Into Your Gravity ( Luna Lovegood & Tom Riddle )

Chapter four: Genesis

Somewhere between the dungeons and the Great Hall, his practiced demeanor, worthy of Hogwarts' Head Boy and top student, had worked its way back onto his face, and it was with a confident smile that he entered the feast, where most of the students were already assembled. The Hall was decorated in the silver and green of Tom's house, as Slytherin had won the House Cup for the year, thanks in no small part to Tom himself.

"There he is!" cried one of the Slytherins as he entered, and many heads turned along the table to greet him. Sitting down, he engaged in conversation with his Housemates until Headmaster Dippet stood up, asking all the seventh years to make their way to the front of the Hall for the graduation ceremony.

Dippet called each of the seventh years' names one at a time, calling them forward to shake his hand to the applause of the student body and faculty. As Head Boy, Tom's name was called last, just after the Head Girl's, and there was a noticeable crescendo in cheers, particularly from the Slytherin table, as he swept forward to shake the Headmaster's hand.

"Well, done, Riddle," Dippet said, gripping Tom's hand. "Rarely has Hogwarts seen such a talented student. I do apologize again that I'm not prepared to give you the Dark Arts job, as we discussed, you're just a bit too young. But not to worry - I am certain you will go on to do great things, great things indeed. I wouldn't be surprised if you were Minister of Magic some day!"

Tom's smile returned, and he offered a slight bow to his Headmaster in respect. "I understand completely, sir. Thank you very much."

The following morning, as the other students piled into the thestral-pulled carriages to go back to the train, the freshly-graduated seventh years boarded the small boats they had sailed across the lake to start their first year at Hogwarts. A morning fog was on the lake, lending a ghostly light to their departure, and Tom stared up at the castle as they moved across the glassy water, watching the only home he had ever known move farther and farther away.

•

Madam Pomfrey held a goblet to Luna's lips. "Drink it, you'll be in less pain."

Sweat beading on her forehead as she lay in a bed in the Hospital Wing, Luna drank the potion. Immediately, the labor pains dulled and she felt more able to think clearly.

Ginny Weasley stood anxiously at her bedside, brown eyes full of concern. They had been at the Halloween feast, when Luna had suddenly stood up, crossed the Hall to Gryffindor table, and laid a hand on Ginny's shoulder. "I believe my baby is coming right now," she said, voice distant, her other hand resting gently on rounded belly. Ginny had popped up immediately from her seat and escorted her to the Hospital Wing.

They were seventh years now, and Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville had graduated a few months prior. As such, it was only Ginny and Madam Pomfrey who were hovering over her as she prepared to give birth.

Luna had dutifully gone to Madam Pomfrey weekly to drink her prenatal potions. At the end of the school year in June, before Luna had gone back to stay at Grimmauld Place with Harry for the summer for her own protection, Madame Pomfrey had taught her to brew the potion herself. "Don't forget to take it," the nurse had said sternly. "I won't have you coming back in September round as crystal ball and telling me you've been neglecting your prenatal care for months." After reassuring the witch she would remember her potion, Madam Pomfrey had looked at her with pursed lips, her general disapproval giving way to motherly concern. "Are you certain you don't want to know the gender before you go?"