Chapter 25
Tom was quite glad that he managed to speed up Bellatrix's healing process, of course he wasn't going to trust Druella and Cygnus just like that, no matter how close they were to Bellatrix. The tracking charms he placed on them and their designed owls were testament of that. When he reached his prefect dormitory, he has already heard the content of their conversation. Nothing alarming now it seemed. Though, he would need to find a way to also preview these family artifacts of theirs, they seemed quite interesting. However, there was no way Cygnus would let him accompany him to the Black vault, Bellatrix might have had a way or helped, but at this point in time, her family shouldn't have known of her existence and Tom liked it better that way. As for her convincing Cygnus to let him have access, first of all Tom didn't want to her to know that he knew she was a Black or knew anything close to the truth of her time travel at all for now and that obviously also included Cygnus. But even if she knew and tried to convince Cygnus, he doubted he would agree, both He and Druella seemed to view Bellatrix's...affection for him in a bad eye. Tom couldn't say that it didn't make sense after seeing the future, Bellatrix and her obsession with her lord were indeed troublesome but that didn't quell the faint offended anger bubbling underneath his ego. Anyway, Tom thought as he entered his quarters, for the moment, he would have enough of just listening on to their trip to Gringotts. Besides, it seemed that it would take quite a while for them to obtain permission to go.
He had some hopes that Bella would wake up tomorrow. Thankfully, he had managed to get that slip from Dippet that allowed him to come and go as he pleased despite Dumbledore's disapproval. Tom scoffed as he thought of the old coot.
The next morning, Tom woke up and readied himself. He had to do his prefect duties before heading towards the great hall for breakfast. He received many nods as he sat in his place at Slytherin's table.
However, just as he sat down and started buttering his toast, an owl flew from the window and crashed on the the soup bowl. It looked like a St-Mungo owl. It seemed that they were quite short on funds if this is the owls that they are using, he thought with his irritation raising. But he forgot about that soon enough when he thought about what news the daft animal could be bringing. He took the letter off its beak and opened it carefully, paying no mind to the curious gazes sent his way.
"Tom, what is it?" Evelyn asked.
"Well, it seems that professor Eccleshall has woken up" Tom said with a pleasant tone. Well, this was good news to him. Wasn't it? There was silence from some of the knowing people, wishes of good recovery from others. Of course, relief from Druella and complicated relief for Cygnus. The good news seemed to also have reached the professor's table as Dippet seemed to have received a similar letter. He stood up from his seat and got everyone's attention.
"Good news everyone! Professor Eccleshall has woken up and she would be joining us again after a few days. A round of applause for these fantastic news" He said as he handed a big morcel of sausage from his plate to the owl. The students in the hall applauded but he could notice a few displeased faces and sighs from quite a few of them. It's true that Bellatrix wasn't the most pleasant professor around. As a matter of fact, she was an Azkaban escapee, he mused. The fact that she would retrurn to Hogwarts in only a few days was quite suitable for him, tough such eagerness to come back probably proved her worry over him.
"Riddle, why would you be the one to receive Eccleshall's hospital letter?" Malfoy asked with a thoughtful look on his face.
"Well, Lucius. Professor Eccleshall has some family relationship with Tom. She was his mother's friend and she doesn't have children of her own so she has him to rely on" Nott said, coming up with an excuse on the spot.
"Really? Your mother's...friend?" Walburga said. Her dubious look prickled him.
"I guess that explains why she favors you so much then" Lucius said.
Tom plastered a smile at that. "Professor Eccleshall's good to everyone regardless" He knew it was a blatant lie.
Anyway, he found himself hurrying up eating as he couldn't wait to go to Saint Mungo.
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He was starting to get enough of those white halls that smelled of cleaning potions, he hoped it wouldn't be long before he wouldn't have to endure them anymore. He reached Bellatrix's room when he heard a crash from inside.
"Do you not hear? I said OUTTT!" He could hear Bellatrix's screeching from inside. She was sitting in her bed, her curls wildly falling in front of her eyes and the bandages that were covering her were swapped for a hospital gown. There was a healer next to her trying to explain some things but that only seemed to infuriate her. Then she saw him. Her face suddenly stilled as it broke into a smile before she cooed
"Tom! You are well. I am so glad!" Tom raised his eyebrow at the comical shift in her behavior, it never ceased to amuse him. As he came close to her, she run her hands all over him frantically as if to check that he was truly not hurt, all while mumbling "I am so glad" while whimpering here and there.
"Well, Bellatrix. I am also glad you are awake. What is the fuss about?" Hearing his question, she stopped quizzically before understanding dawned on her. She seemed to have totally forgotten the tantrum she was throwing.
"Nothing Tom, the healers here are just too nosey. Must be because of all the filthy blood they are hiring" He heard her mumbling. Oh? Tom looked at the two healers at the bedside meaningfully, a chill growing in his eyes. They hurriedly scurried away and left the room. Tom silently waved his wand as he put silent charms on the door.