Riddles Don't Cry
chapter 2. keep on climbing
~*~
Step by step I come closer to reaching the top,
Every step must be placed so that I don't fall off,
Looking down to see about how much higher I am,
Another cool wind comes through brushes my skin,
The harder I push the tension does grow,
I gather my thoughts the further and further I go,
With some luck I just might keep on climbing,
So better to climb than to face a fall.
- "The Climb" by No Doubt
~*~
The chilly November wind stung Tom's face. The grounds of Hogwarts school were pitch-black, the only source of light being the full moon. It shone down upon the Forbidden Forest, emitting an eerie glow. Tom walked swiftly across the grass, towards the lake. Even from a distance, he could see the moonlight reflected in the still waters. Not far off, stood a group of tall wizards, all shrouded by long capes, all holding wands and some, broomsticks.
Tom also slipped the hood of his cape over his head, and silently joined the gathering. The tallest wizard there, a handsome boy with blond hair, noticed him immediately. Tom assumed he was Alexis Vanderhoff; for he let off such an air of dignity and power. The seventh-year approached Tom and gave him a piercing look. Tom stared back coldly, but Alexis just sighed impatiently.
"I don't recall inviting you." he narrowed his eyes, gripping his wand tightly.
"Wait, Alexis!
I
invited him..." Tobias spoke up nervously.
"And with what authority did you do so, Ferrington?" Alexis' voice grew dangerously quiet as he spoke. "What if he had told the Headmaster? I presume you have a clear idea of what I would do to you if something like that were ever to happen."
"I- I'm sorry that I didn't get your permission first, Alexis. But, I'm sure we can trust him, right Tom?" Tobias looked close to petrified under Alexis' icy glare.
"I have no intention of doing such a thing as informing the Headmaster about your activities. I accepted Tobias' invitation for a reason; to perfect my abilities in the Dark Arts and make a name for myself in the wizarding world. I never fall, Vanderhoff. And I plan to succeed through the Dark Arts." Tom's face was void of emotion; it was simply a cold mask moulded to hide the soul inside.
"Succeed in the wizarding world? Hmm... well then, let's just see for ourselves how well a Mudblood can handle the Dark Arts, shall we?" Alexis laughed sarcastically, obviously not taking Tom seriously.
"I am not a Mudblood, Vanderhoff. I'm a half-blood; my mother was a witch," Tom started angrily, but Alexis took no notice of him whatsoever.
Alexis mounted his broomstick, and most of the older students followed suit. They lifted into the air, and began to fly towards the Forbidden Forest. Tom, and the younger students who hadn't brought broomsticks, were left with no choice but to catch up on foot. As they entered the thick growth, Alexis grounded, and joined Tom and the others. Inhuman sounds of beastly creatures could be heard in the distance. A couple of third-year Slytherins shivered nervously, but Tom didn't even flinch. He trudged along determinedly, staring straight ahead.
They finally found themselves in a small clearing, lighted only by the moon. The wind rustled through the leaves of the towering trees, and the air grew colder by the minute. But nevertheless, everyone let their hoods down, exposing their faces to the bitter autumn wind.
Alexis ordered the others to stand in two straight lines. One, consisting of fourth-years and under, and the other of fifth-years and over. Tobias joined the group of older students regardless of his age. Alexis also saw this but didn't protest.
Tom found himself at the end of his line; he was the youngest wizard at the gathering. But he would never allow himself to appear weak or incapable. He stood tall and firm, contrasting sharply with the shivering third-years next to him. Alexis also noticed this out of the corner of his eye.
"First of all, the younger students will be tested. Only the worthy will be able to receive training from me. I have no use for cowards and weaklings, those types will just waste my time." Alexis scanned the faces of the younger students, staring especially coldly at Tom. "Let us begin with... you, Jason Feldmore." Alexis pointed at one of the third-years who had been shivering and whining earlier. The boy stepped forward nervously, and Alexis sneered at him.
"I can tell you are a weakling, already. But nonetheless, I shall test you. The worst result would probably be your death... But there's no need to worry, Feldmore." Alexis smiled cruelly. The third-year's face turned whiter than a sheet.
"Let us see how strong-willed you are!" Vanderhoff raised his wand and spoke the incantation in a loud, commanding voice.
"IMPERIO!"
The third-year's face suddenly cleared of any expression. Then, he abruptly began to hop madly on the spot. He hopped higher and higher, sweat dripping down his flushed face. The older Slytherins cackled gleefully. Tom found the whole ordeal fascinating. The notion that he might one day be able to control a person completely like that made his eyes glitter.
Feldmore stopped hopping as abruptly as he had started. But what came next, was neither funny nor entertaining. The exhausted third-year suddenly began to race towards one of the larger trees as fast as his legs would carry him, slamming himself into the thick trunk with a sickening snap. Alexis smiled cynically, watching the whole scene in an astonishingly calm manner. He then lifted the curse with an expertise flick of the wrist. Jason Feldmore began to moan painfully the moment he came to, but no one reached out to help him. He sat curled up at the bottom of the tree trunk, cradling his arm tearfully.
"Pathetic." Alexis sneered, then glanced at Feldmore with a look of utter disgust written all over his face.
The younger Slytherins stared at Jason, their faces filled with terror. But once one joined the 'club', Alexis' cruel tests became unevitable. And so, the next Slytherin was called up shortly, a tall fourth-year by the name of Wilkins. As he stepped forward, everyone in the clearing fell silent. Alexis didn't even hesitate to speak this time.
"IMPERIO!"
Wilkins began to strut the waltz, holding his imaginary partner. His face looked blissful, full of peace. The other Slytherins watched him apprehensively, waiting for the worst to come. But it never came.
Alexis lifted the curse soon, looking bored. As Wilkins came to, and realized what had just happened, a look of relief washed over his face. He looked ready to fall to his knees and kiss the ground, thanking Vanderhoff. And he did exactly that, although not in the way Tom would have expected. Alexis suddenly kicked Wilkins hard in the back of his knees. His legs buckled, and Wilkins fell foward, moaning. Vanderhoff calmly placed a foot onto his back, surveying the other students, lazily.
Then Alexis looked over at Tom, gesturing for him to step forward. Tom could feel his heart beating rapidly as he stared at Alexis' amused face.
"And now, time to test our dear little
half-blood
." he emphasized the word in disgust, as if to say that half-bloods were just as disgraceful as the Muggle-born. The older students laughed sarcastically, but Tom blocked out the sound of their cackling.
"IMPERIO!"
Tom clamped him eyes shut, bracing himself for whatever may come. He felt his mind clear of all other thoughts, and he felt as though he were floating in the clouds. One might have felt a false kind of happiness in a situation like this, but Tom Riddle knew of no real happiness, and so he didn't fall for the false kind very easily. He heard a voice in his head speak to him.
Run to the tree! Run to that tree trunk in front of you! It won't hurt! Go, run!
Tom lifted a foot, ready to run, but realized what he was doing before it was too late.
I refuse. I take orders from no one.
He thought to himself, and suddenly, he found himself back in the clearing. The curse had been lifted in a mere several seconds, to everyone's astonishment. Tom looked up at Alexis, whose face contorted. But he calmed himself and spoke in a steady voice.
"Well, that was... well done, Riddle. But I'm afraid that I'll have to give you one more test before you are accepted into our circle." Alexis sneered.
"If I must go through two tests, why was Ferrington accepted without any testing at all?" Tom asked coldly, but his eyes were burning with fury at this sudden unfairness.
"The standards are different for half-bloods like you, Riddle. You couldn't possibly have expected me to treat you the way I would treat a pureblood, did you? Tobias has already proven himself through his family's lineage of Dark wizards, and his unmistakable skills in the Dark Arts. You, on the other hand have proven nothing!" Alexis glowered down at Tom, who glared back just as defiantly.
And then, with a twisted smile, Vanderhoff said the incantation, "CRUCIO!"
Suddenly, a hot, searing pain filled Tom. He felt as though his whole body were alight with scorching flames. Tom felt his body twisting, and his eyes watering, but he refused to scream. He knew he couldn't scream, not when he was that close to entering Vanderhoff's circle. So he stood as still as he could, bearing the horrific pain as well as possible.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Tom, the curse was lifted, and Tom fell to the ground involuntarily. He could still feel the aftermath of the curse flowing through his veins, and he bit his bottom lip to prevent himself from moaning aloud.
"I hate to admit it, but you seem promising." Alexis looked down at Tom. "You're in."
Tom felt a rush of victory, but he managed to keep his face void of any expression. He joined the older students at the other side of the clearing, while Vanderhoff tested the last student. He was a skinny third-year by the name of Demetri Caranov. He too, failed the test miserably, resulting in a broken ankle.
"That's all, then. I've decided to cancel training with you today, so the younger students may return to their dormitories. I will, however, be holding a meeting with the older students, Ferrington included." Alexis said lazily. "Oh, and for anyone who's injured; if you go to the hospital wing, you had better not inform Madam Pomfrey about the cause of your injuries. If you do, I will see to it that you run yourself into trees so many times that there is not a single bone left unbroken in your bodies." Vanderhoff smiled cruelly, and the younger students lowered their eyes in fear.
Tom followed the others back to the castle, limping from the pain. Apparently Alexis had applied quite a powerful Crutiatus curse on him, for Tom could still feel the searing pain coursing through his body. A walk that would normally have taken less than ten minutes took Tom almost double that time, for he could barely walk without limping. And of course, Demetri, who had a broken ankle had to be supported by Jason, who was in pretty bad shape himself. So all in all, it was certainly a painful and grueling walk back to the castle for all the young Slytherins.
As Tom entered the Slytherin common room, Clio immediately leapt off the armchair she had been sitting in. Her eyes were red with fatigue, and her face was full of anxiety. She rushed to Tom's side at once and led him to an armchair, where he collapsed tiredly. The gentleness of her touch soothed Tom at once, and he finally let his guard down, moaning. He sunk into the chair, finally being able to express his pain freely. Luckily, the other Slytherins had all either gone up to their dormitories or were still on their way back. Tom wouldn't have wanted anyone but Clio to witness his weak side.
"What in the world happened to you, Tom? Did they hurt you?" Clio's face was filled with worry, as she sat down next to Tom. She had run off to the lavatories to fetch a wet towel, and now was wiping the sweat off of Tom's face. "Who did this to you?"
"Alexis Vanderhoff. He was testing me using curses; I've never seen curses that powerful before... but I- I passed." Tom said, struggling to smile even through the pain. Clio looked almost sorrowful, but she remained silent, busying herself by straightening up Tom's hair and robes.
"Maybe you should go to the Infirmary..." Clio said hesitantly, unable to bear watching Tom sweat in pain and exhaustion.
"And just nonchalantly inform Madam Pince that I was hit by two powerful curses during a meeting of the Dark Arts club?" Tom's face twisted into a cynical smile. "I'll be fine. Maybe I'll sleep down here on one of the sofas. Don't worry about me, Clio. Why don't you get up to bed now?"
Clio looked at Tom sadly for a moment before speaking. "No, Tom. I'll stay down here with you to make sure you're alright."
"There isn't really any need to..." Tom spoke gently, in a tone he only used for Clio.
"No, I really would rather do so." Clio spoke softly, but firmly, and Tom gave in.
Tom rested his head against the back of the sofa, and closed his eyes. Clio curled up next to him, leaning her head against his shoulder. There they lay all night long, looking more carefree and innocent than they could ever be. And even as he slept, Tom unconsciously placed an arm around Clio's tiny shoulders as if to promise her protection.
And they slept on in peace, thinking of nothing but the blissful happiness that they so much longed for...
***
Close to a month had passed since Tom's initiation into Vanderhoff's circle, and he continued to attend meetings with the other members. To Clio's despair, he often returned bruised and scratched, but he insisted on learning the Dark Arts all the same. Clio also sensed the change that was occurring inside Tom's mind. He became colder and more unpredictable the more he learned, and although he still treated Clio the same way as he had always, he didn't seem to be the same person inside.
One snowy December morning, Tom met Clio in the common room before breakfast, and Clio instantly sensed that something was wrong. A thoughtful frown was on Tom's face and he looked like a ghost; not aware of his surroundings, simply drowning in one's own thoughts. In fact, he would have passed right by her if she hadn't tapped him out of his trance.
"Good morning, Tom..." Clio said and smiled, finally catching his attention. But Tom just nodded a hasty greeting and then fell back into deep thought. "I- I think I'll take a visit to the library before breakfast... I'll meet you there." Tom suddenly said, without even glancing at Clio, and then he dashed out of the common room. And so Clio was left with no choice other than to set off to the Great Hall alone.
"Clio, wait up there!" A voice called out behind Clio, and she turned around immediately expecting Tom. But it Tobias who ran up to her, and Clio tried to hide her disappointment.
"Where's Tom gone off to?" Tobias asked pleasantly, flashing her a charming smile.
"To the library, I think..." Clio spoke doubtfully, finding it very unlikely that Tom would be late for breakfast just to go to the library.
"Oh? Well then, would you allow me the pleasure of escorting you to the Great Hall?" Tobias said playfully, and Clio accepted with a strained smile.
"So, how did you meet Tom at first anyway?" Tobias asked , as they walked down to breakfast together.
"I met him a couple years ago in the Muggle village where we lived. I guessed he was a wizard; of course I couldn't be sure. But all the same, I came to Hogwarts expecting to find him here." Clio said, then sat down at the Slytherin table along with Tobias.
"How did you guess he was a wizard, though? Did he perform magic in front of you?" Tobias asked curiously.
"No... but I once saw him talk to a snake... I knew at the time that he most likely had some Dark magic flowing in him... But you mustn't tell a soul, Tobias..." Clio suddenly looked nervous, and seemed to be regretting her words.
"You could tell he possessed Dark magic? But how did you know about the symptoms of Dark magic and whatnot anyway?" Tobias frowned in confusion, causing to Clio to fidget nervously.
"I- I read it in a book..." She stammered, and Tobias didn't question further.
Just then, Tom rushed into the Great Hall. He immediately headed over to Clio and Tobias, and grabbed Clio's arm.
"Come quick, I've got something extremely important to tell you!" Tom said impatiently.
"What's the matter, Tom? You're sweating," Clio commented worriedly, but he just motioned for her to follow him. The two hurried towards the doors, but before exiting, Tom gave Tobias a rather angry look which he wasn't able to interpret.
A/N
: It actually took me longer than it usually does to get this chapter out; I was a bit busy with other things, though I've been aching to write this story for a long time. By the way, a piece of advice, Tom's 'extremely important' issue is actually
very
important, and I did not just write it to get Clio away from Tobias.^^ Also, I had planned on revealing part of Clio's big secret in this chapter, but it just wouldn't fit! Maybe next chapter^^ Oh, and please review!
Disclaimer
: I do not own Harry Potter, I'm only a disturbingly obsessed fan^^;
