Torture in the Kitchens
The click of Edith's leather kitten heels against the hard flagstone echoed through the dungeon passageway. By now, nightfall had reached the castle and the hallways were enveloped in darkness, with only the dim flicker of candlelight illuminating from an enchanted candelabra to light the path to Professor Slughorn's office.
Students had already evacuated the Great Hall for dinner, as well as other regular haunts, to return to their common rooms and dormitory's for the night.
The pitter-patter of heavy rain hammered against the stain glass windows, which provided somewhat of a comfort to Edith, to know that she was accompanied by the raindrops, and not completely alone in the late evening.
Excluding the rain, it turns out that Edith wasn't completely alone.
"Back to your house quarters with you-... ah, apologies, it's just you, Miss Sinclair." There was no mistaking that smooth cold voice, it was that only of Tom Riddle.
"Again with the formalities? I'm assuming you are aware of my destination for tonight, Mr Riddle?" Edith folded her arms.
Edith started up at Riddle as he took in what he saw before him, his expression remaining blank and passive.
"As it so seems... Slughorn thinks you're worthy enough to attend our meetings.. I however, suggest, you make an effort to prove yourself, Miss Sinclair." Riddle did not look at her, but continued forward to the potions classroom.
"I've already proved myself to Professor Slughorn, otherwise I wouldn't be invited would I?" Edith rolled her eyes, trying to catch up with Riddle as he pressed on ahead with a confident stride, much faster than she could keep up with.
"Oh miss Sinclair, it's not him I was concerned about, more yourself... I'm not so sure that my circle will take kindly to your arrival... your intrusion." Riddle turned corners quickly, nearly losing her. "I suggest you take my advice... you'll see soon enough."
Edith was conflicted, was Riddle actually looking out for her best interests, it seems he only does so when he wants something in return, Edith knew that much, she would keep on guard for now. Though keeping her wits about herself was a difficult task, not when he was... so distracting...
His face, it was those of which are impossible to take your eyes off, he drew the gaze of any who pass by. His dark curls styled neatly. His streamlined body was draped in dark formalwear, his built figure concealed underneath a long black cloak.
"...I can hold my own, but thanks." Edith overtook Riddle, throwing her long hair behind her shoulders.
"Hm, alright. But don't say I didn't warn you." Riddle furrowed his brows, brushing past Edith and the journey to Slugclub now became a race, with the two Slytherins pushing past one another to be first.
Edith lost her footing on a dodgy slab of stone and quickly found herself tripping to the ground, until her fall was blocked by Riddles grip.
"Watch your step, are you always this clumsy?" His cold firm grasp pulled Edith back up onto her feet.
"No I'm-" Edith patted herself down.
"It was a rhetorical question." Riddle interrupted as the pair reached their destination. "Go wait over there. I don't want it looking like we came together." Riddle nudged Edith towards a dusty corner.
"What happened to ladies first...." Edith rolled her eyes and counted to twenty, losing her focus as a spider weaving its web perked her interest. "That should do it" Edith mumbled under her breath, making her way to door, awaiting the moment she'd been dreading all day, arriving fashionably late as her mother would put it.
"Good evening Professor... gentlemen." Edith grimaced and cringed at her words.
She stood nervously at the door, as the table of boys inspected her, some scrutinising with their glares, others observing her as if she were a piece of meat, licking their lips, their mouths creeping into smirks, murmuring and laughing under their breaths with one another. Edith had never felt more uncomfortable, especially in her dress.
"Ah miss Sinclair, I'm so glad you finally made it, I thought you'd never come!" Slughorn welcomed her in and ushered Edith to her seat, which of course as she feared, was next to Darius.
Darius stood and pulled out her chair for her, probably the most gentlemany thing she'd seen him do. "Do sit, my dear."
"Why'd you bring that harlot you're courting Lestrange..." one of the creepy boys, Dolohov, whispered to Darius, Riddle took notice of this, his head shot up. Edith thought this was remarkably rude but took no notice, she had every right to be here, Professor Slughorn had invited her.
"I do not believe Lestrange is courting her, nor do I believe it would be wise for him to do so, in fact, it was our well-intentioned Professor Slughorn who took notice of the young lady's talent and invited her." Riddle spoke, commanding the attention of the boys in the same fashion he had done on the Hogwarts Express.
"Go on, have another drink Professor, you must've had a stressful first week back!" Darius poured more gin into Slughorns chalice. "You deserve it sir. And for you my dear, no gin of course, it's a young lady's ruin." He poured a liberal amount of brandy into Edith's glass.
"Miss Sinclair, perhaps it would be wise not to accept anymore unusual beverages from Lestrange..." Riddle smirked from across the table, an obvious reference to the other night. Was he actually looking out for Edith? She didn't want to admit it but she enjoyed how he... watched over her. How he shared a smile with Edith she knew nobody else was in on, it was completely for her.
Edith watched Riddle carefully throughout the night, she noticed the smug look on his face as he charmed Slughorn, how the other boys would sycophantically agree with whatever he said, she noticed how Riddle would embarrass one of the boys if they said something he didn't like. As she made her occasional glances towards Riddle he did not return them, in fact, he did not make eye contact with her once for the rest of the dinner, he did not even look in her direction when Darius was groping her or making crude remarks, as she thought Riddle would.
It was clear now to Edith, that Riddle had no interest in her, and his previous episodes of...protectiveness were just merely Riddle being polite.
"Miss Sinclair, how's your father doing, ahh good old Eldrich, I do fondly look back on our Hogwarts days together. He's had quite the promotion!" Slughorn sipped on his brandy.
"Did you know sir, old Sinclair took over after my father left. Father says they couldn't find anyone else for the job so Mr Sinclair was practically handed it. Of course my father has a better position now as executive of Lestrange Ltd, that's because grandfather kicked the bucket, we got loads of his money too, it was brilliant sir!" Darius sneered, leaning back groggily on his chair, his legs spread so that they protruded uncomfortably into Edith's thigh.
"Yes Mr Lestrange that's all very well, but I asked Miss Sinclair the question, we are in more progressive times now boy, the ol' days were husband would speak for his wife are something to be looked back on like a old memory. Now m' dear! Your father, and your lovely mother too of course?" Slughorn was already on his next drink by the time he got Darius to shut his mouth, which of course did not last long.
"Ah yes sir, I too miss the good ol' days, females should be seen and not heard, the muggles even let them vote, can you believe it?" Darius looked around the small circular room for approval, of course receiving it from his brethren's. Edith clenched her nostils at the stench of alcohol on his breath, Darius had maybe had even more than Slughorn to drink, he wrapped his clammy hand firmly around Edith's wrist.
The night continued, and Slughorn was completely out of it, dropping in and out of consciousness, drooling at the mouth like a fat British Bulldog.
Riddle’s pals had took to ransacking Slughorn’s whiskey cabinet, shooting quick glances at their professor to check he was still asleep.
“You boys are like primitive monkeys! You shouldn’t steal Slughorn’s drinks!” She said, her tongue slip before thinking.
“Wot are you gonna do about it princess?” The boy known as Avery scowled.
“Lighten up darling, have another drink…” Darius slipped his arm around her, drunkenly. She was still cautious of him, after suspecting it was he who tampered with her chalice. “You could do with, loosening up…” Darius smirked, eyeing her up and down like a succulent steak.
“Enough of this petty crime.” Riddle hissed and the boys all followed his command, ceasing immediately. “Let’s take this downstairs, I’ve heard of a few house elves down in the kitchens requiring some… motivation.”
Whatever he wished to convey by this, couldn’t have sounded more malicious. There was that sinister look in his eye, which could only mean trouble.
“I’m sure if professor Slughorn knew what you were up to you’d really get it!” She exclaimed, appearing to rile up a few of the boys.
“Is this little OWL student gonna snitch on us?” The boy called Mulciber turned towards Riddle. “I wouldn’t try anything little girl, you’ll find it unwise.” He scowled at her.
“Let’s wipe her bloody memory clean. Just to be safe.” Another boy said.
“We won’t be needing that.” Riddle said, cooly. “She wouldn’t dare defy me. Would you?”
He was right, he was the beloved head boy, the rather intimidating one at that, with a gang of creeps to back him up. And her record wasn’t exactly clean, of course she couldn’t snitch, what would she say? ‘Oh sorry Professor, I was there while they looted your drinks but I didn’t do nothing!’
She simply shook her head, on one hand wishing she was anywhere but here, and on the other, slightly curious what they were going to do next. Like an angel and a devil on her shoulders.
“Good girl.” Darius jeered.
“Are you messing? We cannot trust this little prat, she’ll learn of.. of our secret!” Avery scoffed, going quiet when he felt Riddle’s gaze scrutinise him.
“The girl needs a taste of rebellion, I say. She won’t speak. Now, on forth to the kitchens.” Riddle commanded, his inferiors followed suit.
Edith had never been down to the kitchens, she supposed students were prohibited, but that wouldn’t stop some, she supposed. She thought immediately of Hagrid, who was good at sneaking about in places he shouldn’t be, despite the boys enormous size.
They arrived at the kitchens, Riddle made Darius touch a pear on a large oil painting, in rather a crude manner. She knew Riddle would hate being the one to do that.
“Keep quiet you dunces!” Riddle snarled, it was mostly his right hand, Darius, making all the fuss and noise, he was the drunkest of the lot, and seemed the type to get quite aggy.
The kitchens were vast, but low, it was quiet about. Most of the elves must be sleeping, there were a few hanging about, finishing up cleaning. “Whisky has cleaned all day long, Whisky sings her nighttime song”
“You, elf. My compatriots and I require a few bottles of whiskey.” Darius slurred his words, acting rather hostile towards the dwarfish little house elf.
“Whisky is afraid she cannot, young student, for the Headmaster has ordered strictly to Whisky and her friends, us are not to permit the distribution of alcohol to students!” The tiny elf squeaked, scrubbing a counter top.
“Think you’re funny do you? The arrogance of this foolish elf! When a wizard commands a lowly creature such as yourself to do something, you do it!” Darius snarled, gaining some sobriety as he bullied the small creature.
“Please calm down sirs! Whisky cannot give you what you are looking for, if you do not leave, Whisky has no choice but to call the headmaster!” The elf looked around for backup, but the other house elves that were still awake had dispersed upon seeing the Slytherins.
“If you utter a word to Dippet, I’ll make sure your head ends up on a stick outside my manor!” Darius threatened the elf, aiming his long, dark wood wand at the creature.
“This one is so disobedient, let’s teach it a lesson!” Mulciber glowered.
The angel on Edith’s shoulder had shrouded away the devil. She felt too guilty just being here, never mind watching the boys threaten this little elf.
Riddle was smirking, he inched slowly towards the elf, and placed his foot on the tiny things chest.
“You’ll learn to respect a wizards word, filthy slave, if it’s the last thing you do!” Riddle hissed, he shot at a curse at the elf, hitting it square in the chest, there was a beam of red light, and the elf was now writhing in pain, wriggling and screaming on the floor. The other elves nowhere to be seen.
She could only assume that Riddle had used the Crutiatus curse on the creature, she wanted to look away. To help it, to do something, but all she could do was watch. Watch as it suffered.
The boys were highly amused by Riddle’s senseless act, joining in once the prior had finished.
Darius, who was about five drinks in, was taking his turn with the elf. Shooting curses and hexes at the poor thing.
He knelt on the elf’s core with his knee, trapping it onto the floor. “Why don’t I show you just how strong a wizards ‘wand’ can be… maybe you’ll end up with your own little half-wizard once I’m finished with you.” Darius started to remove his trousers.
“Er.. Lestrange…” One of the boys shuffled awkwardly.
“Come on… you’re really gonna shag an elf?” Riddle scowled, it seemed Darius’ act had caught all of them rather off guard, no more than herself.
“What? Me and father always have fun with our house elves, that’s why we only buy female ones!” Darius sulked.
She was getting more uncomfortable standing around, paranoid that Professor Dippet or even the bloody Minister of Magic would walk in right this moment, seeing her watch her house mate with his trousers down try to take a tiny elf.
“What’s the matter with you little girl? Are we hurting your feelings, abusing the poor elf?” Mulciber jeered.
The angel and the devil were back at it again. She felt she had a moral and ethical obligation to not take any part it this and scrutinise the boys for doing so at all costs, but… the devil was shouting down her ear, shouting that the handsome head boy was right besides her, that five other handsome boys were in the kitchen with her right now, and she had every opportunity to impress them.
She looked at Riddles face, she wouldn’t see it the same now, not after watching that poor little elf at his mercy. The devil in her ear made her imagine it was herself at his mercy instead. She shuddered, shaking off the slip of decorum.
“No you’re not hurting my feelings, I’m not as soft as you may think.” She said, bluntly.
The boys all grinned and jeered, as if she had said the silliest thing in the world.
“Prove it then.” Riddle said. His back was facing her.
“It’s not ladylike to attack a creature, leave it to the wizards, darling.” Darius said, indifferently, only fuelling her to want to attack the thing more.
“Crucio!” She used the spell quick enough so she wouldn’t second guess herself. Maybe a bit a thought would have helped though, she just cruciated a tiny house elf, one that did not even belong to her! She had let the devil win.
Whisky the elf writhed and yelped on the floor, tears filling her eyes.
The boys seemed surprised, as if they thought she couldn’t actually do it?
“Shows over.” She shrugged.
She turned to Tom, or at least the little devil did, seeking his reaction. His face, seemed totally indifferent however, impossible to read. He stood there blankly.
“Come on, let’s leave the filthy creature. I’m bored.”
“But, shouldn’t we wipe its memory, the elf could snitch, my lord?” Avery mumbled.
My Lord? She pretended it wasn’t about the most homoerotic thing she had just heard one student say to another.
Riddle shot him daggers. “Aren’t you forgetting present company, Avery?” He whispered, through gritted teeth, so quiet, she could just barely make him out.
“Sorry. Forget females are sentient beings too, didn’t even register she would hear it, hah!” Avery said. “Just nicknames right?”
“Yes…” Riddle glowered at Avery.
“We can choose one for her as well.” Darius snickered. “What about… elf.. chicks and elves are basically the same, they cook and clean and relieve a wizard when he needs a quickie.”
“Ew. Do not address me as such!” She shuddered.
“We should be departing.” Riddle said.
Edith parted with the boys, walking on ahead, she was still trying to shake the odd images from before out of her mind, was she a horrible person for doing what she did?
She arrived at the Slytherin common room, throwing herself onto one of the green leather lounges, she was so drowsy by now, her eyelids felt heavy and she let herself be carried off into slumber.
~