Riddle Me This

Chapter 9

Catherine's POV

As I sat in the Great Hall at the end of the year, the hall was decorated in Slytherin greens and silvers, banners showing the Slytherin emblem proudly. Before the House Cup was awarded, though, Dumbledore announced that there are a few more points he'd like to give out. By the time everything was said and done, Gryffindor soared from last to first, getting them the house cup. The other Slytherin's were angry and irritated, but I at least clapped politely. Draco gave me an odd look, as he had already thrown his hat down in disappointment.

"I have friends in Gryffindor, I have every right to congratulate them." I said. After the end of school feast, we headed back to our dorms to finish packing and get ready to head home for the summer. I exchanged addresses with Daphne, Hermione, Ron, Harry, Pansy, and Draco. I said goodbye at the platform, and went with my grandparents home.

"How was the end of your school year?" Grandma asked.

"It went well. I made a few more Slytherin friends than I planned, and it was nice." I answered. Sevy happily went and perched herself next to Nork.

"That's good." Grandpa said as he sat in his chair and grabbed The Daily Prophet. I smiled as I went with my grandmother to my room to unpack my things.

"Grandma, am I still going to have to have my friends escort me around the school next year?" I asked. I knew that my grandparents had been updated on the situation at school, and I hoped that since Voldemort was taken care of, my grandparents would calm down.

"Well I would hope not. But if trouble starts to bubble up again, then yes." Grandma responded. "By the way, how is that Malfoy boy?"

"Draco? Oh, well, if it wasn't for him, I would have failed Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts." I admitted. I saw the slight surprise on my grandmother's face.

"Draco? I didn't know you two had gotten so close since the Christmas holiday." She said. I shrugged.

"Well, he only just started calling me Smith instead of Riddle, so I think it's progress." My grandmother hummed as we finished unloading.

My summer seemed to go in a flash, letters coming and going. I got an apology from Hermione for accusing Severus, admitting that I had been right. Daphne invited me over a few times and I enjoyed myself every time. Pansy and I got pretty close over the summer, not just with messages, but with the times the two of us would be over at Daphne's. Ron and I didn't really connect much, much like we hadn't in school, but he was at least civil. Harry didn't send me anything, though I would keep sending letters to him. Draco, though, was the best to message. His letters would go back and forth between being overly polite and friendly in the same letter.

I headed with Grandma to get my books, meeting Ron, Hermione, and Harry at the bookstore. A man was there getting his picture taken. Gilderoy Lockheart. Half the women were fawning over him, including Grandma and Mrs. Weasley. I happily met Hermione's parents, and they seemed like such sweet people. Harry had been dragged to the front to get his picture taken by Lockheart, and afterwards, we ran into Draco, in all his Draco fashion, starting to be a prat to Harry.

Then his father appeared, telling Draco to behave. He made his comments about Hermione's parents and had looked through the books in Ginny's, Ron's little sister's, cauldron. He then turned to me and gave me a soft smile, but it was hiding something.

"Miss. Riddle, I presume." He said. I nodded slowly. "Who have you come with? Surely a young witch as yourself didn't come on your own?"

"Away from my granddaughter, Malfoy." My grandmother's voice was as venomous as the snake I told to get off the property last week. Draco's father turned to my grandmother with a sneer. I stepped over to Draco to allow my grandmother to stand in front of his father.