Non Omnis Moriar

20: Aragog

Bet you thought you were rid of me lol

Not so soon!

I had a bunch of research to do for my masters and then exams but I have an update thanks to NANO! (Also I'm sick so maybe I'm delirious idk)

ANyhoo!

***

The scarlet curve of the Hogwarts Express twisted elegantly around the bends in its journey to the school. The students within the coach carriages chattered, laughed, and gamed as they awaited their arrival back to their second home. In the fourth carriage, Tom Riddle and his...friends...were the same.

Tom was best familiar with this carriage - in the middle - where he could learn of anything that happened on the train. Unless of course, he had to head to the first carriage for his Prefect meetings. His patrols were easiest from there as well, if he ever needed to send his followers for an 'errand.'

However, he had never noticed that the door to their compartment didn't latch properly.

His eyes kept flickering to the offending hash of metal, slicking against its stopper precariously, itching to pop open at every bump or jolt.

It grated on his sharp senses for some inexplicable reason.

In front of him, Abraxas and Avery were in deep conversation with Lestrange - perhaps about some or the other girl they were salivating over that month. If he wasn't so preoccupied with that damned latch he might have sighed a few times - a signal to end the inane conversation.

He ran his eyes over his followers, taking in the new robes, the pristine conditions of their accessories. Of course, he knew that Abraxas must have moaned at home until he got what he wanted. He eyed the boy critically.

"Um, Tom?"

Tom glanced over to where the comparatively mild mannered Rosier sat. His body was positioned away from the rest of the group - aimed towards the window but his eyes were on Riddle.

"Are you feeling alright?"

The chatter ceased. Eyes roved over to where Riddle sat alone on his side of the compartment, hands placed regally to his sides. His face was relaxed, expressionless. He looked like the picture of ease. And yet, with him...they could never know.

"Yeah, Riddle...how are you?" Lestrange quickly put in.

Tom didn't look at him.

"I am quite well, Rosier." He replied shortly.

There was a pause.

"I heard there was a bombing at your...residence." Abraxas drawled and Tom finally looked away from Rosier at the lounging blond.

"I wasn't aware muggle bombings made the news at the Ministry, Malfoy."

"Well, it could always be Grindelwald so..." Abraxas shrugged. "Apparently there was an incident of underage magic around the area, that's why it caused a stir. But Dumbledore," Riddle scoffed to himself, "cleared it up. I thought maybe you -"

He stopped, glancing at the rest of the boys' warning eyes before looking at Riddle.

"Or maybe it was Revel, I don't know..." He finished.

"You don't know..." Riddle mused quietly, his tenor enough to make Rosier curl a little. "Tell me, Abraxas, does your father discuss underage magic at your dinner table?"