Through The Cyclone of The Phoenix
Chapter 10
"But Grandmother! What big eyes you have," said Little Red Riding Hood.
"The better to see you with, my dear," replied the wolf.
"But Grandmother! What big teeth you have," said Little Red Riding Hood her voice quivering slightly.
"The better to eat you with, my dear"
.
"Sscyrene!" Tom screamed in terrible pain.
He dragged himself slowly across the damp stone floor of the Chamber of Secrets, crying out with unimaginable agony.
The pain was deeper than his skin, muscles, or bones. It was deeper than the core of his magic- it was in his very soul!
Tom had never know such pain in all of his life. He didn't know such a limit on a wizard existed, and he wondered why he was not yet dead. For the first time in his life he wanted to die, if only to escape the pain.
"SSCYRENE!" Tom let out a blood curdling scream, as he crawled on all fours like an animal.
He gasped, and his eyes widened as if merely speaking were a colossal effort. And then suddenly he could not move. On that filthy stone floor, he could not move an inch.
Then again, such a position seemed fitting. Tom had seen the face of his future, he saw a world in flames, drenched in blood, and death.
In his robe pocket, Tom could feel the warmth of the phoenix feather building up. The warmth went from tolerable to unbearable in a matter of seconds.
His robes were intact, and yet Tom felt as if they were on fire. He tried shrugging out of his robe, but hadn't the strength.
But that pain was nothing compared to what his soul was enduring.
Will I…die? Tom thought as his pink mouth went slack , Will I die?
"Masssster!" a voice echoed from the depths of the chamber.
Tom no longer had the capability to move another inch. His arms could no longer keep him up and gave out beneath him.
His cheek lay against the cold stone as he prayed for his body to pass out.
How much more pain could he take?!
He curled his legs up to the side of him, but even that minimal effort took all Tom's strength. Then he was swallowed by the barren haze of relentless pain, and knew nothing more than that.
"Masssster! What hassss happened?!" came the screeching hiss of the Basilisk above Tom. "MASSSTER! You're dying!"
Tom choked on his own groan of misery as he felt Sscyrene coil around his body.
Tom cried out as the Basilisk constricted him. Each movement caused him such pain. As Sscyrene tightened her powerful hold, Tom felt a warmth begin to cocoon him.
"Don't ssstruggle massster! The pain isss necesssary- embrace it or it will consssume you!"
No, it was too much! Tom couldn't bare it anymore- he'd rather—
Rather what?
Die?
The image of Toms bloody future ransacked through his mind, evading every thought.
He could hear that creatures decrepit laugh over Hermione's screams- over the screams of hundreds that met their death because of him.
I deserve to die.
I don't deserve the miracle of my own magic.
But….
I want to live, even for just another moment longer. Surely, my life won't end so soon. I still haven't made it yet. I haven't taken my true place among wizards…
Will I die a nothing?
No
Not yet
I DON'T WANT TO DIE!
These thoughts were the only thing Tom could accept, and as he did a last surge of pain ripped through Tom.
It was then that he allowed a wave of darkness to slowly take him.
He took comfort in the Basilisks hold, and pressed his head against the giant snake.
He wondered if this was how it felt to be held by a mother. Sscyrene was the closest thing to a parent Tom had ever known. He wished he wasn't in so much pain, and that he had the strength to wound his arms around the serpent.
Darkness was closing in around Tom, so that he could only see shadows and shapes.
"MASSSTER!" Sscyrene hissed as she tightened her hold, causing her pausaul-magic to pour into Tom "DO NOT LEAVE ME! I CANNOT ENDURE ANOTHER CENTURY IN SILENCE, PLEASE MASSSTER! I DO NOT WANT YOU TO DIE!"
You're the only one Sscyrene, Tom thought as he passed out, I don't want to die, but I deserve to.
Tom smiled to himself as the pain within his soul threatened to tear him apart.
Sscyrenes hisses grew fainter. The shadows closed in on him. And then as he gave in to the darkness something happened.
Within Toms pocket, the phoenix feather burst into flames. It did not consume any material.
Instead, the fire became gentle, and surrounded Tom within the Basilisk's coils.
They were the flames of rebirth and new life that surrounded Tom.
And it was all consuming.
.
When Abraxas entered the Slytherin dorm, it was well past two in the morning.
He slowly sat on the edge of his bed and carefully slipped off his sleek leather shoes.
Abraxas miraculously prepared for bed stripping out of his school robes and into a comfortable white nightshirt with embroidery on the hem and his cuffs.
He was slow to slip on the garment, which caressed his pale skin with a secret sort of pleasure.
Abraxas smoothed the fine fabric over his chest and down his belly until his hands reached his thighs.
Nebula was still unconscious and healing.
His sister…
Abraxas sat by her bedside for hours holding her hand and staring into her round face.
Her hand was so small in his, and he remembered thinking how he had never given his sister such comfort before…or perhaps it was for his own selfish need that he did it.
Never the less, Abraxas couldn't stop thinking about Nebula and Ursa.
His hands clenched the fabric of his nightshirt over his thighs, twisting it tightly.
He glanced over at Orion, who slept with his entire body tucked into the duvet, except for his face.
Rostislav was another matter entirely. The mad Lestrange boy sprawled out naked over his bed. His sheets tangled around his strong limbs, and for a single moment Abraxas studied the boy intently.
He felt his cheeks heat up as he allowed himself to think wicked and unnatural thoughts about another man.
The moment passed, filling him with deep shame.
Abraxas flicked his wand towards his bed and closed the curtains.
The Flamel brothers were also in a deep sleep. The muscular one with the red hair- Ron had his arms wrapped around his brother.
Again the wicked thoughts filled his mind.
Harry Flamel seemed serene pressed against his brothers chest. The sight of the two in each others embrace was not so much a strange sight these days, but it still threw Abraxas off a bit.
It made him think about things he had no business thinking.
He studied how Harrys fingers spun themselves in Ron's red hair and wondered if this was how normal siblings acted.
Abraxas thought of his own connection to his sister and looked away in shame.
He was a disgrace to the Malfoy name for neglecting his sister, and now look at what happened.
No, he would not allow the Malfoy name to be treated as such. He would get to the bottom of this if it was the last thing he did.
Curiously, Abraxas glanced towards Toms bed and found it empty.
A part of himself wanted to rummage through his belongings and investigate what hidden secrets Tom kept.
Yes, Tom Riddle had proven himself worthy to Orion, Ursa, Rostislav, and himself. A few years ago he proved himself to be worthy of Slytherin house, despite growing up in the muggle world.
He told them he was the descendant of the great Salazar Slytherin himself, which no one believed. They had all laughed until Tom took them into the Chamber of Secrets and commanded the Basilisk to show itself.
Abraxas had never felt such fear and awe in his entire life, and neither had the other Slytherin boys.
From that day on they treated Tom with respect and reverence, and followed whatever command he gave them.
Abraxas remembered the name Tom had given them—
Death Eaters
"So that even death will flee from you, less you devour it and become greater than mortal limitations." Tom had said one night to then as he walked across the stone ledge of the Astronomy Tower.
The others had embraced the name, but Abraxas always felt uneasy about such a title.
The conservative pureblood that Abraxas was made him inwardly turned his nose up in distain.
However, Abraxas accepted it as he watched Tom lift his arms above his head. A gust of wind caused Tom's robes and hair to billow around him.
Abraxas was seduced by Toms power, and thrilled him in such a way that made Abraxas question everything.
It was easy to accept Tom. He had such advanced power, and his charisma drew in everyone like a moth to the flame. His words were seductive, and although Abraxas held a certain formal respectability for his position and propriety, he too was seduced.
Now, as Abraxas stared at Toms empty bed, he felt a seed of doubt begin to grow.
As Abraxas sat in silent contemplation, something happened
From across the room Harry Flamel was thrown out of his brothers arms by an invisible force. His body was thrown across the room, screaming and thrashing in agony.
Ron was the first to react and leapt out of bed with his wand drawn.
"HARRY!" he roared charging towards Harry's trembling form which continued to scream.
Orion and Ros bolted up with their wands drawn, frantically looked around them to find the source of the nightmarish sounds.
Abraxas quickly turned to Orion, trying to keep the panic out of his voice "He needs aid, get the Matron here immediately!"
Ros threw on his robe to cover his naked body, and jumped from his bed to Ursa's.
Ros rummaged threw Ursas potions case as Orion raced out the door, while at the same time sending a patronus to their head of house.
"Harry! Tell me whats wrong, whats—"
Ron went silent as he pushed back his brothers hair. The look that crossed his face was one of mixed relief and panic.
Abraxas stood over Ron as Rostislav nearly fell over the red head with a handful of vials.
"Heres a pain reliever- shove in fown his throat!" Ros demanded, uncorking the vial and handing it to Ron who smelled the vial suspiciously "I'm not trying to poison him, idiot! Give me a little more cunning credit than that….also I wouldn't do that in front of witnesses."
Ron took the vial and opened Harrys clenched mouth and tried to pour the potion, but Harry couldn't stop thrashing.
Finally after another minuet of this, Ron took the vial and poured it into his open mouth.
As he held Harry down beneath him, he used his hands to hold his head in place as he captured his mouth. Ron allowed the potion to pour from his lips into Harry's mouth, and did so with another one for good measure.
Ros had an amused gleam in his eye as he watched Ron Flamel captured his brothers lips, who continued to moan in pain.
After another moment Harry stopped screaming and lay on his side in fetal position, shaking.
Abraxas noticed how Ron kept brushing back Harry's fringe, and stroking the pad of his thumb over Harry's forehead….
Which lacked the lightening bolt scar which once marred it.
.
Gellert Grindlewald apparated within the forbidden forest. It was late as he began his walk, aware of the Obscural cloud which followed behind him.
"Hogwarts is a few kilometers from here, and apparation is impossible because of the wards." Gellert said, staring the conversation. "I never attended Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I attended Drumstrang, although I unfortunately never finished."
Credence materialized beside Gellert through the black cloud, so he could walk beside the sixty-year-old wizard.
"I wouldn't know anythinh about magical education." Credence said in a hard stoic voice next to Gellert. "what I do want to know, is why you wished for me to come with you? Lord Trochar already told you he would summon the Flamel girl, so why are we here?"
"The Flamels need to be taught a lesson." Gellert smiled, sharing a satisfied smile "and you are here to help me extract it."
"This is part of your plan for world order?" Credence scoffed, shaking his head "seems insignificant that ruling over muggles requires the alliance or power of one family. Immortal or not."
"We need the Hallows." Gellert smiled as if he were talking to a small child about adult matters "its as simple as that."
They walked in silence until they reached the edge of the forest outside of Hogwarts. They stood staring at the magnificent castle in silence.
Credence was the first to break the silence appearing overwhelmed by emotion.
"Do all magical children go to school in such places?" Credence whispered, taking a timid step forward. It was as if the timid, shy Credence from years ago resurfaced.
He stared at the castle in wonder and sadness for all the things he was deprived of and would never have.
His sadness turned to anger, and suddenly he allowed his Obscural form to swallow him within the threatening black cloud.
Gellert smiled to himself as he turned from Credence and stared at a dimly lit window in one of the towers.
He could feel a familiar power radiating within it.
Its so like you to shelter them from me, Albus, but not for long. You can never escape from me, nor I you.
Maybe this time you'll listen to reason.
Gellert's attention turned towards the whining sound of horses.
Found you.
Gellert flashed a wicked smile towards the Obscural cloud which housed Credence, as he pointed towards the golden stable.
"Unleash the full extent of your power, Credence…and don't be afraid to get a little creative while your at it."
An animalistic roar blasted through the Obscural as it lashed out like a jigsaw of blades and hatred towards the golden stables.
Gellert leaned against an ancient tree as he turned his attention back towards the tower where he knew Albus slept, and smiled.
The screeching of Pegasus filled his ears as Gellert continued to watch the window, silently hoping to see a flicker of light or a shadow cross the window.
You can't fight against me forever, Albus…I will have you by my side… no matter what the cost.
I swear it.
For the greater good.
.
Nebula Malfoy bolted upright in her hospital bed.
It was the faint echoing shrieks that tore her back to the present. Shrieks which sounded more animalistic than human, and it was coming from beyond the walls of Hogwarts.
She was in a cold sweat, panting as if she had just run a mile, and blind panic flooded her every cell.
Her wide grey eyes darted around the hospital wing, blinking rapidly.
The terrible shrieks came again…no, not shrieks.
Whining.
Nebula shook as she listened to those terrible sounds. She felt so cold, and heavy as if her whole body was made of lead.
Still in a panic, Nebula took in her bearings.
The hospital wing?
How did…
As the thought crossed her mind, Nebula remembered running into Tom in the common room.
He had taken a seat next to her and talked so tenderly to her with brotherly affection. A pang of sadness filled her heart as Nebula thought of her brother, Abraxas.
Tom had wrapped his arm around her shoulder and smiled so warmly at her. She remembered feeling safe and…loved.
She remembered how he patted her blond hair, and kissed her forehead.
She remembered his smile.
She remembered his bright blue eyes…
His eyes.
Toms eyes…
Nebula slowly looked down at her small bandaged hands. She peeled back the wrappings to find half healed wounds on her knuckles and palms.
Toms eyes…
Nebula shook her head as she ripped the bandages off of her other hand. The bruises on her wrists were faint, but they were still visible.
Tom's….red….eyes
Tom's beautiful blue eyes turning blood red.
Toms charmimg smile melting from his face.
"T-Tom?" Nebula had said in a quivering voice " y-you eyes!"
She remembered Tom's vice- like grip on her wrists, twisting and bruising them.
And then Nebula remembered the Unforgivable that hit her.
She remembered…
Everything.
A/N— we're about to descend into darkness.
Get ready.