𝕬 𝕷𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕳𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝕽𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖘 | 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 |

Chapter 4- A Few Impossible Tasks

Although, there are many times working in a team can be a daunting experience filled with difficulties and disagreements, they are also highly useful for completing more challenging tasks. With everyone working together, one might think that an ill-tempered boy would be a very bad cog to have in a team dynamic, let alone be one of the leaders managing it. However, Tom had been enduring it so far and currently finding it a very refreshing change from always doing everything on his own. Usually, he did not care for people talking to him in such a personal, social matter. Ever since he found out he had magic; his true personality seemed to be shaped. He had grown into a very pessimistic and unfriendly person partly because of his powers and partly because of them. Before his magic had isolated him from the rest of the world, he'd actually gotten along decently well with the other boys at the orphanage. They used to play ball and other games they could make up in their minds. Sometimes they even pulled childish pranks together. However, unlike Tom's magical "pranks", they did not cause childhood trauma and send kids to the hospital. But, when they found out he was different, they rejected him. He was quickly turned into an outcast. He then fell into the mindset that all other people are idiotic, and their conversations are usually for things he does not care about, whether they're magical or muggle.

Despite it being against Tom's usual character, with a common goal binding him with the others in his year, he found that most of his fellow students were a lot smarter than they appeared and each had their own perks. The kids who stayed behind with him and Frankie on vacation were currently spending a good portion of the spare time they had been given to plunge themselves into the unknown regions of the castle and try to get leads on the hiding places. They spent their meals huddled together, talking in hushed whispers at whatever table had the least number of people at it. Best of all, Tom could finally walk down a corridor with Frankie, not having to worry about being seen with her.

For now, the world was quiet here.

Tom woke in the silent, empty Slytherin boy's dorm a little later than usual. Peter had already gone down to breakfast, while the rest had gone back home for the holidays. It took him a mental second to realize the day's date and another to realize what it meant to him. Today was New Year's Eve. It was his 13th birthday and, by coincidence, a Sunday. He didn't particularly care for this date. It was the day his mother died, leaving him in this world alone. However, being at such a calm, slightly happy point in his life, he found himself at the least not enraged. The only one who would really care and make a fuss about it would be Frankie. Especially considering how much she screwed up last year and the fact that today was also their day.

He was about to start dressing, so he could join everyone at what was left of breakfast, when suddenly there was a tap at the window. Thinking it was just a crane from Frankie, Tom immediately opened the latch and let the cold winter air blasting through. He was blinded by snowy wind to see that a large barn owl had swooped in and perched itself on one of Tom's bed posts. Tom recoiled a little, not expecting the creature, before composing himself and taking the letter from its beak. Tom sat on his bed, looking at who the sender was, before cleaving it open,

"Dear Tom,

If you aren't so bitter to rip this letter to shreds the second you've seen it's from me, I wanted to notify you that I've got everything except those four special ingredients from the vault. It wasn't easy to do, so you owe me big time. Also, have a Merry Christmas, birthday, and New Year, I suppose. The other boys are currently standing behind me, strongly urging me to tell you they send their greetings, as well.

Best regards, Lyra Black."

He never thought he'd be smiling down at a letter from Lyra. It was excellent news and meant their battle was practically halfway over already. Meanwhile, the useless adults were not even close to finding Zell Gaunt. Dumbledore and Slughorn had gone off to join the Aurors in their hunt. However, even with their added smarts and strength, Tom knew it would be to no avail. They still wouldn't be able to catch him. Tom had only seen his relative for a brief moment when they went to go retrieve Frankie, but if the man was anything like he was, there was a slim chance they would be able to track him. Tom quickly stowed the letter away and continued getting ready to go downstairs. He had to tell her immediately that at least they were making progress.