The Secret of Tom Riddle's Diary

Chapter Ten - Back to School

Victoria stood quietly listening to Tom’s latest lecture of expectations.

“Remember, Victoria dear,” he said with his usual tone.  “I expect that you will not be caught by surprise as you were at the end of the last term again.  And I also expect that you show the Weasleys by the end of this term.”

Victoria remained quiet.  He seemed to have calmed down further after her observations of Dumbledore at Malfoy Manor and a few of the other items of people who sat by who.  He even remarked that as quickly as Dumbledore’s mind attack had come, she had been acceptable in the manner of removing him from her mind.  He had not seemed that concerned that Dumbledore was making the connection between her and Ginny Weasley.

“So,” he continued.  “Do you have any ideas on how you are going to deal with the Weasleys?”

She had put quite a bit of thought into it.  She had recruited Jonathan Bulstrode and Michael Gideon in her plans.  She had been pleasantly surprised with some of the ingenuity they had. 

“I do –“ she said with confidence.

He looked carefully at her.  If he wanted her to tell him, he would tell her to do so.  Otherwise, Tom was simple.  He expected results, and he didn’t tell you how to do it, unless you needed some specific details.

“Well, your Uncle Rufus is waiting downstairs to take you to the train.”  Tom said with a dismissal.

Victoria turned and walked out, always glad to get out of there and found all her things already levitating at Rufus’ side.  She nodded at him and he led the way through the Floo and into the Wizard’s part of King’s Cross Station.  She waited patiently at the train for the other three ice princesses.  Soon, she saw Astoria coming with her older sister, Daphne and Theo accompanying his little sister Taylor.  The three had just reacquainted themselves with each other when Michael McCarthey came in with Ethan Rosier.  And then Adriana was there right before it was time to load the train with her brother Adrian.

They filed into the compartment where Bulstrode and Gideon already were sitting.  The boys got a game of Exploding Snap going as Victoria walked over to the other two boys.  She did receive some inquisitive looks, especially from Ethan, but she smirked at them as she sat down.

Michael Gideon said, “I did some digging into the 3rd year Gryffindor schedule and the 5th year Gryffindor schedule.”

Victoria smirked.  “That is a good idea.”

Jonathan also said, “We think Ronald Weasley would be easy to catch coming back from Care of Magical Creatures.  The Twins – “ he added.  “Might be caught outside of Astronomy.”

“It could work,” she told them.  “Drop me a note if you get any further ideas.”

Then, she left the two alone and walked over everyone else who was busy playing Exploding Snap.  They had already started the game.  She sat in between Astoria and Ethan, watching the game as it continued.  After the first game was over, room was made for Victoria to play. 

Then, the Trolley came.  Ethan insisted on buying candy for Victoria. 

It was about an hour out of Hogsmeade when Ethan asked if Victoria would take a walk out into the hallway with him.  Victoria agreed.  She could feel the snide eyes of the other three girls on her.  She saw Jonathan and Michael Gideon watching her as she left with Ethan.

Outside of the compartment, he made sure no one was in the hallway and he looked at her in the eye.

“Victoria,” he said smoothly.  “I was wondering if you would go steady with me –“