The Evil Within

Mind Games

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A wave of unease filtered through Hermione. She didn't know what to expect as she hurled herself up. With a bated breath she walked into the hall.

The hair upon her skin standing. Everything was silent. A mask of darkness. She could feel her chest pounding, relentlessly.

A tingle whispered inside her mind.

'Come closer. Just a little closer. '

She flinched as she flashed a light in front of her. A red door appeared. The gold knob glinting.

A hand twisting the knob and she entered.

Hermione winced at the sudden brightness of the sun. Her gaze landing on a field of sunflowers. Tall and vastly yellow. There was something so serene about the area.

A sudden push had her taken aback. Fair long, raven hair running past with a loud feminine voice.

"Thomas!"

Hermione watched, transfixed. Moving closer. A dark haired young boy coming into focus in her line of sight. He couldn't be no more than ten of age. Darting around the flowers. Sunflowers. A bright red barn stood nearby. To which he entered with a sly grin.

"Thomas! " The woman called out again.

A loud creak sounded as the door opened. Hermione inched closer. Noting as the sky tinged a orange-red. The sun setting. Confusion lit her features as a group of men with pitchforks and flame filled torches came into view.

The group halting in front of the barn. Anger and resentment in their stance. One man stood in front, torch in hand.

"Seal the doors! Let them burn!"

"Serves them right! We won't let them get away with the atrocities committed against us!! Let them burn!! " Another man yelled out.

Hermione felt frozen, as she took in the scene. Tears welling at the horror.

Sharp wood being nailed tightly. Preventing escape. The flames being thrown inside through the window. Screams filled the air, as smoke bled and flames spreaded.

The scene changed and Hermione found herself inside the barn. She felt numb as she watched.

Mother and son.

An embrace.

Mother pushing son up out the back window.

Mother being engulfed in flames.

The agonizing screams an echo.

Son barely surviving with nothing but burns.

Son without a mother.

'Son being resented by father.'The cold voice spoke inside her mind.'Son being locked away by father.'He uttered darkly.

Hermione blinked. Taking everything in.

The man suddenly coming to view. His presence bringing an unnatural lure. She couldn't tear her gaze away.

"Speechless, Little bird?" He mocked as he circled around her.

The dryness of her throat did little to help. Hermione frowned. She knew that was him. Knew that he didn't deserve that. No wonder he grew to be so dark.

Tom clicked his tongue, disapproval tinged in his voice.

"I don't require your pity. In fact, Little bird. You'll wish you'd never think such thoughts of me. "

Hermione turned sharply. A reply upon her lips. Those grey eyes glinting coldly at her.

She halted before swallowing thickly.

"You are wrong." She swallowed once more. "About me, that is. "

The lips curved and he moved in her personal space. Those arms turning her harshly. Her back pressed into his hard body. His words dipped in honey laced venom.

"Watch very closely, Little bird. "

The words felt both like a threat and a promise. It made her shudder and go very still.

The scene before them changed. A mansion filled room. The familiar figure walking in slow steps. A soft piano melody playing in the background that she deemed chilling for the setting. Rain poured and lightning flashed from the window.

Up the staircase the boy walked. He was several years older. That bandages covered his face. The black hair was messy. He was dressed in all white. He seemed normal enough.

Something silver gleam from a distance at the flash of lightning. Hermione gasped, realization hitting her.

It was a letter opener.

"Don't " She struggle to break out from his tight grip.

Tom wasn't having it.

"Watch. " He commanded coldly.

Still the boy made it into his father's study. A lamp glowing very dim. His father was propped over his large desk. Hand under his jaw, fast asleep. The snores coming out rather loud.

Hermione recognize the man. He shared Tom's features. She inhaled sharply. Her heart stuttering.

Please stop

Thunder bolted, making the older man sputter in confusion as his eyes flickered open. It was the same hard grey hues.

Hermione watched in horror as Tom brought the sharp object down fluidly. The impact left the man choking on his blood. Blood seeping onto the books and paper.

A loud watery tick was heard with each movement.

Tom didn't stop there. A monstrous gleam was in his eyes as he stabbed his father. Over and over.

Then the body hit the floor with a loud thump.

Those eyes staring back at her.

So very lifeless.

She fought against his iron grip. A soundless cry coming out.

No!

Tom chuckled darkly.

"No use fighting it, little bird."

It was like the air was thinning out. She hadn't felt this way. Not since Viktor.

Her heart clenched painfully. The memory tasting of ash on her tongue. She could feel the sting in her eyes.

Tom eyes flickered down to her. Noticing her weight slumping against his. He ran a thumb over her cheek finding a familiar wetness.

Tears.

Hermione shivered at the touch.

"Let me go. "

Tom leaned forward, lips at her ears.

"You're mine to do with as I please. Never forget that."

Those words made her angry.

She bit her lower lip. Hard.

Breaking away from him. Those eyes staring, a mocking smile starting a curve. As if he knew something she didn't.

"If I were you, I'd be very careful." He started towards her, the fabric of his tarnished cloak moving with each step.

"Some don't get very far before death catches up. " He stated before brushing away a strand of hair from her face.

Hermione gripped his hand, nails digging into burned flesh.

"Don't make empty threats, Tom. "

Then a howl from afar had her dropping his hand. Tom chuckled and turned away.

"I don't make empty threats, Little Bird."

He faded away, the howl coming closer.

Hermione cursed under her breath. This was just fucking great.

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Draco awoke, the sensation of numbness overcoming his entire body. He didn't know what to make of any of this. The air smelt overwhelming with smoke and decay.

He exhaled, his eyes taking in the area. It was wooded and the darkness made it hard to see. A curse left his lips as he drew himself up from the ground. The tips of his fingers coming in contact with his pants. Draco felt a wave of nausea overcome him at the sensation of wet slime.

"Bloody hell! "

He swiftly wiped his hands, lips curling in disgust.

A loud crunch of a branch snapping drew Draco's attention from behind. Maneuvering his body out of reach from an oncoming snarling man.

Draco felt stunned. His eyes raking over the man, creature? He was tall, with torn bloodied clothes. That's not the surprising point. No. This man head was covered in nails and barbed wires.

A growl left the man as he suddenly lashed out. Draco dodged, swearing when he realized his holster was empty.

Okay, new plan. Draco pulled out his blade from his pocket. Uncertainty bubbled. It had to work.

The man struck once more, Draco barely making it out of the way. He twist and turn, the blade wedging into the back of the man's head.

Body falling, Draco inhaled. Pulling the blade out. He didn't know how long he stood there. Staring at the dead body. It felt like madness here.

A dark chuckle had Draco turning sharply. His eyes widening.

It was the same man from before. The cloak giving him the air of mystery yet danger.

"Madness doesn't begin to cover what this is." He spoke, gesturing around him.

Draco narrowed his eyes.

"Just who the hell are you? "

There is a pregnant pause and Tom gives him a dangerous smile.

"I'm your worst nightmare, Malfoy. "

Thunder echoed in the sky. Draco felt his skin grow cold at the murderous look in those grey eyes.

Tom approaches Draco slowly.

A sudden panics seizes Draco and without another word he bolts.

The chilling laughter of the cloaked figure trailing behind.

Draco ran as fast as he could. Fear gnawing at him. The pressure making his pulse race and his skin clammy.

Trees covered the area and Draco had no idea where he was but he just needed to get away. A wooden house caught his sight. Making up his mind he went inside. Up the stairs, to the left. A bed with a closest was all that greeted him. Swiftly he rolled under the bed.

Soft footsteps making a slight creak downstairs. Draco held his breath. The thudding in his ears becoming loud. He shut his eyes, silently praying that he wouldn't be found.

Silence filled the area. Draco waited several moments. Slowly rolling out, taking a cautious step. He made it to the door when his whole body froze.

Tom clicked his tongue, moving entirely too slow. Up the stairs. Those grey eyes never leaving Draco.

"I bet you are wondering what I'm going to do to you. "

Draco flinched when those burned hands touched his face. A gasp leaving his lips. It was icy yet Draco felt his mind start to throb. The cloaked man lips curved.

"You are going to be a puppet, Draco."

Then Draco screams.

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Hope everyone enjoyed!

Happy Birthday Tom!!! 3