Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Didn't wait that long, now, did you? Now I must apologize, this chapter is a bit short, just shy of 2,000 words... but it makes up for it by some plot development, an epiphany, and some fluff later on. I finished chapter thirty, so as soon as I'm done thirty-one, you'll get an update. Also, I'm almost done with the blog of pictures, so next update I'll post the link for everyone to see.
I just need to add some characters, tag them properly, so you can search through the categories better.
- I'm so glad that you've enjoyed it! Yes, it's my dream to pursue writing professionally... I want to be a novelist. But, such big dreams are hard to reach, so it's not going to happen anytime soon XD.
PunkR0cker96 - Thank you! And yes, there will be three sequels, hah. And possibly a second generation one, but I will have to see where I am by the time I done ALL of them.
Marystormshade - Oh no, lol, sorry! But other than the spiders, isn't it an awesome game?
Thank you everyone else who reviewed, followed and favourited!
RANDOM FACT:
Basil shares a birthday with me.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE.
Always
"What happened to your face?" Iris had asked me when we gathered into the Hogwarts express.
"I fell."
"Into a hand?"
"Yes."
I didn't bother hiding the bruise. I didn't want to hide behind a mask anymore, even if it raised annoying questions. To everyone else, I'll say that I got in a fight with a hag. But the bruise was old, and was starting to yellow after it got passed the ugly green colour, so to some wiser people it may come off as an unbelievable story. Some Professors will assume my foster parents got frustrated and slapped me, which wasn't taboo during this time, so that seemed like the best answer. Only, I didn't want people speaking ill of Victoria and Don.
By the time we got to Hogwarts, it was lunch, and the four of us let our bags float towards our dorm rooms, and went to the Great Hall which was still empty, save for a few groups of people. My friends had yet to return, and the only reason that we were here was because Hogsmeade wasn't exactly far from the school, and that I needed to be here for Slughorn's New Years party.
After we ate, I spent most of my time in the dorm room, turning my ring around on my finger, and touching my face so I could wince and be reminded that this was truly reality. I had no where else to go. My parents weren't even born...or alive in this dimension. I started to distract myself from thoughts of Tom by trying to understand this dilemma as a whole.
Dad was a wizard. That much we figured out. That he may or may not have planted the Portkey in the first place. And if he did, why? Was he intending to use it? If he had, he would have. He wouldn't have just left it in the exhibit. And how was he supposed to know that Iris would touch it, thus activating it? He had to know the future. He had to be a seer.
I rubbed the bridge of my nose, and looked up at the ceiling, trying to piece things together.
Dad said Iris was special. Iris told us that she was able to tell the future in those dreams she had. Not hers, or ours, but other people she barely recognized. Could it be that Dad was a seer as well? That's what Iris inherited from his part of the family?
That answered some questions, but rose a few more. If Iris was Dad's only link to the Wizarding world, and he himself was a seer, could he not just do it himself?
"He can't be a seer, then," I said out loud to no one. "He wouldn't need Iris for anything..." I groaned in frustration.
The only explanation is that someone in our family was a seer. Someone knew that Iris was going to grab the hat. And someone that we were related to us knew that dad and us existed in our home realm.
I sat up, "But who?" We could be related to anyone. But if this person is a Seer, then that certainly narrows it down. I stood up and went over to my side table and pulled out a quill, ink, and parchment, and made a small note addressed to Dumbledore about my epiphany, and then sent off Bowie to deliver it.
Once he flew out, I directed my attention to my bags from the Christmas break, and began to unpack everything, putting the white box that contained my green dress, shoes, and jewelry at the very bottom. Once everything was put in place, I found the twin journals, and bit my lip.
It's time to face the music. He knew I was back, and if I didn't go to him, he would just seek me out. I put the red diary deep into my trunk, next to the dress, and took the wrapped black one, and left the Dorms.
Walking through the castle was a blur. The present was pressed against my chest like any old book, but if my theory was correct I was holding Tom Riddle's future diary, and future horcrux. Part of me wanted to run back and just throw it out... But that won't stop Tom from making his first horcrux...and if he made it to a different object, the events of Chamber of Secrets would not have occurred. And not even God would know what would happen if that doesn't happen. The fate of the story was in my arms.
I crawled through the secret passage way and landed in the Slytherin Common Room. The only person there was a sleeping third year with a bunch of wrappers littered around him, and a mouth dirty of chocolate. Well, at least someone is enjoying his Christmas.
I made my way to Tom's room, knocked, but didn't get an answer. Knocked again, and waited, but nothing. He wasn't in his room... Where would he be? Trying the door knob, I was surprised to find it unlocked. He shouldn't be far then... Tom would never leave his door unlocked.
And then immediately I was on alert... Was this a trap? My hand snuck into my robe and I gripped my wand with the book tightly pressed to my chest.
"Tom?" I asked the empty room.
The response was silence, and that made me inch into the room slightly, pulling my wand out of the deep pocket I held it at my side. I called his name once again, and nothing. The only sound that I could hear were the creaking beneath my shoes, and the air that passed my nose.
I examined every corner of the room, trying to see anything out of the ordinary. I made sure that I was aware of everything in front of me.
"Do I dare ask why your wand is drawn?"
My heart shot out of my throat. I spun around, and nearly pointed my wand at his forehead. The gift fell from my grasp and landed loudly on the floor. I would have collected myself after the initial shock, but Tom was wet. Bare chested. With a towel wrapped around his waist.
"I..I was, I uh," My eyes were planted on his chest, biceps, and finally his neck where his black hair was soaking wet and matted to his skin.
Tom gently pushed passed me like a harsh breeze and walked into his room, "I trust your Christmas was fair."
I shook my head, trying to shake myself from the surprise of half nude Tom Riddle. "Yes...it was fine," I bent and picked up the book and turned around. The towel was tied around his waist, just enough to see his hip bones, and the dip of his lower back as he turned around and pulled out clothes from his wardrobe. "I got you something..."
"That wasn't necessary," he replied without looking at me. "Your hand is all I need, all I want."
For what ever reason, his words made me blush. "Here," I placed the wrapped book on his bed. He briefly looked at it before he picked up his pants and looked over his shoulder at me, "do you mind?"
I blushed again and quickly turned away, closed the door and faced it. I don't know what it is, he makes me feel so timid. Maybe it was because before, I didn't truly grasp the idea of who he is, and what he would have no problem doing.
And then I felt his breath on the back of my neck and his hands ghosting my hips, "I didn't say you had to turn around..."
My lips parted and I curled my fingers into my palm, trying not to sigh into his touch. I am a Lioness, I told myself. I was able to ensnare the Dark Lord's interest, I was able to trick him into an Unbreakable Vow. I was able to make him feel weak like I did at the Prefect's bathroom.
I closed my lips, and straightened up my shoulders, "I'm respecting your virtue."
"Like you did that day," his fingers trailed down my neck to my collarbone. "I don't think you should be talking about respecting virtue when you and I both know you don't," his nose grazed my skin.
I remained stock-still until he finally pulled away until I heard the shuffle of clothing, and then the rip of paper. Turning around I see him pull off the last leaf of wrapping and then turning the black book around in his hand.
"You got me a notebook?"
"It's enchanted," I walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, and watched him feather through the blank pages. "What ever you write in there... sinks into the page and becomes invisible to everyone else but you."
I watch him look at the book closely, and I could practically read his mind. To him, he had the perfect poker face, but knowing his future, knowing his intentions of the diary, I knew what he was thinking. Perhaps that will help me read his face... And perhaps if he writes in the notebook, I will have a better insight of him by reading the one I keep safe in my room.
Tom placed the book on his desk, picked up his towel, and started to dry his hair with it. It was refreshing to see that Tom didn't entirely abandon some muggle ways. I stood up and walked over to him when he pulled the towel off, then I brushed my fingers over his black damp strands, and started to brush back his hair like he typically wears it.
He took my wrist firmly, but to my surprise, gently. His fingers moved along mine, and lingered to my ring finger where his ring adorned it. Tom didn't look at me once his eye caught the black diamond, "You aren't covering the bruise."
"No," was my simple answer. I let my fingers curl around his, causing his dark blue eyes to turn to me. They were sharp and pierced through me, but I made sure I didn't turn away.
The strangest thing happened... he looked away first. He pulled my hand to his face. He kissed the back of my hand and then my palm. And then he said, "Stay with me?"
I blinked, wondering whether or not if that was a question or a demand. It certainly sounded like a question. I stared at him like he was a new species of human, my lips parting only slightly.
Tom Marvolo Riddle was not Lord Voldemort. Not now, not infront of me; the man in front of me was torn, broken, and lost Tom Marvolo Riddle. He was alone during this holiday, and was alone for every holiday. And instead of being afraid of him, I felt sorry for him. And for some reason... I felt responsible for him, that I needed to take care of him.
I cupped his cheek and slide my fingers into his hair. My nose touched his, and I could smell his scent, his comforting scent that made me feel invulnerable.
"Always."
Is it hot and fluffy in here or is it just me? I just fit sexy and cute and Tom Riddle and a Snape reference in one scene. Hope you enjoyed! Next chapter gets more interesting, and chapter 31? Well... something very very interesting will happen. ;)
Happy Readings! xoxox
