Riddle
Harry had not been in fact, joking. From then on, Harry and his new gang, Dean Thomas, and second year Fay Dunbar, had been spreading rumors all over the school, or she wished they were. Calling her Garden Snake by her fellow Slytherins was one thing, she talked to other houses regardless of status, she was a weak snake who was only a snake in name. The halls whispered of the relationship between freshmen, Rosewaters and Potter, the unspoken loves divided by the unspoken rule of Hogwarts to stay in your own house.
It started getting creepy when she found gifts on her bed, the writing from Potter. Sure, it might have just been some other Slytherin playing a prank, but she knew better. Her roommates were the only ones allowed in this room; Pansy helped put a curse on whoever tried to break in; Aldora wouldn't have done it, Potter and she aren't on good terms after he was outed for that sound charm in the dungeons, had people's footsteps be repeated to make them think someone was following them. Pansy Abhors him, but she hates everybody. Potter isn't on good terms with anybody in Slytherin, so how does he keep getting stuff in here.
On the other hand, Elouise had gained a new companion, Neville Longbottom. Draco and Ron weren't on the best terms, the young Weasley had Draco take the fall when Ron blew up his potion. While it did make them even, Draco felt no need to further converse with him, and they went separate ways. Neville on the other hand, a pureblood, talks to Draco here and there about politics, so naturally, Elouise was able to also form connection.
One thing Elouise had noticed as of lately though, other Slytherins have been avoiding her, the exception being Aldora and Draco, Pansy was slowly growing apart. It didn't take a genius to notice, the scorn on the blood purists faces whenever she was near, or how the younger ones inched away to hide behind their older acquaintances. She was becoming an outcast.
Aldora was also being dragged in, not yet recognized as a Muggle-born, only outcasted as a regular friend of Elouise.
The attention Potter was bringing her on their false relationship was likely the reason... along with befriending 2 other houses.
Hermione Granger, muggle born, Ravenclaw. The know-it-all. While she may be a bit overbearing, a bit to studious, she was a fast learner and quite helpful.
Neville Longbottom, Pureblood, Hufflepuff. The timid. Herbology is his specialty he finds, something about the plants made him open up as easily as asking Hermione about history.
Aldora Rucefel, Muggle-born, Slytherin. The Enigma. She doesn't connect to the purebloods, yet she wears clothes richer than half of them.
Draco Malfoy, Pureblood, Slytherin. The Malfoy. A stubborn blond and actually likes politics. Tolerates half-bloods, trying to tolerate Muggle-borns.
The Weasley twins? Pureblood, Gryffindor. How they became acquainted, Elouise had no idea. They showed up one day, and kind of stuck around for the fun of it.
Her Head of House, Prof Riddle, watched from a distance as Elouise rose her own social ladder, names of being a garden snake replaced as they called her chimera, she who combined herself with other animals to gain power. Or that was what the other first years called her, the older students simply called her a fool or a disgrace to the house of snakes. That being said, no matter what others said, they couldn't confront her directly with how valuable she proved to be. Gaining their house points on the daily and having the best grades between the first years. She was an asset; one they would rather ignore and shun than lose.
Draco, unlike Elouise, wasn't exiled just yet. He's still included in the social Slytherin things of their house, like Prof. Riddle's dueling club for first years, political talks in higher standing families, though even then, he's not fully accepted as long as he has Elouise attached to him. Elouise had power over him, heck, she's only at Hogwarts to watch over him. The only reason Draco isn't ostracized with her is because he's gained a small relation to the Head of House, Prof. Riddle. The only Professor known for not having favorites, has allowed the young Malfoy by his side. How he gained their head of house' favor, no one knew, but merely having that attention from that specific Professor keeps him from being shunned.
Back to the present, Elouise was downing tea filled to the brim in sugar cubes with hopes of distracting herself to the fact that unfortunately, Harry had become a stalker, her stalker. at least once a week, Potter asks her out again, a night rendezvous, a date in the courtyard, study date, do a prank together. Rejecting him has been getting easier though.
"Isn't that too much sugar? You'll rot your teeth." Draco cringed at the sight. seeing as the leftover wet sugar dripped from the cup into her mouth.
"I need as much energy this sugar is going to give me if I want to endure the stared people are giving me because of Potter." Elouise glared at the fireplace of the common room. "It was one thing people stared at me for making friends from all the houses, it's another when people are glaring because Potter keeps giving me shout outs whenever he does something immature!" She gripped the teacup, taking a deep breath. Draco went back to polishing his wand.
"On the bright side, I've seen the other houses kind of warming up to me." Elouise mentioned as Aldora came from their room to join.
"Rucefel." Elouise greeted, "Rosewaters." Aldora greeted back. "Something's on your bed again." She said, taking a seat. Elouise cursed under her breath, still not over that Potter somehow knew a way into the Slytherin Dormitory, the girl's dormitory.
"Of course there is..." Elouise sighed, looking over to Draco. "Draco, I have a request." The blond looked up. "I need an empty classroom, I don't mean something to rent because it's used, I want somewhere abandoned, forgotten. There are a ton of classrooms like that, but Father only told me about the main hallways. You know the halls better than me."
"I have a few ideas." Draco explained further, "Theres a few especially in the dungeons. While not very populated, they are however, deep and dark, anyone can get lost, and the only people who go there are the prefects for their patrols. There's the one above the library. I don't think it's very conventional though, you have to climb out a window and into the room from the outside, you risk falling. Let's see... there's the old wand making room, when wand making was a subject. I think it's used as storage now, but even then, no one ever goes there. even the hallway's dusty."
"Know where it is?" Elouise asked as Draco finished his wand.
"Yeah, I can take you there tomorrow. I have something to do today." He stood up. He glanced to the clock, fixing his tie before saying his farewells before leaving the common room.
"What are you going to do for Christmas?" Aldora spoke up, "Or Yule?" She corrected.
"Yuletide. I'm likely going to stay, I want to see what happens. Perhaps speak with Professor Riddle about something." Elouise answered. "And you?"
"I have to go back home; I have a duty-a responsibility. I can't be away too long. Every summer, every holiday I'm allowed to go back home, I have to use them." Aldora explained. "During break, my grandmother wants to introduce me to some people, family members."
"Must be nice. I don't have blood relatives other than my parents and brother." Elouise looked into the fireplace.
"You have a brother? Does he also go to Hogwarts?" Elouise shook her head.
"No, he goes to Ilvermorny, America. That's where I'm from, but Draco's father, my Godfather, convinced me to come here instead." Elouise remembered the several letters, from begging to bribing. Lucius ended up paying her multiple galleons to convince her and still paying for every year she'll be attending. Business was business, and she had her own funds now.
"Winter break is coming around soon... tell me what it's like?" Aldora asked.
"Yeah. I'll write you a detailed report, changes in the food, whatever activities we do, and the simple things. It'll be like you were there." Elouise smiled.
"Thanks."
...
Elouise had the idea of staying at Hogwarts, hoping to converse with her Head of house over some things without the load of students and work to be done at the moment, and like the stalker he's becoming, Harry caught wind of this and declared he was staying at Hogwarts for Christmas.
This, however, did not swing well by his mother, the next morning, he received a howler from Miss Lily Potter demanding he come home that Holliday else he be grounded over the summer. Much to Elouise' approval, Harry was leaving for the winter to be with his family.
Most of Elouise' new companions had gone home, and the population on Hogwarts diminished greatly. What was once a Great Hall, booming in conversations as loud as the football stadiums before the game started, was now as low leveled as a simple coffee shop. Elouise could see older students studying, while the younger ones talk about a live snowman throwing snowballs at anyone who enters the courtyard. No doubt, Potter and/or the Weasley twins' plan. She'd seen the 3 together, and while the Weasley twins are technically part of her little coven, they had free reign of who they hang out with, even if it is Potter. Though, it was more on and off with Potter. Sometimes they got together for plans and ideas, but most the time, they were on the side of Elouise and the others.
No matter, unlike the purist snakes of her house who believe the black and white, she was a lenient person. Why bother with forcing the twins to follow her command and completely drop Potter? It's their life, and so long as they don't tell him crucial things about her, it's alright with her.
The Great Hall was different, twelve large, decorated fir trees, mistletoe, and holly were decorated, just when she had gotten used to the great hall, now it felt so strange as snow fell lightly, it was dry and warm. Magic.
The door to the Great Hall opened, and Prof. Riddle sauntered in, a more visible green in his robes for once. Elouise looked over as she saw Draco also come in to sit beside her. "Draco." she greeted at the boy plopped down beside her, staring holes at their Head of House. "Draco?" she tried again, snapping him out of his gaze.
"Elle. How old do you think Professor Riddle looks?" He suddenly blurted, his eyes wide and trained on her.
"um-wha-what?" She stuttered, leaning back a bit as he gestured to their head of house. "How old does he look?" Draco insisted, letting Elouise take a good look. "No thinking, just assume."
"Erm... 26?" Elouise stopped to think. "Elle. He was a professor when your father attended. Now think about it, and try again." Draco stared heavily.
"Well... let's see, 1971, he'd have to be at least 21 to be a professor, add another 20 years... 41? but it still feels to fast to be a professor, 45?" She answered finally, unsure.
Draco sighed, folding his hands on the table as he revealed the truth. "Elouise... He's 65." Draco stated his head in his hands. "My father's so much younger and yet looks so old. He's already getting grey hairs while our dear Head of House doesn't look a day over 30..." Elouise was shocked. A man like him, 65? No way, she was quite literally 20 years off, and her guesses were largely based on when he was a professor when her dad was present. This meant, even when her father was born, Riddle was like, 34!
"No... No..." Elouise stared incredulously at the man where the Professors are, speaking with Madam Pince as he majestically ate a croissant without spilling so much as a crumb. "You have to be lying..." Draco shook his head, resting it on the table seeming defeated.
"I checked... Past records, I saw some of his achievements, what year they were and what year he was in... Elouise... you don't think he's a turned vampire, do you?" Draco asked, his voice so unsure of himself but hopeful.
"... No. He's been in the sun on multiple occasions. He can't be." Elouise reminded.
"Well I really don't think a 65-year-old should look that young. Either he's just really healthy for his age, or he has something that gives him eternal youth." Draco glanced to Riddle.
"I don't want to think too much about it. He just looks very young for his age." Elouise insisted, ending that conversation. "About that room,"
...
The old classroom from a long-abandoned subject, wand making. Full of dust and grime, not even the house elves came here. Desks piled against the walls; chairs up front stacked before the board; the windows littered with spiders and webs. One step in the room, Elouise felt itchy just looking at its state.
"Think we can get a house elf to help clean this up?" She pondered before remembering Draco didn't even dare enter the hall. "Right." Looking around some more, if they could get this area cleaned, it would be perfect. She left the room, dusting off the ends of her robes as she saw Draco leaning against a wall.
"I'll need to speak with the house elves, I may not be back by curfew." Elouise said.
"You know where they are?" Draco asked curiously, while he knew Hogwarts Elves were present, you could only call upon them if you knew their name or met them by chance.
"They reside in the kitchen, there's the staircase leading down, but I still have to figure out how to get inside. I'll need some time, so don't wait up for me."
"Good luck then, I'll expect you tomorrow morning." Draco nodded before leaving down the hall.
"Bye Draco." Elouise went her separate way, "Bye Elouise." Draco disappeared behind the corner.
...
Down to the entrance hall, there was a door, a staircase leading down, in a broad stone basement corridor, brightly lit and decorated with food-themed paintings. Elouise grazed her hand on the painting of a grape field, but nothing.
"Which is it... A fruit painting, you have to do something. but what, and which one." She flicked her fingers on the painting of painted berries sprawled over a table. Still nothing. a bunch of different actions, different paintings, and time was ticking before she had to leave for curfew.
The fruit bowl, raising her hand, about to feel another painting that could be nothing, "Alone again I see." She jumped, head snapping to Professor Riddle at the end of the hall. "How troublesome, it's almost curfew. You should be heading back to the dorms by now, young Rosewaters." He strode before her.
"I wished to speak with the elves, a request for something." Elouise answered honestly.
"The Hogwarts elves? Why." Riddle didn't take his eyes off for a second, his presence looming in authority.
"Some help, and... information. About my father?" Riddle became intrigued. "Father?" He asked.
"He came to Hogwarts as well, Slytherin, 1971." Elouise clarified, watching as Riddle became confused, and suspicious.
"I can't say I remember a mister Rosewaters." He stated, eyes narrowing.
"That makes sense, I have my mother's maiden name." Elouise clarified.
"Even then, I don't remember a miss Rosewaters either. The closest thing I can think of is mister Greengrass, sounds familiar. But Rosewaters? a miss? I can't say I know who you're talking about-"
"My mother is American. She's more popular in the states, not Europe. My father was Snape, Severus Snape?" Elouise took a photo out of her pocket, a photo of her and her father standing together for a father daughter memory when she got her wand for the first time.
"Snape?" Professor Riddle seemed surprised, taking the photo when Elouise offered it. Still seemed so unreal though, for proper measure, he casted a few spells, the revealing charm, the Untransfiguration spell, but nothing happened. It was a real photo, and handwritten on the back was Severus' handwriting, 'Be wary, be safe, be well. Your father.'
"That explains what the hat meant by him having a child." He muttered, remembering the sorting hat during the Welcoming Feast at the beginning of the year. Finally, he handed it back to Elouise. "You wanted information about him then, Snape." He watched as she nodded.
"Yes. I figured the House elves would know a thing or two, perhaps I could also eat a late-night snack as well while I was down here. I may have skipped Dinner trying to find which was the painting I was looking for." Elouise hid her hands behind her back, something she did when she felt nervous.
"Hn..." He looked to the painting, hand reached out to tickle the pear. Elouise looked surprised as the pear giggled before turning into a large green door handle. "I also wanted to have a word with the elves." He explained, opening the door for her. "Don't tell anyone about this though.
As the door opened, the smell of the previous dinner lingered inside. House elves scurried in the long room, tables identical to the ones in the great hall just above. When the door stopped, the workers looked back to see Professor Riddle and Elouise.
Elouise smiled, walking towards them and giving a small wave, "Hello there, I'm Elouise." She greeted as they began to surround her.
Elouise looked down as a house elf with a large nose greeted her shyly, others falling in suit. Professor Riddle was speaking with a separate elf while Elouise crouched to speak with the others.
"What's your name?" Elouise looked at an elf, large piglike ears, wearing what looked like a potato sack. "Filk is I. How might Filk assist!" they held their hands together, waiting for something to do.
"Well, I may had skipped dinner. Do you mind making me something small? Nothing much." Elouise requested. and they got to work.
"Snape, your father. Why don't you share the same last name?" Tom approached, taking a seat nearby.
"Something about not wanting to continue the Snape name? He didn't even want Mother taking his name. They're married, have kids together-"
"Kids"
"Yes."
"Brother, sister? Or plural. He has more than one child?"
"I have a brother, a year and a half older. He goes to Ilvermorny though, where I too should have gone but my Godfather practically begged me to attend Hogwarts with Draco."
"Interesting... I must say, I never expected Snape to have children, He never came off that way, even when he was young. Not to mention, whenever he's in the papers, he's always scowling and described in the workplace as strict and intimidating." Riddle watched as the house elves placed a plate of food before Elouise. "Enjoy your meal, but do try to make it back before curfew. I doubt many students will be up this late, but still, be careful." With that, Professor Riddle stood up and headed for the door.
"Yes Professor." Elouise watched as he left, leaving her to further converse with the house elves present.
...
In the passing day, Elouise was back in that god awful room. "Filk." She called out, looking down as the house elf from before apparated before her.
"You called Filk?" they looked around the room, recognizing it before turning back to Elouise. "Dusty dusty." It repeated.
"If you can, may you help me clean this place? I wanted to accomplish some things here" Elouise asked, the house elf seeming wary and hesitant.
"This place? Filk doesn't think it's the best place. Filk knows many better rooms!" It insisted.
"Yes, but many of those rooms are either taken, obvious, or are well known. I wanted somewhere peaceful, preferably not the girl's bathroom where Moaning Myrtle is." Elouise explained.
"Hm, yes, Filk supposes so... Very well! Filk will help!"
Elouise smiled. For the next while, they spent the time cleaning the room. Filk insisted Elouise need not help, but Elouise wanted to be part of the process and helped scourgify the desks and chairs.
...
Draco and Elouise walked around; the halls had been rather quiet. There was some ruckus outside, Elouise, curious, looked out to find the Weasley brothers all out in the courtyard, dueling with snowballs against a snowman who appeared quite formidable. "Draco." Elouise called over.
They both watched amused at the many times Ron got hit in the face, how prefect Percy fell over not so majestically, meanwhile the twins were taking the snowman's side and ambushing their brothers from behind. "How brutal." Draco seemed smug at their misfortune, his smile widening as the twins collected karma, Ron, Percy, and the snowman all collectively aiming for the two troublemakers as they hid behind something.
"Are all Weasleys Gryffindor?" Elouise spoke up. There had been a moment of conversation with Neville where he had mentioned Ron being very anxious about Hufflepuff house compared to when asked about Gryffindor.
"Usually. Thier mother, father, older brother's who've already graduated. He's the first Weasley Hufflepuff I've heard of." Draco stared at the red heads before turning away.
"Hn..." Elouise left with Draco.
...
Christmas morning, Elouise woke up to a pile of presents at the foot of her bed. looking around, the other beds in her room seemed barren. Pansy had gone home, Aldora as well. Elouise picked up the first box, felt hard, suddenly she felt rather happy as she read who it was from, the large fancy handwriting on the side. "Father..." Elouise unwrapped it gently, every piece peeling off revealed the wooden box inside. unlocking the hatch, inside she found rare potion ingredients not available at Hogwarts.
Her mother had gifted her a pair of dragonhide boots, her Godfather Lucius and his wife sent her a book of offensive spells. There were a few others, from Aldora, Hermione, the Weasley family had sent her a knitted sweater? And lastly, one from her uncle, R.A.B.
Elouise grabbed a box from under her bed and headed down to the common room, there she found Draco dressed more comfortable, simple robes and adjusting his new coat. "Morning." Elouise came over, holding out the box to Draco. "I wanted to give it to you in person." Elouise sat down as Draco sat down in front of the fireplace. He opened it to find a set of beauty supplies (face masks).
"What?" He looked skeptical, not sure whether to act grateful or seem rude to ask why. "Face masks. We haven't had any sleepovers. and I finished that room we talked about. Filk helped me place some furniture, there's a nice window too. Please?" Elouise smirked nervously, Draco was not convinced. "... I'll pay you 5 galleons." "Deal."
...
The room now clean, couches and a rug covered in a charm keeping the space warm was nice. The windows full of spiders were now clear as new, you could see the black lake again. The tables and chairs were still stacked against the wall, clean, but still temporarily not in use. Candles floated all about, though with just a phrase of command, they would go out or relight.
"Well, it has certainly changed..." Draco held a pillow in his lap, legs crossed as Elouise prepared the face masks. He had been surprised to see the massive change of cleaning the room like so.
"Enjoy it when it's just us, because soon, I'll be making this our hangout spot. I've talked to Dumbledore, and he's allowed me to use this room as a club room of sorts." Draco pushed his hair back with a fuzzy hairband as Elouise placed the wet mask on his face.
"Club room? And what pray tell is this club about." Draco helped Elouise with her own face mask.
"Interhouse Unity. Sure, things like the dueling club allow any house to join, but this one is to focus on making bonds between houses. Or that's what I told him. Then he gave his permission. However, he said if I want to keep the club going, I will have to gain at least 5 members before the end of January." Elouise and Draco stared at each other, fuzzy headbands and face masks.
"Well, that should be easy, you, Rucefel, Granger, Longbottom, and those twins should be enough." Draco shrugged.
"You can join too." Elouise leaned her back against the couch. "I can promise a fun campaign." Elouise tried to convince him and failed. Draco rejected her offer quite harshly. "By doing this, you get more excuses for acting against other houses. Payback included." Elouise tried again.
"Why would I need that?" Draco asked, crossing his arms.
"If the Weasley twins prank you again, as per our club additional rules, you are enabled to act according to what was given. An eye for an eye kind of thing. And best part, you'll be given a pass by Dumbledore himself because he agreed to it." Elouise walked over to the board, grabbing a parchment paper and handing it to Draco to look at. A few rules and permissions, signed at the bottom by Dumbledore.
"How did he agree to this?" Draco seemed suspicious. "Honestly? I think he just wants some drama. The old man's always watching the latest conflicts and never acts fast enough despite being able to. This way, he gets to enjoy the drama and has given permission to let it happen." Elouise put the parchment back.
"Even so, isn't this just neglect?" Draco wasn't sure what to make of the situation.
"It gives us free reign, so I don't really care." Elouise sat down on the rug. "At least here, we won't be under constant surveillance. With the members I have selected, we won't have to scout and have word spread about this room for people to gawk at and come as they please. If you join, I'll make you vice president." Elouise offered. Finally, Draco agreed, though he still didn't really want to.
"What do you even have planned for this?" Draco asked.
"Weekly meetings, more like get togethers. We can do actual planning or just hang out. So long as we actually meet the requirements."
"Define requirements." He raised a brow.
"We need a regular schedule, must work for the purpose of our club, and the at least 5 members thing." Elouise responded.
Draco sighed, he did not want to be a part of this. Him, a pureblood, mingling with muggle or muggle lovers. It was bound to ruin his reputation, it would actually outcast him this time. "... This is the first time you've been this set on something since... that incident." Draco groaned. "I want you to know, I do not like this idea, don't want to be a part of it. It sounds troublesome and overall, like a waste of time. I don't even think mending the reputation of Slytherin is possible anymore." He looked away, sucking in a breath as he made his final decision.
"But let's do it."