Leah Riddle (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty-Nine

November 26th

"Hey Leah," Pansy nodded as I made my way into the common room.

"Hey, I've gotta go to detention," I sighed, picking up my bag.

"Oh have fun with that," she said sarcastically. I laughed and walked out the common room door. I closed it and turned around to find Draco walking towards me with a scowl.

"What's got your wand in a knot?" I asked, walking to meet him halfway.

"Clarissa is so incredibly annoying!" he hissed.

"Did she yell at you for forgetting her birthday?" I grimaced.

"A bit, but she decided I could just get her something extra special. She wanted me to steal your ruby necklace," he said, rolling his eyes.

"If it were anybody but her, I'd say take it. But I hate her, so she can suck it," I smiled.

"There's no way I'd ever give her such a pretty necklace, it's out of the question," he laughed.

"She's a desperate little thing isn't she?" I smirked.

"Yes she is," he nodded.

"Hm, well I've got to get to detention, I'll see you later," I smiled.

"Yeah, see you later Leah. Have fun," he laughed.

I walked over to the Potions room and found Severus grading papers.

"Miss me?" I asked, sitting at a desk.

"Terribly," he said sarcastically.

"You did very well on your first task, by the way. Your father will be quite proud. I was," he said, not looking at me.

"Thank you, Severus," I smiled.

"Listen, can I go to visit Father?" I asked, standing up.

"How can I say no to that?" he muttered.

"Cool so where's your fireplace?" I asked, looking around. He stood up and opened a door towards the back. I walked in and saw a bed, a dresser, some cabinets, and finally a fireplace.

"Thanks," I nodded and took the fireplace over to Muggle Manor.

"Hello Ms. Riddle," Wormtail bowed and I nodded.

"Wormtail," I said with a smirk.

"Father," I smiled, looking over at him. He nodded and I walked over, kneeling in front of him, so I was at his level. His eyes gravitated to my scars, which were more noticeable than before. They were a few shades darker than my natural skin tone. 

"Fenrir did this?" he asked calmly.

"Well they were basically not noticeable before the task, but the dragon reopened them and they became more pronounced," I frowned.

"I heard you did very well on your first task. I'm quite proud of you," he smiled and I beamed at him.

"Thank you!" I said.

"A Vipertooth, very impressive," he nodded.

"Of course I had to get the worst one," I said.

"Yes, so how did the break up go?" he asked.

"I cheated on him. Told him I wasn't interested in him anymore. It worked, but now things are very awkward in the common room," I frowned, which wasn't exactly a lie. 

"Hm, who did you cheat on him with?" he asked curiously.

"Blaise Zabini."

"And did the Gryffindor's accept you back?" he asked.

"Yes, Potter and I are good friends. The others follow what he does, basically."

"Very good, I'm quite proud of your progress," he complimented.

"Thank you. So I've been thinking that maybe as a reward... you could tell me who my mother is?" I asked. I suppose it doesn't really matter who she is, but it would be rather nice to know. Having one normal parent would be good for my image at least.

"How much time do you have?" he sighed.

"As much as I need," I said. He nodded and averted his gaze to the photo of him and my mother.

"When I was in my seventh year, I met a young girl. She was about a year younger, and she went to Hogwarts just as I did. I had seen her around but never talked to her until I was assigned a potions project with her. There was something in her that made me like her more than others. I had my first and only friend," he said and I felt pity for him.

"We started hanging out after school, going to Hogsmead together and whatnot. Once we both graduated, we became roommates. One night, years later, one thing left to another and we had you. We stayed together because of that, but once you were born, she gave you to me and ran off. She didn't want that responsibility, but surprisingly, she had conceived another child only a little while after. You have a sister that your mother managed to get into Hogwarts. She's only nine months younger than you, and you are the same age at the moment," he said and I started thinking about all the girls in school.

"Who are they?" I asked.

"Well..." he sighed and I looked at him.

"Please don't tell me it's Clarissa Moon," I groaned. 

"I don't even know the Moon family I've never heard of them. Your sister is Pansy Parkinson," he said.

"Pansy! How did I not see that before? We're so similar. So my mother is..." I asked, not knowing Pansy's mother's first name.

"Katie Parkinson," he said.

"Does she know who I am?" I asked.

"She's always known," he nodded.

"So not only was I a mistake, but my mother doesn't even want to meet me?" I asked.

"Once Potter destroyed me and you were given to the Loveland's, Katie was instructed to have absolutely no contact. We couldn't have anyone becoming suspicious. Then, of course, the Loveland's turned on me and would have never let her near you anyway."

"Fine, I guess that does make sense. Does Pansy know she has a sister?" I asked. He shook his head.

"Am I allowed to tell her?" I asked. He hesitated but nodded.

"Thank you for telling me," I said before gently putting my hand on his small shoulder. He weakly patted my hand and I nodded to Wormtail.

"Take care of my father," I glared. He nodded and bowed. I walked out and went down the stairs, stepping into the fireplace.

I ended up back in Severus's office and I stepped out with a smile.

"How'd everything go?" he drawled.

"He's very proud. Plus, he told me who my mother is," I said.

"So he's told you. Are you telling Pansy?" Severus asked.

"You knew?!"

"Indeed," he nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me?" 

"It wasn't my business. Your father asked me not to say a word," he said and I sighed.

"Fine, I'll see you later," I huffed, and walked back into the common room.

"That was a quick detention," Pansy said, looking up from her Potions essay.

"I went to see my Father. He told me who my mother is and that I have a sister that attends Hogwarts with me," I said, slightly nervous that she wouldn't be excited by the news.

"Really, who?" she asked excitedly.

"You."