A/N: I would just like to, again, remind my reviewers how wonderful they are! You guys really keep me motivated and I practically worship the ground you walk on. So, as always, thank you so much and keep those reviews coming! Enjoy.
It didn't take long for Lucy to realize that her feelings of dread were far from unfounded. She had expected for there to be an abundance of anti-muggle sentiment. Lucy didn't mind that; in fact she shared many of their beliefs. No, she had no problem with what Tom was saying, but rather with how he was saying it. Up there, in front of all of his followers, Tom had donned a completely new persona. Instead of his normal, quietly intimidating self, he transformed into a cold, terrifying leader. His harsh words and voice had all of his peers on edge, watching him in worshipful awe. And as the meeting went on, the rhetoric and atmosphere only intensified.
"Oh yes, these mudbloods certainly have a high opinion of themselves, don't they?" he asked with a cruel sneer. A few malicious chuckles erupted from some especially bold followers, the rest just nodded, affirming what he already knew they would agree with.
"They think themselves equals with wizards and witches from magical bloodlines centuries old. They see nothing wrong with a mudblood girl mating with a pureblood wizard, sullying the family tree," He paused for affect, scanning the faces of his enraptured peers. Then, a cruel grin curled onto his face. "But we know what the one thing muggle and mudblood girls are good for, don't we fellas?" This rhetorical question elicited disgusting chuckles from the majority of his male followers.
Lucy felt sick to her stomach. What a sick and twisted thing to say, even if it was about a mudblood. She risked a glance around the table, wondering if Elias was one of the ones laughing at Tom's disgusting remark. Much to her relief, he was not. His cherubic face was stony with no emotion, completely unreadable.
Lucy wasn't sure how much of this she could handle. She was really beginning to feel sick to her stomach. Unfortunately, it wasn't until well after 1:00 AM that Tom allowed his followers to return to their beds. Elias sent Lucy a small, unsure smile and wave before leaving like the others. Lucy attempted for follow them out but Tom stopped her form doing so.
"Lucy, I'd like to have a word with you, if you don't mind," he said coldly. Lucy began to panic, her heart leaping into her throat. Had she done something wrong? She had done her best to do as she he had told her. She had kept quiet, nodded when appropriate.
She turned around, only to have her fears intensified. He certainly was not happy with her. He motioned with one finger for her to come closer. Lucy swallowed the lump in her throat, forced her breathing back to a normal rate, and did as he had demanded.
"Sit," he said tersely, pointing to the chair she had only just left. Nevertheless, she sat.
"Have I offended you?" he asked icily, hardly waiting for her to be comfortably seated. It was clear that he didn't really care whether or not she was offended. He was asking if she had a problem with his anti-muggle rhetoric. She was smart enough to pick up on that, at least.
"Of course not!" she insisted, both louder and in a higher pitch than she had intended. She cleared her throat and began again. "I truly enjoyed myself and I really appreciate the invitation, I just think that it might be better if," she paused, unsure of whether or not she could get the rest of the words out. "it might be better if you don't invite me back,"
This request went over about as well as Lucy could have expected. "I'm afraid I misread you Lucy. I never would have pegged you for a muggle-lover," he said, each word a cold and calculated slap to the face. Lucy quickly decided to backtrack. Having Tom Riddle brand you a muggle-lover would have terrifying repercussions.
"No, not at all! Everything you said was spot-on. It's just I'm not used to such… passion," After a moment, Lucy noticed Tom's face soften, much to her relief.
"You must forgive me, Lucy. I forget why not many women attend out little get-togethers," he said sympathetically, taking her hands into his. Lucy instantly wanted to pull them away, but resisted the urge. He was so cold.
"You shouldn't be embarrassed. It's common for pureblood women to be sensitive to violent topics. I should have been more careful with you," All of this was said with a condescending smile that made Lucy's stomach turn. However, she decided it was better for Tom to think her weak than a blood-traitor, so she went with it.
"Thank you for being so understanding," she said quietly, giving him the only smile she could muster, a very small one.
"Although, I hope you won't mind continuing to sit with us during meals. I enjoy your company," Like most of Tom's invitation, it was less of a suggestion and more of a demand. Considering this fact, Lucy had little chance but to nod her head compliantly.
He smiled at her again, no less condescending than it had been before, and offered Lucy his hand. "Come. I'll walk you back to the common room," Again, Lucy could only nod submissively and take his hand. Much to her chagrin, he did not let go. With any other boy, hand holding would have been a sweet gesture, but with Tom, it felt more like a demonstration of possession.
"Tom," Lucy said softly, hoping it was ok for her to speak. When Tom offered no objection, she continued. "I heard some of your friends call you a different name… Lord… well Lord Something…" she couldn't remember the exact name.
A grin grew on Tom's face. "Voldemort," he finished for her. Lucy nodded her head. "I felt I needed a new name, one I could assume when our revolution is underway,"
"Would Lord Riddle not have been sufficient?" she asked, knowing she was pressing her luck by asking another question, but deciding it was worth the risk.
Tom paused for a moment, clearly calculating exactly what he would tell her and what he would not. After a few moments of contemplation, he spoke. "If you must know, I'm named for my father, and I'm not overly fond of the fact,"
Lucy felt instantly closer to him. Who would have thought that she would have had anything in common with Tom Riddle? "I know how you feel," she began, really looking him in the eyes for the first time.
Tom arched an eyebrow quizzically, clearly intrigued. "Do you?" he asked, probing for more information.
Lucy nodded. "I mean, my father died before I was born. But my stepfather," She stopped mid-sentence. Her stepfather what? How had she planned on finishing that sentence? She berated herself, it was a stupid thing to say.
"Your stepfather what?" Tom pushed, but Lucy just shook her head. "We just don't get along," she finished lamely. Tom continued to ask questions, but she wouldn't open back up.
They finally reached the common room and it was time for them to say goodnight and still, Tom would not let down. "I wish you would tell me," he said one last time before kissing her hand. "But maybe, another night," he said, letting her walk up the stairs to the girls dormitories.
As Lucy changed into her nightgown and crawled into her warm blankets, she felt pretty good overall. Having something in common with Tom Riddle was like having something in common with Merlin, it's having a connection with someone clearly talented and well known. She fell asleep quickly, into a restless sleep.
A few hours later, after he was sure she had fallen asleep, Tom snuck up the stairs and into the girls' dormitories, quietly seeking out Lucy's bed. He soon found her, sleeping fitfully. He took a moment to appreciate her beauty, her fair skin, dark curls, and long eyelashes brushing the tops of her high cheekbones. She was beautiful. Not to mention talented and from a good family. Having her in his ranks would be a great display of power; a true collector's item for his trophy case. He drew his wand and pointed it to her forehead. No one kept secrets from Tom Riddle.
"Legilimens," he whispered, and suddenly his mind's eye was flooded with images of another sleeping Lucy, maybe a year or two younger in what he assumed to be her bed at home. The door to this room opened, letting in a small sliver of light in, before it shut again. A man, definitely middle aged, with graying hair, climbed into her bed and began to slip off her nightgown. She suddenly awoke and began to cry, trying to inch away and push him off, but he continued what he was doing, "shush"ing her and cooing in her ear.
Tom retracted his wand, he had seen enough. He walked back out of her room and went to bed.
A/N: I hope you guys liked it! This is where the plot really gets going so I'm getting excited. Please review, I live for your opinions!