RIDDLEBOOK

WARNING:

Contains some mature content. Reader's discretion is advised.

DEMON KING

Mephostophiles otherwise known as Mephisto: Demon of the first sphere. Known by the Greeks as the jinni of knowledge and erudition. First summoned by German wizard Faust.

That wasn't the least bit helpful. But my intuition's inquiry has been answered. This demon, Mephostophiles, is a creature worth looking into: the jinni of knowledge and erudition…what I wouldn't give to attain what it has.

Faust…and I have a lead.

000

Hogwarts was, and still is, my sanctuary, my refuge, my savior. I clearly remember that first night, under the star sprinkled sky, as we waited to be sorted. Michaels, Morin, Mulciber, Nott, Owen, Penny, Pinot, Regent…

"Riddle, Tom."

My name, my father's name - the father who abandoned his pregnant wife, and me, his son. I was doubtful that he knew of my existence, yet I carry his name. His presence loomed over me wherever I go, what ever I do.

"Riddle, Tom!"

I stood still. Up on the High Table, that elderly wizard with the long beard, Dumbledore, eyed me with an unreadable expression. I trudged forward reluctantly and sat upon the stool. The Sorting Hat whispered nothing in my ear. I didn't even feel it touch my head. Yet…"SLYTHERIN!" it screamed.

The House name was strangely warming to me. I felt oddly satisfied.

I don't remember walking over to the House table. But I remember the smiles of congratulations and the shy, appraising glances. For the first time in my life, I felt at home.

I didn't sleep that night. I couldn't sleep. The whispering walls hissed too loudly in my attentive and naked ears. Return to me, it said, I am your servant. I first thought it was just my imagination, but by the second night, I knew it wasn't at all.

"How do you sleep with that horrible hissing everywhere?" I asked the sandy haired boy named Nott. He looked at me blankly. "What hissing?"

I was dumbfounded. I was awed. I was amazed. Even here, at Hogwarts, I was special. I was different. And I set out to find out how. I walked alone at night around the school, following the hissing wherever it went. But the problem seemed to be that the hissing was following me. I made no progress.

On the ninth night, I followed the hissing voice around the dungeon. It sometimes paced back and forth, and going was slow. It was already dawn, when the voice led me back into the Slytherin Common Room and into the boys' bathroom. I climbed onto the edge of the tub, and listened. The hissing came from the faucet over my head. I looked up, held my footing and stood underneath it. I listened again.

Release me, my master, my lord, and I will serve you.

At that moment, the bathroom's door opened, and entered my dorm mates, Nott, Mulciber, Dolohov and Rosier. They stopped dead as they saw me. Their mouths opened in shock, their jaws dropped in disbelief and their eyes widened in fear. It was my moment. And I loved every second of it.

They later told me what they saw. I was levitating. The faucet spilled upon me silver streams of light, and I glowed an unearthly emerald. They were astonished, they were shocked and they trampled over each other to do my biddings ever since.

Release me, my master, my lord, and I will serve you, the hissing voice had asked of me. Release me, my master, my lord…my master, my lord…the title seduced me.

000

Borgin & Burkes looked as it did five years ago, when I first visited it. The usual décor of cobwebs and dust balls greeted me. Caractacus Burke looked up from behind the counter. He straightened. "Good afternoon, Tom."

"Afternoon, Mr. Burke."

"Can I help you with anything today?"

I nodded and walked to the counter's front. I placed my elbow carefully down on the countertop and leant forward. "How much do you know about Faust, Mr. Burke?"

Burke started. He looked at me blankly. "Faust?"

I nodded. Burke cleared his throat, and looked around the shop. "Ah, Faust, one of the most prominent dark wizards there ever was." He whispered dramatically. "Wrote quite a number of books, he did, about every kind of dark magic known to man."

I said nothing. I found out that much already. "Do you happen to have a copy of his Zusammenrufen der Höllen Dämonen?"

"Are you mad?" Burke screeched, taking a leaping step back.

"No." I replied carelessly. "I need it for a school assignment."

"What kind of assignment?" Burke narrowed his eyes.

"An essay for Advanced Defense Against Dark Arts."

Burke's soggy eyes peered into mine, and attempted Legimency. I sighed in annoyance. "I know what happened to Faust, Mr. Burke, very well, in fact."

Burke slowly nodded. "I know you're a bright boy, Tom. I can tell you got a gift in you. You knowledge of these artifacts here…" he swept his arm in indication of his store, "has proven that to me. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I'll have Zusammenrufen ordered and sent you in two weeks time." He pulled out a thick yellow volume and opened it to a blank page. "The pay is in advance, of course."

"Naturally." I smirked. I know this old man too well. I don't even need Legimens to read his mind. It's all written on his face.