Darkness Cannot Drive Out Darkness...

Chapter Four; In My Life

Having a little more time on her hands, Violet begins to take interest in the disconcerting books that her family has left to her. But as it turns out, she is not the only one who is interested in the ancient books…

The next few days went by without any more disturbances, which was lucky because I had taken to spying on Riddle. After two weeks of spying, I had not found out a single thing. So gradually I forgot my mission and it was abandoned. I began instead directing my energy elsewhere. Of course I am not talking about schoolwork, but reading. I was not reading textbooks or your average literary masterpieces, rather the old books that my mother had given me before she died. They had been in my family for centuries.

As I have already said, my family were the Schlechts - a tyrannical wizarding family. The men, women and children were all vicious. Their behaviour lasted until the mid 1800s when all the Schlechts seemed to disappear off the face of the earth. Nobody ever knew why. That is, nobody except for us, of course.

I will enlighten you on some of my family history. In 1750, a man named Johannes Alexander Schlecht, became jealous of his older brother, Lucas' power. The fact was that for generations, the whole family had gained its power from books, diaries if you will. More could be added at any time but there was magic in these books, that was unheard of to the rest of the wizarding world; magic and techniques never possibly achievable by anyone who does not possess the books.

I felt a little bad that they had to be wasted on me. But according to the books, "Talent is not what gets you far in life; it is not physical strength, courage or wit. It is not your demeanour or your character - It is the small decisions along the way that decide your fate."

*"Hmm, how very interesting."*

Anyway, back to my story. Johannes Alexander Schlecht had three children - all girls. His brother Lucas had two boys. Johannes wished for his daughters to the most powerful living beings on earth! High standards, I know. Well, one night, he broke into the family library and cursed the books, making it only possible for them to be read by females. As you can probably guess, this did not go over well at all with Lucas. Eventually the two brothers killed each other in a duel and the families of the two sides never spoke again. This should have been the end of it. But of course it was not. As before, there was more sibling rivalry. The two younger daughters had several children each. Now, their girls had access to the books and would share the information with their brothers. The oldest daughter of Johannes however only had one girl. So can you guess what she did? That's right...one night she snuck into the family's library and cursed the books, this time making them only readable to an only child who was born an only child. This meant that you could not simply kill your siblings to get the books. Now it would be logical that each family only have one child each, however for the longest time, they did not know what it was that was keeping them from reading the books. So, until my birth, there wasn't a single only child born in the family.

It finally became clear when it was found that I could read them. It was too late for my aunt to pass down the books as we first realised that I was able to read them when I was three – just after my cousin John was born. Of course I could not fully comprehend what was written in them, but it was clear that I could see something. As you can imagine, my aunt was very displeased.

I had never been a violent person, but I found these books fascinating. They did not simply contain various means of torture; rather they were full of clever spells, helpful everyday spells or spells that could give you the appearance of doing something you're not. All of the books were hand written by people who had actually used, or in some cases, invented the spells themselves. Once I had been curious to see what others saw in the books so I showed one to Mary. She told me that she could only see blank parchment.

Back to the present. I sat in the library, reading. There was an average abundance of students coming and going, creating a gentle buzzing sound of conversations. I allowed myself to be drawn in by what I was reading. Unfortunately this made my senses less attentive and I did not notice the person standing behind me.

"Do you often read blank books?" I snapped my book shut and whirled around to see Riddle staring down at me. His expression was not what I had expected of him. It was suspicious. He eyed me, awaiting my answer. When I gave none his gaze returned to the book clutched protectively in my grip.

Not knowing what to say to him, I gave a feeble attempt at changing the subject. "You wouldn't have happened to have seen Madam Lezer around have you?" His eyes rose from my book and began to search my face as if for some hint of withheld information. I could not tell if he found what he was looking for or not, but he shook his head. "Oh well," I glanced around the room and grabbed my bag, stuffing my book inside. "See you later."

The next few days Tom was everywhere - and I mean everywhere. He acted nonchalant about it but I knew better. He would pass me in the hall and nod politely, then I would head to the other side of the school, and there he'd be. This continued for about two weeks. It was becoming a little intrusive. It was as though he wanted something from me but I could not figure out what it was. I had a bad feeling every time I saw him. Like something was going to happen that I could not possibly prevent. His eyes were constantly meeting mine - staring at me as though reading my mind; seeing into my very soul and it gave me shivers. It finally became too much for me to bear when some of his cronies began to watch me. Whatever it was Tom wanted, they knew about it.

One particular evening I was tired of my constant company. If I was not in class, I was being followed by Tom or one of his henchmen. And on top of that, my roommates had suddenly decided that our dormitory was the best place in the world for a hangout. So I had no choice but to find another place to read.

The sun was setting beautifully in the sky and there was a cool breeze in the warm October air. I walked briskly across the grounds towards the Quidditch pitch, my cloak billowing behind me as I went. I had been careful to make sure that no one had seen me and it was unlikely that anyone could see me now. I was just a mere shadow on the grounds of Hogwarts.

I chose the Gryffindor changing rooms as my spot. The colours were much brighter and more cheerful than those of Slytherin. Also, the Slytherin changing room was on the side of the pitch that was closer to the Dark Forest and Gryffindor's was closer to the castle.

I looked around the small room. There were several benches, arranged in rows in front of a chalkboard. There were also a few lockers standing on one side of the room. I picked up a cloak of some kind, which had been lying on a bench and arranged it on the ground in front of the lockers. I lit my wand and sat down; leaning back. And I began to read.

"It is common for wizards to duel facing one another as though holding a blade. However you are likely to find that it is far more efficient to hold your wand at your side. Not only does it add an element of surprise when using nonverbal spells but it also allows the wand to act on its own. As we have already discovered, the wand has a way of doing its own thing and deciding for its self what the best cause of action should be. This is actually part of our subconscious doing the work for us. If you simply allow magic to flow from you, you will find that the resulting product is a far better quality."

I stopped, thinking that I'd heard something. It was impossible for someone to have followed me. After a few more moments of careful listening I decided that it was only my imagination and I went back to reading.

"Of course simply allowing the magic to flow out of you can take some practice and should not be immediately tested in a duel. Doing so may not have a satisfactory outcome…"

*"Ok, that time I defiantly heard something."* I stood up and turned towards the door, holding my book close and my wand held in front of me. There was nothing there. No noise could be heard but the soft sounds of the wind brushing eerily against the heavy cloth that made up the walls of the room. As I stood still I began to notice other noises. Somewhere far above me the wooden frame of the structure creaked. An owl hooted, then another. Then a wolf howled in the distance. This was getting a little creepy for me. I had just decided that it might be time to go when I heard it. Someone cleared their throat.

My heart jumped into my own throat and I felt nauseous as I turned to see Tom Riddle standing not five feet from the spot I had been sitting. This was it - I was going to find out what he wanted. But I had a feeling that it was not going to end well…for me.

"Riddle?" I asked, slightly out of breath. I sounded far too shaky and uncertain for my liking. I didn't want Tom to know that I was scared of him. But he probably knew already. Still I tried to remain as calm as possible before it happened. Whatever 'it' was.

"You scared the life out of me! What are you doing here? I'm not out after hours, or out of bounds. It's only 9:30 and -"

He held up his hand to stop my rambling, which I immediately ceased, and he began to walk towards me. "I am not here to get you in trouble Violet."

I did not like this one bit.

"I was simply out for a stroll when I saw your light,"

"Oh?" I didn't believe him.

He nodded. "Whatever it is you are reading must be very enthralling." He gestured to the book clutched to my chest. "I came in a few minutes ago but you didn't even notice."

*"So it wasn't my imagination."*

His voice was calm and casual as was his face, but his eyes betrayed him. They had a dangerous glint in them that confirmed his precarious mood. I could not bring myself to speak. He was bound to get whatever it was he wanted sooner or later.

"It must be something you are not supposed to be reading." He mused as he began to walk around the small room, occasionally examining random objects in the space. "Or at least something you should not be reading at school." He turned to face me once again. A practiced, gentle smile played onto his lips. He was like a beautiful siren, luring me to my death. "Tell me," He pulled out his wand and began twirling it between his long slender fingers. "What was your mother's maiden name?"

He looked so casual; he could have been asking me what my favourite flavour of ice cream was. But it was not a casual question. He knew the answer but he wanted me to say it. And now I knew what he wanted - The books.

"Why?" I spat out. I wanted to draw out the inevitable as much as possible.

He sat down on a bench. "Just a question," He shrugged, leaning back. "Between friends..." He was using a new form of charm to manipulate me. He flashed a devilishly handsome smile, showing perfect dazzling white teeth.

*"Oh he is good at this game. But he is very much mistaken if he thinks that I am going to do anything he wishes in return for a smile." * "Well, I am sorry Riddle, but I do not know my mother's maiden name." Mistake! I should not have flat-out lied to him. I should have continued to dance around the question until it came out that he knew. But I was growing more tense by the minute, not to mention I was a little insulted that he thought that I would be so easily controlled.

His smile vanished and morphed into calm annoyance. "Do not think you can get away with lying to me Violet." He stood up and once again moved towards me. "What have you been reading?"

I could not look him in the eye. I had read about Occlumency in my books but did not yet fully understand it. However, I was quite sure that Tom did and would just read my mind I did not tell him.

"Look at me." I shook my head and stared at the ground, grasping my book for dear life.

I could tell that he was getting frustrated. My first hint was that he grabbed my arm and threw me to the ground. I was surprised by his strength as my body collided with the ground. He moved closer, glaring down at me. My breath caught in my throat as he raised his wand to my chest.

"If you do not tell me, I will find out for myself." He waited a moment longer. I knew I would not tell him so I prepared myself, as one of my books had said to do, and waited. Then it happened.

I did better that I thought I would. He did not immediately find the memory he was looking for. But he was persistent and my thoughts and memories were all of a sudden out for his viewing.

At first he was only able to see flashes. But as I grew weaker he began to see full memories - full, very painful memories.

~*Flash*~

I lay on a bed in a dark room trying to sleep. Suddenly I am jolted from my rest by the sound of people yelling. My seven-year-old self stands up and walks carefully down a set of stairs to the source of the noise.

"We can't keep her here forever!" A young woman says. "She's not our kid! We shouldn't have to take care of her! She isn't our responsibility!"

"She's my cousin!" The man yells back.

Noticing my presence the woman points, "Look at her! She's a waste of space!"

The man comes over to me and smiles sympathetically. "Go back to bed Violet." As though nothing had happened, he walks away.

I remain in the room looking up at the woman. There is anger and hatred in her eyes that I cannot understand. "He'll get tired of looking after you soon." She spits venomously as she passes me. "He doesn't want you now as it is."

~*Flash*~

I am now nine years old, standing in train station looking at departure times. I begin walking and eventually find my train. I board and find an empty seat next to an elderly woman.

She smiles kindly at me. "Hello there." Weakly I return the smile. "What is your name?"

"Violet Rose Davis."

"What a lovely name. I am Matilda Linton." She shakes my hand. "Where are you going Violet?"

"To live with my Aunt, Maria Rochet, in Poole, Dorset."

The woman clapped her hands happily. "Oh, I live very near to your aunt. She lives in a large mansion on the coast not half a mile from my cottage. I have never spoken to her before…" She sees my concern and adds, "But I am sure that she is a lovely lady. But why are you travelling alone child?"

I give no answer – just bite my lip as I stare at my shoes.

~*Flash*~

I am now standing at the front door of my aunt's mansion. I ring the doorbell and a house elf answers, ushering me inside. He leads me down a fancy hallway into an extremely extravagantly furnished parlour. My aunt is sitting in a high backed chair, awaiting my arrival. As I enter she stands up and comes over to examine me.

I see two other women sitting on the other side of the room, watching me as I stand scared out of my mind – waiting for her verdict.

"Oh dear," She says distastefully as she draws nearer. "She looks like her father."

Two children, around my age, are now standing in the doorway, watching me curiously.

~*Flash*~

Now ten, I am washing dishes in the kitchen when the door opens. Without a word my aunt pulls me from my work into the dining room. A man is waiting at the table. My two cousins are also sitting at the table looking at him enquiringly. He smiles at them but when he looks at me, he looks disgusted.

I sit down as my aunt speaks. "Children, this is my new husband -"

~*Flash*~

I am sitting at a kitchen table, at the age of twelve. The same woman from the plane comes in with a plate of cookies and some milk.

"So tell me, how was your first year at school? It must be very expensive for your aunt to send you to boarding school." I shrug. "What is your favourite subject?" She asks, pushing the plate of cookies towards me.

"Lunch." I reply as I eagerly take one of the cookies and dip it in my milk.

Matilda laughs.

~*Flash*~

Fourteen - my aunt, uncle, cousins and I are at the Minister's Ball. I smile to a group of people who are looking at me, but catching my uncle's eye, my smile disappears and I once again become impassive.

After a few minutes of my uncle being greeted by friends and colleges, he pulls me to the side. "You better not even think about dancing! And you may not speak to anyone, understand?" I nod. "Good. Because you know what will happen if you disobey me…"

He walks away, leaving me standing alone in the corner of the ballroom.

~*Flash*~

I stand in the dining room doorway – only this past summer. My aunt and uncle are sitting at the table facing each other.

"Do you have any idea of the situation we're in?" My uncle asks cynically. "We actually have to find someone who won't completely disgrace us, yet is not so superior to her that he won't want her. But really…who would want her anyway -" Realising my presence, he turns his gaze towards me. "You make our lives difficult."

There is another flash, but this time there are only small portions of memories rapidly blurring in and out of view.

My uncle is yelling at me as I stand crying before him.

My uncle is slapping me across the face repeatedly as he yells at me incoherently.

From the past two summers – visions of my uncle. One after another, of him telling me that I am worthless, or that I am very lucky that my aunt didn't just throw me in an orphanage.

And finally my last memory of my uncle before leaving for Hogwarts. He is cursing me.

"Crucio!" He yells at me as I scream and convulse on the floor. "Crucio!"

My aunt stands in the doorway – watching.

Suddenly I was jolted from my own mind, only to find myself back in the Gryffindor changing rooms, facing a very surprised Tom Riddle. I had begun crying involuntarily a while ago, but now the tears fell like rain. Tom remained silent as he watched me. I was furious at him for being able to see those things – which I had hoped nobody would ever see.

I couldn't look at him. Instead I turned on my heel and ran back to the castle. I ran as fast as a person can run while bawling their eyes out. I stumbled and faltered as I ran. The memories themselves didn't bother me so much any more. They used to, but now they only made me feel numb. My grief was caused by his knowing. I was afraid of him, and this was something he could very easily use against me. Now Tom Riddle knew just how unwanted I was.

A/N: Please leave a review. Your feedback is much appreciated!