Tom Riddle and the Pureblood Prince

Please review! I can remember when I planned this scene well over two years ago. I am finally writing it.


Chapter Forty-three: Riding Thestrals


“Hey, what are you doin’ skulking around?”

“I’ve come to watch." The boy who asked the question was bundled in a burly coat. It was late April and warm outside but Rubeus Hagrid refused to part with it.

Observing Hagrid she watched him go round doing the job as assistant to Ogg, the Gamekeeper.

Tall creatures with hardly any flesh to their backs loped around the forest floor. They spread their wings and revealed a translucent hue like rainbows. Eileen had not seen rainbows in a long time.

Eileen pondered something strange privately.

She looked up with confusion evident on her brow. "But Rubeus....Why couldn't I see them before? All those years I've come to Hogwarts and never noticing!"

Hagrid chuckled with hearty mirth. "Thestrals! Thestrals are only seen by people who've seen death."

Eileen suddenly understood why she saw them at the end of last year. After Myrtle died and it had sunk in, Eileen had been able to see them. But she never made the connection between these creatures and death. Hindsight made it so obvious now!

"Here...Can you give me a hand with feedin' 'em?"

"Er okay...." It was a scary proposition. Getting too close to a Thestral when they aren't tethered to a carriage could earn a kick, right? Or worse what if they attacked?

Hagrid saw the trepidation. "Thestrals are surprisingly gentle. I promise. They won't hurt ya'."

Eileen nodded and took a bucket. Before she knew what she was doing, she was following Hagrid around the clearing. In the silence, there was a comfort about this boy Rubeus Hagrid.

And in a heartbeat Eileen decided to tell her troubles. "It wasn't until recent that I could see them. I just lost my father."

Hagrid listened with a sympathetic ear and put a hand over Eileen's shoulders. It felt more like a strong thump than a pat. "I know, sweetheart. The whole school's been gossiping about you behind your back...."

Eileen's eyes widened. She paused before throwing another ball of juicy flesh to a Thestral. "What? Why me?"

"Because they've got nothing else to think about," said Hagrid wisely. "Except other people's business."

Eileen diverted this, and aptly changed the subject. "So who do you know who's died?"

"Me dad," and Hagrid groaned with miserable resolve. "Just last summer...," Hagrid's voice broke. "One day he was doing fine. The next he was deathly ill. They made him bedridden. Couldn't handle living anymore. And just when I got expelled - it was over!"

Hagrid's face fell. He remembered distinctly how disappointed dad had been to hear that his son who'd been doing so well at Hogwarts lost his chance to be educated as a learned Wizard. Hagrid would have been the first in the family to finish Hogwarts on both sides.

"I'm sorry," said Eileen. And she truly felt it. "It's hard losing a parent. Especially for young people."

Hagrid shed a few tears. "I wouldn't of been expelled if it hadn't been for Riddle! I hate that kid."

Eileen shuddered . To discuss her master with an outsider was dangerous. And referring to her Lord as "that kid" was an understatement by far. He was at this point anything but a child, not much like a man either but something more than human.

"You are a Slytherin. But you're not as nasty as the rest of 'em."

Eileen felt slightly affronted. "Yes, I'm in Slytherin," she stated calmly. "And also Pureblood. But you'll find exceptions to any rule. We're not all horrible!"

"I suppose there are exceptions even for Slytherin!" said Hagrid gaily. He smiled and realized he'd found another friend.

"I mean - there has to be a few decent ones. But Tom Riddle - he's the worst! Why are you hanging out with him, Eileen? You're a nice girl."

"Rubeus, I can't talk about that. I'm in his gang- the D-Dark Order. It's just another part of my life."

The boy grew sharp. "We won't talk about it then! And call me, Hagrid. All my enemies call me Rubeus. My friends know me as Hagrid."

Eileen nodded. "Okay."

The two had bonded together easily each relating to the other over the recent loss of their fathers'.

Soon enough after giving the Thestrals a meal Hagrid had taught Eileen how to mount and ride them. Strangely she discovered that something everybody thought of as horrid actually possessed a wondrous beauty. The Thestrals were beautiful creatures.

Eileen was able to mount a Thestral quite well. But prudently told Hagrid she must fly with him at first. It would surely be a dizzying and harrowing journey.

They lifted together into the air and hovered away above the castle, passing the dazzling lake, shimmering in the dying sun. Eileen felt a freedom and release course through her spirit.

Eileen grinned and held onto Hagrid's mangy back as tightly as possible. As she smiled at the view it was like realizing the universal truth about death. It smiles on us all like a grinning Dark Mark in the sky, and yet despite this, a man can still smile defiantly right back at it.

She thought of deaths - the death of the little girl Myrtle who turned into a ghost. The death of her father who was in a far and distant place she knew not where. But Eileen and Hagrid were alive and young and free in the wind sailing past, as they soared over mountains.

The wind continued to roar and the blood throbbed in her skull. "I'm alive! I'm alive! I'm alive!" The depression since Graham's death seemed to lift and Eileen was reminded of the happiness that was always available. Despite the reality of death, they were free. "I'm alive! I'm alive!" She chanted.

But down below, Riddle was there with hands balled into fists. His face went from incredulity to anger. It was like he caught this girl on the back of a motorbike with a boy.

The ever conservative Tom Riddle would not stand for it. Hagrid was not somebody to speak to! Belonging in the Dark Order meant shunning anybody unusual.

They returned soft and quietly at twilight. It was only when one looks upon a sunset that they realize how beautiful the days are.

"Thanks Hagrid! You'll be a great Gamekeeper one day - I know it! That was such fun!" For Hagrid had shared with the girl his hope and dream to succeed Ogg as Gamekeeper.

In the half darkness a figure was standing resolutely. Tom Riddle was present in the murky shadows. But for once, Eileen did not flinch at Riddle's stare. Nothing could be more daunting than death and riding a Thestral - not even Lord Voldemort.

The high, cold voice ran jarringly over the rocks and into her ears, "Have you taken leave of your senses?"

Finally Hagrid turned abruptly, recognizing that voice almost instantly. His mood changed. Annoyed Hagrid slid off the Thestral.

Eileen ignored her master and spoke to Hagrid. Riddle was at least fifty yards away, out of earshot. Hagrid murmured, "What's Tom doin' here?"

"Dunno...Can't be that bad."

Riddle did not yell across the clearing again. But brooded silently in the dark, waiting.

For moral support Hagrid trudged along. "Leave us, Rubeus!" Riddle snarled and poised his wand, threateningly. Hagrid was a good head taller than Riddle and that was saying something. Eileen wondered why Hagrid was so tall and out of place.

"Not until you promise not to hurt her! She's done nothing!"

Eileen quickly realized the new friend was protective and shrunk as far away as possible, hiding behind Hagrid's large frame.

"I promise. Eileen isn't going to die," said Tom smoothly.

"I bloody well hope not! The way you look at her- if looks could kill she'd be dead!"

"Get out! And Eileen - Come closer to me at once!"

Hagrid walked away knowing he could not win a fight against Riddle's power. He'd already tried once.

Eileen reluctantly heeded the command.

Riddle and Eileen stood together and waited until Hagrid was some distance away and indiscernible in the darkness.

Alone again Riddle admonished Eileen for the behavior. "He's Half-giant! Do you want the whole of Hogwarts learning of your mixing with a Half-breed?"

"I don't care!" Screamed Eileen recklessly. The ride had brought on her a sense of freedom, power and abandon.

For a second Riddle was shocked at this display of defiance. He'd never thought it of Eileen.

The yew wand swiped the air and dashed a spell across Eileen's face. It was white-hot and stinging pain.

Eileen staggered and near collapsed into Riddle.

In pain, clutching her face, she tried to withdraw but his grasp was too strong. A red slash was on her cheek, her nose and forehead like the handprint from a slap.

Riddle had her arm now and led the way. Eileen looked up, tearfully. Deeper into the forest they went.

Riddle saw genuine surprise in those light brown eyes. "I didn't know he was a Half-breed. I swear I didn't! I probably would never spoke to him if I'd known."

Eileen resisted the urge to add that now she didn't care. She liked Hagrid too much to end the friendship because he descended from the inferior race of Giants.

It was a relief that this convinced Riddle. He knew Eileen harbored the same prejudices as the other Purebloods. For once Voldemort was fooled. He expected with this new knowledge, she wouldn't seek Hagrid's company ever again.

Riddle wasn't finished though. "Your father is dead because he sympathized with the lesser kinds. Don't you understand why they thought it necessary to murder him? Do you wish to see yourself go the same way?"

Eileen quickly comprehended this. Would someone kill her next if they knew of this friendship with a lowly boy who'd been expelled? If only she'd known that it was Voldemort that orchestrated the murder of her father. And even that it was Voldemort that framed Hagrid for a crime he did not commit.

"No, Master. I don't want to go that way."

Riddle calmed down. He still felt the need to exert a heavy influence of control though. Riddle was afraid this follower was going to stray from his teachings.

A cool hand gripped the back of Eileen's neck and they walked deeper into the forest.

From a distance Hagrid watched and still fuming walked away. Hagrid had been hidden behind a boulder on a hillock, just in case Riddle attacked the girl.

"Why are you riding the Thestrals?" Riddle's voice sounded lighthearted again. "There is no reason. It seems incongruous with Apparition lessons."

Sixth Years had started Apparition lessons earlier today. Eileen had done horribly. The death of father made it very difficult to concentrate on the three 'd's'. She could not concentrate when depressed.

Eileen answered the query. "I discovered how breathtaking it is to ride them!"

Riddle spoke softly, "Eileen, you are aware what it means to see them? I have told you once before. Thestrals are only seen by those who've seen death."

"I know, but it wasn't so bad. They are useful creatures. I had an adventure on them."

Riddle looked at Eileen, a repugnance etched on the handsome face. He looked jealous. Jealous of the wisdom Eileen had gained. Voldemort could never understand life and thus would never know the wondrous secret beauty of the unknown. He'd never understand the beautiful mystique concerning what lay beyond the Undiscovered country. But Eileen understood this.

"You need not employ a creature to take you places. You're learning to Apparate. No need to depend on magical creatures!"

"My Lord, you know I'm not nearly as good as you! I'm just not privy to Apparating to be honest. Perhaps, I will use the Floo Network for the rest of my life."

Riddle slid his hand possessively into Eileen's palm and squeezed it. "As a member of the Dark Order, I am ordering you to learn to Apparate."

Eileen finally conceded. They strode together under the canopy of the Dark Forest. It was now completely dark and the stars were coming out. They could not see the stars between the thick foliage. Despite being in the forest, Eileen felt safe. She was with her master and he probably knew enough magic to defend themselves even here.

"I was going to take you to Hogsmeade. I need someone to practice on!"

Tom and Eileen spent the evening together moving between Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley. Riddle got the chance to practice transporting another person successfully.


NOTE: Please review. I hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter should be interesting and more of the plot does revolve around the loss of Graham.