"Now to the House cup!" Dippet said cheerfully, standing up from his chair, gazing down at the students with pride and worry. The war was getting worse, or should he say both wars really, he was genuinely worried that he wouldn't see some of them again, well discounting the seventh years that were leaving out into the world. What a time to be leaving and looking for a job, he thought forlornly, he worried that Grindelwald would entice the students, that they would go overseas to help, and worse those living amongst Muggles would never be seen again due to the destructive nature of the German bombs. None of his concern showed as he had his cheerful mask up, as not to worry the students, "In fourth place we have Ravenclaw with four hundred and twenty-five points!" he applauded politely along with the teachers and students, the Ravenclaws however, despite applauding themselves were quite disgruntled at having coming last. They never came last - until now that is. They were renowned for their superior intellect after all.
"In third place is Hufflepuff with four hundred and twenty-six points!" Dippet cheered, and contrast to the Ravenclaws the Hufflepuff's cheered loudly undeterred by the fact they weren't coming first and gaining the House cup.
"In second place we have Gryffindor with an astonishing five hundred and ten points!" the rancorous applause from the Gryffindors revealed a lot about their nature. They were extremely disappointed that they weren't winning this year again, they'd won against Slytherin for three years running, it was a bitter pill for them to swallow.
"Now for the winners, with a groundbreaking amount of points ever gained, Slytherin wins the House cup with six hundred points!" Dippet said loudly so he could be heard at the end of the hall, the Slytherin's cheered loudly, their masks nowhere to be seen as they revelled in their victory over the Gryffindors - they had two bright ambitious third year Slytherins to thank for that, Tom Riddle and of course Hadrian Peverell. Dumbledore had removed some of those points, but they gained back double by the end of the day. Everyone in Slytherin always made sure that they couldn't give Dumbledore a reason.
It was perhaps why Dumbledore was applauding slowly, his twinkle nowhere to be seen as he came to terms with the fact Slytherins had bet his precious Gryffindors. His slow applause meant nothing as everyone continued to cheer, some teachers harder than others, due to the fact it was their house when attending Hogwarts itself. Quite a few of them had been Slytherins actually - five in total. By far the loudest of them all was Horace Slughorn. He was beaming with so much pride, satisfaction and oddly enough contentment as he stared down at his snakes, making it obvious to all, that he truly cared deeply about each and every single one of them.
Harry who glanced up and saw those emotions, well it caused an uncomfortable sensation in his heart. He'd known he cared, Slughorn had spoken to him quite a few times during the year and even going so far as to say if he needed someone to talk to his door was open. It was true; the Slytherins went to him with whatever problem they had. He had just assumed especially during his sixth year that Slughorn was just using them, trying to make a name for himself without doing anything. He had been so wrong, he cared, and his Slug club was a way to get closer to them all, in an adviser and mentor way, instead of just a teacher and Head of House. Slughorn had no children, perhaps he regretted that and wished to have children of his own though guiding others? He wasn't sure, but what he did know was that anything he asked Slughorn would be answered. Hell Slughorn had even told Tom about Horcruxes! Wary during the conversation sure, but he still did it, and trusted that he wouldn't do anything with the knowledge. It was a hell of a burden to place on a man, perhaps he had changed when he realized what he had done. Maybe that was why he hadn't come close to anyone during that year (sixth year) at Hogwarts. Sitting down along with the rest of the Slytherins once again right next to Tom, whenever he tried to sit anywhere else he was just dragged along like a bloody doll. Which shouldn't be easy anymore, but he made it look effortless! Irritating wizard that he was.
"Finally got one over the Mudblood Gryffindors," one of the male Slytherins said grinning wickedly; Harry looked over and saw it was the Carrow twin Amycus Carrow.
Harry snorted, "Yes, because all the Gryffindors have Muggle blood," he sneered distastefully, "And you do realize that just because you were sorted into Slytherin it doesn't mean you don't have the capacity to be in the other houses, it just means you have more Slytherin traits…personally I think the hat put you here since nobody else would put up with you."
Carrows hands tightened on his cutlery, as he glared at Hadrian Peverell promising him retribution for this latest insult as everyone laughed at him. He hated the boy with a passion, and he couldn't believe Tom wanted him around. Nearly all year they'd had to put up with him, it didn't help that only he and Avery were the only ones that actively disliked him, the others had all warmed up to him even Lestrange…yet the boy continued on as if he couldn't see how angry he was and about to explode. His face blanked completely at the warning gleam in Tom's eyes as he looked at him briefly before turning back to his meal. He hated Peverell! When would Tom get sick of him? It had better happen soon! When it did he was going to enjoy showing that little snot his rightful place.
"We all have a thirst for knowledge, we all have those we are loyal to, we all have the ability to courageous and brave," Harry stated sharply, "The hat merely decides which part of our personality outshines all others. Mocking the Hufflepuff's for being loyal is like mocking part of your own personality and its pathetic." with that said, Harry started dishing up, putting as much food as he could on his plate, he had no idea when he would next have a decent meal. He frowned at his own thoughts, damn he sounded just like he did while at Hogwarts before going back to the Dursleys. He didn't see the surprised yet contemplated face of various Slytherins as they thought on what 'Hadrian' had said.
Harry looked up when he felt himself being watched, staring back into dark eyes that were as always shuttered, but he was rubbing at his chin a sure sign he was lost in thought or just considering what he had been told. He had seen him doing it many times over the past year, shaking off his thoughts he turned back to his dinner, determined to enjoy his last night at Hogwarts.
Despite his own determination, he couldn't help but reflect on the look Tom had supported when he had found out Harry would be at the orphanage. His eyes had darkened and magic flared slightly in his anger, but none of it had shown on his impassive face. He could only imagine what he was thinking, admittedly the dorm room had been dark but he was sure of what he saw. Tom made no further mention of it, but he had a feeling Tom would say something sooner or later - and it wouldn't be kind, if anything he would be threatened - something that hadn't happened yet in all fairness much to his surprise. Tom didn't want anyone to know about his life, it was something he had observed over the year, he dodged and redirected the questions when asked, in fact Harry didn't think anyone even knew Tom lived at an orphanage, while they all knew he was poor they didn't know anything else. In fact Tom hadn't even alluded to the fact he would be there as well, and obviously Harry couldn't say anything either. He would need to work on his shocked surprised mask before that happened. Tom was just too damn observant and would know if he didn't do his level best to react how he should.
"Dumbledore doesn't look happy," Lestrange observed sneering at the red headed wizard, everyone in Slytherin hated him. With good reason, he always took the side of the Gryffindors over them, as if they were lying all the time.
"Does he ever?" muttered Avery, "The homework he gave us is ridiculous! Four feet! It's going to take forever to get that done and I actually want to enjoy my summer holidays."
"Then just do it the first few days you're home, that way you can spend the rest of the time 'enjoying your summer holiday'," Harry said as if he was talking to a really dense child. "Plus Professor Adage gave us five foot, so you should be grateful you aren't in that class."
"They shouldn't be allowed to give out homework for classes that are extra on the curriculum," Dorea said vehemently as she joined in the conversation.
"I don't know, I think its interesting," Harry admitted, "Most of its theory and he said we have to think of an actual project that will take up an entire year, since you have to prove your backing of whichever theory you chose. Have you decided on one yet?"
"Actually I want to submit a theory on where Mud-ggle-borns get their magic," Dorea admitted, after swallowing her food, only then did she begin speaking again. Pureblood manners were well and truly bred into Dorea Black - but Harry hadn't expected anything else. Hadrian did not like the word Mudblood he had made that abundantly clear - although he hadn't given a reason as to why, since it was clear as day he couldn't stand Muggles. "I just don't know if I can think of anything that will disprove or approve any theory I come up with."
"That's easy," Harry said waving it off as his lips twitched in the dainty way she dabbed her mouth with her napkin.
"How?" Dorea enquired, frowning wondering what he could be thinking off that she had missed.
"Potions," Harry stated, saying nothing more, "I'm actually doing the same one, what about you Tom, have you decided?" he asked glancing at the teenager.
Tom flicked an invisible bit of lint from his clothes as he thought, "I have decided on the theory of why Squibs are born." he conceded after a few seconds of thoughtful silence - on their conversation at least since the Great Hall was abuzz with chattering students.
"It doesn't matter what you write, you never get taken seriously," Abraxas scowled further down from them.
"What did you receive for your project?" Harry enquired, hiding his amusement but his shoulders shook for a few seconds.
"Dreadful," Abraxas grimaced; he had promptly dropped the class furious at having suffered so humiliatingly. Thankfully his father hadn't cared, it wasn't one of the classes he took seriously - he had gotten off with it.
"Which one did you pick?" Harry asked genuinely curious. You had to pick from three theories and either approve them or disprove them or at least try. Squibs, Muggle-born's and oddly enough magical creatures like Goblins and how they harness their magic without a wand. Half the class had picked that one before the class was over; since it was an easy one compared to the others they didn't even want to think on why there were squibs never mind where Muggle-Borns got their magic.
"Muggle-Borns and how they get magic," Abraxas quoting it.
"And? What did you decide?" Harry asked, noticing that most of the third years who took Magical theory were quiet listening in as well.
"That they steal our magic," Abraxas stated sternly.
There was silence all around for at least a minute before they jumped when Hadrian Peverell let out an extremely loud roar of laughter before slamming his hand down on the bench unable to contain his amusement apparently. The entire Slytherin bench didn't know whether to scowl at the loudness and uncharacteristic display especially for a Slytherin or join his merriment since it was rather contagious.
"Oh, that was a good one," Harry chortled wiping his eyes where a few tears of mirth had escaped. "Steal our magic; I'm surprised you didn't get a Troll for that one. Think about it for a minute, even we don't know how to siphon off magic from one person to another and we have magic, do you seriously think a Muggle could do the same? Do you truly give Muggles that much credit? Or do you think they have a cauldron full of secret serum somewhere that they go around injecting it into unsuspecting babies and just watch? Do you know how many Muggles reside on this planet? Millions, we are infinitesimal compared to them, if they could get our magic they would already have it." despite his amusement he was completely enraged, it was stupid things like that that was going to cause big problems for Muggle-Borns in future. He knew how smart Tom was and to even contemplate that idea? It was stupid and just so not like him, he sincerely hoped it was the Horcruxes that damaged his bloody brilliant mind.
Abraxas had scowled furiously at the teenager's amusement but shocked indignation took its place when Hadrian implied he was giving Muggles any credit whatsoever. By the end though he was thoughtful, he hated the fact the boy sounded so…reasonable and right about everything he did and said. He loathed the thought of Muggles, despite the fact he'd never met one, and hated even more the thought of giving them any credit, so what could he do? Believe Muggles stole magic or drop his theory of that altogether? He did what any pureblood would, dropped it.
Dumbledore and many of the teachers glanced over to see what the noise was, most smiled, it was nice to see Hadrian happy, for most part he was so quiet all the time. He had every right to be after all he had been through, but he had survived and was getting stronger - happier now. They were amazed at how seamlessly he had joined with the others and kept up. He was a prodigy, there were two in fact, and both brilliant and they enjoyed having them in their classes. There was one who wasn't as happy as them in regards to Hadrian - and that was Dumbledore. He frowned at him, wondering what had him so happy…he quickly glanced at his Gryffindors making sure they were all there before nodding in relief. How that boy irritated him, Horace was still not speaking to him because of Peverells actions in the staff room that day. Even Dippet had been very disappointed in his actions, both reprimanding him for doing such a thing to a 'boy who had just learned about the magical world'. Even worse each essay had been done really well and he had no other option but to grade him with Outstanding on every single one.
Harry didn't dare even glance at Tom, he didn't want to see whether he believed it or not, but he had in the future with all of his heart. Either that or he had been indulging them just to keep control over them and have them doing his bidding so he could take over the magical world. Sighing in irritation, his mood abruptly shifting, but nobody commented on it having gotten used to his strange moods over the last year. Despite his moods he always had control over his magic, it never once leaked unless he intended it to. Nobody wanted that power on them, they were all still in awe of what happened in the common room that day.
"Can you give me a hint to what potions?" Dorea asked her forehead wrinkled slightly as she puzzled about something.
"Um, I don't really know myself," Harry lied, "Why don't you ask Walburga? Did she take it?"
"I don't know, but Lucretia did, I wonder if she'll tell me," Dorea already finding a new suspect to pounce for information. She glanced down at Walburga.
"Nicely done," Tom commented his tone smug.
Harry turned to face him, "I have no idea what you're talking about."
Tom just hummed having nothing further to say, he didn't most days.
"Why are you all doing it alone?" Alphard questioned, arching an eyebrow curiously.
Harry blinked, "What do you mean?"
"The teacher said we could pair up," Alphard added dryly. "I'm working with Goldstein." the Ravenclaw he sat next to in class.
"Huh, I must have been distracted when he told us that," Harry admitted thoughtfully, "Hmm, I don't think I'll bother, too much hassle." making his mind up, they would just pawn all the work on him because he was 'smarter' just like any Slytherin would - it was in their nature. "Still I don't think this project will take an entire year, it just seems silly."
"It's not all you do in that class, it's a side project, most of the classes continue on as normal," Walburga said from where she had just sat down next to Dorea who had gestured for her to come over. "I chose creatures," Walburga her nose screwed up, "It was much easier than the other two options, I didn't care much for the class if I'm honest, dropped it after fourth year I had much more to worry about than magical theory." it was O.W.L's year after all, and her parents would have killed her if she hadn't done well enough.
"It definitely sounded boring," Lestrange stated, "I much prefer something I can learn and use, like Arithmancy and Ancient Runes." even if he didn't find it as easy as the others.
"They are the most useful," Harry agreed, "But the class is interesting, at least the theory's are and most of the debates." they had podiums for debates; it was to get everyone used to 'public speaking' without the nerves getting the better of you.
"But are you going to take it during your O.W.L's year?" Nott enquired neither him nor Lestrange or Avery took Magical Theory. Thaddeus looked over at Aiden to see him sitting sulking. He shook his head at Avery, honestly, you'd think he would get over it, but he hadn't. In fact whenever Hadrian was around he was quiet - it was rather immature, his father would have killed him if he saw it. Thaddeus personally liked Hadrian, he was amusing, he could keep up with them, his sarcasm was hilarious yet he was kind to the other houses, whether he was just kind or whether he had something bigger in the works at planned he had no idea.
"I don't know," Harry admitted, "I've heard it's really difficult, and with all the homework we are sure to get…it might be a bit too much. I guess it depends on what you do, Walburga do you know anyone who took it during their fifth year?" half way through turning from Nott to Black for an answer.
"No, but there isn't another project until sixth year, I think its mostly just more difficult theory," Walburga commented, "Don't take my word for it, ask the professor, he'll know better than I what he plans to do."
Harry nodded thoughtfully, "Good idea,"
"I hope dessert hurries up, I have a book I need to return to the library," Lestrange said.
"Yes, I do too actually," Harry, "I don't want to forget and get stopped from taking books out!"
"You can take books out," Tom replied silkily. "They allow two books during the summer holidays only if he knows you take care of them."
"Really?" Harry said turning to face him, "Brilliant!" he had the perfect two he wanted to take with him.
"I never knew that," Lestrange said frowning in annoyance.
"You never asked." Tom replied promptly.
As always they never argued further with him and just sat back down to their meal. Harry would have laughed if his throat wasn't still sore from his hilarity with Abraxas, turning to look down the bench he saw him talking animatedly with another Black, Orion he thought it could be, Sirius' father, he certainly had the curly hair. The first time he and Tom had argued Avery, Lestrange and Nott had almost pissed themselves as they tried to blend in with the upholstery in the chairs they'd been sitting in.
-0 Flashback 0-
"No it isn't," Harry argued, pretending not to notice the rest of the groups jaws dropping in shock, or Tom's body stiffening as he began to get angry.
"Yes, it is." Tom replied his dark eyes gleaming in that vicious way.
"It's not a spell!" Harry stated calmly, opening his mouth to tell him what did when he was interrupted.
"It is." Tom stated, wondering if Hadrian was being deliberately obtuse what else could it be?
"No, Thestrals pull the coaches," Harry declared.
"I think we would see them, don't you?" Tom asked sardonically. Ignoring the way the others were trying to remain inconspicuous like idiots it was only drawing more attention to them.
"Some of us do," Harry replied, "They are an omen of death and generally considered bad luck because only those who have seen someone die can see them."
Tom narrowed his eyes further, wanting to scoff at the absurdity of invisible animals pulling the carts, but Hadrian seemed very adamant and it was very elaborate if he was just guessing. Seeing the determined look on his face was doing things to him other than thinking of torturing him, not that he would torture what was his. No, he was the one person that was safe from any of that, despite the fact he knew Hadrian knew what he was up to. He wasn't sure how, but he did at least partly.
"Honestly, they do, they're in one of the creature books in the library, they're winged horses, and beautiful creatures really, just have a bad reputation." Hadrian said softly, almost whimsically. He had believed a spell brought the carriages up until his fifth year before, so he wasn't surprised that even Tom didn't realize what they were. He would soon though, if he went through with killing the Riddles.
"You can see them?" Tom enquired his tone completely bland showing nothing of his true feelings.
"Yes," Harry replied honestly. "The groundskeeper Pringle has a herd of them somewhere on the grounds,"
Tom made a noncommittal noise before he went back to his book, and the others all relaxed with silent sighs of relief.
-0 End Flashback 0-
Before long dessert was polished off and they were heading back to the common rooms, some more than others were feeling a little down at having to leave for to them - Hogwarts was their home, not where they were forced to reside during their summer holidays. Unaware of their similarities Tom Riddle continued to think himself alone in his thoughts, but soon…soon he would know for certain that there was one other who truly understood him and wanted nothing from him in turn - no sympathy or pity, and it was a good thing, for Tom didn't really know how to feel these things. Whether he was just incapable of them or that they were pushed far down inside of him in order to survive the cold harsh upbringing in an orphanage…remained to be seen.