Special Services to the School
I’m frozen for a second then start to kiss him back before I snap back into myself and realize what is happening and pull away. Before I can say anything however, Sirius has arrived at the table and is being as obnoxious as ever.
”James! That is the most revolting thing I have ever witnessed, I am truly going to be sick.”
Being the annoyance he is, Sirius follows this with a plethora of gagging noises.
”And Cassiopeia! What on earth do you have to say for yourself young lady!”
”Uhhh.” I say stupidly.
“Sirius, I’m sorry I have to come clean.” James states solemnly.
I have no idea what’s going on, and to be honest am still worked up from the kiss, so continue to stare at the both of them as if I only have one working brain cell.
“I know you’ve caught on that something has been happening behind your back and, well, I have a crush on your sister” He finishes.
”Wha-“
“I knew it!” Sirius exclaims with pride. ”I told Moony you two were dating but he would not believe me!”
Apparently Sirius is, in fact, as dumb as he looks.
“Sirius.” I snap. “We are not dating. That was just one kiss.” I roll my eyes.
”Oh come on Cass, he knows about us now, we don’t have to keep sneaking around anymore.” James smiles.
My eyes nearly bulge out of my head.
“Oh this is perfect! Now James can legally be my brother when you get married!” Sirius screeches in a quick turn of events from moments ago when the sight of us kissing was apparently repulsive.
”Bloody hell let’s slow the hell down.” I groan, flushing furiously.
I genuinely could not believe this was happening right now. While yes,I can admit James is quite fit, and smart, and kind, and beautiful, I didn’t want to be in a fake relationship with him. Especially when he practically ignores me at home. I also couldn’t believe that Sirius was buying this, let alone seemingly okay with it.
I quickly start to pack my stuff away, flicking my wand to send the books back to the correct shelves.
“No need to be embarrassed Cassie, you have my full approval.” Sirius beams.
I look over at James to find that he seems to be having the time of his life, with a blinding smile stretching across his stupid face.
”Well I have to go.”I blurt out, not waiting for a response and scurry off in the direction of the Gryffindor common room.
”What about dinner?” Sirius calls but I’m already out the door.
I am quite confused and slightly mortified still so it is no surprise when I crash into something in my haste. Or should I say someone.
“I’m so sorry!” I say, reaching to help pull the person up when I realize who it is I’ve bumped into.
”Pete?”
”Shit, Cass I’m sorry but I really can’t get another detention this term.” Peter blurts out before absolutely bolting away.
”Wait, what?” I call after him, but he has already rounded the corner and disappeared.
That’s when Filch comes hobbling from the direction he came from.
”Ah Miss Black.” He croaks with a laugh. “I should’ve known it was only a matter of time before you started misbehaving like your brother and his friends.”
”But I didn’t do anything!” I protest. “I was literally just in the library!”
“That’s what they all say.” Filch tuts. “Detention right now in the trophy room, I expect every award and medal to be sparkling.” He smiles vindictively.
”But-“ I start.
”And no complaining or I’ll have you clean the bed pans from the hospital wing as well.”
“Peter you rat!” I hiss under my breath and walk with him to the trophy room.
I honestly cannot believe that Pete has just let me take the fall for whatever stupid prank he was doing, and now I’m going to miss dinner as well.
Once we get to the room Filch hands me an old rag and a carton of polish and barks at me to “get shining” and “no magic, or else”. I roll my eyes and start on the first cupboard of trophies going back years showing off past Hogwarts students accomplishments.
On the second shelf I find a duelling trophy won by Lyall Lupin and make note in my mind to tell Remus about it later.
It’s mind numbing work, but I am finally on the last shelf of the fourth cupboard. I pick up the last award, a circular plaque that has some stubborn spots of rust, and start scrubbing as hard as I can. However, no matter how hard I try, the spots will not come off. My arms are truly about to fall off so I peak around to see if Filch or Mrs. Norris are anywhere nearby. After a few moments of looking and listening and not seeing anyone, I decide to pull out my wand.
“Scourgify.” I whisper quickly.
Luckily this does the trick. The spots vanish and the plaque is left with a nice sheen. I quickly glance over the words to see who won this ridiculous thing and a chill runs up my spine.
“Special Services to the School Awarded to Tom Marvolo Riddle 1943”
We had found a few different Tom’s in our research over the past month but nothing had stood out about them. This name however, has the hairs on the back of my neck standing up. I reach into my robes pocket and pull out the two way mirror.
”Regulus.”I call into it. “Reg. Regulusss. Reggie, please answer!”
That’s when I see the face of my twin come into view.
”Bloody hell, what?” He snaps.
”Woah someone’s cranky.” I roll my eyes.
“What do you want?”
”Sorry, I just thought you would want to know that I found our Tom.” I gloat.
”You what?!”
“Tom Riddle, he got an award for special services to the school in 1943.”
”And you think someone who was getting awards for “Services to the school” is now a blood supremacist?” Regulus drawls as if I’m stupid.
“Well when you phrase it like that, no.” I scoff. “I’m not sure why I think it’s him, it’s just a feeling.”
“Well then.” Reg says. “How can we find out if this actually is our Tom.”
”I think I have an idea.” I state with a grin.