Chapter 14 – Poisonous Possession

"I hope you like it!" Serena said as she rearranged herself on a table in the back of the library. Tom looked at her, a bit skeptical of what he might find. "Well go on and open it," She said. He turned his gaze back to the box and began opening it.

He reached down and pulled out the worn book, before pushing the box away and setting the book carefully down on the table. He fingered the dark blue leather and then the gold and jeweled inscription.

Dead by Midnight:

Spells and Potions for the Darker Wizard

Throwing Serena an intrigued glance, he opened the ancient book slowly, turning to the table of contents. The ink was old, and hand written and stained on the yellow, wrinkled paper it lay on.

Night Creatures: How to tame them, and how to use them

Sprites and Goblins: Favorite spells

Manipulation: Best spells and potions

Truth Telling Potions How to find the truth, and how to manipulate it

Minds: How to read them and how to warp them.

The list went on, and on. Tom's eyes burned and he flipped through the aged pages, glancing at their instructions, their ingredients, etc. Finally he closed the book and stared at Serena.

"You found this at your house?" He asked her, surprised. She smiled faintly.

"I never knew whose it was. It's been in my house for ages," She said.

"Where was it? Surely your parents didn't leave it out in the open," He said.

"It was in my attic in a box filled with my great-grandparents' things," She said. "My sister and I found it when we were little and going through the boxes to see if there were any things we wanted when we came across this. I didn't think it was a good idea to ask my parents about it, so we just put it back and kept it hidden. I don't even think my sister remembers it anymore. I only thought about it recently, since I've been with you. We were too young to try any spells or potions in it, but even if we were old enough, I still don't think we would have used them. It's probably not a good idea for me to give you these as you'll probably use them, but I thought you'd like this more than anything else I'd get you."

Tom smiled. "I do like it."

"You do?" She asked. He nodded and kissed her.

"I do wonder what it was doing in your attic though," He said out loud.

"So do I," She said. "I never thought my family would own something like this, but it seems they have secrets…"

"As everyone does," He said, slipping the book carefully into his shoulder sack.

"Well, I'm glad you like it. Think of it as a birthday/Christmas present," She said, slipping off the table.

"Where do you think your going?" He asked her.

"I'm sorry," She said, playfully stepping close to him. "Was I about to leave before the fun was over?"

"Before the work's over," He said, digging out another book and dropping it on the table. She looked at the book and glanced back at Tom.

"Work?"

"The end of Dumbledore's competition is coming up, have you forgotten?" He asked her. "It will do you good to refresh yourself of the skills before you learn the new ones."

"What new ones?" She asked him.

"The ones I'm going to teach you so we'll win," He said.

"I'm still on Holiday Tom," She said. "Can't we do this later."

"Don't whine to me Serena," He snapped. "There is no holiday from work. If you want to win, then I suggest doing exactly as I say."

Serena sighed. He was back to his old self again. Work, work, and more work. She sat down in a chair at the table and looked expectantly up at him.

"What am I doing then?" She asked. He nodded to the book lying on the table.

"Read it, and make sure you are well acquainted with the spells in it. I want you ready by Tuesday evening," He said.

"Tuesday evening! That's hardly enough time," She said.

"Are you arguing with me?" His voice was cold now, his eyes intense.

"No," She said softly. That would be unwise.

"Good, then I'll leave you to it. I have some things that…need finishing," He said. Serena shuddered. She knew exactly what he meant. Things that needed finishing – plans, plans on ways to terrorize the world.

"I guess I'll see you at dinner then," She said.

"You might. I may not join you," He said, as he picked up his bag. She rolled his eyes. Maybe it wasn't a good idea to give him that book as a Christmas present. What was she thinking? Of course it wasn't, but it was too late now.

"Where will you be?" She asked him. He looked at her.

"In case I get bored and want to come find you," She explained.

"I'll have probably returned to the library by then," He said. She was thinking about coming to see him to make sure he wasn't doing anything…bad. Tom left her while she was still with her thoughts, and with a sigh, she realized he had never even thanked her for the gift. Although, she thought to herself, if he did, it wouldn't have been an honest one, and she really didn't want one if it didn't meant anything. At least he like it, she thought as she turned herself back to that awful book he had given her to read.

An hour later, Serena made her way up to her room having gotten tired of reading that book and decided to meet her girlfriends before dinner. Heather of course had run off the meet Malfoy, so it was only her and Eve for the hour they had until dinner. They spent that time unpacking, lying on bed and gossiping, and finishing some last minute homework.

"Have you seen Professor Sinclair yet?" Serena asked Eve.

"I saw him in the hallways and said hello, but he was off to a meeting, so we couldn't chat," Eve said, "But I'm looking forward to class tomorrow." Serena smiled.

"It should definitely be interesting," She agreed.

"And how was Tom?" Eve asked.

"Tom's fine," She said.

"He missed you I'll bet," Eve said.

"I guess so," Serena said. "He didn't jump on me though, if that's what you mean." Eve laughed.

"I guess that is what I meant," Eve said. Serena rolled her eyes.

"I think I know you well enough," Serena said. Eve smiled.

"So you had a good holiday?" Eve asked.

"Yes, but I gained so much weight!" Serena said.

"Oh shut up, you didn't gain any weight at all," Eve said.

"Tom's not going to want me anymore," She said, laughing on the outside, and wishing that were true on the inside.

"He'd be crazy not to," Eve said. Serena smiled grimly. Before Eve could question her about that look, Heather ran into the room telling them to "move your asses, I'm hungry and we have got to talk." So, the girls ran out of the room, linked arms with Heather and made their way down to the great hall, Heather telling them about her rendezvous with Malfoy on the way.

"Guys, he wants me to meet him tomorrow night outside the Potions room," She said. "He said he's going to take me someplace special."

"Where?" Serena asked as Eve "oooooohhh"ed.

"I have no idea, but he hinted at sex," Heather said excitedly. "I'm so nervous, because I don't know if that is what he meant, but it sure sounded like that to me."

"Would you fuck him?" Serena asked Heather. Heather paused.

"I'm not really sure, I mean I think I would, but, I don't know," She said.

"You shouldn't do it if you don't want to," Serena said.

"But I'm the only virgin in our group," Heather cried, a little loudly for a few people glanced over at them.

"Heather it's ok if you don't," Eve said.

"No it's not, he'd like hate me," She said.

"You shouldn't let him force you," Serena said, laughing sardonically to herself about how hypocritical that sounded coming from her.

"But then, when I'm with him, I really want to," Heather said.

"You should just go and see what happens," Eve said.

"I mean, you could always say no," Serena said. "It's not like he'd rape you or anything." She smiled cynically thinking about her own experiences. But Malfoy certainly couldn't be as bad as Tom, could he?

"No, but you know I wouldn't mind if he did," Heather said, laughing. Serena just prayed that Heather wouldn't be put in a similar position.

They reached the great hall and so changed topic, as to avoid catching other gossip's ears. Serena didn't eat very much, still feeling a bit sick from all the candy they ate on the bus, but she did drink a lot of tea. She also noticed that Tom wasn't at dinner and since she wasn't hungry, decided to go and find him.

As she left the great hall, she didn't see Jack get up and follow her out. She looked around the corridors to make sure she didn't miss him and then continued on her way.

"Hey Serena," A voice called from behind. She turned and saw who it was.

"Hi Jack," She said, smiling. "Did you have a good break?"

"It was fine," He said. "Did you?"

"Oh it was good," She said. Jack had reached her by this point and she waited for him to say something.

"So, you know, I was just wondering if you wanted to go out sometime," He said. He was quite calm when he asked her, not in the least nervous or anything. Not that it surprised her; Jack was used to asking people out, and used to getting his way. She smiled kindly.

"Jack I would love to, but I'm kind of seeing someone else," She said, trying not to hurt his feelings, though not knowing why she should care.

"That Riddle kid?" He asked. She smiled. He grabbed her wrist, in a different way than Tom normally did. Tom's grasp was strong and showed his control, but Jack's was painful and crude. "Why don't you leave him? You'd have much more fun with me," He said, almost spitting in her face.

"I'm having a great time with him, thank you," She said, straightening her back, trying to remain calm and desperately wishing someone would walk down the hall and save her.

"Go out with me," He said again.

"No, leave me alone!" She cried.

"Stroke me then," He said, leading her wrist to his pants. "I bet you do it to your boyfriend all the time. I bet he fucks you every night. I bet he rides you like a wild beast."

"Stop it!" She cried, wrestling to get away from him.

"No one rejects me, Serena," He said, his grasp hurting her.

"I believe I just did," She said. He raised his hand as to slap her and she covered her face with her arms.

"You there," A familiar voice said, from the hallways. She heard Jack curse under his breath and she looked up from her shielding arms and sighed with relief.

"Can I help you?"

"No, I believe I was speaking with her, not you," Jack muttered tersely.

"Tsk, tsk, I, a school prefect, catch you raising your arm to a lady, and you have the audacity to speak rudely. Wherever are your manners Mr. Ginch?" Tom said mockingly.

"Fuck off, Riddle," Jack spat, stepping away from Serena. She ran over to Tom's safety.

"I would watch your language. Your behavior this evening could get yourself in great deal of trouble," Tom said, eyes darkening.

"Do your worst." Jack said. Serena almost gasped out loud at Jack's statement. Poor boy, he didn't know that challenging Tom to do his worst wasn't a smart idea. "My parents would complain the instant Dippet tried anything, and trust me, my parents always get their way." He continued. She wanted to say, 'So does Tom!' but remained quiet.

"We will see," Tom said quietly. Jack turned angrily on his heel and left them alone in the dark passageway.

After a few moments, Tom turned to look at her, his dark eyes burning.

"Did he touch you?" He asked her softly, but she could still feel his anger through it. Serena shook her head and Tom grabbed her wrist. It was still red from his grip and there might well be small bruising. She could see him clenching his teeth. "Did he hurt you?" He asked. She shook her head again.

"Other than that, no," She said softly. Tom nodded and grabbed her other wrist, much more gently, and started leading her down the corridor.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"I'm taking you back to your common room," He said. "Dinner will be over soon, so you won't be alone for long." He led her back to her common room. He didn't say another word the whole way there, and Serena couldn't help fearing the worst. She couldn't help herself but ask.

"What are you going to do to him?" She asked, ashamed at the quiver in her voice.

"I will deal with him, do not worry," He said. Oh but she did worry.

"Take the matter to Professor Dippet. He loves me, I'm sure he'll find a suitable punishment for him," She said.

"No, I don't think so," Tom said. "You see Serena, Jack was right in that his parents would never allow him to be punished, and Dippet doesn't have the balls to stand up for himself," Tom said. "And I'm not about to let him go unpunished."

"But surely he'd have to do something," Serena said. "He wouldn't let him go unpunished." Tom smirked.

"So naïve," He said.

"I am not naïve!" Serena said, stopping and placing her hands on her hips.

"Come, Serena," Tom said, pulling her to walking again.

"Tom please," She said. "Don't kill him." This time Tom stopped.

"You see this ring," Tom said, taking her hand up so she could see the onyx stone winking at her in the candlelight, "You belong to me Serena. And I'll not stand for anyone else touching what is rightfully mine. I do not share power, I do not share secrets, but I must certainly do not share my spoils. I won't stand for him touching you, for him trying to force himself on you. You are mine, Serena. And he will pay."

She shivered as she allowed herself to be pulled along. She remembered back to those attacks when Tom had killed innocents for no reason. She didn't dare think about what he would do to those he had a reason for killing. All she knew was that she would never see Jack Ginch again.

It wasn't long before they reached the portrait hole and Serena climbed in. She didn't see anyone in the common room so she made her way up to her bedroom, surprised to find Heather and Eve there.

"What are you guys doing here?" She said. "I thought you would've still been at dinner."

"Well, you left, and we got bored," Eve said.

"Also, being away from food means you can't eat," Heather said, seemingly proud of her observation. Serena smiled and joined them on Eve's bed. She told them what happened, and about how Tom didn't think Dippet would do anything, and they promised to take it upon themselves to teach him a lesson. Poor Jack,' She thought grimly to herself. With Tom's revenge and Heather and Eve's, he didn't stand a chance.

They all got ready for bed, and gossiped a while later, before finally falling asleep. And in the morning, it didn't take long for Serena to hear the news.

Jack Ginch was dead.