𝕬 𝕷𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖑𝖊 𝕳𝖊𝖎𝖗 𝕽𝖎𝖘𝖊𝖘 | 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 |

Chapter 11- Down Once More

While everyone else was being pushed into immediate action, Frankie was still in the Minister's house, taking the stairs rather slowly for someone supposedly in a rush. She couldn't afford to be wasting any time, but knowing herself and the current state of her nerves she would surely miss a step and fall flat on her face. That would be the most stupid way of getting caught and Tom would surely be back as a ghost to call her an idiot for all eternity. She shone her flashlight down, taking careful steps, however, quickly noticed the light in the kitchen was already on. She could hear a few noises, but nothing that confirmed the identity of who was there. But, no matter whether it was Diana or the Minister, the jig was up already. After that violent dinner conversation she'd overheard, she knew that neither would ever allow her to leave.

"If you've come down to apologize—I'm waiting..." Diana said, expectantly. Frankie came around the corner, figuring she couldn't just make a break for the front door without getting caught. The Minister hadn't exactly gone into detail on the amount of protective charms placed on the house, but needless to say it was probably not easy to just walk out. Diana was leaning on the counter, drinking. She was pouring liquor out of a silver hip flask that Frankie had seen her wear before. It was not a ladylike accessory, but she had once told Frankie that it was their father's, and he wore it up until his death. The scene was not to the extent Frankie had seen Mrs. Cole drink alcohol before oddly enough. There was a solemn refinement to the way she held the glass. However, she still tried hiding the evidence behind her as if Frankie was an innocent flower who wasn't supposed to know what alcohol was. "—Oh, it's just you. What are you doing up at this hour?"

Frankie couldn't come up with a viable excuse on the spot. Nothing about her appearance made her look like she was just out of bed for something simple like a glass of water. Diana quickly took notice of this as well.

"Why have you got your bag with you?"

"I'm sorry, but I need to go now."

"Is this about the argument at dinner?—When the Minister raises his voice, I swear the whole block can hear us, even under all the protective spells." Diana added, with a frustrated sigh. Of course, Frankie had heard them arguing over her and thought the best solution was just to leave before matters got worse. "Listen, you don't need to worry—"

"It's not just about that. Tom is in danger, and I have to go back to Hogwarts right now, before it's too late." Frankie explained. Diana looked puzzled and it took a little longer for her mind to process this statement. She wasn't running away from them because of the yelling and clear lack of regard for her opinions on matters that decided her entire future. It was for the boy that Diana vaguely remembered being in the Minister's office. Although, it might've just been the fact that she was distracted by her long lost sister's return from the grave, but Tom Riddle didn't give off much of an air. Thinking back on it now, she really ought to paid closer attention to him because he was what was stopping them from creating relationships with Frankie. He'd taken the place of her family and, despite his own protest, didn't want to relinquish his position. They could both make claims that her true family was where she belonged, but Diana knew that she would always resist them as long as he lived. While she didn't want to judge the boy she barely knew, a couple of McGregor's sentiments had caught onto her. Their bond was unnatural and nothing good would become of their love. It was already too late.

"You still can't go." Diana said, flatly. What danger could he possibly be in at school? The boy was under Dumbledore's protection, as well as the protection of many other highly trained witches and wizards. Surely, this was a ploy just to be reunited with him, as well the rest of her friends. Even if the Minister's secret sources were right and Zell Gaunt was headed there too, he surely wouldn't hurt Tom. However, her sister wasn't a liar. While Diana still didn't know her too well after a few months together, she knew that Frankie was an honest girl. There might've been a chance. "How do you reckon you'll get to school and save him? You don't have magic."