Chapter Two
One Year Later
"Love me, Tom?"
"Forever and more."
"Love Lily, Tom?"
"As much as her mother."
"Till the end of the earth?"
"Farther."
"Till the end of time?"
"Kristen, how many times do we have to go through this: I love you both more than explainable. I would capture the stars and give them to you if I can! I'm just going through some stress at work, and..."
"STRESS AT WORK MY ASS! Tom, you're keeping something from me, and I want to know what it is! People who are in love don't keep secrets!" With that, she started to cry.
"Oh, Kristen, please! Don't cry! I'm sorry! I'm really and truly sorry!" He sighed. "Fine. I'll tell you. You know 5 years ago, when you were a fifth year and I was a sixth year?"
"Yes," she replied coldly, all trace of tears gone. Her beloved Tom was changing, and she didn't like the change.
Tom ran his fingers through his oily hair. "And you know how I'm Slytherin's heir?"
What was the damned fool getting at? "Yes."
Oh, this was so hard for Tom. He found it nearly impossible to finally tell the truth to his love. "And you know how I cought that half-giant third year Hagrid with the monster attacking people?"
What does that have to do with anything,Kristen wondered. Then suddenly it hit her. Lies, attacks, Slytherin- her beloved Tom was the cause of all the attacks at Hogwarts 5 years ago. Suddenly she was no longer upset. She was mad as hell. "TOM! HOW COULD YOU NOT TELL ME! I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME! I WOULDN'T HAVE TOLD ANYONE!"
Tom hung his head. She doesn't understand, he thought to himself. This can seriously damage our family. "Kristen," he began, but was cut off.
"You know what, Tom, I don't care what you say!"
Stubborn bitch, "Just let me explain!"
Seeing the hurt look in his eyes, Kristen calmed down. "All right, but it better be quick and good!"
Now we're making some headway... "Okay, first the monster was a basilisk, a deadly serpent. I accidentally stumbled upon it, and set it free, being able to talk to it."
"Y-you mean, you're a parselmouth?"
"Yes, now shut up and listen. I tried to stop it, but it hurt and killed people before I could. Finally, I managed to control it, and lock it away. I hope it never gets out again."
"What about the boy?"
"Oh, him. I was patrolling the halls one night and I found him with that spider monstrosity. I turned them both in- the thing did have the potential to kill, after all. Do you understand everything now?"
Kristen nodded. "But then- why didn't you tell me?"
"Because if anyone found out, they would take me away to Azkaban, even though it was an accident. And they might harm you and Lily. But I really was having trouble at work- other Ministry members were becoming suspicious."
She shook her head. "Now you've lost me- you know I would rather be sent to Azkaban than tell one of your secrets..."
Tom hung his head. "I'm sorry- I've made a mistake. I was scared that you wouldn't love me anymore, then you would leave me and take Lily with you... You two are the only things in the world that matter anymore, I would hate to lose you."
Kristen stroked his face. "I don't care about what you do, Tom- I couldn't care less! It's what you are when you are around me that matters. It lets me know how different you are around me than others, and it shows me how much you care. And Tom, judging by the way you act around me, then the way you act around others- you care alot."
It was like sugar from her sweet lips. Oh, Kristen, how you soothe me! It makes me feel whole, to know you know my secret. If only I had really stumbled upon the basilisk, and accidentally set it free, all would be right with the world. You are my world. Everything I care about is you- and Lily. You are my precious- I would die for you... Unfortunately, that would not be the case.