The Riddle Never Ends

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓯𝓲𝓿𝓮: 𝓨𝓸𝓾'𝓻𝓮 𝓝𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓑𝓾𝓽 𝓣𝓪𝓵𝓴, 𝓓𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓸

I hadn't seen Zeek since the note incident, nor had I told anyone about what was written on the note. Penny has bugged me constantly for the past week to tell her what Zeek had written but I wouldn't spill. The note was going to stay between me and Zeek.

My first week at Hogwarts - besides the constant nagging of nosy people - was surprisingly relaxed. Teachers were quick to catch me up on last year's studies and to their surprise, I knew most of what the other students learned. I still struggled while meeting eyes with Harry in the halls. It pained me knowing what my father has put him through, but what pained me more was the pure venom he showed towards me. I could feel my heart ache just thinking about it. My cheeks began to flush and I lowered my head to avoid anyone in the hall noticing. I focused on the plate in front of me and the toast I had barely touched.

"Good morning, Mercury."

Penny-Lynn filled the seat beside me and her books fell to the table with a thud. She pulled her white hair to her shoulder and fixed her glasses that were sliding off her nose.

"Morning," I mumble while slowly lifting up my now cold toast. The great hall was slowly filling up with students as they woke from their slumber.

"What brings you here so early?" she questioned while reaching her pale hand before her to grab an apple. She quickly takes a bite out of it before returning her gaze down to her homework.

"Couldn't sleep," although it was a true statement, I felt guilty for not telling Penny the whole story. About how I had woken from a dream in terror and found myself afraid to even move, hen after showering and walking through the corridors I ran into Zeek - though he didn't speak to me, only gave me the slightest smirk.

It was hard for me to not think about the encounter. He had a way of making his way into my thoughts just by simply breathing. He was so mysterious, it bugged me not to know anything about him, but that was all going to change very soon.

Silence falls over the two of us as we do our own things. The hall gets louder with chattered and soon it's hard to even focus on my thoughts from all the chaos. I gaze over at Penny to see what homework she's doing when Draco slams his books down on the bench across from me - Crabbe and Goyle glued to his side. He has the same cheeky smirk plastered on his face as he leans himself against the table. Draco's hand reaches for a Granny Smith apple from the silver platter between us. The apple begins to be swiftly thrown in the air and caught by Draco as his eyes stare into me.

"Can I help you, Draco?" I speak up, locking eyes with him. His face darkens before he shares a look with Crabbe and Goyle.

"I sure hope so," he snickers as he takes a bite from the apple. "You see, Riddle, I've been hearing your name lots around the common room and in my classes. I wonder why that would be?"

I glanced between Draco and Penny, not sure what was happening. "No, I don't think I do? Maybe because, y'know, my father's the dark lord?"

Draco lets out a snicker and in a split second his eyes go from their normal light grey to a very dark, almost black color.

"Think you're funny do you?" He spits. His jaw clenches as his hands tighten their grip around his apple. I could almost see the finger-shaped bruises forming on the green fruit. "You'll find out very soon that you shouldn't mess with me."

I choke on my food at his comment. Who does he think he is? What could he possibly do to me? I glance at Penny who was holding back a snicker.

"Oh no, what's poor little bleach boy going to do to me? Tell his father?"

Draco scowled as Penny and I emerged into a fit of laughter. We threw out jokes on what punishment Draco had planned for me and it wasn't long until he stomped off, his followers close behind him.

"You're nothing but talk, Draco!" I yell through the hall, earning a few glances and stares. Penny let's put a loud howl which makes what sounds like half the table erupt in laughter.

"Gosh, we make a damn good team," Penny snickers before taking a drink of water. I nod in agreement. As the hall empties out we make a silent agreement to start joining the rest of students heading to class.