Lily stared at him with some curiosity. "Did you-? I mean, I know you must be a wizard, and a powerful one at that, judging by the food, the potion, and that incredible room. Did you attend Hogwarts? I remember having heard of you there."
"Excellent memory, Mrs. Potter! Yes. I received the award for special services to the school many years ago when I was in the seventh year."
"Please don't call me Mrs. Potter," she said, barely keeping the tears from running down her cheeks. "It reminds me of- of- James." Her voice broke dangerously when she said his name, but she soon pulled herself together, and found that Tom was staring at her thoughtfully.
She's so strong, and spunky, he thought. And so pretty. She must be good in bed.
"What are you thinking of?" she asked him curiously. He shook himself, as if waking from a dream.
"Just about how long you could stay here, before the Dark Lord comes after you," he lied glibly. She went pale again.
"What do you mean?" she asked. "What could he want with me?"
"You are the most powerful Auror in the world," he said leaning across the table. "If you had been a pureblood he might have wanted you on his side. Since you are not, he wants you dead." She stared, uncomprehending. "Eliminating the competition," he explained, as if to a small child.
"He thinks that I'm competition to him? I would never become a Dark Witch. He must have tried to kill me because I was his enemy."
"No. He thought you had, or, after the death of your family, would have, enough anger to become a dark witch of sorts, because you might use Unforgivable Curses on those you suspected were Dark Wizards on Voldemort's side."
She suddenly went pale. "Are you on his side?" She drew back as if he was a disease.
"See what I mean? If you lack trust in others, you will become just what he was hoping for."
Lily grinned, the first one since she heard the news of her deceased family. "I suppose I'm being stupid. You did, after all, save me. Sorry. That won't happen again."
"Don't worry. Now start eating before I get my elves to force-feed you."
She smiled again, and lifted a roll to her mouth, and bit into it. It was filled with cheese and herbs, her favorite. She looked up in astonishment. "How do you know all this information about me? It's somewhat disconcerting."
"Well, as I said, you are really the most powerful witch in the world. It would be suicide for me if I weren't on my side." He smiled warmly at her.
"No. I mean my dress size, and now my favorite foods." She looked across the table at all the foods there, and realized that they were all the foods she loved. "This is incredible."
"Think nothing of it. You deserve more even than this, Ms. Evans."
She seemed suddenly distraught. "Not Ms. Evans, either, if you please. Just plain Lily would be fine, thank you, Mr. Riddle."
"You must call me Tom." He reached across the table once more and took her hand. Lily gasped at the tingling pleasure ran through her hand, arm, and body. He caressed her fingers carefully, and she gasped, leaning toward him. He brought his other hand toward her cheek, stroking the silky soft skin with a tenderness he hadn't known he possessed. "I hope you will be comfortable in my home," he whispered. "I assure you I will do everything in my power to keep you content." His tone had become suggestive.
Lily blushed at the implications that were so clear in his statement. Here I am, she thought to herself, pulling away from his sensual touch, allowing myself to be romanced by some stranger in less than an hour after she learned of the death of my beloved husband. It made her wonder, was her attachment to James just a schoolgirl crush? They had married so young… She brought her thoughts back to the present with difficulty, to find Tom staring at her with interest.
"What were you thinking of?" he asked gently.
"James…"
"Of course." Lily suddenly felt exhausted, and she slumped slightly in her chair. Tom immediately noticed, and was by her side in seconds.
"I should have known that you would become tired." He whispered solicitously. "Can you stand?" She nodded dumbly, and tried to straighten her knees, but they gave away under her. He lifted her in his arms carefully, but easily, acting as if she was a fragile doll. He waved away her feeble protests, and she herself wasn't sure that her legs would support her. He laid her on her bed and tucked her in, giving her a fatherly kiss on the forehead before turning out the light and walking out the door, closing it behind him. He paused outside her door for a second, again becoming the monstrous hooded creature. He laughed shrilly. "Stage one is complete," he whispered under his breath, and went down the hall, robes billowing out behind him.