Chapter 10
September 20th, 1943
Tom
Holding court has always been a simple matter, for me at least. There is one common thread that ties all the rich and spoiled together; entertainment. When you have access to anything and everything your inbred little mind could dream up, you start to look for depravity just to feel something.
That is one simple fact that has kept my followers in line. The threat of violence is all good and well, but only amateurs think that fear and fear alone is enough to rally people to your side. No, I need my followers content in their positions, enough to trust my orders.
“That’s enough,” I calmly command.
Malfoy and Lestrange each stop their spells, and I stand to assess the results. In the middle of this forgotten dungeon, lay two twitching muggles, their mouths opened in silenced screams or cries.
The former two are sweating, near panting, but look energized. Exactly how I feel after an extended Crucio. Noticing the blood and other bodily fluids now stinking up the space, I look at my followers with hints of pride.
“Very well done,” I tell the pair. “Now that is what happens when you hold the curse for three full minutes. During our next meeting, Dolohov and Black will demonstrate how long one must hold the curse for the victim to go mad. To speed things along, you will perform the curse together on one individual.”
All eleven of followers bow their heads, and in unison say, “Yes, my Lord.”
With that, I end the meeting, and effectively dismiss everyone. Most depart immediately, but I want to ensure things here are handled correctly, lest our test subjects escape. Malfoy and Lestrange clean up the mess they made, and levitate the two muggles back into the cell they now call their home.
We caught them just before school started, housing them initially in the Malfoy family dungeons until the start of term. No one will miss them; the man is a crooked politician, specifically one that would decide each year that he and his friends deserved lavish parties instead of the orphanage getting the money he raises. After all, how much food do children truly need? The woman is no better, a teacher that gets off on preying on her young students. Especially those in financial troubles, whose support systems might miss the abuse.
One of the many good things about living in the dungeons is that the forgotten labyrinth was easily explored in my younger years. It would take even one of the founders of Hogwarts at least a week to find our little hidden paradise, so we confidently leave the muggles here under lock and spell.
“Are you any closer to Ms. Mikaelson?” I hear Lestrange ask Malfoy.
He quickly scowls before schooling his features into mild disinterest, “No, who would have thought a half blood from another world would be so difficult? Mikaelson knows we want something from her, she’s told me as much, so she’s been particularly tight lipped.”
“Sounds like she’s just not that into you, mate,” Lestrange snickers, picking up his back pack. “Perhaps if I was her Potions partner, bet I could get somewhere.”
Malfoy rolls his eyes, “Please, if I actually wanted her, I’d have her. It’s not like your half brewed compliments will get you anywhere, you couldn’t even make Professor Vassy swoon. Let alone the most magical girl in the school.”
“Oh, yeah? I wouldn’t mind taking your Galleons, if you want to do more than just talk,” Lestrange taunts.
Taking a deep breath, I hold the bridge of my nose with my eyes closed, “Ladies, ladies, you’re both very pretty. Now, we need to get to Potions, I want to see if she’s still acting odd.”
The two boys finally shut up and we make our way to the classroom. The day after learning one of Hope’s secrets was strange, to say the least. I stayed up nearly all night thinking about everything I had learned.
For one, Hope Mikaelson actually wants to die. She may act most of the time she’s around me, but I know she wasn’t lying about this. The sadness in her eyes, the far away look of remembering the past, they weren’t faked.
Another, is that I almost felt relieved when she explained she wouldn’t be returning to her original world. The fact that she’s powerful enough to traverse the universe is impressive, but relief is not the emotion I should have felt. Envy, sure. Anger at being less than, only natural. But, to be happy she’ll be staying in this world is only acceptable with the understanding that I can only steal her magic if I can reach her.
Last, I learned that while Hope might die, somehow she is going to come back. I doubt it would be through a Horcrux, someone else would have to do quite a few things to bring her back that way. Hope said that she’s merely going to wake up, and then transition into something, or someone.
The day after, she was acting strange. I watched her snap at people when she’s normally even tempered, unless provoked. She was sweating, even in the dungeons, and her eyes kept returning to the clock no matter the classroom.
Her being absent from dinner only furthered my curiosity, briefly making me wonder if she was avoiding my gaze. But, the next day she reappeared at breakfast as if nothing had happened.
My first thought was werewolf, seeing as she was acting weird the same day as a full moon. But, werewolves have signs and symptoms the following morning, along with the full moon. Whether exhaustion, pain, visible marks, they’re identifiable enough that the ministry has certain behaviors in the event of an undocumented case.
Learning that even her secrets have secrets was like finding a never ending lollipop. With some help from my men, I can’t wait to figure out what’s at the center.
*********************
Hope
“Please tell me what you’ve been thinking so much about the last few days,” Mary pleads as we walk to Potions. “You’ve zoned out of half the conversations we have and I’ve noticed you appraising different tables at meal times.”
She hasn’t let this go since the first time I spaced out during a conversation, but my embarrassment has kept me from sharing. My options are admit the gruesome truth or lie to my only real friends in this world. Damn Salvatore School, making me all sentimental and mushy.
Anthony puts his arm around my shoulders, “We swear we won’t tell anyone. I mean, we are friends, aren’t we?”
The big, puppy dog eyes they both send my way makes me groan. I suppose they could only go so long pulling their punches. Eventually, Ravenclaws will figure out all your weak points. It’s fitting that I’d end up friends with the only Ravenclaws that would use this power for evil.
“Fine, I’ll tell you. But not out in the middle of the hall,” I tell them with a firm expression.
Mary squeals, grabs my arm, and pulls me into the closest empty classroom. Anthony follows, locking and silencing the door behind him. Sitting me on a bench, both of my friends sit across from with expectant expressions.
“Potions starts in a few minutes, we should really get to class,” I say with wide eyes.
I didn’t think we’d be having this discussion now, so soon after I begrudgingly agreed to tell them. If I wasn’t so distracted, I’d ask Mary how in this world she got so strong. But, my mortification at the coming confession makes my stomach turn.
Mary just smiles at me, “Then you better get to it, or else we’ll be late.”
Scowling at her, I turn to Anthony but do not find anything resembling sympathy. He’s leaning against the work table, not bothering to hide his excited grin.
With a heavy sigh, “Okay, I gave myself a very simple, very reasonable task for the school year. Although, I guess being in this world might make it a bit more difficult to accomplish…”
If purity rules are a thing, do people wait until marriage to have sex? I mean, surely not everyone does. Maybe people are just more hush hush about their affairs?
“Hope, get to it,” Anthony says, jarring me from my tangent.
“Right,” I start, looking down and scrunching my eyes shut so I don’t have to watch them react. “I want to lose my virginity before I turn seventeen.”
Is it a lie? Yes, yes it is a lie. But, how am I supposed to explain to my friends the whole Landon melting post orgasm thing? There’s no way that conversation would happen without ample questions, and answering them would put targets on their backs. Riddle might struggle getting into my mind, but I’m not so confident about my friends’.
“That’s so exciting!” Mary exclaims, surprising me.
Looking up, I find her standing with her hands clasped together, sporting a dreamy expression. Anthony, on the other hand, looks like he’s either going to start laughing or roll his eyes at me.
“Well, if you plan to lose it after the dance, I’m sure Henry Wood could get the job done. I mean, with a name like that, you have to assume it’s in his blood or som— OW!” Anthony shouts after Mary firmly punches him in the arm.
Sparing a quick glare in his direction, Mary turns back to me, looking more happy than I’m comfortable with, “Hope, you can give it to whoever you want, however you want. Do you have any ideas? Can I help scout potentials? I can get all the gossip to figure out who might give you the best time, if you want.”
Overwhelmed by their responses, I look back and forth between the two. Despite rubbing his arm, Anthony seems encouraging. Mary is far more enthusiastic than I would have guessed, but I suppose it’ll be faster with her help. I would like for this time to go well, at least it can’t possibly be worse.
“You can help,” I sigh. “But, I’m not looking for a husband or a happily ever after. I just want a good night with someone that won’t make me regret it.”
Mary deflates slightly, but quickly shakes it off. Too happy to play match maker to truly let the details ruin her attitude. Anthony, on the other hand, seems energized by my caveats. Literally jumping out of his seat.
“Don’t worry, Hope. Mary will get all the ladies opinions and I’ll make sure the guy doesn’t try anything funny. I’m sure the last thing you want is for the bloke to go bragging to whole school that he bagged the new girl,” Anthony declares, not sparing any dramatics.
With that decided, I end up sandwiched between the two with our arms linked. Getting out the door is a little awkward, but the three of us laugh while maneuvering through. Once we reach our classroom, we don’t bother trying again. Moving to our designated seats while trying to contain our laughter.
The more time I spend with those two, the more I feel like a normal, teenage girl. When Malfoy sits next to me, I politely smile in greeting before arranging my side of the work station to my liking. After a moment, I look back at Malfoy with a tilted head.
He’s very good looking, the white blond hair is just as striking as in the movies. Although, he is missing the weird, pointy features the book describes the family to have.
No, he’s classically handsome, like Errol Flynn from the old movies Rebekah used to show me. Between the high cheekbones, slicked back hair, and dimpled chin, Abraxas could easily wind up on a magazine cover.
But, reality slams into me, and I can’t help but shake my head and chuckle at my own idiocy. Feeling eyes on me, I turn to find Mary glaring daggers at me. Her eyes briefly move from me, to Malfoy, and back again, before narrowing into threatening slits.
Putting my hands up, my smile turns guilty and bashful. It really was just a passing thought, nothing more, nothing less. After pouting at her, Mary rolls her eyes before pointedly looking at boys around the room before turning back to get my silent opinion.
“What are you two doing?” Malfoy asks, startling a jump out of me.
With a hand settled over my racing heart, I meet the curious gaze that bounces between me and Mary. I can’t help the blush that takes over, but I try my best to school my features into something casual.
“Oh, nothing,” I attempt to say flippantly. “Mary is just helping me find a suitable date to the Halloween Ball.”
I don’t actually plan on losing anything at that dance, especially now that I know where the Room of Requirement is. But it’s the best lie I could come up with off the top of my head that also explains my behavior.
Malfoy looks at me skeptically at first, but his expression turns contemplative after a few seconds. Before I know it, the silver haired Slytherin is smiling kindly at me. For the first time, it almost looks genuine.
“In that case, I have no issue offering my services as well,” he tells me with a wink. I open my mouth to reject those services, but he continues before I can, “It would be terribly rude of me to not help your search. While Ravenclaws are known for their brains, and for good reason, sometimes you need a Slytherin to find all the juicy details.”
My brain short circuits for a second as I realize he isn’t asking me to the dance. Once I’m fully functional again, I can see how dumb that assumption was. Even to silly school dances, I’m sure that a pure blood date is the only acceptable choice for him.
But, I spend too long thinking on that, because the next thing I know Slughorn is front and center. Apparently, today we will be brewing a laughing potion. I don’t have time to explain to Malfoy that I won’t be needing his help, instead I simply shrug and get to work. I’m sure he’ll figure it out one way or another.