Chapter Text
“Where are the both of you from?” Riddle asked as he led them to the common room.
Potter glared at him. “None of your business,” he grumbled.
Draco rolled his eyes. He could always trust Potter to antagonise the first respectable person they had seen. How could he be so polite to one man yet so spectacularly rude to another?
“Excuse my brother,” Draco smoothly apologised, “he just hasn’t been the same after the war. Questions about the past in particular set him off.”
Riddle nodded in understanding. “How rude of me. My apologies.”
If Draco was a girl he may have swooned. What a charming guy.
Potter clearly didn’t think so, evident by how he walked glumly behind them and stared at the back of Riddle’s head like he wanted it to explode.
No wonder Hogwarts thought he turned evil every year, if this was how he looked at people.
Draco shook his head. “There’s nothing to apologise for. I was wondering, have lessons begun yet? We’re rather worried about catching up”
“Yes, they began a few weeks ago. It shouldn’t be too difficult to catch up. You could always come to me for help though, if you're having trouble.”
Potter scoffed. Thankfully Riddle ignored it.
It seemed Potter didn’t need to put on an act to make people think he was mental.
Draco felt surprisingly confident. These last few hours he’d been scared out of his pants, but Riddle had a calming effect about him. Suddenly Draco didn’t feel quite so lost.
“Your English is very good. You’ve not even got an accent,” Riddle remarked.
Shit. Draco hadn’t thought about that. Of course, how would anyone believe they were foreigners if they didn’t even have an accent. Draco could speak some French, but his accent was terrible. Shit. They were going to get caught.
“Our parents were English. And we spent a few years here as children, so we’re familiar with the culture,” Potter said quickly.
Draco breathed a sigh of relief.
Riddle led them into the common room. “Our dorms are to the left. The girls’ dorms are to the right, but I wouldn’t recommend visiting. They’re pretty heavily guarded,” Riddle winked. “Don’t worry about supplies or clothing. Fortunately, Hogwarts has a free store for people in this situation. You should get everything you need by tomorrow.”
Riddle started walking again until Potter stopped him.
“Me and my brother would like to talk. Alone,” Potter said abruptly.
“Of course. Goodnight,” Riddle smiled, before turning and going to his room.
“Arsehole,” whispered Potter under his breath once Riddle had left.
“What is your problem?” Draco hissed.
“I don’t trust him.”
Draco rolled his eyes. “Of course you wouldn’t. You don’t trust anyone unless they’re a dirt poor muggle lover.”
“It’s not that,” Potter said.
“Then what is it?” Draco snapped.
Potter hesitated. Draco could see him weighing something up in his head. “You just…just trust me! I know what I’m doing! Far more than you, anyway.”
With that Potter stormed off to their dorm.
Draco stopped in his tracks. Merlin, he would be stuck sleeping in the same room as Potter! He held his face in his hands and groaned.