Iniquity Approaches Book 2 of Iniquity Series~Complete~

Ch. 59

The next day we were given our time table for this semester. Only to be informed that all seventh years were to stay in the Great Hall for an announcement directly from Headmaster Dippet.

I waited anxiously with our group that was seat in the Slytherin table.

Tom seemed to notice that I was anxious and quickly slipped his hand into mine, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb on the back of my hand.

'What's wrong? I can feel your anxiety all the way from over here.' He thought, while rubbing soothing circles on the back of my hand.

'What's this man holding us up for? Aren't we supposed to be learning things this year as well?' I thought, picking at a cookie I was eating.

'I'm sure it's nothing serious.' He comforted, looking past me towards the front of the room.

Headmaster Dippet, seemed to be wary to make his announcement.

He looked at all of the people in the room.

My hand tightened around Tom's, my fingernails accidentally digging into the skin in the back of his hand, causing him to flinch.

"Ouch." He muttered, his eye never moving from the elder man who stood before us.

"Sorry." I whispered back, loosening my hold.

"I'm sure you are..." he quipped, sarcastically.

"I've called all of you today, to inform you of the recent events of this past summer." The headmaster began, looking around the room once more.

"Now, you should know that there is a wizard, a powerful one at that, raising havoc in the wizarding world and the muggle world. We've taken precautions to protect those who he wishes to destroy, however, nothing seems to be working to detain him. The Ministry of Magic, here in London has made every attempt to try and hide things, this however, has been a failed attempt to keep everyone under control and satisfied. So, today I ask of you this. Those of you who wish to fight, have my approval. This room will be offered to you to exercise your dueling skills along with everything that you need. You only need ask." He informed.

"Those in charge of this will be your fellow students, Annamarie Riel and Tom Riddle, if you wish to join, speak to them. As for those who are willing to help, you shall be excused from your classes. Giving you the option during the weekends to check in with your professors. Those who wish to stay out of it can go to their respective classes and continue as if nothing was said." He finished, looking toward us.

I felt as every head in the room turned in different directions of the room to face Tom and I.

My body began tensing as the room began to hum with hushed whispers and a collective buzz of gasping around the room.

"Miss. Riel? Mr. Riddle? Please make your way up here. If you wish to address your student body." He said, raising two fingers and motioning us over.

"Bellatrix?" I called.

"Yes?" She piped.

"Come." I said, as we both stood.

"You too, Dolohov." Tom added, following closely behind me.

My hair swung back and forth as our group slowly made our way up to the front. I held my head held high, but my body tense as we reached the steps to where the Professor stood.

After we reached the front he turned toward us both.

"I'll take my leave. If you need anything, I'll be in my office." He said, nodding his head at the both of us.