Chapter Seven: Myrtle

Previously:

She pointed to her robes, which held the badge of a Prefect.

Damn.

She smirked, "By the expression on your face, you are now aware that I fully capable of asking you such questions. I understand you are relatively new here; but rules still stand." She spat.

I nodded shyly.

"And 20 points from Slytherin! You may have noticed that the ball ended 50 minutes ago, you are way past curfew." She continued.

You look too familiar, I thought.

"Yes, Prefect. May I ask, what is your name?" I inquired quietly.

"Myrtle." She snapped, and trotted back down the corridor to scold some other students.

***

Magical and Deadly Creatures:

The Basilisk:

The name basilisk comes from the Greek basileus, which means king. The basilisk was the King of the snakes and the most poisonous creature on earth. His appearance has always been a matter of dispute since there is no way to see a basilisk and survive. Looking at it, according to legend, brings death.

The basilisk was depicted in a few illuminated manuscripts in the Middle Ages but appeared much more often as an ornamental detail in church architecture, adorning capitals and medallions. The best representation of the basilisk is found in the decorative field of heraldry where the basilisk had the head and legs of a cock, a snake-like tail, and a body like a bird's. It seems that the wings could be depicted as either being covered with feathers or scales.

It is almost always an icon of fear. In alchemical writings the basilisk played many roles. Sometimes it would fall into the realm of the fabulous salamander where it would be used to symbolize the destructive fire that preceded the transmutation of metals. In other works, the elixir, or Philosopher's Stone, a potent and mysterious catalyst that was said to turn whatever it touched to gold, cure all ills, and confer eternal life was called the basilisk or cockatrice.

During the Renaissance, Christianity rediscovered the creature in the context of the Old Testament and used it sparsely as an emblem of the devil and sin.

-

My finger traced the pages as I read the description. My eyes scanned the text over 10 times before I was satisfied I had memorised it, then I closed the book and rested back onto my bed with my wand in hand.

My encounter with Myrtle had affected me more than I had expected. To my knowledge, she had died in her 5th year, but here she was alive and well. Maybe she hadn't really died back then…

Tom and I have been on a strictly no speaking ban; not that I want to speak to him anyway, but he made it sort of difficult when he was attacking me left right and centre. The state of my dress, which had once been stunning, had caused me to throw it out as much as it pained me to see it go. And such a beautiful dress is had been too…

"It's a shame Tom didn't really get to see…" I said without thinking.

My eyes widened and I mentally kicked myself.

Why do I give a shit about what he thought?! I yelled.

Because you know deep deep inside that you cannot resist my charm and stunning good looks, a voice suddenly said proudly in my head.

I immediately bolted up right and the grip on my wand tightened instinctively.

"Who said that?" I snapped, glancing quickly around my room.

Outside idiot, the door to your common room was mysteriously unlocked, they snickered.

My eyes flickered to the door as did the tip of my wand.

"Alohomora." I whispered and the door swung open to reveal a rather smug looking Tom Riddle.

He was leaning casually against the door frame as if he owned the place.

Stupid twat, I growled.

"Now, now, Hermione; your methods of capturing my cold heart is not working to your advantage I'm afraid to say." He teased, smirking.

I sneered and plonked back onto my bed, too tired for his pathetic insults.

"Your body language says it all, 'Mione. You cannot resist my mysterious past, my amazingly stunning looks, and my intelligence, among other things of course. I don't know how you hold it together to be honest, if I were you I'd be passing out just at the thought of me…" he said dreamily, staring off to space.

"Don't flatter yourself, Riddle." I spat.

His eyes snapped back to me and he took a confident step towards me with a cocky smile on his face. My heart was beating unnaturally fast and I presumed it was of fear he would hurt me again; but I was prepared this time. I knew the spells I would use, because I knew his tricks like the back of my hand.

"You seem to be forgetting, Hermione, I can hear everything that passes your mind." He smiled sweetly.

"If you've come here just to annoy me, you're doing a good job of it. Now kindly shove off!" I replied.

Tom shook his head slowly and tutted with disapproval.

"Is that any way to treat a guest, 'Mione?" he said, "Maybe I visited you with your best interests at heart."

I snorted, and positioned myself against the pillows returning to my book.

I flicked the crease at the page on Basalisk's and continued my reading.

"Hmm, you're interested in Basalisk's eh?" Tom muttered, grabbing the book out of my grasp.

"Hey!" I shouted, extending my arm to snatch it back but failing as he pulled it out of my reach.

His eyes scanned the pages quickly as his relaxed expression turned to one of frustration.

"They are misunderstood creatures," he fumed and threw the book onto the floor, "do not believe everything you read." He spat.

"And you'd know this how?" I replied sweetly, hoping to catch him out.

He opened his mouth to make a snappy remark, but he closed it quickly and collected himself. His trade mark smirk reappeared and he bent down to pick up the book again and placed it in my hands.

"You will not catch me out, Hermione." He said, "Dear me, you think you're more intelligent than me?" he laughed.

"I don't doubt you for a second, Riddle." I replied sarcastically.

He laughed again, and for once amusement sparkled in his black eyes.

He shook his head sadly, "No, you don't doubt me, Hermione…" he took another step towards me and leaned forwards, "But you doubt yourself more than anyone, am I right?" he whispered.

My breathing grew heavy as I felt his breath mix with mine.

"I'm right, aren't I?" he whispered, "You doubt yourself so much…you can tell me; I want to know."

I shook my head and clamped my teeth together; I could almost feel tears welling up in my eyes.

"Don't lie to yourself, 'Mione." He continued, and lifted his cold white hand to my cheek.

I felt his finger tips brush my skin gently, and the most electrifying current struck my body!

"Tom…" I breathed shakily, my book falling from my grip.

Rational thought seemed impossible at this moment in time, and I felt helpless and vulnerable. I didn't like feeling that way at all. It was humiliating and below me…but I couldn't help the way he was making me feel.

Stupid, stupid me.

I don't know how to explain it…his lips just looked too inviting to resist.

I lent towards him, and before I knew what I was doing, I had captured his lips into a fiery and passionate kiss which blew me away.

I felt both his hands clasp my cheeks and pull me in to deepen the kiss, and my hands found their way to his chest. His tongue traced my lower lip and entered my mouth slowly, almost like he was teasing.

I broke from the kiss and backed up against the wall; somehow, Tom was on his knees before me, half hanging over me, half kneeling upright.

His lips hovered painfully close to mine, only inches away.

What am I doing?! I screamed at myself.

But I couldn't help myself, and I continued kissing him like no tomorrow.

Suddenly Tom pulled away and smirked at my frustrated expression. "I knew it; you can't resist me." He said proudly, and leaned forward for another kiss.

A spark hit my body, and I felt my cheeks flush with anger.

I tore myself out of his grasp and off the bed, kicking him in the stomach in the process.

"Yes I can, Riddle." I spat, "I am not a toy!" I shouted, and stormed out of the room leaving a crumpled Tom on my bed.

Hermione! He shouted in my head as I ran down the corridors as fast as my legs could carry me; get back here now, dammit!

I didn't reply. I just ran and ran and ran. I couldn't think about anything else. I just ran.

You're his toy, Hermione, I told myself, he's using you. He's unlocking your heart to hurt you.

"NO!" I shouted suddenly, and started sending curses around me, aiming at nothing in particular.

The torches blew out and tumbled to the floor, there were large dents in the walls, scratches on the marble floor; then all the energy disappeared and I fell to the floor with a loud thump.

A sob broke from my mouth and tears poured down my cheeks.

"He isn't using you, Hermione." I croaked, smacking my hand against the ground and repeating it over 7 times.

It didn't convince me. I had been used. I had let myself be used; again.

Focus on the mission, I thought.

3 Days Later:

"'Mione, you really can't just ignore him for the rest of the term," Druella whispered, "You have to work with him in almost every lesson for Merlin's sake!"

I turned slowly to face her, "I am aware of that, but I don't feel any need to acknowledge his existence to be perfectly honest." I replied calmly.

"I actually thought you were cleverer than this…" she moaned, leaning her head against the book case.

I frowned angrily, "What do you mean?" I snapped, shutting my book rather sharply and smacking it down on the table.

She sighed and sat straight, "I thought someone as clever as you would be able to know the difference between hatred and when someone likes you, stupid." She replied like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

I laughed harshly, "If you're talking about Riddle, then you are indeed mistaken, Ella. He hates me. I have never been so certain of anything in my life." I said confidently.

She shook her head sadly, "You'll see it soon. If you saw it from everyone else's eyes you'd think different, but on your head be it." She said and grabbed her books and scurried out the library where a cheerful Cygnus awaited her arrival.

I trotted along after her and when Cygnus saw me, he wiggled his eyebrows like he did when he had some interesting gossip.

"I err, I hear that you and Tom got a little…intimate." He said smiling.

My eyes widened and tears of sadness and anger blurred my vision.

"Nothing of the sort happened, Cygnus! I would appreciate it if that maggot Riddle wouldn't spread such lies!" I spat and stormed in the direction of the Slytherin common room.

Who does he think he is?! I thought.

"Casper, you know why you are here?" a voice sounded from the dungeons.

"Yes, My Lord." Someone replied, I presumed it was Casper.

I stepped closer to the dungeons and peered through a crack in the door.

"Alohomora" I whispered, and the door opened quietly.

I took a few cautious steps forwards and the scene before me caused my heart to skip a beat.

Casper was kneeling with his head bent over before Tom, who had his wand pointed at his chest.

"Do you accept your punishments?" Tom said formally.

"Yes, My Lord." Casper replied.

"Orion! Orion, where are you?!" Tom yelled, glancing behind him.

A tall boy with blonde hair ran next to Tom and said; "Here, My Lord. The creature is ready, my Lord, as is the Mudblood." He replied quickly.

Tom smirked, "Good, very good. Orion, punish Casper. Be merciless; he betrayed me." He replied simply and began to walk towards where I was standing.

I sprinted out of the dungeons and round the corner before Tom could see me. He passed my way without so much as a glance and headed towards the girls toilets.

No, I thought in horror, the creature is the Basalisk, and by Mudblood they mean Myrtle! This can't be happening…

I followed Tom slowly and quietly, but when I got to the toilets he was nowhere to be seen. I glanced around the room, scanning for any movement.

A sniffle caught my attention. It seemed to be coming from the cubicles; I stepped quietly over to the door and pushed it open slightly to find Myrtle sitting on the floor, tears pouring down her pale face.

"Myrtle! What's the matter?!" I panicked, dropping to my knees before the weeping girl.

She lifted her head to look at me and wiped a few tears from her face.

"I'm a Mudblood." She said simply, and continued crying.

My face went pale.

"Having Muggle parents is nothing to be ashamed of," I assured her, rubbing her shoulder soothingly.

"You wouldn't understand anyway! Being a Pureblood," she spat the word like it was poison, "you never get crap from people!" she yelled, yanking my arm off her shoulder and standing up.

"Actually, Myrtle. I do know what its like; because I'm not a Pureblood. I'm not Half-blood either, I'm a Muggle born." I whispered.

I was expecting a better reaction than what I received to be honest…in fact, she didn't react; she just stared at me like I had three heads!

I waved my hand in her face but she didn't snap out of it.

"Myrtle? What's the matter? Hey?!" I fussed, pinching her arm.

She didn't reply.

"Hermione?!" a voice shouted from behind me.

I turned to see Tom standing before me, mouth agape and eyes wide.

"What are you doing here?!" I screeched.

"I should be saying that to you! You shouldn't be here…" he replied, "Oh, is that Myrtle?" he asked slowly.

I nodded, "But something's happened to her…she won't respond to anything." I explained, "Tom, help her please."

He smirked and crouched beside me touching Myrtles hand in the process, "She won't respond, Hermione. Filthy Mudblood deserves it." He sneered.

I frowned, "What? What's happened to her?" I asked eagerly.

"She's dead obviously." He said simply.

My face paled.

"W-what?" I stuttered.

Tom pushed her over by her arm and stood up. Once he'd brushed himself down he offered me his hand to help me up; I just stared at it.

"You killed her." I whispered.

Tom laughed bitterly, "Technically, I didn't do anything. Technically, it was the Basalisk that killed her…and you know all about those, don't you," he said sweetly.

"No, you summoned the Basilisk to kill her you bastard. You killed her. Just because she has Muggle parents…" I trailed off, wondering what his reaction would be if I told him about me.

"Are you going to tell everyone, Hermione?" he laughed, "I doubt they'll believe you if I'm honest. I can get away with murder in this place, and that's exactly what I'm doing," he beamed.

I shook my head, not quite believing what I was hearing.

I took a confident step towards Tom and brushed past him to inform Dumbledore of what I had seen, but before I could reach the corridors, a hand reached out and spun me around, covering my eyes in the process and pulling my back tight against their front.

"Tom? Is that you?!" I panicked, reaching for my wand.

"Yes," he whispered, "Don't struggle, stupid, and don't open your eyes." He demanded.

"It's here…" I whispered, astonished.

Fear suddenly gripped at my heart and beads of sweat was rolling down my forehead. My life was in his hands; all I could do was trust him.

I heard a hiss from in front of me and my breath hitched in my throat. For a moment I thought Harry was with me, because someone was talking to the snake…in Parseltongue, and the only person I knew could do that was Harry. But it wasn't Harry's voice. It was Tom's.

The hissing stopped, and then the room was silent.

Tom removed his hand from my eyes but didn't release his grip on my arm which held me against him firmly.

"She's gone." He whispered.

I nodded slowly, my eyes flickering nervously around the room for any signs of a giant snake. I found none.

"Tom, let go of me now." I said, tugging my arm from his hand, but he gripped my arm tighter and his other hand reached for my waist.

"No," he whispered, staring at me intently, "You didn't let me finish the other night, I want to explain."

My teeth gritted together, "There's nothing to explain. I understand perfectly." I replied.

He shook his head sadly and pulled me tighter against his chest, "No, you went before I wanted you to. Hermione," he sighed, "I don't think of you as a toy at all. I'm not using you at all. I don't kiss people randomly you know, just 'cause I feel like it."

When I remained silent he continued; "Don't tell me you kissed me back just for the sake of it; 'cause I might have to curse you if you did." He laughed.

A small smile flickered at my lips, but then I remembered that a dead girls' body was lying in cubicle not 2 meters away from us.

My smile faltered, "You murdered a young girl, Tom, because she was a Muggle born. Don't think I can forgive you that easily." I whispered and tore myself from his grasp.

***

Well, I gotta say I am pretty pleased with that chapter tbh :) it's a little longer than the others I've done xD not my much, but still, it's longer. Tom and Hermione's relationship is SERIOUSLY heating up now people, ;D tell me if you like where it's going…is it too speedy? Maybe there should be a bit more intense rivalry or summot like that? ;]

Hmm, well, next chapter is called Veritaserum, any guesses whats it about? :L

Omg! Has anyone googled Blue Waffle?? It's gross, but kinda amusing, I recommend you go on it.

Google. Blue Waffle. I'm Feeling Lucky.

If you dare ;] xxx