The Head Boy's Secretary

It is an adorable story so far, but I'm afraid it won't be so sweet for long.



Chapter Two: The Illusion


Tom Riddle was growing impatient with waiting for the girl to leave her dormitory. He’d been waiting an hour after his head boy patrol was over. It was midnight and he was supposed to be in the Slytherin Common room. He’d much rather be studying than waiting for a girl to show up.

With detachment and a reserved stare, Riddle leaned against the wall.

Alice came out of the common room and shut the door softly behind her. She looked around astutely. Nobody seemed to be present so she kept going as quietly as her carpet slippers would allow her.

By luck she managed to cross the school without anybody finding her. She got to the west end of the castle. She stepped outside into crisp January weather. The wind was echoing mournfully over the Scottish hills, yet it wasn’t loud.

She climbed a steep and sandy slope. Luckily there wasn’t snow or ice upon the ground tonight. She found the exertion to be almost effortless. Within the calling of the wind, she thought she heard the distinct sound of the sand crunching behind her. It was happening between her own footsteps. So She knew it could not be herself.

But it wasn’t quite a footstep. It was more akin to a soft rustle. She didn’t know what it was. Alice became frightened and whipped around, her cloak whirling. She grasped the cloak’s collar at her neck, and shivered.

She had the distinct impression somebody was following her. Yet nobody was in sight. There was nothing but her and the night air. Nothing. What had she to fear?

Alice felt a wave of blessed relief when she made it to the summit. The owlerly was a little warmer than outside. Her hands worked quickly to tie the message to the little owl. She watched the owl swoop into the darkness as a tiny blotted dot, and it flew over the trees and disappeared.

Stepping over the dropping strewn floor, Alice returned to the outdoors again. She inhaled deeply and watched the wintry nighttime. The midnight blackness of the terrain was tranquil. Her gray eyes followed the shadows of the forbidden forest, a mass of black deadened wood. Alice absorbed the beauty of the scenery, feeling herself become one with it.

She kept walking, but felt like something was watching her.

Alice jumped in terror. It was the primordial call of a werewolf. It suddenly felt like the walk back inside the castle would take a very long time even if it was only a minute or two.

She paused and started to gather her courage. But before she could make a decision, she saw a black figure across from her, standing down below at the foot of the steps.

Alice swallowed. She could tell by the size of the shadow that it certainly wasn’t a monster. “Who are you?” she called clearly.

“Come down here…,” the voice called in a low tone, but somehow it carried clearly up to her. Alice felt the urge to obey without question for some inexplicable reason. The voice sounded like it had potential to be as authoritative as a parent. It was this that attracted Alice to it.

She was soon standing beside the person. She could barely make out his face in the pitch black, but his eyes shone through. The eyes were of a darkness that seemed to match the night’s.

“Er- I know I shouldn’t be out here,” offered Alice immediately. She didn’t really want to explain. She breathed heavily, puffs of cold air coming out, visible in the freezing weather.

The man or boy, whatever he was seemed not to hear the lame explanation. Riddle answered very quickly, sounding anxious, “I was worried when I saw a student leaving the castle. I ran to catch up to you but lost track. Then it took a moment to realize you’d made a trip to the owlery.”

It was all a lie. In fact Riddle had followed her right from the beginning and what was more, he’d known exactly where she was intending to go all along. But Alice could never have guessed. She was at a loss to explain herself now. Where was she to begin? “I-I was just coming out- to do something important. It couldn’t wait ‘till morning.”

“Have no fear Ms. Alice….We can make an exception.”

Alice didn’t feel that her fears were allayed. On the contrary. She stammered, “H-how do you know my name?”

“I know almost everyone around here at Hogwarts,” he explained confidently.

“You do?!”

“I’m the Head boy, am I not? Weren’t you aware of that?”

“No….I-”

“No harm done. Since you haven’t heard it before, I’ll make my introduction now. I’m Tom Riddle, the Head boy. And to be fair, I shall give you allowance to use my first name.”

“Alright.”

Alice felt strange. Why was this boy being so warm to her? But maybe she could accept the treatment. She could tell right off the bat that he was certainly one to trust.

Tom Riddle started towards the school. Alice gladly walked beside him. What a relief to have someone accompany her back. She’d completely forgotten about the werewolf.

“So tell me, Alice….What are you looking forward to?”

"Er- I dunno….But I can tell you something I’m not looking forward to.”

Tom Riddle asked plaintively, voice cold, “And what is that?”

“My O.W.L.s next year!”

Riddle laughed, but Alice hadn’t meant it to be funny. Yet she found herself laughing along with him.

Abruptly Tom Riddle stopped laughing and became more serious again. Alice looked up at him. He gave her a long, clear look straight into her gray eyes. She felt like his eyes could see right through her own, as if she was transparent as a ghost.

“Such a bright witch you are and…Not interested in her O.W.L.s….Why is this Alice? You are in Ravenclaw….” He sounded almost disappointed.

Alice didn’t know what to say. But Riddle pressed, “I can see within you….You do possess an inquiring mind.” Indeed it had been the reason why he’d chosen her for the job he would soon ask of her.

Alice didn’t smile. “I know I’m smart, Tom. I guess I just don’t like school.”

Riddle felt a wave of anger drive through the pit of his stomach as he pushed it down. It wasn’t as easy as he’d hoped it would be to get Alice Whitman to do what he wanted. Yet she was the perfect one for it, and he was not one to give up easily. He’d have her for it. No matter what.

“Well then, might I pursuade you to change your mind?”

“Huh? What do you mean? Tom?”

As they stepped inside the warm castle, Riddle felt the urge to press his advantage now. “I need someone to fulfill a job for me, Alice. A minor responsibility, but very helpful nevertheless. Would you be interested?”

“Maybe….What is it?,” she asked tentatively. “I don’t like big responsibilties.”

“Oh, no. Nothing so arduous that a Fourth year couldn't handle. I simply need someone to organize the prefect’s schedules and a few other minor details. You’d catch on quickly dear.”

Alice stopped and her voice wavered with indecision. She sounded so innocent and fourteen. “After school?”

“Exactly. Yes,” answered Tom.

“Before I say anything, can I ask you something Tom?

"Why would you even ask me to do these duties for you? Aren’t they your affairs as Head Boy?”

Tom Riddle wasn’t offended by the obvious question. He could care less what she thought. And he was quick to come up with a reason. “It's tradition of Hogwarts for the Head Boy to have a secretary of sorts. Of course, this is authorized by Professor Dippet, Alice. Or I wouldn't be asking you. It's an informal custom, as it goes without saying. Don’t you see?” But this was a lie. It wasn’t a tradition of Hogwarts at all.

He sounded so casual. Alice smiled at him. He was certainly an easy person to get along with and might even be a fun person to spend time with. “I can do it,” she consented.

“Excellent. We’ll start today, after classes. After dinner this evening. I’ll get you oriented and you’ll be doing the little tasks for me in no time….”

Alice nodded.

“But first….I want to show you something. Come with me.”