my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

nine

The next few weeks brought both change to our lives and our surroundings. The leaves turned orange as chilly breezes swept through the air, signaling that Autumn has arrived. The teachers had already started to pile on the homework, and almost every evening was spent working in our common rooms.

To my great surprise, Adelaide made the Quidditch team. Raymond and her now spent all of their free time talking about broomsticks and mapping out plays. I didn't mind much, as they no longer argued as frequently as they used to. Adelaide and Lestrange were officially together, and Raymond thought this was a huge advantage for Quidditch. He was certain that Lestrange wouldn't try his very best in a match against his own girlfriend.

Raymond had also coupled up, choosing Cindy Shacklebolt as the current love of his life. I actually got on quite well with Cindy. She was very funny and was great at doing makeup. Sometimes it felt a bit depressing to have to constantly 5th-wheel. Boys no longer made any attempt to flirt with me, seeing as I was essentially engaged to Riddle.

Potions class had quickly become my least favorite. Riddle and I still had to work together, but both of us were determined to speak to one another as little as possible. We still managed to successfully brew all the assigned potions, despite the constant tension between us.

My father had eventually sent me a reply to my letter. He wrote about how delighted he was that I had come to terms with my 'impending future' and that I was no longer a disgrace. I didn't write back, seeing as Riddle's plan was no longer of any importance to me.

On a Sunday in mid-October, I was eating my breakfast as Raymond and Adelaide chatted excitedly. It was the day after our first Quidditch match, and Ravenclaw had beat Hufflepuff in a landslide. Spirits were high from the party that has been thrown in our common room the night before. Joslyn was in a great mood as she sat down on my left.

"Good news everyone! Dippet approved a Hogsmeade trip for next Saturday! I've been craving some of Honeydukes' chocolate for a week now," she declared happily. None of us had been to the village since last term, so naturally everyone had been looking forward to this trip. I had promised the twins that I would send them some Zonko's products just to spite our parents.

"Well that's perfect! I've been telling Lestrange that he needs to take me on a proper date for weeks," said Adelaide with a grin.

As the Hogsmeade trip approached, I quickly learned that all of my friends would be going with dates. Joslyn had been asked by a 7th-year Gryffindor, and even my cousin had made plans with some boy. Raymond assured me that I could tag along with him and Cindy, but I knew that wouldn't be the ideal situation for either of us. I was finally struck with a bit of luck when I heard Abraxas complaining about not wanting to third-wheel for Lestrange and Adelaide.

"Listen man, I don't have a problem with either of you. It's just that when you two are together you can't keep your hands off each other. You can almost feel the hormones radiating off of you," he complained during Transfiguration. With that, Adelaide giggled and turned to kiss her boyfriend. I sent an eye roll their way before speaking to Abraxas.

"I completely agree with you Brax. How about you and I go together?" I suggested.

"Yeah, okay! As long as you don't make me go to that tea place," he said with a shudder. I laughed and assured him that I wouldn't.

The next morning, I helped Adelaide braid a crown into her hair before meeting up with Abraxas in the great hall. I had chosen to wear my favorite gray cardigan along with a black pleated skirt. Abraxas' black coat complimented my outfit nicely. I missed hanging out with him, his playful demeanor always cheered me up. We chatted about gossip we had heard from our parents the entire walk to the village.