Pulse

Confrontation

Friday 22nd November

"Ron, are you okay?"

The Mudblood's words broke Voldemort's thought process. He looked up to see her watching him closely, a worried expression on her face.
Hermione's words caused a few others around them to look up at him too.

"I'm fine," Voldemort returned, going back to his breakfast.

Harry was sat next to him, and scrutinised him as well, saying quietly,

"Are you sure you're okay, mate? You were really quiet the other night."

"I said I'm fine, Potter," Voldemort snapped. At Harry's hurt and confused expression Voldemort instantly realised his mistake. "Sorry," he backtracked. The word tasted bitter in his mouth, all the worse for who he was addressing. "Sorry, Harry. I am fine though, just a little tired. That's all."

"Alright," Harry said, with no small amount of suspicion.

They returned to their dorms to collect their bags, then it was off to their first lesson.

Thursday had been a drag, but Voldemort had successfully subdued Ron after his little surge of identity, and was now on a winning streak to Saturday and his eminent victory.

Just one more day, he thought, not for the first time, as they walked to their first lesson.

All he had to do was put up with these cretins for one more day and then he would seek his much awaited revenge- finish what he had started and finally kill Harry Potter.

Voldemort smiled.

"Hey, Weasley!" Came a shout from behind them. Harry, Hermione and Voldemort turned. There stood Draco Malfoy.

What a pleasant surprise! Thought Voldemort. A like minded individual. Now, you don't come across one of these very often...

He very nearly greeted Draco happily, but remembered in time who's body he was using. He settled for a somewhat aggressive,

"What?"

"When are you and Granger going to make it official then?" Malfoy jeered. "I overheard you talking on Tuesday: oooh, Ron, you're great even though you're poor, ooh Hermione I don't care if you're a Mudblood, I'll always love you..." Malfoy said loudly in a mimicking voice. Others around them stopped and listened, many of them sniggering. "I was almost sick!" Malfoy continued, grinning nastily. "You really need to find a better place to discuss your disgusting affairs. To be honest, I don't see what either of you sees in each other..."

Slytherins were openly laughing at them. A couple of Hufflepuffs looked as though they were trying to hide their smiles. Hermione was scarlet in the face, looking furious and really embarrassed.

Voldemort was nothing but perplexed: he didn't have any of Ron's memories apart from Wednesday, when he had possessed him. Malfoy was goading them on something which happened on Tuesday, so Voldemort was lost.

"Suck my sweaty balls, Malfoy!" Harry yelled back, getting some cheers from the Gryffindors who had gathered to watch the confrontation.

Malfoy's lip curled.

"I'd really rather not, Potter," he drawled. "But a word of warning- if I do see Granger and Weasley Frenching it up, I will projectile vomit, and I will not aim away from them."

Voldemort was shocked.

"Don't worry, that won't happen," he said, quite sincerely. "I would never kiss a Mudblood."

Hermione stared at him, distraught.

"Ah, finally we agree on something, Weasley!" Malfoy said.

He stalked away to cruel laughter from the other Slytherins. They followed and shoved into Harry, Hermione and Voldemort as they passed.

Hermione turned on him, eyes blazing. Harry was looking at him with disgust.

"If my blood status bothers you so much Ron," Hermione snarled, "then you can get back on your high horse and fuck off back to 1632!"

She stormed away from them.

"What the hell, Ron?" Harry asked angrily. "Why would you say something like that?"

Voldemort blinked.

"Uuh," he said, "to... Get Malfoy out of our faces. I didn't mean it."

"Well, it worked, but you've really upset Hermione," Harry said.

Voldemort sighed. This was exhausting.

"I'll speak to her..." He said, knowing he had no choice.

Saturday seemed a long time away.