We can talk about the content of our letters after dinner. Put your letter away for now and come to the table."
"Please mum. May I bring my letter to the table? Papa and dad will be glad to hear what Zach has written."
Samantha realized Zaria was correct. Daniel and papa would be extremely pleased to hear from Zach. "Alright Zaria. You may bring the letter to the table. Perhaps your father will allow you to read portions out loud. Wash up and come to the table."
"Yes mum. I'll be right there. I'm just so happy everything is going well for Zach. I can't wait until I get to Hogwarts."
Samantha sighed. "Get washed up Zaria and get to the table."
/*/
Tom Riddle had more than usual on his mind, but he was also starving. He hadn't given orders for anyone to bring him dinner so there he sat, The Lord Voldemort, The Master, starving like some loathsome animal. After admitting to himself that none of his top eight would be coming to check if he'd eaten, Tom stepped outside his rooms to grab the first Slytherin that crossed his path. As luck or opportunity would have it, a Third Year had just entered the common room for whatever reason.
"You!"
The Third Year snapped around. Was The Master addressing him? Well there wasn't anyone else around so Lord Voldemort must be speaking to him. "Yes Master?"
"Get over here Nickerson."
"Yes sir."
"Have you just come from the Great Hall?
"Yes sir."
"Was Avery at the table?"
"Yes sir."
"Go back to The Great Hall. Tell Avery his Master wants dinner. He is to get me a full and half plate, dessert, and two drinks and he is to get it to me with all speed."
Nickerson was moving towards the door even before Tom stopped speaking. "Yes sir."
Speeding through the halls, Nickerson prayed no Prefect stopped him. He had orders and didn't want anyone or anything to slow him down.
/*/
Even though he was in awe of Avery and Nott, Nickerson was more frightened of his Master. Not approaching Avery wasn't even a consideration. Hurrying to the table, Nickerson stopped in front of Avery. "May I speak sir?"
Avery waved a hand. "If you have something to say, say it dolt then be on your way."
However, when Nickerson stated his purpose, Avery gave Nott a quick glance before snapping to attention.
"Lower your voice and repeat what you just said."
Nickerson repeated his orders in a very low voice. "The Master wants dinner. You are to make him a full plate, a half plate, dessert with two drinks and get it to him with all due speed."
"Alright, you've delivered your message. Get on about your business." Avery remarked as he began putting a dinner together. Turning to Nott, he asked him why he was just sitting there. "Fix a half plate with extra chicken, a large dessert and two drinks. Hurry it up. Tom is hungry."
Nott did as he was told. In less than three minutes, Avery was on his way to the Dungeons with Tom's dinner request. Tom was standing outside his rooms scowling with arms crossed. His only concession when he saw Avery coming was to uncross his arms.
"I guess I can write the idiot Third Year Nickerson down as reliable. Give me my dinner sack then get back to what you were doing. You better be keeping an eye on Malfoy. If he makes one step out of line, and it's not reported it will be punishment for all."
"Yes Master. Malfoy hasn't stepped out of line….yet."
Tom turned without another word and stepped into his rooms. Shrinking down his dinner sacks, Tom headed for the second floor girls lavatory. He would be eating his dinner and reviewing the Riddle lineage in the peace and quiet of The Chamber.
/*/
Tom was extremely hungry but as he unwrapped his dinner, he also Summoned his diary. There were notations he had to make.