Potter Sibling Trilogy Plus One Book 2 (continued from Book 1)

Chapter 22 - Another Attempt on Dumbledore Goes Wrong

~Bella's POV~

We're not back at Hogwarts a week before Dumbledore summons us to his office and gives us another of Tom Riddle's memories.

When we place our heads in the water, we see one of the Slug parties and Tom is there.

"I'd like to know where you get your information," Slughorn says. "More knowledgeable than half the staff, you are."

"Sir," Tom says with a smirk. "Is it true that Professor Merrythought is retiring?"

"Now, Tom. I couldn't tell you if I knew, could I? By the way, thank you for the pineapple. You're quite right, it is my favourite. But how did you know?"

"Intuition."

A clock chimes.

"Gracious. Is it that time already? Off you go, boys, or Professor Dippet will have us all in detention."

The other boys leave and Slughorn goes to make himself a drink but a ding behind him makes him turn.

"Look sharp, Tom. Don't want to be caught out of bed after hours."

Tom looks oddly at Slughorn.

"Something on your mind, Tom?"

"Yes, sir. You see, I couldn't think of anyone else to go to. The other professors, well, they're not like you. They might misunderstand."

"Go on," Slughorn says as he takes a sip of his drink.

"I was in the library the other night, in the Restricted Section, and I read something rather odd about a bit of rare magic. And I thought perhaps you could illuminate me. It's called, as I understand it..."

Tom's voice goes muffled.

"I beg your pardon? I don't know anything about such things, and if I did, I wouldn't tell you! Now, get out of here at once, and don't let me ever catch you mentioning it again."

We return to Dumbledore's office.

"Confused?" he asks. "I'd be surprised if you weren't."

"Well, I don't understand," I say. "What happened?"

"This is perhaps the most important memory I've collected. It is also a lie. This memory has been tampered with by the same person whose memory it is, our old friend, Professor Slughorn."

"But why would he tamper with his own memory?" Hollie asks.

"I suspect he's ashamed of it."

"Why?" Harry asks.

"Why, indeed? I asked you to get to know Professor Slughorn, and you have done so. Now I want you to persuade him to divulge his true memory any way you can."

"We don't know him that well, sir," I say.

"This memory is everything. Without it, we are blind."

"Doesn't Edward know anything?" I ask.

"No, he and his family were away that year. Without this memory, we leave the fate of our world to chance. You three have no choice. You must not fail."

I for one feel alot of pressure hanging on me, Harry and Hollie but I have a feeling this memory may bring about the answer to Voldemort's downfall so I know I have no choice.

The three of us make our way to Slughorn's classroom and wait outside while he finishes his lesson with the first years.

"So I'd recommend you reacquaint yourself with the chapter on antidotes," Slughorn says. "I'll tell you more about bezoars in our next class. Right, off you go."