And So It Begins

Part 1

After months and months of searching, Cassava "Ava" Davenport had found what she had been looking for at a Muggle auction in Little Hangleton. What looked like a crappy, ancient book on the verge of falling apart, Ava knew to be the authentic diary of Tom Marvolo Riddle. It was dangerous and thrilling, holding such a piece of blood-soaked history in her possession, but she just couldn't bring herself to care. Anyone who knew her would be well aware that this was the kind of thing she thrived on, the idea of putting her life on the line in order to curb her insatiable curiosity. Ever since she was little, she had been intrigued by dark magic and, giving into the temptation, began to study it closely. Naturally, her research led her to the story and history of Tom Riddle, known to the wizarding world as Lord Voldemort. She was immediately hooked. How did someone with so much promise end up the way he had? She needed to know more. As much as she could.

The horcruxes were reported to have been destroyed in the Second Wizarding War, but Ava had a feeling that the reports weren't entirely true. Most of the items were artifacts of power and history. No one in their right mind would actually dispose of them. At least, not completely. If she could get her hands on them, maybe they could provide her with some answers. So she began her search, starting with the most nondescript, the diary. She figured it would be the best to find first, where no one would likely ask questions about a young woman buying a seemingly normal, old book. From there, she could move on to the more recognizable pieces.

She ran her finger across the binding of the black notebook, smiling to herself before taking out her tools and getting to work. She worked through the night, using a combination of common restoration techniques to repair the ruined pages and her personal knowledge of the basilisk to counteract any traces of poison left behind.

By the time she was finished restoring it, she was running on pure caffeine and adrenaline. Without so much as a thought to the dangers of her actions, the young woman picked up her favorite pen, and wrote three words in the diary.

"Are you there?"

Something felt different, like he had been sleeping for too long and was finally waking up. Everything was fuzzy and still had a filter of sleep though. Then with a rush, the ink that soaked into his pages, everything was crystal clear. He WAS awake. "Yes I'm here. Who are you?"

She dropped her pen out of surprise. She honestly didn't think that would work! But it did, and here he was, the part of Tom Riddle trapped within the diary, writing back to her. The pen rolled under her desk, giving her time to think as she crouched down to retrieve it. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, so much she was dying to know. But she also knew she had to be careful. How would he react if he discovered that it was a (self-proclaimed) muggle that brought him back?

She reached her pen and sat down again at her desk. "My name is Cassava."

The name and penmanship was feminine, and Tom wondered who the girl was and how she had come to possess him.

"Hello, Cassava. I'm Tom. Where did you find me?"

He didn't know of many people with magic enough to restore him after the blow he had taken from the basilisk fang. She must have been very powerful.

"Yes, I am aware of who you are. I've been searching for you for many months now." Ava took a moment to think of what to write next. "As for how I found you, it took a lot of searching, as most are not interested in what appears to be a tattered, old book. I merely asked around and was able to track you down at an auction in Little Hangleton."

Unfortunately this next part is missing, as the writer deleted their blog and I don't have it recorded anywhere. However, it mentioned Tom being appalled at being found at an auction due to his followers' negligence, along with asking Ava to tell him more about herself.

Ava couldn't help but laugh. Even though she couldn't see him, she was sure he was writhing in agony upon learning that his precious diary was sold at an auction. Imagine if he found out that it was a muggle auction!

When she read the new words on the page, she blinked. He wanted to know about her? But why? "I'm not that important or anything…. I guess it couldn't hurt to tell him a little. Just nothing about me or my parents being muggles."

"I do not think I follow," she wrote. "But, as I said before, my name is Cassava. Cassava Davenport. I believe my ancestors attended Hogwarts at the same time as you, although I doubt you heard of them. I'm 18 years old, and at the moment I am living in a rental flat in London. My friend, Aurora, is an eighth year witch at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I spent a couple years of my childhood in a mental institution because of my early fascination with magic. I was eventually let out, since I wasn't responding to any of their treatment methods. Since then, I've been studying magic as much as I can. Is there anything else you would like to know?"

She had been right, Tom hadn't known her ancestors.

"A sanitarium, really? In my time they wouldn't let you out, it was a life sentence. What year is it?"

Tom didn't want to let her know that her exclusion of her own magical education was odd, she should have been at Hogwarts, not some flat in London. Not to mention, what sort of parents would allow their daughter to be taken to a mental institution? She was only exploring her natural abilities…unless she was muggleborne…

"I'm sure they wouldn't have liked to let me out, but I wasn't responding to anything, and my mother refused to waste any more money on something that provided no results." Outside of the diary, Ava shrugged. It wasn't that big of a deal to her. Of course, her time spent there made it quite difficult to make friends once she got out. "Today is June 14th, 2016."

Part 2- A Deal with the Devil

"I want to make a deal," Ava said, her viridescent eyes following the other as he circled her like a hungry hawk. Despite being brought here against her will, she didn't seem to be frightened in the slightest.

It all started approximately ten minutes ago, when two of the Dark Lord's most loyal horcruxes had apperated into his domain with a very irritated young woman. A couple months ago, she had obtained Tom Riddle's diary and Salazar Slytherin's locket. In her restoration of the artifacts, she had unknowingly managed to bring them back to life and given them enough energy to once again take form. Tom, the diary, had been first. The two of them had lived in fairly tolerable coexistence, mostly teasing and quipping at each other, until she had restored the locket. The locket, or Riddle, as he called himself, was much more influential and charismatic than Tom. His connection to Voldemort had been much stronger, so he was easily able to sense that their master had returned once again. Riddle convinced Tom that it was in their best interest to meet with their core self, now that he was back. When they did, they explained the situation and the mysterious muggle girl who had given them a third opportunity at immortality. It was no mystery that he asked her to be brought before him. He had recently obtained the diadem, and this would be an excellent opportunity for him to see what this girl was capable of.

"I'm pleased you've decided to grace me with your presence, little bird," Voldemort said, bowing mockingly. "I've heard so much about you from my brothers."

"I'm sure you have," Ava replied, unflinching. She repeated herself. "I want to make a deal. Whatever I'm here for, I'm not doing it until I know that no one is going to die or be harmed."

"Well, little bird, what will you offer in exchange?"

Ava dared to look him directly in his eyes. "My freedom."

The Dark Lord seemed to consider her before speaking, letting her words hang in the air between them. "You seem to be under the distinct impression," he began, his words slow, concise. "That your life matters."

His tone was cold, yet polite. To his left, Riddle shifted slightly, adjusting the buttons on his lapels, as though to remind all present that himself and Tom still existed. Ava, on the other hand, merely quirked an eyebrow and shrugged, as if to say "maybe it does, maybe it doesn't. Either way, I'm obviously here for a reason".

With a measured sigh, the Dark Lord pressed onward. "But my two young consorts seem to think that you have potential. I trust their judgment…..to an extent."

"You will do as I say and be happy to do so." Voldemort's smile was unpleasant, expectant. "Your life is your payment. Be grateful that I am so magnanimous."

"I cannot guarantee my happiness in performing your tasks, but I will do whatever you ask." Ava held her head high as she spoke, keeping her face blank and her expression guarded. Despite her claims of being a muggle, her knowledge was more similar to that of a young witch. She was fully aware of what the other was capable of. "All I ask is that you leave the wizarding world, especially Harry Potter and those around him, in relative peace. The exception being if one comes to you or your consorts of their own free will."

"We have a deal." He nodded, pleased with the potential of gaining a powerful new toy. Before she could walk away, he grabbed her by the wrist. "But just in case, I have a present for you." Drawing his wand, he pressed it securely to her left forearm. He then proceeded to brand her with a tattoo of an inky green snake, twisted into a shape that vaguely resembled a "V".

"This is your brand. Think of it as your very own Dark Mark, as it works the same way. It is a sign of your bondage and loyalty to me, and cannot be removed without my permission. You should be honored, as only the highest in my ranks receive a gift such as this."

Clutching her burning arm, Ava glared at him. "Honored isn't exactly the word I'd use," she spat, trying to ignore the pain coursing through her limb.

Part 3

It was one of those nights again. The kind where you can't stop thinking. Ava lay in bed, thinking, as the clock near her bed displayed a time at which no one in their right mind would be awake. She was thinking about how much had changed since she came here from her hometown a couple of years ago. For one thing, she didn't talk to her friend, Aurora, as much anymore. Of course, Aurora was likely busy with her magic exams, being so close to graduating. The last time they really spoke was the day she went to that auction a couple months ago.

The auction was another thing that had brought changes into her life. What had started as pure curiosity had become a sticky web she now had to navigate. She had only written in the diary to…well, she wasn't sure WHY she decided to write in it. Perhaps it was because she honestly didn't think anything would come from it. After all, it had been over a decade since the war. But something did, and like a moth to a flame she was drawn in. From there she had gone on to collect more, in almost an obsessive manner.

Still, it wasn't the prospect of the power the items held that kept her going. In her mind, it was almost preventative. Like she knew it was already too late for her. "There is no such thing as a happy ending when you get involved with these things," she'd remind herself. But maybe, just maybe, she could prevent someone else from making the same mistake.

As the number grew, she had to become more and more guarded. The less they knew she knew the better. Probably. She didn't have a lot of experience with this, all her knowledge coming from books written by people she would likely never meet. She also couldn't experiment with her discoveries, lest she be exposed. Too many years had passed for her to be sent to the beginning. The best thing to do was to be aware and on guard at all times. Of course, this was easier said than done, especially with the lack of filter from her brain to her mouth.

These were the kinds of things she thought about as she lay in bed, her blood-soaked possessions across the room, almost glittering with the anticipation of drawing her further into the web of death.

Part 4

-Pours Shrinking Solution on Ava's cup- || Cidarim ||

Ava raises an eyebrow. "There are much less childish ways to get my attention, you know. You don't have to waste your potions.

Since it appears you are awake, I have to ask. Just /why/ did you put shrinking potion on my cup?"

"I thought to, perhaps, reduce the problem at its source." Cidarim smiles benignly. "Wouldn't it be quaint, to keep the little bird in a pretty little cage? Like Thumbelina, and perhaps we could find you a fairy to keep company."

"So you poured it….on my plastic cup. What, was it somehow offending you?

And furthermore, I'm not your bloody pet! I'm not that small either! You do realize that you're almost a full foot taller than me, right? How much /smaller/ am I supposed to be?"

((Note: In the ask, they had originally sent it as a typo and meant the potion has gone INTO the cup))

Smirking, he thrust out a palm and waggled long, spindly fingers. "Until you fit in my palm, Little Bird. Precisely where pets belong."

She bats his hand away, her jaw clenched. "I'm not your pet. I don't belong to ANY of you. I'd rather die than to have the lot of you hold me in the palm of your hands."

She attempts to move around him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have other things to be doing."

Part 5

"Hey Cass!"

Ava dropped the rag she was holding and nearly leapt three feet in the air at the voice. "Bloody hell Aurora!" She exclaimed, fixing her hair. "Well, I see you finally passed your apparation test. Give me ten minutes to clock out and we can talk."

Ten minutes later, Ava returned from the back of the pub. "It's nice to see you again, Rori. It's been so long!" A genuine smile crept across her face.

"It really has! Too long, I'm afraid! But I'm here now, so we can catch up on everything! I can't wait to see that book you restored a couple months ago!"

Ava's eyes widened and the smile fell from her face. "You don't want to see that." She was NOT dragging her best friend into the mess she'd created.

"You're kidding, right? For months all you could talk about was finding and restoring the damn thing. Of course I want to see it!" Her friend was oblivious to Ava's reaction. "I mean, you're still alive, so it must've been harmless. I guess he really /was/ destroyed."

"..."

"And knowing you, you probably tracked down more," Aurora continued to babble. "What are they like? Are they just as beautiful in person?"

"That's one way to put it," Ava muttered under her breath. ((Get it? Because Aurora is talking about the physical items, but Ava's talking about the materialized personalities.)) "Look. It's great that you came here, however illegal it was-" She put up a hand to stop her friend from protesting. "-but I can't let you see the Horcruxes. I'm sorry. Let me run home and change, then we can go get dinner or something."

Aurora huffed. "Fine. But you're buying."

"Sure. That's fair." With a smile and a wave, Ava started walking back towards her flat.

What she failed to notice was that her friend followed her, a silencing charm placed on her feet. Something was wrong. Ava /never/ refused to share her work, especially if it was something that took her months to complete.

Upon reaching the flat, she performed a simple unlocking charm and let herself in. Ava was nowhere to be seen, but four devilishly handsome gentlemen lounged around her room. With the exception of their clothing, they looked identical. Aurora dropped her wand.

Tom looked up from his chair and tucked his book away. He had expected Ava to return, the little bird back to her cage. He put on his best smile. "And who might you be, my dear?" Tom sounded friendly, welcoming.

Aurora stood there, gaping like a fish. "You….you're… But I thought…."

"Bloody hell! I should've known you'd follow me, Rori," Ava exclaimed, coming back from changing her clothes. She sighed. "This is why I didn't want you to come over. As you can see, they obviously weren't destroyed. And now we're more or less stuck together."

"Cass, that's Tom Riddle. You know you're living with Tom Riddle, right? Why didn't you destroy the book?"

"Trust me, I've tried," Ava glared at Tom and his stupidly false smile. "He just wouldn't die."

"Death never really suited us, you see. Call it stubbornness, but it's just a fact of life." Thanatos smiled from his perch near the window.

"The friend's manners are just as bad as our little bird's." Tom mused.

Aurora whipped around to face the new(?) voice, her eyes growing wide.

Ava, on the other hand, walked over and sat on her bed. "Might as well get comfortable. This is going to take a while."

"What a beautiful visitor!" Riddle's voice floated above the rest as he stepped confidently forward. Taking the Aurora's hand in his own, he smoothly brought it to his lips and gently kissed it. "It's a pleasure, my dear. Please don't be afraid. We don't bite…" He cooed before stepping back to give her space once again.

"I…oh!" Aurora's head was spinning and she blushed at the contact and pretty words. "T-thank you." She looked over to Ava for assistance. The only response she received was a look of "you-asked-for-this". Although, Ava did make some sort of gagging gesture at Riddles sickly-sweet words.

Amused, Cidarim watched Riddle charm this 'Aurora' as easily as anyone else. Thumbing a page in his book he recrossed legs and offered a dazzling smile without approaching. "You might want to consider sanitizing that. One never knows where," Cidarim flicked a finger at Riddle. "That one, has been."

Aurora almost didn't see him at first, so she had to look around to find the owner of the voice. "I'm sorry, what do you mean by that?"

"He's basically saying that Riddle tends to whore himself out for his connections," Ava replied. She stood up and clapped her hands together. "Well. Now that we're all acquainted, can Aurora and I go eat now?"

"But we were just getting comfortable, I wanted to hear her speak a little more." Tom pouted cutely. "She seems like she would tell the best stories."

A clap of hands and Cidarim stood, book forgotten on the sofa as he glided over to Tom. Long fingers mussed dark hair with a quiet hum. "Why don't we all join them for dinner? Even being such as we should eat…" Cidarim turned a shark-like smile upon Ava as feet touched the ground and he breezed to Aurora with a flourish of wrist and bow. "Hello, Aurora… you wouldn't mind if we joined you?" Lashes fluttered and lips parted earnestly.

Riddle shot a glare at Cidarim and Ava for their biting comments. "They simply mean that I appreciate beauty when I come across it, dear Aurora." He added, eying her appreciatively.

At the mention of being part of the dinner plans, his eyes lit up with delight. "Oh, what a wonderful idea." He agreed. "We may not need food for sustenance, but it certainly is lovely to dine among such dazzling company."

Ava sneered, her top lip curled in disgust at Cidarim's triumphant smile, before turning to Tom. "Don't pout. You're not a bloody child." She chided, and moved to put herself in between the young men and her easily swayed friend. "You lot can get your own food. You're not joining us. And if it's company you desire, there are three other people you're free to talk to."

"I dunno Cass. It could be fun…" Aurora's head was spinning, completely caught up in the moment. Poor girl. She really had no idea what she'd signed up for.

In mock hurt Tom placed a hand on his chest. "You're too cruel, Cass. Listen to Miss Aurora, it could be fun."' In, what was a rare gesture for him, Tom stood and grabbed Aurora's hand, kissing it lightly. "How much do you know about me, about my fellow Horcruxes?" He asked charmingly, completely ignoring the eye rolling and almost fuming Ava.

Riddle gave Tom a subtle, approving nod and seemed almost prideful as the younger man stepped forward to charm the young lady. He shot Ava a self-indulgent, satisfied grin while Aurora's attention was diverted before turning back to the newcomer, a sparkle of hope in his eyes. "It will be so much fun, Aurora, I assure you! I would really love to get to know you better. Wouldn't you love to spend some time with us as well?"

"Then it is decided?" Cidarim cooed with a pointed look to Ava. "I do believe majority rules." Brows quirked and he turned a pout and rounded eyes on Aurora. "She is a true tyrant. You wouldn't believe the cruelties your friend subjects us to." A forlorn sigh, wistful as he scanned the bland walls of Ava's apartment. "Of course we are all quite intrigued by such… promising company."

Ava's jaw tensed at Tom's mocking use of Aurora's nickname. She hated being called "Cass". The only reason Aurora was allowed to use it was because she always forgot, and Ava was long past reminding her.

"She's really not that bad," Aurora said in response to Cidarim. "You should have seen her when she was younger. Sometimes I can't believe she's the same person! But I would definitely be interested in getting to know you all. Textbooks only have so much information in them; even less over in America. Please, Cass? Just this once?"

"Fine," Ava spit out bitterly, trying to ignore everyone's blatant attempts to piss her off. "But I'm not paying." She knew she couldn't win this one, no matter how hard she tried. Damn cocky bastards. As much as she wanted to tell them to go ahead without her, she wasn't about to let her best friend willing walk away into the lion's den. Aurora was lucky Ava loved her enough to suffer through a meal with them.