Smiling, Abraxas accepted a cup of tea from Hermione. Even though she said she had never run a salon before, she was an exceptionally good hostess. She greeted each new arrival personally, asked engaging questions that did not go too deep, quickly found a table for each student where he or she would get on well with the already seated people, and still had time to supply tea for everyone. And all the while she smiled so politely and effortlessly as if she had done nothing else all her life. This was definitely not the Hermione Dumbledore he had met before.
Abraxas could not help but wonder if she had hidden even more from her fellow students. Until now, she had mainly shown that she was extremely intelligent and magically gifted, that she cared little about traditions and would do whatever she felt was right. It were exactly these qualities that had immediately aroused his interest and very soon afterwards his affection.
How could it have escaped his notice that a romance had blossomed between Tom and her? Certainly, he had avoided her for a long time, but that only happened because Tom himself had clearly expressed how little he thought of Hermione. He had not let her out of his sight during this time and as far as he could judge, nothing had changed in her rejection of Tom. And if he judged his friend correctly, he always seemed rather annoyed by Hermione's brash manner. Now they were a couple.
His gaze wandered to Professor Slughorn, who, at the table next to him, entertained the other guests with his own skill as a leader of conversation. It was obvious that Slughorn thought highly of Hermione. Another fact that puzzled Abraxas. This professor was not known to have a particularly high opinion of women. He was, of course, an accomplished gentleman and always striving to make women feel comfortable in his presence. However, he did not think much of their academic abilities, which was evident in his teaching and in the way he used to talk to them. However, he seemed to show a genuine interest in Hermione, an interest he had previously only shown with Tom himself. She had two men wrapped around her finger who were not normally known for their interest in women.
Sighing, Abraxas took a sip from his teacup. He was glad that the other students at his table were so engrossed in conversation that his silence was no longer noticeable. There was still one seat left and Abraxas was sure that Hermione had reserved it for Tom, should he appear later. If Abraxas had his way, Tom should stay away completely. He was not yet ready to face him again after the incident in the morning.
Why had he been so careless and allowed Hermione an insight into his feelings? And why did Tom have to show up at that very moment? What had happened the night before? The story of Hermione collapsing from exhaustion, he did not believe either of them. It was too conspicuous that Avery had appeared in the common room just before Tom and had disappeared directly into the dormitory without greeting him. What had really happened? What was Tom not telling him? Why did Hermione keep quiet?
His attention was temporarily distracted when Professor Dumbledore entered the classroom, which had been converted into a drawing room. Mutely, Abraxas watched as Hermione greeted him warmly and immediately led him to a table with younger Slytherin students who obviously felt more than uncomfortable being forced to have polite conversations with this professor of all people. So, she had actually persuaded her uncle to attend a private event of Slytherin. Impressive.
Could he risk asking Tom how the relationship with Hermione had come about? He knew by now that Tom had secrets, yet Abraxas trusted him. They had been friends for so many years already, and although Tom had moved from the role of friend to the role of leader with the formation of their small conspiratorial circle, Abraxas was sure that they were still as good friends as before.
He just did not want to listen to the little voice inside of him that repeatedly told him that something was wrong with Tom. Tom did not deserve that he, his most loyal friend, of all people, doubted him. Sure, Tom could be really scary at times, and his way of expressing disapproval or contempt had made Abraxas sweat a little at times. But still: Tom stood for everything he believed in. He would just ask him. It was perfectly normal for a man to be interested in the love life of his best friend.
"Ah, Mr Riddle," Hermione's bright voice interrupted his thoughts. "I am so glad you could make it."
At once it became quiet at all tables. It was always fascinating how Tom just had to enter a room to have the attention of all students immediately. Surprised, Abraxas noticed that Peter Nott was standing at Tom's side, grumbling and looking around the room. He had not expected Hermione to invite Peter as well, for as far as he could tell, the two had never been officially introduced.
"Hermione, dear," Tom replied with his most beautiful smile and took her hand, "There's no need for you to be so formal. There's no need for us to hide."
With bated breath, Abraxas watched as Tom approached an obviously surprised Hermione, kissed her on the cheek, and then continued, addressing the other students, "Dear friends, I stand before you as the happiest man on earth. Our esteemed Miss Dumbledore is no longer just a classmate to me, but my girlfriend. I am more than blessed to have beaten every other man to the punch in the battle for her attention."
It was obvious to Abraxas that Hermione thought little of this public display of their relationship, but she quickly caught herself and smiled warmly at Tom. "On the contrary, Tom, I am blessed that the most intelligent student at Hogwarts noticed me at all.”
For a moment it seemed as if both were trying to outdo the other in smiling warmly and lovingly. Then Tom broke eye contact and stepped aside. "Hermione, may I introduce you to my good friend Peter Nott? I took the liberty of inviting him in your place, as I wanted all my good friends to be present at our first public appearance."
Hermione's eyes flickered when she grabbed Peter's hand, and as far as Abraxas could tell, Peter was not too keen to make her acquaintance either, but both tried their best to hide it.
"Abraxas," whispered the Beatrix sitting next to him, "Did you know about this?"
Slowly he turned to her. "Of Hermine and Tom? Yes, as a matter of fact, I found out this morning."
It was obvious that his classmate was dumbfounded. "How could he? This Dumbledore, of all people. I can't think of a naughtier girl in the whole place. And she's American!"
Uncomfortably, Abraxas shrugged. "I'm as surprised as you are, but I'm certainly not going to question Tom."
"I bet she's got him on a love potion!" Beatrix hissed as she turned to Rufus next to her, "Mr Lestrange, what do you think of this new relationship?"
"It's not for me to judge Tom's preferences," came the curt answer, but the look Abraxas caught from Rufus spoke a different language: He was equally confused about this relationship, especially since both knew only too well how negative Tom had always been about Hermione at their secret meetings. Abraxas wondered if Rufus, unlike himself, had the courage to question Tom directly. He would be grateful if he did not have to ask the unpleasant questions himself.
***
"Are you sure about this?"
"Ignatius, how many times?" Augusta angrily addressed her older friend. "I may not know Orion Black well, but I never saw him so defensive as he became when I asked about Riddle. He talked about extracurricular activities and clearly said that I shouldn't be so curious. For a man of decency and politeness like him, that's so direct and rude, it tells you everything you need to know."
"Besides, you're the one who started the suspicion in the first place," Markus interjected. "Why the doubts now?"
Shaking his head, Ignatius looked at his two friends. He was already grateful that Augusta had been so quick-witted to explain their conversation with Orion only when they had found time and place where really nobody could disturb them. The girls' restroom where they were sitting together had not been used since Myrtle's death two years earlier. An ideal place for anyone who kept secrets.
"I just want to be careful," he finally explained patiently. "There's something about Riddle that frightens me in ways I can't explain. Real fear. I just want to know as much as possible and not jump to any conclusions."
"You agree with me, don't you, Mr Longbottom?" Augusta said to Markus, "You also find the way Mr Black responded to my questions odd?"
Markus nodded eagerly. "Yes, Miss Bargeworthy, absolutely. From the way you described the conversation, it is obvious that Mr Black knows something about Mr Riddle that he would rather keep secret."
Ignatius sighed. He thought the same way as they did, but that was exactly why he suddenly felt even worse than before. Restlessly he wandered up and down in front of the broken mirrors at the wash basins. "Don't you understand what I mean? This is about more than just breaking school rules. Riddle has something on Hermione Dumbledore to force her to submit to his will. And he's obviously left such a lasting impression on Black that if you even ask questions about Riddle, he panics. There's... more to it."
Silence spread between the three friends. It seemed that only now did Markus and Augusta realise that they were really dealing with a dangerous student. Markus, who looked a little pale around the nose, was the first to speak again. "Do you think... do you think Miss Bargeworthy is in trouble because she asked questions?"
Ignatius stopped in his tracks. What could he say to that? Of course, that was exactly his main concern, but he could hardly speak openly about it while Augusta herself was present. He had brought her into that situation, it was up to him to keep away every worry and danger from her. As confidently as possible he replied, "No. But you shouldn't talk to Mr. Black again, Augusta. I think if you are too persistent and curious, it might arouse suspicion."
"Oh, rubbish," Augusta snapped. "I knew even before the first conversation that the whole thing was not entirely without danger. Do you think I'm going to back out now?"
Angrily Ignatius grabbed her by the arm, "I am serious! I forbid you to ask any more questions to Slytherin students!"
Outraged, Augusta stood up. "You have no right to forbid me anything. I do not need a gentleman to protect me, thank you very much, I can do that myself!"
Now Markus also interfered. With a dark expression on his face he reached for the hand with which Ignatius held the younger student. "You are manhandling Miss Bargeworthy, Ignatius. Let her go."
Annoyed, he let got. "Yes, yes, great time to play the gentleman. Didn't you hear her? She doesn't need a protector!"
"What is the matter with you?" Augusta demanded to know, who unconsciously rubbed her arm where Ignatius had held her. "Why are you so aggressive? You started this whole thing."
"That's right," he said to her, "I put you in danger. And I will make sure that you two are no longer dragged into it. I will speak to Miss Dumbledore myself and decide what to do. You two stay out of this."
"You can't be serious," came the indignant voice of Markus, who leaned against a sink with crossed arms. "You expect us to be silent spectators, even though we know what's going on? Up until now, we have done everything together, that will certainly not change now. And anyway. Professor Dumbledore is here, Headmaster Dippet is here. What exactly are you afraid of?"
Once, Ignatius breathed deeply in and out, in order to avoid that he again gave only a heated answer. In a calmer tone of voice, he declared, "That professors present did not prevent that Myrtle died, did they? Right here. And nobody knows what happened. Or at least the professors aren't saying anything. The school was almost closed down because of it."
A visible shiver ran down Augusta's spine, but she was not impressed. "But that was cleared up. It was that ... Hagrid and his giant spider. It had nothing to do with Riddle."
"That's not the point," replied Markus, who immediately understood what his friend was getting at. "The point is that something like this could happen before a professor could intervene. Hogwarts is safe from outside attack, but what happens inside, no one can fully control."
"Thanks." Ignatius nodded. "That's exactly what I meant. I trust Riddle that he can, if he really wants to, break the rules without being noticed. In the same way, an accident can happen to any student at any time, without it being attributable to anyone, if Riddle only wants to.
Determined, Augusta put her fists into her hips. "Then we must not have any accidents. We just have to look after each other. Ignatius, please. We can't leave you there alone, precisely because it might be dangerous. You won't be able to prevent us from interfering."
For a long time, Ignatius stared out of the window, but finally he nodded. "If you insist. You two are simply too stubborn. But I will talk to Miss Dumbledore first and try to get more out of her. Until then, neither of you do anything, understand?"
"Understood.”