Tom Riddle had a secret - he had murdered his family. Arabella Chambers knew his secret - she had witnessed it.
After Tom Riddle kills Arabella Chambers, he steals her wand for safekeeping. But, unexpectedly, Arabella shows up at Hogwarts, very much...
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The Great Hall buzzed with morning energy as Arabella observed Tom's group seated at the Slytherin table. Well, now it was her group, too. Tom, like always, was nowhere to be seen.
Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting colourful patterns on the polished wooden floors. The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast filled the air, mingling with the excited chatter of students
Malfoy, Nott, Lestrange, Rosier, and Avery all wore Quidditch robes. Valerie was there too, beside her twin. Realisation dawned upon her as she grabbed a bright red apple - Slytherin quidditch trials were today. Determination sparked within her as she spotted the broomsticks leaning against the benches, their polished handles glinting in the morning light.
Casually strolling over to the group, Arabella couldn't resist a smirk. "Morning boys," she greeted. "Trials today?" She eyed Edmund, who was shaking with nervousness, his fingers anxiously tapping against the table.
The group immediately went quiet, unsure how to react to their new unexpected leader. They were still confused about last night and didn't know how to treat Arabella yet. Like another follower? Or how they treated Tom?
They exchanged nervous glances as Arabella leaned against the table and took a bite out of her blood-red apple, the crisp crunch echoing in the hushed hall. "Think I might try out," she said casually.
The group exchanged confused glances, and Malfoy, always quick with a retort, scoffed at her. The idea of a girl playing quidditch? "Quidditch is not a place for skirts, Chambers. It's a game of skill and strategy."
A challenge sparked in Arabella's eyes. "Well, Malfoy, how about a little wager? A bet for the spot of Seeker?"
The table fell silent as Malfoy locked eyes with Arabella. He was hesitant to take a bet with his new leader. He would never act this way around Tom. But of course, he couldn't back down from a challenge. "Ten galleons."
"Make it fifty," Arabella proposed with a smirk, the challenge resonating with a playful confidence. "If I win, you owe me. If you win, well, I guess I'll owe you." She took another bite, her words hanging in the air. And then she walked out of the hall.
•••
The Quidditch pitch was bathed in the golden glow of the midday sun as the Slytherin Quidditch trials unfolded. The Slytherin students, all eyes on Arabella, watched as she confidently mounted her broom, a gleam of determination in her eyes.
Word of Arabella and Malfoy's bet had spread like wildfire and the stands were filled with students of all houses who came to watch the trials unfold. Many were taking bets of their own, mostly against the idea a girl who could play quidditch. Arabella could hear every one of them.
Oh, how excited she was to prove them wrong.
Arabella soared with effortless grace through the air. She was ahead of the other contenders, at an advantage with her vampire speed. Her broom was the latest model that she had stolen from a quick trip to Diagon Alley. It sliced through the sky with precision, and her movements, though seemingly casual, hinted at a deep understanding of the game. The wind whispered past her as she executed nimble turns, weaving seamlessly.
Arabella had always loved quidditch. Though it was not around when Arabella had been born, it hadn't taken very long for her to learn the game when it was invented. She actually found it quite fun and exhilarating.
Her movement didn't falter, but she caught sight of Tom seated in the crowds. He sat between two Hufflepuff girls. It seemed he had come for the show.
Well, now she was going to make sure he remembered it.
Arabella had heard the golden snitch the second it was released, but she needed to show off her flying skills first. Now, ready to earn her spot as seeker, she wizzed through the air, her keen eyes locked onto it. Malfoy caught on, flying after her. Within a minute, Arabella had almost closed the distance between herself and the snitch. Malfoy moved in front of her. "You should leave your skills in the dark arts," he taunted. "You're no seeker."
With a sudden burst of acceleration, Arabella skilfully manoeuvred, leaving Malfoy and his taunts trailing behind her. The onlookers, including the other tryout participants, could only watch in awe as Arabella's broom shot forward, her hand reaching out to snatch the Golden Snitch from the air.
The Quidditch pitch erupted in a mix of gasps and applause as Arabella descended triumphantly, the snitch held high. She walked over to the Slytherin captain, who, reluctantly, gave her the spot as seeker, not stupid enough to pass up her skill. Malfoy walked over, fuming. "Looks like you owe me fifty galleons, Malfoy," she said, holding out her palm.
As mad as he wanted to be, Malfoy was impressed. "Looks like I do." He reached into his pocket and placed the money into her open palm.
Arabella grinned. "Don't worry, I'll put it to good use."
