Dark Dynasty || Tom Riddle

viii. high society

Victoria's first class ever at Hogwarts was Potions. She was certain to do well, not only because she could brew all sorts of draughts, solutions and poisons, but also because the teacher was Horace Slughorn, who was Head of Slytherin too. And not only was he the head of her house, but he also took a particular interest in students with famous ancestors and relatives. Victoria, as a member of an old wizarding family, had plenty of those.

Potions lessons took place down in the dungeons and Victoria's breath got caught in the air as it was colder there than up in the main castle. The classroom was empty save for a lonesome Ravenclaw student lazily flipping through her copy of 'Magical Drafts and Potions' by Arsenius Jigger and sighing once in a while.

Victoria had arrived early, because she wanted to introduce herself to Professor Slughorn, but unfortunately the Ravenclaw girl told her she had missed him by a minute.

While waiting by the teacher's desk, Victoria observed the room. In one corner stood a basin into which water poured from a gargoyle's mouth and in another was a cupboard with student supplies. The walls were lined with pickled animals in glass jars. As she inspected them more closely, she thought she'd seen a frog without hind legs blink and was quick to hurry away.

Just in time, since Professor Slughorn reentered his classroom through a door hidden from sight by a blackboard. The immense belly he clad in a maroon waistcoat preceded him. His equally enormous moustache reminded her of a walrusses'.

"Ah! You're a new face," he figured upon beholding her.

"Yes, Sir. My name is Victoria Greengrass," she said. "I suppose you were informed of my joining?"

Slughorn looked up from his notebook filled with scribble. "Are you James and Anastasia Greengrasses' daughter?" he asked.

Victoria gulped at the sudden mention of her late mother. "I am," she confirmed, glad her voice remained unfazed.

"Ah, I went to school with your father, although I was already in my fifth year when he started. He came to me when he needed help with potions. I was prefect then, you see," Slughorn added after perceiving Victoria's confusion. "I am sorry for your loss. Your mother died far too young."

"She did," Victoria said, forced a smile and took a seat in the second row.

Mere seconds later the bell rang and with the noise came her classmates, about 20 Slytherin and Ravenclaw students.

Phillipe plopped down on Victoria's left and announced, "I really hope you are good at this, because I am not."

"And what makes you think I would help you?" she teased.

"For one, I am devilishly handsome." While Victoria had to admit that Phillipe was indeed good-looking, he was not exactly her type with his blonde hair and long narrow face.

"And just as arrogant."

"Secondly," Phillipe kept exaggerating , completely ignoring her objection, "my presence is an absolute delight. Women are known to faint whenever they are near me."

"You are fifteen, Flint."

"Only for three more months," he countered.

"So I am older than you," Victoria gloated, whose birthday was in late October.

"Do not worry, I am totally into older women," said Phillipe and moved closer, to which she responded by in turn moving away.

"You are an idiot in the first place," she insulted him, but actually liked how she could have a carefree and light-hearted conversation for once. And so she asked, "Does your little list go on or is it supposed to be pitifully short?"

"I was also going to say, before I was so rudely interrupted, that I am the best Chaser this school has seen in years. I could teach you if you'd like me to," he offered.

"No, thank you. I'd prefer to survive Hogwarts."

"You think you couldn't do it?"

"Of course I don't think that, I would be a natural. It's the other players I don't trust," Victoria said.

"And you just called me arrogant?" Phillipe laughed.

Victoria was just about to respond when Slughorn began his lesson, twiddling the ends of his gingery blonde moustache as he told them to brew a Befuddlement Draught and to be careful with the scurvy grass.

At the end of the lesson, Victoria was pleased to have received an invitation to the next Slug Club meeting, an exclusive collection of Hogwart's best and brightest, after her potion had caused Phillipe to become reckless enough to try and challenge half the class to duel him at the same time.

Slughorn was most excited to have both Tom, Slytherin's golden boy, and Victoria, who was "easily one of the most promising witches he had taught". He also kept mumbling about what a shame it was that a certain Sai Khatri was in Professor Malmy's class, the second Potions teacher. Victoria had no idea who Sai Khatri was, but she found it ridiculous how Slughorn whispered to himself that they could be his 'Holy Trinity'. She had heard about the professor's usual favoritism, but she disapproved of his hobby to collect and exhibit his students like one would do with artwork. Nevertheless, she was still honored to be part of that elite few.

-

"You're really good at this," Phillipe complimented.

"Thanks, I know," Victoria replied absent-mindedly as she put her belongings in her Kelpie hide bag.

She then met up with Gemma who was waiting for her by the door.
"Come along," the other girl said as a way of greeting, "there are some people I would like you to meet."

In the Clock Tower Courtyard Gemma introduced her to Isadora Alderton who's father owned a castle in the countryside and 70,000 acres of land; to Vassa Zabini who was as beautiful as she was daft, and to a plain girl whose name Victoria had forgotten already. Her elder sister was a famous singer.

In a way, Gemma reminded her of Slughorn, surrounding herself with the daughters of High Society. Victoria had never had many acquaintances outside her family, but she knew the rich and influential families of Britain, like her own, tended to keep to their ilk. Maybe a little too much, thought Victoria disdainfully, Vassa's simplicity in mind.

While making polite conversation she let her eyes roam the courtyard. In the centre stood an antique fountain surrounded by statues of eagles. At the far end grew a pear tree, heavy with fruit, providing shade in the surprisingly warm September sun. Tom and his friends lay and sat scattered between the roots. He inclined his head when he saw her staring from his place on the arch's sill, a book in his lap.

Victoria turned around. "What an interesting story, Isadora," she lied. "If you'd excuse me, ladies."

She left the place with purposeful strides, but when she did, she looked over her shoulder and gave Tom, still observing her, a sly smile.

-

A big fat thank you for everyone who has read this far. Reaching 1k readers after just seven chapters is simply amazing! I'd appreciate it if you'd also leave a vote or comment, so I know you guys like what I'm doing. Thank you (again)!

Also, you may have noticed that there is a second potions teacher, Professor Malmy. As more students were attending Hogwarts in the 40s than in Harry's timeline, some, but not all, subjects will be taught by more than one professor. Rowling said in an interview there are about a thousand students at Hogwarts, but that doesn't make any sense. (Then again, we've learned not to believe in what she says anymore.) In Harry's year are five Gryffindor boys, that would mean there is an average of ten students every house and year. Some houses may have fewer than that, some more. So, there are roughly 40 students each year, multiplied by seven makes 280 students. There were probably fewer children because of the Wizarding War, so there are going to be many more students in this book. I hope that clears up any confusion!