This chapter was really fun to write and I hope you enjoy it aswell.

Now, the plot will slowly start developing in the direction towards the next huge plot twist...

Thanks go (as always) to FlowerAngelxoxo, ChocolateBeth and Katherine Isabel Ma (^^ Love the new name!)!

Chapter 4

The ball

The elaborate ballroom of the Riddle Manor was filled with the low bustle of hundred voices as Katherine made her way down the enormous staircase. At first just a few guests noticed her entrance but soon the whole noise faded into an awestruck silence. The brunette was well aware of the numerous pairs of eyes that followed her as she elegantly made her way down the marble steps. Her black dress was elaborate but incredibly simple at the same time as the softly rustling fabric trailed behind her as she finally reached the bottom of the stairs where a proud looking Tom Riddle took her hand and whispered in her ear: "I could not have wished for a better entrance for my Dark Lady." He then lightly kissed her cheek and led her around the room to meet some important people.

Most of them were Death Eaters which ranked in high positions which were accompanied by their plain (and also brainless) wives. All of them looked at Katherine with disapproval and moved closer to their husbands which eyed the vampire with clear interest in their looks. While she inwardly smiled to herself Katherine kept her cold and emotionless mask all the time and simply ignored the suggestive comments of the male guests. Although he knew his fear was without any reason, Tom's grip on Katherine involuntarily tightened and as they went to greet the next couple, Tom shot the man one last warning glance.

When the Dark Lord and his Lady decided to take a break from all the greeting ceremonies Katherine looked at Riddle with amusement in her brown eyes. "I am really flattered because of your protective actions towards invasive men, Tom." A small smile appeared on his handsome features as he kissed her gloved hand. "Well, it is not like I can't understand them… If I were in their position I would do the same thing you know."

Katherine smiled in return. "Someone's in the mood for compliments, eh?" Another laugh escaped her lips before she and Riddle continued with their round around the ballroom.

After half an hour of smiling and nodding at various guests it was time for Tom and Katherine to open the dance with a slow waltz. As they swayed around the huge dance floor the guests had the feeling as if their two hosts were in some sort of trance where they forgot everything else that was happening around them. And they weren't mistaken! As it had happened many times before Katherine and Riddle were sharing their special connection. They moved like one body and responded to the slightest touch of the other.

As the ball was in full swing Tom was surrounded by Avery, Nott and his former school 'friends' while Katherine stood at the far back of the hall, partly hidden by the shadows and a drink in her hand. She needed a break from all the conversations she had had – mainly some playful flirts with this and that man – and enjoyed the fact that all the other guest were too intimidated by her menacing air to speak to her.

But against all her expectations she suddenly heard a raspy voice from beside her. "I wonder what is on you mind, Lady Katherine…" An unnerved look on her face she slowly turned her head to the left to see a young black haired man standing next to her. With a quirked eyebrow the brunette scanned his really raunchy appearance. "And you are?" "Regulus Arcturus Black, at your service." He reached for her hand to kiss it just like Tom had done it earlier this evening. But this time Katherine yanked her gloved hand away from this stranger's grip and

hissed at him with a menacing tone: "What the hell are you planning on achieving with this I dare say very dumb attempt to flirt with me?" Black didn't seemed to be very outraged by her little outburst. Instead he lowered his voice and leaned a little bit closer to her so only she could hear his following words. "I don't think you betrayed them. I guess there is still some hope left." And with a slight bow of his head he made his way back to wherever he came from leaving a paralyzed Katherine behind.

Tom Riddle was boiling with rage. He had seen how one of his Death Eaters had dared to speak to his Lady. Alone! And the kiss on the hand had made him grip his champagne glass so hard that it had shattered into thousand pieces. But Riddle carelessly tossed the remaining glass splinter in his hand aside and stalked towards where this Death eater, Regulus Black, was standing now. With determination in his stride he grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and yanked him with him into one of the close-by empty rooms.

Black didn't fight his grip and let himself be slammed against the hard stone wall of the dark room. Only the moon illuminated the scene. Riddle didn't waste any time and immediately started hissing at his victim. "How dare you to speak to Katherine Pierce, let alone touch her!" Black's reaction wasn't what he had expected. The bedraggled young man laughed dryly and looked at his Lord with slight amusement in his eyes. "She really is your weakness isn't she?"

Before Tom had the chance to pull out his wand or strangle the crude man with his bare hands he heard a loud knock on the door and as he turned around he saw Katherine standing in the door, a worried look on her face. "Tom, the Malfoys want to talk to you. And the banquet is about to be set up in the dining hall…" Her eyes flickered from him to Black, who was still displaying the same nonchalance as he had before with only him and Riddle in the room. What did that strange man want?

Thankfully Riddle let him go after another few seconds had gone by but not without a malicious warning he murmured so only Black could hear it. Then the Dark Lord took Katherine's arm and led her into the ballroom again.

After the ball there would be a dinner taking place in one of the huge dining halls and for this occasion Katherine had another dress. At the end of the ball she excused herself and went up to her and Tom's room to change into the silver gown which displayed highlights crafted out of snake skin. Because she didn't want Salazhar Slytherin's locket to constrain her while she undressed Katherine took the Horcrux off – something she never did – and placed it in her with black velvet lined jewelry box.

She left the room for the bathroom next door and was away only for a few moments but when she eventually returned her breath caught in her throat.

Salazhar Slytherin's locket was gone!

Oh oh...

Okay, who of you saw it coming? And when did you have that feeling? Oh, and I would really love to hear what you guess is coming up in this Volume...