The Beginning of the End ? Tom Riddle

Chapter 21

Aldus stood on Xander's side, encouraging him while Lennox was across the table, reassuring hand on Reins shoulder. Tom sat in his usual chair at the head of the table, watching the match with lazy eyes. Looking up his caught mine as the others noticed our entrance.

" Finally, where have you girls been?" Xander inquired.

" Found them frolicking in the hills making flower crowns." Abraxas spoke for us as Nagini took a seat and I scoffed.

" Mae kept telling me it was healthier than knife throwing as a hobby." I shrugged as I spotted a bottle of Firewhisky on a table and snatched it by the neck. Walking back to the table, I hopped up, crisscross as usual and took a swig.

" So, what do you want." I deadpanned, taking another drink as I prepared myself for the immoral suggestions and raging conflict that was about to occur. The others blinked as a moment of silence hung in the air.

" Sometimes I wonder if we should find you a therapist." Rein voiced his concern as I shrugged him off.

" My therapist lies at the bottom of a bottle or in shards on the floor Rein. Besides -"

" She'd never listen to one anyway." Tom finished my sentence. Impressed at his accuracy, I rose my bottle in his direction before taking another drink. As I brought the bottle back down Nagini snatched it from my hands and set it under the table. Despite my frown I knew I'd thank her later.

" Ok for real this time, what's going on?" I asked again. Everyone's eyes turned to Tom expectantly.

" Clear your schedules this summer, we're going on a bit of a trip." With that voices broke out as we were all surprised and confused.

" Where to?" Nagini spoke up for the rest of us.

" Dublin." Chatter resurfaced at the mention of Ireland's capital. That also happened to be where my family lived.

" What exactly for?" I questioned Tom as the others quieted to hear his response.

" I'll be picking up a few things, this is also an opportunity to make connections and recruit more wizards and witches. But we'll be making a pit stop before then. At a town called Little Hangleton." That was just outside of Snowdonia National Park.

" What dates is this set for?" Lennox asked.

" Right after school gets out, I'd expect a week or two should things go as planned." Tom responded. The lot of us shared a disappointed look, it appeared we'd all have to reschedule some things, seeing as this wasn't a request, it was a demand.

" Oh joy, a field trip." Aldus mumbled with sarcasm, soon being smacked on the back head by Xander. I stifled a laugh as Nagini did the same. That reminded me.

" Wait, Nagini, when's your birthday, so we know when you'll turn permanently." I questioned softly, seeing as it was a touchy subject.

" July 11th." She answered. That would be just towards the end of this trip, since our last day of school was July 1st. Hopefully things would work out. In the meanwhile I prayed to Merlin nothing too chaotic would occur.

...

" Isla, there's two Slytherin guys at the door for you." Mila alerted me as she walked into the Gryffindor common room, taking a seat by the fire and pulling out a roll of parchment. My eyebrows furrowed as I thanked her and stood up, wondering what it could be this time.

Upon opening the door I was met with the two sixth year death eaters, Aldus and Xander. I sighed before looking behind me to check no ones eyes were on us, then proceeded to close the door. We began to walk away from the Fat Lady.

" What's going on?" I asked them once out of earshot.

" Tom told us to check that the basilisk was still dormant, and to fetch you since he said you knew the way into the Chamber." Aldus explained as I rolled my eyes. A bit of a suicide mission, I hoped that thing really was asleep.

Although I still wore the enchanted ring Tom gave me and couldn't be killed by its gaze, Aldus and Xander were defenseless against the beast.

Once arriving to the third floor girls bathroom, the boys were met with a shock upon seeing Myrtle fly out of her cubicle.

" Ah, more handsome Slytherin boys, hehe..." She giggled as she flew them in circles. I barely held in my laugh as they shifted uncomfortably under her wandering gaze.

" Remember Myrtle, don't judge books by their covers." I playfully jabbed as Xander scoffed and crossed his arms.

" Plus the blondies a bit... preoccupied." I referred to Aldus and Nagini as the former scratched his neck.

" Ah, such a shame, alas, my offer extends to you too, if you die down there, you're welcome to share my toilet, heheh..." she trailed off floating away. This time I couldn't help but laugh as each boy shuddered.

" Heshahasa..." I recited the password, the boys eyes going wide as they stood behind me, watching the sinks spread apart to unveil the dark entry.

" So, you speak English, Spanish, and Parseltongue, any others?" Xander began trying to stall.

" I don't actually speak Parseltongue, just memorized phrases from Tom. Now, ready?" I answered quickly before moving on and encouraging them to jump.

" Uh, ladies first?" Aldus offered with timid grin. Knowing they'd back out if I didn't push them in, I did just that. After their screams ceased and I heard the crunch of the bones they landed on, I jumped down after them.