F O U R T E E N
No More War!

The year is nineteen seventy-one, and the war between the U.S. and Vietnam is raging. After the whole snake thing; Tom, he proceeded to ignore me. I mean it had literally been two and a half weeks at this point, yet he refused to acknowledge me.

For the first week, I allowed him to have his space. By the second week, I was subtly trying to get his attention. I made faces across the classroom, launched bread rolls at the Slytherin table in the Great Hall, and my personal favorite: continuously destroying the potions I worked on.

I mean I wasn't necessarily trying to destroy them, but still. All I received in return of this was blank stares from him. I was growing desperate to grab his attention—I told myself the only reason I wanted it so bad was because of the mission. However, I wasn't so sure that was the only reason.

After being in Hogwarts for a whole month, my natural thirst for adventure got the best of me. I made a split second decision that fine Saturday afternoon, to go ahead and make a quick trip to the white house during the seventies.

I now found myself protesting in a large mass of people against war. The group mainly consisted of young adults and teen hippies holding picket signs reading 'peace' and little sayings against war.

Everyone kept chanting the same thing, 'No more war'—looking to the white house hoping for president Richard Nixon to hear the words. I couldn't help but find the bell-bottom jeans and bright yellow sweater I wore, far more comfortable than the fashion of the forties.

Unlike the braid my hair was usually in at Hogwarts, it was pin straight: half pulled back, the normal curls no where to be seen. I was sly enough earlier, to get my hands on a wizarding newspaper. So far, nothing had changed—
Lord Voldemort was still on the rise.

My thoughts were knocked away when secret security came from the white house gates, yelling for people to leave.

"No more war! No more war!" I chanted along with the crowd, raising my own sign up in the air.

It read the simple sentence of, 'War; what is it good for?'

I had to say wizarding history was a hell of a lot more boring than muggle history. Even with Voldemort on the rise in Britain, I preferred to be over here the states protesting against causes like this. This was where I found my calling.

"War is good for nothing, stop this!" I screamed dramatically, unable to contain the pure joy I felt.

"Yeah, what she said!" A girl with blue hair, and the normal hippie attire stood next to me chanting.

I turned to her curiously, a smile on my face. "Wicked hair, bro." I complimented.

"Thanks! I'm Violet!" We had to yell in order to hear each other over the noise.

I was happy to finally hear the normal American accent I was used to, instead of all the proper British. Violet couldn't have been older than twenty-two as she was obviously out of school, but still held youth.

"Pandora!" I shouted back, not caring that I gave her my real name.

I wasn't going to ever see her again, and I highly doubted she had any ties to Heaven or Hell. If she was an angel I would have seen her halo, and if she was a demon I would have sensed her tainted energy. She had neither and I didn't smell witchcraft on her, so I figured I was in the clear.

Wizards and witches alike all gave off a certain waft; a stench, as some might call it it. It didn't smell bad or anything, but you could definitely tell a difference between muggle and wizard. The only one's who could smell the stench difference between muggle and wizard would be either an angel or demon. Of course, Nephilim and Antichrist being the exception: as we were half.

Being in Hogwarts for so long had gotten me used to the stench, so being in the crowd of muggles was quite the change. I did have to admit in a way it was refreshing.

I honestly had no clue why some wizards were so keen on keeping their blood pure, it only made them stink all the more. Not only that, but how pure they were didn't even matter. At the end of the day: they would always be the inferior beings to the eyes of Heaven. In both Heaven and Hell's eyes, it didn't matter if a human was muggle or witch: they would still be just an ape to them.

At least I had the luxury of saying I was only half ape; if that makes any sense. Shaking my thoughts off, I was snapped back to reality by Violet.

"Cool name, never heard of any Pandora's." She smiled sweetly, before screaming her lungs out throwing what looked to be a banana at secret security.

"No more war! No more war!" I chanted along with everyone else, causing the secret security to glare harshly.

Violet randomly pulled out a marijuana joint and began smoking it. My eyes widened in surprise, but to be fair this was the seventies.

"Peace!" She screamed, smoke falling out of her mouth. She turned to me, offering it. "Want some?"

I was never one to smoke or do drugs. Even if it wouldn't affect me at all, I still found no point in it. However, this was the seventies—perhaps I should have some fun. With a shrug I grabbed it from her finger, bringing it to my lips.

Slowly; I inhaled, the smoke circling through my lungs—the effects of weed taking it's course. Now, just because I was some all powerful being didn't mean I didn't have the capability of getting drunk or high. Actually that was a lie—I usually wouldn't be affected by it.

However my grace was dormant, therefore the properties I usually had containing my ability to not be intoxicated were gone. I coughed, huffing out the smoke causing Violet to laugh in delight, nudging me.

"It's the good stuff." She smiled, taking it out of my hands—inhaling once again.

I had never even touched cigarettes, joints, vapes, or anything to do with drugs for the matter. The only time being when I traveled back to the Native American ages, and they had me smoke some foreign substance.

I was immediately affected by the plant. After a few puffs from Violet, she handed the thing back to me, chanting again to the public. I took another inhale of the joint, my already messed up mind turning to mush.

It wasn't long before secret security began taking out their guns, holding them up in the air. Shots were fired scaring everyone, chaos breaking loose. I was too high to even comprehend half of what was happening.

All I recognized was Violet screaming running away. With one last inhale, I dropped the joint. People pushed and shoved their way past me, trying to break free from the chaos. Without thinking; in front of everyone—I time traveled back to Hogwarts. Hopefully, my form disappearing wouldn't be noticed in the midst of all the chaos.

"Woah." I lost my balance falling to the ground of my dorm room.

I was lucky no one happened to be in here at this moment, I was so damn lucky. I shook my head trying to get rid of my swirling vision. Note to self: never touch weed again.

With a groan I pulled myself from the floor, walking over to the dresser by my bedside. My mouth fell agape when I saw a rat sitting in the drawer. Or at least I thought I saw one, it turned out to be just a hallucination.

"Jesus Christ." I muttered, changing from the seventies clothing into the standard Hogwarts gear.

Alike to always I didn't wear the robes, and my tie simply loose around my neck. I could hear the sound of footsteps approaching the door, and I knew it was Lavender about to come in. Therefore, I have no clue why she still scared me.

"Hey, Rhiannon-" She was cut off by my scream.

"AHHH!" I yelled, jumping five feet in the air turning to Lavender wide-eyed shaking.

She looked taken about by my easy surprise, paranoid nature. No doubt an effect from the weed.

"Why on Earth are your eyes red?" She questioned before shaking it off. Obviously, wizards weren't very educated on the history of drugs. "Never mind, we have to get to the Great Hall now. Another student was found petrified!" She motioned me with her.

Sluggishly, I walked with her keeping my eyes peeled for any danger. My wand was clutched tightly in my hand, just itching to shift back into a blade for any lurking danger. Lavender and I were soon taking a seat at the Gryffindor table next to Walter.

As soon as I sat down, Walter sniffed the air turning to me with a raised brow. "Why do you smell like weed?" He questioned, "And why are your eyes red?" He panicked.

"Walter." Lavender nudged him. "Maybe it's a new perfume?"

Walter being a half-blood obviously knew what weed was, and the signs that someone was high.

"Trust me, Lavender. It's not what you think." Walter sighed, running his hands through his hair.

"Do you take me as a daft person!" Lavender screeched in his ear.

He cringed away from her, "That is not what I mean't." He defended himself against the ever controlling Lavender.

"I didn't know you had a twin, Walter." My eyes were unfocused as I saw two of him.

Both parties turned to me, worried.

"Answer me honestly, are you high?" Walter questioned, biting his lip.

"Yep." I nodded.

"High?" Lavender asked, unknowingly.

"Think of it as being on Felix Felicis, times ten. And, instead of good luck—you get bad luck." Walter scowled at me.

Lavender scowled as well, crossing her arms. "Where'd you even get it." Walter demanded.

I shrugged. "Around." I vaguely answered, earning a groan from Walter.

"We won't get anything out of her in this state." Walter told her, as I gazed at the enchanted ceiling lovingly.

"Oh, say can you see, by the dawn's early light!" I chirped, earning an odd look from everyone around the Gryffindor table.

"Are you singing the American national anthem?" A random Gryffindor female questioned, looking at me oddly.

"I'm hungry." I said to no one in particular.

At that moment, Tom Riddle and the rest of Slytherin house waltzed in. They were the last house to come, walking with their heads held high—as if they were the best here. Tom himself was still effectively ignoring me; however, he did glance at me when he saw the state I was in.

I paid no mind to it, waving enthusiastically before yet again being taken by the enchanted ceiling. It was odd because despite my loopy unfocused gaze, I was clutching my wand tightly—as if Lucifer himself was coming for me.

My dad told me Lucifer was one big bag of dicks, I definitely wasn't looking forward to the day I met him as my uncle. Tom's scrutinizing look never left my form, even after he sat down. Once everyone was here, Dippet stood looking to us all.

"Students as you know, yet another student as been petrified. Mary Fox, a first year Ravenclaw. Because of these recent attacks, new rules will be set in place. All students must only leave the common room's for meals and classes. Anytime other than that, they must be accompanied by another student. Prefects, please stay with your partners when on duties, that is all!" He announced sitting down just as the food appeared.

I wasted no time in gobbling almost everything my eyes landed on down. I guess people really did get the munchies. Walter and Lavender, along with a few Gryffindor's around watched me eat in disbelief.

However, something caught Lavender's attention as she nudged us looking across the hall. Almost the entire Great Hall watched in shock and anticipation as Tom Riddle smoothly walked over here. Most Gryffindor girls swooned, and the boys glared.

This was no doubt the first time Tom had come to the Gryffindor table. Girls eyed in jealousy as he stopped right in front of me, me too out of it to care much.

"Heya, Tommy." I said, seeing two of him. "You have a twin too!" I exclaimed.

He glared fiercely, looking into my reddened eyes. "Come with me, right now." He hissed, leaning into my ear.

Whispers sparked around the hall, rumors already beginning to spread about the golden boy and the new girl. Quickly, I took one last bite of my food, slowly getting up. I stumbled after Tom, finding it much harder to keep up with his fast pace.

He was silent, until we got a good ear's distance away from the hall. Quickly, he swung around grabbing me pulling me into an abandoned classroom. I yelped waving my wand around aimlessly expecting it to do something.

Tom locked the door, turning around raising a brow at what he saw. He looked slightly amused, but quickly washed it off his face.

"Stay back!" I tiredly said, pointing my wand in the most non-threatening way possible at him. "Or I'll shoot!" I warned, not even using the right phrase for a wand.

"Shut up will you, Lightly." He snapped, taking a step toward me. "What's wrong with you?" He questioned, confusion apparent in his gaze.

"Oh, Tom!" I sobbed, pushing my wand in my robes—jumping toward Tom. "Everything is wrong!" I took him by surprise when I wrapped him in a tight hug, burying my face in his chest.

He trembled slightly, obviously not used to human affection. I couldn't help but find his trembling adorable. Ha, me finding the dark lord adorable. What insanity.

"Lightly!" He hissed, grabbing me by my shoulders trying to push me away.

I only held on tighter, which led him to giving up on trying to push me away. He smelled good. Like new parchment, and rain. I sniffed his chest loudly, earning an eyebrow raise in return.

"Are you... sniffing me?" He questioned, bewildered.

"Yeah, you smell good." I hummed, continuing to sniff him—holding on as if he were a teddy bear.

He was surprisingly; warm. A comforting warm, which radiated through your body.

"As amusing as this is, I am telling you to let me go!" He demanded, looking as if he were about to stomp his foot.

I laughed shaking my head 'no', only nuzzling into him further. He huffed, trying to calm down.

"Rhiannon," He softly said, using my first name. "Will you please let me go?" He questioned, sweetly—trying to convince me.

With a sad sigh, I looked up into his cold eyes. "Only if you stop ignoring me." I pouted, causing a victory smirk to form on his face—as if he had won something.

"Of course, all you had to do was ask—puppy." He cooed mockingly, rubbing my head with a smirk.

With a breath, I sadly let go of Tom. Tom abruptly gripped my chin, forcing me to look at him. His eyebrows furrowed upon the redness of my irises.

"What in the bloody hell is the matter with you?" He asked almost to himself, not able to figure it out.

Tom was raised in an orphanage up until age eleven, obviously his knowledge of the muggle word was more than the average pureblood—but it was still limited. Especially, considering it wasn't common for people to get high in Great Britain during the forties.

However, I thought back to what Walter said. Felix Felicis; the potion we learned about on the first day.

"Felix Felicis." Was all that I managed to mutter, my poor excuse. "Three vial's worth." I groaned, watching Tom's eyes go wide.

I remember him saying something about taking it in excess causes for it to become highly toxic and mind warping.

Tom's eyes caught fury, and before I could process anything I was in his arms. I mean he literally lifted me up like a baby, cradling me to his chest. I was surprised at his strength. Tom wasn't exactly bulging muscle, his frame was more lean. It wasn't that I thought he was weak, I was just slightly surprised he was able to carry me without struggle.

"Why are you so stupid, Rhiannon!" Tom cried with frustration, insulting me venomously. "You need to get to the matron." He voiced, an underline of panic in his tone.

I only nodded, watching as he carried me through the school all the way to the matron. The whole time he was firing insults about me being an idiot, while I ignored him keeping my eyes peeled for anything out of the ordinary.

I was more paranoid than usual right now, and I felt like something was going to jump out at us. I took a double take at a student, whom I mistook for a clown.

I shook in Tom's arms, subconsciously moving closer to him. I wasn't about to let no Pennywise eat me! I would die before I let that happen.

"Madam Dilly!" Tom exclaimed, using his magic to make the doors fly open as he neared them. "Miss Lightly has overdosed on Felix Felicis!" He said, his tone perfectly faked panic.

However, in this moment I wasn't sure if all of it was faked. I noticed right away in the Hospital Wing that four beds had been taken up; each with the curtains drawn. However, I could see the silhouette of student's whom were frozen in odd angles considering they were laying down. I immediately recognized them as the petrified souls.

In the corner of the Wing was a large cauldron, boiling some sort of potion in it. I vaguely remember overhearing Slughorn talking about how he was brewing the Mandrake Restorative Draught for the students in the Hospital Wing. Apparently this particular potion took a few months to complete, meaning the students would remain in their inactive states for a while.

Suddenly, a middle aged woman came barreling around the corner, her gaze coming to me. She patted a crisp white bed motioning for Tom to put me on it. He did as she said, slowly almost protectively placing me upon it.

The mind altering plant of cannabis was truly at this point beginning it's effect on my mind. Without really thinking of it, I started stroking the horse standing next to my bed. He was a pink horse, with a mustache on his face.

Note to self: Go to the year nineteen seventy-three and watch Secretariat do the record-breaking horse race.

I lightly hummed to myself watching both Tom and the matron's faces gazing down at me worriedly. The matron looked to Tom, gaining his attention.

"Will you please stay and watch her for just a second. I am going to give her Mandrake Root soaked in the common antidote for potions." She said, hurriedly earning a nod in return.

"Of course." He charmingly smiled her way watching as she rushed off.

He looked to me again, taking a seat right by my the head of my bed. I paid him no mind stroking the horse I had decided to name Pandora 2.

"What in Merlin's name are you doing." Tom questioned, looking to arm with an odd look.

"I am stroking my horse, want to hear what I named it?" I questioned, looking to Tom who glared back—but held worry.

"No. I don't want to hear the name." He said, with narrowed eyes. "How could you be such an idiot as to put yourself in this position dammit." He pinched the bridge of his nose.

It wasn't long though, before I felt a poking in my head. Even this high, he still didn't stand a chance of getting in my head unless I let him. However, in this state I doubt it would take much to convince me letting him in was a good idea.

"Hehe." I laughed totally out of it. "You're still not getting in."

"What in the—how? You are high as a kite, you are stroking an imaginary horse for Merlin's sake! A fifteen year old cannot possibly be that gifted in Occlumency!" Tom raged, looking to me in disbelief.

"Even I'm not that gifted." The thought flew across his head.

My eyes widened when I heard that. Not that I was surprised he wasn't able to, I don't think any sixteen year old wizard would be able to keep their mind closed being high. It was the fact that I heard his thoughts.

Mind reading is a common ease for me; however, that is when my grace isn't dormant. Key word being; isn't. My eyes widened when I felt my grace leaking from my soul, waking up. How could I be so stupid!

Obviously, if I was high my grace would naturally begin to heal me! It was sensing my state and now was trying to leave dormancy for self-preservation. I tried willing my grace back in; however, I wasn't able to focus enough in this state.

I panicked when I felt my eyes trying to change into their natural glowing state—and my wings attempting to make an appearance. Not good, not good at all. Luckily, Tom was too caught up in muttering to himself about how I could possibly be that gifted in Occlumency that he didn't notice my struggling form.

Think Pandora! Think!

My grace was not completely awake yet, it was just beginning to wake. Therefore it was easier to put back to sleep. If I couldn't focus enough to do it my normal way, I would just need to do it manually.

Quickly, I stopped petting the horse and closed my eyes—trying to clear my mind. I had to get to sleep! If I myself went to sleep, my grace would fall back to dormant. I let out a small breath relaxing.

"Lightly?" Tom said curiously, me ignoring him.

Just as I began drifting off, the effects of Cannabis helping me fall asleep much faster I heard Tom's voice again.

"Rhiannon!" He said sharply, putting a hand on my arm.

He was no doubt worried, I mean I'm sure a person actually suffering from Felix Felicis overdose shouldn't be asleep.

"Do not go to sleep." He said in a warning tone. "RHIANNON!" He roared when I gave no movement back.

Sleep was a wonderful thing. Just as I was about to fall into the depths of my own sleeping mind, I watched my vibrant golden grace make it's way back into my soul going dormant once more. Then, with one last cry of my name from Tom—I was gone. Tom Marvolo Riddle being the star of my sleeping state.