Begged and borrowed time - Tom Riddle

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒆𝒏

Christmas break proved to be a surprisingly eventful time for August. Though the school was quiet, it was far from boring. She discovered that she could let Jim, her mischievous companion, roam freely in the dormitory as long as she took precautions. However, Jim's penchant for destroying things in his search for shiny objects led August to seek assistance from Snape and Dumbledore, who promised to help before the students returned.

One aspect that intrigued August was the contrast between the houses when it came to students going back home for the holidays. The Slytherin house stood empty, as the demands of aristocratic life required the students presence at numerous festive events. Meanwhile, in the other houses, the number of remaining students varied. Christmas was a time when the fewest students stayed behind.

Her thoughts inevitably drifted to a particular group of boys. Questions about their whereabouts, their secrets and their time spended in the holidays filled her head, along with the hint of tobacco smoke.

On the night of the 24th, August ventured through the school corridors with caution, on the lookout for any sign of Filch. Dumbledore had requested the invisibility cloak to be handed over to its rightful owner, and August was determined to fulfill that task and then visit her friends in the Gryffindor common room.

As she arrived at the portrait of the Fat Lady, August waited for one of the boys to appear. She heard the sound of keys jingling, causing her to startle. "Come on, boys, open up," she whispered to herself, as if the boys could hear her. Miraculously, the portrait swung open, revealing two red-haired individuals.

"Who's there?" one of them asked, peering at August with a quizzical expression.

"Do you recognize this little witch, George?" the other one chimed in, sharing a knowing look with his brother.

"I'm not sure," George replied, his gaze fixed on August. "Her face seems familiar, but she's not someone who usually hangs out with us. Could she be a girl we know from a long time ago? Perhaps a friend of Ron's?" A mischievous smile played on their lips, giving away their amusement.

"Okay, I know, I am sorry for spending so much time with your brother lately. Can I please come in before Filch finds us?" August pleaded, her dark eyes widening with earnestness.

"Oh, look! She can talk!" Fred exclaimed, wearing a surprised expression.

"Unbelievable! I had no idea. She definitely didn't say a word to me this week," George feigned astonishment.

"Did that hurt your feelings, George?" Fred teased, a playful glint in his eyes.

"I'm barely holding back the tears," George replied, mockingly sobbing.

"I will make sure to hurt a lot more if you do not let me in right now!" August warned, her words coming out as a loud whisper.

"And look, it's an evil!" George began, playing along.

"Vile," Fred continued.

"Dirty."

"Loathsome."

"Slytherin!" they both exclaimed in unison.

"Ouch, not funny," August admitted, placing her hand over her heart to express mock hurt.

"But we still love you," Fred said, taking her arm to guide her inside, enveloping her in a warm embrace.

"You're our favorite snake," George added, playfully tousling her hair.

They entered the Gryffindor common room, where Harry and Ron seemed to be waiting for her by the fireplace. The Gryffindor common room had a distinctly different atmosphere from her own. It was a circular room adorned in various shades of gold and red. Large windows offered views of the school grounds, while a grand fireplace dominated one wall. Above the mantelpiece, the chimney bell proudly displayed a portrait of a lion.