How to solve a Riddle – The Plan
Step 1 – Infiltrate the friends
Step 2 – Figure out his secrets and weaknesses
Step 3 – Don't fall for his eyes

I scribbled out step three and tapped my pen on the notebook for a few minutes. If I was going to take him down I had to do it carefully. I couldn't take this lightly, Mattheo Riddle was untouchable at the moment. I'd spent the whole night thinking about it. It had come to me during another sleepless night. I couldn't fully blame Mattheo for taking Sirius away from me but he was connected to the enemy. Sirius had been passionate about fighting for the Order of the Pheonix and what better way to honour his memory than continue his legacy?
But for this to truly work, I needed to keep my plan under wraps. If there was one thing I'd learnt during my time on the streets, it was that you couldn't really trust anyone. The best laid plans only fell apart when you trusted too many people.

Step 3 – Don't get too close

I had to break him from the inside. Maybe then I could actually be of use to the Order of the Pheonix. They had been so worried about protecting my brother since Sirius died that they had made very little progress into fighting the actual war that was building. They had allowed good people to be hurt and kidnapped and no one on our side seemed to actually be doing anything back. When Sirius was still alive there were regular meetings and plans. Now, the action had plateaued and they were all sitting ducks.

I wouldn't be the same. I wasn't afraid of a fight.

Glancing at the clock I realised it was 10am. Slamming my book closed and tucking it safely away under my mattress, I hurried out of the dorms. I had my first meeting with Dumbledore today and I was already running late. My feet slapped against the stone steps as I made my way up from the dungeons. Dumbledore had invited me to these additional meetings but wanted to give me chance to settle in before we got started. Now that I'd been at Hogwarts just under a month it was time for the additional lessons to begin.

I muttered a hurried Sherbert Lemons to the gargoyle that was guarding his office. His note that I had received yesterday had given me this password, one of his favourite sweets. Dumbledore was a strange old fool that always seemed slightly too cheerful for my liking but Sirius had said he was the most powerful Wizard to ever live.

"Ah Miss Potter, do come in." His calm voice beckoned as the door to his office opened. My jaw dropped as I walked in and surveyed the room in front of me. The office was a place of wonder and eccentric charm, reflecting the unique personality of its occupant.

Inside, the circular room is filled with an array of curious objects and whimsical decorations. The back wall was lined with towering bookshelves filled with countless volumes on a variety of magical subjects. The shelves are stacked haphazardly and seem to extend beyond what the room's dimensions should allow, giving an impression of deep, infinite knowledge. Portraits surrounded the walls, each of their occupants staring down on me in interest.

In one corner, a magnificent phoenix, Fawkes, was perched on a golden stand, its feathers glowing with vibrant colours. Phoenix birds were fascinating, I'd read all about them, and this was one of the finest creatures I'd ever seen.

The room is bathed in a warm, soft light that seems to emanate from no particular source, giving the space an ethereal feel. The office is furnished with comfortable, plush armchairs and sofas, upholstered in rich, deep colours like burgundy and gold. In the centre of the room stands a large, claw-footed desk cluttered with parchment, quills, and various magical instruments—a Pensieve, a silver, a strange device that looked a bit like a lighter, and a collection of intricate, spinning devices.

Dumbledore was watching me stare around in wonder, his blue eyes twinkling behind his half-moon spectacles.

"How are you settling in Miss Potter?" He asked, sitting behind his ornate desk and placing the tips of his old fingers together. I glanced down at my hands and fiddled with my green tie as I thought of everything that had happened since I started.

"Good… I'm making friends. Hermione has been a great help too and the Slytherin's have welcomed me. My exams are next week." I replied, not looking up.

"Very well. The reports from your classes have been very good. In fact many tutors say they've not seen such Natural talent for a long time." He replied offering me a kind smile as he leant back and surveyed me carefully. His stares always gave you the impression that he knew more about you than you even knew about yourself. I had to make it seem as though everything was going perfectly. I couldn't have him interfering further in my life at Hogwarts, that would only make the Slytherin's concerned.

"Thank you Professor, I'm trying my best" I replied, hoping to appear humble. The truth was I knew I was good. I worked hard but most of it felt like riding a bike to me.

"Well, as part of these lesson's I think it best we learn a bit of magic that wouldn't be taught in lessons. Have you heard of Occlumency?"

*** 2 hours later ***

My head was pounding by the time I left Dumbledore's office. We'd been working non-stop with him infiltrating my mind and instructing me on how to prevent him from doing so. He was a kind teacher and often offered me breaks but my determination wouldn't allow me to fall so quickly. By the time we called it a day, I hadn't managed to completely block him out but I had slowly started to direct him towards some memories I didn't mind him seeing.

According to Dumbledore, that was amazing progress.

The strain exhausted me and my brain felt as though it had been electrocuted over and over again.

"Hey Tali" I jumped as Hermione's voice came from behind me, A Guide to Advanced Transfiguration clutched to her chest.

"Mione hi! Coming to lunch from the Library?" I asked nodding my head to the textbook in her hands. She glanced down and smiled.

"You know me too well. The boys have been getting in some quidditch practice before the trials this afternoon and I was making the most of the peace. Where were you?" I laughed at her response as we walked together. It was a beautiful day and lunch was just starting so the hallways were fairly quiet.

"Just those lessons with Dumbledore I told you about. My head is pounding from the concentration now." Hermione's face perked up a little bit.

"Occlumency… have you studied that?" I replied quickly giving her a quick look as she smiled.

"I've read about the theory of course but not practiced. You remember Snape was teaching Harry last year don't you? It wasn't going well though although I can't say Harry tried as hard as he could have." I made an 'o' sound with my mouth. I'd forgotten about Snape coming at Christmas. It didn't shock me that Harry hadn't done well with occlumency. Firstly, he hated Snape almost as much Sirius had and secondly, he hardly ever actually applied himself when it would benefit him.

"Well mine went better than that. Given more lessons I definitely think I'll get the hang of it. I actually kind of like the control." Hermione nodded smiling brightly.

"I'm sure you will. You're powerful. Anyway, I know you'll eat with the Slytherin's at lunch but want to join me to watch the tryouts this afternoon?" She asked eagerly as we approached the doors of the great hall.

"Yeh sure. Will you stick around after for the Slytherin tryouts?" I replied happily. Quidditch wasn't really my thing but it would be a laugh if nothing else.

"I don't see why not. See you later." She smiled softly as we split to our different tables. Spotting Enzo and Theo watching me I made my way over grabbing some pumpkin juice as soon as possible to ease my headache.

"Didn't know you and Grange were besties." Enzo teased, his usual smile wide upon his lips.
"She's been there for me through a lot." I shrugged grabbing an apple. As Theo's strong arm snaked around my shoulders. Theo was my way in. He was more closed off than the others but Mattheo was his best friend. We'd been getting closer since he'd been walking me to every class we shared together even though by this point I knew the way.

I liked him. He was kind when it was just us. He was definitely loyal but there was a darkness in him too. Maybe that was what attracted me to him. He was relatable. Nothing official had happened yet but since I'd come up with my plan I knew it was something I could benefit from.

"So Cariño you coming to Tryouts?" He asked as Enzo faked a puking face at his nickname.

"Yeh, Hermione just asked me the same. We'll be there for both Gryffindor and Slytherin Tryouts. What position are you all going for?" I asked quickly, I'd read a lot about about quidditch so I had knowledge of it even if I'd barely flown a broomstick.

"Montague is captain this year so Blaise, Pansy and Astoria will all be trying out for chaser spots. Malfoy the seeker, he's been on the team the longest out of all of us. Then Mattheo and I will be trying out as beaters again this year." Theo replied happily, he was always at his calmest talking about quidditch.

"No shock Riddle is a beater, he likes hitting anything that moves." I snorted

"Says the girl who hit Riddle." Enzo taunted back at me earning a laughing from Theo.

"Still don't know how you survived that one Cariño." Theo added. I shrugged quickly.

"We made a truce. Lowered the weapons as they say. Anyway, back to the important things does this mean you won't be trying out Enz?" I asked, eager to change the subject away from Mattheo again.

"No, can't ruin this beautiful hair with flying."

"That and he's been terrified since he flew into a hippgriff a few years back."

"Shut up Theo!" I roared with laughter as Enzo blushed and tossed a bread roll at Theo.

"Was the Hippogriff ok?" I asked smirking as Enzo stared at me feigning hurt.

"The blood bird was fine! I nearly lost a leg though! It attacked me!" He snapped making Theo laugh even harder than he had before, actual tears were no streaming down his face.

"I'd attack you too if you flew into me." I quipped finally earning a smirk from Enzo as he conceded and Theo wiped away his tears. One good thing about joining a group of people that had grown up together was that they all constantly had little stories about one another which allowed me to gain information. Small tidbits of information could make a big difference in the long run.

"So, can I sit with you and Granger?" Enzo added as I stood from the table after we had all finished eating. I noticed Theo roll his eyes but ignored it.

"Sure. Be nice though." I shot at him to which he feigned offence.

"Oh angel I'm always nice." He replied smirking before offering a glance at Hermione who had her head in the transfiguration book as she leant against the doors waiting for me. I wished Theo luck and dragged Enzo behind me so as not to keep her waiting any longer.

As it turned out Enzo could indeed behave himself around Hermione. If anything, I barely got a word in edgeways between the two of them. For two people who hated flying and quidditch they certainly enjoyed judging the players. Everything from looks, intelligence, tactics and flying ability was judged by the pair. They were both quite similar once they let their guard down and I couldn't help being proud of myself for introducing the pair.

"It would be nice for the two houses to get over their grudges and just get on with one another. Their rivalry was a tad pathetic in my eyes.

"I know Pansy is your friend but my gooood she's terrible at passing the quaffle. She knows that's literally half her job right?" Hermione muttered to Enzo pointing as Pansy missed Blaise by about 5 yards once again. Enzo giggled, yes giggled.

"I'm always concerned when she throws it this way. One day she's gunna hit us." Enzo replied happily and Hermione laughed. I tried to focus on the tryout myself but their comments made it even more funny. Blaise was a natural talent. Astoria and Pansy weren't superstars but at least one of them would almost certainly make the team. Draco looked massively uninterested this year but he was undeniably the best. It came so naturally to him and second to Harry he was the best seeker we'd seen all day.

"As for Theo and Mattheo they were unstoppable. Most of the other players were terrified of going near them and one second year was still crying from when Mattheo had glared at him, and that was before the trial even started.

"Who thought it was a good idea to give Nott and Riddle Bats?" Hermione chuckled as they raced passed us batting a bludger between themselves before Riddle sent it flying towards the dummy that had been set up for them to aim at. The dummy exploded and flashed to dust before reforming as they flew past smirking at each other.

"You'd think taking their aggression out on the pitch would stop them from getting into so many fights but no such luck." Enzo chuckled referring to the fact the two would be serving detention for the next week following a fight they'd had just yesterday.

At the end of the session Mattheo, Theo, Blaise, Draco and Astoria made the team. Pansy just missed out but she didn't look overly disheartened by it. Hermione and Enzo agreed to meet me in the Library the next day to go over all things potions before my exam on Monday, and we made our way back to the Slytherin Common room.

Tonight we would celebrate and tomorrow my plan would commence properly.

Thank you for reading! A bit of a character focus one for this chapter ! More coming soon!