Chapter 2 – Three out of Four
Tom grasped some green sand once more, said goodbye to Mrs. Hallow and then stepped into the fireplace. He shouted "Riddle and Co. office block" then threw the sand to his feet. Once again, the flames dissolved him and he disappeared.
Once back in his office, all Tom could think of was what he had seen. He needed them, he had to have them. He would then only be one small possession away from unlocking Hogwarts most prized secret. It had been Tom's mission for a while now to collect all the four treasures. It started when his late grandfather had given him the ring, and told Tom of the secret that was hidden within the walls of Hogwarts. Tom had become so obsessed that he had set up a business that dealt with looking after treasured possessions, only with the hope that someone would entrust him to look after the four treasures. Mrs. Hallow was an old friend of Toms, but would never allow herself to be talked into becoming part of Riddles society. Tom now knew why.
Tom paced the room thinking. He had to get rid of Mrs. Hallow somehow, but he didn't know what to do. He had considered kidnap, but that would only last a short while. Mrs. Hallow knew dark magic and she didn't need a wand to cast it. Kidnap would be far too easy for her to escape. He thought of pretending to be a long lost relative of hers. He would send a letter asking her to come urgently whilst Tom rummaged her house. But once again this was foiled by the fact that Mrs. Hallow knew she had no remaining family.
As Tom kept thinking, time kept ticking. It was now seven pm, and as night began, Tom had only come up with one idea. It had been pondering his mind the whole time, but he never thought he would have to consider it. Tom had learnt the three unforgivable curses at school. Mrs. Hallow would be able to resist the Imperius curse. He didn't want to use Crucio, after all she was old and a family friend, plus she would still be alive after suffering, that didn't appeal to Riddle. This just left . . .
Avada Kedavra was the last unforgivable, the curse that resolved in death. Tom was seen as a nice man; he had never killed before and was scared to do it. But as night time drew on, his obsession got the better of him. He walked over to his desk and opened the bottom drawer. Inside it was a small leather box with a snake on it. Tom removed the lid and stared at the gold ring inside. On top it had a dark red ruby which looked almost black. Tom's fingers slid down the ring and his whole body shivered with his nerves. He would have to kill Hetti if he wanted the treasures.
When his office clock chimed nine pm, Tom decided that this would be the best time to go. Hetti would have had something to drink, her elf would be asleep and she would slowly be drifting off herself. Tom stated his destination and disappeared into his fire. He was once again in Hetti's front room. Hetti was currently sleeping, but as the last flames vanished, she reawakened with a little quiver. She now had a long flowing night dress on, slippers and a dressing gown.
"Tom?" she said dreamily squinting as her eyes adjusted to the dim light. "Tom is that you?"
"Yes Mrs. Hallow, it is" Tom replied.
"Oh Tom, how charming, what brings you back to my home?" she asked, sitting up and replacing the empty glass that was in her hand back on the table.
"I've been thinking Hetti, you know the items I viewed this morning, I was wondering it you could show them to me just one more time please?" Tom asked.
"Why, yes, of course, what's the matter?" she asked.
"I have been studying them at the office and I would like to check them over just one last time" Tom lied.
Hetti summoned Bella from her sleep; Tom hadn't noticed the elf asleep in a nearby chair. The elf awoke instantly.
"Get the items again would you please?" said Hetti.
The elf slouched off the chair and left the room. Tom saw his opportunity and took it. He walked over to Mrs. Hallow, his wand pointing at her chest. Hetti's mind was racing, what was he doing?
Tom looked into her wide eyes and whispered "sorry". He cast Avada Kedavra then knelt beside her limp body. He didn't feel bad for what he had done. He felt . . . pleasure. Was this normal? He placed her hands across her chest and stood back up.
Tom then went and stood behind the living room door, waiting for Bella to arrive. As the door swung open and the familiar silver tray entered the room, carrying the two small boxes, Tom leapt on the house elf. He grabbed the boxes and put them into his jacket pocket. The elf looked shocked and tried to break free, but Tom had his wand held to her chest. Once again he cast Avada Kedavra and the elf instantly stopped struggling. He dropped its body on the floor and walked over to the fireplace. He turned and looked from Hetti to Bella; both were still, eyes staring lifelessly. Tom smiled at both of them then got into the grate, his hand resting on his pocket full of possessions.
Once back at the office, Riddle could have passed out with the excitement he felt. He had killed a person and a house elf and felt good about it. He had three out of the four treasures and felt good about that too. It was at this moment that Riddle realised, he could get what he wanted, when he wanted, and still feel good about it.
Tom went back over to his desk and opened the last drawer. He placed the other two boxes next to his and shut it again. He placed a locking enchantment upon the drawer then walked over to the door. He was smiling to himself as he turned out the office light, walked out of the door and closed it firmly behind him. He knew that tonight was going to be a sleepless one.
