Chapter 4: Tony's Tale

With a flick of his wand, Tom transfigured a small, nearby table into a twin sized bed complete with a sheets and a pillow. The bed was only five feet away from Hermione's bed and she watched him curiously while he did all this. She stared at him, thinking "Is he really going to sleep there?"

"Why don't you go sleep in the bedroom next door?" She asked already in bed.

"To protect you. We may not have seen anything dangerous throughout the day, but we don't know what can come out at night." Tom responded while taking off his suit jacket and removed his tie.

"That's mighty chivalrous of you, but I'm quite capable of protecting myself."

"That may be true, but in this strange house, it's best to say together."

Truth was Tom wanted to be around when Potter found his bushy haired friend, otherwise, all that he went through the last few days would've been for nothing. He didn't like the idea of sleeping in such a small bed either, but it would all pay off in the end.

"What are you doing?" Hermione shouted as he started unbuttoning his shirt.

"Unlike you, I cannot sleep fully clothed. Relax though, I'm wearing an undershirt."

Tom then took off his pants, only leaving his muscle shirt, which did an excellent job of complementing his lean, toned frame and his black boxers sharply contrasted his lily white skin.

"If you'd like, you can dress down and wear my shirt to cover yourself. It has to be more comfortable than those jeans and sweater."

"I'm quite comfortable, thank you."

"Whatever you say." He smirked, slightly revealing his perfect, white teeth again. Her parents, as dentists, would be proud if they saw them. "Would you be more comfortable if I made an unbreakable vow stating that I shall not try anything inappropriate with you?"

"That won't be necessary. I trust you know better than to try such things."

"I'm flattered that you have some trust in me. Well goodnight, Emily." Tom made himself comfortable in his bed and turned off the lights with another flick of his wand.

"Goodnight, Frank."

Harry continued to fall until he landed in 1943 inside a small flat that was a little dirty with some things thrown across the floor. He looked around and saw a long faced, pale man sitting at the kitchen table. The man was drinking directly from a bottle of gin which was almost empty. His bloodshot eyes where locked on the front door.

Then, the front door opened. It was Tom Riddle who had just walked in, looking as he did when Harry saw him in the memory of Hokey the house elf. He was still strikingly handsome. His cheekbones were hallowed and his hair slightly longer than it had been at school. All features that fitted him quite nicely. Features that were nearly ruined by the flying bottle of gin the man in the kitchen just threw.

Harry ducked as if the object could harm him, but Tom transformed the glass bottle into bubbles without taking out his wand or uttering a single incantation.

"You son of a bitch! You bloody, filthy son of a bitch!" The man cursed. "I risked expulsion back at Hogwarts for you. I let you live here rent free. And how do I get paid back? You impregnate my girlfriend!" Each word came out like acid, but Tom didn't seem the least bit phased. He stood there by the door, calm and collected, and answered back smoothly.

"It is her you should be speaking to Dolohov, not me. She provoked me and I did what any other man would do."

Dolohov? The diary belonged to Dolohov? Harry looked more closely at the drunken, long faced man. He'd seen the man several times in the past, but it felt so strange to see him as he was fifty years ago. His face wasn't quite twisted and he didn't look as worn out. He wasn't very attractive, so to speak, but possibly in a more sober state, he may have been more pleasing to the eye.

"Dolohov. That's what you call me now. I remember when I was 'Tony'. Tony, the one you could depend with any task and came to when you needed some consoling. Now, I'm Dolohov, the one you screw over because you think you've got him under your thumb."

"Well it seems you have too much backbone for that, talking to me in such a manner, but I warn you, my patience is about to expire." Tom's eyes had grown colder and his posture was more rigid.

"And then what? Are you going to kill me? You've already ripped my heart out. Why don't you tear the rest of my body apart? Or are you just going to kill me instantly with the killing curse? It's become your favorite, no?"

"Dolohov, I'm warning you."

"My, my…You're more sensitive than you let on. Walking around like you own the world, but you can't stand to hear a few minor insults. If you plan on killing muggles-"

Out of the blue, Dolohov fell to the floor, shaking violently. Harry knew that feeling as Voldemort once put him through it as well. The Cruciatus Curse, the torturing curse, the most painful curse known. A curse that made one feel that fire was seering the body.

"You know I wouldn't kill you." Tom said as he walked up to Dolohov without lifting the curse. "You're the most talented of the Knights. You're better than Lestrange, Avery, and even that worm Malfoy, but don't think I'll tolerate your insults any better.

"And let me make this painfully clear. Melinda, your girlfriend, constantly tried to seduce me. Her approach was more subtle when you were still at Hogwarts, but she did everything she could when you left. She even managed to get into the Prefects' Bathroom while I was taking a bath. She undressed and joined me, brushing her skin against mine. That was the first time we did it. I was hoping to leave it at that one night, but she was persistent.

"She stayed during the Christmas holidays, knowing full well that I always stay at the school. We got together quite a few times during those two weeks. She told me she wanted me and that she loved me and that she would leave you if that's what I wanted. When I refused her offer, she stopped talking to me and avoided any contact with me.

"I didn't think she would try anything when I moved in with you, but once she came over when she knew you'd be out and I'd be alone. That was the day I assume she got pregnant. Whether she allowed for that to happen in order for me to be with her or it was strictly accidental, I do not know. She insists its mine and tells me I will see for myself when she gives birth.

"I thought about ignoring her, but the thought of having a child, preferably a son, would be quite exciting. It would be nice to pass my teachings to one of my flesh and blood. But don't take your loyalty away from me Dolohov. Not over some half-breed that doesn't deserve our attention."

The curse was lifted and Dolohov rested still on his back, looking up at Tom.

"Do you plan on marrying her?" His voice was hoarse.

"No. She is far from what I want in a bride. She is untrustworthy and not very refined of herself. Unfortunately she is the mother of my child, so I'll have no choice but to see her still. If you still want to, you are free to take her. I will not think any less of you if you do."

The scene began to disintegrate, but then replaced itself with a new setting. It was also within a flat, but this one was a bit smaller and completely empty. By the door stood Dolohov and walking slowly around the apartment was a pregnant woman, presumably Melinda.

She could have been quite beautiful with her light, tanned skin and jet black hair tied back in a French braid, but the dark circles around her large eyes damaged her sex appeal.

"I know this place isn't much, but once I can get some money converted into these muggle's currency, I'll send it to you so you can get this place all spruced up." He tried to sound enthusiastic, but sadness was obvious.

"Thank you so much, Tony. I don't deserve your kindness for what I've done to you." Tears began to fall from her green eyes.

"Well, a part of me will always love you."

"Why don't you stay here with me? You can help me raise the baby and we can have a few of our own."

Melinda sounded like she was pleading rather than merely suggesting. She looked hopefully at Dolohov, but he simply shook his head.

"Now you are asking too much of me. I am not going to drop everything just for your mistake."

"Are you still going to work for him?" She looked him square in the eye, but he showed no trace of shame.

"Riddle is a brilliant leader and I believe in what he's striving for. We may not be as close as we once were, but I will not completely turn my back on him."

"It seems that he has quite a talent for seducing people into the wrong direction." She spat, but Dolohov continued to defend his Lord.

"Believe what you will, and I will do the same. You and I are no longer a couple, but if you ever need me, the jewel on this ring will turn red. I've bewitched it to let me know of your condition." He held up his hand and showed her a silver ring with an oval shaped jewel in the middle. At that moment, it was blue.

"So apparently it isn't essential that you stay." She mocked.

"No, but I'll drop by whenever I'm free to see how you're doing."

"You do that." She smiled, but it was cold.

He disapparated without saying another word, and the scene changed yet again. It was the same apartment, but this time it had furniture and the whole nine. Dolohov was there in the kitchen, sitting besides Melinda who seemed healthier than she did the last time.

He was older and looked even older with anger etched on his face, but she didn't seem deterred at all. Very much like Tom when he was being confronted.

"What the hell where you thinking, sending the boy to Hogwarts? That defeats the purpose of moving you down here. He still remembers how you ran away with his son. Home education is the best option. If you wanted to send him to school, you should have just sent him to Beuxbatons." He said in strained calmness.

"Elliot insisted he go there. He'd always wanted to go to the most famous wizarding school in the world." She said without looking at him and continued to play with the grapes in front of her.

"How did he even find out about it if he was brought up like a muggle?"

"I don't know. He's almost as secretive as his father unfortunately." Her tone changed to more cynical. "Eyes, hair, complexion; all like his father. I'm not surprised at all that he carries some of his personality flaws."

"Just because he reminds you of My Lord does not mean you should hold him under his nose."

"He could go ahead and take him for all I care."

"What the bloody hell are you saying?" Dolohov's voice elevated.

"I'm saying that I don't want him anymore. Wasn't that bloody clear?"

The simple way that she said it left Dolohov lost for words. His mouth was open in shock, revealing his yellowing teeth.

Again, the scene changed. This time, Harry landed in what he believed was The Hog's Head. It looked just as it did when he set up a meeting there in his fifth year. It was just as dirty back in Dolohov's day as it had been in more recent times.

Dolohov was there, covered in black robes and the hood was covering his long face. His bleak eyes were fixed on the front door. He had a glass of firewhisky in front of him, but he seemed to have forgotten it was there as it was completely full.

Moments later, a young boy came in, no older than thirteen, and Melinda was right. Harry could easily tell it was Elliot. He looked so much like Tom Riddle that he gasped. However, he looked happier than Riddle ever did, and it was sincere. No dark secret behind it all. He sat across from Dolohov with ease like he had been expecting him.

"Uncle Tony, what is it that you wanted to see me about. You've never come to see me during Hogsmeade weekend before." He smiled as he talked.

"I just wanted to see how you like it here. I remember when I used to come here. A slytherin I was. You're mother tells me that's the house you were sorted into."

"That's right and just as soon as the sorting hat touched my head."

"Funny…I never imagined you'd be a slytherin. You're a little more easygoing than most."

"My mother tells me the same thing, but the hat never lies. Or at least that's what I've heard."

"So I've heard as well…" Dolohov's voice sounded more distant. Then his tone became more serious. "Is there anyone giving you grief at school? Anyone at all?"

Elliot looked surprise at the change of topic, but answered nonetheless.

"Only this one boy, Marcus Prince. He's the older brother of this girl I like, Jocelyn. She's a year ahead of me, but I can't help the attraction I feel towards her. Anyways, I tried flirting with her once. She seemed to like me, but said I was too young. She let me down gently, though. Nice girl she is. Before I could walk away and go back about my day, her brother steps in and began harassing me.

"'Why is a mudblood like you talking to my sister? She's far out of your league.' That went on for five, long minutes. Now, he just looks at me with daggers shooting out his eyes."

"And are you going to take that?"

Again, Elliot looked confused. His uncle Tony was asking peculiar questions that had never arisen before.

"It doesn't bother me in the least. I mean, it's not like he's beating me up or anything. However, once when I was feeling down, I put firecrackers inside his bag. That really started the party during potions. Well so I've heard. It's sad I don't have the same classes as him to see my masterpiece."

Elliot started chuckling but a frown still stained Dolohov's face.

"If I were you, I would have killed that boy for humiliating me in front of everybody."

"Well, yes, I guess it was humiliating to be yelled at for five minutes in the halls between classes, but I already have a solid reputation." Elliot shrugged off.

"As what?"

"The class clown. The troublemaker. The whatever-you-want-to-call-it. Some of the tight ass slytherin still like to talk rubbish, but everyone else thinks I'm cool. So it's all good."

"Go ahead and knock that boy off his high horse. I don't like him at all."

Once more, the scene changed. It was dark, very dark. It was night at the Forest of Dean. The only source of light was a fire. Dolohov was sitting on one side of it and Elliot on the other.

Elliot looked uncomfortable. He kept his eyes to his shoes as Dolohov took out a book which very much resembled the diary Harry had found and a roll of parchment.

"Here boy. Read it and do exactly as it says. I'll be walking around, so call me when you are done. I don't want to accidently capture the torn part of your soul." Dolohov said.

Elliot reluctantly took the parchment and diary. He didn't even look up at Dolohov as he did so.

"I know you don't like this idea, but it'll keep you alive. More people are dying everyday. A war is bound to break out at any moment."

"Then why doesn't my mother do this as well."

"She's lost the will to live. Ever since she left your father, she's changed for the worst. You still have a long life ahead of you and you don't deserve to be killed in the crossfire."

"Thanks for your concern, Tony." Elliot began to cry. He did his best to wipe away the tears, but they kept on falling. "You've always been like a father to me."

"And you're like a son to me." Dolohov stood up and began to walk off into the forest.

Harry knew what was going on. He knew Elliot was going to make a horcrux. Interest struck him on wanting to see how one was made, but Dolohov's memory didn't allow him to do so. He had no choice but to follow him.

They walked for what felt like hours, but then Harry turned sharply when he heard a piercing scream. Dolohov simply stopped and looked up at the sky, eyes closed. It pained him to have his surrogate son go through one of the most evil and painful processes known to magic.

Before Harry knew it, he was thrown back into the present. Back into the dark and dirty Riddle Manor. His back hit the floor quite hard, causing him to exhale loudly.

"Harry, are you alright?" Ron kneeled by his side. "What happened?"

"Dolohov was raising You-Know-Who's son behind his back and made him create another horcrux."

"What?" Ron didn't understand, but Harry didn't elaborate.

"The diary? Where is it?" Harry sat up and looked around for it.

"It is right here where you left it, mate." Ron picked it up and gave it to Harry.

The diary opened on its own and words began writing themselves on its blank pages.

"A little less confused? I can help you destroy the Dark Lord, but you need to take this book back to Dolohov. To help you get started right away, I'll tell you where the whereabouts of your friend is. She's up on the third floor, the room farthest towards the east. Go there now! But be careful. The Dark Lord is baiting you with her."

"Come on Ron, let's go." Harry stood up and ran off without waiting for Ron.

"Don't forget me!" Ron yelled after him and ran off as well. They felt like they were running forever in the most massive house they had ever seen.

A/N: Longest chapter so far! I know it sounds like the story is about to end, but trust me, its not. There's a lot more to go. Much more action. Tell me what you think so far. I'll read all reviews and PMs. Very much appreciated if you do! :)

Also, I picked Dolohov as the main character of this chapter because he seems to be the one Death Eater who's been with Voldemort the longest and never starts a family. Perfect for the position I set him up for. I know his and Elliot's part in the story sounds irrelevant, but it's very important.

Anyways, Happy Reading!