Riddle My Heart

Chapter three: If it's just a diary, how come I can't read your thoughts?

Cassandra was stuck. No matter how much she racked her brains or chewed her quill, she could not complete her transfiguration essay.

Well, Professor McNorbert sure isn't going to be happy over this.

Cassandra sighed and tried to think of all that she could write on the transfiguration of a person into a dragon. All she knew was stored up in her head, but she just couldn't think of the right words to rephrase it all. That was the disadvantage of having English as your second language.

The most serious precaution to be taken when attempting to transfigure oneself into a dragon is that a dragon is the rarest creature and will alert and startle any muggles who happen to see it and then also, the dragon transfiguration can go very wrong. These ways are...

Cassandra sighed.

No, that sentence is way too long to put down. I might as well hand Professor McNorbert a empty piece of parchment.

"Cat got your tongue Cassandra?" Ronald cheerfully called out from the other side of the common room. Ronald, who never really studied but was good at most things anyway, was prodding a mini version of Hogwarts quidditch. No doubt was he preparing for his first match against Ravenclaw.

"More likely a transfiguration essay getting my tongue," Cassandra complained.

Ronald just gave a laugh, "You simply try too much Cassandra, goodness knows why you weren't in Ravenclaw. You really should have tried out for quidditch, you know. It might help you to relax and take a break. I heard somewhere quidditch helps you learn better in class too. It's all very scientific.."

Everyone in the school, well in Gryffindor at least, knew that Ronald was crazy over quidditch and an excellent keeper. If it wasn't for Tom's superb skills as a seeker, Gryffindor might have actually had a chance at winning. It never really did though, Tom Riddle was the best seeker Hogwarts had since two centuries.

"Ronald, everyone knows the Chang family quidditch genes skip three generations. I expect a hundred years from now, there will be a Chang playing seeker for Gryffindor." Cassandra taunted back and stuck her tongue out. Ronald gave a hearty chuckle at this and went back to his quidditch board.

Cassandra got up and ruffled her hair in despair. She really needed help on the essay. "I need Eleanor or Jessica's help with my essay. Anyone know where they are?"

Sean and Derick, who had been lounging on the sofas next to Ronald looked up. "Eleanor and Jessica went up to the library a while ago. They told me to tell you that they were going to spend most of their time up there."

"Thanks Derick, but I don't think I can stand another minute in the library," Cassandra muttered back and gathered all her books in one hand. "Madame Latina kicked me out for spilling pumpkin juice on the only Chinese- English dictionary in the school. I don't feel quite ready to go back yet."

"You know, I could always tell you about the secret passageways that lead to it," Ronald shouted, winking his eyes.

Cassandra grinned despite herself. "I don't know about you Ronald, but I don't exactly want to be expelled. I'm going to find Tom. Tell anyone who asks I'll be in his office." With that, Cassandra walked out of her common room and down to the head boy and head girl's office.

*

Eleanor and Jessica giggled excitedly, much to the disapprove of Madam Latina who was nearby. The two girls were hiding behind a thick book shelf filled with books such as "Charm your locks golden," "The magical beauties of being a witch," and "Red is the new charm for Yule."

It wasn't everyday that Eleanor went near these weird girly books. But then again, it wasn't everyday that she was going to finally ask out the man of her dreams.

Percival Perfectus was sitting diligently on a table nearby doing his Arthimacy homework.

"Okay Eleanor, you have to ask him now," Jessica gave a giggle and pushed Eleanor forward, "It's been four years since your crush and besides Eleanor, how can a boy not like you?"

"Weasley finds me as attractive as a mosquito on his arm if that's what you are asking, Jessica." Eleanor grumbled and felt her knees go very weak.

"Weasley is a red-haired alien who landed from Mars, Eleanor." Jessica rolled her eyes. "I doubt if he even recognises us as girls. Him and his quidditch."

"Well, you're right about that. But I'm still afraid Percival will say no."

Jessica responded by giving Eleanor a gigantic push towards the table.

Ahhh, what am I doing here? I must be crazy. Percival will think I'm stupid or ignorant.

Never too late to turn around and run back like a frightened bunny.

Eleanor went a step nearly to Percival who hadn't looked up from his textbook.

Okay, this is it. I'm going to die of shame. Maybe he doesn't even know who I am. Maybe he hates me.

Maybe he's going out with some fabulous veela.

That must be it.

Eleanor stood rooted in her spot, not knowing what to do. Percival still hadn't lifted his head from his book yet. For one fleeting second, Eleanor wondered if his nose was stuck there. She gave an awkward cough and immediately, Percival scowled and lifted up his head. He smiled, however, when he saw who the person was.

"Hi Percival," Eleanor let out a squeak.

"Hi. Eleanor isn't it? You're the smart girl in my Arthimacy class."

Eleanor let out a gigantic blush and was going to run for it if it hadn't been for Jessica , who was giving her a stern look from behind the books.

"Yes, that's me. And you're Percival. So, what are you working on?"

Percival took off his glasses and rubbed his lens pompously. "I'm doing my Arthmacy homework but also, I'm doing spare research on the thickness of cauldron bottoms. Hopefully after 50 years, people might notice how some countries are importing very cheaply made cauldrons into England. It's all very serious and dangerous."

Eleanor smiled. "Yes, it is all very important. Witches and wizards need the best equipment to receive the best education."

Percival looked at Eleanor in surprise and gave a smile."I agree very much, Eleanor. Do you know that there are some new books out in Hogsmead? Maybe we could go and check them out. Would you like to go to Hogsmead with me next week?" Percival looked seriously at Eleanor.

What? Did he just ask me out? Oh wow, Oh my God, wow!

Wait, didn't Ronald want me to go with him and buy a quidditch book?

Who cares? I'm going with Percival!

Eleanor was speechless for one moment but managed somehow to utter a squeaky yes.

"Good," Percival smiled once more. "Now, do you mind Eleanor? I've got a lot of reading on cauldron bottoms to do. I'll see you before our Arithmancy class.

Eleanor nodded excitedly and ran back to Jessica. The two girls exchanged delightful glances and rushed out of the library, much to the disapproval of Madam Latina.

"Oh my God!" squeaked Eleanor as she danced her way back into the common room with Jessica. Nothing could spoil her mood. Ever.

*

Professor Dumbledore was getting more and more worried. He sensed some change in the air. Fawkes sensed it too. There was some eerie about Tom Riddle. Something was wrong. The Beaubaxtons exchange program wasn't going to help much either. Pandora Delacour was the last thing he wanted on Tom's mind.

Professor Dumbledore picked up a book that he had just been reading-

Pandora- In ancient Greek Mythology, the woman who opened her box and spread into the world evils and unimaginable horrors of all kind...

Professor Dumbledore shook his head. He certainly didn't want that to happen.

*

Tom Riddle snared in frustration. He looked gratefully at the surroundings around him. It was all quiet and peaceful- his own world...

Of Hatred. Tom Riddle didn't know how he could stand all the acting that had been going on in his life. In truth, he was bitter. Very bitter.

Here he was, without a family or a home.

Tom snapped and growled. He flung his ink pot across the room.

Damn that bastard.

Damn him for leaving my mother.

He gripped his scorching hot quill again and began writing into the Red Diary.

This is the diary of Lord Voldemort...

I am the darkness and evil of the world.

I breed on fear, and it grows by me.

I shall kill all low bastards and make the muggle world hell...

And my vengeance will begin with Marvolo Riddle...

And then, there was a knock at his door.

*

Strange, Tom's door isn't always locked.

Cassandra tried pushing against the heavy oak door. After two seconds, she gave up. Why use up your energy when you have a wand in your pocket?

"Alohomora!" Cassandra shouted but to her surprise, the door didn't budge.

This is very strange, is Tom in here? I swore he told me he was going to be in his office today.

I think he is.

Think he can hide from me? I'll show Tom.

"Tom, if you don't open up any second," Cassandra shouted, her voice getting louder, "I will personally turn you into a beetledunglewafflewithacherryontop. And without any sauce too!"

Now there was sound- a scuffle of a chair being scrapped across the floor. Three seconds later, the door opened.

"Tom, there you are," sighed Cassandra in relief, "for one second, I thought that you had collapsed."

Strangely, Tom didn't smile back. In fact, Cassandra could have swore that he frowned as if he had just been disturbed. "Sorry about that Cassandra," Tom said quickly, "I'm a bit busy at the moment. Can you see me another time?"

Cassandra hid the slightly hurt expression she felt. "Yes sure, sorry for disturbing you. What are you doing? Making more beetle dung?"

Tom gave a ghost of a smile at this, "No, just some work that needs to be finished. See you later Cassandra. I'll help you with whatever you need later."

And with that, Tom gave one last smile and carefully closed his door.

Not quickly enough for Cassandra to see a smouldering quill lying on his desk, next to that red diary again.

"Is this something about your diary, Tom? You know I won't tease you about it. Even though only girls keep them anyway." Cassandra vainly tried yelling across to Tom. However, with the thick oak door in front of her face, it was impossible. Cassandra frowned for one moment before skipping back to her common room. With any luck, Eleanor and Jessica might be there to help her with her essay...

Still, Tom was definitely acting a bit weird. And were his eyes bloodshot?

If it's just a diary, how come I can't read your thoughts?

*

Ronald Weasley was in a very nasty position. He was sitting in the Gryffindor common room very uncomfortably. He had just made Eleanor cry.

Ronald Weasley was in a very bad position.

Cassandra and Jessica were going to kill him any second.

Ronald Weasley was too young to die.

Ronald Weasley did not want to be roasted by Jessica or Eleanor.

Ronald Weasley was not a stupid git, only stupid and only a git, not both at the same time.

"Ronald Weasley, if you don't run after Eleanor this second and apologise, we will personally see to it that you get expelled." Cassandra and Jessica screamed bloody murder.

Ronald ran from his seats like the very dogs of hell were chasing after him. It wasn't his fault that he had let out a small tease at Eleanor and Percival. For goodness sakes, he didn't know that they were going to Hogsmead together. Otherwise, he would have shut his mouth up. Making Eleanor cry wasn't a hobby of his, teasing her was.

*

Eleanor ran and ran to the astronomy tower. She sat there and eventually, all her stored up anger at Ronald burst out of her and tears fell down her face like a waterfall. She brushed back her messy brown hair.

I hate you Ronald Weasley. How could you tease Percival and me. I hate you. You horrible git with no feelings whatsoever.

It was her perfect day and Ronald just had to spoil it.

I hate you Ronald Weasley.

<------Love from------>