Ink and Parchment ~ blood and bone

11

Over the next few days Eliza felt despondent. She felt as though she had found a kindred spirit in Riddle and she was upset that she had lost him. It also meant that who ever was in possession of him now would probably soon be possessed by him instead. Eliza knew she should feel guilty for not destroying the threat while she had had a chance but she couldn't bring herself to feel anything but a morose sort of sadness over the loss of Riddle. She didn't like thinking about what that said about her for too long.

Her court were brilliant but these past few months had only emphasised how much of a different breed her and Riddle were. It seemed monsters would only ever find true companionship in one another. However Eliza was forced to snap out of her melancholic mood when she had to urgently attend to her house. Because by Easter Break there had been another attack by the heir of Slytherin. This time it was Hermione Granger and Penelope Clearwater.

But Penelope Clearwater had been a pureblood.

And that changed everything.

Her house were panicked, understandably so, and Eliza couldn't even do anything but offer them small words of comfort. No Slytherin's had been attacked so far, no attacks had occurred in the dungeons, move in groups, everything will be okay soon.

Empty platitudes. She had no idea what Riddle was planning next and that annoyed her more than any attack could.

The weeks passed in tense paranoia, students were escorted to and from classrooms by teachers and everyone suddenly became warier when rounding corners. They were all suffering from the peculiar sensation that they were being hunted. But even with the danger lurking in Hogwarts' hallowed halls life continued and soon summer was creeping over the grounds but no-one found any enjoyment in the summer sun this year. Everyone's faces were drawn and tight, even the Slytherin's were anxious. The news that Dumbledore had been removed from his post as headmaster only further added to the worry and fear spread faster than ever.

"Did you have anything to do with this?" Blaise joked over the table at breakfast when the news was delivered.

"No but it is a fun bonus" Eliza quipped but everyone could hear how their usual banter fell flat. No matter what Eliza had tried to tell herself it was undeniable. She had carved herself a home here at Hogwarts and Riddle was threatening it with his every move.

Eliza couldn't remember the last time she had felt such a fear than she felt over the prospect of Hogwarts closing.

It all came to a head in late May. Eliza and her Slytherin's were all gathered in the common room, not many of them risked venturing out anymore. The older years were studying but a few groups around the room were playing games of exploding snap and the like. Not the best distraction technique but at least it worked. The almost relaxed atmosphere was interrupted when McGonagall's amplified voice echoed across the common room.

"All students return to their house dormitories at once"

The order was repeated and a tense silence fell over the room. Everyone traded worried glances and Eliza felt Daphne slide her hand into her own gripping it tightly. They weren't waiting long until Snape appeared at the door looking more tired than Eliza had ever seen him before.

"It is to my deep regret that I inform you that a student has been taken into the chamber" Snape said seriously speaking over the choked gasps that were released by the crowd "the Hogwarts express will come to take you home first thing in the morning"

Eliza felt her heart shatter.

"Sir" Roman said hesitantly, voice loud in the silence of the room "who- who was it?"