Chapter 8-Loyalty
The room held a long, long table with expert designs and beautiful chairs. A wave of homesickness for the Great Hall washed over Sadie. At the far end of the table was an older man, his hands clasped in front of him. His knuckles were white.
"Tom dear, here she is! Sadie, this is...let me think...your half-grand- uncle."
Tom rose and marched to Sadie. Sadie saw his wrinkled face held dark amber eyes that were moist. "Sadie Alexis Riddle. My only living kin..." He kissed her forehead.
Sadie furrowed her brow. "My half-great uncle?"
He smiled and pulled out one of the many chairs for her. "Yes, let me explain. My father, a /Muggle,/ did not understand the ways of my mother, a witch. He left her before I was born, and she died just after my birth. I was very alone." Sadie's heart wrenched sympathetically; she nodded for him to continue. "My father, after leaving my mother, married again and had children. His son would have been your grandfather, and my half-brother. His son was your father. It is a sorrowful thing that I had not found you sooner."
"So you are Thomas M. Riddle?" Sadie asked, glancing sideways at Winsbree. Tom nodded.
"Are you, like, evil or anything?"
Tom's amber eyes flashed, but he took a breath and Sadie was not quite sure his composure had actually changed. "Why do you ask, my pet?"
"Well, whenever I tell anyone my name, they always get this look on their face, like there's something really /wrong/ with it. I know it can't be the Sadie, so it must be the Riddle. And families share last names...you're my only family...you know."
Tom smiled. This time, Sadie was sure of a change in his eyes; a wicked pleasure filled them. "And they never said anything about it?"
Sadie shook her head. "Never."
Tom shrugged, his eyes still savoring something. "I cannot say I know what those you speak of think. But I will assure you, you have nothing to fear from me. Come, there is much to be spoken of." He offered her his arm. But Sadie hesitated. Something did not feel right.
"Come child, we must speak." Tom said not unforcefully.
Sadie looked at him a moment. "I--I can't. Dumbledore has custody of me. Will you please take me to the school, and come also? I want him to know. He'll be worried. And so will Rem--"
Tom's expression had darkened considerably. "We will not go to the school now. Nor for some time. You must be brought to an understanding first."
"Of what?" Sadie asked, defiant but fearful.
Tom bore down on her. "Of your /destiny/," he hissed. He glowered at her and stalked out of the room. Winsbree, ever smiling and oblivious, put her arm around Sadie's shoulders and led her from the room.
"Now, dear, you really must be sensible and listen to your uncle."
Sadie looked apprehensively down the hall, where Tom was waiting.
"Just give him a chance," urged Winsbree. Sadie nodded and allowed herself to be taken to the room Tom waited at. He opened the door for her, his kindly smile returning. The room he led her to, Sadie saw, was nothing less than a huge library. A hundred knick-knacks filled empty spaces that the thousands of books did not fill. There was a table surrounded by a few chairs that Sadie was asked to sit at. This she did, but still wondering what was to become of her. /Still,/ she thought, /if he is my great uncle or what have you, he needs to be shown respect, even if he _is_ bonkers. I'll humor him for a while./ Tom sat opposite of her, looking at her intently.
"Sadie--do you wish for greatness? Something more than what has befallen you?"
Sadie gazed at him curiously. "I--I suppose."
"Do you have the ambition to go after a possibility that will bring you glory and power?"
"I think so."
"What about your dreams? What are they?"
Sadie thought a moment. "Well...I've always wanted a family. And to be accepted without question. Just because I don't know about my family doesn't mean there's something wrong with me." Sadie grew more animated, anger growing in her eyes. "I like being a leader and nothing standing in my way. I want to correct the system, to help me get what I want, not to keep me from it." Sadie grew less tense and sighed wearily. "Not that any of that is possible."
Tom leaned closer. A smile played on his lips, his eyes malicious. "Oh, but it is. I am afraid that you know little of me, but I know much of you. Your best friend--Emma Walker. Your favorite pair of shoes-a pair of white tennis shoes. What you eat for breakfast every morning. 'How do you know?' you may ask. I have the power to know all, command all, and conquer all. Not even death stands in my way." Sadie held her breath. "And do you know how, my child? I will tell you. But first, I need to know your true prowess as a witch."
Sadie looked at him quizzically. "What do you want me to do?"
Tom drew his wand. "Imperio!"
Sadie grew numb and felt like she was floating. A voice whispered in her mind. /Jump out the window.../
Sadie almost moved her feet, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. Why?
The voice spoke again, a little more forceful. /Go jump out the window./
But I'll fall, thought Sadie, still resisting her feet's desire to move.
/_Jump out the window._/
She started to walk towards the window. No, she told the voice, I don't want to. That's a silly thing to do.
/Go!/ "No!" The floating feeling escaped from her, she became aware of her surroundings once again. Tom was beaming.
"Well done! You are a powerful young witch with much potential."
Tom walked about the dimly lit room, stopping at the corners not taken by the fireplace and table. "Past," he said, picking up an ancient looking book. "Present," he continued, taking the globe from its holder. He eyed Sadie and plucked a single auburn hair from her head. She flinched, but he paid no heed. He held the hair between his fingers and examined it. "Future," said Tom in a whisper. He crept to the fireplace and threw all three in. Sadie watched, aghast, as they burned. Tom stared at them until they had become part of the fire itself. He drew out his wand and pointed it at the fire. He flicked his wand and the fire sprung from the hearth, into the air. Sadie gaped as Tom flew the fire around the room. Soon, dancing flames that burned nothing surrounded Winsbree, Sadie and Tom. Beyond the flames was an inky black mist. Tom, with his wand, drew away a little of the flame.
"Now, Sadie, you will know me as the world knows me." He turned again to the flames and with his wand, wrote with the fire in the air above Sadie. Sadie read in horror.
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
"It--it can't be!" Sadie was numb.
"It is."
"But Voldemort killed my parents..."
Voldemort's eyes grew sorrowful. "Yes...I told your father the same things I am telling you. Of what he could become. But he would not conform, and so I had to give him death. Your mother, I also offered the world, but she was too wrapped up in her wishes for other things. She did not realize that nothing other than what I was willing to give to her mattered. They would have served me well." He looked fondly at Sadie. "But I see now that it has ended well, because you instead will be at my side. You, and Sonora, and I, will be a family, just as you have always wished.
Sadie closed her eyes tightly. "Can I be left alone for a few hours?"
Tom looked surprised. "I suppose you may." He thought a moment and nodded. "Yes, you must think on this. But I am confident that you will make the right decision. Sonora, will you please take her back to her room?" Sadie numbly followed Sonora to "her" room.
Sadie collapsed back into the chair and stared into the fire, her mind exhausted. It wasn't long before her head drooped to her chest.
/Everything was black, but Sadie heard voices screeching in terror.?
?"I'll never join you! You may be my husband's relation, but you have no ties to me!" a woman's voice...Sadie's mother, screamed./
/A cold voice, the same as the black-robed man's, whispered, "We shall see. Bring him in." Muffled speech could be heard, and her mother gasped./
/"What are you going to do?" she asked fearfully./
/There was a sneer in his voice as the man replied, "That, Alexis, is up to you."/
/Another man, Sadie's father, called out suddenly. "Don't give in!"/
/"Silence!" There was a burst of blinding green light, and a horrified scream echoed inside Sadie's mind. /
Sadie woke with a start, breathing heavily. She had made her decision. She stared into the fire, wondering her fate, until Professor Winsbree and Voldemort arrived.
Voldemort was smiling expectantly. "Well, I suppose you have been given long enough. Now, we have a lot to do so--"
"I won't do it." Sadie still looked steadfastly into the fire.
He blinked and retained his calm smile. "I assure you, you will."
Sadie's gaze hardened as she turned her gaze to him. "No."
Voldemort looked at her closely. "This is your last chance before I become angry. You /will/ join me."
"Never. It would mean betrayal to my parents, and that it something I refuse to do."
"But you do not know your parents--how can you betray someone you don't know?"
/"Because it's thanks to you that I don't know them!"/
Voldemort's eyes flamed to a ghastly red. Sadie, horrified, recalled her dream, so long ago. Voldemort pulled Winsbree to the door.
"I am angered, but not yet unmerciful." He stepped beyond the door. "However," he sneered, "the time before midnight grows ever shorter." With his words, Sadie found herself tied to a hard surface in a cold, damp room with nothing in it besides what she lay on and a huge grandfather clock.
Sadie looked in terror at the clock barricading the door. It was nothing like any one she had ever seen before; they were mostly beautiful antiques with warm hues. This one was in utter disrepair, the crude workmanship and crooked gashes in the timeworn wood giving it a ghastly effect. It's ticking was hollow and cold as it brought Sadie's fate ever nearer. Suddenly, Sadie shrieking in surprise, it chimed the 11th hour. The chimes were evil demons shouting of their ravenous state as they edged ever nearer to where she was confined. Sadie breath quickened as her fright increased in light of her impending doom.
Down the stone hall in another room, lighted only by a low fire, were Voldemort and Sonora. Voldemort grimly gazed out the window into the bleak depths of the night while Sonora gazed at him anxiously, trying to get him to look at her.
"Tom?" she said meekly. He made no reply.
"Tom." she beseeched. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "What are you going to do with that little girl?"
"My purpose goes beyond family ties. She will get in the way if I let her live."
"How? She's only a chi--"
"Only a child?" he spat, "And what would I do if I let her go? Wait around for her to tell the entire magical world everything she now knows?" he raged, "Not to mention when she reaches adulthood!" His gaze returned to the window. He now spoke quietly, reminiscently. "Revenge can do powerful things. I should know."
"But so can love."
Riddle snorted. "Love. Love is nonexistent. So is loyalty. And hate. And betrayal, and every other one of those 'ideas'. They are figments of the human imagination. I have said this all in the past. In this life, there is only power and those too foolish to search for it."
Sonora's eyes grew wet. "Y--you don't mean that, do you Tom? There is love. You and I know that. Don't we?"
Riddle got up and sat on the creaking sofa next to her. He whispered in her ear, his voice void of emotion. "No." He got up and walked out of the room, leaving Sonora to try and realize what he just said.
***
Cold beads of perspiration stood on Sadie's face. She shivered uncontrollably as the heartless tick...tock...tick...tock slowly drove her mad. She wriggled for a moment, trying to stop her shaking. She could tell the ropes that magically bound her were slowly growing weaker as her fate edged nearer. A single sob escaped her lips as she realized that soon they would be weak enough for her to break. Seconds too late.
***
Sonora sat stunned for a few moments. /He doesn't love me. He's going to kill Sadie because she's in the way since she won't do what he says. Because she knows too much./ Sonora experienced a mental jolt. /I know too much. He's going to kill me because _I know too much!_/ her mind screamed. With a gasp she flew to the door. She was capable of rational thought once again as she found the door unlocked. She turned around and leaned against the door, breathing heavily. She had to make a plan.
***
Riddle paced in his study, two floors above. He should have known Sonora wouldn't understand. Curse women! Though, he had hoped. He loved her so very much. But if she couldn't support him through this than he could have no use for her. That was just how it would have to be. Even so, his heart was still in torture as he collapsed into a chair and stared moodily into the fire, biding his time.
***
Sonora fingered Sadie's wand in her pocket; Tom had left it in the chair he had sat in. She had no idea which cell Sadie was in. Nor did she know where Tom was. She shook her head sadly. No, not Tom. Voldemort. Sonora sighed and returned her thoughts to finding Sadie. She glanced at her watch. She didn't have long. She ran down the corridor, searching for any sound. She stopped suddenly. There was a ticking. She followed the sound on feet barely daring to touch the ground. She put her ear to a huge door at the end of a dark corridor. Yes, the ticking was coming from there. But there was no handle on the door, only a tiny peep-hole. She looked through it, and saw Sadie. Her heart racing, she knocked softly on the door.
Inside, Sadie jumped. It couldn't be now! It was at least five minutes before midnight. "W--what?" Her voice, like the rest of her, shook as she spoke.
"Sadie! It's Professor Winsbree! We have to get out of here."
"How can I trust you? You're the one who brought me here!"
"Sadie, how can you not trust me?"
Sadie took a deep breath. "We have four minutes." Then she pulled with all her might against the cords. One by one, they snapped.
"Is there a handle on that side?"
"There isn't even a door! There's just this big grandfather clock." Sadie began to examine the clock very close, looking for anything that resembled a handle. But there was nothing. "I don't see anything that looks like one." Sadie looked the clock top to bottom. /The pendulum./ She pulled open the pendulum chamber to pull on it, and found Professor Winsbree, standing in the hallway...but strangely, still in the clock.
Professor Winsbree was smiling. "Nice work." Then she glanced around the room. "We'd better work with the window, we only have three minutes."
The window was magically sealed, but Professor Winsbree got it open, using every spell she knew. They climbed out onto the sill.
Professor Winsbree pointed her wand at a nearby tree. "/Accio/ branch!" A branch broke off and glided over. Professor Winsbree caught it easily. She touched her wand to one end. "Suratewin!" It had transfigured into a two-seater broom, which Professor Winsbree mounted. "Get on."
Sadie scrambled aboard and they flew off into the night. Neither of them saw the dark figure run to the window and mutter under his breath, a slender stick in his hand.
It was a desperate ride through the night for Sonora and Sadie. They sped through the sky, filled with adrenaline, taking every breath like it would be their last. The only thing on both of their minds was getting to Hogwarts Castle to find Dumbledore, before Voldemort found them.
They did not waste their breath in cheering when Hogwarts came into view. Even if they had, it would have been short lived. The same second they saw the highest tower, the broom lurched and shuddered, then spun. The change in motion, too fast to react to, threw them both into the foliage below.
Sadie fell slowly to the trees. She felt the damp leaves whip by, she felt her back hit a thick branch; it rolled her over. Then she saw the ground speeding to meet her. It was still a shock for when she crashed into it with a gruesome thud. Sadie had time to register that she was in pain. After that, it was only blackness.
***
Sonora came to with a start. She looked around her. The light was very dim in the forest around her, and nearly as dim in the small clearing she lay in. There was a howl too near not to make Sonora's hair stand on end. She got up painfully and pulled out her wand to put up sparks. But she did not find her wand, only two broken sticks with the glinting of unicorn hair visible at the ends. Sonora cursed and set off alone in the darkness, going the opposite direction of the howl. She took note of the full moon, hidden partly by clouds.
***
Sadie woke to find /everything/ hurt. She rolled over onto her back. She couldn't decide whether or not it made things worse, so she concentrated her efforts on getting up. She lifted her head to take a look at the rest of her. She groaned as she found her robes in tatters, long scratches down her legs and arms. Bruises covered 90% of her body. She shuddered as she comprehended she was lucky to be alive. But, as an unearthly howl sounded, horrifically close, she wondered if she thought too soon. She struggled to her feet and limped toward a tall tree. The safest place for her to be in her weakened condition, she figured, was where fewer things could reach her. Painfully, she climbed up around nine feet. Making herself halfway comfortable, she leaned against a branch and fell asleep, exhausted by pain and fear.
Sonora moved through the trees, trying to be light-footed but failing frequently. There were so many sounds so close...Sonora feared for herself; there were so many sounds so far...she feared for Sadie. But, no matter where the spine-tingling noises came from, she was always afraid. Fear kept her alert, kept her from stopping, kept her from bolting blindly through the trees and running as far away from this godforsaken place as her feet would take her. Sonora sighed as she crouched against a nearby tree at the edge of another small clearing. She was sure she had not been going straight.
A shadow moved across the clearing. Sonora froze in fear as the shadow released a mournful howl. The werewolf, jet-black and scrawny, stopped suddenly and begun to sniff feverishly. /It smells me,/ thought Sonora. Her veins surged with adrenaline as the werewolf came closer. It stopped at a tree only two yards away from where Sonora watched. The werewolf sniffed the roots, then several branches going up, perfect for climbing up the tree. Sonora mentally gasped as she realized someone was up that tree. She looked and saw several broken tree branches farther up in the canopy, and an impression in the leaves. Sonora looked through an opening in the leaves, confirming her worst fears. There in the tree was Sadie, sleeping soundly.
The werewolf wasted no time in climbing up after it was sure that someone was up it. Sonora could only watch in terror as it bit onto Sadie's shoe and slid her off the branch she was sitting on. Sadie crashed onto the ground and was instantly wide-awake. The werewolf gazed at her intently, saliva dripping out of its mouth. It edged closer every second. Sadie opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
Sonora's fear tripled as another werewolf, this one dark tan and more limber, slunk into the clearing, directly opposite of Sadie and her predator. This tan werewolf looked horrorstruck at the scene before it and gave a running leap at the black werewolf the same instant it lunged at Sadie. The tan werewolf tackled the black one just as it had sunk its loathsome jaws into Sadie's forearm. Sadie screamed and wrenched her arm away, gazing in hysteria at her wound and fully realizing what it meant. The two werewolves fought viciously, the snarling almost deafening.
Sonora, suddenly finding herself able to move, ran to Sadie's aid. Sadie was leaning against the tree, moaning and cradling her arm. Sonora knelt beside her and put her hand softly on her shoulder. Sadie's head snapped up to look at her then turned to the side and saw the brutal battle of the fearful creatures. Sadie's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell against Sonora. Sonora could only cradle her for a moment. A gruesome snap of bones brought her attention to the fighting creatures. The tan one had the other's neck in its jaws, which it dropped after a moment. The werewolf looked straight into Sonora's eyes, breathing heavily. Sonora's blood ran cold as it stepped softly nearer to her. If her mind was not so distracted, she would have been annoyed to find that she was frozen in fear once more. It padded closer and crouched next to Sadie's still body, eyeing it carefully...
"Come on Sonora; let's get her to my office. I can help her more than Madam Pomfrey can." It was Remus.
The room held a long, long table with expert designs and beautiful chairs. A wave of homesickness for the Great Hall washed over Sadie. At the far end of the table was an older man, his hands clasped in front of him. His knuckles were white.
"Tom dear, here she is! Sadie, this is...let me think...your half-grand- uncle."
Tom rose and marched to Sadie. Sadie saw his wrinkled face held dark amber eyes that were moist. "Sadie Alexis Riddle. My only living kin..." He kissed her forehead.
Sadie furrowed her brow. "My half-great uncle?"
He smiled and pulled out one of the many chairs for her. "Yes, let me explain. My father, a /Muggle,/ did not understand the ways of my mother, a witch. He left her before I was born, and she died just after my birth. I was very alone." Sadie's heart wrenched sympathetically; she nodded for him to continue. "My father, after leaving my mother, married again and had children. His son would have been your grandfather, and my half-brother. His son was your father. It is a sorrowful thing that I had not found you sooner."
"So you are Thomas M. Riddle?" Sadie asked, glancing sideways at Winsbree. Tom nodded.
"Are you, like, evil or anything?"
Tom's amber eyes flashed, but he took a breath and Sadie was not quite sure his composure had actually changed. "Why do you ask, my pet?"
"Well, whenever I tell anyone my name, they always get this look on their face, like there's something really /wrong/ with it. I know it can't be the Sadie, so it must be the Riddle. And families share last names...you're my only family...you know."
Tom smiled. This time, Sadie was sure of a change in his eyes; a wicked pleasure filled them. "And they never said anything about it?"
Sadie shook her head. "Never."
Tom shrugged, his eyes still savoring something. "I cannot say I know what those you speak of think. But I will assure you, you have nothing to fear from me. Come, there is much to be spoken of." He offered her his arm. But Sadie hesitated. Something did not feel right.
"Come child, we must speak." Tom said not unforcefully.
Sadie looked at him a moment. "I--I can't. Dumbledore has custody of me. Will you please take me to the school, and come also? I want him to know. He'll be worried. And so will Rem--"
Tom's expression had darkened considerably. "We will not go to the school now. Nor for some time. You must be brought to an understanding first."
"Of what?" Sadie asked, defiant but fearful.
Tom bore down on her. "Of your /destiny/," he hissed. He glowered at her and stalked out of the room. Winsbree, ever smiling and oblivious, put her arm around Sadie's shoulders and led her from the room.
"Now, dear, you really must be sensible and listen to your uncle."
Sadie looked apprehensively down the hall, where Tom was waiting.
"Just give him a chance," urged Winsbree. Sadie nodded and allowed herself to be taken to the room Tom waited at. He opened the door for her, his kindly smile returning. The room he led her to, Sadie saw, was nothing less than a huge library. A hundred knick-knacks filled empty spaces that the thousands of books did not fill. There was a table surrounded by a few chairs that Sadie was asked to sit at. This she did, but still wondering what was to become of her. /Still,/ she thought, /if he is my great uncle or what have you, he needs to be shown respect, even if he _is_ bonkers. I'll humor him for a while./ Tom sat opposite of her, looking at her intently.
"Sadie--do you wish for greatness? Something more than what has befallen you?"
Sadie gazed at him curiously. "I--I suppose."
"Do you have the ambition to go after a possibility that will bring you glory and power?"
"I think so."
"What about your dreams? What are they?"
Sadie thought a moment. "Well...I've always wanted a family. And to be accepted without question. Just because I don't know about my family doesn't mean there's something wrong with me." Sadie grew more animated, anger growing in her eyes. "I like being a leader and nothing standing in my way. I want to correct the system, to help me get what I want, not to keep me from it." Sadie grew less tense and sighed wearily. "Not that any of that is possible."
Tom leaned closer. A smile played on his lips, his eyes malicious. "Oh, but it is. I am afraid that you know little of me, but I know much of you. Your best friend--Emma Walker. Your favorite pair of shoes-a pair of white tennis shoes. What you eat for breakfast every morning. 'How do you know?' you may ask. I have the power to know all, command all, and conquer all. Not even death stands in my way." Sadie held her breath. "And do you know how, my child? I will tell you. But first, I need to know your true prowess as a witch."
Sadie looked at him quizzically. "What do you want me to do?"
Tom drew his wand. "Imperio!"
Sadie grew numb and felt like she was floating. A voice whispered in her mind. /Jump out the window.../
Sadie almost moved her feet, but a thought suddenly occurred to her. Why?
The voice spoke again, a little more forceful. /Go jump out the window./
But I'll fall, thought Sadie, still resisting her feet's desire to move.
/_Jump out the window._/
She started to walk towards the window. No, she told the voice, I don't want to. That's a silly thing to do.
/Go!/ "No!" The floating feeling escaped from her, she became aware of her surroundings once again. Tom was beaming.
"Well done! You are a powerful young witch with much potential."
Tom walked about the dimly lit room, stopping at the corners not taken by the fireplace and table. "Past," he said, picking up an ancient looking book. "Present," he continued, taking the globe from its holder. He eyed Sadie and plucked a single auburn hair from her head. She flinched, but he paid no heed. He held the hair between his fingers and examined it. "Future," said Tom in a whisper. He crept to the fireplace and threw all three in. Sadie watched, aghast, as they burned. Tom stared at them until they had become part of the fire itself. He drew out his wand and pointed it at the fire. He flicked his wand and the fire sprung from the hearth, into the air. Sadie gaped as Tom flew the fire around the room. Soon, dancing flames that burned nothing surrounded Winsbree, Sadie and Tom. Beyond the flames was an inky black mist. Tom, with his wand, drew away a little of the flame.
"Now, Sadie, you will know me as the world knows me." He turned again to the flames and with his wand, wrote with the fire in the air above Sadie. Sadie read in horror.
I AM LORD VOLDEMORT
"It--it can't be!" Sadie was numb.
"It is."
"But Voldemort killed my parents..."
Voldemort's eyes grew sorrowful. "Yes...I told your father the same things I am telling you. Of what he could become. But he would not conform, and so I had to give him death. Your mother, I also offered the world, but she was too wrapped up in her wishes for other things. She did not realize that nothing other than what I was willing to give to her mattered. They would have served me well." He looked fondly at Sadie. "But I see now that it has ended well, because you instead will be at my side. You, and Sonora, and I, will be a family, just as you have always wished.
Sadie closed her eyes tightly. "Can I be left alone for a few hours?"
Tom looked surprised. "I suppose you may." He thought a moment and nodded. "Yes, you must think on this. But I am confident that you will make the right decision. Sonora, will you please take her back to her room?" Sadie numbly followed Sonora to "her" room.
Sadie collapsed back into the chair and stared into the fire, her mind exhausted. It wasn't long before her head drooped to her chest.
/Everything was black, but Sadie heard voices screeching in terror.?
?"I'll never join you! You may be my husband's relation, but you have no ties to me!" a woman's voice...Sadie's mother, screamed./
/A cold voice, the same as the black-robed man's, whispered, "We shall see. Bring him in." Muffled speech could be heard, and her mother gasped./
/"What are you going to do?" she asked fearfully./
/There was a sneer in his voice as the man replied, "That, Alexis, is up to you."/
/Another man, Sadie's father, called out suddenly. "Don't give in!"/
/"Silence!" There was a burst of blinding green light, and a horrified scream echoed inside Sadie's mind. /
Sadie woke with a start, breathing heavily. She had made her decision. She stared into the fire, wondering her fate, until Professor Winsbree and Voldemort arrived.
Voldemort was smiling expectantly. "Well, I suppose you have been given long enough. Now, we have a lot to do so--"
"I won't do it." Sadie still looked steadfastly into the fire.
He blinked and retained his calm smile. "I assure you, you will."
Sadie's gaze hardened as she turned her gaze to him. "No."
Voldemort looked at her closely. "This is your last chance before I become angry. You /will/ join me."
"Never. It would mean betrayal to my parents, and that it something I refuse to do."
"But you do not know your parents--how can you betray someone you don't know?"
/"Because it's thanks to you that I don't know them!"/
Voldemort's eyes flamed to a ghastly red. Sadie, horrified, recalled her dream, so long ago. Voldemort pulled Winsbree to the door.
"I am angered, but not yet unmerciful." He stepped beyond the door. "However," he sneered, "the time before midnight grows ever shorter." With his words, Sadie found herself tied to a hard surface in a cold, damp room with nothing in it besides what she lay on and a huge grandfather clock.
Sadie looked in terror at the clock barricading the door. It was nothing like any one she had ever seen before; they were mostly beautiful antiques with warm hues. This one was in utter disrepair, the crude workmanship and crooked gashes in the timeworn wood giving it a ghastly effect. It's ticking was hollow and cold as it brought Sadie's fate ever nearer. Suddenly, Sadie shrieking in surprise, it chimed the 11th hour. The chimes were evil demons shouting of their ravenous state as they edged ever nearer to where she was confined. Sadie breath quickened as her fright increased in light of her impending doom.
Down the stone hall in another room, lighted only by a low fire, were Voldemort and Sonora. Voldemort grimly gazed out the window into the bleak depths of the night while Sonora gazed at him anxiously, trying to get him to look at her.
"Tom?" she said meekly. He made no reply.
"Tom." she beseeched. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "What are you going to do with that little girl?"
"My purpose goes beyond family ties. She will get in the way if I let her live."
"How? She's only a chi--"
"Only a child?" he spat, "And what would I do if I let her go? Wait around for her to tell the entire magical world everything she now knows?" he raged, "Not to mention when she reaches adulthood!" His gaze returned to the window. He now spoke quietly, reminiscently. "Revenge can do powerful things. I should know."
"But so can love."
Riddle snorted. "Love. Love is nonexistent. So is loyalty. And hate. And betrayal, and every other one of those 'ideas'. They are figments of the human imagination. I have said this all in the past. In this life, there is only power and those too foolish to search for it."
Sonora's eyes grew wet. "Y--you don't mean that, do you Tom? There is love. You and I know that. Don't we?"
Riddle got up and sat on the creaking sofa next to her. He whispered in her ear, his voice void of emotion. "No." He got up and walked out of the room, leaving Sonora to try and realize what he just said.
***
Cold beads of perspiration stood on Sadie's face. She shivered uncontrollably as the heartless tick...tock...tick...tock slowly drove her mad. She wriggled for a moment, trying to stop her shaking. She could tell the ropes that magically bound her were slowly growing weaker as her fate edged nearer. A single sob escaped her lips as she realized that soon they would be weak enough for her to break. Seconds too late.
***
Sonora sat stunned for a few moments. /He doesn't love me. He's going to kill Sadie because she's in the way since she won't do what he says. Because she knows too much./ Sonora experienced a mental jolt. /I know too much. He's going to kill me because _I know too much!_/ her mind screamed. With a gasp she flew to the door. She was capable of rational thought once again as she found the door unlocked. She turned around and leaned against the door, breathing heavily. She had to make a plan.
***
Riddle paced in his study, two floors above. He should have known Sonora wouldn't understand. Curse women! Though, he had hoped. He loved her so very much. But if she couldn't support him through this than he could have no use for her. That was just how it would have to be. Even so, his heart was still in torture as he collapsed into a chair and stared moodily into the fire, biding his time.
***
Sonora fingered Sadie's wand in her pocket; Tom had left it in the chair he had sat in. She had no idea which cell Sadie was in. Nor did she know where Tom was. She shook her head sadly. No, not Tom. Voldemort. Sonora sighed and returned her thoughts to finding Sadie. She glanced at her watch. She didn't have long. She ran down the corridor, searching for any sound. She stopped suddenly. There was a ticking. She followed the sound on feet barely daring to touch the ground. She put her ear to a huge door at the end of a dark corridor. Yes, the ticking was coming from there. But there was no handle on the door, only a tiny peep-hole. She looked through it, and saw Sadie. Her heart racing, she knocked softly on the door.
Inside, Sadie jumped. It couldn't be now! It was at least five minutes before midnight. "W--what?" Her voice, like the rest of her, shook as she spoke.
"Sadie! It's Professor Winsbree! We have to get out of here."
"How can I trust you? You're the one who brought me here!"
"Sadie, how can you not trust me?"
Sadie took a deep breath. "We have four minutes." Then she pulled with all her might against the cords. One by one, they snapped.
"Is there a handle on that side?"
"There isn't even a door! There's just this big grandfather clock." Sadie began to examine the clock very close, looking for anything that resembled a handle. But there was nothing. "I don't see anything that looks like one." Sadie looked the clock top to bottom. /The pendulum./ She pulled open the pendulum chamber to pull on it, and found Professor Winsbree, standing in the hallway...but strangely, still in the clock.
Professor Winsbree was smiling. "Nice work." Then she glanced around the room. "We'd better work with the window, we only have three minutes."
The window was magically sealed, but Professor Winsbree got it open, using every spell she knew. They climbed out onto the sill.
Professor Winsbree pointed her wand at a nearby tree. "/Accio/ branch!" A branch broke off and glided over. Professor Winsbree caught it easily. She touched her wand to one end. "Suratewin!" It had transfigured into a two-seater broom, which Professor Winsbree mounted. "Get on."
Sadie scrambled aboard and they flew off into the night. Neither of them saw the dark figure run to the window and mutter under his breath, a slender stick in his hand.
It was a desperate ride through the night for Sonora and Sadie. They sped through the sky, filled with adrenaline, taking every breath like it would be their last. The only thing on both of their minds was getting to Hogwarts Castle to find Dumbledore, before Voldemort found them.
They did not waste their breath in cheering when Hogwarts came into view. Even if they had, it would have been short lived. The same second they saw the highest tower, the broom lurched and shuddered, then spun. The change in motion, too fast to react to, threw them both into the foliage below.
Sadie fell slowly to the trees. She felt the damp leaves whip by, she felt her back hit a thick branch; it rolled her over. Then she saw the ground speeding to meet her. It was still a shock for when she crashed into it with a gruesome thud. Sadie had time to register that she was in pain. After that, it was only blackness.
***
Sonora came to with a start. She looked around her. The light was very dim in the forest around her, and nearly as dim in the small clearing she lay in. There was a howl too near not to make Sonora's hair stand on end. She got up painfully and pulled out her wand to put up sparks. But she did not find her wand, only two broken sticks with the glinting of unicorn hair visible at the ends. Sonora cursed and set off alone in the darkness, going the opposite direction of the howl. She took note of the full moon, hidden partly by clouds.
***
Sadie woke to find /everything/ hurt. She rolled over onto her back. She couldn't decide whether or not it made things worse, so she concentrated her efforts on getting up. She lifted her head to take a look at the rest of her. She groaned as she found her robes in tatters, long scratches down her legs and arms. Bruises covered 90% of her body. She shuddered as she comprehended she was lucky to be alive. But, as an unearthly howl sounded, horrifically close, she wondered if she thought too soon. She struggled to her feet and limped toward a tall tree. The safest place for her to be in her weakened condition, she figured, was where fewer things could reach her. Painfully, she climbed up around nine feet. Making herself halfway comfortable, she leaned against a branch and fell asleep, exhausted by pain and fear.
Sonora moved through the trees, trying to be light-footed but failing frequently. There were so many sounds so close...Sonora feared for herself; there were so many sounds so far...she feared for Sadie. But, no matter where the spine-tingling noises came from, she was always afraid. Fear kept her alert, kept her from stopping, kept her from bolting blindly through the trees and running as far away from this godforsaken place as her feet would take her. Sonora sighed as she crouched against a nearby tree at the edge of another small clearing. She was sure she had not been going straight.
A shadow moved across the clearing. Sonora froze in fear as the shadow released a mournful howl. The werewolf, jet-black and scrawny, stopped suddenly and begun to sniff feverishly. /It smells me,/ thought Sonora. Her veins surged with adrenaline as the werewolf came closer. It stopped at a tree only two yards away from where Sonora watched. The werewolf sniffed the roots, then several branches going up, perfect for climbing up the tree. Sonora mentally gasped as she realized someone was up that tree. She looked and saw several broken tree branches farther up in the canopy, and an impression in the leaves. Sonora looked through an opening in the leaves, confirming her worst fears. There in the tree was Sadie, sleeping soundly.
The werewolf wasted no time in climbing up after it was sure that someone was up it. Sonora could only watch in terror as it bit onto Sadie's shoe and slid her off the branch she was sitting on. Sadie crashed onto the ground and was instantly wide-awake. The werewolf gazed at her intently, saliva dripping out of its mouth. It edged closer every second. Sadie opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came out.
Sonora's fear tripled as another werewolf, this one dark tan and more limber, slunk into the clearing, directly opposite of Sadie and her predator. This tan werewolf looked horrorstruck at the scene before it and gave a running leap at the black werewolf the same instant it lunged at Sadie. The tan werewolf tackled the black one just as it had sunk its loathsome jaws into Sadie's forearm. Sadie screamed and wrenched her arm away, gazing in hysteria at her wound and fully realizing what it meant. The two werewolves fought viciously, the snarling almost deafening.
Sonora, suddenly finding herself able to move, ran to Sadie's aid. Sadie was leaning against the tree, moaning and cradling her arm. Sonora knelt beside her and put her hand softly on her shoulder. Sadie's head snapped up to look at her then turned to the side and saw the brutal battle of the fearful creatures. Sadie's eyes rolled into the back of her head and she fell against Sonora. Sonora could only cradle her for a moment. A gruesome snap of bones brought her attention to the fighting creatures. The tan one had the other's neck in its jaws, which it dropped after a moment. The werewolf looked straight into Sonora's eyes, breathing heavily. Sonora's blood ran cold as it stepped softly nearer to her. If her mind was not so distracted, she would have been annoyed to find that she was frozen in fear once more. It padded closer and crouched next to Sadie's still body, eyeing it carefully...
"Come on Sonora; let's get her to my office. I can help her more than Madam Pomfrey can." It was Remus.