Masquerade¹ → Tom Riddle [Rewritten] ✓

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Although Evelyn had a better idea of what had happened to her parents, she didn't know how much she could trust it, it was just a theory created by a schoolboy. If the Ministry of Magic had been unable to uncover the true nature of their death, then why would she?

Her relationship with Lily and Sara had improved, although each party rightfully held a grudge, she had been unable to return it to what it had been prior to their conversation in the library. It had been easier to rekindle her friendship with Lily, she simply brandished some of the confectionery she had been given at Christmas and was forgiven almost instantly, but Sara, Sara was harder.

Sara went four days without speaking to Evelyn. It wasn't until she came to their dorm crying one evening that she finally broke her silence. "Daniel broke up with me!" She sobbed against her pillow, the sound of her tears muffling.

"It's okay," Evelyn kept her distance, unsure of how close Sara would want her. She watched as Midnight jumped onto the bed, curling up beside Sara with a soft purr.

"You don't need him, you are fine on your own!" Lily stroked her best friends hair, "Evelyn," she whispered, "come here."

"It's just not fair!"

"I know," Evelyn hesitantly made her way over to the bed, gently placing her hand on Sara's head and beginning to play with it.

Sara rolled over to face Evelyn, "I missed you, I'm sorry..."

"I'm sorry too," she leant into her friends arms for an embrace.

"Yay! We're all friends again!" Lily joined in the hug.

Laying in each others arms, the trio felt safe. The dorm was silent except for Midnight's quiet purrs, which although annoyance at first, Evelyn was grateful for, "I have to go and do Prefect Duties," she whispered, sliding out of the bed and making her way into the common room where Daniel was waiting, staring at the clock on the wall.

Without a word of warning, Evelyn walked up to Daniel and slapped him. "That's for Sara."

"Merlin, I hate girls!"

"Cry me a river." Evelyn rolled her eyes.

"If you think I'm going on duty with you, you are sorely mistaken. I don't plan on an early grave!" He stormed back into his dormitory, his hand clutched to his reddening cheek.

"Suit yourself," Evelyn didn't mind having some time to herself. She left the Ravenclaw Tower and began patrolling the corridors.

After spotting Mytrle in the toilets on one of her first patrols, Evelyn always made sure to double check them, having been made aware that it was often where students went to cry, particularly Myrtle. "Myrtle?" She called out as she entered the toilets.

"Evelyn? Is that you?" She peered out of the toilet cubicle at the end, her face blotchy and red.

"Is Olive Hornby making fun of you again?" She sighed as she made her way closer to Myrtle, "you really ought to tell your Head of House, it isn't okay Myrtle."

Myrtle pushed her glasses up with a sniffle, "I don't think it would stop her, I don't think any of them will stop."

"They will! Why don't you go and wait outside the Great Hall and I will go with you to Headmaster Dippet? We can report them together," Evelyn hoped the idea seemed promising.

"Okay." She wiped her tears away with her sleeve, "you promise you'll be there?"

"Promise." Evelyn wouldn't go back on a promise. "Now off you go, I'll just finish up patrolling and then we can go."

Myrtle traipsed out of the bathroom slowly, sniffling loudly after every few steps.

When Myrtle had gone, Evelyn checked each and every toilet cubicle. Although she hadn't heard anyone else, she knew that she ought to check, it wouldn't feel right if she didn't. Once she was inside the final cubicle, she heard the sound of harsh footsteps flashing against the tiles and almost immediately she could tell whoever entered wasn't a girl. Evelyn was about to step outside of the stall, ready to confront whoever had entered but something inside her made her stop. Evelyn closed the door, leaving just enough room for her to see out, but not enough for someone else to see in.

Evelyn couldn't tell who it was in the bathroom with her, but whoever it was didn't want to be interrupted. Every step they took, they looked around the room, keeping their eyes focused on the door to ensure nobody else entered.

Abruptly, Evelyn heard a hissing noise, causing her to draw her wand. It sounded as though there were a snake in the bathroom with her but that was impossible. As soon as she heard the rumbling and felt the ground begin to lightly tremble, Evelyn knew she had to leave.

Peering out of the stall once more, she saw the boy in a trance and took her chance. Quietly, shepulled open the door, sliding out and sprinting as soon as she left the bathroom. Evelyn ran as though her life depended on it because she knew it could. She ran until she reached the only place she knew she could. As soon as her finger latched onto the doorknob, her body went numb, time passing slower as she fell to the floor and was engulfed by the darkness.