Heir to Riddle

Chapter 14

"I'll see you next year, Luna!" Hayden called as they departed from the train, and she smiled brightly at him before running into her dad's arms.

Hayden turned, scanning the crowd for his own father. He frowned when he didn't see him, only Lucius walking towards him with a scowling Draco.

"Heir Gaunt," Lucius greeted, dipping his head. Hayden nodded at him, distracted by the absence of Voldemort.

"Where is my father?" he asked in lieu of greeting, glaring at the blond man. The man paled, pulling something out from his pocket.

"He wished for me to take you to your home." Hayden froze, his fingers numb on his trunk handle.

"Why is he not here?" he demanded, rage and panic swelling in his chest. It felt like someone had dropped a weight in his stomach. "He's always been here."

Draco eyed him, he could feel it even though his gaze was locked onto Lucius'. The man gulped as Hayden pressed viciously into his mind, only to be ripped out by the man turning away.

"Come along, boys," Lucius said shakily, holding out a portkey for Hayden to take. "Your father will be waiting in his rooms." Hayden paused again, hesitantly taking the portkey in his hand as well.

Within seconds, they were outside of Gaunt Manor, and Hayden was immediately leaving the Malfoys at the gates, rushing to meet his father.

Once he was close enough to his room, he threw his trunk to a house elf standing in the door, waiting to greet him. He ignored the floppy-eared creature, nearly dashing to his father's room. He knocked, tapping his foot as he waited for a reply.

"Come in, Hayden," a sickly voice called, and Hayden's heart leapt into his throat as he threw the door open.

He froze like a deer in headlights when he saw his father.