the end, again - tom riddle

chapter thirteen

A/N: Sorry for the week delay on this update! I've had a crazy past two weeks. Sadly, I think that will be the same for the next month. I will try to update the week after next if I can, but I can't make any promises. I will try to write as much as I can in my spare time though.

Please let me know of any spelling errors, and thank you for reading!

December 1st, 1951.

It was officially December, hooray.

The house elves put up decorations sometime during the night and now the castle was unbearably cheerful. Mara felt like drinking herself to death each time she exited her classroom.

There was even a wreath on her quarter's door. A wreath.

But today was Saturday, a good way to start out the month. Especially since she had to deal with the stress of that ridiculous upcoming dinner party. This was nice. Especially with the whiskey in her coffee that morning.

She was very upset when her peace was disturbed by a knock at her door.

She barely caught herself from saying 'Fuck off' and instead shouted, "What?"

"Uhm, Professor Vaux?" A timid voice answered back.

"Obviously. What do you want?"

A pause. "I was wondering if I could ask you about something."

"That something being?"

Another long pause. Mara sighed. "Come in." she said, noticeably less hostile.

A small fourth year Slytherin girl entered through the door, someone Mara recognized as Ella Vant.

Ella was a sweet girl but definitely undereating. Her cheeks and eyes were sunken in, her once long and thick brown hair was now thin and falling out, her arms were bony and at risk to break, along with the rest of her limbs.

Every time Mara saw her, she was reminded that there was still a very real muggle war going on. A muggle war that affected her students and their families. It's hard to send your family food and eat when you live in Slytherin with purebloods who don't understand. Purebloods who would make fun of you for your family's misfortune in a heartbeat.

And Mara knew they did. She'd seen more than once Ella use a spell to package her food and leave the Great Hall without eating.

Maybe that's why Mara softened, marginally. "How may I help you, Miss Vant?"

"I uhm - well, this is embarrassing - I was wondering if I could maybe ask you for some extra help on DADA?"

"Why?"

Ella ducked her head to the floor, looking at her feet.

"My housemates seemed to have rediscovered the fact that I'm halfblood and I've been... struggling since."

Mara leaned forward. "And would you like me to apprehend your housemates?"

"No no no. That's never the answer. I'd like you to teach me some defense and actually offensive spells. And how to properly dillusion myself. If they can't see me they can't get me."

"You are aware that your winter break is two weeks away, correct?"

Ella shuffled her feet. "Yes, Professor."

"You are also aware that I am teaching you both defensive and offensive spells in class?"

"Yes, Professor."