Amortentia

Chapter 4

Photo: Charlie

The hallway grew darker as Tom Riddle led me down to the Slytherin common room to get the supplies. The room was dark and water rushed down the sides. Gryffindor was the complete opposite. I looked around the room while Tom grabbed what he needed from his dormitory. Part of me dreamed what it would be like to be a Slytherin with Emmeline but the sorting hat has never been wrong.

"You ready" Tom's cold voice echoed through the room sending shivers down my spine.

"Yes." Lie, how could I be ready for this?

His gaze slid down to my hands, fisted by my sides. I let them go to not cause any more suspicion. Tom's eyes glazed over from deep thought.

"So where to now?" He looked surprised by my response and a chilling smile spread across his face.

-

After starting the potion with Tom, I headed to the dining hall praying that everyone was still there. As I made it to the door, the students started to file out. I sighed knowing I would not get any dinner for the night.

"Ella?" I heard Charlie's voice from a distance and looked around the herd for him.

"I'm by the wall!" I yelled trying to help him.

"I see you, one sec," he hurried over and his eyes lit up when we made eye contact,"Where were you? I was worried."

I was worried. My heart leapt hearing those words escape his mouth. It probably meant nothing though.

"I was...studying in the library. Defense Against the Dark Arts has been hard for me."

"I can help. Strangely that is one of my strongest suits."

"Just like Emmeline."

"Really?" His cheeks started to pink.

"Yeah. Well I should get going. It's getting late."

"Ella wait," his hand grabbed my arm, pulling me back, "I would really love to help you with studying."

"Okay, how about now?" I felt my heart beat fast.

"Now? The library is closed there is no way-"

"I have a way."

What was I doing?

-

"Now Charlie, don't freak or anything." I brought my suitcase in a hidden hallway where hopefully no one would find us.

"What is in that suitcase that would scare me?"

If only he knew. I opened the latches and took a deep breath before lifting the lid. I gave a him a weak smile before I descended into the suitcase.

"What the-" His voice was cut off as I landed into the house.

"Come on Charlie! It's not as bad as you think!" I yelled.

I heard slow footsteps down the stairs and eventually he came into sight. His eyes grew as he tried to take everything in.

"You have a house in the suitcase?!" He moved towards the window that faced my beasts, "What the hell is this!"

"You want to meet them?" His head nodded excitedly.

We walked outside towards Whistler first. I told Charlie to wait because they weren't used to new people. I crouched by the large pool and Whistler swam up to great me. I stroked his head and fed him some fish. Charlie cautiously stood over my shoulder. My back tended as his knee grazed across my back unknowingly.

"This is Whistler, a hippocampus. He was abandoned as a baby and my dad gave him to me for my 6th birthday. My very first fantastic beast." I tried to hide the smile forming on my face by turning away.