How to Prevent a War

Peeved

Breakfast that morning was incredibly awkward, at least to Harry. Just like the day before he was forced to take the seat next to Riddle, all other spots conveniently blocked and a handful of Slytherins ready to follow after him should he decide to go sit with his friends at the Gryffindor or Ravenclaw table. He was almost tempted to simply go sit with some random Hufflepuffs just to spite them and Riddle.

Just like before, Riddle didn't even bother to acknowledge him as he sat down reluctantly and grabbed a piece of toast. He glanced over to Alphard to start a casual conversation when he noticed something wrong with his semi-friend. The dark haired Black Heir was extremely pale and had dark bags under his eyes. If he squinted, Harry could see the barely there shimmer of glamours on the other boy's face and his head snapped over to Riddle.

"What the Hell did you do?" he hissed furiously.

"Whoever said I did anything?" the Slytherin Heir replied innocently.

"Because it's bloody you!"

Riddle's head snapped over at him, dark blue eyes shining with something terrifying.

"And who am I Harry?" he asked lowly.
"How do you know me? What do you know about me?"

Harry glared at him for a few seconds before he stood abruptly with the intention to leave the Great Hall. Before he could walk away, strong fingers curled around his wrist and yanked him back down. Green clashed with challenging dark blue in a heated staring competition that ended only when Riddle turned away to continue eating and let go of Harry's arm.

"Eat some more, Harry," he ordered calmly.
"You'll need the nutrition."

Harry could clearly hear the threat in those words and he narrowed his eyes at Riddle. He wanted to tell him that he wasn't his boss, but Nicolas Lestrange, who was seated on his other side dumped a copious amount of scrambled eggs on his plate before he could stop him.

"You're already skinny as all hell, Potter," the broad shouldered 6th year told him in a tone a parent would use to scold their child.

"It's not healthy not to eat you know," Mulciber, who was sitting opposite of them added wisely.

"It's not healthy to stuff your face like a pig either," Rosier commented, looking disdainfully at Mulciber while the older student shovelled food into his mouth as if it were a sport.

"It's really disgusting," Avery nodded.

"You're like an untrained animal, Mulciber," Nott put in his two sickles.

Harry sent a desperate look towards Sirius, who was sitting tensely at the teacher's table, dark eyes glaring scornfully at Tom Riddle before they moved to Harry and softened. The older man smiled in encouragement and Harry smiled back, knowing that his Godfather would not abandon him.

. . . . .

When Harry walked into the History classroom together with his housemates, he found Megan Yaxley once more make a beeline towards Ron, not giving him a chance to catch up with his red haired friend at all. Unlike the first time this had happened, Ron didn't seem bothered at all and just grinned at the beautiful Slytherin girl. Yaxley smirked back, making Harry narrow his eyes at the duo.

Avery and Rosier took seats together as well, making sure to stay close to their Lord, who sat on his own in the front row. Riddle seemed awfully smug and he glanced at Harry, smiling and patting the empty seat beside him. Harry huffed in annoyance and instead took a seat next to Alphard.