It was only Wednesday evening and Hermione already felt as if she needed the weekend right now. The black magic ritual had cost her more power than she had realized during the execution. It was only during the lessons the next day that she noticed that she was finding it harder to control her magic or even to summon up enough energy. She absolutely had to talk to Dumbledore about whether dark magic could have other, permanent effects apart from seduction. She just could not risk losing her magic.
"Miss Dumbledore," Beatrix's bright voice tore her from her thoughts. "May I join you?"
Hermione looked up suspiciously at her hated classmate. In the small study room for seventh-graders there was not only this one sofa, and the other armchairs were empty, so why did Parkinson so obviously seek her company? With a neutral expression, Hermione nodded and moved a bit to the side to create more distance between herself and the other girl.
"I hope you'll forgive my words of yesterday morning," Parkinson's began with a worried tone, "I didn't mean to embarrass you, but I saw your honour at stake, and I just couldn't keep quiet."
Inside, Hermione laughed. Surely, Beatrix Parkinson had only publicly questioned the nature of her lesson with Riddle out of affection and concern. With a serene smile on her lips, she replied, "Don't worry. A woman's honour is her most precious asset, is it not? There is really hardly anything more important in this world than respecting the decency of all women. I understand you only too well."
"I'm glad you agree," nodded Beatrix eagerly, "if the slightest doubt arises as to a woman's chastity, her reputation is ruined forever. And for you, as an American, this is all the more important, since American women are already known for their... happier lifestyle."
This time, Hermione really had to restrain herself not to laugh out loud. She knew exactly what Parkinson was all about, but for her it was so irrelevant to think about her virginity that she could hardly take Beatrix seriously. She struggled to pull herself together, grabbed her cup of tea, which was sitting in front of her on the small table, and simply nodded in agreement.
Obviously irritated by her curt reaction, Beatrix also remained silent for a moment before she dared to make another attempt. "It is truly courageous of you to risk even the rumour of impropriety under these circumstances. I admire your courage."
Sighing, Hermione took a sip of the strong black tea, then put the cup back and looked straight at Parkinson. "You flatter me, my dear. My decisions have little to do with courage. I think that if you felt the same way about your studies as I do, you would not turn down an offer from Tom Riddle, threatening as it may be to your honour. If you wish, I can ask him to give you the same attention that he gives me."
As expected, the other girl turned bright red with rage. "How dare you? Here I come to you for some well-intentioned advice, and in return you insult me and insinuate that I–!"
As if on cue, Tom appeared in the little study. It was obvious that he had overheard Beatrix Parkinson's last sentences, because immediately his polite smile changed to a well-tuned concern. "Do I hear you arguing, ladies?"
"Tom," Beatrix instantly shouted and leaped off the sofa. "This Miss Dumbledore... she accuses me of taking indecent interest in you! How can you stand her constant presence when she is so brazen?"
Hermione saw Tom's concern grow more calculated as he raised an eyebrow. "Where do you get these ideas, dear?"
"I merely offered to ask you if you would study with her as well," Hermione replied shrugging. She was sure that Tom interpreted the situation correctly, but she was just as sure that he would not let her off the hook.
As dangerous as the negative sentiment of the house against her and the possible intrigues of the girls had seemed to her just a few days ago, after the ritual, Hermione was now only too aware that she had much bigger problems. Apart from Tom Riddle, not a single student really played a role for her.
"Oh, I see where the disagreement comes from," Tom said slowly as he reached for Beatrix' hand and squeezed it. "My dearest, you must not misinterpret the words of Miss Dumbledore. She simply does not know how to express herself and has little sensitivity to such things. Remember, not everyone is fortunate enough to have had a decent upbringing."
Hermione could only roll her eyes when she saw how enthusiastic her companion was about those words. Sure, Tom Riddle was a charmer who could wrap just about anyone around his finger, but it was so obvious that all these people here were only too willing to be fooled by his charm. The whole polite culture of the time literally laid out a red carpet for a rhetorician like him.
"Miss Dumbledore, do you not think an apology is in order?" Tom asked her politely.
She could sense that he expected her to do as he asked. She had not the slightest desire to play this absurd game but she knew she could not risk upsetting him. Not if she was going to seriously talk about the Dark Arts with him very soon.
She also rose from the sofa and took a step towards Beatrix, who was still holding Tom's hands. "Miss Parkinson, believe me, I had no idea you would take my words so negatively. I had only the best intentions for you. Forgive me if my lack of education has once again led to such a misstep."
Triumphantly, Parkinson stood up a little further and looked down on her haughtily: "I accept your apology, but only because you show that you finally see your place."
Happy with herself and the world, Beatrix then let herself sink back onto the sofa. Hermione, on the other hand, had had enough. She desperately needed sleep, and she could do without the company of all her housemates only too well. She politely bowed her head to both conversation partners before saying goodbye and heading to the dormitory.
oOoOoOo
As naturally as possible Augusta let herself sink into the school bench next to Orion Black. She was only too aware that it was more than unusual for a Gryffindor to sit down next to a Slytherin, but she hoped that Orion, with whom she had spoken many times before, would forgive her.
"Miss Bargeworthy," she was greeted by the handsome boy. "To what do I owe the honour of your attention?"
Augusta took a deep breath. After Ignatius had repeated his request with urgency, she had spent the whole night to work out a strategy how she could get into a conversation about Riddle with Orion Black. In the end, she had chosen the most credible and simple approach: "Mr Black, I hope you forgive my impertinence, but I do not know where else to turn to. You are my only hope in this misery."
Concern came over the face of the Slytherin. "Oh, that sounds serious. Speak up, quickly, before the old Binns shows up and cuts off all conversation. How can I help you?"
"I know you hardly know me," Augusta set about, careful to speak softly, desperately and sounding a little ashamed. "But all our conversations so far have given me the impression that you are a decent young man who will not form a grudge if I approach him with an unusual request. Can you be that man for me, Mr Black? Can you keep the secret of a desperate woman?
She could feel that by now almost all eyes in the classroom were on the unusual couple in the front row, but she had to endure it. If Ignatius thought Tom Riddle was a danger to a fellow student, she believed him. And what were some suspicious looks and whispered insults against the possibility that another woman was harmed?
"Tell me," Orion urged her to continue speaking, now completely taken in by her, "What secret weighs on your soul?"
"You see," whispered Augusta almost inaudibly, "I am aware that I belong to the House of Gryffindor. And I know how difficult it is for students from Slytherin to exchange even a word with us. You are a laudable exception. Do you think others in your house are as open as you are?"
"We are not monsters, Miss Bargeworthy," Orion replied indignantly.
Augusta lowered her eyes and forced her cheeks to turn pink to give the impression that she was ashamed. "I never meant to imply that either. It's just... oh, what am I talking about? A young man from your house caught my attention and I would like to get to know him better. Get to know him better. Forgive my frankness, but I'm afraid I'm in love."
With his mouth open, Orion stared at her. "THIS is what weighs so heavily on you? By Merlin, I had seen all kinds of horrible scenarios in my mind! Why are you so ashamed of your feelings?"
"Don't you understand how hard this is for me? In my house, we're very clear about relationships with members from Slytherin. It's almost impossible to speak openly about such interests. You're the first person I've ever told about my feelings."
With a quick glance to the door, Orion made sure that Professor Binns was still nowhere near the classroom, then bent over further to continue the conversation as quietly as possible. "Believe me, Miss Bargeworthy, we have no such prejudices here. You are a pureblood witch, that is all that matters. So, tell me, what noble snake has caught the attention of this brave lioness?"
Almost inaudibly, Augusta whispered, "Tom Riddle."
In an instant, Orion flinched. His face darkened as he struggled for words. So Ignatius is right! Something is wrong with Riddle! Augusta thought to herself, while she waited anxiously for an answer.
"I'm afraid," Orion finally said in a serious voice, "you have chosen a very difficult candidate. In this particular case, your hopes may be doomed to failure."
"Why?" she replied instantly, without having to feig curiosity, "Does he already have a sweetheart?"
"No, it's not that," he slowly explained. "I don't think women are interesting for him right now. He has... different priorities."
"Yes, I know," replied Augusta, desperately trying to get any concrete statements. "He is head boy and he has the best grades, that certainly requires a lot of concentration. But even someone like him will have at least some free time?"
"If it was just about his academic performance, it certainly wouldn't be a problem," Orion agreed with her, only to immediately slap himself on the mouth.
With big eyes, she stared at him: "What do you mean?"
"I– my words are completely meaningless," Orion stuttered before he paused, straightened up and looked at her sternly. "There are many women, even in our house, who are interested in Tom Riddle. Their chances are zero. You'd be better off giving him up soon."
He wanted to get rid of her, that much was obvious, but Augusta was not yet ready to drop the conversation. "You talk in mysteries, Mr Black. What else but school could distract Mr Riddle? Is he already planning his professional career?"
The look Orion gave her in reply was icy cold. "I respect your feelings, but you're too curious. Our past conversations have made me feel affection for you, so believe me when I tell you: Tom Riddle is not a man for you. Too much curiosity is harmful."
An icy shiver ran down Augusta's spine as she rose with a faint smile and went back to her housemates. Orion Black had told her nothing of Tom Riddle. Yet so much. What required so much attention from Riddle that he could not be interested in girls? Why should it be harmful for her to be curious? Why had the charming, obliging Orion Black turned into a hostile, hard man as soon as the name Riddle was mentioned? More than ever she shared the fear of Ignatius that the head bo was not a good man.
oOoOoOo
"Tom?"
Surprised, Tom turned around. It almost never happened that Orion spoke to him without being asked to. Interested, he let the young Black pull him into a corner of the common room.
"What is it, Orion?" he inquired quietly, while keeping an eye on the goings-on of his housemates.
"I– it's nothing, but I feel like I made a mistake, and I thought I'd better tell you right away, after all, it was about you..."
"Slow down," Tom interrupted the stammering. He did not know Orion well, he only knew the side he had shown after his admission to the circle of the chosen ones, but he was sure that this nervousness was not characteristic of the young Slytherin. "Take a deep breath. What do you want to tell me?"
Orion followed his instruction, breathing deeply several times, then slowly said, "A girl told me today that she is interested in you. Romantically. I told her not to have such feelings... because I thought you were too busy with the whole future plan and all. And I didn't want you to be bothered. But I think the way I tried to talk her out of it was probably... clumsy. I may have... implied that you were... pursuing extracurricular activities."
Orion swallowed, now visibly nervous, as if it was only now that it really occurred to him what he was saying. "I didn't give any details or anything, really, Tom, but she was just more curious afterwards and asked several times and... and, I don't know, maybe she'll ask other students besides me now."
Thoughtfully Tom rubbed his chin. He was not at all pleased that anyone might have noticed that he spent his free time with more than just school and his job as head boy. The fact that Orion had obviously been too open-minded bothered him more than he let on. He had to make clear at the next meeting that he would not tolerate this.
It had been Abraxas who had first pointed out how valuable Orion could be. He had thought about it and finally agreed to the advice of his oldest companion. It had been a mistake. Of course it had been a mistake. It was never wise to follow the suggestions of others. No one had the same vision and insight as he did. He would never make that mistake again.
And he would make sure that Orion and Abraxas would never make another mistake either. They were initiated and they were useful, he could not just get rid of them, especially since they belonged to old wizard families. But he could make it clear to them that he would not accept failure. Some girl was in love with him and Orion let it be known that he, the well-behaved head boy, was not available due to extracurricular activities? How could Orion have said such a thing? Many schoolgirls were interested in him, but for all of them it was enough to know that he wanted to concentrate on school, nobody needed any additional explanations. And even if they did, nobody had the audacity to question him. What was Orion thinking?
"Which student are we talking about?" he finally asked without letting on how upset he was about this mistake.
Orion swallowed again before quietly replying, "Augusta Bargeworthy. She's in my year, but in Gryffindor."
"I know her. Prewett's always sticking by her side."
Ignatius Prewett. Somehow it was too much of a coincidence that one day he saw Hermione talking to Prewett in the strictest confidence, and shortly afterwards Augusta Bargeworthy took a supposedly romantic interest in him. Again, Tom ran his fingers over his chin as he thought hard.
"Keep your eyes and ears open, Orion," he said after a long pause. "If the good Miss Bargeworthy continues to ask questions about me, please report it to me immediately. And if she addresses you again, try to find out if she is really in love or has other motives for asking about me."
"Other motives?"
"I have one suspicion..."
Orion did not like the steely look in Tom's eyes. Obviously, his new friend and master knew more than he was telling him. Was it worse than he feared that he had blabbed? He broke out in a sweat when he saw the unyielding expression Tom was looking at him with. He had no doubt angered his master. A master who suddenly seemed extremely dangerous to him.