"Finished, I see," the wizard hummed.

I had found Tom standing outside, staring out toward the rest of the town. After about an hour, I completed my studies and set out to discuss what I had learned with him. We'd had small conversations about things within the text, but for the most part, our time together had been spent as usual, with few words and a lot of practicing my skills.

"You didn't answer my question," I pointed, walking to his side and standing the same way.

"No, Gerald, I'm not your master, but yes," he answered, "I was aware of those details. You knew when I gave you the books in the first place though, that I had already read them."

"Yeah, I guess I did," I sighed, "It's just unsettling to think that my entire being could be so easily swayed."

The wizard laughed, "Gerald, you're only as easily controlled as you allow yourself to be. It's all in your head."

"That might be true, but I'm not human," I started to explain, "My mind is wired like a demon and every different species' mind works just as differently, right? Like a dog doesn't think like a person. Even an elf and a wizard have severely varying thought process. According to Gellert, my brain does make me susceptible to control."

The man exhaled. To be honest, I had anticipated some retorted logic about how I was missing his point or otherwise was wrong. It was weird to have him agree defeatedly with me, "I suppose I'm just so used to viewing you as human... In any case, you read the same information as I did: demon or not, there would have to be a definitive act of domination that overruled your independent thought and put that person absolutely as your master. That or you'd have to willingly relinquish free will. Unless this happens, you're simply following along, which is in your nature, but ownership of yourself remains with you."

"Hm..." I mused, "I don't think I'd ever willingly give away full control of myself. However, I wonder what sort of thing would override this choice in my mind?"

"It seems to me that it would be an act which made you view them as the appropriate master," Tom shared, "So more or less, it would still be your choice; yet due to the way your being is wired, it would just be something that clicks into place rather than a conscious decision."

"That makes sense," I shrugged, "In that case, I shouldn't really worry about it."

My friend chortled, "No, you shouldn't. Since you're done though, and appear well, we need to meet with Abraxas again."

I had thought that was what Tom would be doing the day I saw Ann, but I didn't realize he'd be busy trailing me. Truthfully, I really hated this Malfoy character without much reason as to why. I mean, he had been a snobbish jerk during our first meeting, but I hadn't been friendly either, so it could have been a fluke. Nonetheless, I still didn't like him and I found difficulty making my brain agree to give him another chance. Even so, I would keep my cool. Tom had made it abundantly clear that the wizard had a great deal to offer the mission and I wouldn't endanger this gain. Even if it meant working with someone less than pleasant.

It was mid-afternoon when we made it to a massive manor seemingly in the middle of nowhere, "This is where he lives?" I asked, almost incredulously.

"Malfoy Manor, yes," my companion replied, "You seem surprised. I told you he was both influential and wealthy."

"It's not just that," I skippef to walk alongside him down the path to the residence, "Yeah, it's huge. Outside of Lord Beirmir's, it's definitely the largest I've seen. I think they're close in size, actually."

"Gerald, you're rambling," Tom hummed.

I cleared my throat, "Sorry."

"You don't like him?" the man's voice lilted in observation.

"It doesn't help that this place is so far removed from everything without so much as trees or such to fill the space," I mumbled, "It's eerie. I'm sure this is lesson one in How Not to Die when Meeting New People."

"Do I sense fear?" he smirked.

"Apprehension," I corrected.

"You'll do fine," Tom responded, catching onto my meaning, "And it will just be another small test of keeping your temper in check."

We had reached the door at that point, an ornate wooden structure with a large metal knocker in the shape of a snake. That's not foreboding at all... Tom glanced over at me, which I took to mean I should alert the house to our presence. Reaching out and placing a palm on the serpent's head, I lifted the device and let it fall, instantly feeling the vibrations echo within, on the other side of the wall.

Once again, the magical home was opened to us by a house-elf, "Is it Mister Riddle?" the timid creature asked, "Master is expecting you. Please come in."

Without answering, Tom stepped over the threshold and marched in. I followed, successful this time in not giving the servant any attention. Inside, there was a large open room with a stone staircase curling upward. We were shown to the side toward furniture quite similar to that back in Hangleton. Sitting in an even nicer throne, was Abraxas, in formal clothing just as before though his pretentious cane was nowhere in sight.

"Ah, I trust you are with good tidings because I've already heard the news," the wizard greeted Tom friendly and cast a disparaging glance at me, "Dobby! Leave us."

"Y-yes, Master," the elf squeaked, drawing my gaze. This one seemed...very young. He was even tinier than Hokey had been, his eyes seeming much brighter and his movements scurried and less deliberate. There was also an air of utter inconfidence about him. I watched as he left, almost missing the cue to sit upon the couch with my friend.

"Indeed, I do," Tom responded, "But you'll have to retrieve what you seek yourself. I can only tell you where it will be."

Abraxas tilted his chin slightly, considering those words, "I see. You fear I may betray you."

"A reasonable precaution," Tom confirmed, "I've already done much to win your trust. Now it is you who must earn mine."

"Hm..." Malfoy hummed, "I would not have considered this alliance in the first place of it weren't for your impressive achievements in school. Your lineage could be overlooked for your profound beliefs against it," he paused, "Very well. Your dedication speaks wonders so I will go to this hiding place. However," he turned to me, "I should know who this man is. Are you planning a reach into America too?"

My stomach bottomed out, but I did well in not showing it and allowing Tom to speak in my place, "The problem persists all over the world so we mustn't neglect knowledge of how pushing into more territory will be met."

"Hm..." the other wizard instantly picked up on the reluctance, "Gerald, is it? You're a mudblood as well?"

I hesitated, "I am not."

"I see," Abraxas' vision narrowed in thought, "And you believe in your friend's prerogative?"

"I wouldn't be here otherwise," I gave with complete certainty.

"Gerald accompanied me on our...errand," Tom brought the wizard's focus back to him.

There was a short pause during which the two of us stared at the man who, in turn, contemplated us. Clearly, Hephzibah's murder had become public knowledge and Malfoy expected us to come bearing Salazar Slytherin's locket. Prior to this conversation, I was unaware that Tom planned to go the route of making Abraxas find the gift at a third-party site. Although, it was probably the best option. That, along with the vague dialogue would help ensure we weren't linked to the crime if our prospective ally decided to share what was going on in any way. I was thankful that currently, all he knew about me was my name and country of origin.

"Give me the information then," our host finally spoke, "I will confirm it and we can move forward."

The man to my side stood and I quickly copied the movement, "It will be sent. Thank you for your time."

Tom and Abraxas exchanged a nod, the seated wizard instantly looking to me for the same courtesy. I grudgingly relented and nodded as well. Then we made our way back out of the mansion without any further dialogue, and strolled down the sidewalk a bit before apparating to Little Hangleton and regrouping in the den of the Riddle Manor. Its owner immediately went to his bedroom, gesturing for me to follow, so I did. Inside, he retrieved the locket from an enchanted lock box.

"Where are you sending it?" I wondered.

"To Borgin and Burkes," he said, "If it is somehow connected to Hephzibah, such an item turning up there won't be seen as out of the ordinary."

"You work at a pretty shady place," I observed.

"We, ourselves, are shady individuals," he shrugged, "First, we need to fix it."

I cocked my head in confusion.

"Come along," was all he said before leading us downstairs. Instead of apparating, we merely trekked toward the town and once in the midst of Little Hangleton, I waited for better explanation which he didn't seem keen on sharing yet.

"Well, hello handsome," a woman suddenly neared me on the side, her voice startling me. Where had she come from? That alley? "You look like you could use some fun tonight."

"Uh, hi?" I questioned awkwardly as she wrapped her arms around one of mine. I glanced over at Tom who appeared annoyed, but he did nothing to help.

"Oh?" the woman's gaze jumped from me to my friend, "There are two of you. That's alright. I can offer you a deal," she smiled.

"Um," my eyes darted between her and Tom, who finally stepped up with a look of disgust.

"She's a whore," the man stated plainly, not bothering to lower his voice to be polite.

Oh.

"But that will do," he added.

My brow furrowed, "What?"

"We stay just past that ridge," Tom pointed in a direction opposite of his house, ignoring me, "If you'd like to accompany us."

"Tom, I don't feel comfortable with-" I tried.

"Oh relax," he laughed, "Be a sport."

My jaw clenched and the woman tugged my arm in the direction she had been shown. Reluctantly, I went along with her and my friend. Was this really happening? This was beyond okay. I was not going to pay for sex with a stranger and do so with Tom at that. I opened my mouth to protest just as we neared the turn. It was the look on the wizard's face that kept me silent. He was amused...an expression typically reserved for when I misunderstood something.

First we need to fix it.
She's a whore, but that will do.
We, ourselves, are shady individuals...

His previous statements repeated in my head. Shady people needing a whore in order to fix the locket before giving it away... A horcrux? Was he going to turn it into a horcrux? Was that what he meant? If so, I didn't like the idea of him giving up such a thing to Abraxas' protection, whether or not he knew what it was he had been given. Then again, if Tom's horcrux scheme was found out, things within his own possession would be the first suspects so perhaps this increased its safety.

"Actually, here is fine," my companion stated, and stopped beside the outer wall of a lone building when we had come near the edge of town.

The woman spun around and grinned, letting me go and strutting toward Tom. She grabbed onto his shirt in a flirtatious effort to pull him close, only for him to reach up, clutching her wrists before flinging her into me. As her chest thudded against mine, her look shifted to concern for just a second as she quickly twisted and laid with her back to me.

"Like to play rough, boys?" she winked.

"My friend certainly does," Tom spoke plainly, his gaze rested on me.

Having already surmised what he was up to, I curled an arm around the woman's throat, pulling it tight until I heard her gasp become a choke. Initially, she didn't react negatively, but when it became clear the reason for my hold and she realized she could no longer make any sound, terror showed in her eyes.

"I always said you were a quick learner," Tom observed, his vision viewing me and the woman with equal attention.

"Do you know her at all?" I inquired.

"Only that she's a tramp who has lived here for as long as I am aware," he answered.

"I don't think that warrants killing her," I accused, "It's her body; she can do what she wants."

"Then why are you killing her?" his brow lifted, seeing that my grip had never lessened.

"Haven't yet," I retorted, "You're the one that needs to anyway, but I figured you would give me reasoning for it."

"I've shared with you the importance of the horcruxes," he continued, "You know what is needed for them. Would you rather destroy someone with a family or with important standing in society?"

I huffed, having to fight to keep the woman's struggles from succeeding, "The greater good, you're saying?"

Tom nodded, letting me continue and watching until the woman began weakening. Then, he lifted his wand and struck her dead. I removed my arms from her body and let it fall to the ground, gazing intently so that I could see she was entirely still.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Canon info: Salazar Slytherin's locket was made into a horcrux with the murder of an unspecified muggle tramp.

I researched house-elves and it is unclear as to their lifespan, but they aren't immortal. There was a rumor about 200 years, but canon information includes house-elves who lived into their 600s (ie Kreacher). As well, there's nothing on when Dobby came to the Malfoys or his age.