All He Needed Was A Friend

Chapter 9: Heritage

***POV Beatrix***

The first year was off to a great start. It was great having Wulburga as a roommate since she knew her way around the school. Tom seemed to be getting along quite well with one of his roommates, Michael Lestrange, I think. Tom seemed to ignore Druella's brother, Ryan and Alphard though. The reason why was beyond me. Today at breakfast we'd received our schedules for the year and I had been looking for Tom all morning so we could compare schedules. It was ten minutes until breakfast ended when I finally found him in the library.

"Hey Tom," I whispered sitting next to him. "What are you doing in here?"

"Looking through the genealogy books," Tom replied. "I was hoping to find something about my parents, but I haven't found anything yet."

"Tom," I said, "I know this is important to you and so I'll help you look during our free time, but class is going to start in about 5 minutes." Tom looked over at the clock.

"Damn, I missed breakfast..."Tom mutter gathering the books and placing them back on the shelves.

"Here," I offered. I had pretty much expected him to have forgotten that he had basic needs like everyone else so I had brought a couple oranges and some toast up with me.

"Oh, thanks," Tom replied.

"So what do you have first?" I asked.

"History of Magic," Tom answered following me out of the library.

"Me too," I said. "Come on. Let's get to class."

***POV Tom***

I had spent the the entire morning sorting through genealogy books looking for the name Riddle, but it came up empty every time. I had searched the quidditch trophies as well, but he wasn't anywhere to be found. The small ball of hope I had within me had begun to shrivel up as I recalled that night a couple of nights ago...

"So you got in too, huh?" Peter mocked. "Guess it's true what the others have been saying. Hogwarts is now letting low-lives in. hmph." I had had enough of Peter's remarks. So for the first time since I'd arrived I spoke up.

"Yes and you're all high and mighty on your throne over there. You know what I'll prove you wrong. I'll find the proof that I'm a pure-blood and you'll eat your words," I defended.

"ha ha ha," Peter laughed. "Now that's a good one Tom. You, a pure-blood. Ha! You know I'm not stupid. I've seen the way you look at her. You just want her to be your little play toy 'cause you're so much better, but guess what pretty boy. You'll never have her. I've already started plans for the little lass. A nice marriage to a nice pureblood boy. You may believe that love conquers all, but let me tell you one thing boy. Love will kill you in the end." I stared Peter down before leaving the room. I would prove him wrong. Beatrix was mine and ONLY mine.

"Mr. Riddle? Mr.Riddle?" a voice pulled me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I replied.

"Would you care to tell me about the soap blizzard of 1378?" Professor Binns asked.

"The soap blizzard of 1378 was a blizzard of soap that later lead to an economic crash in the wizarding world," I replied.

"Well done," Professor Binns replied before continuing his lecture. After History of Magic was over I headed back to the library in hopes of finding something on my parents.

***POV Beatrix***

I watched Tom leave the classroom without so much as a hello or goodbye. This was... very unlike him. Usually he wouldn't leave me alone and now he suddenly decided to wander off by himself. I'll admit I was beginning to become concerned. With a sigh, I followed him to the library.

"Tom," I said.

"Yes?" Tom replied as he gathered more books. I grabbed onto him and he looked back at my gaze.

"Why are you acting like this?" I asked. "I know this is important, but you have other things to worry about like that report we have to write for Wednesday. Also I want you to tell me why you're acting like if you don't finish this you'll die."

"Maybe it's because I'm afraid to lose..." Tom whispered.

"Lose? lose what Tom?" I asked.

"I'm afraid I'll lose to... never mind," Tom said before disappearing deeper into the library. I stared after him. He'd been acting strange about the pure-blood stuff ever since we were leaving for Hogwarts. It just made no sense. He had never cared about it before. Why would he suddenly start now?

"I just... I just don't get him," I mused out loud.

"Don't get who?" a voice asked. I looked up at Abraxas staring back.

"It's nothing," I replied.

"I see... would you mind if I sat here?" Abraxas asked. "I have some research to do for homework."

"Not at all," I answered. We sat in silence for what felt like an eternity. Abraxas flipped through books and I leaned back and stared at the roof. Maybe I'd ask Walburga about Tom, she'd probably have some advice.

"If you don't mind me asking, but why do you seem so troubled?" Abraxas spoke up. "I don't mean to pry into your business it's just that you seem stressed about something." I looked over at Abraxas and smiled.

"I'm just in a rough patch with a friend is all and I can't seem to figure out how to fix it," I answered.

"I see... if you'd like I could perhaps talk to that person for you? just to see what the problem is," Abraxas added. 

"Thanks Abraxas," I replied, "but I need to work this out myself."

"Of course," Abraxas said as he stood to leave, "though if you ever need anything please don't hesitate to ask." I watched Abraxas leave and wondered at all the things happening around me. I need to find Tom and figure out why he's acting like he's walking around in a dream.

***POV Tom***

I'd been searching through the books for almost another hour and found nothing, NOTHING AT ALL! How could this be?! How could his name not be in any of these books!

"Tom?" a voiced called. I glanced up and saw Beatrix. She looked concerned and I sighed. I'd made her worry again.

"What's up?" I asked forcing a smile.

"You look... tired, haven't found anything?" she said. I shook my head.

"Not a single thing," I sighed. "How could his name not be anywhere? I mean it has to be. There's just no way..."

"Well maybe you should switch gears," Beatrix suggested. "You could look for your mother's name. I mean you have her name right?"

"Yea, Merope Gaunt," I answered.

"Ok so let's look together," Beatrix suggested. "After all, we still have one hour before lunch." We began searching through the books and I was just about to give up when Beatrix spoke up. "Tom come look at this," Beatrix smiled. I walked around the table and looked at the book that Beatrix was holding. Inside was the coat of arms of a snake and a list of names. "It says it right here. Merope Gaunt sister of Morfin Gaunt and daughter of Marvolo Gaunt. We've found her, Tom," Beatrix continued. "The Gaunt family is a direct descendant of Salazar Slytherin, one of the founders of Hogwarts! Tom you're the descendant of the person who founded our house!" I was shocked. Me?...A descendant of Salazar Slytherin? "This is great news Tom!" Beatrix said. "But um... can we go get some lunch?" Despite the information I was just given I couldn't help, but laugh.

"Yes let's get you to lunch before you start eating the books," I agreed.

"Hey! I 'm not that hungry," Beatrix defended. I laughed again and headed off the Great Hall with Beatrix.