I just wanted to say thank you for the reviews, and I wanted to tell you that I took them to heart and tried to make this chapter just as good, if not better ! This was a very difficult chapter to write, and I was up till 6 A.M. the past three nights writing and rewriting this chapter. I wanted to show Tom Riddle was more of a seductive character, dark, and just perhaps a little perverted ;) (and godric gives hermione her gift). Please read, enjoy, and review!
They say the world is simply in shades of black and white, so why now is my vision blurred with shades of gray? They say the fine line between right and wrong is forever, but why is it that the line before me disappears? I try to close my eyes, but I am unable to seek any solace, as the voices in my head have retreated back to their abyss. So here I stand in front of a man that has taken everything from me, and yet I find myself unable to repay the favor and it only makes me hate him even more. I dreamed about this moment, and every time the killing curse slipped through my mouth with ease, but now it didn't seem quite so black and white.
"I strongly suggest not pushing me Mr. Riddle." I attempted to shove past him, but he caught my shoulder. I was momentarily captivated by his emerald cut green eyes, and the slight specks of silver in their hues. He had high narrow check bones that gave his face a beautiful aristocratic look coupled with a strong angular chin, and a slightly upturned nose. His charcoal hair framed his face and seemed to move in beautiful thick waves. I quickly snapped out of it and ripped my shoulder out of his hand. I backed up slowly and we encircled each others like two animals fighting over a scrap of meat.
"Please Ms. Belle, pray tell, why should I not push you," he said amusement clear in his tone and a ghost of a smirk appeared across his thin lips, "what could you possibly do to me?" Look, my love, at his arrogance he is begging to be killed no one will ever have to know. It would be the right thing do. My child, are you looking at him as Voldemort or as Tom Riddle? Was there a difference? Yes, I suppose though did it really matter they were the same person, weren't they? Never let your hate blind you, it may just lead to your undoing.
"I think you will find that I am not a person you would like as an enemy." I claimed my voice eerily calm, as I gripped my wand steadfast. The snake around my neck tightened in anticipation. Tom stepped from the shadows his head tilted slightly to the side, sizing me up. His deep set forest colored eyes slithered over every inch of my body, and it made me feel sick. He glided over to me his muscular, athletic body pressed roughly against mine as he slowly traced his hand over the snake, his eyes held a look of wonder as they traced lovingly over every scale. The snake hissed in annoyance, my eyes quickly flickered to Tom, but he did not seem to notice. Do not let him distract you, my love. Keep your mind carefully guarded.
"That is a very beautiful tattoo, are you familiar with a man by the name of Salazar Slytherin?" I tried to back track only to run into a tree that I was sure hadn't been there moments ago. He followed me like a predator his eyes flickering noticing every detail. Lie.
"No monsieur, why do you ask?" Was there a possible way he could have known that it was from his ancestor? He chuckled darkly and his eyes held a flicker of amusement.
"Because Ms. Belle that is an image of his snake wrapped around your beautiful neck. Such an odd coincidence don't you believe Ms. Belle, that you have a tattoo of his pet, and yet you claim to not know him?" My breathing became labored as I tried to remind myself that this is Voldemort, but soon the truth wiggled its way into my mind that here there was no 'dark lord' there was only a teenager with misguided ambitions, there were no death eaters only children blindly following their parents teachings, and here there was no war only the distant rumblings of conflict. A wolf in sheep's clothing. My wand felt heavy in my hand as he towered over me, begging me to try and lie again.
"Yes, I suppose, although I do not appreciate your accusations." My voice was hollow as I looked away at anything other than him. He took his long bony fingers and delicately brushing them along my jaw line, before he grabbed my chin with bruising strength and turned me to face him.
"I do believe, my dear, that you are a liar," his voice melted over me as I found myself lost in it, "and if my suspicions are correct Ms. Belle than it means you have something to hide." He looked deep into my eyes as I suddenly remembered Harry telling me about Tom Riddle being a skilled legilimens. I hastily tried to empty my mind, but I feared it may be too late. I felt his sudden withdrawal, silently thanking myself for taking those private occlumency lessons with Snape. Instead of appearing angered he grinned like a Cheshire cat.
"Make no mistake, my dear, I will find what you are so desperately trying to hide." He whispered in my ear his hands reaching towards mine as he once again yanked my hand to his lips. "Until next time, oh, and by the way Ms. Belle believe me when I tell you that you can't keep me out forever." With a final knowing look he turned from me, his capes billowing in the nonexistent wind, he brushed past me and continued down the winding trail.
I stood frozen still pressed against the tree, not even noticing the death grip I had on my wand. You must not let him control you; he feeds off your fear. He will try to charm and persuade you into giving him what he wants, but you mustn't give him the satisfaction. I slid down the tree, laughing as I once again was surrounded by the more humorous side of this war, as I found myself ready to kill over a war that is and never was my own. You see, Tom Riddle did not start this war over muggle-borns or half-bloods, he started this war for power and nothing else, and of course he turned to the rich and powerful purebloods. In turn for their money and resources he targeted the people the purebloods hate more than anybody else, and that would be the muggle-borns. In a way I suppose I should hate the purebloods more than Voldemort and in a way I do, but Voldemort took more away from me than any pure blood could do. He ripped apart my best friend from the inside out and I was helpless to stop him.
I was in my first year at Hogwarts when everything went to hell, when Voldemort came back. I was so naïve to believe that this war wasn't coming that it wouldn't affect me. I was Harry Potter's best friend and in truth sometimes I wish I wasn't. I loved Harry, but he began to change, and not for the better. He started to push everyone away, and sometimes I would just watch him as he sat there with this dead look in his eye, like nothing mattered anymore, and to him I really think it didn't. Everyone cherished Harry like some kind of superhero, but I knew the truth so I watched and waited as I saw Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived, fall apart. I tried to help, tried to piece back what I could, but I guess in the end it didn't matter, none of it did, because he was just merely a sixteen year old boy who was scared to die.
I stood with the weight of the world on my shoulders. When I first learned of Voldemort I could have never imagined the destruction he alone could cause. I left the world on fire, to burn in its own ashes, but I would be damned if I would leave it that way. I hated the way I let Tom talk to me; I hated the way he seemed to know me, but most of all I hated the way I sort of liked it. I now felt guilty, not for not killing him, but rather for wanting to do so in the first place. Killing him would only allow him a peace he does not deserve; I plan on dragging this out. How proud I am of you, my little hatchling. No Salazar I will not do this for your own demented enjoyment I plan do this because I owe him one. I saw the bodies of my friends and death eaters alike litter the path in front of me, and it just fueled the already raging fire. Doing this out of hate, my child, will make you no better than him. Yes, that's true, but in the end am I any better? Of course you are, my love, you are special. I merely chuckled and shook my head as I pried my body from the tree and looked at the castle where I loved and lost so many people, where I lived and died, and where I must go one more time to change a fate that was never my own.
I looked as the flames of the sun just began to lick the morning sky. I had made up my mind, but this time I went on this adventure on my own. Are you sure, you are willing to do this? Godric, do you know what the last thing I saw was when I left my time, I didn't wait for an answer, I saw my best friend die, I saw the lifeless bodies of people that I thought of family, and I saw that this war can only end in blood and death. I finally realize that now, that was our issue from the beginning; we must be ready to kill to fight for what we have given our lives to protect. I will give you one last gift, my child; I hope you use it well.
A sliver of silver caught my eye as the sun began to rise in the sky. I crawled through the thick vegetation, only to discover the sword of Gryffindor sparkling mischievously under the caress of the sunlight. Take the sword my child. I hesitantly reached out to grab the sword; it was cool under my touch. It only changes for those who are worthy. Sure enough, after a few moments the sword began to change and morph. It almost seemed to melt as it wrapped itself around my wrist. It had become a beautiful golden bracelet, with one band running around my wrist then ending on top in a cross pattern, instead of making a complete circle. The ends of the bands were lion heads with their jaws wide open, and captivating red ruby eyes. The words 'A Leo cor est vires et maxima infirmitate' were carved in Latin they ran along the length of the band. I believe it roughly translated to; a lion's heart is its greatest strength and biggest weakness. Wise words, my love. You would do well to remember them. The bracelet, my child, is a gift, I think you will find it most valuable. I looked at it carefully memorizing every hauntingly, beautiful feature, I ran my hands lovingly over the lion head's, when I saw runes being inscribed along the band, each more intricate than the last.
There were only three runes in total, but they did not make sense. The first represented broken promises and unity with two lines each leading a different way but connected with a thin, breakable line. The second was strength and weakness, represented by a sideways S connected with a thick straight line. The last rune sent a chill up my spine as I looked at the rune of harmony and chaos, it too was an S, but it had an X in the middle leading indifferent directions, two paths. The runes inscribed on this band represent your future, more runes will be added or taken away as your future changes, and as your choices begin to affect you. Take this as a gift, my child, and use it for what you will. I stared dumbfounded at the bracelet now around my wrist, I thought carefully about the runes on the possible meanings. A choice that will either lead to chaos or harmony, no pressure, my love, but what choice would that be?
I slowly pulled myself up and looked at the castle, it was hard to shake the images of the ruins it would become in 70 years, but it was impossible to rid my head of the images of my friends dying. It was like a bad movie that played over and over in my head. Godric, Salazar if you are listening I want to tell you that I will accept this mission gladly, though I want to make it clear that I do this for myself, and my choices are my own. I will not do what you want simply if you wish it to be done, but I will help where I can. I take this mission and I can promise that I will change Riddle or die trying because this is one movie that I would like to have an alternate ending. In a bright shot of light, the rune of promise disappeared as the rune of sacrifice took its place, and that sent chills up my spine, as the lion's eyes glowed menacingly. Be careful what you wish for, my love.