Of Greatness and Grandeur

Chapter 5

AN: This story is gonna be a long one, so if you are wondering why the action is taking a while to pick-up, don't fret: it's coming, and it's coming soon. Keep reading, because in a couple more chapters, you'll have more twists and turns than you'll know what to do with!

As always, please please please review! I will love you forever if you do.

The rest of breakfast proceeded without incident, with conversation focusing mostly on the upcoming try-outs for the Quidditch house teams.

"I heard that Julian Fawley's mother bought him the new Cleansweep 5 for being made Ravenclaw prefect this year," said Avery, in between bites of scrambled eggs.

Abraxas looked unimpressed. "Who cares? I'll buy the whole team new brooms if that's what it takes to win."

"Are you on the team, Abraxas?" Katherine asked sweetly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

"On it? I'm the Captain, gorgeous." He winked at her. "I'll be the one leading Slytherin to victory."

Orion scoffed. "You're not the only one on the team, you know." He pointed his thumb at his chest. "Keeper, here. Kind of an important position."

Charles spoke up. "Not to rain on your parade, but me and Brax are Chasers. We're the ones that actually win points for the team, making us more important." He leaned back in his chair, a smug look on his face. Abraxas emphatically nodded his approval.

Antonin shook his head. "By that logic, the Seeker would be the most important player, and now that Burke's graduated our Seeker's probably going to be some stupid 5th year. Thaddeus and I are the ones that keep the rest of you out of the hospital wing."

Katherine's eyebrows knit together slightly, as she looked at Antonin. "That would make the two of you the Beaters, correct?"

Abraxas laughed loudly. "Would you look at that? The new girl's drop-dead gorgeous, and a Quidditch fan!" He grinned roguishly at Katherine.

The return of the conversation's focus to Katherine seemed to capture Riddle's attention. Putting down his coffee, he ran the fingers of one hand through his dark hair, which immediately settled back into it's previous perfectly coiffed formation.

"We've spent quite enough time on this topic," he said curtly. "Quidditch is simply a game in which one aims to put one ball through a hoop, and catch another. It's a trivial distraction from more important matters."

"I couldn't agree more, Riddle," Victoria said in a simpering voice.

"Only because you don't understand the sport," muttered Charles darkly. Victoria sent him a withering glare in response.

Riddle arched an eyebrow, looking icily at Charles. "And what about me, Avery? Does my dislike of Quidditch also stem from a fundamental misunderstanding of the game?"

Charles paled and his jaw tightened. "Of course not, Riddle. I don't think you would misunderstand anything."

Riddle continued to fix Charles with his cold gaze, not willing to let his prey escape the trap so easily.

The tense moment was diffused by Katherine's silvery voice. "Would you believe that I've never been on a broom in my entire life?" She tossed her hair over one shoulder, her gold-flecked brown eyes glancing up at Charles from beneath her dark eyelashes.

"Well, of course you haven't," said Victoria sourly. "Gallivanting about on brooms is hardly appropriate behaviour for a lady."

Katherine tilted her head to one side, as though considering.

"Perhaps not appropriate," she agreed, a mischievous smile creeping across her face. "But I still think it would be devilishly good fun."

Abraxas leaned conspiratorially towards her. "Luckily for you, darling, that's my favourite kind of fun."

"Aren't you worried you'll hurt yourself, Katherine? There's a reason women don't play Quidditch; it's a very rough sport," said Orion with concern.

Katherine let out a tinkling laugh. "I'm not trying out for the team, Orion. I just want to see what flying on a broomstick is like." She paused thoughtfully, tapping her index finger on her chin. "You could come along as well. Between you and Abraxas, I'm certain my safety will be in good hands."

Adeline, who had been quiet most of breakfast, perhaps still shaken from her encounter with Riddle in the common room earlier that morning, finally spoke up. "Speaking of your safety, Professor Hartley will kill us if we're late to Charms on the first day," she said pointedly.

The table erupted into activity as the upper year Slytherins collectively stood up, gathered their things and traipsed out of the Great Hall. Whatever may be said of the tumultuous relationships within Slytherin house, to outsiders the house certainly presented a united front.

The pack of Slytherin students arrived at the Charms classroom just a few minutes before class was scheduled to start. Atop each desk was a delicate teacup painted with pink and golden roses, and Ravenclaw students already occupied most of the seats.

Katherine walked confidently to an empty pair of desks at the front of the room, placed her book bag on the floor, and took a seat. Orion made to follow her, but Abraxas cut him off, and slid into the empty seat next to Katherine, who was pulling out her wand. Orion rolled his eyes and wandered off to find another available seat.

"Walnut, is it?" asked Abraxas, gesturing at Katherine's wand.

"Yes, with dragon heartstring." she said mildly.

"You must be a clever witch to have a walnut wand," he said in an attempt at flattery.

She ignored the compliment. "And you must be quite the warrior, if you carry an aspen wand. They're known for combative magic, are they not?"

"Yes, and for charm work, but you'll soon see that I'm a bit of a let down in that regard," he smiled apologetically. The false modesty looked out of place on his handsome features.

The conversation was interrupted by Riddle's elegant voice. "In that case, perhaps Katherine would be better served by a more skilled partner, as she may have to catch-up with the course work." Riddle looked meaningfully at Abraxas.

"Of course, Riddle," said Abraxas, standing to yield his seat to Riddle. He hesitated a moment, unsure of where to go, before Orion waved him over to the back of the room.

"You seem to have no difficulty making friends, Katarina," he said, watching Abraxas retreat.

"Charm comes easily to me, as it appears to for you," she said.

Her eyes flickered briefly over Riddle's shoulder towards a group of Ravenclaw girls who were unabashedly staring at Riddle, clearly love-struck. Riddle shot the girls a disarming smile over his shoulder before sitting next to Katherine. The Ravenclaw girls immediately broke into a fit of giggles and hushed tones.

"Charm has its uses. I can assure you, though, that I have a considerably less charming side that you would be loathe to meet." Riddle's face remained polite and pleasant, but his voice held an underlying edge, sharp as a steel blade and just as cold.

Katherine gave him a measured look. "I believe I may have encountered that side of you before breakfast this morning."

Riddle mouth corners curved upwards in the slow smile of a predator. "My dear Katarina, what you experienced this morning was the height of genteel politeness compared to what I am capable of. Do not make the mistake of underestimating me."

Before Katherine could give any sort of response, Professor Hartley swept through the door and to the front of the room. He was a tall and wiry man, and his robes hung loosely off his narrow frame. He had a full head of white curly hair, and a sparsely populated beard of the same colour. Although it was only the first day of classes, he seemed frazzled and perhaps slightly overwhelmed.

Sweeping his wand in an arc overhead, Professor Hartley released a shower of sizzling red sparks, whose light and noise captured the attention of any students who had yet to notice the Professor's arrival.

"Now that I have your attention…Welcome to your 6th year of the study of Charms. If you have enrolled in this class, it is because you scored an Exceeds Expectations or an Outstanding on your OWL exam last year. Congratulations, and may your success continue in this more challenging course." Professor Hartley paused to clear his throat before continuing.

"Today we will begin by reviewing the mending charm, as several of you struggled with this portion of last year's exam. If you recall, the incantation of this spell is Reparo, and the wand motion is a simple clockwise swirl of the wrist. Concentration is important for this spell, as mending spells always require greater focus than spells of destruction," he said.

With a twirl of his wand, Professor Hartley shattered the delicate teacups on each student's desk. "You may begin your attempts to repair the teacups; I will be circulating the room for those in need of assistance."

Immediately, Professor Hartley approached Riddle's desk, clearly eager to see his brightest pupil in action. Riddle smiled brightly up at him, and then cast the mending charm with a wave of his yew wand. The pieces of the teacup began to fly back together as soon as the incantation had left his lips. A moment later, a perfectly intact teacup stood upright on Riddle's desk.

"Excellent, as always, Riddle," said Professor Hartley, clapping a hand on Riddle's back before turning to face Katherine.

"You must be Miss Morrigan. Don't be intimidated by Mr. Riddle's skill; he's an exceptionally good student, not everyone can perform at that level. Let's see your attempt at the mending charm."

Katherine blinked uncertainly at the Professor. "I'm sorry, Professor. I've already finished repairing my teacup."

Professor Hartley glanced down at Katherine's desk, where a teacup stood without a single crack. He looked perplexedly at her. "I'm afraid I didn't hear you cast the incantation."

She smiled innocently at him. "I cast the spell non-verbally Professor. Durmstrang encourages its students not to rely on incantations."

Professor Hartley's expression quickly soured, and his voice hardened. "Now, Miss Morrigan. You may be new here, and I cannot speak to the Professors at Durmstrang, but Professors at Hogwarts are not fools. Casting this spell non-verbally is far beyond a 6th year level and I won't be taken in by such a ridiculous fib."

Katherine's eyes widened as if in shock, and she brought a hand to her chest. "I would never lie to a Professor, and certainly not one so renowned as yourself." She blushed. "I've read your book on the nature of charms and their counter-charms; it was tremendously fascinating."

Pausing to move her teacup to the center of the desk, she continued. "Here, allow me to perform the spell again." In a flash, she pointed her wand at the teacup, casting a nonverbal Reducto to shatter it once more. Immediately, she continued with a clockwise wave of her wand, mending the teacup with a nonverbal Reparo.

Professor Hartley's jaw dropped, his eyes flickering back and forth between Katherine and the teacup several times before he remembered to close it again. "I suppose I owe you an apology, Miss Morrigan. It appears you and Mr. Riddle are well suited to one another as partners."

A sudden shattering noise followed by a shriek diverted their attention, and Professor Hartley rushed off in the direction of the crisis.

A quick glance towards the back of the classroom revealed that Celeste Greengrass had a shard of teacup embedded in her forearm that appeared to be glowing red-hot. Her partner, Thaddeus Lestrange, was desperately attempting to grab the piece, but Celeste's wild flailing was impeding his success. He stepped back, unsure of what to do.

"I'm so sorry, Celeste!" said Thaddeus, frenziedly flapping his hands. "I swear I was only trying to help fix your cup; I'm just rubbish at charms."

Riddle smirked. "He's rubbish at pretty much everything, actually. At least the distraction gives us a chance to finish our conversation from earlier." He leaned towards Katherine's desk, his face uncomfortably close to hers.

"What more do you have to say?" she prompted.

"I want to make clear to you that if you were to mention my summer activities, or where we met, to anyone, the results would be most unpleasant for you. Especially considering that questions may be asked regarding the fate of your dear friend Josef." He reached his left hand upwards to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear. She shivered slightly.

"I wouldn't do that, Riddle. I'd be incriminating myself at the same time. No one wants to be associated with an ex-tyrant." She spoke softly so that only Riddle could hear what she said.

He nodded, seeming to accept her response. "Next question. You told Professor Hartley that you attended Durmstrang, and yet I met you in Prague."

"It was summer," she said.

"You didn't appear to be a new arrival. In fact, you seemed quite settled in," he remarked.

"I left school a bit early."

Riddle sneered. "So you'd rather spend your days dancing and drinking firewhiskey than getting an education? Perhaps you and Abraxas have more in common than I'd thought."

"I had nothing left to learn there," Katherine protested.

Riddle shook his head. "There's always more to learn."

Katherine tilted her head to one side, still intimately close to Riddle. "Perhaps you could teach me," she suggested. "Professor Hartley did suggest we'd make an excellent team."

Riddle glanced backwards at Celeste, who was being hurried out the door on her way to the hospital wing. Thaddeus scurried after her, looking both guilty and embarrassed.

He looked back at Katherine. "In Slytherin, there are no teams, Katarina. There is only power, of which I have lots, and you have none."

He placed a hand firmly on her knee, digging his fingers into the flesh.

"If you stay out of my business and cause me no problems, all will be well. If you interfere with my plans in any way, I will use the full extent of my power here to ruin every aspect of your life," he cautioned, in a voice that left no doubt as to the gravity of his threat.

Katherine looked steadily back at Riddle, although she did appear slightly paler than when the lesson had started. "I have no intention of interfering with any of your plans, Riddle. Quite the opposite."

Professor Hartley had returned to the front of the room, where he managed to shout over the chattering of the students that class was over. Riddle calmly leaned back from his position invading Katherine's desk, and began to gather his things.

Katherine watched him for a moment, thoughtfully toying with her hair.

"Hey, Katherine!" Orion bounced over. "Potions is next. I can show you where it is; it's a bit tricky to get to from here, but I know a shortcut," he said eagerly.

Snapped out of her pondering, Katherine shot Orion a thankful smile.

"That would be much appreciated, Orion. I'm feeling a little lost."