House: Slytherin
Year: HoH
Category: Drabble
Summary: Tom Riddle has discovered the long lost graveyard of two of the Founders of Hogwarts. His companion, Alphard Black, is used as the key to enter to the sacred place. Once there, Tom divulges his true motives and kills his close friend in order to be one step closer to gaining immortality.
Prompts: [Setting] Graveyard
Word count: 572 (Excluding Author's Note, but including entire Drabble and Title)
Author's Note: This was written last minute, as I have been so busy packing my things and moving into my new apartment. Between that, making sure everything is moved over, seeing friends and working, this is all that I was able to come up with :( Thankfully, everything is done and sorted and I can finally get back into a good writing schedule. Hope y'all like this drabble!
As always, enjoy
-Carolare Scarletus
The Claiming
Never in his wildest imagination did he believe a place such as this existed.
Even in the countless stories that he heard, Tom Riddle wasn't naive enough to believe that the graveyard of the founders reside anywhere on the grounds of Hogwarts. Yet, there he was, standing in the middle of the eerie graveyard with his wand held out in front of him as he tried to ward off the collapsing darkness. Time eluded him. Hadn't it been for the wavering presence in his wake, he wouldn't became lost to time itself and another passing fancy to the wonder of the afterlife.
"Why have you bring me here, Riddle?"
Tom could almost see Alphard Black's face masked by a hideous scowl. The older Slytherin was right to be suspicious; Tom hadn't been forthcoming with his need to know where the founders had been laid to rest. He was still in a state of awe after finding that the rumors had been true all along, and now that he'd found them, there was nothing stopping him from desecrating their graves. Each of the Founders had something that needed in order to perform the ritual of splitting his soul. Unfortunately, he hadn't been able to track down where Salazar Slytherin and Helena Ravenclaw were buried. Their claiming will have to come at a later date.
"There is something I'm searching for," Tom told him in a low tone.
"And, you think I can procure it for you?"
Tom turned and smiled wickedly at him. "Oh, yes. I wouldn't have brought you here, dear Alphard, if I didn't think you weren't able to give me what I wanted."
"What nonsense are you talking about," Alphard demanded, stepping closer to him with a determination that Tom had never seen before. There was a fierceness about the older wizard he hadn't seen before and Tom wanted it. He wanted to procure and possess whatever malicious source of magic that lay dormant within the boy, and if his assumptions were correct, Alphard was the perfect candidate for the ritual he needed in order to split his soul for the first time. He needed someone precious in order to achieve his ultimate goal, and if that meant killing him, then so be it. "I don't have time for games, Riddle. Tell me why you brought me here. This place isn't supposed to exist, and yet you've found a way to turn a fairytale into reality."
"I did nothing," he smiled devilishly. "Only those with a true heart could have found it. That is why I brought you, Black. I knew you had the heart to lead me to this place and I'll be forever grateful for your heroic sacrifice."
Alphard looked around the graveyard, finding the calm setting in which they found themselves disturbing to say the least. The ambience took on a darker approach; sweat began to accumulate around his temples, and the fog that once transverse the graveyard dissipated and was replaced with a heavier and greater force. Tom watched him keenly, the killing curse on the tip of his tongue. If this place was truly concealed, it wouldn't matter if he killed him with a blade or a curse, nothing could touch Tom. Something green flashed before them and in a heartbeat, Alphard was dead. His body lay at his feet and Tom rejoiced in the fact he was one step closer at immortality.
