Chapter twenty-six:
Sweet Misery
The time came when Elizabeth would have to face Tom about her whole undercover adventure went. She was afraid that Tom would read her mind to get the full story faster than from her mere words, which was why she had altered her memory. As Elizabeth remained at the empty, dim living room of the Riddle house, there was suddenly a sound of feet toward the front door before the door was unlocked. Elizabeth pointed her wand in the air and lit the lights in the room of the house, revealing the dark, cloaked figure standing there in the living room with her before the figure removed the hood, revealing to be Voldemort. "Welcome home, Elizabeth..." Tom greeted hesitantly. Elizabeth took in a breath as she placed her wand back into her holster. "Hello, Tom." Elizabeth replied. Tom approached Elizabeth, studying her body language and facial expression before bringing up his long finger-nailed hand and brushed her blond hair behind her ear.
Tom noticed her Gryffindor uniform was still on from returning from Hogwarts and nearly grimaced. "I see that distracting Harry Potter was...perhaps, successful?" Tom questioned. Elizabeth nodded. "Of course." Elizabeth replied confidently. Tom briefly grinned at the response, tracing his long finger down her jaw then jumped off the end of her chin. "He had, of course, fell for the ploy i intended for him to think. However, the fail of gaining the prophecy fell on the hands of Lucius Malfoy, whom I'm aware of, has been captured and imprisoned in Azkaban." Tom pointed out. Elizabeth rose an eyebrow at the information she gathered, not surprised by it nonetheless. "Shall i return to the school for the following year?" Elizabeth asked. She was still heartbroken over the death of their son, Marvolo, but should she dare to bring it up? Tom hesitated at the question while watching her every move. He was deliberating on looking through her mind, as though he had trusted her as much as he trusted Severus Snape, perhaps a little more, he knew Elizabeth was still swayed by her emotions - he didn't want Harry Potter or any of those at Hogwarts to have swayed her over by emotions.
Tom sighed as his piercing eyes remained on his partner in crime. "I see no need for further inside investigation of Hogwarts, Elizabeth. However, i do have a further mission in mind for someone else in mind. No doubt, i need to see what exactly went on whilst you were at the school, my dear Elizabeth..." Tom trailed off. Elizabeth was a little nervous but she knew she had altered her memory for this exact reason because if the vow didn't kill her, it's more than possible that Tom would, he had after all, killed their own son. Tom then held his wand and used Legilimency on Elizabeth, inserting himself into her mind. Tom saw her classes, the Gryffindor common room, her mingling with Harry, Ron and Hermione including Fred and George, Elizabeth diverting Hermione's suspicions, her interaction with Draco and then at the Burrow making it seem that she was playing the Weasleys before showing Ron stupefying her in the common room. Tom exited her mind and paused for a moment in thought. Tom had suspected a possible altering of her mind but he figured that Elizabeth wasn't that skilled in magic to do so despite her skill in potions, with that he decided to question her simply out of pure curiosity.
"I suspect...you may have altered something, Elizabeth. May i ask why? Do you fear me so?" Tom asked curiously, taking his free hand and gripped her Gryffindor tie. Elizabeth looked down to notice his grip on her tie before looking back at him. "I know how you are, Tom...i only altered the part when i found out about Marvolo's death in the Daily Prophet, omitting my heartbroken memory of the event." Elizabeth snapped, narrowing her eyes at Tom. Tom held his head up a little, knowing he was the one to cause the murder of Marvolo. "Ah...yes, he had no intentions of working with me and wanted to run off with a woman who lived in America...such a pity." Tom explained arrogantly. Elizabeth was irked by that being the only reason to have killed his own child. It was true, he had no love in him. She didn't know why it took her decades to figure out, perhaps his handsome facade had her blinded from such cruel intentions, only having his new outward appearance cause her to look more deep within him. "Now, Elizabeth, i need for you to brush up on your curses...you shall be helping train the youngest Malfoy on how to use them under the radar from Dumbledore. Bella will however, be training him like she had you with Occlumency." Tom instructed.
Elizabeth had no idea what he was planning to do with Draco, but she could only assume it was a mission from within the school. "Yes, Tom." Elizabeth replied. She wanted to find a way in order to have a chance to visit Fred but she wasn't sure without being tracked. Tom loosened his grip on Elizabeth's tie and looked onto her left hand, noticing the absence of the ring he had given her. "Where is the ring, Elizabeth?" Tom questioned. Elizabeth froze. "I set it aside in the dorm when i went to the burrow for the day. I had to fool others to think i wasn't undercover, having a wedding ring on my finger would only raise suspicion for a student. When i came back, i couldn't find it." Elizabeth explained thoroughly. Tom deliberated for just a moment as he kept his piercing gaze onto Elizabeth, he didn't exactly want to admit that he had put a tracking spell on the ring. "I expect you to find it...it is, as you may know, an antique from my mother." Tom demanded, his face edging closer to hers before coming to a halt. Elizabeth figured that she would have to retrieve it but knowing who had possession of it was the question. "I don't know who took it, Tom." Elizabeth explained, looking into Tom's eyes. Tom formed a devilish smirk onto his lips before leaning back and letting out a bellowing chuckle. "Why not begin with whom you played with whilst back at Hogwarts? Perhaps, frankly, they will know where it is. For now, i expect you to return with the ring and i expect you to be back shortly as i need for you need to help the youngest Malfoy...as his life depends on it." Tom explained in a cold, cruel tone before leaving the Riddle house, leaving Elizabeth there.
Elizabeth had to figure out a way to find the ring and to figure out a way where she wouldn't be caught as a death eater - not that those she knew would immediately turn on her but make sure no one would be following her from the ministry or others that didn't know her that were friends of the Weasleys. Little did Elizabeth know, Hermione had taken the ring before the holidays. Elizabeth decided to grab her deep purse and pack a few things before leaving the Riddle house and making her way to the burrow. She didn't see the urgency in the ring besides it being an antique but thinking it over, perhaps Tom had some need for it. Once Elizabeth apparated to the burrow, she spotted the uneven, several story home and took in a breath before having the nerve to approach. She knew she was part of the reason that Tom had returned and became even more stronger and intimidating than before but perhaps the Weasleys would know her intentions.
Elizabeth couldn't keep altering her mind if she kept slipping up her true intentions because knowing how smart Tom was, he could figure it out eventually. Once she approached the door, she knocked on it and hoped for the best. Moments after knocking, Elizabeth stood there taking in a deep breath before the door swung open, being opened by Molly Weasley. As she had her wand drawn at Elizabeth in the beginning, Elizabeth understood although they were aware of her being more so on her side. "Can i speak with Fred?" Elizabeth asked genuinely. Molly was afraid of Elizabeth as she was a death eater but went to call Fred. "Fred! George!" Molly called. The twins made their way down the stairs and over to the doorway to spot Elizabeth. "She asked to see you, Fred but i want George to go with you." Molly explained. Elizabeth knew it was to protect friend and she could understand. The twins stepped outside with Elizabeth before the door was shut. "What is it, Elizabeth?" Fred asked, his tone a little hesitant. Fred still fancied Elizabeth but was slightly hurt that her identity was a lie and had to have a break. Ron, Harry and Hermione stepped out from the burrow as well, listening from afar. "I have to find my ring i wore in Hogwarts, i never found it after the holidays and wondered if you knew who may have taken it?" Elizabeth asked, her eyes shifted from Fred to the trio standing in back before back to Fred. "I wouldn't have any idea who took the ring." Fred stated, pulling her hand into his. Elizabeth's heart raced a little at his touch but was afraid of giving any leverage to Tom to have a reason on targeting Fred or his twin George. "It's his ring, isn't it?" Fred added, referring to Voldemort.
Elizabeth sighed before nodding softly as she wore a frown. "I don't know why it's-" Elizabeth began before being cut off by Hermione. Hermione knew which ring she was referring to and felt slightly guilty. "I think she meant, this ring. I took it before the holidays after noticing that she slammed it onto her bed." Hermione confessed, taking the ring from her pocket and handed it to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was surprised to know who had it the entire time. "It has a tracking spell on it, by the way. Figured it out over the holidays." Hermione warned. Tracking spell? So he was tracking Elizabeth the whole time before she even had the dark mark? Elizabeth felt violated, more so violated than the last time she slept with Tom after his comeback during the Triwizard tournament. Fred noticed how pale Elizabeth's face went at hearing about the tracking spell and could tell she felt betrayed. "Are you okay?" Fred asked. George nudged Fred when he noticed a dark figure in the distance from the burrow. The trio, the twins and now the rest of the Weasley's drew their wands at the figure. Elizabeth turned around, dropping Fred's hand, to notice that it was one of the death eaters, more than likely sent by Tom to fetch her, the death eater - Fenrir Greyback.
Of course, Tom sent a werewolf to fetch Elizabeth, being a fear of hers as she was half vampire. "Elizabeth, get back now." Greyback snapped from afar in a hostile tone. Elizabeth had a flicker of fear in her eyes when she turned back to Fred. "Be there shortly, Fenrir..." Elizabeth replied in a shout before adding in a whisper "...Greyback." Elizabeth whispered in front of Fred. Greyback growled deeply. "Now." Greyback urged. Elizabeth put the ring into her pocket, she knew she would be putting everyone in danger if she stayed. "I have to go." Elizabeth told Fred, who was deeply concerned for Elizabeth. The look on his face tore Elizabeth up a little. "It's not safe for all of you if i stay." Elizabeth whispered as she backed up, mouthing 'love you' to Fred, out of Greyback's view, and made her way over to Greyback. "I'm going. Can't believe he sent his pet to fetch me." Elizabeth snarled, hearing Greyback growl before she apparated to Little Hangleton, Greyback followed. George went to place his hand on Fred's shoulder, noticing his twin being slightly upset about Elizabeth. "You alright, Freddie? She knows what she's doing, if she spent that long with you-know-who, she has to know how he works. She'll be okay." George pointed out. Fred eased up a little. "I suppose you're right." Fred replied. "Can't believe you've fallen for an old lady." George teased. Fred looked at George and playfully shoved him. "She's still fit. Proves i'm better looking than you." Fred teased back before they ran back into the house.
Tom waiting in the forest when Elizabeth and Greyback arrived back to Little Hangleton. "Next time you refer me to a pet, i will bite like one." Greyback spat out. Elizabeth narrowed her eyes at Greyback as they approached the forest before turning her attention onto Tom. "That will enough, Fenrir...you have returned Elizabeth without harm...precisely done." Tom stated, eying Elizabeth. "You may go." Tom added, excusing Greyback to be alone with Elizabeth. "You had to send the werewolf?" Elizabeth snapped. Tom narrowed his eyes at Elizabeth before cracking an arrogant grin. "Don't fret, Elizabeth...it got you home swiftly, just as i demanded. I assume that you had gotten the ring?" Tom asked, obviously his tone gave away that he was testing her. Tom had his suspicions of her bond with the Weasleys since the holidays but though he never had feelings for Elizabeth, her loyalty is the only thing he wanted to remain - as the unbreakable vow depended on it. If the vow were to ever be broken, Tom surely enough had in mind the most pain inflicting as possible, loyalty was most important for him regarding those who he recruited. "Yes, i have." Elizabeth replied, fishing out the ring from her pocket. Tom spotted the ring, though it had little meaning to him, he wanted to make sure to keep an eye on her. "Wear it. I assume it still is a token of our past you wish to...cherish. Now, i need your assistance on teaching Draco Malfoy the curses while i have Bellatrix teach him Occlumency as she has taught you. Now, go." Tom demanded. Elizabeth bit her tongue, refraining from spilling the fact that she knew about the tracking spell and left the forest, grabbing a random witch from the knockturn alley and apparating to the front gate of Malfoy manor where she pointed her want to the witch's head. "Obliviate." Elizabeth casted, having the witch lose her memory entirely. Of course she could've simply compelled her but using the spell was more precise to the point.
Elizabeth edged to the front of the manor with the mindless witch in her grip, passing the gate and knocked on the door of the mansion. Narcissa opened the door, noticing Elizabeth. "The dark lord sent you? To teach Occlumency?" Narcissa questioned, narrowing her eyes at the witch in her grip. Elizabeth knew it would be a shock if it was her teaching Occlumency as she was taught herself by Bellatrix only a year ago but it wasn't the case. "Not precisely. I'm sent to teach Draco how to properly use curses under Dumbledore's nose. Brought my own prop." Elizabeth explained. Narcissa bit her cheek and stepped aside, letting the two inside before closing the door and going to get Draco. "Where are we? What's my name?" the witch asked. Elizabeth looked into the witch's eyes to compel. "You are now named witch. Please stand here until i say so." Elizabeth compelled. The witch nodded. Elizabeth was having a bad month and it was showing. Draco entered the living room and spotted Elizabeth standing there with the unknown witch. "What are you doing here?" Draco asked curiously. Elizabeth pursed her lips. "I've been instructed by the dark lord to teach you how to properly use curses so that Dumbledore won't catch you and send you to azkaban. Fair enough?" Elizabeth sassed. Draco rolled his eyes. "I can figure that out on my own, I'm sure." Draco pointed out. Elizabeth quirked an amused brow. "I'm not particularly in the mood for banter, Draco. If you wish to make it out alive or not imprisoned, i suggest you take up my offer." Elizabeth stated. Narcissa began to get worried. "Draco will be taught, Elizabeth." Narcissa demanded.
Draco looked at his mother in irritation but she assured it was best. "Let's begin." Elizabeth demanded, pulling the witch with her over to the middle of the room and keeping her there. "Now, we will be learning one curse today and one tomorrow, then other in a few days. The first curse we will be learning is the imperius curse, im positive you know what that curse is, correct Draco?" Elizabeth asked. Draco rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. "This is ridiculous." Draco sneered before looking at his mother who gave him a look. "Yes. It's the curse to control someone." Draco replied. Elizabeth formed a sly smile. "Correct. This curse places the victim completely under the caster's control, though a person with exceptional strength of will can resist it. I'm positive you will target those of weaker will to resist this. Now...point your wand like this and cast...imperio." Elizabeth explained, casting the spell and controlling the witch. She pointed her wand in the direction to Draco and had her push Draco a few steps closer and away from the side line before directing her back to the middle of the living room. "To remove this curse, drop focus and remove your wand from the victim's direction." Elizabeth instructed. Elizabeth then stepped back to let Draco have the floor, watching him use the imperius curse and how to stop it, it was used the rest of the evening until the lessons would continue the next evening.
Having to teach Draco was at least taking her mind off of her constant struggles that were going on and the misery of losing her son at least. She didn't need do succumb to her racing thoughts and especially thinking about Fred. Oh, sweet misery. Who knew your thoughts would become dangerous? When around Voldemort, your mind was never private and safe, they could be a warrant for your death but luckily, Tom trusted Elizabeth even through suspicions due to the unbreakable vow and the length he had known her.