Leah Riddle: Riddle me This (Book 2)

Chapter 34

 "I'm a horcrux?" I asked with a frown.

 "Yes," father nodded.

 "That sounds dangerous," I said, my frown deepening.

 "This is the major dilemma. In order to kill me officially, all of my horcruxes must be destroyed, and I fear either Potter or Dumbledore will figure that out. Which means you would ultimately be killed if they ever found out," he said grimly.

 "Can anything kill a horcrux?" I asked feeling worried.

 "No, only the sword of Godric Gryffindor, a basilisk fang, or feindfyre can destroy them," he said and I smiled.

 "Then I'm safe, none of those things are around Hogwarts," I said.

 "Leah, it isn't like people can't go out into the world and search for those items. That and the fact that in the Chamber of Secrets, there's still a basilisk," father said firmly.

 "Only the heir to Slytherin can get in there," I pointed out.

 "Potter can get in as well. He speaks Parstletongue," father glared.

 "Well nobody knows about me, so it's safe!" I argued.

 "Yes, for now."

***

 Barty was captured and killed by aurors. Father sent him out on a mission to distract him from the loss of  Alex. Clearly that didn't work. 

Everything on me was black. My dress, heels, hair, makeup, eyes. All of it. Pansy walked into the dorm holding something in her hand, but I paid no attention. It was a week after Barty's death, and they kept Alex's body in tact so we could hold the funeral after I recovered. Narcissa is getting the Manor ready for Barty and Alex's service. We found it appropriate to hold the two ceremonies together. I looked at Pansy who was wearing a black pencil skirt, a black silk tank top, and a black blazer. She wore ankle boots with a slight heel and her hair was in a fancy up-do.

 "Leah, they wanted you to have this," Pansy said softly. I held out my hand and she dropped Alex's initiation ring into it. I nodded, blinking back tears and she brought me into a hug.

 "Come on, we have to be there early for the viewing part of it. You're standing with Alex's mom, me, and Ariana," she said and I instantly felt my anger flare.

 "Why is she going to be there?" I hissed.

 "No one knows she murdered him. They were supposedly a couple, and she's acting  upset. They wanted her there," Pansy whispered and I felt tears slide down my face.

 "That's completely disrespectful," I shook my head and we walked down stairs and into the common room, where people were doing touch ups on their outfits. They nodded respectfully to me, and I nodded back.

 "Come on Leah," Draco said, offering his arm to me. I took it and we walked down to the lake in silence. Draco was wearing black dress pants, black dress shoes, a nice white shirt and a black vest. We could see the beautiful display before we even reached the lake, but when we did, it was even better. There were rows and rows of chairs set up, and there was a podium at the front, covered by an arch filled with twinkling lights as dusk took over. The arch was made of the same wood as Alex's wand; yew. They also respected his house placement by having Slytherin banners on either side of his coffin, which was silver with green trimming. There was a picture behind the coffin though, that confused me. I don't ever remember taking that picture with him. Of course it moved, so it was Alex and I dancing together at the Yule Ball, having a great time. Above the portrait, they had shimmering silver letters that spelled out the phrase, 'In Loving Memory of Alex Crouch.' Draco squeezed my hand reassuringly.