His Mark [Tom Riddle's son] DISCONTINUED

Cordelia - Christmas break

His Mark
[Knowledge is Power]

December 2016

It almost bordered on a miracle that Malcolm didn't get expelled right then and there.

Juliet had told the Headmaster of my harassment (giving me a deadly glare as I silently protested).  She was determined to get him expelled, and though Aileen never offered his opinion, I was sure he wanted his ex friend out of Hogwarts as much as Juliet herself. I didn't even know how he was faring with him and Malcolm living in such close quarters.

The last few weeks Malcolm could be seen wandering around in the corridors, a deflated balloon that was once cocky and full of himself.
He never dared to look at me after what happened, though I could see by the slight stiffening of Aileen's neck, that Malcolm's animosity had now been redirected at him.

However I decided to leave that behind, as the air just rang of Christmas, of warm fires from the candles and furnaces after trudging through the freezing snow; of wreaths and mistletoe that decked the halls of Hogwarts and just because he could, Peeves sang butchered versions of Christmas Carols coupled with swear words and inappropriate language.

Contrary to the rest of the student body- who were all to happy to bask in the early Christmas spirit, Aileen's new interests seemed to consist of making absolutely sure that he didn't leave any of his precious books behind.

After all, Christmas probably isn't a reason for festivities for him, and so the usually quiet and uninterested Ravenclaw could be seen coming in and out of the library after classes had finished, with books in various shapes and colours, humming a rather eerie melody as he went about his tasks.

As I signed the list confirming my seat on the Hogwarts Express, I couldn't help but look for Aileen’s name amongst the first year Ravenclaws. Recently I have been sparing more than a few thoughts of worry over his whereabouts at Christmas, after all the only place he legally could call his was that ghastly orphanage. Despite his cold disinterest in this world, it's still a sad tragedy for a child to be left alone on Christmas.

Holcroft,Ciaran,Gaul,Tegan.

Huh,no Gaunt,Aileen.

“Oi! Hurry up there first year!” Someone yelled, diverting my attention from the list.

“Sorry,I’ll move-” My eyes flitted back to the sheet and picked up a smooth,elegant curve of an A that only one person can do.

To the left of the signature (AO) was written in simple, neat print: Aileen Ollivander.

I stood still, taking in what it meant until I was moved away from the signup sheet. Then I smiled to myself, my concerns dispelled.
A content feeling filled my heart.

“Aileen finally has a family this Christmas.”