| Details for Riddle Me This |
| Summary: | Tom Riddle has been puzzling pieces of information together for four years now, is he finally drawing close to discovering the answer to the Riddle that has vexed him all of these years? |
| Date: | June 5th, 1941 |
| Location: | Hogwarts - Slytherin Common Room |
| Related: | — |
| Characters |
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It is a spring night. The weather is warm and fair.
The Slytherin commons room is a low-ceilinged, dungeon-like affair illuminated during the day by a multitude of greenish lamps and a roaring fire which also works to partially ward of the perpetual chill of the dungeons. The common room is filled with low-backed, black and dark green leather sofas and armchairs accented with buttons that create dimples deep in the upholstery. For the decorative carvings of the dark wood cupboards, the columns, the mantelpiece, and other architectural details of the room run strongly towards snakes and skulls motif. All these details combine to create a quite grand atmosphere with a touch of spooky and cold.
Day or night the enchanted windows are filled with an eerie green glow from the water on the other side. Occasionally the Giant Squid and other residents of the Black Lake will swim by the portals. Over all the common room has a sunken ship feel, though is oddly enough also gives a strange cozy sense as well.
Riddle sits at his usual spot in the high backed arm chair, with a side table at either arm and one that's been pulled in front of the chair his fingers slide down pages to keep track of his skimming as he reads and writes in a diary in front of him. The words vanish from the page as the ink 'dries'. Surrounded in books and the one he wants is across the common room on another table. "Would someone please pass me that book with the amber cover?"
The thin form of Antonin Dolohov just so happens to be making his way through the Slytherin Common room as the request is vocalized. Thinking nothing of it, the young Dolohov moves by the table and slips a hand around the amber covered book and glances down at the title as he makes his way over to join Riddle. "Here you go, Tom," he says in a slow and measured voice, his dark eyes flicking momentarily to the diary and its disappearing ink briefly as he extends the book out toward Riddle. "You will have to teach me to do that some day…" he comments with a small smile that doesn't reach his eyes.
Riddle takes the amber covered book entitled 'The Architect'. "Thank you." He flips open to a bookmarked section and skims over it before jotting some more notes down into his diary. It's a whole minute before he realizes Antonin is still there and talking to him and he hmms looking up at the younger boy. "Hmm? Oh, yes. Maybe one day." There is a hint of a challenge like there is going to be tests involved to make sure Antonin is worthy of learning the trick of Riddle's Diary. "Ready for exams?" Subtly a book at a time, Tom starts to close things up. To make figuring out exactly what he's up to difficult.
Antonin doesn't linger overly long on his examination of the other boys books, obviously not trying to determine exactly what it is that Riddle is doing. He moves and eases himself into a seat near Riddle's and says, "I am as ready as I will be. The only class that I am somewhat behind in is Herbology, but honestly, it does not interest me overly much. Charms has always been my strongest suit." Dark eyes watch Riddle's face as he says, "And what of you, Tom? I dare say you are quite prepared, as always?" He is comfortable with the other Knight, though he does show Riddle a respect that is noticeably absent when dealing with others.
Riddle finally closes his diary and it clicks at the lock in the last bit of tidying up his study area. "Whittle does often seem like he's drunk a bit too much of the Lake Water at times. It's a good thing that he's a better writer than he is a Professor. My suggestion is to skim through the book, being a good swimmer also impresses him. I'm sure you will do well enough. As for myself, I hope I am ready. It's not as if I'm taking my O.W.L.s, I would be a bit more concerned then."
Antonin nods his head slowly and says, "I suppose that is about the level of concern that I have. I wish to do well. Merlin knows that it will make dealings with my /mother/ far easier if I get good marks in everything, at least in the important courses, but as you say, they aren't my OWLs." He pauses for a moment and then says, "Well… how about that lesson, then? I am clever enough, Riddle. Teach me how you do that disappearing ink in your book. I won't tell anyone." The young Dolohov's face has alit with a kind of hunger that reaches his eyes, clearly eager to learn something from Riddle, to elevate himself within the group to a party worthy of some form of knowledge passed his way.
Riddle's mouth subtly thins at the mention Antonin's relationship with his mother, "I'm sure you will make her proud." Is his genteel response. "I do believe I said, 'Maybe one day.' One day means just that, not today, Ant. Patience is a virtue." He smiles in a way that puts a friendly spin to the rejection. At least he didn't outright say, 'You're not ready.' "You should perhaps use the time to study some Herbology?"
Frowning a bit at the rejection and the point toward studying, Antonin crosses his arms over his chest and nods. "If that is what you wish, Tom," he says, not quite able to withdraw the sting of disappointment from his voice. His eyes once more return to the books that Riddle had stacked on the table before him and then drop to examine his hands.
Riddle hopes the next errand he asks of Antonin will cheer him up some. Because it does prove a rather large amount of trust. "If you go into my trunk, my notes are in the notebook with the blue spine for Third Year Exams, it's within the lid. All the blue bound notebooks are at your disposal."
Antonin's eyes widen a bit in surprise at the statement sent his way. He leans forward in his chair, hands gripping the cushion as he says, "Really? I can use your notes for the exams? Thanks!" A smile has split the younger boys features, and he seems quite pleased. Standing to his feet, he gestures with a thumb toward the dormitory and says, "Should I go get them now?"
Riddle chuckles silently, glad that his tactic worked. "You may. First though, could you help me get these books over onto that shelf?" He gestures to a low shelf by the fire that he uses to store his research on the Chamber of Secrets. The Shelf is starting to bow some from all of the materials he's collected over four years since Binns first mentioned it in First Year History of Magic class.
Antonin nods his head and bends to pick up the aforementioned books. He glances at a few of their titles, but doesn't seem overly concerned with them as he scoops up and arm load and then moves over toward the shelf. Placing them neatly onto it, the last is placed gently as the shelf creaks in protest and bows under the weight. Glancing back at Riddle, he gestures with a thumb and says, "We may want to get a second shelf, Tom. This one is about to give it up." He offers a smile to Riddle as he glances back at the shelf.
Riddle once again gives a silent chuckle while nodding his head, "Perhaps, though I believe that this will be it. I'll be returning most of the books to the library at the end of the month. I think I've gotten all that I can from them." When he's done tucking the last of the books away he straightens up and offers a hand towards Antonin. "Thank you for the help. I'm heading upstairs, feel free to get those notebooks out of my trunk. I will see you later at dinner Antonin."