Not Broken, Not Yet | Tom Riddle

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Sixteen

Night had fallen over the castle as I later walked through the candlelit corridors toward the dungeons. As per usual with Slughorn's dinners formal attire was required by all students attending. In honour of the occasion I was therefore wearing a lacey sage green cocktail dress of muggle fashion. Compared to what some of the Slytherin girls wore to the occasion I looked practically casual.

I stopped just outside Slughorn's chamber. It was going to be the 4th dinner that term. After my first lesson, as I impressed him with my expertise he invited me to join his 'Slug Club', a club for his most 'extraordinary' students. Or, as Aiden so nicely put it - A club for his richest students. Because as expected most members seemed to be of unprecedented wealth, children of old Wizarding families or children of Politicians and famous witches and wizards.

Unsurprisingly a few of Riddle's gang belonged to this little group. Charles and Marion Avery, Amand Lestrange, Corentin Nott and Abraxas Malfoy all belonged to the group of members picked because of their families. They reeked of wealth. Ashley, who so happened to be the daughter of a French ambassador at the ministry was also a member of the Club, no doubt Slughorn hoped to make contacts with the French. Then there was two Ravenclaws, Fabien Amorim, a scrawny fourth year with dark eyes and an infectious smile whose father was one of the top journalists for the Daily Prophet and Enora Lakeheart, a seventh year who so happened to be one of the most intelligent people at Hogwarts and Head Girl. Her intellect could rival even that of Riddle, something that so obviously bothered him. The second to last member was Edgar Fawley, the Head Boy and the son of the last Minister of Magic.

And then there was me.

A no name American with somewhat tolerable Potions skills and at the very least half a functional brain. I often wondered if the only reason Slughorn ever invited me was due to my status as a Transfer, something that quickly lost its appeal. More than likely he just kept me around now because he didn't have the heart to kick me out. A sweet sentiment of course, yet I couldn't help but wish he would grow a pair and just do it to spare me the tedious dinners of listening to Riddle and his pompous friends.

"You look like a statue." A dry voice called out behind me. Ashley approached me slowly dressed in a green cocktail dress that glistened beautifully in the candlelight. Her blonde hair was curled around her beautiful face, the only thing missing was her smile.

"I feel like one." I muttered, suddenly feeling self conscious next to the gorgeous girl.

She snorted. "You know it won't end quicker just because you stand out here longer."

"I know. I just need to... Breathe." I sighed. Ashley did not look impressed.

"See this dress?" She gestured to her perfectly fitted dress. "Do you think I'm breathing? Pffft. Of course I'm not. Now suck it up and open that wretched door so we can get this tedious affair over with."

"A 'please' wouldn't hurt." I muttered, but one look at those green eyes told me that it wasn't worth pressing the matter. I let out a sigh and opened the doors.

Music hit us like a wall as we stepped into the chamber where a round dining table was already set for twelve people. A chandelier hung in the ceiling, illuminating a room filled with students dressed in their finest evening wear. A table by the door hosted a tray of drinks, Ashley and I took one each, stepping into the room to greet our very eager host who was dressed smartly in a grey tuxedo.

"Ah! Miss Cyrille and Miss Green!" Slughorn exclaimed, his cheeks already flushed by the alcohol. "Always lovely to meet you both. You look lovely Miss Cyrille, perfect like always." Ashley just glared at him, forcing him to awkwardly move over to me. "And Miss Green, Amberly dear, you look ravishing."