Inception: Rise of the Heir

Tom Riddle disappeared for 10 years. Where did he travel and what did he do during his absence? This is my feeble attempt at a Tom Riddle backstory, right before he rejoined the world officially as Lord Voldemort.

DISCLAIMER: I own nothing except for my o/c's.

"So tell me more about this Madam Celestin." Tom said as he turned towards Lyra, pulling a small vial filled with the luminescent green powder from his pocket and placing it into the small bag of gris-gris, as she tied a string around the top and placed it neatly into her pocket.

He held the iron gate open for her as they left the inn, she took a deep breath and shook her head.

"Where do I even begin..." she trailed off. "She is a complex figure. A shadow to most people that live in this city."

"A shadow?"

"How do I explain…" She said as she bit her lip, walking next to him as she tried to gather her thoughts. "Nothing important is done in this city without her direction, without her knowledge. Her eyes and ears are all around us."

"Is she associated with your government?" Tom said as he frowned, the concept to him was confusing and it seemed as if Lyra was talking in riddles.

"Not exactly." She said, shaking her head. "She is more of a figurehead for the community, she helps those who seek her aid, she provides for those who are less fortunate than us."

"She sounds more like a philanthropist than someone who would understand the dark arts."

"Outwardly it would appear that way. But there are rumors. Dark tales of the skills she possesses and of the magic she practices underground."

"So you base our entire venture off speculation?" Tom said, his voice irritated.

Lyra gave him a sly grin and laughed. "Yes, kind of...But most people also haven't lived their lives consorting with the sort of people I have. If I recall, you received word about my services through one of my acquaintances."

"I did."

"Had you asked someone else, you would not have had the same success." She spoke softly. "But part of me thinks you already knew that."

He remained silent as he kept his eyes focused before him, averting her gaze.

"For those of us whose interests and talents are somewhat...controversial to others, we must keep our secrets within small circles. Surely you of all people understand the risk and consequences that practicing darker magic would have on someone's reputation."

Tom let out a small laugh as he raised his eyebrow. "I am all too familiar."

"Madam Celestin is rumored to be like minded and tales of her talents have often been the topic of many whispered conversations. If surreptitious knowledge is what you seek, she will have it."

"And her usefulness to yourself?" He asked curiously as he followed her down the street.

"I'm not sure. I can only hope that she might be able to provide me with something useful, some insight into what I might be able to do to rid myself of all of this."

He remained silent as they walked on for a bit, frowning as he realized they were not walking towards the direction of Rue du Merveilles. The neighborhood lacked the elegance and grandeur of everything he had seen so far and seemed somewhat ordinary, lacking any sign of magic whatsoever. He sniffed his nose in disdain at the alarming crowds of muggles that seemed to pass them in every direction.

Lyra stole a glance at him and smirked, watching as he tried to hide his contempt at his surroundings. "Not what you expected Tom?"

"Hardly. I find it difficult to believe that someone as important as you describe would choose to spend their time lingering around a place such as this...surrounded by-"

"No-majs." She finished his sentence softly and frowned. "I don't assume to understand it myself, but as I said earlier, New Orleans follows its own rules. I'm sure Madam Celestin sees her fair share of profit from also providing aid to those that are not like us."

He tried to digest the idea and felt his face sour at the thought. "I could never lower myself in such a way."

"I understand your feelings on the matter." Lyra said as she rolled her eyes. "But I'm going to ask you to keep your disgust at bay while we ask for her services. I don't want anything to affect our chances of getting what we want."

He nodded stiffly as he watched her pause before a small worn down shop and stood beside her, looking into the dust covered windows. Dirty blue fabric stretched like loose skin hung across a skeletal like awning giving it an impoverished look that seemed to blend in with the rest of the street.

"Here?" He said incredulously as he looked towards her, Lyra nodded quickly and pulled at her dress, smoothing out the fabric.

"Stay sharp Tom. I have no idea what to expect once we're inside."

He followed her into the dreary and run down shop, looking at the strange trinkets and objects that lined that walls. Bushels of strange herbs were hung upside down from the ceiling and baskets full of various stones lined the small walkways of the shop. Numerous bracelets and necklaces, adorned with various beads in many colors dangled atop glass cases, filled with strange specimens and incenses, giving off a multitude of strange and unpleasant odors.

Tom tried to distract himself from the disagreeable aroma as he stared at various masks that hung above him on the walls as well, finding himself drawn to the strange expressions carved upon their faces. He heard Lyra talking to a woman far off in the corner of the empty shop, their voices low and barely audible.

"We're here to seek an audience with Madam Celestin."

"There's no such person here." The woman spoke back, staring at Lyra with suspicious eyes.

"My sources say differently." Lyra said as she reached into her purse, pulling out the small bag of gris-gris, dangling it before the woman's face.

The woman smiled and laughed, shrugging at Lyra's attempts to dissuade her. "I have no idea of whom you speak. But I will be happy to direct you to the appropriate talismans you may need for any problems you might have."

The woman nodded towards Tom, his dark figure still focused on the masks and smiled at Lyra "This bag over here contains all the luck you will need to ensure your lover's satisfaction."

Lyra turned bright red and stuttered as she shook her head angrily. "I-WE-That is NOT-"

A large grin spread across the girl's face as she waved her hand towards another display case. "Ah. Well then, perhaps some snakeskin instead, to seek revenge on someone whom you desire gone."

Lyra looked towards the woman and spoke coldly. "We are not tourists and are in no need of such trinkets. Now please if you would-"

"That doesn't sound like it's going well." Tom grimaced and felt annoyed at the woman's refusal to acknowledge their request. He placed his hand inside his pocket and grasped his wand firmly as he began to walk towards Lyra to help aid her. "If I have to use force to get what I want, then so be it."

He stopped suddenly in his tracks as a strange voice filled his ears, speaking in a language he had not spoken since he had walked through the woods of Salem.

"Wasted effortss…they are all the same…non possess the gift."

He craned his neck to see where the voice came from and followed its mutters down the aisle, walking past Lyra and the woman, who both paid him no mind and continued arguing with each other, as he walked towards the back of the shop. He saw the white belly and scales of a large snake slip in between a few baskets and he crouched down slowly, speaking in parseltongue as quiet as he could, so none would hear.

"Show yourself to me, I will not harm you."

He waited patiently and watched as a large snake's head emerged from between the baskets, its tongue flicking in and out of its mouth anxiously as it tilted it's head towards him.

"Ssoo, the rumorss are true. There are those who exist who sspeak my language."

Tom nodded in agreement as he watched the snakes body curl up before him, white and devoid of any color, over six feet in length with bright yellow eyes that watched him carefully.

"What was it you said before about wasted efforts?"

The serpent turned its head and blinked at him, winding its body tighter. "It iss not important."

Tom frowned as he turned his head, hearing Lyra's voice get louder as she continued to argue with the shopkeeper. He looked back towards the snake and whispered quietly.

"Do you know Madam Celestin? Is she here right now?"

The white snake eyes him carefully as he raised his head towards Tom's. His body started to loosen and unwind as he began to slowly slither away.

"It iss not for me to ssay."

Tom slowly stood up as he watched the snake slither behind a large red and gold curtain that blocked the entrance to another room and scowled as he walked back towards Lyra.

Lyra ignored him as he took his place by her side, her cheeks flushed in frustration. She grabbed her purse off the counter angrily and slid the small bag of gris-gris into her pocket. "Come Tom, we're clearly getting nowhere here."

He watched as she pushed past him angrily and started to make her way towards the front door, muttering to herself. He narrowed his eyes at the shopkeeper and let his fingers graze over his wand once more, before deciding against it. He turned and followed Lyra down the aisle to exit the store and turned around quickly as he heard a small jangle of bells from the back room, watching as the red and gold curtain was pulled aside. A prominent looking woman stood in it's door frame, as she snapped her fingers loudly.

"Alarie."

Tom watched as the girl behind the counter sharply turned towards the woman standing against the brocaded curtains and he grabbed Lyra's arm forcefully to prevent her from leaving the shop. Whirling around to chastise him, her anger suddenly diminished as she realized what was happening.

"Please lock the shop and bring our guests to me."

"Yes Ma'am."

Lyra looked towards Tom wordlessly as the girl scurried towards them and locked the door, ushering them towards the backroom. She held aside the thick curtain that blocked their entry and beckoned them to pass through, speaking calmly. "You must not keep her waiting."

Tom placed his hand on Lyra's back as he motioned for her to enter first, following cautiously behind her. The room they had entered was dark, despite the pillars of candles that seemed to adorn it, a strange smell permeated the air from stacks of incense that burned around the room, stinging their noses as they stared at the woman before them. The candlelight danced against her dark skin and colorful robes, giving her an air of mystery.

Lyra observed her carefully as she sat upon an elegant chair, her hair hidden and wrapped up with large scarf, her eyes dark and shrewd as she looked them over.

"She looks older than the photograph, that much I expected...but her face does not reflect her age like it should. Strange…" Lyra mused as she sat in silence.

To the woman's right, the white snake sat atop an ornate cushion, coiling around itself tightly once more as its eyes steadily focused on Tom, its gaze unwavering.

"I believe you have a gift for me." The woman said, raising an eyebrow.

Lyra nodded her head as she pulled out the small bag of offerings, handing it out towards her.

"Alarie. Bring it to me." She motioned towards the shopkeeper once more, waiting as the girl scooped it quickly from Lyra's outstretched hand and offered it to her gently.

"That will be all. Leave us."

Alarie quietly nodded and left through the curtain, leaving them both alone with the strange woman.

They watched in anticipation as she slowly unwrapped the bag and looked over the gifts, waiting for her to speak, the empty sound of the crackling candles filling the room.

A small smile tugged at her cheeks and graced her face for only a moment before she eyed them curiously. "Your gifts have pleased Madam Celestin."

Tom turned towards Lyra as she spoke softly. "Each of us has our own request."

Madam Celestin smiled and stood up. "I have a feeling I know what it is both of you seek. But first I will start with you Ms. Leroux."

Lyra looked towards the ground quickly, her heart beating wildly in her chest. "How is it you know my name?"

She walked over towards Lyra and placed a hand under her chin, turning her head carefully as she looked into her eyes. "How is it I would not know your name. Tales of your talents have not escaped my ears, people have spoken about you for years, though less now than before." She frowned as she looked into Lyra's strange mismatched eyes. "Of what ails you child I am not entirely sure. But it may be beyond my realm of power."

He watched as Lyra's face fell slightly and turned to speak, wanting to address his own request. Madam Celestin looked towards him quickly and grinned. "You however, I do not know. Your name?"

"Tom." He said reluctantly, the feeling of his own name rolling off his tongue reminded him once more how infuriatingly ordinary it was and he despised it.

The woman raised her eyebrow at his reluctance and laughed. "Just Tom?"

He remained silent at her show of amusement and she smiled softly. "Well then just Tom and Ms. Leroux, St. Johns Eve is almost upon us and I have much work to do. I'm afraid you will have to wait until after it is over before I entertain either of your requests."

"I understand." Lyra said quietly.

Madam Celestin kept her attention on him as she spoke once more, her eyes sparkling. "I will be hosting a ball tomorrow night in celebration, it would please me if you both attended."

Tom held Madam Celestin's gaze, her eyes locked steadfastly on his as if she searched for something in them and he heard Lyra speak quietly. "We gladly accept your invitation."

The woman broke her gaze from him and bowed her head, walking smoothly back towards her chair. "So then it is settled, I will send an owl with your invitations tonight."

She clapped her hands quickly and they watched as the girl from the front of the shop appeared once more.

"Alarie, please show our guests out."

Tom looked towards the large snake and watched as it slithered up the chair into Madam Celestin's lap and turned back around quickly as he followed Lyra out past the curtain and out of the shop.

Tom walked next to her in silence as he tried to digest what had just happened, thinking anxiously of the endless possibilities that awaited him. The meeting had been strange and unsatisfying, the woman herself not at all what he had expected. But yet there was something about her that exuded power, something about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on and it fascinated him.

"She liked you."

"What?" Tom said as he frowned as he turned towards her, his thoughts interrupted.

"Madam Celestin. She liked you. I don't know what you did or how you managed it, but the only reason we got this far is because of you."

"I highly doubt that." He said as he ran a hand through his hair, pulling it back from his face.

"I don't understand why the concept should be so foreign to you. Not just anyone gets invited to one of her infamous balls."

"Judging by the way you emphasized the last word, I take it you're not a fan of parties?" He smirked as she rolled her eyes at him.

"To say that I disliked them would be an understatement." Lyra said softly. "I've always made any excuse to get out of them. Seems like nothing but a waste of time... but in this case I had no other choice."

She frowned as she thought back to what Madam Celestin had said to her. "If she can't help me then I'm not sure there is any one of this point who can. Let's just hope that there's something, anything that I can learn from her."

Tom looked towards Lyra and smiled, understanding the all too familiar feeling of aversion towards anything he deemed frivolous and felt something strange stir within him at her silence.

"She didn't say she couldn't help you."

"No. She didn't."

"You don't think she can?"

"I don't think that I should rest my laurels on false hope."

He looked away from her and decided to change the subject, unable to argue with her last statement.

"She knew you."

"Apparently so."

"You seemed surprised. How is it then that she knows you?"

"I didn't always live my life in the shadows." She tried to smile, but felt her face sour at her own response.

"Seems like ages ago now at this point. I would give anything to go back to the ways things were..." She thought as they continued to walk in silence, stealing a quick glance at Tom as she watched his brows furrowed in concentration, the black hair falling into his face that accentuated his high cheekbones and dark eyes and felt a strange blush creep up onto her cheeks. "...well maybe not everything."

I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, it took me a little bit to write. I had to sift through some old thoughts and ramblings and try to figure out where this chapter needed to go. The next chapter will be a DOOZY, so remember to keep checking back! We're definitely going to find out a lot about Lyra and her past. Back to the chapter though, If you've never been to New Orleans, all the shops there are pretty wild and crazy, so I tried to stay true to what they would look like! Anyway, thank you to all my new followers, I hope you all are enjoying it so far, this is turning out to be a very long story and I think this particular story will only focus on Tom's time in America. There's just no way I could even think to fit other countries in on this one, so after this story is all neatly wrapped up, perhaps onto a few different countries and continents? Please review and let me know what you think! Also, don't forget to favorite and follow if you haven't already so far! I appreciate you all! Til next time! xxx