his redemption » tom riddle

02 | anapneo

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02 | anapneo

anapneo

spell; clears the target's airway

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EVELINA MOREAU WOKE UP IN THE MORNING FEELING more satisfied than she had in years. Hufflepuff beds were simple, although warm, with patchwork quilts and wooden posts. Slytherin, on the other hand was luxurious. The room was kept chilled, with the silk bed sheets and the blankets to keep the students from catching a cold. She didn't want to leave her bed, for once, where as just a year ago, she'd vied to get the first shower so she could get to class early.

Finally, she swung her legs over the edge of the mattress, yawning. The floor felt cold against her feet, and she yelped, swiftly curling her legs back up. Her alarm rungs just then, and she decided that she'd delayed getting ready for much too long as it was. Standing up, her limbs still stiff with sleep, she staggered over to her trunk. It was about time for a shower.

"Hello," Arden said, breaking the silence sleepily. "What's your name?"

"It's Evelina," She laughed, turning towards her friend.

Suddenly, Arden was shooting up in her bed, hair mussed and sheets bunched up around her. "Merlin's beard, what're you doing here?"

"Oh," Evelina simpered. "The sorting hat decided Hufflepuff wasn't the correct house for me. I'm a Slytherin now."

"But- Wow- Aren't you the first?" Arden stammered, shocked.

"That's what I've heard." She bit her lip, a string of boastful words threatening to spill out of her mouth.

Arden, however, thought of Evelina as her icon, and much too nice to do something like that, automatically assuming the action had been done out of nervousness. "Don't worry," She assured, bending down to slide her slippers onto her feet. "You'll do perfectly fine. I'm sure you'll be everyone's favourite in no time."

"Oh, I'm not scared," Evelina conveyed, pressing her chin into her palm in thought. "I just won't be the best- not exactly, at least. Riddle is just as good as me, perhaps better." The way she pronounced the last word was bitter, as though she'd never expected to use it in that context.

"Hm." Arden said, mirroring her friend's movements. "But you will be able to best him in no time. I can help you if you'd like."

"What, with studies?" Evelina inquired. She knew her new roommate wasn't the brightest lamp in the room, and she really had to hold back a snicker at the thought of Arden tutoring her.

A frantic blush crept up her neck, and Arden pulled her night shirt's collar up to cover it. "No, I meant with getting to know everyone. A lot of people like me."

"It's alright," She retorted. "I believe I'll be able to make friends on my own." Evelina's voice was quiet, but it reprimanded Arden in such a way, that the heat spread violently up to her face.

"Of course." Arden rose, tossing the blanket back onto the bed. "Desole."

"C'est d'accord." Evelina replied, in a thick accent. Both the Moreau and Hart families originated from a quaint village near Marseilles, but the pair only ever spoke in a dialect other than english when they didn't want people to know what they were talking about. Apologies for things most would not find offensive was one of those.

"Did you sleep well?" Arden asked, tilting her head slightly.

"Yes, actually. Better than I have in a very long time." She stood up as well, picking out another uniform set. "So," She paused, humorously gesturing towards the door. "Are you going to show me to the showers or what?"

A smile placed itself on Arden's lips, and Evelina let out a quiet sigh of relief that her oldest -and closest- friend had come out of the brief bought of annoyance liking her even more.

Arden took her by the hand, pulling her outside of the room, and down the hall. She paused in front of a wooden door, made of a beautiful engraved dark walnut, and pressed on the handle swiftly. "Voila!"

It opened into a gorgeous marble bathroom, with multiple toilets and baths, shaded glass and curtains to ensure privacy. There was no need for lines, because a new stall popped up every time another girl entered.

She stepped inside, shoving her hands into her pockets. "Wow," She gushes. "This is amazing."

"Agreed." Arden breathed, running a hand haphazardly through her hair. "Seeing it again never get's old. It's just like the first time."

Evelina walked down the line of tiny grooming rooms, and found one with her name written delicately on it. When she walked inside, a gush of steam greeted her. A bath was set up, with her favourite jasmine oil to scent it, as well as vanilla wash in the little holding compartment. She stripped quickly, and relaxed in the cool water. She'd never appreciated the scalding sensation of hot showers, but chilled baths invigorated her for the day. It seemed like the bathroom knew exactly who she was and what she enjoyed.

When she emerged, freshened up and ready for the school day, a hoard of female Slytherins were gathered in the bathroom, wide eyed and attentive. Pulling back slightly, Evelina then pushed through the crowd, deciding that she no longer had time for this nonsense.

Once she was out, Evelina couldn't help but wonder what it was that they were gaping at, but it was much too late for her to dive back in. Instead, she backed away to where Arden was waiting patiently.

"What are they looking at?" Evelina murmured lowly to her friend.

"I'm not sure, but I will find out." Arden replied, looking slightly bewildered. "But let's go, we shouldn't be late for your first class as a Slytherin."

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unedited

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