"And it came to pass afterward, that he loved a woman in the valley of Sorek, whose name was Delilah." - Bible

Plead Like Angels

'You have returned. But too soon.'

Selene stopped in her tracks. Circe was not in her throne. She spun around and saw a bath in the corner of the temple.

There lay Circe, her long red hair floating around her ivory body like floating coral. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing quick, shallow breaths.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and Selene was struck by how hollow her hazel eyes were. Circe suddenly got out of the bath, tearing off her bathrobe.

'Blood, blood, blood!' she shrieked, rubbing her skin as though there were insects crawling all over her.

Selene took a step back as Circe hastily threw a jewel-encrusted robe on. Slowly, her breathing settled.

'That's better,' she said unsteadily as she walked in a daze over to her throne. 'Come, my child. Come.'

Uncertainly, Selene followed Circe and sat next to her. She watched curiously as Circe put various dried herbs in a pipe and lit them. As Circe inhaled from the pipe her eyelids fluttered closed. When she opened her eyes, Selene was struck by how dilated her pupils had become.

'So it has begun. The path has already been taken.'

'What path?' Selene asked.

Circe merely drew again from her pipe.

'You have mixed blood with another. Your bond has been sealed.'

'Tom?'

Circe nodded and rubbed her temples slowly, showing her heavily jewelled fingers.

'And Alphard?'

'The other has hurt you.'

'So has Tom.'

'He was expected. The other was not.'

Selene swallowed thickly.

'I don't understand what you're trying to tell me,' she said.

Circe smiled ruefully.

'I cannot tell you yet. I must not change the future. Fate must not be tampered with. Should I cross her again, there will be dire consequences.'

'Fate is an actual person?' Selene said, surprised.

A small smile twisted upon Circe's red lips.

'We are all real, Selene. Including the goddess Selene.'

There was silence as Selene considered what Circe had just told her.

'You must continue your life as it is now,' Circe said heavily. 'You will return again, but now I cannot help you.'

Selene looked up at Circe desperately.

'You are the only mother I could ever know,' she said. 'Please, if you know something- anything- you have to tell me!'

Circe looked away.

'I cannot.'

'He hit me. Alphard was jealous and he hit me. I never thought he would do something like that. What do I do?'

Circe grimaced painfully.

'Leave! I told you that I must not say!'

'Please!' Selene begged, grasping Circe's arm.

Circe turned suddenly and looked at Selene sadly.

'It is time for you to return, my child,' she whispered, tears welling up in her eyes.

'No…'

But it was too late. As soon as Selene had opened her eyes again, she was back on the floor in the bathroom.

'You look exhausted,' Malkin said as she opened the door for Selene.

Selene shrugged and walked into the apartment.

Suddenly, Malkin took Selene's arm and stared at the shadow on Selene's cheek.

'Selene,' she said seriously, 'What's that on your cheek.'

Selene quickly touched her cheek. She had forgotten to cover the bruise up.

'Oh, nothing. I was half-asleep and hit myself on the bedpost when I got up.'

Malkin nodded dubiously.

'And how are you going?' Selene said, changing the subject as they sat down at the kitchen table. 'You're looking healthier.'

Malkin smiled.

'It's impossible not to eat in this household. Florean's always cooking and I'm always taste-testing for him.'

Selene laughed.

'Well, it's a win-win for you both, then?'

Malkin ran a hand through her long, black hair.

'I'm happier,' she said truthfully. 'Much happier. I was so miserable in Paris, and not eating made me even more so. Now that I'm with Florean, here, it's so much nicer. I don't have crazy deadlines to meet and my outlook on everything is just so positive.'

Selene smiled warmly.

'So you're staying here for good?'

Malkin nodded seriously.

'Yes. The only problem is that I don't have a job at the moment.'

'Oh well, I'm sure you'll find one here. After all, you were accepted into one of the world's most lucrative fashion labels. Anyone here would kill to have you designing for them.'

Malkin chewed her lip.

'You see, I know that. But I don't want to be told what to do anymore. I'm designing for these labels, but getting no credit for it. I want to create my own label.'

Selene's eyes widened.

'Really! That would be brilliant!'

Malkin smiled.

'I think so too. I'm seeing my parents tonight with Florean to run it by them. I need financial backing, you see.'

'You're seeing your parents?' Selene said, shocked.

Malkin gave a quick, nervous nod.

'That's wonderful,' Selene said, patting Malkin's hand. 'I'm so happy for you. Everything seems to be going so well for you now!'

Malkin's lips quivered into a tentative smile.

'I hope it lasts, this time.'

Selene sighed.

'I think it's important that you just be honest with yourself, and us, from now on,' Selene said. 'If you feel yourself slipping up, just tell us and we'll be there to support you through it.'

Malkin nodded quickly.

'I know.'

Malkin paused.

'I was wondering… if this label kicks off, would you model for me?'

'Me?' Selene asked, surprised.

Malkin nodded.

'You're absolutely perfect. I would want no one else as the face of my label.'

Selene hugged Malkin tightly.

'I'd love to.'

When Selene returned to the hotel room, she was thinking of what Circe had told her about having sealed a bond between her and Tom.

Was it true? Did she really have a blood bond with him, now?

She looked up as Alphard walked in the room. He had a towel around his waist, and was drying his hair with the other one.

'You're back,' he said, smiling tentatively. 'I didn't hear you leave this morning.'

Selene sat on the edge of the bed, avoiding his eyes.

'I didn't want to wake you,' she said. 'I went to see Malkin.'

Alphard sat next to her on the bed.

'How is she?'

'Much better,' Selene said quietly. 'It's amazing how quickly she recovered after returning home.'

They sat in silence, and Alphard turned to look at Selene.

'I'm so sorry about yesterday,' he whispered. 'What do I have to do to make this right?'

Selene slowly turned her head and looked up into his grey eyes. She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.

'I just want to forget about it,' she said quietly.

Alphard kissed the top of her head.

'I have something for you.'

Selene looked up at him.

'What is it?'

Alphard smiled a little and stood up.

'Just let me get dressed, and I'll take you there.

--

'I don't like being blindfolded,' Selene frowned. 'Is this really necessary?'

Alphard kissed her cheek and they stopped walking.

'Okay, we're here.'

'What is this, Alphie?'

Alphie laughed lightly and slowly untied her blindfold. Selene opened her eyes to see a beautiful, two-storey country house.

She turned around suddenly and looked at Alphard.

'Where are we?'

'Hall's Valley,' he said, looking amused. 'What do you think of the house?'

'That one?' Selene said, turning around to look at the house again.

'Yes, do you like it?'

Selene laughed.

'Of course I do! It's beautiful. It seems so peaceful around here.'

'Would you like to see around the back?'

Selene nodded eagerly and took his hand as he led her through the front garden, to the back. She gasped as she saw the expansive, green landscape.

'All of this is the back?'

Alphard nodded.

'Yes. And if you look over there where all those trees are, there's a lake. All part of this property.'

Selene wondered around the back yard, stopping by the large laurel tree.

'It's so beautiful here,' she said, closing her eyes and smiling as she felt the sun shining down on her face. 'Did you rent it for the weekend?'

Alphard chuckled and came up to her and kissed her softly.

'Not quite.'

'Oh,' Selene said, her shoulders sinking in disappointment. 'I guess that I could understand that the owner wouldn't want to rent this out to someone else.'

Alphard laughed.

'I bought it. It's ours.'

Selene clapped her hands over her mouth to stifle her excited squeal.

'You bought it!' she exclaimed. 'But how much…'

'From my uncle. He bought it a while ago, but moved to Florence instead. He gave it to me for a very good price.'

Selene turned around, her eyes wide as she took in her surroundings.

'So… we're going to be … living here?' she said weakly.

'Do you like it?'

Selene kissed Alphard excitedly.

'I love it! I can't believe… it's so perfect, Alphie!'

He laughed and kissed her again.

'Let's start over again,' he whispered against her lips. 'We'll make everything right over here. I want us to.'

Selene nodded and brushed his black hair out of his eyes.

'I want to, too.'

Alphard kissed her again.

'Want to see inside?'

Selene nodded and he led her around the front again.

'We might as well do this properly,' Alphard said, his lips twitching.

He lifted her up and carried her through the front door. As he did, Selene felt her heart sinking yet again as she realised that they were moving in without getting married. She wondered that-perhaps- he wanted them to move in together so that she would forget about getting married.

He set her down, and she dismissed these thoughts as she took in the lavishly decorated interior. All the furniture was fine antique and the floorboards of beautifully polished wood, covered with rich Persian carpets.

As she walked through the house, she acutely felt that it was a very big house for merely two people and suddenly wished that she could have children.

But then she remembered the Asteria Curse, and felt herself becoming sad, and guilty.

'Well? What's the verdict?'

Selene looked up at Alphard. Even if they weren't getting married, he was showing a commitment to her by buying the house for them to live in.

And yet she was still yet to tell him the entire truth about her heritage.

She forced a smile.

'I'm still in shock,' she admitted.

Alphard kissed her.

'What do you say we empty out our room at that Leaky Cauldron so we can make this place our own?'

Selene opened her mouth. She wanted to tell Alphard the truth- before they settled in so properly together- but then hesitated.

Malkin had Florean, and Tom was gone. She had no other friends and no family.

Alphard was all she had, and she didn't want to risk losing him. Even if that meant withholding the full truth from him.

'What's wrong?' he frowned.

Selene smiled.

'Nothing's wrong. It's perfect, Alphie. Thank you.'

He kissed her again, cupping her cheeks gently.

'I want us to go back to what it was like in Venice. I'm hoping that we can, here.'

Selene hugged him to her tightly.

'We can. We will,' she said firmly, kissing his shoulder.

But she couldn't help feeling a nagging sense of guilt that she was wrong in withholding the truth from him.

Selene felt wary as she approached Dumbledore's office. She had felt her was trust betrayed that he had originally gone behind her back in asking Alphard to keep an eye on her, and was not entirely sure she wanted to hear whatever he had to ask her.

She looked up as the door was opened.

'Miss Asteria, long time no see!'

Selene merely looked at him, and Dumbledore nodded.

'Come in, come in,' he said, leading her into his office.

Selene sat gingerly in the chair opposite the desk, and Dumbledore sighed as he sat.

'I understand your anger towards me,' he said quietly. 'And I know my behaviour was inexcusable. However, I would like to explain my reasoning for it.'

Selene crossed her arms, waiting.

'Tom is a murderer.'

'Do you have proof of this?' Selene asked coldly, despite the fact that she knew it was the truth.

'I do, but not enough to convict him.'

'And who has he supposedly murdered?' Selene asked.

'His father- Tom Riddle Snr- and his parents. As well as Hephzibah Smith. I presume there are others he may have murdered though I can't be certain.'

Selene looked down at the table and swallowed thickly. She sat forward as she saw a photo of a man who looked so similar to Tom, but she knew wasn't.'

'Is that…'?

'His father, yes,' Dumbledore nodded. 'And this is Hephzibah Smith.'

Selene bit her lip and looked away. She had known that Tom had killed, but up until now they were faceless people.

She looked up at Dumbledore, feeling tears stinging her eyes.

'You could have come to me directly,' she said reproachfully.

Dumbledore nodded heavily.

'This is true, and I'm sorry. I underestimated you in that I thought your loyalty towards Tom would have been stronger than your sense of justice.'

Selene fidgeted. Dumbledore had touched a nerve with this point.

'May I ask- you're the headmaster of Hogwarts. You're not the minister for magic, nor do you work in the Auror's office. Is it really your place to be investigating Tom?'

She was sure she saw Dumbledore's eyes hardening a little at this.

'I am passionate about teaching, and am more than thankful to have been offered this position as Headmaster following Professor Dippett's retirement. That does not mean that my concern for the welfare of the public of the wizarding world is any less.'

Selene swallowed.

'And what do you want me to do?' she asked, looking up at Dumbledore.

'Are you in contact with Tom?'

Selene shook her head.

'No. I haven't seen him in nearly two years now.'

Dumbledore nodded.

'Would you know how to find him?'

Selene thought back to what Circe had said about her bond with Tom.

'I'm not sure. I suppose I could try,' she shrugged.

'Selene, if you don't find him, it is possible that more and more people will die at his hands. Do whatever you need to do to find him. If you are able to yield a confession from him, so much the better.'

Selene's heart pounded in her chest.

'How do you expect me to do that?'

Dumbledore looked at the tips of his fingers.

'I may be wrong,' he said lightly, 'but I believe that you are the only one whom Tom has ever shown any mercy to.'

Selene snorted and Dumbledore nodded.

'Mercy in his own small way,' he corrected.

Selene frowned.

'I don't know that Alphard would be happy about this,' she said.

'But this would be for the greater good, Selene. Of course, you don't have to do anything you don't have to. Just think of all the people you could potentially save.'

Selene pinched the bridge of her nose.

'Okay,' she said through gritted teeth. 'I'll think about it.

She stood up and Dumbledore came over and shook her hand.

'Thank you, Selene. I knew I could trust you to do the right thing.'

'Where have you been?' Alphard asked as Selene slumped tiredly into the armchair in the living room.

'Dumbledore wished to see me,' she said, rubbing her eyes.

Alphard sat up tersely.

'Why?'

Selene looked at Alphard apologetically.

'He wants me to find Tom.'

Alphard clenched his fists.

'Why should you?' he said harshly.

'Because he's murdering people,' Selene said gently. 'And I need to stop that.'

'Why should you be the one to do that?'

'Because apparently Tom will trust me,' she said. 'And if I can stop any more deaths, then I'll do it.'

'But you'll have to see him again,' Alphard half-shouted in frustration.

'Are you jealous?' Selene warned.

'Last time we had this discussion, you knew he was murdering people and yet you weren't bothered.'

'Well I've realised that was wrong,' she said angrily. 'I was too forgiving towards him. But now I'm not going to be blinded by a false sense of hope that he'll see the error in his ways.'

Alphard stood up suddenly.

'I don't like this,' he said stoutly.

Selene stood up, her eyes flashing.

'If you can't trust that I love you, then I don't want us to be together.'

She stormed out of the room and up the stairs. Alphard ran after her.

She turned suddenly when she was at the door to their bedroom.

'You can sleep in the guest bedroom tonight,' she said icily before slamming the door in his face.

The next morning, Selene went to Dumbledore's office. Her face was pale and her expression grim.

'I'll do it,' she said resolutely. 'I'll find him.'

Dumbledore nodded and motioned for her to sit down.

'I just don't know how I'm going to do this,' Selene continued. 'He'll think it strange- he'll notice something's up.'

Dumbledore was silent for a moment.

'I don't believe Tom is capable of loving someone, but he is a man after all,' he said quietly. There might be something to be taken from the story of Samson and Delilah.'

Selene's eyes widened.

'You want me to… to seduce him?' she whispered, standing up slowly.

'Do only what you think is necessary,' Dumbledore said calmly. 'Remember, Selene, this is not an innocent boy. He is a cold-blooded murderer.'

Selene shivered.

Suddenly, she was struck by how wrong this entire exercise was. Tom, whatever he was, trusted her.

They were bonded, as Circe had said.

She could not break that trust or bond. Yes, he had done wrong, but she still had faith.

He had once been tender enough to hold her gently, once been weak enough to be willing to mix his blood with hers.

Surely, if she had such a hold on him, there was still chance that he could repent?

She blinked away bitter tears as she realised that, her only reason for accepting the mission so readily was because she wanted to go against Alphard's wishes.

'Selene?'

Her gaze snapped up to Dumbledore and she gathered her bag and cloak.

'I'm sorry,' she said. 'I've changed my mind. I can't do this. You'll have to find another way.'

Dumbledore stared into her eyes and she felt the memory of her and Tom, the evening before he left, surfacing in her mind's eye.

She looked away quickly.

'I'm sorry, I have to go.'

Dumbledore nodded.

'I understand, Selene,' he said politely. 'It was a huge risk, what I was asking of you, and you had every right to refuse.'

Selene smiled, feeling relieved.

'Sorry, sir. It just doesn't feel right.'

Dumbledore nodded and, with a nod, Selene left the office.

Tom grimaced in pain and looked down to see a deep gash on his forearm. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he pulled out his wand and healed the wound.

He watched as the gash magically zipped up and sighed as he leant back against the tree and regained his breath.

He closed his eyes and was suddenly overwhelmed by the sense of a very strong force of power nearby.
Keeping his eyes closed, he focused on walking towards this force.

He opened his eyes slowly and found himself face to face with the hollowed-out tree that the Grey Lady had told him about when he was still at Hogwarts.

His eyes lit up eagerly as he walked around the tree until he reached the point where the magic was strongest.

Deftly, he made an incision in the wood using his wand. He removed the wood and a smile spread across his face as he saw the diadem.

Slowly, he reached and pulled it of the trunk.

'Three down, one to go,' he whispered.

'What are you playing at?' Alphard hissed. 'You asked her to find Riddle?'

Dumbledore looked up at Alphard plainly.

'Yes, I did. And, this morning, she refused?'

Alphard blinked, surprised.

'She did?' he said, feeling pleased with Selene.

'Yes,' Dumbledore said grimly. 'Which means that she still feels a strong sense of loyalty towards Tom.'

Alphard's shoulders slumped as he realised what Dumbledore was saying.

'Are you aware that they were once lovers?'

Alphard's face blanched.

'No!' he said indignantly. 'She would never go there…'

'I saw it in her memories, Alphard,' Dumbledore said quietly.

Alphard felt his hands shaking.

'What do you want from me?' he said through gritted teeth. 'I loved that girl, and you continually make me doubt it.'

'Just be wary,' Dumbledore said seriously. 'I want you to keep a very close eye on her from now on. I believe her when she says that she hasn't seen Tom in a long time, but she may see fit to warn Tom now. I cannot know where her true loyalties lie.'

'We had a fight last night,' Alphard said slowly. 'I didn't want her to do it. Maybe that's why?'

Dumbledore shrugged.

'I cannot know. All I ask is that you pass along any information you may hear about Riddle.'

Alphard nodded and got up swiftly.

'Excuse me.'

--

Selene smiled as she saw Alphard enter the kitchen and handed him a glass of wine.

'Perfect timing. Dinner's ready.'

Alphard watched her, feeling the hurt of her betrayal again.

'I refused Dumbledore, by the way,' Selene said quietly.

'Why?' Alphard asked harshly.

Selene laughed.

'You didn't want me to!' she said.

'Is that why?'

Selene sighed and pulled out the roast she had made out of the oven. She set it on the table, and Alphard carved the meat slowly, his hands shaking as he did so.

'What's wrong?' Selene asked gently. 'I thought this is what you wanted?'

Alphard placed the meat on the plates and walked to the other side of the table. He sat rigidly.

'What did you do today?' he asked, trying to sound pleasant.

'I went and saw Malkin,' she said conversationally. 'She wants me to model her new line and she was tailoring the dresses to me. Apparently I'm not as slim as I used to be,' Selene added with a laugh.

Alphard pursed his lips.

'And what did you do?' she asked quietly, thankful that they had both nearly finished their dinner.

'I went and saw an old acquaintance,' Alphard said, not looking up.

'Oh. Do I know him or her?'

Alphard merely shook his head and Selene looked down at her empty plate, feeling hurt washing over her.

She had hoped that the new house would signal a fresh start for them. Now, after a mere month of settling in, they were back to arguing again.

Selene took their plates over to the kitchen and leant over the sink, breathing heavily. She looked at the crème brulee she had made and picked it up and opened the back door and threw it up in the air. She then took out her wand and sent a curse to it, causing it to smash into hundreds of shards.

She clapped a hand over her mouth and gulped down her tears.

'Selene?'

She shivered and ran back into the house. Alphard was waiting by the kitchen door.

Hurriedly, she wiped her eyes.

'I just needed to step out for some air,' she said quietly, looking down at the tiled kitchen floor.

Alphard walked up to her slowly and she flinched as he raised a hand.

He sighed, and brushed her hair out of her face.

'Tell me, are we completely honest with each other?' he murmured.

Selene looked up at Alphard surprised.

'Yes,' she said.

But then she faltered as she realised that she wasn't anywhere close to being completely honest with Alphard.

Alphard inhaled slowly, nodded and turned away.

'I'm… I'm tired, so I think I'll just go to bed now,' Selene said uncertainly.

Alphard paused at the door.

'I'll be up in a minute,' he said coolly.

--

Selene lay in bed tensely. Every second until Alphard came felt like a year.

She knew that something was wrong; an acute sense of impending disaster but had no idea what she was supposed to do to mend the situation.

The door opened slowly, the hinges creaking slightly, and she shut her eyes tightly. He walked slowly through the room, his every step echoing in the silent room.

Selene held her breath as she heard him undressing.

The suspense was torturous.

Slowly, he drew back the covers of the bed, and she shivered involuntarily as she felt the cool air hit her bare back.

The bed sunk slightly as he got into it, and then pulled the covers over them again.

Her heart pounded in her chest as he lay back next to her.

'Are you awake?' he murmured, eventually.

She turned around to face him. His face was shadowed in the darkness.

Slowly, she reached out and touched his cheek gently.

'Why are you so angry?' she whispered. 'I don't understand.'

He stared at her, his eyes tense, before leaning forward and kissing her.

Selene moved back a little, but he pulled her to him more closely.

There was something about the kiss that was highly unsettling- a metallic edge to it. It wasn't loving. It was harsh, as though he was trying to claim her as his possession.

She felt his hands pushing her nightdress up, and it bunched up around her waist.

Selene shut her eyes tightly as she felt his knee nudging her knees apart. Part of her thought that going through with it might fix whatever was wrong between them, but another part of her wanted to leave immediately.

'Spread your legs,' he said.

Her breathing came in shallow gasps now. Despite the fact that they had explored many sexual avenues in Venice, his statement seemed so lewd now that she only wanted to press her legs even more tightly together.

His knee nudged at her thighs and, with a small gasp, she spread her legs. He trailed kisses down her neck and slowly they rolled so that he was on top of her.

Suddenly, he pushed into her and Selene cried out in pain. She had expected him to enter her slowly, but he hadn't. He had entered her fully in the first stroke, and she gasped and dug her nails into his back as he continued to thrust into her just as roughly.

Tears streaked down her cheeks as she waited, praying that he would finish quickly.

Thankfully, he did, collapsing on top of her, breathing heavily.

He then quickly moved off her and lay next to her, his back to her.

Selene chewed her lip as tears continually rolled down her cheeks. She waited, silently crying, until she heard him emit a few faint snores.

She sprung out of bed and tore out the back of the house until she came to the field next door. She sunk to her knees, her shoulders trembling as sobs wracked her body.

'Why?' she whispered through her tears.

She looked up at the sky and saw Selene's full moon.

'Why?' she screamed. 'Circe is my mother. Why doesn't she care about me?'

She gasped, as she was hit with a sudden revelation.

'No one cares about me?' she whispered, her eyes wide.

She lay back on the grass, exhausted, as tears continued to leak out the sides of her eyes.

'Tom, where are you?' she whispered.

She closed her eyes and focussed all her energy on him.

'Tom, I don't know if this will work,' she whispered. 'I shouldn't be telling you this, but he knows that you've murdered people. Dumbledore's onto you, Tom. If you come back here, make sure you're disguised.'

She paused and drew an unsteady breath.

'Please come back. I need you, Tom. Take me away with you. I don't care about right or wrong anymore. I just need you. Please.'

She suddenly felt all her energy was drained, and slumped into the ground, exhausted.

'T…te lutem,' the peasant pleaded.

His dark hair was matted with blood and sweat, and his black eyes darted around the room, frightened.

Tom laughed coldly.

'Please? No, I don't think so. You're too important to me right now. Of course, I'd prefer to kill someone of more worth than a peasant… but, well, waste not want not.'

Tom paused and smiled ironically.

'Speaking of wasting… Avada Kedavra.'

The green light flashed, and Tom's eyes widened with horrified fascination as he saw the peasant's life suddenly being drained from him.

He shook his head, amused.

'Please. Ha!' he chuckled to himself as he untied the peasant and levitated his body outside. With a flick of his wand, the body was reduced to dust.

'There,' he said, satisfied. 'Now, onto Horcrux number four.'

--

Tom lay on the floor as he struggled to regain his breathing.

'Tom, where are you?'

He sat up suddenly, looking around the room with fright. He was certain that he had heard her voice, very clearly.

'Selene?' he asked raspily, looking around the room.

''Tom, I don't know if this will work,' her voice continued.

Tom gasped again and took out his wand.

'Where are you?'

'I shouldn't be telling you this, but he knows that you've murdered people. Dumbledore's onto you, Tom. If you come back here, make sure you're disguised.'

Tom frowned. If Selene was speaking of his returning, then she must have still been in England.

'But how are you talking to me?' he wondered aloud.

'Please come back. I need you, Tom. Take me away with you. I don't care about right or wrong anymore. I just need you. Please.'

He heard the desperation in her voice, and became very still.

Please.

It was ironic how her 'please' meant so much to him, and yet the peasant's please merely made him laugh.

He picked up his travelling cloak and wand automatically, but then paused as he remembered their last meeting.

He had just created two Horcruxes then, and had lost control. Now that he had just created another, he did not think it wise to see her just yet.

Especially if she had information regarding Dumbledore for him.

Reluctantly, he put his cloak down and sunk into his bed.

He would find her tomorrow.

Selene and Alphard had a chance to start over again, and yet they're already back to their old antics.

Are they beyond repair?

You set me up. You found a way to ask me here, and you set me up.' Tom to Selene

Has Selene switched sides so easily? It seems for her that Dumbledore and Tom's sides aren't as distinct as black and white anymore….

Now. I have a request. Tomorrow, I turn 20. That's right, the end of my life as a teenager.

My request is that each and every one of you reviews this chapter. It would truly be the best birthday send off you could give me.

Much love,

Anya