Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to JK Rowling's characters … I'm just borrowing them! Any characters that are not from the world of Harry Potter are of my sole creation and I own the rights to them.

Special Thanks: MarbleLily, AprilBonbon, & xxstarlightxxdreamerxx

Chapter 6

The carriage stopped, as Lara expected, by the sea. She turned to look at Tom, "Why have we stopped?"

"We can't exactly sail the sea on a carriage, now can we," he stated haughtily.

He heard Lara groan and could have sworn he saw her roll her eyes. The night was so unforgivably dark that he could have seen anything; nevertheless, he sided with the possibility that Lara was growing weary of him. He felt that she was starting to have doubts and he could not find an excuse for her not to feel this way.

"Where are we going?" She asked with so much improbability that Tom had to abstain from saying anything wrong.

"That is why we have stopped," Tom replied. "I do not know yet."

Lara looked away, her eyes scanning back and forth as though she were on the verge of an epiphany. "Should we consult the map?"

Tom shrugged; not really listening to Lara, but thinking about where he could hide for the time being. She began to rummage through a small travel case that she had brought into the carriage with them. Upon finding the map; she gasped, "I have an idea."

"Stop the world," Tom muttered under his breath, "Lara has an idea."

Lara clearly did not hear Tom as she continued, "I was thinking that you should close your eyes and point at the map and wherever your finger ends up should be where we travel to."

Tom raised an eyebrow, "I thought you didn't want to come. That you were taken by force and here you are, escaping with me. Why are you not protesting and pleading to be taken back?"

Lara looked down, "I'm stuck here. You are not going to take me home and I know it. I might as well cooperate and I'm certain you'd kill me if I tried to run."

Tom's eyes flashed as he sternly stated, "All the reason to not run."

Lara took in a shaky breath and changed the subject, "So, here's the map." Tom closed his eyes and pointed at the map. When he opened his eyes, he found that his finger was pointing at the most unlikely country.

"Albania?" Lara frowned, "Want to try again? I was hoping for something else."

"Something else?" Tom queried.

"More, uh, romantic," Lara said in a rush. "But, it's silly. Forget it. Albania sounds, uh, wonderful."

"Albania it is then," Tom smiled.

"Stay here," Tom instructed Lara. "I have to secure us a room upon one of those ships," Tom nodded towards a few cruise liners that were docked by the harbor. Tom paused a second, "And don't even think about leaving because I will find you if you do."

Lara hesitated before meekly replying, "Okay."

"Do what I tell you," Tom turned his back, "and you will not get hurt."

Lara raised an eyebrow and looked away from Tom; fighting tears, she clenched her fists and squared her jaw. If she ran, he'd find her and she didn't know magic well enough to put an invisibility spell on herself. She cursed under her breath for not brushing up on her magic skills. She had wanted so desperately to go to a wizarding school, but, she was not as lucky as some. She could not afford the tuition that some had taken for granted and had to put her dreams aside for a waitressing job so that she could get by.

She had to stay here with Tom or risk getting herself and her family hurt or worse ... killed. She did not know exactly what Tom was capable of and decided that she did not want to know.

Lara noticed that their room attendant had glassy eyes and a silly smile plastered upon his face. It was almost as though he was stuck in a never-ending state of euphoria.

Tom stopped to speak to the room attendant, "Please put our luggage in our room."

"Yes," the room attendant smiled dreamily, "anything to serve you."

Once everyone was out of earshot, Lara turned to Tom, "Why does the bellhop have glassy eyes?"

Tom shrugged; not wanting to admit to the Imperius Curse, "I don't know."

Lara's brow furrowed and Tom glanced side-long at her as they followed the bellhop to their room, "Don't worry about it. I have control over everything."

"That's what worries me," Lara quipped.

Tom smirked to himself as they entered the stateroom. Lara's eyes widened, for, she had never seen a room so luxurious. The stateroom boasted the richest furnishings that she'd ever seen. The furnishings were made from the richest cherry wood and with brocade upholstery. There was an electric fireplace, a writing table, and a living area. Behind French doors was the bedroom and another set of French doors led to a private promenade deck.

Lara wondered how Tom could afford such a room on Borgin and Burke's allowance. She tried to shrug it off, but, dark thoughts entered her mind. Had Tom charmed his way onto this ship the same way he had charmed his way into her heart?

Please review!