Blood Lust : Tom Riddle

4: Little Myrtle Warren

Walburga Black.

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[author's pov]

The library of Hogwarts was, by far, one of the most beautiful libraries Victoria had ever visited. Its tall, glass-stained windows created an ethereal blur on every face. The lamps created a glowing scenery at night, creating an aura of security.

She even felt my ambience being modified, away from the weight of the world, as she sat herself at a desk to work on some arithmancy work. It was strange for her to realise that despite being a decade older than the rest of the seventh years, a few of them were even smarter than she was. Despite this, Victoria had to remember her real goal and keep the charade of an average student going. The news of her education at Ilvermorny was already drawing enough.

Her bubble burst when a group of giggling girls welcomed themselves to the table next to her. They were a bit away but close enough for her to eavesdrop. She recognised two out of four of the girls to be Olive Hornby and Josee Laval.

Olive Horny had dark chestnut coloured hair with rugged features. She was more beautiful on the outside than the inside though. Victoria could even smell her essence and it was an unpleasant taste on her tongue already. To the human nose, no one would bat an eye. But something about Olive wasn't tempting like typical human flesh and blood. The sound of her laugh was equivalent to screaming whilst a shard of glass being slit across the throat.

Josee Laval had golden locks and a petite face. She was just as cruel as Olive, but better at hiding it as she'd rather listen like a bitch.

"Merlin, she's such a freak, even in death," Olive exhaled with a giggle, continuing the conversation. "Roaming the restrooms as a castle ghost–I mean, who does that?"

Victoria lowered her book and peered in their direction. It wasn't common that she would eavesdrop yet their conversation was intriguing. She knew Druella and Walburga didn't associate with them–despite Olive Horny's family succession–because of their tainted and childish reputation.

"She doesn't even try to hide it when she's in the bathrooms," Josee added as the other three girls agreed eagerly. "I hear they're calling her Moaning Myrtle now."

The name struck to be familiar to Victoria. She couldn't help but plan to engage herself in the conversion. But teenage girls were like wolves, travelling in packs and howling all night long.

It didn't take Victoria long to remember that Myrtle–Myrtle Warren–was the girl who had been mysteriously murdered by a vicious monster on school grounds. Rubeus Hagrid, caretaker of the monster, had been expelled for nesting the creature. Even though it was never found again, she couldn't help but ponder on the idea that there was more to what was being revealed.

"And she still wears those stupid spectacles on her face," Olive spat. "Four-eyed freak. Maybe if she weren't wearing them, the monster that killed her would've spared her. That's what I would've done."

The giggles were quieted as Madam Auclair, the Hogwarts librarian, strolled past.

"A monster, did you say?" Victoria asked, taking this as her chance to investigate.

Olive and her pack turned to her, their eyes curious about her intervention. Victoria was unfazed by their sternness, as she knew that they'd take the opportunity to sound as knowingly as they could. That they'd soak in any attention as much as they could, especially from the worth of a foreign student. All Victoria had to do was offer some water.

"Yes," Olive answered. "How fortunate you were to miss last year's attacks. Did you not hear about them before you enrolled in Hogwarts?"

Victoria shook her head as she stood and neared their table swiftly. She rested against the edge. "I didn't since the ministry was trying to sweep it under the rug. It's crazy how only a few students know the truth of what happened to Myrtle Warren."