Chapter 38: A Journey Starts

"Take me with you. For laughs, for luck, for the unknown. Take me with you." Peter S. Beagle in: The Last Unicorn

Another morning came. A day that should be different than all the others. Joelle blinked her eyes open first, glancing at Tom next to her who was still asleep. She couldn't exactly remember the last time she was up before him, but it must've been somewhen in his childhood when he had sneaked into Mrs. Cole's office at night and just stayed with Joelle despite not having brought a blanket. Joelle smiled to herself at the memory. Tom used to be so cute.

"Good morning," said Tom, even though his eyes were closed. He probably heard her shifting around.

"Good morning," said Joelle softly. How likely was it that she would ever greet Tom with a good morning after they had parted those years ago? Joelle glanced at him when he opened his eyes and looked at her. Something in Joelle wanted to start a conversation - she was scared of silence around Tom. Silence gave him too much room to plan and plot, it suffocated Joelle and made her nervous, but she couldn't think of anything to dissolve it. Her heart began to beat faster, she felt stressed before the day even started. What could she tell Tom, the person who was close to rape her yesterday night? What could she ask when she knew he never answered anything? Joelle glanced to the left and right in attempts to find a topic when suddenly a low chuckle from the back of Tom's throat filled the small cottage in which the scent of warm wood was lingering.

"Why so tense?" He asked.

"I'm not," Joelle lied. Tom's amused expression vanished, probably upon realizing that he wasn't confronted with honesty - one of many things he loathed. He sat up. Joelle clawed on the blanket insecurely, expecting Tom to leash out on her any given moment, but he merely glanced at her from the corners of his eyes, his mouth slowly twitching into a faint smirk before he got up. He was aware of the impact he had on her. The early sunlight hit his pale bare chest as he strode over to the wardrobe, throwing Joelle some clothes before he picked his own.

"You can dress up here," said Tom in a monotonous voice when he, despite not turning around to Joelle saw how she was on her way into the bathroom. Joelle scowled. "I don't think so."

"It wouldn't be the first time I see you naked," said Tom unimpressed while fixing his collar, turning around, not taking his eyes off of Joelle as soon as their gazes locked. "In fact, it wouldn't even be the second time."

"Wait, what?" Joelle asked in surprise, even though the heat of embarrassment and shame crawled up from her toes to her very forehead. When did he see her? She glanced over to Tom, who was now twisting his sleeves to the proper direction, still bold and and unimpressed.

"I am not thinking about our little night of passion in the bathroom that day," he said colorlessly, turning around to close the door of the wardrobe. "I saw you in the forest years ago, when you and Bryan decided to swim in a nearby lake."

"Marvolo!" Joelle gasped. "That is beyond-"

"Childish curiosity. My point is that you should get used to undressing in front of me," said Tom somberly, turning around to look at Joelle, as if he expected her to strip here and now.

"Oh, should I?" Joelle asked sarcastically.

"Indeed."

"I don't think I should," Joelle scowled again, then simply vanished behind the bathroom door. If Joelle liked one thing about Tom it would be that he was never really driven by lust, he always had enough poise to keep himself from ripping down her clothes. Even though yesterday night made Joelle believe that Tom merely bottled things up. He could possibly attack sooner or later, and perhaps she wouldn't get away with just telling him that he was not like John. Joelle sighed. It was another thing to worry about. She took her time, checking each wrinkle on the fabric that covered her body. As soon as she was certain that staying in the bathroom for a little longer would cause Tom to assume she was hiding from him, which she probably did, Joelle walked out. Tom stood where he was, leaning against the wall ever so casually. He decorated the room with his raw and elegant coolness.

Gasp.

With a swift flick of Tom's wand, Joelle stood in the cottage stripped off of the clothes for which she had taken the past twenty minutes to put on. She scowled at Tom.

"How DARE you, Marvolo!" outraged, Joelle grabbed the clothes from the ground, pressing them to her almost nude body.

"Just showing you my idea of getting used to dressing up in front of me. I didn't like yours," said Tom almost bored, but still with a mocking undertone. This action is to not be misunderstood as flirting or sexual harassment. No. This was straight business, nothing else. It was a matter of principles. Tom told Joelle to do something - he saw to it that she did it. He was a professional when it came to asserting dominance.

Joelle merely dressed up without another comment even though her mood sank drastically. Tom waved his wand, the effect of what he did was not clear on an instant because he started walking closer to Joelle, but then Joelle could faintly see how her worn clothes magically gathered up. She thought Tom was about to kiss her when he stood right in front, but instead he fixed her cleavage part by pulling it a bit up so that it would be less revealing. Wherever they would go now, Tom must expect to be in male company. Or maybe this, too, was just a matter of principles. Their eyes met. Tom stared at Joelle, rubbing along her hips and tucked at the end of her blouse. He was a perfectionist, after all. Once pleased, he turned around and handed her a plate with a sandwich. Joelle didn't realize how hungry she was until now. They sat down at the small table.

"So...how long do you think it takes for my magical signature to fully develop?" Joelle asked.

"That depends. The more magical input, the better. You have proven to be rather talented when it comes to learning new techniques. That cuts us some time," Tom said, sipping on his tea the next moment. But Joelle was not satisfied. How could he be so sure about those things?

"What exactly happens after you believe my magical signature to have fully fleshed out?" Joelle asked.

"Can't you think of what will happen?" Tom asked in return. He expected Joelle to look away, but strange enough, she didn't when she said "you will bind our souls. But how exactly is that supposed to work?"

Tom observed her. His mouth was in a straight line.

"It's a dark ceremony. A ritual. You will see when we get there," Tom smirked lightly. He knew that it would make Joelle nervous. And couldn't deny that he liked it. But Joelle didn't appear to be nervous at all. And he understood why.

"And once you've bound our souls...you will create another Horcrux by killing somebody. When you split your soul, that is put into an object in order to gain immortality, you believe that I, too, will be immortal. Thus, the both of us will be earthbound forever."

Tom looked at Joelle intensively. She had remembered his plans and could follow - he was almost impressed. But that wasn't the only reason for his intense glance. No, if Joelle knew that he would kill, he knew that his Joelle would try anything to prevent it. Tom couldn't suppress the slight twitch coming from his lower eyelids; they narrowed. He was no fool. And neither was Joelle. Her compliance was nothing but preparation to stand in his way - and he was aware. What they had, for a good while now, was a race. And Tom wanted to win. Confident as Tom was, he knew he had to be careful. Joelle wasn't an easy opponent. She just had different tactics.

"But that all is just theory, isn't it? Isn't it risky? What if the both of us will die?" Joelle frowned. Tom chuckled. Silly. Just a second ago he almost felt threatened by Joelle and her quick glow of insight. But that simple question showed the true impact of her nativity. She was still hoping. Hoping that it was just a theory.

"I had years to research on that specific topic, Joelle." Maybe this way she would see that it was pointless to fight him any longer.

"When will you finally stop trying?" Tom asked. Joelle raised an eyebrow, responding that way.

"You're trying to change my mind. And you think I wouldn't notice."

"What have I said that makes you believe that?" Joelle asked intelligently, but in such a controlled way that allowed Tom the conclusion that he was right. Not that he doubted it in the first place.

"It's not what you have said. It's what I see. Your secrets are transparent to me, my dear." He pointed to his forehead. "I have been very honest with you in the past."

"Which you believe justifies claiming my secrets as honesty in return, I assume," Joelle fixed Tom with her eyes intensively, what she said beheld a sharp accusation. But more so, it beheld the truth. Tom grinned. He liked her controlled temper. Despite Joelle being soft and kind on the outside, she was still her firm self, just more cautious.

"I don't like you roaming around in my mind," Joelle then said. "What I decide to tell you should be my choice, not yours."

"You are right. I claim your secrets as mine, in return for my honesty with you."

"It's not a secret that I'm not fond of sharing my forever with you, there is no reason to check what I'm thinking," Joelle said through gritted teeth, now leaning closer across the table. "And you are not being honest with me at all."

"I am not?" Tom chuckled. "I think I am."

"Then what about that thing in the cellar? You didn't tell me what it was. Why did you all even sit in the cellar - you, your gang, what were you doing? You said not a word. You said I came on time for a show that I wasn't allowed to see."

"I have told you that I would take care of everything. And right now that's exactly what I'm doing. I focus on what's important. You should do the same."

"What do you feel for me, Marvolo?" Joelle suddenly asked, looking out of the window. What does a person feel for another when they go as far as Tom? Silence danced around them again. Beautiful, mocking silence. Just when Joelle was sure that Tom would not bother to even recognize her question, she was surprised when he spoke.

"How cute." He said degradingly and leaned back, grinning before he got up. Of course. "Enough silliness. Let's go."

Joelle did not respond. She just looked at Tom with somewhat of an expression that told him that she understood something else. Let's not be silly, Joelle thought. She hated herself for asking this question, even though it still gave her an awful amount of insight. Tom's answer almost pained her. But only almost.

"Where are we going first?" Joelle asked. Tom glanced at her. "There are places I haven't been to before. Which means we will travel by train."

"The train?" Joelle frowned. She didn't expect this. "Isn't that so not magical?" She asked somewhat sarcastically.

"Right you are. But the feeling of travel, of journey is something most beautiful, wouldn't you agree?"

Joelle nodded.

"The train rides to Hogwarts have always beheld a special feeling. To ride across the country, knowing it takes you to places others haven't been to before. But alas, my journey was a little tainted by your continuous absence," Tom murmured, still walking up the hill. Joelle wondered about this private and sincere insight on Tom's emotional environment. He never let down his guard. Emotions made Tom vulnerable - and Joelle admitted to believe that Tom felt very one dimensional. Perhaps she knew less of him than she thought she did, but to mention Tom and feelings in the same sentence was a strange thought. Tom pulled her closer. The both of them were now on top of a tall, green hill, towering above all the others. This alone would've been enough for Joelle, but Tom grasped her hand and reached down to what looked like an abandoned bottle of wine; just before Joelle could compliment Tom's care for environment, thinking he would want to throw it away, she felt forced through time and space. The world spun for Joelle. She saw nothing, the pictures rotated and turned, her body flew and fell right into Tom's arms just seconds later.

They had landed somewhere. Joelle looked sick when her eyes next showed her a train station she has never seen before. Tom still held her in his arms, but he put her down on her feet the other second. He was amused.

"You have to learn how to control your body."

"I, have to-!" Joelle hissed, but Tom pressed his hand onto her mouth. "Shh. Not so loud. Someone like you shouldn't try to draw any attention to themselves."

"Someone like me?" Joelle asked with a scowl once she spitefully pulled away from Tom's hand.

"You don't want people to recognize your face, do you, main defendant?" Tom asked.

"Then why don't you simply change my looks with a spell? I'm sure you can do that." Joelle crossed her arms.

"Of course I can," Tom said dryly. Joelle seemed to be a little confused when he just stared at her, but that's when she understood it. While she looked like herself, she was dependent on Tom. How, she wondered, but the answer was too easy. If Joelle ran away looking like herself, she might soon be attacked and arrested. Tom made sure that she had to stay. If he changed her looks, he would give her the protection she needed to make a successful escape. He couldn't take the risk of losing her. Tom waved his wand at Joelle's head. A black, fashionable hat appeared. "You will look like anyone else with this."

"I hate hats," Joelle sighed.

"You dislike being a lady lately," said Tom smoothly, linking his arm with Joelle's, ignoring her low muttering under her breath.

"You haven't exactly been a gentleman to me either," she said. Tom grinned, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. He was wearing a dark suit - and hell and heaven forbid Joelle to admit that he was the epitome of handsomeness.

And there it was, it took over Joelle. The air of adventure was suddenly lingering around. They got on the train, finding their own spots to themselves. Joelle sat by the window while Tom was next to her.

"Have you travelled before?" Tom asked. "To other countries?"

Joelle thought a little, then shook her head. "No, never. We travelled a lot across the country when my mother was still alive. She loved journeys. We would sometimes wander around for hours and have a picnic somewhere." Joelle smiled in what Tom interpreted as longing when she looked back at him. "I don't have a single picture of that time. We didn't think that those times could ever be over. I'm sure my mother thought that tomorrow she can take a picture. Like so many, we thought to be immortal."

Tom listened to what Joelle said. He enjoyed those conversations with her. He leaned back and thought about her words. Of course it couldn't be denied that the part about immortality is what made him most curious. He looked out of the window. Those people, do they ever spend a thought on death?

"We are moving," said Joelle when the engine started. And soon, their journey has begun.

"Tell me more about your childhood," said Tom after a while. Joelle turned around to him. "You probably know everything about it anyway, don't you?" She raised an eyebrow. Tom's lips curled up into a slight grin. "I've tried to find out everything l could."

"Shock me," said Joelle, chuckling.

"The first of October 1921, when you were born, was a Saturday. You were born around four in the afternoon. I checked weather records. It was a warm day of autumn."

Joelle stared at Tom, her lips parted.

"When I visited your former school and charmed the head mistress enough to show me the files, l saw your grades. You were a very ambitious student. It appears that you have enjoyed art classes most."

Joelle still started at Tom with her lips parted. "This is unbelievable..."

"Do you need more?" Tom asked.

"No, the question is why do you need more," said Joelle in a tone that made it uncertain whether or not she wanted an answer. Tom had done most of his homework.

"You know everything about me and my childhood," said Tom simply.

"I know nothing of the time after," Joelle looked out of the window again.

"Which is not my fault," Tom murmured with a scowl on his face that Joelle could see through the window.

"I'm not so sure about the not your fault part," Joelle glanced at him. "It's not that easy, you know. You and l were children. Somewhat..." Joelle sighed. Tom was already so grown up back then.

"Boy or girl?" Tom suddenly asked. Joelle almost didn't hear his question as her eyes followed the trees.

"What do you mean?" She asked absentmindedly.

"Would you prefer to have a boy or girl?" Tom asked again. Joelle frowned, almost hastily spinning around to him. "Where does that question come from?" Her eyes watched how Tom played around with the fabric of her collar. He sat very close to her, an arm leaning along the seat behind her.

"Where that question comes from?" Tom almost chuckled. "I don't remember using a spell for protection that night," he whispered. Joelle's eyes danced between his, as if to make sure he was either sane or really saying this. Perhaps both.

"I am," she started inhaling deeply, her voice turning harsher. "NOT pregnant, if that's what you're trying to say!"

Tom stared at her expressionlessly. Joelle just shook her head in disbelief, turning back to the window with a scowl that saw in the window's reflection.

"You didn't answer my question," he murmured in amusement. Joelle tilted her head to the side, looking over her shoulder before she stiffly turned to watch the scenery again. "Men are primitive," she said bitterly. "I grew up believing that I will marry a gentleman, and that I will live a happy life when I do. I haven't stumbled across a gentleman yet. I'm not sure if I want my daughter to find out the same depressing truth. It seems like being a man is a lot easier."

"I expected to hear this," Tom said, tucking some strands of hair away. He leaned in to kiss the tender spot next to the back of her ear, then whispered, "but it's not easier."

"What about you?" Joelle then asked, turning around to him.

"It does not matter to me," he said, staring into Joelle's eyes. And Joelle felt sick to her stomach. Was she talking to Tom about children? She felt nauseated, shaking her head, almost aggressively looking back to stare out of the window. She didn't turn around for the next two hours.

"Joelle. Wake up. You need to eat something," whispered a voice. Joelle raised her head lazily, eyes half closed. She must've fallen asleep at some point. Her eyes turned over to a silver tray with two plates filled with dinner. It was already turning dark outside, the sky was died in a beautiful orange color, allowing the black silhouettes of the trees to show. She took the plate that Tom handed over to her. It was some kind of vegetable casserole that smelled forbiddingly good. Joelle didn't know why, but the atmosphere calmed her down despite the fact that none other than Tom Riddle sat next to her and quietly observed her, then rubbed her thigh gently before he started to eat.

"When will we be there?" Joelle asked.

"Two or three hours," said Tom. "We should sleep until then," he then got up and pulled down the curtains to cover the windows, ignoring Joelle's low grumble because she was still watching the scene curiously while she ate.

"Can you finally tell me where we are actually going?" Joelle then asked when Tom took the empty plates and put them back on the silver tray, only to get up and put them somewhere out of their train compartment. He stretched up and grabbed blankets and pillows that he cleaned with his wand despite them looking fresh as they were. He put a pillow between the wall and Joelle instead of handing it to her; as if he wanted to control even how she would sleep. Draping the blanket over her body, he looked into her eyes. Joelle had given up on the hope of receiving an answer, but Tom then said "Italy."

"Italy?"

"Venice in particular."

"Venice?"

"Are you a parrot?" Tom asked. Joelle shook her head in confusion. Venice seemed like a place to visit for a honeymoon vacation, but she did not word those thoughts, not wanting to give Tom any room to make another drastic decision.

When Joelle woke up a bit later, the train had already stopped moving. Now that she recalled it, she was sure that the loud sound of the breaks was what woke her up in the first place. Tom wasn't asleep anymore, he was dressed up in fresh clothes and stared at her. Joelle wondered why he hadn't told her to get up, but the answer came with his next words.

"You look very peaceful when you're asleep. I did not want to disturb you. Come on. We still have to travel a bit." Tom held his hand out to Joelle. She took it. Before they left he adjusted her hat, staring into her eyes before they walked off at last.

Joelle was about to follow the rest of the people that walked outside and over to a port, but Tom pulled Joelle with him, aiming towards a single gondola. Joelle thought this was strange because the water was full of boats with roofs and seats; but that single gondola had a mysterious aura as it slightly moved up and down in the water, something like a purple fog floating around it under the starry sky. Joelle glanced over to the other people that vanished into their boats. None of them stole a glance. Did they not see the gondola? Nobody was in the there, but as soon as Tom pulled Joelle in, she understood why. It magically moved on its own accord, along the water, into the opposite direction of the rest of the boats. They soon left the cityscape behind, getting deeper and deeper into the greens. Willow trees surrounded them.

Joelle knew the gondola would take her into yet another new world, into the beginning of their very first adventure.