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 35: Insights
Avery stepped in and handed Tom the plate.
"Well Avery. I hope this tray is better than the last. If it isn't, both you and Wilkins will hear from me. That's all. You may go."
Avery waited until he was halfway down the corridor to grumble. "Thank you Avery. Great job Avery. You always look out for me Avery. I'm not going to curse you today Avery. I just might take Nott up on his suggestion when I get out of Hogwarts. A dead Riddle is the best Riddle."
Avery walked back to the Slytherin table looking neither left nor right.
/
At the end of the lunch break, Dumbledore made it his business to be standing by the door of the Hall. Smiling and nodding at students as they went on their way to class, Dumbledore made a quick hand movement as Zach, Aiden and Trevor approached. When the three were level with Dumbledore, Zach's case slipped from his hand and the contents went everywhere. Aiden and Trevor bent down to help Zach as did Dumbledore who softly whispered to them.
"See me in my office after your last class."
The whisper was so soft it was as if Dumbledore hadn't spoken at all, but it was now ingrained in the heads of the three amigos.
As they hurried to their next class, Zach whispered. "I think we should see Professor Dumbledore after last class. Trevor and Aiden agreed.
/
Bertie had watched the entire interaction without realizing Dumbledore had just whispered instructions to Zach, Aiden and Trevor. All he could think there is nothing like being a clumsy arse in front of Professor Dumbledore.
/
/
A Riddle With Another Name 36: A Temporary Resolution
The rest of the school day passed quickly and just as quickly it was time for their appointment with Professor Dumbledore. Zach, Trevor and Aiden were a bit on edge but couldn't explain why. Professor Dumbledore favored Gryffindors. None of them should be on edge, but they were. Even though there was free time between last class and dinner, having a meeting without mentioning it to Bertie or Jackson could have repercussions even if it was with Dumbledore.
As the three left the bathroom, Aiden mentioned this very thing out loud. "Shouldn't we have mentioned our meeting to Bertie or Jackson?"
Both Trevor and Zach gave Aiden a look with Zach giving a smart answer.
"A Dumbledore trumps a Bertie. If necessary, we can explain the whole thing to Bertie after. I'm hoping the professor can stop whatever Avery and Nott plan to do before we need to explain anything to Bertie. Anyway, Bertie can't be angry as long as we are all together."
"Of course. What was I thinking?" Asked Aiden.
"That's just it mate. You weren't thinking. Come on then before Professor Dumbledore sends Fawkes out to find us." Added Trevor, clapping his mate on the back.
The three mates hurried to Professor Dumbledore's private rooms.
/
As they got to the door, it hadn't been necessary to knock. Dumbledore knew they were there.
"Enter."
Zach, Trevor and Aiden gave each other a glance before stepping inside the rooms. Professor Dumbledore was a marvel.
"Come in boys and have a seat. I feel as though there is something we need to discuss."
As usual, Zach was first to speak up. "So, we aren't in trouble? We thought you wanted to speak to us."
Dumbledore gave Zach a direct look. "In trouble? Really Mr Glover? In the short period you've been at Hogwarts, I assumed you would have caught on to how I move. If you were in trouble, the word detention would have come out of my mouth."
Trevor and Aiden suddenly found their laps very interesting. Zach had opened his mouth and put in his foot. Zach must have realized it as well because he clamped his mouth shut.
For several seconds Dumbledore remained silent glancing over at Fawkes.
"Well Fawkes. I guess I'll have to pull it out of them."
Squawk. Squawk.
The three young Gryffindors knew someone had to speak first. This time it wasn't Zach who spoke up. It was Aiden. "Professor Dumbledore sir. We think Bertie and Jackson might need help."
Dumbledore sat up straighter in his chair and gazed at the three over the top of his glasses. "That sounds serious Mr. Walsh. Just what kind of help do you think Mr. Robbins and Mr. Jackson require?"
Before resuming the conversation, Aiden glanced quickly at Zach and Trevor who both nodded.
"Today at break, Zach, Trevor and I took a stretch walk down the Alchemy corridor. While we were there we overheard Avery and Nott planning a scheme to attack and injure Bertie and Jackson. I mean Mr. Robbins and Mr. Jackson."
As serious as it sounded, Dumbledore could barely control a smile. These three First Years were the quickest he'd met in years. He gestured for Aiden to continue.
"That's about all we heard except they are expected to have their deed done by tonight."
Dumbledore was now on alert with many thoughts running through his head when Trevor suddenly spoke up.
"There is one more thing Professor Dumbledore. Avery or Nott, I don't know which one made something like a joke. He said, they should get one of the Slytherin First Years to attack Zach then there wouldn't be a need to go after Bertie or Jackson."
Zach glared at Trevor but remained silent. He didn't want any more trouble. He didn't
want his name put in anything.
Dumbledore stood up so fast he frightened the trio. "Thank you for coming to me. Go have your dinner. I'll handle this from here. Send Mr. Robbins and Mr. Jackson to me immediately. Personally, I don't believe in Slytherin jokes. Unfortunately for you three, that means I have to err on the side of caution. After dinner, I want the three of you to go straight to Gryffindor House for the evening. Do not go into the courtyard. Do not go to the library or anywhere else. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes sir."
"Yes Professor."
"Yes Professor."
"Excellent!" Dumbledore remarked, moving quickly to the other side of the room. "Go have your dinner and send Bertie and Cedric to me. Now. Go."
Zach, Trevor and Aiden beat feet out of there moving as quickly as they could. They had to get to Bertie and Jackson immediately.
/
The three amigos entered The Great Hall looking all disheveled and out of breath. Butters nudged Jackson.
"Oh, oh. Something is up."
Bertie turned away from Beth as Jackson looked around.
Summerlin watched as the three headed directly to the senior end of the table. "They've either killed someone or something is after them."
Bertie noticed the condition of his three minions and immediately stood not caring that half the Hall had turned to see why he appeared to be standing at attention. By that time, Zach, Trevor and Aiden had reached the table all out of breath.
"Is there a problem? What's going on? Speak!"
Trevor, who was first to catch his breath told Bertie and Jackson that Professor Dumbledore needed to see them immediately. Both Bertie and Jackson were caught off guard. Why did Dumbledore need to see them both?
To Zach, his mentors weren't moving fast enough so he made an entreaty. "Please Bertie go now. Professor Dumbledore has important business with you and Jackson."
Without another word, Bertie and Jackson strode across the room and out the doors.
/
Aiden leaned in over his steak and kidney pie to whisper at Trevor and Zach. "Everything is fine now. Professor Dumbledore will get it all sorted."
"I agree. Bertie and Jackson are safe." Added Trevor as he took another bite out of his fat, chicken leg. "We'll know soon enough."
Zach nodded adding a snide remark. "Well, the three of us will be okay seeing how we cannot leave the common room for any reason."
With a grin and a thump across Zach's arm, Trevor smarted right back. "And you are luckiest of all mate because I hear there's a First Year Slytherin out there waiting to beat that arse." The last being said in a low voice.
They all laughed as they eagerly tucked into the remaining food on their plates unaware of the looks and stares they were getting from the rest of the table.
When Trevor did look up, he noticed the stares. "Don't look now, but I think we are the focal point for most of the table."
"Really?" Aiden questioned as he took a quick look. "Yup. All the nosy nellies must have a mouthful of questions…."
Zach cut across Aiden. "….Which they will continue to have as we will not be sharing anything. Imagine if you will, us telling Bertie and Jackson's business and being bumped from the Quidditch team."
Trevor added his two cents. "You're right Zach. We won't be telling anything even if it had nothing to do with us being kicked off the Quidditch team. Bertie or Jackson would kill us for the sport of it. I'm going to have another chicken leg. They are so good."
Aiden and Zach simply nodded at their mate.
/
Over at the Slytherin table, Avery noticed Bertie and Jackson leave the Hall practically at a run.
"Don't make a fuss Nott, but Robbins and Jackson just left the room, in a hurry, I might add. Seems like the Gryffindor thugs need a quick loo break. This might be our opportunity to get one or both. I'll leave first. You follow on my heels."
By the time Nott had a quick look around, Avery was already on his feet heading towards the door. When Avery was almost at the doors, Nott got up and walked nonchalantly towards the door as well. Zach noticed and whispered to Aiden and Trevor.
"Look! Avery and Nott have just left the hall. Should we follow them?"
Both Trevor and Aiden glared in Zach's direction.
"No Zach. We shouldn't follow them. Haven't we agreed that Dumbledore will handle it all?"
Trevor made a loud sigh. "Yes we have Aiden. Will you ever learn Zach? Stop trying to step into trouble every other minute. We've warned the strongest and most magical professor at Hogwarts. It's not up to us to interfere. Let's just hurry up and finish dinner. If we have to remain in the common room or our dorm, we can study up on Quidditch moves."
Zach sighed. What had he been thinking? "Sorry. That was a silly thing to ask. I just…"
This time, Aiden gave Zach a telling off. "It doesn't matter what you just, because it has nothing to do with us. Please let this be the end of it unless we are called to Dumbledore's office or Bertie and Jackson approach us."
The three mates all remained silent. All had been said that needed to be said.
/
Bertie and Jackson arrived at Dumbledore's door out of breath to hear the familiar, enter. As soon as they were inside the door, Dumbledore gestured for them to have a seat.
"I imagine you're wondering why you are here?"
Prior dealings with their Transfiguration Professor kept Bertie and Jackson's mouths shut tight. The professor wasn't looking for a response. He was prefacing what he wanted them to know.
"You're here because I've been given information that there is a scheme afoot to attack and injure the both of you."
Bertie forgot himself and interrupted. "Attack? Injure? Jackson? Myself? Who? Why?"
One look at Dumbledore's furrowed brow told Bertie everything he needed to know. He snapped his mouth closed. Jackson, who knew better remained silent waiting for whatever was to come, but also wondered why and who.
"If you will allow me to continue Mr. Robbins, I'll tell you the who and the why."
Bertie blushed as he looked down at his feet. "Sorry professor."
Dumbledore ignored Bertie's apology and continued.
"As I said, a little while ago I was informed of a plot. It seems two Slytherins, for reasons unknown at this time, plan to separate and attack you both this very evening. The information is credible so I've called you here to form a plan of our own."
Even though there was a credible threat against them, both Bertie and Jackson were more angry than fearful. This shite would not stand.
Dumbledore glanced at one then the other. "You now know the reason I've called you here. Before we proceed, are there any questions?"
Of course there were questions.
"I don't doubt there is a plot and it is credible, but from where did the information come and how did the person come across it?"
Dumbledore spread his arms. "Since you are here with me and I'm sure no harm can come to you in my rooms, I'll elaborate. Earlier today I received certain vibrations which led me to invite Mr. Glover, Mr. Walsh and Mr. Wood to my rooms for an explanation of those vibrations. Strange as it seems, they had already planned to see me. Anyway, Zach, Trevor and Aiden….
As Dumbledore revealed the source, Bertie was fit to be tied. The three desperadoes were at it again. He was going to hex all three of them within an inch of their lives and then drop them from the Quidditch roster. His thoughts didn't go any further because Dumbledore was still speaking.
"…..came to me because while having a stretch of their legs between classes, they had overheard Avery and Nott hatching a plan to attack and injure one or both of you in a plot to keep you from Quidditch practice and more. You have some loyal First Years. Not wanting to see you attacked or injured they came to me for assistance. I assume they didn't go directly to you Mr. Robbins or you Mr. Jackson because you might have taken their concerns as nonsense. It's not nonsense. Because I have my ways, I feel certain our three young Gryffindors are speaking the truth. Now we stop your would be attackers in their tracks. Your part in this will be to go directly to your common room after dinner and remain there until I release you or until Quidditch practice tomorrow whichever comes first. One last important thing. Do not accost Avery or Nott. I'll take care of them. I apologize for interrupting your dinner hour which I see is now over. I will have trays sent to your House. One last word. Zach, Trevor and Aiden have been ordered to remain in Gryffindor House as well. That is all. To your House….without stopping."
Both Bertie and Jackson were overwhelmed but didn't hesitate to head for Gryffindor House with all speed. They had been warned away from Avery and Nott for the moment, but there were now at least two Slytherin who would wish they'd never been born.
/
Avery and Nott had stealthily checked every boys bathroom on every floor with no results. Wherever Robbins and Jackson had gone, it wasn't to the bathroom. Huddling together in a corner of the Alchemy corridor, they were wondering what to do next.
"Where the bloody hell could those two fools have gotten to?"
"Your guess is as good as mine Avery. Maybe they're traveling under Disillusionment."
Avery gave Nott a hard push. "And just why would that be Nott? They don't know we are after them. You're getting as simple as Malfoy. If you don't have anything worthy to say, say nothing. There's one place we haven't looked."
Nott, who was still aggravated by Avery's push as well as his tone said nothing.
Avery didn't notice Nott's silence because he already had a theory in mind. "I believe we should check the Quidditch equipment area. You know how important Quidditch is to Robbins. They are probably checking to be sure their equipment is ready for tomorrow. Let's go."
Nott followed behind without offering a word.
/
It had taken Avery and Nott exactly six minutes to reach the Quidditch equipment area. They had approached silently carefully searching their surroundings. However, all that had been unnecessary because the doors were locked and there wasn't anyone around not even Madame Hooch.
Nott chanced to speak. "So, what do we do now? Robbins and Jackson have disappeared."
"Of course they haven't disappeared." Avery snapped. "They are somewhere." Then realizing he had snapped up his best mate twice in ten minutes, Avery relented. "Sorry for being such an arse Nott. It's just that time is getting…"
Avery had stopped in mid sentence.
"What mate? Have you thought of something else?"
"Shhh. I think I just heard Robbins in the corridor."
A quick burst of excitement ran through Nott. Perhaps they would be able to appease Tom after all. "Alright let's go see. Now before he gets away."
Avery grinned. His mate was as anxious as himself to see this through. "Okay. Wands out. As soon as we see him or them, it's Stupefy. After that, we can drag them to an empty room and finish them off at our leisure. Be cautious though. We cannot let them even think someone is after them."
"Okay mate. Sounds like a plan. Let's do this."
/
As they hurried back to Gryffindor House, Bertie was lowly growling about what he was going to do to…..
"Stupefy!"
"Stupefy!"
"We got them both Avery. We got them both."
"Keep your voice down. Let's drag them to the empty room on the left."
"Ugh! This piece of shite is…."
"Silencio, Incarcerous, Furnunculus forehead, Obliviate the entire last hour." Had been cast on Avery in the blink of an eye.
"Silencio, Incarcerous, Backside Stinging Jinx, Obliviate the entire last hour." Had been cast on Nott in another blink of Dumbledore's eye.
Dumbledore had appeared out of nowhere with wand pointed. "Ah! You two moved a bit faster than expected, but I've got you now thanks to the Homonculous advising me of your whereabouts." Leaning down, Dumbledore whispered a few words first into Avery's ear then into Nott's. "That should take care of that. You'll only remember stalking Bertie and Jackson. Your minds may do the rest. Finite Silencio, Incarcerous Avery, Nott. Get back to Slytherin House and scratch your sore bottom and itchy forehead. Now."
Dumbledore watched the slow moving Slytherins until they were out of sight before turning to Bertie and Jackson.
"Sorry boys. I was a bit slow. I didn't mean for it to get this far. Finite!"
Bertie and Jackson jumped up looking around.
"What the he…..?" Bertie had started to swear but suddenly realized Dumbledore was standing near by. "Professor! I-we were attacked. I think we were Stupifyed."
Dumbledore smiled at both boys. "No worries. You were Stupifyed. The culprits have been dealt with and everything has been put right. I will remind of my stance on this. Do not take any actions against the Slytherins or you will face repercussions from me. As I said, they have been dealt with. Keep this between yourselves. It is your decision, but I suggest you thank Zach, Aiden and Trevor for their vigilance after advising them not to speak a word of it to anyone else. Not even the other members of the Dominators Club. Get back to your dorm and remember, constant vigilance."
"Yes sir. Thank you sir."
"Thank you Professor Dumbledore."
Bertie and Jackson had hurried up the stairs to their seventh floor dorms where The Fat Lady growled about students coming and going.
Dumbledore had saved their arses, two Slytherins had been exposed and handled, it was the weekend and Quidditch was tomorrow. Neither Bertie nor Jackson gave two shites about a few growls from a fat door watcher. In fact, they were in a hurry to get inside to thank their super fans.
Speaking softly to Jackson, Bertie shared a thought. "I have an important message for the trio."
"Really Bertie? Just what would that be?"
"It would be that they can come to me at any time with concerns and I will not think it is rubbish."
Jackson chuckled at his mate. "Sure you won't."
/
Bertie came through the doors pointing to Zach, Trevor and Aiden. "You three. Follow me to my dorm room. Now!"
Before Bertie was all the way across the room, Beth spoke and tried to step in front of him, but he wasn't having it. "I'll speak to you a bit later Beth. Right now I have business with Zach, Trevor and Aiden."
Beth wanted to follow behind Bertie, but his posture had spoken volumes. He had something to do which didn't include her. Returning to a seat in the corner, she wondered if Bertie was trying to push her away.
/
In the meantime, the three amigos had scrambled to their feet letting books, parchment and quills fall as they hurried to The Sixth Year Kingdom. Bertie was scowling and all red in the face. All three hoped they hadn't done the wrong thing by circumventing him and going straight to Dumbledore with their information.
As soon as they stepped into the room, Jackson closed the door with a snap. For a minute or two, neither Jackson nor Bertie said a word which caused Aiden to almost lose his shite entirely and literally.
"Please Bertie. I need the bathroom right now."
"Go and hurry it up. I have something important to say and I won't be saying it more than once."
Aiden ran to the nearest bathroom and almost did his business before he could get his trousers down. "Wonderful! I'll be standing with my mates getting a telling off with a load of dookey in my pants." That turned out not to be the case as he made it to the toilet in time. Thank you Merlin was all he could think as he washed and soaped his hands.
Bertie had been true to his word. The room was as silent as when he'd run off to the bathroom.
"Finally! I thought you might have drowned yourself in the toilet water." Turning so he was facing the three amigo, Bertie jumped right into the reason they were there. "I don't want it to seem as though I'm making a mountain out of a molehill, but today you three have outdone yourselves. Therefore, Jackson and I want to thank you for your loyalty to us. Professor Dumbledore informed us of what you three did to keep Jackson and I safe. Because I know your proclivity for running those mouths, I want to preface what I'm about to share with the caution you three cannot tell, discuss, share with anyone. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes Bertie. It's clear."
"It's clear Bertie."
"Our lips are sealed."
Bertie rolled his eye at Zach. "A simple, it's clear will do Zach."
"Sorry Bertie. It's clear."
Jackson then stepped in. "As Bertie said, Professor Dumbledore has advised us of your visit which gave him time to form a plan which I will say although helpful was a bit late. However, Bertie and I came away practically unscathed. It was also mentioned you didn't come to Bertie or I because you thought we wouldn't believe you…"
Bertie cut across Jackson to make the point. "Whether we would have believed you or not, is irrelevant. When there is a problem, your first stop should be myself or Jackson. From there, we'll decide what's believable. Now, with all that out of the way, Jackson and I want to let you know you have made us very proud. When you're trained up a bit, we might make you all our bodyguards. Thank you mates."
Extending their hands, Bertie and Jackson went down the line shaking each hand.
Jackson had a bit more to share. "Now that the threat, as it were, has been extinguished, you are free."
"Free?"
"Yes Trevor, free to leave the House."
"But it's past 8:00pm. We can't leave the common room." Added Aiden.
"Hahaha. You catch on quickly Mr. Walsh. Back to the common room with you. Quidditch in the morning. I hope you are all prepared. I don't want to have to take back all the nice shite I said to you." Bertie remarked with a smirk.
Each of the three amigos allowed himself a smile. They were definitely ready for Quidditch and more than proud to have helped out.
