Chapter 36

I had just left the hospital wing and was about to head back to the dormitory to retrieve my things when I felt my mouth suddenly become covered and my waist being pulled to the corner. I kicked and tried to scream but their hold was strong. As my assailant let me go, I quickly turned around and pushed them off of me.

"Eliana! Shhh! Stop it!" I looked up to see Abraxas who had just spoke in a hushed tone.

"Abraxas? What are you doing here?" I asked confused.

"He knows." I didn't need him to repeat himself to know who he was talking about.

"What does he know?" I asked him with all seriousness.

"He heard I had taken you to the hospital wing so he asked about you… I didn't even see it coming…"

"What? Abraxas! Tell me! What does he know!?"

"That I love you… he tortured it out of me… His legilimency had gotten stronger as well… He said he already had his suspicions and just wanted a confession," he said with dread.

"Does he know that we…"

"No, I regained my strength before he could go further. I ran without even thinking…"

"Abraxas… it's going to be okay."

"How can it, Eliana? I'm in love with his fiancé… He saw us kiss…" the color from my face drained and I started to feel sick again.

"Abraxas. Eliana." We both looked at each other with fear in our eyes as we left our hiding place. Romulus was there waiting with 2 other death eaters, "My lord would like to see both of you."

Before they had a chance to grab us, I heaved over as I felt a sudden burst of pain in my stomach. I cried out as I threw up on the floor. Abraxas was already next to me holding me up. As I finished throwing up, I felt extremely dizzy. Abraxas picked me off my feet and started heading back to the hospital wing.

"Romulus, tell the Lord Voldemort his fiancé is seriously ill," he said as he rushed me back in. I looked at Romulus who had already apparated with the other two.

"I thought you were better," Abraxas said.

"I thought so too," I groaned.

We entered the hospital wing with Madam Clearwater still conversing with Professor Dumbledore. Abraxas explained what happened as he laid me back down on the bed. Madam Clearwater hurried to me and started trying to relieve my discomfort. Professor Dumbledore and Abraxas were ushered to the room next door by Madam Clearwater's assistant. I was actually relieved for the impeccable timing of my sickness. I would rather experience this than any torture Tom would have for me.

Third POV

Abraxas and Dumbledore waited in the "waiting room" which was really another room with empty hospital beds. Dumbledore occasionally asked Abraxas questions like how was he doing, whether he was working on the new Transfiguration project and whether he preferred earwax or vomit jellybeans. When the doors suddenly opened, Abraxas immediately stood up expecting to see Madam Clearwater with news but he was shocked to see Tom Riddle standing before him.

"Tom, I see you've come for Ms. Lestrange, I assume," Dumbledore said still sitting on one of the beds.

"Yes, professor. I beg your pardon but I'm a bit surprised to see you here as well," Tom said gracefully.

"Ah. I came in with the slight case of the hiccups but that's a boring story. I am concerned with Ms. Lestrange and her health. She rarely misses my classes," Dumbledore said.

"I see. Thank you for your concern, professor, but Abraxas and I can take it from here," Tom said.

"Oh, I have no doubt you two are more than capable of providing assistance and support to Ms. Lestrange but if you don't mind, I would like to know the cause of her absence," Dumbledore said.

"I understand, professor," Tom said. His eyes then fixed on Abraxas who tensed up at the sudden gaze. Abraxas couldn't quite read Tom's expression but he knew that he was thinking of something rather devious and it was definitely not good.

"No… it can't be… I mean," Eliana was at a loss for words. She felt confused…

"I'll give you sometime to think about it. I'll be back after I have excused your guests. I think you need some time to-"

"Actually, can I please have Abraxas here," Eliana said without missing a beat.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm sure," Eliana said. Madam Clearwater nodded her head and went off.

The doors to the waiting room opened again and this time all three of the men stood up from their places.

"She would like to see Mr. Malfoy," Madam Clearwater announced. Abraxas suddenly felt fear when he realized she had asked for him and not Tom.

"She doesn't know you are here," Abraxas immediately turned to Tom who just smiled and nodded.

"I understand," Tom said.

"Good. Then Professor and Mr. Riddle, you two may leave now. She needs-"

"I would like to stay, Madam Clearwater. I want to make sure she is okay," Tom said hastily.

"I too don't mind accompanying Tom. We do have some head boy issues we need to discuss, don't we Tom?" Dumbledore added.

Madam Clearwater breathed a frustrated sigh as she agreed for the two to stay while she took Abraxas to Eliana.

As Abraxas left with Madam Clearwater, he noticed the uncomfortable and tense aura around Tom and Dumbledore as he left the room. He couldn't help but feel a slight twinge of delight when he realized it was Dumbledore who was making Tom tense.