Inglorious Bastards [Theodore Nott]

Chapter Sixty-Nine

"Don't ask," Roman said.

Ron's eyes widened in shock and then looked straight ahead.

"And for the record, Weasley, it's not in our butts," Carina said.

"Well, get ready, Hermione, for a year of a great deal of maurading," Roman smirked.

"Because we're not holding back," Carina added.

~*~

Once in the Great Hall, Carina looked around for Harry, he still has not shown up, and it was worrying her. The Sorting was finished and everyone was already digging in the feast.

"Don't you think we should look for him?" Carina asked.

"Don' you worry... he'll be 'long soon 'nuff-"

Hermione whacked Ron at the shoulder repeatedly.

"Will. You. Stop. Eating! Your best friend is missing!" Hermione said.

"He's here!" Carina said.

From the entrance of the Hall, Harry came, wearing his Gryffindor robes, and they noticed his face splattered with blood.

"He's covered in blood again., Ginny said, "Why is it he's always covered in blood?"

"Looks like his own this time," Ron said.

"Not really comforting, Ron," Carina spoke.

Harry said down beside Carina. Carina immediately took Harry's face and inspected it. Harry had to swat her hands away from him just to get some air.

"Do you mind?" Harry said.

"You're covered in blood!" Carina said.

"What'd I miss?" Harry asked.

"Sorting Hat urged us all to be brave and strong in these troubled times – easy for it to say – it's a hat, isn't it? First years seemed to enjoy it. thought," Ron said.

Harry nodded. Ginny, who was at Harry's other side, damped a napkin in her hand and dabs it on his face. Carina saw the action then noticed the sudden awkwardness between the two. She had to look away to hide her snickering, but then she received a kick under the table by Hermione.

"The very best of evenings to you!" Dumbledore spoke, "First off, please join me in welcoming the newest member of our staff, Horace Slughorn." A mild applause came. "Professor Slughorn, I'm happy to say, has agreed to resume his old post of Potions Master. Meanwhile, the post of the Defense Against the Dark Arts will be assumed by Professor Snape."

Carina and Harry exchanged looks, while Ron's eyes went to the Slytherin table and saw Roman having the same look of shock as him.

"Now, as you know, each and every one of you was searched upon your arrival tonight. You have a right to know why...." Silence came to the room. "Once there was a young man who, like you, sat in this very Hall. Walked this castle's corridors. Slept beneath its roof. He seemed. To all the world, a student like any other. His name? Tom Riddle." A dead silence came to the Hall. "Today, of course, the world knows him by another name. Which is why I stand looking out upon you all tonight, I am reminded of a sobering fact. Each day, every hour, this very minute perhaps, dark forces attempt to penetrate this castle. But in the end, their greatest weapon remains... you." (Carina's gaze turned to Roman then to Theodore, who seemed to be in deep thought) "Just something to keep in mind. Now, off to bed. Pip pip!"

~*~

The following morning, Harry wasted no time in telling Carina and Hermione about his encounter with Malfoy. In enraged Carina to know that Malfoy was responsible for Harry's appearance last night, but before she could even cast a spell at him, Harry grabbed her wrist and pulled her down to the table.