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—THE NEXT FEW MONTHS WERE FILLED WITH BORING LESSONS. It was now finally 24th of June, meaning it was the day of the third task.
Tom, who was on his way to the quidditch pitch where the last task was taking place, frowned when he noticed Rigel reading a book alone.
He walked over to him and asked, "You're not coming to see the third task?"
"It's a maze." Rigel monotonously replied. "We can't see anything in the stands. It's boring."
"Oh, right." Tom nodded in understanding.
••
"I hear you won?" Rigel asked as Tom walked in the compartment he was sitting alone at.
Tom nodded, sitting in front of him. "Yep. Boggarts, Sphinxes with riddles, more boggarts, acromantulas, and much more."
"All that in a maze? And the others couldn't even see?" scoffed Rigel. "Congratulations." He reluctantly mumbled after a few seconds.
Tom couldn't stop his smile. "Thank you, Rigel."
Rigel hummed and looked out of the window, falling into a comfortable silence with the older boy.
••
"What?" Rigel's eyes widened when Remus finished talking.
"We're staying the summer at Grimmauld place." Remus repeated. "Dumbledore believes that Voldemort's back—" Tom let out a mocking chuckle "—and by going there, Tom can easily know everything the Order of the Phoenix is planning on doing. Heck, he'll even join, probably."
"And the Weasleys and the mudblood Granger are going to be there too?!"
"Yes." Sirius frowned, walking in. "And don't use that name."
"Mudblood?"
"Right, anyways," Remus cut in just before a fight would happen. "you've got to act like you're not... dark."
"He means that you should stop being a cold and mean person." Tom elaborated with a teasing smirk.
"Jeez, thanks, Riddle." Rigel sarcastically said and rolled his eyes.
••
"Nope." Rigel immediately said as his little sister almost ripped the book in his hands.
Cierra frowned and pouted. "Pwetty." She said. She was on Rigel's bed, sitting next to him, while he was quietly reading.
"Yes, and it should stay that way."
"Pwease." Cierra gave him puppy dog eyes.
Rigel tried not to give in. "No, Cierra. How about we get you something else?"
He looked around his room, not knowing what to distract her with so he could go back to reading.
"I'll play with her, master!" Indigo excitedly hissed, slithering over to them.
"Indigo, she might be scared—"
But he was cut off by Cierra loudly giggling and clapping her hands together as Indigo slithered in a circle around her.
He hummed approvingly and went back to his book, glancing at her every now on then to make sure she was alright.
About 10 minutes later, the sound of silence made him look up from his book.
Indigo was now nowhere to be seen, which Rigel had now gotten used to, and Cierra was— asleep with her head on his lap.
Rigel's eyes immediately softened. He brushed out a few locks of her hair out of her face, smiling when she leaned into his touch.
Now holding her, Rigel put her on his bed as gently as he could, and tucked her in, trying not to wake her.
