Chapter 8: Tom Riddle

Suddenly dark became light. The blindfold had been ripped off, leaving Lily confused and looking around.

"Welcome, mud blood," Lucius Malfoy appeared, grinning evilly.

"Where am I?" Lily asked, angry.

"There will be no need to know since it will be the last place you will ever see," A few others appeared, all dressed in black. They formed a circle around a wooden door and waited silently.

Lily took inventory of herself. She had been hit over the head by something and had a gash which was bleeding steadily, causing her weakness and to be dizzy. She was tied with a rope around a chair that was pressed against a stone wall. It was cold and damp in the room so she figured that they were underground, maybe in the dungeons.

The door flung open to reveal a handsome young man, by handsome she meant evilly handsome. He was tall with dark brown hair and fierce eyes. He looked familiar but Lily couldn't put a finger on a name.

"My servants," he smiled and looked at all of them, "You serve me well."

"Lily Evans, I'm so glad you could join us," he swept himself in front of her, "Even though you had no choice." His smile chilled her bones.

"And now you will be made an example in front of the whole wizard world," turning and smiling, "I am going to purify our world of non-pureblood wizards. People everywhere have already died, beginning our cause. And you will be the first from Hogwarts to set an example."

"And you think that once you kill me, people will just line up, begged to be taken next?" Lily shot back

"They should," he whispered, his anger rising, "Lucius has told me you have been a bit of trouble around here, and silencing you would make everything easier for me."

"Well once I'm a ghost, you will be the first one I come back to haunt," Lily stared deep into his eyes not afraid.

"Filthy Mud blood!" he poked her neck with his wand, "how dare you speak to me like that?"

"How dare you threaten her like that?" James suddenly appeared out of the shadows.

"James," Lily breathed; relieved she wouldn't actually be dying.

"Potter," Lucius spat, "Should have known you would have shown up."

"James Potter," the handsome man grinned, "just in time to watch your girlfriend die."

He moved in front of Lily, "I don't think so."

"Well I do," as he said that his followers jumped James and tied him up next to Lily.

A sudden sound made them all jump. It had come from behind the door to which the handsome man has entered. They all rushed out silently, leaving Lily and James alone.

"Are you ok?" he asked looking at her.

"I'm fine, just a little cut on my head is all," she looked at the bindings, "how are we going to get out of here?"

"Give it some time. Listen Lily, if we don't make it out of here, I have something to tell you,"

"What?" she turned and looked right into his hazel eyes. Then he kissed her. It was a soft romantic kiss almost as if a question.

Pulling apart, breathing heavy, the looked at each other, too shocked to speak. Then suddenly the door burst open. The man came charging in amid shouts and spells flying everywhere aiming his wand at Lily.

"You sent them Potter, and now you will get to watch her die!"

"No!" James yelled throwing himself in front of her.

"Expelliarmus!" Dumbledore shouted, disarming him.

"Dumbledore," he smirked, "You didn't think you could actually catch me, now did you?"

"Tom, you may think you are all powerful, but you are weak and what you are doing is cruel," Dumbledore answered calmly.

"You don't know what power is!" Tom shouted back.

"Hey," it was a rat, which had come up behind James and Lily and was gnawing on James' ropes, "How'd you get here?" The elder men kept up the argument as the rat undid James' ropes.

"Right when I get you undone, run, he'll probably try to jinx us," Lily nodded.

Once undone, Lily ran as hard as she could, James following. She could here Tom yelling curses behind them, Dumbledore trying to stop him.

"Avada Kedavra!" he shouted and the two jumped out of the way. But the spell rebounded and caused a picture to come flying. Lily shrieked as James tried to pull her out of the way but it slammed into her shoulder. She whimpered in pain.

"Come on!" James shouted to the others who were busy fighting the death eaters as he lifted Lily in his arms and ran for the door.

They finally stopped in a deserted classroom and James set Lily down gently on a table.

"Are you alright? Are you hurt?" he questioned, concerned.

"I'm fine," she tried to get off the table but her arm gave way causing her to whimper in pain.

"Right," he said smiling, "Where?"

"My shoulder," he put a charm on to take some of the pain away for now.

"Is everyone ok?" James asked, still standing by Lily.

"I think so," Remus answered looking around. Most of all, everyone was tired. Dueling and hexing dark and powerful wizards took a lot out of you. Natalie had a nice gash on her arm and Sirius was babying his ankle. But otherwise, they looked good for just fighting dark wizards.

"Is everyone alright?" Dumbledore rushed into the room and scanned them all.

"We're fine," James answered, "Just some cuts and bruises."

"I want the injured in the hospital wing and everyone in bed immediately!" they hurried off, "James, stay please." Lily watched him and smiled, leaving.

"You may go see her once we are done here," Dumbledore smiled, "What happened? I need to know the whole story."

James told him the whole story from when he couldn't find Lily to when Dumbledore showed up.

"I see," he was deep in thought, "I remember instructing you to keep a close watch on Miss Evans. I know you were with her just a moment before, but that's all it takes for anything to happen. I'm glad you were there, otherwise she would have not made it."

"Professor, who was that man threatening us?"

"That, James, was Tom Riddle. Formally know as Lord Voldemort. He wants power and wants everyone to bow to him and he wants to 'cleanse' our society of non-pure blood wizards, muggle borns in other words.

"He is the man we are trying to hide student's parents from, Lily's included, and it was only a matter of time before he tried to show up here. I am so pleased that nothing happened and everyone is safe."

"So, what should I do?" James asked.

"Lily's parents are in hiding and must not be contacted. She, as we know, is not safe anymore either. I would advise that you or someone you trust be with her at all times. But, more importantly, make sure she understands what's going on and that she is ok," Dumbledore smiled, patting his shoulder, "I'm sure you will do just fine, James." He left him there staring at the spot he just was in.

"Tom Riddle in Hogwarts, can you believe it?" Remus questioned shocked, "I didn't think anyone could get in these days without being detected."

"I just wish we would have finished him off," Sirius grumbled, upset.

"We all tried," Natalie put a hand on his shoulder, "but they were all experienced wizards, I'm surprised we all made it out alive."

"Prongs!" Sirius jumped up from the bed, causing Madame Pomfry to scowl, "What'd he say?"

"This is not the time or the place to talk about it," he turned to Lily, "Lily, may I speak with you quickly first?"

"Sure," she answered, unsure. Is he going to have bad news? Hopefully not. She thought.

They went up to the Gryffindor Common room and sat near the fireplace. It was deserted, since it was so late, so James wasn't concerned about anyone overhearing.

"Lily, things have been happening that we haven't been really hearing about," he took her hands; "The man who was there tonight was Tom Riddle. He is rising to power by killing innocent people and forcing some to be servants to him. He wants everyone to be under his control, and more importantly, he wants them all to be pure-blood."

Lily shuddered and looked away. She knew where this was going, and she didn't like it.

"He came to Hogwarts to make an example to the students of what he wants to happen. Unfortunately, he chose you," James' voice grew quieter and quieter.

A tear slide down Lily's cheek, she had thought that Lucius was just trying to be cruel after what had happened a few days ago. Now everything was clear. They actually were going to kill her and she wasn't going to be the last one.

"Are my parents all right?" she turned to him.

"As we know of, yes, they have been sent into hiding,"

"What's going to happen?" she asked, fear gripping her.

"Well, Dumbledore wants us to stay here. He feels that here is where the most protection is," Lily nodded, agreeing only because she didn't know what else to say.

"Lily," James soothed, pulling her into an embrace, "Everything's going to be alright."

She was so scared she didn't know what to do. So she stayed there with James, the only place she felt really safe until their friends returned.

"Lilyflower," Natalie cooed, her and Alice going to comfort their friend.

"What's going on, prongs?" Remus asked.

James explained to the Marauders what was going on.

"Dumbledore instructed that Lily be watched at all times and have someone with her wherever she goes. He thinks that Voldemort will try again and he doesn't want him to succeed,"

"We'll help you," Sirius put in, "she's our friend too."

"Do the girls know?" Remus questioned.

"Lily doesn't know that we are supposed to be with her, but she knows everything else. Same for the other two," James put in.

"I'll talk to them. But I think it be best if we all went to bed," they all agreed, shuffling everyone off to their dorms.

A/N: I know this chapter is a little upsetting but the times are catching up with everyone. I figured that I needed to show that the students don't really know what's going on, and now it's their chance to get in on the fight. Thanks for reviewing!