my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

sixteen

(I rushed a bit to get this chapter up, and I'll most likely need to go back through and make some minor revisions. If you notice any spelling or grammar mistakes, please let me know!)

(I'd recommend listening to The Next Best American Record by Lana Del Rey during this chapter. Ideally, start it when Ophelia is reading in her dorm room)

I was delighted to hear that Abraxas had recovered much more quickly than expected. By evening, Adelaide had decided that he could be moved to his own dorm room, and that he no longer needed the IV.

Raymond and I went for a walk around the grounds after dinner, brainstorming ideas for what we wanted to do over the break. The Malfoy's Christmas Eve gala was promising, even though our families would be attending with us. We decided to keep our tradition of sneaking up to the rooftop and having a drink; just the two of us.

I had been searching for a quill when I noticed that one of Riddle's books from earlier was still in the bag, one of the ones we had been reading in the library. I tossed it onto my bed, figuring that I could look over it later. Adelaide and I had been invited to a small party in the Gryffindor common room, courtesy of my cousin. After all the stress I had endured over the past few days, I figured that a few drinks and a bit of dancing would help me to feel better.

"Should we cast a Concealment Charm?" my friend asked as we started down the corridor.

"No, I don't think anyone will bother us. Is your boyfriend going to be joining us?"

"Nope. Gryffindor is still peeved they lost to Slytherin a few weeks back, so I decided it wouldn't be wise for him to tag along. Besides, tonight is a girls' night!" Adelaide linked her arm with mine and flipped a curl over her shoulder.

Once we had reached Gryffindor common room, I remembered just how intense their parties tended to be. It was not even eight, and the celebrations were in full swing.

"Hey, you two! Glad you could make it," greeted Corrina as she pulled me into a hug. "I was just about to start up a game of Exploding Snap; care to join?"

"Er, no thanks. Maybe in a bit," I told her. Adelaide went along with her, leaving me alone.

"Ophelia! I haven't seen you in forever! How have you been?" asked Conner McLaggen, who had just sat down in a chair across from me.

Even though I hated to admit it, part of me was still a bit attracted to him. Him and I had been romantically involved for a few months last year, and I had lost my virginity to him. His dirty blonde hair and flirty smile made it a bit hard to stay away.

"Decent enough. How about you?" I asked with a sweet smile.

"I've been great! I don't know if you've heard, but my brother just got put on the Chudley Cannons team! That means free tickets to pretty much every game," he boasted. I actually had already heard that from Raymond, but I acted as if this was new information.

"I remember watching him fly when I was in second-year; he's really talented."

"Yeah, well he's not very good at anything else. He didn't get a single O.W.L his fifth-year. Anyways, would you like something to drink?" I let Conner get me a pumpkin juice, although I avoided any alcohol. I didn't want to do anything dumb tonight.

I ended up having a decent enough time. I talked with Conner and a few of his friends, while keeping an eye on Adelaide. She had decided to stay longer than we had planned, which meant I had to walk back by myself. When I entered my common room, I noticed a younger student sitting by herself and crying. I suppose that it was my older-sister nature that convinced me to go and talk to her.