It was a night like any other… but for her, it was torture. She couldn't sleep no matter how much she tried — even though she was lying in her brother's bed, which gave her a bit of peace — yet without him, she felt emptier.
She looked toward the window, certain that by now her brother had already been sorted into a house and was now in his new room. She hoped he'd write to her right away, but most likely, he was tired from the trip to Hogwarts and overwhelmed with too many emotions to process.
She closed her eyes, hoping she could sleep so that the first thing in the morning, she could see OZ coming with the letter.
knockknock
Her eyes opened at the sound of knocks on the window. Thinking of the possibility, she hurried to open it, only to see OZ fly in and perch on the small study desk where her brother's neatly ordered books lay.
— OZ! — she called happily. Without waiting any longer, she took the letter and pulled out one of the candies to give him as thanks. — Good job, little one. Come back in a while — she asked. OZ, pleased with the treat, flew off, spreading his beautiful wings that shone brightly under the moonlight.
She closed the window and nestled herself under the sheets to keep warm as she carefully and happily opened the letter.
To Anna, my little sister…
I know you must be worried about me in this new school. I have to say, this school is impressive — especially seeing ghosts moving here and there. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that ghosts just wander all over the castle.
She let out a small laugh, imagining Tom with a surprised expression at seeing ghosts everywhere, greeting him.
At first I didn't understand what the house selection was about, but when I saw a hat singing and then placed on a child's head, I knew this hat sends you to a house according to your attitudes and personality. I discovered that this hat can see your thoughts and everything about you. I was really surprised when it announced to everyone: Great changes are coming for the snakes — fear, for your King has arrived.
I didn't understand what it meant by those words meant, but judging by how the Slytherin table applauded, it seemed to be important. Anyway, I'm going to investigate.
You know, I have a solid, very comfortable bed for myself. I also have a roommate named Abraxas Malfoy — I met him on the train. By the way, the decorations are green and silver. I love these colors and I feel that my life will change from now on — our lives!
You'll see, everything will be fine, and we won't have to live in that orphanage that looks like it could collapse at any moment anymore.
Anna knew that wasn't really what he meant; rather, he covered it with a more moderate word for her. If he knew that she already knew all the indecent vocabulary, he'd probably open his eyes wide in surprise. After all, he overprotected her from those bad words.
Did you know that here in the magical world, you're of age at seventeen? And that's great. When I finish here, I'll take care of you so you won't spend another year there. You have to be careful with those brats — don't let them hit you. In any case, defend yourself and stay away from them.
Wait for me until the holidays, Anna, and rest assured, I'll write to you every day without fail. I'm going to sleep — or at least I'll try, since I no longer have a human pillow to squash me.
Sincerely,
Tom M. Riddle
She folded the letter carefully and put it in a small box where she planned to keep her brother's future letters. More excited now, she took a sheet of paper from her notebook and wrote a letter to Tom — she even had to design an envelope since she had no way to get proper stationery. She promised herself to buy some with her savings.
She opened the window, and OZ quickly arrived. She handed him the letter and watched as the owl flew off. She didn't mind catching a cold and preferred to stay there, watching OZ until he disappeared.
She had to start planning what she would do during the two years she'd be alone without Tom, because most likely those kids would use her as a toy to tease, and she didn't like that idea. Her magic sometimes could control her, but there were times when it couldn't. She wanted to become strong, and it seemed she'd have to take a trip to Diagon Alley to see if she could buy some magic books.
With those plans, she went back to bed to sleep, but she had to toss and turn many times before she finally dozed off. It was going to be hard for her not to sleep with her brother, especially now in this cold season that she hated even more without having her "oven" by her side.
.
Tom, who was reading a book leaning against the headboard of his bed, looked at his roommate coming out of the bathroom to lie down on the opposite bed.
— That book looks interesting — Abraxas ventured, picking up one of his books to read.
— It is — Tom replied with his eyes still on the book. His expression softened since this book was a gift from his sister, who had spent all her savings to buy it new. From that moment on, he had taken great care of it. — Yours looks interesting too — He noted, glancing at Abraxas's book, which seemed to be about white magic.
— I bought a lot of magic books so I wouldn't get bored during these moments — He said without much expression.
But Tom, who had grown up in a more twisted environment, had learned since childhood to hide his emotions, showing them only to his sister when they were alone. Abraxas was good at keeping a straight face, but his eyes betrayed him, revealing that the book he was holding didn't interest him much.
— You're right — Tom narrowed his eyes at Abraxas, which surprised the blond boy; he felt as if this roommate could see right through him. The feeling gave him chills.
Tom smirked, realizing he might have found someone like himself or close.
— The Art of War? — Abraxas read doubtfully the title of the book Tom was holding, as he'd never seen it before.
Seeing that he wanted to continue the conversation, Tom didn't mind and kept it going. After all, he needed to ally himself with outstanding people who could help him in the future.
As the book says, there are no more than five primary colors, but in combination, they produce the entire range of colors.
He needed to find good allies.
At that moment, OZ flew in and landed on his leg — he knew instantly that his sister had replied to his letter right away.
To my dearest brother…
Wow! I'd love to see those ghosts and see what happens if I pass through them. I'd also like to touch that talking hat.
Congratulations, brother, on officially entering the school! And from what you say, I'm already getting anxious to join, too. Say hello to your roommate for me, and I hope you get along.
As for me, I'll figure out what to do while I'm without you. A whole day has passed already, but it feels like you've been gone for years, and I miss you so much, brother. Who will defend me now against those ferocious kids? Anyway, I hope everything goes well for you, and I know you'll succeed. For now, I'll have to get used to not sleeping with you anymore to avoid freezing at night.
Sincerely,
Anna L. Riddle
P.S. I'm looking forward to your future letters…
He read the letter while petting OZ, who enjoyed the moment. Abraxas, watching him, noticed that his cold expression had softened with the letter; it must be from a family member.
— Your parents? — He asked.
Tom's expression froze. He carefully folded his little sister's letter. He had no parents, and he never wanted any. After all, they abandoned him in that orphanage. But at least he should be grateful that he wasn't there; Anna might have ended up being someone else's sister. At that thought, his face darkened, and a fiery anger filled his chest just imagining some brat and how Anna would sweetly call him "Brother."
Abraxas felt his roommate's magic turn heavy, as if pressing down on him. Had he touched on the wrong subject? If so, he realized he shouldn't have. Tom clearly hated that topic to his very core. Even OZ flew off, sensing his master's bad mood.
Tom calmed his emotions and dark thoughts, returning to his wooden expression.
— I have no parents — He replied flatly, cutting the topic short.
.
Three days had passed since Tom's departure, and she already felt like she was going to fall asleep at any moment. It was annoying to wake up constantly from the cold, and not having Tom by her side felt so strange; she had grown so used to his presence.
The negative emotions could be felt from a mile away. Refugio could only sigh worriedly for Anna; this was the first time they would be apart from each other.
— Oh, what misfortune is mine! — She complained dramatically, looking at her savings, now cut in half. Well, it was a year ago that she bought that expensive book for her brother, so of course, she was left with only a pittance. — Looks like I'll have to find a profitable job — and what better than to use my degrees? Of course, it would be a little difficult to find one. If she wanted to go to Diagon Alley, at least she'd need money to buy whatever she wanted.
Thus began Anna's journey in search of a job.
"You're too young, even if you have the degree."
"I can't hire you."
"No."
"No."
"Sorry, but no."
— Then what the hell did I graduate for if I can't even use it?! — She shouted, frustrated at the constant rejection. The people walking down the street stared at her like she was some kind of freak, but she didn't care.
If she couldn't use her degrees, then it was all completely useless. Why did she even waste her precious time studying? What else could she do at her age, a car washer, beggar, or clown?
Then her attention was drawn to a woman covered in a cloak on a street corner with a sign that read: Want to know your future? I'll tell it for just 5 shillings…
She raised an eyebrow at the idea and ran to a busy street to catch customers.
— Excuse me, ma'am — She called sweetly.
— Yes, dear? — The woman bent down to her height. This little girl gave her a good feeling.
— Would you like me to read your future?
At the question, the woman blinked, surely this was some kind of joke. But looking at her more closely, she probably was poor and looking to make a living.
— Here, little one — The woman said kindly. — You don't need to read anything.
Seeing the woman give her money without doing anything offended her. Okay, she really could see the future, the past, and the present of people. For some reason, she'd gained that ability upon arriving in this world, though she couldn't use it on herself.
— I'll tell you something from your past, and if I'm right, you'll let me do my job, and pay me honestly if I deserve it — She said, rejecting the bill.
The woman was surprised by how honest and confident she was. Either way, she'd pay her in the end if she was right. She nodded to let the girl work.
— Give me your hand — She asked. Taking it, she began touching it all over, which made the woman uncomfortable, but since she was just a girl, she let her. — Someone once said this to you before dying: Live for our son and forgive me for not being able to stay with you until the end.
The woman froze at Anna's words. That had happened three years ago when her husband died of a terminal illness, leaving her alone with a three-month-old baby. Losing her beloved husband had been a hard blow.
— Was I right? — Anna asked, with an innocent and doubtful face, though she was sure of what she'd said.
— Y…yes — The woman, face stiff, handed the bill to Anna, ready to leave.
— Be careful with your late husband's business partner! — Anna shouted as the woman walked away. She saw her pause and then continue walking. — Poor woman — She murmured, clicking her tongue. — Time to work.
Throughout the day, she managed to catch a few more, though some ran away in fear or shouted that she was the devil. Such ignorance, she scolded them in her mind — it was enough that they called her that in the orphanage, now these people shouted it at her in the middle of this sea of people, too.
Forget it, she valued her life too much for them to drag her to an asylum for supposedly being crazy, or worse, take her to an exorcist to "drive the devil out." No way, she didn't want that. With the little she'd earned, she returned to the orphanage. When she arrived, she ate quickly from hunger and even asked for more, but was refused by the other caretakers, who hated her. Her only consolation was that soon her brother's letter would arrive.
As for the job, she'd have to figure it out. If not… well, she'd have no choice but to become a thief. But that would only be a last resort if things went that badly.
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