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 had never felt so suffocating. The air hung heavy with the scent of polished wood and candle wax, mingling with the dampness from the castle walls that seemed to seep into every corner.
The students of Hogwarts sat expectantly, their faces pale under the glow of the enchanted ceiling, which mirrored the storm brewing outside. Thunder rumbled in the distance and the whole castle seemed to shake with it.
Arabella stood beside Tom, their postures straight as they flanked Headmaster Dippet. The headmaster stood facing the students, his aging eyes scanning the sea of expectant faces that stretched across the hall.
The gold plaque in Arabella's hands felt cold and lifeless, much like the soul it had cost to earn it.
The Headmaster's voice rang out, warm and proud, though Arabella barely registered the words. "It is with great pride that I award these two students — Tom Riddle and Arabella Chambers — for their bravery and their dedication to uncovering the culprit responsible for the tragic incident that befell young Myrtle."
The applause was immediate and polite but lacked true enthusiasm. No one knew Myrtle, not really, and her death had become little more than a rumour that spread like disease through the corridors.
Arabella forced a smile as her eyes drifted across the students she was facing. She spotted Olive Hornby who looked distraught, which was weird considering she made it her mission to insult Myrtle every chance she got.
Arabella didn't dare turn around and meet the eyes of Albus Dumbledore who sat at the staff table behind her.
He was the only one not clapping. He sat at the end of the staff table, his hands folded, his gaze like a blade honed on them both. She couldn't see him but she could feel him — his suspicion, his fury. It radiated from him in waves, thick as blood, and Arabella could almost taste it in the back of her throat.
Tom's shoulder brushed hers, and she glanced sideways at him. He was calm — too calm as if he fed off the suspicion. He emitted the very essence of pride and gratification as his eyes roamed the sea of students.
"...and with this, we hope Hogwarts will finally find peace," Dippit concluded.
Tom gave a graceful nod as the applause faded, his smile soft and innocent, but his mind already miles ahead. Peace was a foolish notion. This was just the beginning.
As they left the Great Hall, slipping through the murmuring crowd of students, Arabella caught Dumbledore's gaze for the first time. His eyes lingered, narrowed, and piercing. He was not fooled by the award or Dippit's comforting words. But that made it all the more thrilling, wasn't it?
She leaned closer to Tom as they walked, her voice a low whisper.
"He's not amused," she muttered, her breath barely a breeze against his ear.
"Let him stew in his doubts," Tom replied smoothly. "He'll find nothing."
But even as Tom said it, something flickered in his mind, a brief flash of annoyance. Dumbledore's suspicion was always a persistent thorn, one that he couldn't quite pluck out.
