The Secret of Tom Riddle's Diary

Chapter Twenty-One - The Invictus Python

As Victoria sat down with the rest of Slytherin she felt the tension in the air.  Slytherin was excited.  The news of last night’s breakout had been there this morning before students had gotten on the train.  Taylor was excited.  Already her mother had been summoned and had returned just before they left for school to tell them that their father was doing well.  Theo for once seemed so excited by the prospect of having a free father in his life that he didn’t try to take liberties with Victoria.

But there had been whispers from others – they continued in the hall.  Longbottom had cried out and nearly started a duel with Malfoy on the train when teased by Draco.  Several Gryffindors glared at Victoria and her friends as if they had been the ones who had released these enemies.  Well, Victoria had been a part of it.

She had decided from the beginning that she would walk as an Ice Queen who had been a part of such a break out.  Victoria inside knew she should feel guilt for her role, but she couldn’t help but feel powerful and prideful that she had been a small part in freeing her comrades from their prison.

After dinner, Professor McGonagall stood up to greet the students around her.

“As many of you already are aware,” she began, “last night several key members of the Death Eaters, along with others escaped from Azkaban.  I want everyone to know you are safe here.  Let me be clear.  For the moment, we will not make any changes regarding Hogsmeade weekends.  But your safety is our highest priority.  I also want to be clear that there is to be no attempts on students you believe may or may not be related to those who were freed.  Nor are any students to attack students who they believe do not hold their views.  I will not tolerate either event.  By working together, we will have a safe year.  Now, off to bed.”

Victoria and her friends returned to their room.  Astoria seemed very nervous as the four friends made it back to their room.  But Taylor, Adriana, and Victoria appeared in front of her.

“I hope you aren’t worried, Astoria,” they said.  “We want you to know everything will be okay.”

“You know,” Taylor said, “My brother knows that if things change with you that his relationship with Victoria will end.  I made that clear to him this morning when he started to act smart.”

Astoria visibly relaxed as the four friends sat down.  Victoria pulled out a piece of parchment.

“I didn’t dare bring that book I showed you ladies at the beginning of the holidays, but I did bring a few of the spells.”

The three other girls were delighted.  They stayed up past curfew working through their hair and face and makeup.

As the months went on from there, Victoria told herself that she was helping her friends to coax with the darkening news in the world around them.  She continued to share the spells that made she and her friends look slightly more beautiful with each attempt.  But it wasn’t lost on Victoria how soon the girls were becoming addicted to the spells and their type. 

She used the January Hogsmeade weekend to spend some morning time to move to the next level.  The Dark Lord had made a basement room in an unused building available for her, and she quietly led her friends there to see the newest spell she had remembered from that book. 

This one required blood.  This time with a prick of blood from each of them, they were making their lips a darker shade of red.  Then, the four girls met their dates for the day.  Victoria continued to go with Theo, preparing if necessary to become his steady.  Taylor still was dating Blaise Zabini.  Adriana was dating a fourth year Slytherin, and Astoria was with Ethan.  Everyone knew that Ethan was trying desperately to get Victoria’s attention by that.