my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

four

When the train pulled into the Hogsmeade station; it was already growing dark outside. As I grabbed my trunk and prepared to get off the train, Adelaide grabbed my arm.

"Listen Ophelia. Cora and I are sorry about earlier. We were just trying to help, but you're right. From now on, we won't mention Riddle," she assured me. Corrina nodded in agreement as I smiled at both of them.

"Alright, thank you. I'm sorry for storming off," I admitted. They both told me not to worry about it as we pushed our way off of the crowded train.

Taking in the sight of the magnificent castle
made my heart beat with excitement. Hogwarts had always been a sort of second home to me, and I was thrilled to be back. I heard Ogg the Gamekeeper shouting for the first-years to settle down as a group of Hufflepuff girls pushed past us. A girl with pale blonde hair gave me a dirty look. I ignored her, figuring that I had probably just stepped on her shoe by accident. As always, we left our trunks at the entrance and made our way into the Great Hall. Adelaide and I said goodbye to Corrina and headed over to the Ravenclaw table. I sat down next to Raymond, and as soon as he noticed my presence he pulled me into a hug.

Raymond Prewett and I had been close friends since our first year at Hogwarts. He was probably the most intelligent of my friends, and I knew for a fact he had received 7 'Outstanding' marks on his O.W.L.S last year. However, he could be incredibly clumsy sometimes. Still in his tight embrace, I looked over his shoulder for a moment and unfortunately made eye contact with Riddle. Him and his friends had just walked into the hall; all of them but him were acting quite rambunctious. I didn't want him to think I was afraid of him, so I held our gaze. Raymond gave me a quick kiss on the cheek, and I looked away from Riddle at last, eager to address my friend.

"Merlin, I haven't seen you since the Malfoy gala," I exclaimed. He laughed and gave me a devilish grin.

"Yes yes, that was a crazy night." I giggled to myself, remembering what had happened. My parents had been absolutely livid when me and my friend had been discovered on the rooftop of the Malfoy Manor. Raymond suddenly reached for my left hand and flipped it over to examine it. I knew that he was obviously looking for the non-existent engagement-ring. Sarah now wore one, but that had happened after weeks of her begging Raymond to buy her one.

"Nope. No ring. And I'm quite glad about the fact. Have you seen Joslyn?" After a few seconds of studying my expression, he realized how little I desired to talk about the Riddle situation. Joslyn suddenly appeared behind me in perfect timing. I gave her a quick hug and complimented her new haircut before she sat down on Adelaide's right side. Within a few minutes, most of the student body had been seated and were talking happily about which classes they planned on taking this term. I felt a tap on my shoulder, and turned around to see Julian standing behind me.

"Go away. Adelaide doesn't want to talk to you," I hissed at him. Raymond had also turned around to stare at Julian.

"I'm not here for her. I need to speak to you." I shot a glance at my friend, but he also didn't have a clue what was happening. He leaned a little closer to me in a protective way. One of his hands rested on my leg, but I didn't think anything of it. My friends and I were always very affectionate with each other.

"What do you want Black? We're in the middle of something," Raymond snapped at him. Julian smirked and looked over his shoulder for a second.

"You two seem awfully close. Sterling, do I need to inform Riddle on this relationship between you and Prewett?" By now, Julian had caught the attention of most of our table, except Adelaide, who was flirting with some 7th year who's name I couldn't remember.

"Mind your own business Julian. Say what you need to say to me and leave," I snapped at him. I wanted to slap the smug grin off of his face. I could hear some people around us whispering. The mention of Riddle's name had set everyone off. Even before the recent situation, Riddle was always a huge subject of gossip. Julian pulled an envelope out of his pocket and held it out towards me.