Chapter 5 – Changes

Tom walked over the four glistening boxes on the floor. He picked one of them up. Suddenly the whole room began to shake. The boxes stopped glowing and all was dark again. As Tom stood in fear, he watched as cracks of light began to appear high on the wall above him. The windows at the top were reappearing and the doors were no longer bricked up. A few moments later, Tom found himself stood in the entrance hall once more. Nobody seemed to have noticed this change. Tom had been in the room half an hour and there had definitely been a lesson change while he was in there. Tom was thinking about what he had found and how he had been the one to discover the secret. Another thing racked his brain too. Albus Dumbledore was expecting him, but he had never reached his office.

Riddle turned on the spot and faced the door. Leaving was probably for the best. He walked over and slipped out. The sun was still beating down, and as Tom stepped out of the cool entrance hall, he felt the heat tingle on his skin. He reached the gates at the bottom and let himself out. He strode down the hill and in to the little town of Hogsmeade. After walking up the small town road, he saw a pub called "The Three Broomsticks".

"Why not?" Tom thought aloud, and he pushed the door open and stepped inside. It was quite busy for a small town pub. Witches and Wizards chatting loudly and tables crammed in everywhere. Tom wondered over and sat down at a table in the corner. He looked around at all the chatty people, but his face had a smug look upon it.

After a few moments, a young attractive girl walked over. She had glittery stilettos on and a small skirt. Her face was pretty and her smooth curves matched perfectly. She stopped at the table.

"What you drinking sir?" she asked.

"Just a butterbeer please" Tom replied. "Warms you up inside. What's your name anyway?" Tom asked.

"Rosmerta, Madam Rosmerta. I don't believe I've seen you in her before, what's your name?" Rosmerta asked.

"Riddle, Tom Riddle" he replied.

"Well you sit tight and I will bring your drink over" Rosmerta said. As she walked away, Tom couldn't help but look at her at her curves jiggle from side to side as she walked. Did Tom like this woman? Anyway, Tom had more important things to think about, what was he going to do with his findings?

When Rosmerta came back with the drink, Tom was about to go into his pocket and retrieve some money for it. Rosmerta stopped him and said that the drink was on the house. Maybe she liked Tom too? Tom gave her a smile as he sipped his drink, then watched her go and collect glasses from another table. Tom drank up then left the pub. He had his bag of winnings with him. He thought about going back to the office, but he had finished work so there was no point. Going home seemed like the best option. Tom span on the spot and disappeared. Seconds later he was stood outside an old run down house. Boarded up windows and cracked tiles on the roof. If was surprising the door was still on its hinges. Tom walked up the broken path and unlocked the door.

Once inside, Tom closed the door behind him. Looking around would really of given anyone a shock. It was a mansion inside what a muggle would call a council house. Tom was stood in a grand entrance hall, complete with a wide sweeping staircase at the back, and two giant supporting pillars. Two doors lead off to the left and right. As Tom started left and opened the brown oak door, it revealed a large open living room. It had a giant fireplace and a soft cream carpet. There was a large comfy three piece suite and a muggle television in the corner. Tom entered the room and walked over to a large mirror above the fireplace. His appearance was sallower than ever. His eyes fell into his face and his skin was getting paler by the day. He had been losing weight since he started up his company, and now his wrists resembled knobbly bones that could be seen through his skin. He was changing, and quickly.

Tom didn't seem to mind though; he carried on as normal, living his everyday life and doing his usual stuff. It was his colleagues and employees that noticed his change. He always seemed to be in a stroppy pissed off mood when he entered the building, and would normally ignore people who greeted him. He spent most of the day locked up inside his office keeping himself to himself, only speaking when he was thinking aloud or talking to his secretary over the speaker phone. Muggle inventions really were quite helpful.

Tom stopped staring at himself and sat on the couch. He put the bag on the cushion beside him and unzipped the top. The gleaming objects glared back at him, Tom gave another smile. He looked away and reached into the bag for an object. He wanted to surprise himself. His hands grasped a long thin object. He pulled hard and managed to free it from the entanglements of the other metals. He raised it from the bag and turned to look at what he had hold of. It resembled a small statue with two blades moulded to the top. Tom looked at it and thought as to what it was. While his mind pondered, he noticed one of the blades had snapped at the top. He drew his wand from his suit pocket and muttered "reparo". The blade repaired itself and gleamed in the sunlight.

Tom turned it upside down. A small plaque was built into the bottom. Tom held it closer and began to read:

To Miss H. Hufflepuff

You have received this trophy for your creative work in herbology and planting. Your book is now on the shelves, and as a thank you, this trophy is yours for the hard work and determination you have shown.

Yours Thankfully

M.O.M

Tom then realised that the blades on top were shears. Helga was obviously a woman of nature. Tom span the statue around, a little faster than he had intended. The blades came spinning round and he lost the control of the statue all together. Tom heard a slice and a searing pain shot through his face. Blood spurted everywhere soaking into the carpet. Tom fell on the floor in a dizzy haze. He looked through teary eyes for his wand, but it lay upon the sofa. His whole body hit the floor. He had fainted.