Chapter 9

Darkness Looms Around Every Corner

"You know, Tom, I've been watching you closely the past couple of months. You're quite the Potions wiz. Tell me, do you do just as well in all your other classes?" Slughorn smiled innocently, but the look in his eyes made Tom feel like prey.

It had been a week since Tom had "broke up" with Cecelia, and oddly, it was…liberating. Tom felt as if the chains that had been holding him back for so long were finally broken, and he was overjoyed. He could do whatever he wanted now without having to worry about what Cecelia would think or what Cecelia would say. When he walked away from her that day at lunch, Tom walked away from everything he had been up till then. Now he could reinvent himself, become the person he truly wanted to be. A person whose life did not include a blonde haired, blue-eyed nuisance.

But she wasn't a nuisance. And he was kidding himself by saying he was better off without her. He hadn't really meant what he said at the lunch table that day. It had all just spilled out. Tom wanted to hurt her, and well, he succeeded. Cecelia hadn't batted an eye in Tom's direction since then. And it hurt. The pang he felt in his chest any time he thought of her made him hate himself for ever walking away from her. Now there was no chance of them becoming the best friends they once were. Tom Riddle was alone for the millionth time in his life.

Well, he still had Amelia. That was slightly comforting. Yet, it wasn't enough. Sure, Amelia was a good friend and all, but she wasn't Cecelia. Amelia understood him, but only to a certain point. She could become stubborn and bitingly sarcastic. Cecelia was forever angelic.

"Tom?" Slughorn cocked his head, staring at Tom as if he suddenly transformed into a Pigmy Puff. They were sitting in his office, drinking Butterbeer, as Slughorn tried to make conversation. He had invited Tom the day before and not having enough time to think up a logical excuse, Tom agreed.

"Oh, um, yes, Professor. I do well in all my classes." Tom fidgeted in the plush, upholstered chair he was sitting in.

"Ah, of course, of course." Slughorn stood and began fixing himself another Butterbeer. "You know, Tom, every now and then a certain student catches my eye. A special student. A student who I feel could go on to greatness after departing from the corridors of Hogwarts. A student that could become, say, Minister of Magic, or captain of a professional Quidditch team, or editor of the Daily-"

"Professor, is there something you're trying to get at?" Tom asked impatiently. This was starting to become unbearable. The room seemed to be caving in on Tom, and he had the sudden urge to run as far away from Slughorn as he could get.

"Well," Slughorn began slowly, "I started a club. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's quite acclaimed. Its filled with all types of special students. And I'd like you to be a part of it, Tom. For you are indeed special and destined for great things; I have a knack for seeing greatness in people. I truly believe you joining this club will help further not only your leadership and communication skills, but help you make friends. I'm not completely oblivious, my dear boy. I know you're not quite apt in the "socializing" part of life."

Tom jumped up. "I'll have you know I'm just fine at "socializing", Professor. And I don't think I want to join this stupid little club of yours," he snapped. Tom slammed his cup on Slughorn's desk, and stormed out of the room.

Out in the corridor, Tom leaned against a wall and attempted to calm himself down. He had been snaping at people so quickly lately, and dare he say it, he was beginning to become self-concious. With Cecelia gone, he realized that he didn't really have all that many friends. Without friends, there was no protection from the evils of gossiping students. Was it really that obvious, though? Were people talking about him? Did they not want to become friends with him? Tom shook his head.

Damn them all. They all deserve to go to hell. Starting with those ridiculous Muggleborns. An image of Cecelia flicked into his head. Even her….especially her. She's caused me nothing but grief and she deserves to suffer. She deserves the same amount of pain I have to endure. No, she deserves more.

These thoughts ran through Tom's head all the way back to his dormitory where he proceeded to throw himself onto his bed and scream. Screaming…an interesting thing. Though a hideous sound, all of Tom's angry feelings were immediately gone when he screamed, as if they went right out with the scream. He screamed again. Even better. Tom thought about his parents, and how they abandoned him. Scream. Zion's blackmailing. Scream. Amelia only half-caring. Scream. Cecelia. Scream. Scream. Scream. Tom continued to scream until he eventually fell asleep; screaming made you become quite tired. He was surprised nobody came up to check to see if he was okay. Then again, it wasn't as if Slytherins were the most concerned people...

In another part of Hogwarts…

"Cecelia? Why are you acting so bitchy? Just tell me what the hell is wrong."

Zion and Cecelia were sitting in the library. It was dark, and no one was around. Zion's hands were tightly holding onto Cecelia's shoulders.

Cecelia only whimpered.

Zion shook her shoulders softly. "You can tell me anything, you know."

She remained silent.

He shook her shoulders again, harder this time. "I'm going to give you three seconds to tell me what's wrong before I leave you here, alone. And I'll never talk to you again. You'll be alone. All alone. With no friends. No one will like you. I'll tell everyone your secret."

Cecelia began to cry.

"One." His hold on her shoulders got tighter.

"Two." The hold got so tight that Cecelia felt as if one of her bones might break.

"Thr-"

"It's Tom!" she shouted, tears streaming down her face. "I miss him."

"You still care for that bloody git?" Zion asked, his face full of disgust.

"No, I, um, well, I don't really care for him…"

"Yes, you do." Zion said, his hold on her shoulders still unbearably tight. "You love that bastard. You love him, don't you?"

Cecelia didn't respond. Zion began to shake her fiercely.

"You love him! I know you do! Just admit it, you mudblood!" he shouted.

"I don't know if I do!" Cecelia screamed.

Zion released his hold on her, and Cecelia collapsed into a heap on the couch they were sitting on.

"What a stupid, little bitch you are. Well, I know for a fact he's forgotten all about you. It's obvious he's in love with that freak, Amelia. He forgot about you a long time ago."

"Don't say that," she coughed. "Tom's always cared about me. I just-"

"What? Know it? No, I'm afraid you don't. You only wish you knew it." Zion laughed. "To think that you have me, a better friend than anyone could have, and you still want more. And worst of all, you want him. How stubborn of you. I don't appreciate stubbornness, Cecelia. I'm sure you know that," he whispered, getting close to her face. He began to stroke her hair. "I'm willing to forgive you, though. But you'll have to do something to prove that you still want me in your life. Will you do what I say?"

Cecelia grunted in response.

"I need you to kill Tom Riddle," he said simply.

Cecelia sat upright. "Never. I couldn't."

Zion raised his eyebrows. "Oh, you couldn't? Hmm…well, I suppose that there's another option." Zion pulled Cecelia up into his arms and brushed his lips across her cheek. She flinched away.

"You decide," he whispered against her forehead. He threw her back down onto the couch and swiftly left the room, leaving Cecelia broken and weeping.

Author's Note: Well, this was pretty dark, and I gotta say, I had a blast writing it. This sets up the plot for a little while before another twist develops. =) I hope to have at least one chapter detailing Cecelia's back story to add a break to all this drama. Hoped you enjoyed! Reviews are niceee.