"Sadell, can we talk?"
A bit of silence falls into the common room as soon as she asks for an audience with the notorious ice queen, but the hush quickly disappears when there is a long, long minute of nothing before Sadell deigns acknowledge Eileen's presence with a side glare above her Astronomy book. It was a chance to catch her without the manly part of Riddle's army, including Riddle himself. They must be somewhere practicing dark arts on a beautiful sunny weekend. Not that she cares that much as long as it doesn't include another trip in Dippet's office because of his murderous pet.
"Bugger off Floquet. You're not part of us anymore."
"I will let you know when I need your opinion, Atheis."
"What do you want?"
Ignoring the raging blondie, Eileen turns to Sadell with the most unnatural smile.
"Oh, nothing much. Just wanna catch up for all those days spent hiding away from your gracious presence?"
"Spare me your lies," Sadell cuts sharply. "I don't know what has gotten you so cheeky lastly, but this is becoming insufferable. I am sick of your antics so you better come up with a good explanation for your behaviour, or I promise you a lot of pain you would never cope with."
Uh-oh. Wrong start. The normally so aloof and calmly frigid Sadell Eldwins is chiding her with more venom than usual. 'Must have really been fed up with me now.' Eileen blinks a few times, trying to think of something fast. "Well... you almost cursed me to death two weeks ago. It's not like I'd get all buddy-buddy with you all like nothing happened, would I?"
It doesn't seem to do the trick.
"First, you deserved it. Second, what you're saying is pretty strange, Floquet. So contradictory to your past self. You resent us because we hurt your body and pride when it had never bothered you before... So why does it now? I'm curious." The gaze she greets her with is the kind that makes a person feel like being pierce by a sharpened blade.
Eileen frowns at that. It hadn't...? Oh.
Sometimes she forgets she's spent all those months being literally nothing while following Riddle's cult in the dark like a ghost. Sadell's pet isn't supposed to answer back when mocked. Sadell's pet isn't supposed to make herself known to the world. She isn't supposed to do anything other than be Eldwins' shadow, carry her bag, pick some things for her, convey some messages to some unimportant Housemates, etc.
She has been doing the total opposite since the day she has choosen to save Myrtle Warren. Or was it already the case long before that? Whatever. She'd already notice the numerous slip-ups she uncounsciously let out in front of them of course, it was nothing new. Mistakes happen. However, Eileen hasn't known of herself being that obvious. "As a matter of fact..."
Eileen takes a long breath.
"I have... thought that... at least- I was more valuable, um, alive? That at least you wouldn't try to kill me- or let the others kill me. I was very sad, you know. You're my only f-friend out here, I couldn't cope with being stab in the back by... the only person willing to accept me."
She wasn't sad, really. She was frustrated to have let Eldwins punished her this way without doing anything just because she is supposed to be used to the suffering.
"But I am not angry anymore. And I think you were right back then. I wanted to apologize, I shouldn't have threatened Slytherin's reputation with my past misdeeds. It won't happen anymore, I swear on Merlin. As say the Frenchies: "Croix de bois, croix de fer, si je mens je vais en Enfer."
"What did you say?" Elizabeth asks with a mix of confusion and awe. "Since when are you able to speak French..."
Eileen stares at her like horns just sprew out of Elizabeth's forehead, amazed by the sheer walking-stupidity Eldwins surrounds herself with everyday.
"Um... My name is Floquet? Isn't it French enough for you?"
She shuts her mouth, hard. And still confused, as if Eileen has just revealed she came from an alien's lineage.
Atheis takes over the conversation. "What does that mean?"
"Ah. It basically means that I'm going to Hell if I lie. It's a "cross my heart and hope to die" thing. Charming, isn't it? Altough the first part doesn't make any literal sense because-"
"Enough," Sadell cuts her off with a sharp slap on the table.
She closes the book she's been reading until now. Eileen can sense the few students in the common room observing them like birds of prey in front of juicy gossips to share for later. Her intention is purely to be put back into the shadows and tore Riddle's scrutiny off her shoulders. Easy, right? Saving Myrtle could still be possible as long as she sticks with the flock for the day and become batman in the night in order to protect the Ravenclaw walking mess.
"I understand that you must have felt alone, pitiful and humiliated these past weeks," she starts.
Eileen nods firmly, affirming Sadell's words despite the lack of compliment.
"There is something wrong with you, I can feel it. You have changed somehow, and I don't refer to the last recent days, no. I mean since you came back that September. I don't know what happened for you to have become so... easy-going, but know this Eileen Floquet: you are no one, and you will be no one until the end of your schooling here, do you understand?"
Eileen forces herself not to look disturbed by the first part. "I understand."
"I will look past your previous transgressions, but now there will be new rules for you to follow. You won't defy me anymore. You will obey everything I say and stay in line until I say so. No more stunts where you disappear Merlin-knows-where. No more tardiveness in class. No more Trolls."
"I promise."
"Go back to being my behaved pet until the end."
"Yes."
"Also, the obeying part includes Tom as well."
"I unders- Wait. What?"
"You are to obey Tom's every rules like any of your housemates. Don't you dare question his authority or disregard him like you did last time."
Oh, well. She is not signing to become one of Riddle's little pawn but it is not like she would make herself important enough to be noticed from now on. The slytherin's former outcast internally sighs, showing a tight smile on the outside.
"So mote it be."
Fortunately, no real vow has been evoked for this deal, so her magic remains totally unaffected as soon as she pronounces the dangerous words. Atheis' glare is back on her, although Elizabeth's is lighter compared to earlier. Sadell's face remains the same for a long time before her traits relax suddenly. She points to the chair opposite to her.
"You may sit, Eileen."
The latter quickly follows the unsaid order way too enthusiatically.
"And don't forget my bag when we depart for Transfiguration." Ah, here we go. Back to being Sadell's dog again so soon. Never had Eileen thought she would be happy to act as a slave for the second time in her entire life. Or should she say lives?
"Well, well, well. Would you look at this!" a joyful voice chimes behind her back. A voice she's spent three days to avoid, fruitless effort from her part seeing as Orion Black still shown up right there like the overjoyed malicious drama queen villain he is.
"Orion!" Atheis greets with a far more happier face than she has shown Eileen. "Why are you here so soon?"
"Mrs. Glenn dismissed the class sooner than planned."
Pray Merlin, or God, or whatever living divinity breathing bits of holy air on this rotten planet, he only is with Nott.
"What, are you two associates again? Since when? What did I miss?" Ezekiel looks confused, but most certainly as curious as his peer who simply takes a seat next to Eileen much to her consternation. The other chooses to sit beside Elizabeth.
"Eileen apologized," Eldwins explains, "And has shown great interest in joining us again. She agreed to certain things in order to do so."
She had to tell them, obviously. Eileen suppresses a roll of eyes while she can sense a burning reaction to her right. Atheis isn't pleased. Orion shoots her one of his grins. "Wow, someone has followed some advices I see. Glad to have you on-board again, O Heiress of Slytherin!"
She returns the smile more tightly.
"Thanks. But can you please stop calling me that? This is not what I am, and you know it. A Slytherin Heir wouldn't reek of dullness and insignificance as I do."
Even Nott snorts at that, proving her point. Sadell seems to approve too with a minuscule nod.
"That's true," Orion agrees solemny before getting his devilish-know-it-all face back, "But how do we know you're not a fake? How can you prove you're not responsible for Sanderson and the other's condition?"
Okay. She was quite in a good mood until now, but Eileen's patience is actually growing very thin. She glares with a blank face before Sadell can stop her.
"Since you asked– First of all, the spells Eldwins put me under for hours made me so weak I couldn't have cast a levitation charm even if I wanted to. Second, I wouldn't have waited all those years to prove myself worthy to you all, especially by causing harm around me. Would be very counterproductive don't you think?"
"Eileen–"
"Third and lastly, you have to be a bloody Parseltongue to be the bloody Heir of Slytherin. Have I ever shown you that kind of skill yet? I can't even seem to communicate properly with the idiot you are, so imagine with snakes!"
With this outburst, Eileen's fist hits the surface of the table, and the sound of the impact explodes in the entire room before vanishing up into the dark ceiling. She thinks she even saw some of the green lamps above the table flicker a little, but surely she must have imagined it because it would mean big trouble for her.
Regaining her senses, she takes a look at Sadell and surprisingly, she isn't as angry as she thought she would be. Orion is only cackling like the little devil he is, and Nott... Ezekiel is frowing while looking right at her, not sure of how to react. Maybe it was a little too early for Eileen to make a come back right now. It seems she couldn't stay still like before despite all the efforts she puts in it, and she has no time or reason to explain anything about her new behavior she appears unable to control right now.
Okay, time to flee.
"Oh- Oh, look at the time! Dinner is almost ready. I think I should-"
"Eileen. Floquet."
Uh.
Maybe Sadell's face isn't showing the slightest emotion, but her voice sure is scary. Her eyes are too.
"We have talked about this." And there is no coming back, she sees. Except if she wants to be an eternal outsider to the Slytherin folks. Fortunately, she doesn't. Then the only thing to do now...
"I... am sorry," she whispers slowly with the most exucriating effort to Orion. "I... I've been very upset lately and it had somehow affected my mood and conduct towards everyone here. As a Slytherin myself, consider me ashamed. I shouldn't have... lost it. I hope the generous Heir Black can forgive the hooligan I am for my offensive behaviour."
"You're excused, Floquet," he says with an irrritatingly amused face. "And I promise, no more 'Heiress of Slytherin' from now on."
"Good. Uh- I mean, cool. Um... Thanks."
God, the following days are going to be Hell.
"You're weird," Ezekiel whispers more to himself than anything, shaking his head. Eileen simply shrugs and decides to focus her thoughts on the book she's just taken out from her bag. Nothing better than a good cliché-mature novel to pass the time while ignoring the rest of the aspiring dark lord's group around her.
Soon, the conversation becomes duller for her. Eileen can take a break from sudden flying curses now that what she calls the Sadell immunity is on again.
To be someone's dog is all it takes to just to be at peace. So lucky.
Just as Eileen stands up head to class ahead of the others, the entrance of the common room opens with a low rumble. A slender silouhette enters slowly inside the room, back hunched and seemly hurting by the way he is slightly limping on his left leg. Eileen immediately recognizes Harvey-not-Harvey and without thinking she rushes to his side with a scowl, almost scaring the poor boy.
"Oh, waouh. Look at you. On your way to try and shift into your animagus form?" she jabs without a hint of humour. "What happened to you to be in such a state?"
"... Ah. It's... it's nothing. I fell down the moving stairs, is all."
Ha.
The irony. Does he think he can get away with this pathetic, uncreative excuse she herself have been using for a year to hide all obvious traces of abuse? Who has come with this excuse first, to begin with? It is pretty lame and so cliché. Everybody can guess through that lie since eons now.
Eileen snorts, crossing her arms on her chest.
"What, did you think yourself smarter than your senior housemate? No, no. My question is: who did this?"
Harvey seems speechless for a while. Shocked, and panicked, on the verge of tears that he bravely shoves away with a blink of eyes. He sniffs, "I-I don't know what you're talking about."
Then, something catches his attention past her shoulder and he suddenly retreats a little, face down. When Eileen looks behind her, all she can see is Riddle's croonies watching them from afar, curious. Yeah, she can get why Harvey feels intimidated.
"Oh, don't mind them. We're all buddy again."
"What?"
"Who did this, Harvey? Gryffindors? Ravenclaws? Don't tell me this is the deed of Hufflepuffs or I swear to Merlin I'm gonna eat badgers for every meals until the end of the year."
He lowers his gaze, hesitating. Eileen can feel the braincells burning with intensity as he tries to think of whatever idea that could pull him out of this dilemma. Finally, with a voice so low Eileen has to concentrate to catch, Not-Harvey speaks.
"Parker. It's... Parker."
And then, everything becomes clearer all of sudden. Parker, that Gryffindor brute who likes to play the Avenger of Lions since he had punched the shit out of a former Slytherin bully last year. The slytherin in question was two years younger than the idiot, mind you.
"Why didn't you go to Dum- to Dippet?"
"... You know why."
He tries to walk past Eileen, only to have his arm grabbed, forcing him to a brutal stop. "Hey, hey. Dippet is not like Dumbledore, okay. He can do something about it."
"No he can't. Because whenever a Gryffindor is involved, gryffindors' head of house shows up from nowhere and pull them out of trouble like they did nothing wrong."
She can feel the strong resentment in that trembling voice. She herself can't help but curse mentally against the future headmaster for the evident foolish favoritism that will soon cost him a war two decades later because of the strong animosity he will show most of the dark families. Well, it's not exactly what happens but Riddle being on constant watch and treated like a criminal since day one by the eye-twinkling old man is mainly the crux of the story's triggering event.
"Eileen," Sadell calls as she appears right beside the girl, "It's time for class. Here, do what you are used for."
Eileen instinctively takes the bag thrown at her without releasing the other boy from her clutch. Sadell takes a glance-over to the shivering slytherin. "And choose your own pets carefully darling, at least someone with higher chances of surviving in the wild."
The up and down look she gives Harvey totally means what she's said just now. As soon as she departs with the others, the boy frees himself from Eileen and runs towards the dormitory without another word.
"Fuck," Eileen grunts.
So many things to take care of. Hopefully spring will pass quickly and she can have some peace for herself during the future weeks of exams.
It is... weird to spend time with the popular Slytherin group again. It has been a long time since she's heard Malfoy's vicious insults, Nott's snobism, Lestrange greasy cackles, without mentioning Mulciber's lecherous glances and Orion's disturbing remarks. She hadn't missed them at all, and getting acquainted with the group once again has provoked unwelcome symptoms to her, like terrible headaches in their presence. This is what she's bargained for. A piece of tranquility in exchange of a distressing daily life around the future Dark Lord's minions.
She has to bear with it.
Two years and half left.
"Lorella's father asked for the school to close, at least until we find the real culprit."
"The fool. Closing Hogwarts like this would require the vote of every member of the Educational Department plus the Wizengamot. Disturbing such an important Council just for some petrified mudbloods would be an absolute nonsense."
"What authority Calister Salvadòr has in the Winzengamot? None," Malfoy points out. "So stop trusting everything that is said in the bloody newspapers."
Lestrange and Mulciber grunt in discontent but don't engage in the subject any further. Atheis takes this opportunity to step under the spotlight like the attention-whore she is. And Eileen isn't ashamed to think of her that way. That annoying air full of pretentiousness doesn't fit the rodent face she arbors when trying to impose her presence.
"Anyway, whatever monster is removing all the mudbloods out of our sight, this is quite relieving for us, don't you think? Let them know their places, and let's thank our great secret benefactor for doing a good job."
Eileen can't miss the side glances she not-so-elusively throws at Riddle while spewing nonsense. It is almost revulsing, and it is more than certain the others feel the same too.
They don't know who specifically is behind the horrible petrifying thing. They may have a hintch, as Riddle doesn't seem really disturbed with the whole chaos occuring in the castle right now, but Eileen is dead certain he hasn't told them anything. At least not in details.
Amusingly, Riddle doesn't even avert his eyes from his plate. He simply continues eating as if Atheis never spoke.
"Careful, Greengrass. That thing could be attacking you very soon," Orion mocks.
She snorts- not very distinguished coming from an Elite of her lineage.
"Not a chance. I am a pureblood. In fact, the only one here who should watch her back is Floquet."
Not the only one, Eileen wants to refute so much. Forcing herself not to glance at Riddle or react to the girl, she shrugs and resumes her watch over the Ravenclaws's table where the thin silouhette of Myrtle can be seen amongst dozen of children dressed in blue.
"Let's hope it comes fast," Abraxas sighs languishly.
"It's still funny to see the idiots throw curses at her. What if we can pretend she is the Heiress a bit longer?"
... Okay, what is that bitch doing now? Atheis was pretty happy to ignore her most of the time, but never had the witch been so enclined to harass her that much. She still doesn't want to play Atheis's game though. She has a real bullied victim to keep an eye on.
Hornby is far too close to her protégée to her liking. Eileen is ready to remotely retaliate at the slightest move from the proud witch.
"What do you think, Eileen? I know you're thrilled to be the centre of attention, borrowing the title of Heiress is what made you think you were so important these days, wasn't it? Maybe that's why you were so intent to go back to Sadell's side. So you could try to shine brighter that needed."
Let her talk, she's embarrassing herself. Eileen doesn't even know how they can tolerate such an immature act in front of them, just because the poor girl doesn't like Eileen. Her coming back amongst the blood purist herd must have been a shock.
"Hey! I'm talking to you Floquet."
"Oh, you are?" Eileen snickers, "Sorry, my mind is focused on more important thing- or people- to pay attention at the little ball of childish fury you are right now."
Atheis blinks in consternation. Eileen is ready to get scolded, punished, talked down even. But the most unusual thing happens at the moment a laugh echoed at their table. Two laughs, actually. Orion's and... Lestrange's...? What the hell—
"I will not have the weakling you are disrespect me in such a–"
"Who are you watching so passionately since weeks, Floquet?" Black interrupts the rage of Atheis who looks at the boy in such outrage that Eileen would have had to suppress an uncontrolable laugh, had Orion's sentence not been that disturbing.
"Is that a boy?" he tries to look above the hundred of heads where Eileen have been watching.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"It's Warren, isn't it?"
"What?"
How does the second bloody Slytherin devil know?!
"You've been acting like a creep since that day at the library. I wonder what the little moaning Myrtle did to have you so stressed out and mysterious?"
"You're wrong."
She doesn't like it one bit. Everyone at the table including Riddle is watching their exchange like a tennis game, as though this case is worth getting an interest on. What a joke. "I was simply daydreaming."
"You are evasive."
"And you are a di–"
A clearing of a throat stops Eileen from signing her death warrant. She bits her lips and tries to calm down. It works faster than she thinks. "And you are, Heir Black, far too much curious for your own good."
"Curiosity is the ability to seek and acquire new knowledge, as they say. Salazar would say this is what has got humanity to evolve the way it is now."
Eileen hasn't asked for a philosophy lesson. It is just a stupid excuse to interfer with her private life. Can't the Black spawn just leave her alone once and for all?
"Indeed. But curiosity used to the wrong extent can also lead a soul to death."
Silence fills the table at once.
And there it is. The main character who loves being all dark and mysterious finally takes part to the conversation! Not at the best time, mind you, because Eileen can feel the weight of Riddle's stare even though she is stubbordingly keeping hers down. The hidden message is understood perfectly.
Understood, yes. Considered, much less.
"Well, Eileen has shown herself pretty suicidal these days," Eldwins states as she nobly munches on the piece of bread taken from the basket. "Wouldn't be a shock to discover her corpse lying in the hallways someday early in the morning."
"Thanks Sadell," Eileen deadpans.
"Anytime."
Not wanting to be part of whatever spiritual talk they have, Eileen put her attention towards the Ravenclaw's table again, only to note that the subject of her worry is missing. She frowns, ready to leave immediately.
"Where are you going?" Orion ask before Sadell can.
Damn it, can he leave her the bloody hell alone for once?!
"Let the idiot run late to class again," Malfoy snickers, "I'd gladly take part in another retribution like last time."
"Can you please stop wasting your breath about me? Where I'm going is none of your business, thank you."
"It is, if your foolishness is going to get you killed," Elizabeth intervenes. "Sit down and be quiet, Floquet. That's all we're asking you right now."
Eileen hesitates. Chasing Myrtle and come across a giant snake or behave and wait for the opportunity to watch over the troubling girl? The answer is quick to be found as soon as she meets with Sadell's blazing eyes. Uh-oh.
Better stay sit then.
"Alright, Class! That's all for today. Those who are done with their potion, please place it in the back of the classrooom with your name on it. The rest of you, leave it on your table. I will freeze them so that you can finish next time."
Everyone starts to pack their stuff, all too pleased to call it a day for the evening. Eileen is lazily dismissing the crumbs of her potion's ingredients with a wave of her wand, ready to leave it to Pr. Slughorn. The liquid is supposed to be green, and hers is an amazing shade of purple. A chance that they didn't have to be paired with partners, because hers would have probably eviscerated the poor girl out of fury. Especially when they are sharing this class with Ravenclaws.
"Don't forget your essay about healing herbs due for next Monday!"
Aaaah crap. Another weekend without a break is waiting for her. Research time takes ages everytime Sadell gathers them at the library or any other empty classroom to study. Maybe if she pretends to feel unwell Eldwins is going to leave her be...? It worked last time, even though that was probably the last, knowing Sadell doesn't take failure very well when it comes to slytherin's reputation.
"Mrs. Floquet, a word please?"
Surprise rises in those vitrous hazel eyes at Slughorn's call. Under the dozen of gazes that have yet to leave the room, Eileen takes her bag and walks to the front where the man waits for Eileen with an encouraging smile.
"Eileen, dear. It has come to my attention that you seem to slowly giving up on this class."
... Oh. That is what he wants to talk about.
"I know you have always been struggling since the beginning, but after your return I have noticed a larger gap between your previous and current progress. I don't want to frighten you my dear, but OWL's take place in less than three months and I really don't want any of my student to fail this class. It is very important, you know."
"Thank you, Professor Slughorn for thinking of my future. However, I... don't think potion class is made for me. I don't inspire to great things after Hogwarts, so I don't want to struggle in vain when I don't even know what I am going to do after my becoming of age."
"Well," the man says, a little taken aback with the lack of concern on Eileen's part. Slughorn must not be used to people not faking smiles and soothingly agreeing with him while promising more efforts, like everyone else do. Like Tom Riddle does, even though he never needs to put more efforts.
"I certainly find your phrasing a little ambigous, I admit."
"What?" Eileen stares dumbly.
"You're saying you haven't any goal in mind, but then again you state that you have no idea of what you want to become. It is very sad my girl, but I think this situation still has the slightest hope."
"...What?" she repeats. Following this naive man's reflexions is damn hard, especially when Eileen has millions of hours of sleep to catch up.
"I see a promising witch in you, Eileen. I know you are more capable than that, and perhaps your health problems are to blame for the lack of confidence you have. You are not in Slytherin for nothing, and ambition is certainly one of the reasons that have led you there. Whatever Fate prepares for you, you can and you will do great things in the future."
The mention of Fate has Eileen clench on her teeth. If this is a speech to make her feel better, it's a little too much.
"Professor, I assure you that–"
"Maybe..." Slughorn ponders suddenly, looking at something over Eileen's shoulder. And Eileen doesn't like the sudden strange gleam of realization in the man's face.
"Maybe if I were to assign you someone who could help develop the potential I know you have..."
Okay. She definitely doesn't like where this is leading to.
"No, wait–"
"Let me think, the best students in your class are Tom and Jonathan."
"Professor Slughorn...!"
"Tom would be the perfect partner, although he must have a lot of things on his hands already... But Jonathan being in Ravenclaw will be inconvenient in the future in order for you both to meet."
"I really, really don't need a partner."
"What a nonsense! Do not worry my girl, I have the perfect plan for you."
"No, no–"
"Tom, my boy!"
The burning frustration growing inside Eileen explodes in waves. She pinches the top of her nose, trying to control the panicked anger flowing in torrent within her chest.
"Yes?" answered a voice right behind her head.
She doesn't scream. She almost does, but miraculously manages to only flinch.
"Tom, dear. I was talking with young Floquet here about her little... difficulties in class, and I think she needs some help with her studies in order to make it for the OWL's. What do you think about tutoring your classmate in Potion, once or twice a week until the exams?"
This is when Eileen loses all the patience she has until now. "Wait, wait. Professor, listen. I don't need a partner, I am perfectly fine on my own. Riddle is a very, very, very busy prefect, you can't just put more pressure on the poor boy more than he already has!"
She can feel Slughorn hesitate, confused about what would be the right thing to do and assuredly thinking about what she just said. She mentally performs a dance of victory. A little more and he's going to comply.
"If you worry about my results, then I swear to try my very best starting now to get my OWL's. No need to bother anyone for my sake."
"Mmh..." He looks about to let it go.
He can't refuse. He couldn't get over the guilt of pressuring his favourite student. And Riddle has other things to do than tutor a nobody like Eileen. Like feeding his basilik pet and terrorizing the whole school with it, for example. This is her win—
"It would be a pleasure to assist Floquet in her studies, Professor. I am sure we are going to work quite well together, that way you won't need to worry about her struggles anymore."
What. The. Fucking. Hell.
Eileen can't help but gape at the slytherin prefect with outrage. The utter betrayal... She had thought they had a secret agreement of never stepping into each other's breathing space, and now he's doing this...!
"Marvelous, Tom!" Slughorn beams like he is the new sun of this crass, unfair planet. "I knew it was a good idea to choose you. You two should use this opportunity to get along, Slytherin is nothing without unity. I don't like to see one of my precious snakes so reclused, so take good care of her alright?"
"But of course."
"Then it is settled."
"No. Absolutely not," Eileen insists. "Forgive me Professor, but I am far from please to use my classmate like this. Like I said he has a lot to do already, and he–"
"Floquet, Pr. Slughorn does all he can to help you and still, you persist of being immature to reject what is for your own good."
"What-?"
"I am not that busy anyway, I wouldn't have taken the offer otherwise."
She glares at him as much as she can while Slughorn is beaming happiness from his soul. There is simply no way she is going to spend time with Tom Riddle, alone and defenceless when the madman is so suspicious of her. She would get killed instantly. Forget the Basilik, Eileen's death will definitely be more gruesome than some petrification stories.