The Boy Who Cried Wolf -- [Tom Riddle]

15 - The First Cry

(TW - violence, slight gore)

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The Winter season approached quickly and ruthlessly. Within weeks, the muddy, emerald plains of the highlands were coated in a thick sheet of flawless snow, ever growing with each day. Classes were beginning to wind down, professors no longer bothered to put in full effort to teaching. Hogwarts began to fill with a buzz of excitement as students eagerly awaited the Christmas season.

Vincent had vanished from school for a number of those weeks. When she questioned Elphias, the boy claimed that Lestrange had developed an infection from a injury he sustained while severely intoxicated.

Obviously, a lie. Riddle knew Lestrange had acted out of turn, so the chances of the cause being anything other than Tom were precariously low.

She decided not to pursue the truth; getting herself involved could very easily put Vincent at higher risk from Riddle. Instead, she began distracting Tom by questioning him on his plans with every chance she got. He did not appreciate it, which she found laughable.

On the third week of December, classes were ended for the Christmas holidays. Goldie spent her day packing for the trip and saying goodbyes to other friends.

As she dragged her luggage to the entrance hall, she met Monique standing by the door.

"Goldie!" She beamed, offering the girl a hug, which she accepted. "Merry Christmas!"

"You too, Monique." Goldie grinned, returning the hug with a squeeze. "Are you going home for Christmas?"

"I am." She confirmed. "My parents love having me home during the holidays. Are you going home?"

Monique realised the idiocy in her question almost immediately, grimacing. "...Sorry. Where are you spending the holidays?"

"Albania." Goldie scoffed. "Doing research."

"...Albania?" The Hufflepuff chuckled awkwardly. "Why...?"

"Tom and I are completing a personal project for extra credit." She explained. "Just for the next three days. I will return here for true holidays after that."

"You're going to a foreign country with Riddle?" Monique hissed lowly. "Do you have a death wish, Goldie? Surely you know-"

"How dangerous he is?" She prompted, chuckling. "How volatile? How immoral? Yes."

"And you still want to go?" Monique questioned in confusion. "How?"

"Extra credit." She lied smoothly. "Plus, I believe most of that is made of rumours. He is quite helpful."

Goldie could not tell Monique the truth. To tell her the truth – that Goldie was going to stop Riddle from targeting someone else – would endanger her. Riddle did not take well to people knowing his secrets.

Monique considered the lie for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Please be safe?"

"Of course." Goldie smiled. "I would never consider otherwise."

With one final hug, they said their goodbyes, and Monique headed out of the castle to the first batch of carriage rides. Some time later, Riddle arrives, giving her a nod of acknowledgement. She took note of how minimal his luggage was; no more than a spare outfit and a few books.

Not that hers was much better.

Without a word between them, the two of them exit, getting onto a carriage in the second batch. No other students dared to board with the two Slytherins; one was rumoured to be cruel and cold, the other good friends with a convicted murderer.