To Answer A Riddle [Tom Riddle Era / Harry Potter]

Entry #4

Elliott was sitting in the Great Hall, reading his divination book. A day had passed since the incident. He had no other problem with his other classes, and hadn't told Tom about it. The only one who now knew part of his secret was Sybill, and she didn't look like the type to gossip. Besides, she was a seer herself. He couldn't imagine why she would sell out someone which condition was similar to hers.

Elliott hadn't been called to the headmaster or anything, which made him happy. He had been scared after his outburst at Gin that he'd somehow tell every teacher, but nothing happened. Perhaps the teacher wasn't that mean. But he had put some doubt in Elliott's mind: was there a way to get rid of his powers?

He had read about half of his divination book, but there was nothing about seers or powers like his. He knew he was an exception. He was getting slightly irritated. If the manuel itself didn't even mention seers, how was the professor even going to teach them about it? It was ridiculous. He had been right to refuse Gin's help after all.

"Are you really studying?" asked someone beside him. It was another Slytherin in the same year as him. He had brown short hair and clear blue eyes. His nose was sprinkled with pale freckles.

"I guess so..." answered Elliott as he closed his book to look at the other boy.

"Seriously?" The wizard sighed. "I'm already tired of school and it's only the third day!"

Elliott smiled at the boy's despair.

"There's only three years left..." he said teasingly. The boy only sighed deeper.

"You're not helping!" he complained.

As he finished those words, a sound of ruffling feather came from the top of the Great Hall. Owls of all types and sizes infiltrated the Hall and started to drop letters and packages from the ceiling. The students screamed in delight and grabbed whatever the owl gave them. The boy beside Elliott soon received a little package, which he opened quickly.

"It's chocolate," he laughed. "It's a joke in our family," he explained.

Elliott laughed a little with him, but a letter slipped into his lap. He raised his head, but couldn't figure which owl had dropped it. He however recognized his uncle's writing on the front of the letter, where his full name was written. He was about to open it when the boy stole it from his hands.

"Who is it from?" he asked as he turned the letter in his hands.

"Give it back!" exclaimed Elliott. He didn't know what his uncle had written in it. He might have mentioned his father's situation, or his secret-

Elliot tried to get back the letter, but the boy was too fast and always managed to keep it away from his grasp. The other Slytherin opened the letter and took out the folded papers from the envelope.

"I said, give it back!"

Elliot panicked. He threw himself forward to try to catch the letter from his hands, but the boy turned and started reading it out loud.

"Dear Elliot," he grinned and continued: "I hope your school year started softly. Sadly, I might have so darken your spirits a little bit. I have news-"

"Avery," said a voice colder than ice.

The boy froze and turned towards the person. Tom was standing close to him, all dressed up in his quidditch attire: green and silver robes, leather gloves and boots. He even had his broom in his hand.

"I believe he said to give it back to him."

Tom's expression was dark and absolute: if looks could kill, Avery would be long dead. Avery threw the letter at Elliott as fast as he could and looked back at Tom in fear.