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 26: Follow-Up
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.
/
/
A/N: *Avenseguim, *Finestra, *Nebulus, *Reverte: new Canon spells via Fantastic Beasts.
A/N2: It may seem as though I'm waffling back and forth about Bertie's grade level. I say he's a 5th year then I say 6th year. Here's the truth. Bertie has been at Hogwarts for 5 years which means he is going into his 6th year. No matter what I write moving forward. Bertie is a 6th year student. Mea Culpa.
A Riddle With Another Name 27: A Calendar And A Thwarting
Between bites, Tom notated finding Samantha Riddle now Samantha Glover. He also listed all the information Mulciber had turned over to him. Pausing to devour a chicken leg, Tom reviewed what he had written. His step witch (that's what she would have been had life gone another way) had married the wizard Daniel Glover. Tom wondered if Samantha and Daniel had any children of their own and if they were pureblood. Letting out a loud growl, Tom threw several bones over to his pet. Pureblood children were off limits as far as Tom was concerned. He'd never kill someone he could possibly recruit in the future. If he/she/they existed, they would be spared his wrath. Tom let out a huff. Then again, maybe I'll give them the same as I plan to give Samantha Riddle, Daniel Glover and the two Riddle mutts.
As Tom finished up his dessert, he had somewhat formed a plan. A plan he intended to put into motion immediately. He explained the plan to the Basilisk as though his pet could understand.
"Well my beauty. Fortunately for us, today is Sunday a day of rest, relaxation and little interference from any nosy professors. In addition, it's the perfect day to find the entire Glover family at home. That, of course, is contingent on Daniel Glover being a wizard who stays at home with his family instead of out and about with the next witch. In an hour or two, your favorite wizard will be taking a trip to Great Hangleton to pay a visit to my filthy step family."
Tom took a breath and with that breath came thoughts and questions. Why was a wizarding family living in a muggle settlement? Would I have been welcome in the home of Samantha and Tom Riddle if my father wasn't such a miserable wastrel? Hahaha. Perhaps I'll ask Samantha before I take my measures.
Tom's thoughts went on and on and as they did, he became infuriated because whenever he thought of Samantha Riddle and her two welcome children he thought of himself languishing in disgusting Wool's Orphanage fighting for every scrap. It was true he got his little bits of magic in, but for years he considered himself just some unwanted child who nobody gave a shite about. Until...until Albus Dumbledore showed up at the door whispering about magic and a bloody school called Hogwarts. Tom took a breath. It was a fact that Dumbledore rescued him. However, Tom didn't see it as being rescued. He saw it as a nosy arse sticking his nose in his business. He may have had to stay at the filthy orphanage but he had plans for his life when he was released. He was going to track down anyone connected to his mother and father and kill them all with his special powers. That had been his plan even before Albus Dumbledore showed up. And he had kept his word. It had taken a bit of time to run down information on his family line, but he had. He hadn't needed Dumbledore. He would have made his way.
Tom threw the last of the bones to the Basilisk before picking up the quill to make additional notations. The last of the notes were about Samantha's father Richard Gibbons. He would not be exempt from his wrath. The wizard wasn't a Riddle, but Tom was certain he didn't want to leave any stone unturned.
With his fit of fury over and all notations now down in the diary, Tom was ready to get on with the rest of his night. As he put the diary away, he left a few words with his companion.
"I'm off friend. Tonight I will see to Samantha, Daniel and Zaria Glover and be glad to do it. Zachary Glover will know what it's like to be an orphan."
/*/
Dumbledore was leaned back in his chair holding a conversation with the portraits. Suddenly, he felt the secret wards on the front doors shake. The wards were something he had put up. Officially, they were there to protect the school and its students. However, for Dumbledore, it was for instances such as this. No one except himself knew they were there. At that moment, some student was trying his luck at getting expelled. Moving at the speed of light, Dumbledore was at the front doors just in time to see Tom Riddle slip out the doors.
"Of course it would be Tom. No other student at Hogwarts was disrespectful enough or brave enough to slip out of the school to go wandering about." Dumbledore mumbled softly to himself.
Not knowing where Tom was going, Dumbledore simply resigned himself to follow the arrogant snot. "Not tonight Tom. You will not harm anyone this night. Albus Dumbledore will see to it. Accio Tom's comb. *Avenseguim. Now, no matter where you go Tom your comb will follow."
/*/
As fierce and powerful as Dumbledore was, he paled when he realized Tom had led him to the Glover's home. "How? When? Why?" He asked the night air as he cloaked himself landing two seconds behind Tom. "The miserable snot has become privy to Glover family personal information."
This was enough. Tom and Abraxas had gotten off lightly when Dumbledore brought their duplicity to Dippet and Slughorn. "This time, I will handle the problem myself. Tom Riddle will not come out of this with a light slap on the hand. And you have no one to blame but yourself Headmaster." Dumbledore sniped, speaking as though Armando and Horace were standing in front of him.
Tom was moving closer to the house with Dumbledore right on his heels. He was at the living room window peering in. However, when Tom dropped the cloaking spell and moved towards the back window calling out *Finestra. Dumbledore moved as well using non-verbal magic to Summon and Confund Tom.
"Accio Riddle's cloak."
"Confundo Tom."
Moving quickly, Dumbledore repaired the window then called up a heavy fog to cloak himself and Riddle in case Daniel heard the noise and came to check the window which he would find in place. Daniel would have to put the slight noise he heard when Tom cast the Finestra spell down to the miserable foggy and stormy weather.
"Reverte."
"Nebulus."
Dumbledore called out one last spell as he placed a dazed Riddle's hand on the comb.
"Portus Comb."
Then they were on the their way back to Hogwarts via a portkey comb.
/*/
Dumbledore was furious with the still dazed and confused student in front of him. He didn't know how Tom had secured the Glover's personal information, but he was about to find out. For the second time that night, Dumbledore was about to do something that impacted a student.
"Accio Veritaserum."
Putting one hand on Tom's forehead, Dumbledore held Tom's head back and dripped three drops of Veritaserum down his throat. The change was immediate. In addition to being dazed and confused, Tom was now slack jawed as well. Dumbledore asked the first question.
"How did you come by information on the Glovers? Answer now."
"From Mulciber." Tom replied.
"Mulciber?" Dumbledore was caught off guard. Mulciber couldn't get out of his own way. How had he gotten the information?
"Where did Mulciber get the information?" Dumbledore asked. "Answer now."
"I don't know. I told him to get certain information on Glover and he got it in record time. The dolt surprised me. I did hear a whisper that Avery and Nott helped him. Where or how they got the information I do not know."
Dumbledore raised his wand. "Sleep!"
Tom's head lolled over to the side.
Dumbledore had to think. Avery, Nott and Mulciber had somehow gotten Zach's information. The only place anyone could find personal student information was in Dippet's office or mine. I'm quite certain three Slytherins didn't just stroll into Armando's office and ask to see files. So how? Dumbledore strode over to his cabinet where he kept information on certain students to check if it was secure. It was. Dumbledore had another idea. He'd try a different tack.
"Wake!" Ignoring the drool hanging from the side of Tom's mouth, Dumbledore asked his next question. "In what form did the information come to you? Answer now."
With his eyes rolling around in his head, Tom tried to sit up straight but failed. "The information appeared to be copies of a handwritten piece of paper, an envelope."
Dumbledore immediately knew from where Mulciber, Avery and Nott had gotten the information. It was obvious. They had interfered with Zach's mail probably in The Owlery. At that exact moment, Fawkes let out a loud squawk.
"So you agree my friend? The miscreants were messing about Zach's mail. Well I have news for Mr. Riddle. He's never going to remember any of this. Dumbledore gave his orders. Obliviate Glover family information and your visit to their home. Now get back to your dorms, get in bed and go to sleep without speaking to anyone."
Tom rose from the chair and left Dumbledore's rooms without looking left or right.
/*/
Dumbledore turned to Fawkes. "That should take care of that my friend. The fox has been outfoxed. For the moment, Tom Riddle has been neutralized. If I can manage, I am going to Obliviate the other three dolts as well." Dumbledore let out a chuckle. "If I can manage, of course I'll manage. I now have another pressing stop to make Fawkes. I'll be right back.
/*/
Cloaking himself once again, Dumbledore turned into apparition and landed in The Owlery. As he moved about, Dumbledore talked to himself. "You may keep trying Tom, but I plan to stop you at every turn."
Raising his wand and mumbling a few words known only to himself, Dumbledore fixed it so no one except the sender or receiver could interfere with his/her own mail. Whomever touched a piece of mail or parcel that didn't belong to him would not only get the shock of his life but toasty hands as well. Dumbledore mumbled some more to modify the spell. The intent had to be bad in order for the spell to activate.
"I almost outdid myself." Dumbledore said with am wry smile. "Imagine some student being asked to pick up a mate's mail and coming away with a shock and burned hands. That wouldn't be good. No matter. All is fixed now. Back to my rooms I go."
Dumbledore landed in his rooms in the best of moods. For the time being, we have thwarted Mr. Riddle and his minions. I feel so good Fawkes I think I'll have a smidgen of brandy. Then it will be sleep for us both."
Squawk, squawk, squawk…..
Fawkes concurred.
/*/
Zaria had been pulled out of a deep sleep. Some loud noise which appeared to have come from the dining room had jolted her awake and had her head throbbing as well.
"Mum? Dad? What was that noise?"
Neither Samantha nor Daniel answered. Slipping her feet into her house shoes, Zaria went to investigate. Everything was quiet now but she would swear she'd heard glass cracking. Pulling the curtain aside, Zaria checked the window for cracks. There were none, but the cold draft emanating from around the window was intensifying her headache and giving her goosebumps as well.
Removing her hand from the curtain and folding her arms around herself, Zaria made an admission. "I think I'm becoming some kind of nutter. Either that or this crazy storm has me hearing things."
As she crept back to her bed, Zaria wished she had Mazie and Casper to keep her company.
/*/
After dinner, the Gryffindor common room was bustling with activity. Trevor, Zach and Aiden were off in the Third Year corner trying to hear what they were saying. It was getting annoying listening to classmates talking about "Third Year" things. Trevor especially thought it might be cool to learn Third Year things in First Year. Zach and Aiden couldn't give a care one way or the other. Zach stood up.
"I'll see you all later. I'm going to the dorms to look up some stuff."
Aiden rolled his eyes. "Stuff like what Zach? This is a free day which is rapidly winding down. Why spend the remaining hours studying? You have all week to study."
Giving Aiden a direct stare, Zach started to walk away. "I didn't ask you to stop eavesdropping Aiden. For your information, I understand Third Year stuff enough to know you have to have a witch or if you prefer, a wizard. You don't have either so calm down. I'll be in the dorms."
Trevor started laughing before giving Aiden a thump on the arm."Yeah Aiden, calm down. I think I'll go have the snack cake I saved from dinner. See you later."
Aiden jumped up to follow Trevor but got stopped halfway across the room. Jackson was inquiring. "What are you three up to? I noticed you three leaving the common room one at a time, so I'll ask again. What are three trying to get up to?"
Aiden stared at Jackson like a Niffler caught stealing someone's gold.
Unfortunately, Aiden's non-answer caused Bertie to halt his conversation to hear what Aiden was about to say. With all three Fifth Years staring at him, Aiden suddenly remembered his talk with Bertie. He was supposed to take it like a wizard, suck it up then move on. What bearing that advice had on the matter at hand Aiden didn't know. What he did know was he'd better start talking. So he did.
"We aren't up to anything. It just so happens Zach got tired of trying to hear about Third Year things so he went to the dorms to study up. Then Trevor got tired of trying to hear the Third Years discuss things so he went to the dorms to eat the left over snack cakes. That left me. I don't have any idea what it means when someone says get up to Third Year things so I'm going to the dorms to try and nick some of Trevor's snack cake. That's all we're up to."
For five solid seconds, Bertie, Jackson and Butters were silent. Then Bertie went hysterical quickly followed by Jackson followed by Butters. The three were falling over laughing with Bertie making the only response.
"Merlin Jackson. You just had to ask. Get on your way Walsh. And I better not find any crumbs on the floor or the beds. Ninety minutes until lights out."
Thinking he had made a fool of himself, Aiden hurried to the dorms looking neither left or right.
Bertie, Jackson and Butters had another laugh when Beth innocently asked what were they teaching First Years.
Jackson assured her they weren't teaching them anything out of order. Then he elaborated telling Beth the three amigos had very sharp hearing and didn't miss a trick which was why they
"Oh okay." She remarked, glancing around at Bertie, Jackson and Butters. "They don't really know anything about anything. Excellent. For a minute there, I thought I should run upstairs to study up to keep up with three First Years."
With a full blush covering his face, Bertie ended the discussion. "Alright Jackson and Butters knock it off. You're making Beth and the other witches uncomfortable."
Beth turned to give Bertie a wink. "I'm not uncomfortable. I'm just trying to keep up with the First Years."
Jackson and Butters let out soft chuckles but the conversation had come to the end. "Come on Butters. Let's take a quick walk to the kitchens to see if we can snag ourselves some snack cakes."
Jackson and Butters left the common room laughing.
/*/
After Jackson and Butters left the room, Beth turned to Bertie and spoke in a whisper. "Don't forget. I'm on your calendar. I wouldn't mind getting up to some Fifth Year stuff. I'm going up to my dorm. Suddenly, I'm hungry for snack cakes. Goodnight. I'll see you tomorrow."
Bertie jumped up. Following Beth out of the room, he called after her. "A minute Beth."
Beth came back down the two stairs. "Yes Bertie. What do you need?"
Unschooled in the way of chatting up a witch, Bertie did the best he could. "I-I-I…"
"You-you-you what Bertie?" She asked, moving closer. Before Bertie could find his voice, Beth took his hand then left a kiss on his lips. "Goodnight wizard. Just one more thing."
"And what's that Beth?" Bertie asked, running two fingers across his lips.
"I'm on your calendar which is where I want to be. Goodnight Bertie."
Bertie stood there watching Beth climb the stairs feeling all warm inside. He had a fit witch on his calendar. What a way to start the new school year.
/*/
Bertie was headed to the Fifth Year dorms but decided to check on Zach, Trevor and Aiden. With all that rubbish that Aiden was spewing there was no telling what they were getting up to. He gave a quick knock before opening the door.
"Are you three all set up for tomorrow?'
Trevor answered. "Yes Bertie."
Aiden answered. "I am Bertie."
Zach made an excuse. "I'm still sorting out my case Bertie, but I'll be ready for class."
Bertie turned to Zach. "Still sorting out your case Glover? Now why is that? Instead of worrying about nonsense that doesn't concern you, you need to keep your mind on what matters. That means all three of you. You have thirty minutes until lights out. Make good use of your time."
Bertie turned to go.
"We will Bertie. Goodnight."
/*/
Bertie entered the dorms with a big smile on his face. It was mandatory he kept the three bandits on their toes. Glancing over at Jackson and Butters, he saw two sets of eyes staring at him.
"What? Do I have something hanging from my teeth? Why are you staring at me like two dolts? I don't see any Chocoballs laid out on my bed. I thought you'd have all our Honeydukes purchases sorted by now."
Jackson had a cheeky reply. "It's Summerlin's fault. We meant to get everything sorted but he wanted to talk our ears off. I'm glad the bloke has gone to bed."
Bertie chuckled as he folded his clothes. "Summerlin was it? Too bad he's not here to stand up for himself."
"He was tired." Jackson replied.
"I imagine next you'll tell me Summerlin took my bag with him. If so, me and my tee and briefs will be marching down the hall to beat the shite out of Summerlin and get what's mine."
Butters glanced over at Jackson. "Jackson is acting the fool. Summerlin didn't have anything to do with anything. We were too busy discussing your sudden interest in Beth to sort the sweets. We were very surprised you have a calendar. Well, we weren't surprised you have a calendar. We were surprised that Beth is on it. We thought it only had room for the bandits and Quidditch. Now we know better. How long has this been going on and does she have a friend?"
For several seconds, Bertie remained silent before breaking into gales of laughter. "Stay out of my business and give me my Chocoballs before you both land on my calendar."
Butters handed over two packs of Chocoballs as he headed to the bathroom. "Oh my. Bertie has a witch and suddenly he's all surly." Turning to Jackson, Butters muttered a mild threat. "Don't get me and Summerlin involved in your lies. Sorting sweets never came up."
Bertie smiled. "Are you two tossers finished talking? I'll take a shower in the morning. All that talking to the witch on my calendar has made me tired."
Five minutes later, Bertie was snoring while Jackson remained sitting on the side of his bed wondering how the least romantic of the three of them managed to get a witch. As he undressed, Jackson thought about Bertie. He has himself a witch. I want one. Then he too slid into bed and was asleep before Butters finished his shower.