The Fearsome Name of Riddle

Responsibility

Everytime Victoria went to platform nine and three quarters, she recognised more and more of her old classmates. Days of a free child complaining about the constrictions of youth being brought back to her mind. Fleamont Potter was her first surprise. He had given her a similar partially curious frown to the one she gave him but they did not call out to each other. To call them friends would have been an exaggeration, they had barely spoken outside of the quidditch pitch. His son vibrated with excitement and didn't seem able to stop talking as those around him were forced to listen. A mess of sticking up black hair covered his head like an electrified mop, unkempt and ill-mannered. Her second surprise had been Othello Pettigrew, his eldest daughter had failed to produce even a spark of magic, a squib, but his son had achieved just enough to be considered a wizard to the school. 

Victoria stroked her fingers over the back of her youngest boy’s hand, holding it in her other. She watched the platform, ignoring the dark haired man standing near her. The train sat stationary as it got loaded with trunks and animals. Children ran on and off, looking for friends and seats. It had all felt so much more exciting before. 

Sirius Black looked pale. His angular cheekbones and sharp eyebrows stood out harshly against his mane of black curls. He wore the signature Black family scowl. It wasn't an expression that held any kind of particular emotion, just a resting guard that upheld the expectation of respect. 

"You'll sit with Narcissa and Lucius," Walburga's shrill voice brought Victoria back to where she was standing. "I don't want you wandering off and getting ideas from the riff raff." 

"Ideas of what?" Sirius asked, a disgruntled look on his face as Walburga wiped his already clean cheek. 

A pointed glare from his mother stopped any further questions. They were both stressed. He had a responsibility as the heir, as her son, to make a good impression on the school. Especially after his cousins had done so well already and they had to make up for Andromeda. 

"Yes Mother." 

Just as distraught, Narcissa got no words of objection from Lucius who seemed paralysed between his parents. Tom Riddle had never escorted his son to the Hogwarts express before. They were all a little on edge. Some may recognise the Dark Lord but his glamoured face would hide him from most. 

"We cannot babysit Sirius," Narcissa complained to her mother, taking matters into her own hands. "Lucius and I are in our final years, we've no time to look after a first year." 

"You will survive the train ride," Druella said bitterly. Any sense of joy or decency she had seemed to have ran away with her angel child. 

Narcissa's lips pressed into a thin line. Her hands shook as she failed to control herself. "You are never on our side. You care for nothing that does not obey your every command. If anyone could stand it, Andy would still be here." 

The glare Druella gave her youngest daughter grew dangerous. An icy cold stare that sent shivers through Narcissa's skin. Sharp and impulsive, but young enough to back down quickly. 

"Oh?" Druella looked terrifyingly amused. "I did not realise I was the one who knew of your sister's betrayal and still decided to do nothing to save her family." 

"That wasn't my fault," Narcissa said through a trembling lip. Her eyes welled with tears and Lucius finally looked up from the floor. 

"I don't think there is any need to argue today," Tom cut in, a bored look in his eyes as he turned to Lucius. "It's my son's final year before he becomes a man of his own." 

Victoria rolled her eyes as Lucius beamed proudly up at Lord Voldemort. A rare occurrence. Tom would never allow his son to be claimed by anyone else, but he hardly called the boy what he was. To claim him was to claim Lucius as his heir in the eyes of Pureblood families. 

"He has a lot of work to do this year." Tom placed a tender but tightly grasped hand on Lucius' shoulder. "I am trusting him to exceed expectations." 

"You shouldn't be putting so much pressure on him," Victoria's ever present frown deepened as she reached out for her son's hand. "He'll do the best he can." 

Lucius pulled his hand away, making the anger in his mother's expression dissipate, replaced completely with hurt and worry. 

"I have responsibility now, Mother," Lucius said proudly, straightening his posture to make himself taller. "Things that are required of me. I can do this." 

Victoria's expression flickered. Her eyes darted immediately to her husband, her anger re-emerging. 

"You gave him orders without telling me?" Victoria looked up at the faint smirk on Tom's face, her fingers twitching with agitation. 

"He's not in any danger, he's not even at risk." Tom waved her off, ignoring Lucius as he shuffled himself behind Victoria. "All I've asked the boy to do is bring some more of his classmates into the fold. All he has to do is talk. Do you not think your son charming?" 

"I think he has exams to focus on," Victoria snapped. "You should have talked to me first." 

"I'm sorry. I'll consult you next time." Tom smiled lightly, knowing she would bend to him now. "Can he at least talk to his friends this year?" 

She turned to see Lucius's expecting eyes. The chatter of the station waned on but everyone around her was silent. Waiting for her word so that they could keep going. The longer she waited to speak the more she could piss Tom off. It showed how much power she held. More than he did if she said no. But Lucius' safety would rely on her backing down. 

"Exams come first," Victoria said finally, placing her hands gently on the sides of Lucius' face. "But, you are right, this war is what matters. Don't do anything that would put you at risk." 

"Of course." Lucius nodded, a shaky smile forming on his face. He had grown taller than his mother now, a good few inches between them. She guided his head down so she could place a soft kiss on his forehead. "I'll be careful, Mother, I promise." 

"Alright," Victoria agreed, stroking her thumb affectionately across his cheek. "As long as you're safe." 

The air around them relaxed. Held breaths released and tensed muscles eased. 

A whistle blew to tell the students the Hogwarts Express was ready to leave. The noise picked up with excited voices and a few tear filled goodbyes. Bustling footsteps moved towards the train but Victoria held her boy a little longer. 

"Go on, you can't miss the train." Victoria patted her son on the shoulder, stepping back so he could pass her. "I love you, Lucius." 

Lucius turned as he stepped onto the red train, a squished smile on his face. "I love you too." 

Mrs Malfoy waved goodbye to her angel boy. He had been more distant, which she expected but hated. Watching him slip from her finger stung like nothing else, and watching him pull away because of her violence hurt even more. 

“Victoria.” Tom called to her as he turned from the train but her son would always hold precedence over him. 

Octavian reached for her hand and Victoria turned from Tom completely. She squeezed his hand gently, stroking her other over the side of his face. Her darling boy. Too sweet for the life churning around him. Something precious and light that she could not believe had come from her.