Somewhere Over The Rainbow
I told you I wasn't dead! I finished school so I have more time to write. After this, I'll be updating my Game of Thrones fic, and then my Clash of The Titans Fic. I also made a separate account for just comic books, and comic book movie fics. It already has a Bane fic called Wolfsbane, so if you want to check that out. I need to update as well...
I'm also making a blog on tumblr for picture aids for my stories. Each story will have a separate tumblr. Once I get a majority of the needed pictures up, I'll send the link and the password you need to look into the blog.
I apologize for the long wait...It's been months, I know, but if I had to choose between writing fanfiction to living a life...I'm sorry, I have to choose the latter. I love writing, and plan on living my dream to become a famous writer, but writing fanfiction isn't going to make me famous, or get me money. So along with working in graphic design, I need to start writing my own stories.
I hope you understand. But fear not, this fic, and the others, aren't over.
RANDOM FACT:
Tom and Evan are both Capricorns.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT.
A Devil On Your Back
There was weight on my hand, and it kept me awake that night. I turned in early, so the dorms were empty. It was so far away, but I could hear the music play in the distance, but that wasn't what was keeping me awake. It was the silver loop around my ring finger. I was laying on my stomach, blankets wrapped around me tightly, looking at the black diamond in the moon light, my finger grazing over the metal. I closed my eyes, recalling what happened not but a half hour ago.
"...T-Tom?"
"You are mine, bound to me," he hooked onto my chin, "The ring will not come off, not until death. And I do not plan for that to ever happen."
"I can't..."
"You have no choice. After we graduate, we are to be married..."
"This seems a bit rash, I don't think... I think you're making a mistake, I'm not-"
"Do. Not. Question. Me. I make no mistakes. And I know you will never betray me."
"How do you...?"
The sound of footsteps were heard, and I turned and saw Daniel Pocock walk out, alone. I gave him a curious look before Tom pulled me off the bench, the robe falling off my shoulders. The cold sent shivers down my spine, but nothing like what Tom's eyes did at that moment.
"Give me your hand," he didn't have to say it, because he grabbed my hand anyway, and gripped it by the wrist, then he commanded me to do the same. I knew what was going to happen, but I couldn't refuse. He would just call me a coward or worse a traitor. Then he would force me... What else could I do? Daniel came to our sides and bounded our wrists together with a thin string of fire, but I felt no heat.
"Do you, Evangeline Gabrielle Bennett agree to be the Dark Lord's Lady until his last breath?"
The smirk on Tom's face was more frightening than the oath, because he knew that he wouldn't be dying. However, he does... twice. I knew this, but how would it benefit me? For 50 years I would have to be his wife, his lady. But if I refused, I'm good as dead, whether it be later, or now that the basilisk has been discovered. And God knows what he would do to my brothers and sister once I'm gone.
"I agree," I breathed.
"And do you agree to remain faithful and his only, to not lay with any other?"
Even if I go home, I would have to be single for most of my life, "I agree."
I needed to do something.
"Upon agreement your vow is no-"
"Do you, Tom Marvolo Riddle agree that no harm will come upon my family so long as you live?"
His eyes were sharp, and his lips snapped into a frown, and I felt his grip tighten. He didn't appreciated that, I knew, but I had to take precautions. But, believe it or not, this wild act of defiance was inspired by a certain online musical. I half expect him to call me a little shit right after.
Pocock looked unsure, as he looked between the two of us, waiting for an answer. He knew, as well as I, if Tom disagreed it would render my oaths irrelevant. And as many times as we made another Unbreakable Vow, I would, I will, ask him the same question until he agreed.
Through gritted teeth, he seethed, "I agree."
Daniel wrapped up the vow, and as I was about to pull my hand away, Tom raised his other and slapped me across the face, his fingers apart to let wind through to make a harder impact.
"If you ever try to pull a trick like that again, Bennett, I'll make you sleep in the Chamber in the nude and unarmed," With that he marched off, ripping his cloak from the floor.
Before he left, Daniel gave me a pitiful look and then followed his Dark Lord back inside, leaving me out in the cold.
I tore my eyes away from my hand and shoved it under the pillow, out of sight, then I turned my body to face the darkness of the dorm room. I felt a hot trickle slid down my cheek, while the rest of the tears got caught on my eyelashes. My right hand brushed against the cheek that he had slapped, still sore and likely red. It didn't feel like a bruise, but it would likely form by the morning. I wiped furiously at my face, and crawled into a fetal position, and shut my eyes tightly, trying to imagine being in my room, on my bed, at home, the sound of London traffic outside, the soft distant music coming out of Iris' earbuds from the other side of the room as she slept.
I inhaled sharply, burying my face into my pillow, refusing to let the shadows see my cry, and trying hard to hold onto that memory of my room, pushing out the image of Tom's smirk, pushing out the image of the black diamond, pushing out the image of Daniel's agonizing cries, pushing out the feel of the basilisk, pushing out the world of Magic entirely.
"There's no place like home," I breathed, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home..."
That night I dreamed of cold blue eyes, snakes, and purple fog.
I was sitting in the living room of the Meadowes house. I don't remember when or how I got here. Since the night of the Ball everything has been in a blur. Whether or not people notice my change in attitude or mood, or even look, I didn't notice, nor did anyone say anything.
I covered the ring on my finger by rotating it around so the diamond was hidden in my palm, and it looked like a simple band on my finger. I had to cover the bruise on my cheek as well, which was starting to take form to look like a hand print.
We were drinking tea and Victoria and Don Meadowes were talking how they met and how Don proposed. It was a rather typical story. Something that Nicholas Sparks would right about, with a cover of two white people embracing but barely kissing.
Don Meadowes was a little older than Victoria, with tawny light brown hair, hazel eyes, and a clean shaven face. They were a cute couple, and I felt kind of bad that I was barely paying attention to them the entire time they were conversing with us.
I spotted the clock in the corner close in to 11 pm, and I decide it was an appropriate time to get up and leave for bed. Faking a yawn and a stretch, and a smile, I get up.
"Thanks for dinner, Victoria, Don. I'm getting tired though,"
"So soon, Evan?" Don asked. The look on Victoria's face was skeptical, as if she knew that something was wrong. The look she gave me reminded me of my mom.
"Yeah, sorry, just a bit drowsy from the busy weekend,"
Don chuckled, "It's okay. Have a good night, Evan."
After I said night to everyone, I trudged up the stairs of the house. The house looked like a small one-bedroom place from outside. It looked like something Hansel and Gretel would stumble upon in the woods. Except not made out of candy. But actuality, inside was like a Victorian abode. They had five bedrooms, while four of them are about the size of a large walk-in closet. But considering it really is only the two of them living in the house, they really didn't need anything huge.
I sat on the single four-poster bed that was pressed against a wall under the window. There was a sloping wall from the roof of the house, and the wallpaper was a green floral design, with polished wood floors and a large wooded wardrobe. The blankets were a matching green and gold. At least it wasn't green and silver...
I hunched my legs up to my chest and twirled the ring around my finger, the black diamond staring me at me like a beady black eye. Sighing, I rubbed my eyes and leaned my head against the window, staring at the top of the forest, the moon making the show glow, illuminating everything all around.
My fingers found the fog on the window as I began to draw little lines. I parted my lips and breathed against it to make more. And somehow I found a small voice in my throat.
"Regrets...collect like old friends. Here to relive...your darkest moments. I can see no way, I can see no way...And all the ghouls...come out to play."
I hear a knock on the door and I snap up. Immediately hiding the ring, I invite them in.
A shine of orange hair peaked out before Victoria poked her head in, "I thought you were tired?"
"I-I was just..."
She walked in, closed the door and sat on the bed, "What's bothering you sweetie?"
I licked my bottom lip and looked down at my hand, "Nothing. Just...I miss home..."
The look she had told me that I wasn't being convincing, but she didn't press on what was actually bothering me. She just changed the subject. "So, how did your dress turn out? Did you take pictures?"
"Uh, no...I don't think at least. It turned out good though... Just as scandalous and obscene as I was intending it to be..." I licked my bottom lip as I was reminded of that night.
"Well you must have looked beautiful. Enough for a boy to propose to you..."
I almost didn't catch what she said, but when I turn to look at her, my expression must have given it more away. "How did you-"
"I tried to hide the ring the same way you are right now, before I was ready to tell my parents..." She smiled as she looked down at the traditional white-diamond ring on her own finger. But then she looked at me and her face was serious. "But you're not happy. Shouldn't you be elated?"
I lifted my shoulders in a modest shrug, "I'm not ready to get married."
She chuckled softly, "You know, honey, if you don't want to get married, you didn't have to say yes."
"I...I guess..."
She looked at me for a long moment before adjusting herself on the corner of the bed, rubbing my arm comfortingly and stood up. "Whenever you want to tell me, you know where to find me. And consider your secret safe with me. Have a good night, Evangeline," she walked to the door, and before she left she smiled, "Whoever he is, he's a lucky man."
Once she left I let out a shaky sigh and ran my fingers through my hair. If Tom Riddle was a lucky man, it wasn't because of me. The next few decades he's going to get exactly what he ever wanted, without my help. Whether or not I will be beside him or not.
I slid down so I was laying on my back, and the only thing I could see out the window was the moon and stars.
"And every demon wants his pound of flesh. But I like to keep some things to myself... I like to keep my issues strong. It's always darkest before the dawn." I closed my eyes and sighed. "And I've been a fool and I've been blind. I can never leave the past behind... I can see no way, I can see no way... I'm always dragging that horse around...Our love is questioned, such a mournful sound..."
I opened my eyes and stared out the window again. The moon had moved only a bit, but it moved the pale light from the floor to my face.
"Tonight I'm gonna bury that horse in the ground."
The next few days were uneventful. Most our hours were spent in Hogsmeade at Hog's Head. I really wish that the Three Broomsticks was opened now, but it wasn't... We would walk up to the Shrieking Shack, but since the rumour about it being haunted doesn't happen for another 30 or so years, it was just an old shack where a crazy old woman lives. So before we could get within 50 feet of the place, the old woman let a swarm of Doxies at us.
I never ran so fast in my life.
After we lost the Doxies, and no one was bitten, we decided to do a little shopping before Christmas, which was in a couple of days. Of course, since I didn't buy anyone anything just yet, the four of us went out separate ways. Save for Basil, who went shopping with Don, whilst Victoria was at work.
Finding a gift for Hector was easy. I got him a self-writing quill, with magic ink that changes colour depending on what you're writing. And as a joke, I bought him a book called Moronic Muggles.
For Basil I got fun stuff. The Tales of Beedle the Bard, a box of Betie Bott's Every Flavour Beans, a couple of chocolate Frogs, and Ice Mice. I also got him a set of paint brushes and canvas paper.
For Iris, it was a little difficult. Since she was never a fan of the fashion of this decade, I couldn't find anything that she would like. I managed to find a cute black beaded bag she would like. A make up kit, complete with enchanted eyeliner pencils, lipsticks, and sponges that do most of the work for her. Lastly, I bought her a rather pricey pearl necklace with a heart-shaped athemyst at the end.
For everyone else, I bought little things. I bought and mailed Kay Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. Jeanette some floral hairclips, Chloe a new quill set, because she kept on losing her quills. Zoe Brower, I got Quidditch Through The Ages, and Chelsea I got a necklace she could split in half and give to Prewett. Kathryn I got her the complete works of Lewis Caroll, the animated illustration version. Fred I got him a muggle book about HP Lovecraft, and Weasley, I got him a box full of Chocolate Frogs for him to binge on.
For Brevis, I got him a new pair of Quidditch wrist guards, since his were practically falling apart. They were used, but he didn't have to know it. And I got Bastian a pin up calender, where the girls were moving. That should entertain him for 12 months.
I know what you're thinking...How could I afford all of this. It turns out that the Meadowes family was filthy rich. And I've been saving every coin I got to buy gifts...
The money Victoria and Don gave us today was to buy gifts for our siblings and our friends, but the money I saved was for them.
Victoria mentioned that when she was younger she used to do Divination, but her mom always had problems with psychics. So I bought her tarot cards, with mermaid illustrations, and a crystal ball. For Don, it was a little more difficult, since I knew little about him, other than his love for astrology, and muggle technology. So I managed to find this steampunk looking model of the solar system. I'm sure Hector will hate me for not getting him it, but too bad.
I was skimming through a store, glad that shopping could get my mind off of what had happened. I still had a bit of money left that Victoria had given me, and I knew I was missing someone.
Daniel, perhaps. I decided something small. I got him a sea-eagle feather quill. But I knew that there was someone else...
Did he care that I got him anything? I knew he didn't get me anything. He would say that me marrying him was a big enough gift. My eyes grazed over the stands of enchanted items. My eyes stopped at a pair of books. They were bare, leather bound, one black, the other dark red.
"Ah, eyeing those two, hm? Someone dropped them off a few months ago," The shop keeper said behind me. "Twin journals. What is written in the black one disappears after a few minutes, and can only be read by the writer, and it is copied into the red journal."
"What's the point in that?"
"Safe keeping," the keeper grinned and leaned next to my ear. "You could also use it to spy on the other person."
I picked up the black book and examined it. Plain parchment paper, and there was a tag sewn into the back for the person's name. This looked exactly like Tom Riddle's diary.
"How much?"
"Two Galleons."
So I bought it.
Christmas was our last day with the Meadowes. We had a huge dinner with roast duck, stuffing, rice, and pumpkin pie with ice cream and caramelized apples.
The gifts were rather uplifting as well.
Basil got me an enchanted mug that was bottomless and never spilt, and anything I want to drink, it would appear. An Alcoholic's perfect gift.
Hector got me a book about Morgan Le Fey after I told him about my assignment, and he laughed.
Iris got me these amazing emerald and silver earrings, with matching necklace and bracelet. When she gave it to me, she gave this secret look towards Victoria that I was instantly suspicious about.
After everyone else got their gifts, Victoria sat up and came back with a flat white box.
"I heard that Professor Slughorn is hosting a new years party... and I thought... well, me and Iris thought that you need a dress. Something more... classy."
"Victoria, it's fine, I was just going to wear a simple black one...there is no need..."
She waved her hands around, "No, no. I insist. I made this dress, but never found a reason to wear it."
Sighing, I took the white box, untied the ribbon, and took off the lid. Behind white tissue paper was the most gorgeous dress I've ever set my eyes on. It was a green satin dress, floor length, with folded straps that would fall off my shoulder. Next to it were matching green open-toed pumps.
"I resized it to fit you," she leaned in and whispered. "Think of it as an early wedding gift."
I swallowed and smiled at her, "Thanks. So much... I don't deserve it."
"You don't," Iris scoffed, but smiled anyway. "But Victoria made me a blue dress, so it's not entirely unfair."
I rolled my eyes and gave her a playful shove.
By the time we went to bed, my bed was covered by presents that must have been dropped by owls from my friends. Most of it were sweets, books, and accessories.
I opened up a small one, and inside there was a note.
I'm sorry about what happened. I hope you can forgive me.
I was confused, since it didn't say who it was from. It didn't look like Tom's writing, so I assumed that it might have been Birch's, or maybe Lestrange's. But when I tore away the tissue paper, I instantly knew who it was from. A simple silver chain with a Cougar pendent at the bottom.
I pushed everything off the bed, gentle with certain items and then relaxed back against the wall as I dangled the pedant in front of me. The silver glinted from the moonlight, shining in my eyes.
A memory flashed in my mind, the day those wolves attacked me. My shoulder stung where the scars lay.
I was supposed to be a loin. Not a kitten.
I pulled the necklace over my neck and let it fall cold against my collarbone, then got up and walked towards a mirror, where I took a make up sponge and wiped off the make up from my face, exposing my bruise.
Do lionesses let their mates attack them? Do they roll over and submit?
"No," I said out loud. They attack back.
And it's hard to dance with a devil on your back. So shake him off.
Well, there it is! I know it was a bit slow, but I needed to get Evan's initial shock over with. It's not fun when she's all sad and afraid. But! I wrote chapter twenty-nine and thirty.
Also, the lyrics in the chapter belong to Florence and the Machine's "Shake It Out". I also listen to Florence when I writing in general...but especially this story.
AND, please forgive any spelling/grammar in this chapter. I edited weeks ago, and I don't know if i did a good job... And tbh, I'm too lazy to read it over again.
Sorry for the wait! Thank you for the patience!
Happy Readings xoxox
- Queen T. Jack
