Hope anyone reading enjoyed the last few chapters =D I've not updated for a while, so I'm not sure how well this merges with the last chapter, any suggestions on how I can improve it for chapters to come would be greatly appreciated. Also please can people review good or bad, it really does help in writing the next chapters. Thankyou!!
By the Fire
"Horace. Might I have a quiet word with you?"
From mine and Amycus's position, crouched awkwardly behind a rather large and leering gargoyle, Dippet's portly frame was hovering at the entrance to Professor Slughorn's office.
"Of course Professor Dippet, you buy my time afterall" he chuckled thinly, swilling his glass of whiskey absentmindedly.
With a flick of my wand Dippet strode confidently into the office, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.
"Sorry to intrude Horace, I know you must be swamped this time of year"
"Not at all Professor, I never turn a private visitor away, least of all the great Professor Dippet" he smiled jovially.
Dippet grinned quietly "Looks might deceive but you're quite the charmer Horace, even though age has ravaged your once youthful looks."
Amycus stiffled a laugh beside me as Professor Slughorn forced a grin.
"I needed to speak with you in private, you see I have a rather unusual request."
Professor Slughorn shuffled uncomfortably and took a large and foul swig of whiskey. I heard the flick of a match at my side, as Amycus sparked up a cigarette.
"Tom Riddle is one of your students I believe?"
"Ah yes, Master Riddle, very promising boy -"
"Well then, as you know Horace, Tom Riddle is an extremely bright student with splendid potential but--"
"Oh, I must agree with that. A very charming and charismatic boy, reminds me greatly of yours truly back in my handsome days" Professor Slughorn joked.
"Then I'm sure that any request made on his behalf, which might benefit such a, charming" he chewed the words deliciously, "student, should be a small request."
Professor Slughorn became subdued, hovering awkwardly he fingered the lip of his glass.
"I feel, and I'm sure that you'd agree, that Tom Riddle's future is greatly limited by the breadth and depth of study outlined by the Ministry. If he were given some extra guidance in more," he considered his words carefully, "delicate topics, then there's no telling where this boys future could take him. It would be such a shame, a travesty you might say, to disappoint this boys potential."
Professor Slughorn's face brightened, "It would be my pleasure to help Tom Riddle, extra classes, private tuition, more complex assignments, you name it. He does seem to breeze through his studies."
"Indeed he's gifted. What excellent news! Private lessons would be just the thing, allow Master Riddle to benefit from your many years of experience. You're at your own liberty to arrange these extra classes whenever you've got a free minute. I'll stay out of your way, I trust that I can leave Tom Riddle in your capable and qualified hands."
Professor Slughorn beamed back and began mumbling false modesties as Dippet casually made his way towards the office door. Slowly he turned back to face Professor Slughorn, "My only specification Horace is that the subject of Horcrux's be predominant within your lessons."
Professor Slughorn chocked back a large mouthful of whiskey, blood rising to his cheeks at an alarming rate. "But, you can't possibly – that's quite out of the – surely it's not necessary" he spluttered.
"On the contrary Horace, it is extremely important. The ministry refrains from allowing us to teach such topics in order to restrict the intellectual growth of our students. Now do not misunderstand me Horace, I should not think it wise to teach every Tom, Dick and Harry such information, you'd have pieces of student's souls swimming in your breakfast; but a responsible and diligent student like Master Riddle, well, no amount of knowledge and understanding is too much."
"But if the Ministry were to get involved"
"This conversation is strictly confidential. And I very much doubt that Master Riddle will be shouting it from the roof tops, such a reserved boy can surely be trusted. You are the only member of my staff able to educate Riddle in this matter and the only member of my staff that I would entrust such an important task to. I understand that my request places you in a vulnerable position and so you must know that I would only ask if I thought it absolutely necessary."
Professor Slughorn nodded defeatedly, "If you think it best."
"Horace, I know it's for the best." With that Dippet swept from the room, along the corridor and out of the Dungeons. As Professor Slughorn's door clicked shut, Amycus and myself slowly shuffled out from behind the Gargoyle.
We didn't exchange words, just smug knowing looks. There was no greater satisfaction than knowing everything was working out as planned, everything was going your way; our way; Tom's way.
What a victory.
We headed back in the opposite direction towards the Common Room.
I stooped forwards to step through the portrait hole into the dark chamber. They were waiting of course, Malfoy, Dolohov, Avery and Rosier slumped in chairs around the fire and Tom, palms flat against the chimney breast, staring into the flames.
"Well?"
Me and Amycus grinned wildly at each other, "You might need to clear some room in your schedule Tom"
He turned slowly to see the lines of victory etched on our faces; disturbing his pile of carefully arranged papers, he swept across the room. Grinning manically he flung himself forwards and grabbing my shoulders violently he pinned me against the wall. "You did good." I felt his full weight as he leaned forwards and kissed me forcefully on the lips. My lips parted very slightly, desperate for his touch but he pulled away cruelly. He turned back towards the fireplace, patting Amycus on the back as he made his way towards the bureau.
"I think it's time we celebrated" he toasted the air with a large bottle of whiskey, clinking it abruptly against his own half gorged glass. I quickly hid the look of disappointment from my face as I accepted the glass he offered me. He shook an indifferent hand at Avery and Rosier, signalling their departure from the group.
We seated ourselves comfortably around the fire savouring our conquest. Antonin Dolohov with the usual aggressive sneer plastered across his grim face, puffed apathetically on a fat cigar. He was Abraxas Malfoy's right hand man, but if I had my way he'd be treated with the same disdain as Avery and Rosier. They were good brutes, good man power, but they'd never be powerful. They served a purpose, for one they never questioned just followed mindlessly, sticking near Tom because trouble was always on the table. If they weren't beating and grappling with first years then they'd actually have to face the misery that was their pointless existence. There's no loyalty in settling. For Abraxas, Amycus and myself the fight for purity was our lives.
"I'd wipe the ugly look off the old bastards face"
"And how do you suppose you'd do that, present yourself naked on his bed" Malfoy drawled.
"I'd take out that dirty Mudblood he's so passionate about"
"Which one" Riddle joked.
"The monster. I'd draw it out nice and long, make Dumbledore kiss bye-bye to his monster lover Hagrid"
"Black could lick up his tears" Abraxas flashed me a teasing look. A brief smirk crossed my lips as I stared back into his flashing eyes.
More whiskey crossed our lips as the night darkened and a hazy cloud of smoke circled our gathering. I was feeling rather light headed as I stood to get another drink from the bureau. I felt all eyes watching me as I rose elegantly from my seat and slowly, lingeringly poured myself a final glass of whiskey. I took out a cigarette as I sank back into my chair and saw Tom and Amycus resume their conversation. From the seriousness of Amycus's usually delicate face I could tell it was business as usual. Dolohov sat broodingly in a corner, overcast eyes leering at me as he sipped his drink. By this point I was rather dishevelled, blond hair askew as my robes slipped from my shoulders. Abraxas glanced toward Tom, confident that he was deep in conversation Malfoy moved slowly over to where I sat. Instead of taking the empty seat next to me he crouched on the floor at my feet.
"Think Dolohov might have a bit of a thing for you" he mocked
"He'd have more chance with Dumbledore." I snorted
"Not a big fan of Antonin then. You prefer a man with a mind"
"Of his own" I intoned, glancing affectionately at Tom Riddle. Abraxas shuffled closer, reaching his arm up to gently stroke the inside of my thigh. My breath caught in my throat and despite my minds protest I let out a quiet gasp. He looked up at me playfully.
"Malfoy, Dolohov out!" Tom barked. I started as his domineering voice broke through the tension. Amycus had already stood to leave, smoothing down his robes he came to my side and bent to kiss me politely on the cheek. "Be careful" he whispered, I gazed up at him innocently, drawing the parting of my robes tight shut. Without a backward glance Abraxas sauntered from the room, a sneering Dolohov at his heels.
Moments passed as Tom shrugged forwards staring into the heath. I watched his every move with baited breath, willing my heart to steady itself. There was something so intense about being alone in Tom's presence, and as he swilled his glass distractedly and leaned back into his chair, my every muscle was tensed as I waited, patiently.
"Apollonia. Will you come and sit with me?"
I couldn't speak a word, rising at his command I walked cautiously towards him. I didn't want to fumble but I was confused, he was sat in his usual green high-backed armchair by the fireside. Should I draw up a chair.
"Come here" he uttered.
I walked round to stand in front of him, it felt strange to be looking down on such a commanding man.
"Amycus told me about how things went with Professor Dippet" he paused as if sizing me up, "I knew you wouldn't let me down. Was I right to trust you?"
"A question that doesn't need asking My Lord."
He placed his glass on the small side table to his right and motioned for me to come closer. He reached forward gently to take hold of my wrists and pulled me towards him. Very slowly I positioned myself to straddle his lap as he took me by the waist and pulled me closer, grinding against me gently. He leant back into the soft upholstery, his chest rising and falling heavily as he looked up into my face. Placing his hands on my abdomen, he parted my robes slowly, longingly. I couldn't help but gasp as his cold hands brushed against my bare torso, and his eyes widened momentarily as the robe fell away from my shoulders and crumpled to the floor. He sat up now, grinding hard against me as he pulled me close to him. Our faces level, I stared at him gasping, his usually cold eyes, hazy with lust. I rocked forward slow and hard onto his lap, eliciting a guttural moan from him. He leant forward, tracing kisses along the curve of my neck, as he gently stroked the arch of my back, with his firm hands. He bit down hard on my neck, "My Lord" I muttered in a daze, he pulled away abruptly, staring me hard in the eyes, "my name is Tom Riddle." Leaning forward he kissed me gently on the lips.
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