The last Hollingworth - a Hogwarts Story

Biggest fear

I got better from day to day.
Tom spend every free second he had at my side.
I could see how it haunted him that I suffered.
That he couldn't do anything.

He brought me notes from every class and learned with me so I wouldn't miss anything.
For the rest I had everyone else.

Pansy and Mattheo visited me almost every day. Keeping me updated on everything in the castle.
Theo came every break to bring me sweets.
I figured that they took turns in who would place flowers on my bedside table every day.

After four weeks I finally could go.
I felt totally fine after three weeks but Madame Pomfrey and professor Slughorn insisted that I would stay another week.
And when professor Slughorn would say this Tom would totally stand behind it.

As soon as I could go Tom totally threw his rule of not staying over in the trash.
He wouldn't let me sleep alone anymore.
Mostly we slept in his dorm because he was always studying or reading late.

I was surely not complaining.
I slept so much better knowing he was there.
His always absolutely steady breathing.
And when I say this man is warm.
So warm!
And who would have thought that Tom Riddle was actually a really big cuddler.
He would refuse to sleep when he couldn't hold me.
It was like two different worlds.

Every student feared him.
Every professor respected him.
Sometimes it was like he would rule this school.
Everyone was talking about how he would for sure become minister of magic some day.

And it influenced me as well.
I was highly respected as his girlfriend.
But much more liked.
Due to my way friendlier behaviour.

But when we were alone or just with our friends, he was like another person.
Calm, caring, loving almost.

It was a long process to get Leonidas expelled.
My family had a lot of influence after all.
But shortly after new year we got the news that he wouldn't come anymore.

I had never felt so relieved.
Seeing him after what he did had always given me panic attacks and anxiety.
I couldn't stand his stupid face anymore.
And deep inside me I swore myself that they would pay for this.

Maybe it was Tom's influence or maybe this action was just the last thing to push me over some edge.
But I wouldn't hesitate to do what was necessary so they couldn't harm anyone anymore.

Tom wasn't actually very fond of that.
That he was deep into dark magic was no problem but for him I was his sanctuary.
The one good thing in his life.
He strictly kept me out of everything.
I never understood why.
Till that one lesson.

We were taught about boggarts.
The professor made us all face one.
It was strange seeing everyone have such normal fears.

Spiders, heights, deep waters etc.

I was pretty far back in the queue.
I was thinking the whole time.
I really had no idea what would show up at mine.
My father?
My brother?

I was torn out of my thoughts as the professor called Tom up front.
I peaked around the students before me.
Tom looked pretty pissed and I knew why.
Showing weakness was something he despised deeply.

That the whole class would know what he was afraid of?
He must be fuming.
I thought for a moment.
What should that even be?
Tom afraid?
That sounded wrong to me.

As the closet opened my breath stopped.
Out of that closet came something that looked exactly like me.

Me?
He was afraid of me?
What?
Then I noticed the look on its face.
The boggart me looked deeply terrified.
Then it began to speak.

„Go away! You're a monster!"

it's voice was shaking.
It backed up from him and fell on its knees holding up its arms.

I couldn't see Tom's face.
But even that it took him so long to cast the spell told me it hit him.
After he quickly casted the spell he rushed to the side.
I still couldn't see his face.
But he was pacing up and down on one spot.

I wanted nothing more than to talk to him right now and assure him that that would never happen.

But soon my name was called.
Now I actually got nervous.
I raised my wand and looked at the closet door.
And out came to my surprise not my father or my brother.

It was Tom?
Tom?

I looked over to where he was standing.
His face looked at the boggart him in clear disbelief.

The boggart approached me slightly.
I could notice that it was slightly different to Tom.

His eyes were cold.
He looked at me in pure disgust.
I backed up slightly.
He talked to me in a low and threatening voice.

„You're nothing. You thought I would love you? Pathetic!
I used you.
You will never belong to this family.
You're nobody.
I don't need you anymore"

My breath got caught in my throat as he laughed cruel and actually raised his wand at me.
I couldn't move.
I couldn't cast the spell.
I felt tears fill my eyes.
My chest was like tied up.
I couldn't breath.
I was shaking.

The professor stepped in before the boggard could do any more.
My head was spinning.
I had to wash this image out of my brain.

I said nothing and just ran out of the classroom.
This wasn't Tom.
This wasn't real.

My head tried to repeat that.
But the image of his cold and distant laugh haunted me.
Loosing all this.
Of course I was afraid of this.

I stopped in the hallway.
I still couldn't really breathe.
My vision was blurry.
I didn't knew where I was, what was happening.
This tight and pulling feeling inside of me consumed me.
I couldn't do this.
I couldn't breathe.