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...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It had been three days since chaos erupted in the corridors, since Olive Hornby had been dragged to the hospital wing, and Arabella Chambers had been summoned to the Headmaster's office. Three days, and yet the whispers still spread from ear to ear.
Arabella had emerged unscathed in every way that mattered. Headmaster Dippet vouched for her innocence, and everyone fell in line. But Edmund knew better — Arabella wasn't someone you crossed lightly, and if you did, you prayed you wouldn't regret it. Olive, of course, had learned that the hard way.
But it wasn't Olive that occupied Edmund's thoughts now. It was Tom.
And Amber.
"You've been distracted lately," Tom said, his hands clasped behind his back. His eyes simmered with a familiar intensity that only a few Death Eater's earned when they had seemed to annoy Tom to a limit.
They were standing in a secluded corner of the dungeons, away from prying eyes. The air was cold and still. "I assume this distraction has something to do with Amber Lancaster."
Edmund's heart thudded. "She's just a friend, my lord."
Tom's lip curled in a mockery of a smile. "A Muggle-born friend. How noble." He stepped closer, his tone dropping to a whisper. "Let me be clear, Nott. If you let that girl become important — more important than what we're building — I will deal with her myself. Do you understand?"
Edmund's fists tightened. "I haven't forgotten what's at stake."
"Good," Tom said smoothly. "Because I won't tolerate weakness. Not from you. Not from anyone." He tilted his head, his eyes locking on Edmund. "Remember where your loyalties lie."
A small noise arose from behind them — the soft stutter of heels against stone. Both boys turned as Arabella Chambers emerged from the dark, her face serene, her grey eyes clouded like they usually were.
"I see Tom's giving another of his pep talks," she said lightly. She moved closer, her gaze briefly meeting Tom's before settling on Edmund. "Everything alright?"
Tom didn't respond immediately. He simply observed her, his gaze searching for something. Or maybe just staring at the sight of her. "We were just finishing." Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the two of them alone.
She watched him go, then turned back to Edmund. "He's right, you know," she said calmly. "Tom doesn't make idle threats."
Edmund breathed out, his shoulders slumping a little. "I know. But I also can't give her up. Not again."
Arabella's expression softened. "Good. You shouldn't. Amber makes you happy, and happiness is hard to come by around here." She paused, studying him closely. "Have you told her? About... everything?"
Edmund hesitated. "No. Not yet."
Arabella nodded slowly. "You should. She deserves to know the truth. Hiding it will only hurt her more in the end."
