1I do not own Carrie or Harry Potter. Things get darker as Tom continues to focus on his mission, get Carrie the hell out of Dodge! Warning: This chapter is very dark, and not for the faint of heart. Heavy violence!
Chapter Five: Last Resort
"Rip my life into pieces, this is my last resort!" - Last Resort by Papa Roach
Tom
It took some convincing, and a lot more revealing then Tom felt comfortable with to get Dumbledore aboard. He even made Tom take the Truth Serum! He revealed just enough to the old man, sewn just enough truth to finally get him the formidable wizard's aid. It was Carrie's plight that had done it, really. The old man was a sucker for those in need, and when he was finally convinced Tom was telling the truth, he wept openly at the things that had been done to her! He didn't like revealing all of that to Dumbledore, but he had no choice. That uneasy feeling he had about Carrie at that dance continued to grow. She need him, he didn't understand how he knew, but he did. He really didn't care what he had to do to get to her. He was very happy he had come to Dumbledore.
Though it had been difficult to enlist him, now not only would he hand over the time turner, he also crafted for him a port key to get to where he needed to go and back AND would be getting Carrie into Hogwart's afterwards! They had worked out that both he and Carrie would stay with Dumbledore at the school over the summer and get Carrie caught up enough to be able to join the seventh years the next school year. They would have to take more time, using the time turner often. All that didn't matter to him. It had become hard to focus on his studies, knowing what was coming that night. Feelings that were alien to him were racing through his heart. He was nervous, anxious, and bombarded by a feeling he didn't understand, fear!
In fact, fear grew more and more as the hour drew closer and closer. By the time Dumbledore had gave him the signal and left the professors table in the Great Hall that fear was near paralyzing! It was 30 minutes later when Tom had finally been able to make himself move. He could not understand what was going on with him! Thankfully, Dumbledore was still waiting for him; with the time turner, the port key, and an invisibility cloak that would allow them to leave the grounds without detection. They were utterly silent, as they both covered themselves entirely with the cloak. It was slow going, getting to the magic boundary that kept the school separated from the muggle world. Tom silenced his raging emotions, his doubts, to focus on the task that now laid before him.
A shudder went through him, when he felt the immense power of the older wizard as he opened a hole in the boundary. It someone of remarkable ability to do such a thing outside the Head Master's orders! He did not relish the day this man would turn from uneasy ally to inevitable enemy. When they had passed the boundary and felt it close up behind them, finally they came out from under the cloak. "This is a dangerous mission Tom, and a touchy one. DO not take to much time, and watch after her power! I fear for her, be sure to tread delicately. You must be sure that no one sees, speaks, or knows of your presence but Carrie. We are changing the future with this act, we must make sure that change is not to drastic! When you have her, make sure the two of you are well out of sight from EVERYONE!" said Dumbledore, dead serious.
"Carrie White is my friend Professor. She is the only REAL friend I have! I know how strange this is, but she needs us! I swear to you this will be done by the book, and when it's all over, I will find a way, someday to repay you for what you do this night!" replied Tom, grabbing the old man's hand. A glow jumped from it into Dumbledore's hand, making his words into an Unbreakable Vow. The Professor looked deeply touched by these actions. "She means a lot to you, this young lady, doesn't she Mr. Riddle?" he asked softly. "We are connected, her and I. She believes in me, TRULY believes in me! Without conditions, without expecting anything in return. I believe in her! Never have I seen or heard of such talent! She is kind, but crafty and intelligent.
She has earned my admiration and respect." replied Tom honestly. At his words there was a slow twinkle in the professor's eyes. Tom was unsure what it meant. "I believe in you too Tom, believe it or not! I believe there is more to you then what you allow the world to see. Go, find Carrie, and bring her to us. Perhaps, as strange as her coming to us seems, it was all meant to be. Merlin bless and return you both! The time turner should bring you both right back here. Where I shal wait for you. Till a proper back story can be made, we will keep her at Dumbledore Manor. I will get her in contact with the London branch of the White family and get things set up from there." he said. "Thank you Professor. I shall not forget this!" Tom replied. He received the portkey and the time turner. He put his port key in a pocket of his dress jacket.
He wore muggle dress clothing, something Dumbledore had insisted upon. He was surprised how much he enjoyed how he looked in his well fitted black velvet sport coat, whit a white silk shirt underneath. His pants were black as well, and his shirt collar was unbuttoned. A red rose was fastened to his breast pocket and Tom inwardly blessed the Transfiguration Professor! His dark, now long hair was brushed back into a low pony tail. He still looked forward to getting it cut to a proper length again as soon as possible! He gave Dumbledore one last glance and then turned and rotated the time tuner seven times, giving the date, year and time aloud seven times, once for each rotation. He felt the world spin around him so fast it took all his will power to keep his focus!
He knew he had got it right when it had finally stopped and he could hear the sound of vehicles where there use to be only silence outside the boundary. "Here goes nothing!" he said aloud, and pulled out the port key. The familiar pull, the sense of falling and the stomach turning gripped him. By the time he had reached his destination he strongly resisted the urge to get sick! He found himself surrounded by cars, but how different they were from the ones he knew! Many students seemed to posses sport cars! He watched as couples, well dressed in what looked on the girls to almost be ball gowns and the men in suits similar to his walk arm in arm and circle the building. He followed silently, drawing as little attention to himself as he could.
When he entered the muggle school, he found himself disgused by couples who were obviously drink and gropping one another in the hall ways! Thankfully, Carrie he knew, had CLASS! He found as well, as he entered the auditorium that the dance had been going on for sometime. The room was crowded. Haf was used for the dance floor, the other for tables. He kept his eyes peeled for Carrie. He didn't really know how to spot her. He never saw her before and she refused to discuss her looks. He knew only she would be in a dress of pink silk. His search was interrupted when a voice tore through the noise of the crowd. "Alright ladies and gents, the votes are in, it's now time to announce this year's Prom King and Queen!" a young man who looked his age opened a small envelope that had just been handed to him.
"For the first time ever, the titles go to a senor and a junior! Put your hands together for Tommy Ross and Carrie White!"At his words, Tom's heart stopped then proceeded to leap into his throat when the spotlight lit who he now knew to be Carrie. There were tears in her eyes! And such eyes! Light blue, and icy, so much so they seemed almost white. Her long, lovely hair was strawberry blonde, reaching just above her hips. It was layered and curled up at the ends. She shook as she stook, and he took in her form. She was petite, looked almost frail, yet strangely, endearingly so! Benath it all, he sensed the iron in her blood. Her resolve in her eyes. Hers was not an overwhelming beauty, yet it drew you to her.
Married to her intellect, her incredible power, and her unwavering loyalty, she was far more of a beauty to him then those who's physical attributes were more obvious. She shined in that moment, her smile lighting up the room. Her power formed about her protectively, potent, breath taking! He breathed deeply the air about her as she passed. He cheered wildly, screaming her name , and reluctantly took in Carrie's date as they both took the stage side by side. Tommy Ross had light, curly blonde hair, which he wore in a manner that Tom found quite strange, what looked like a small puff ball! His eyes were blue, and he was tall, of medium build, but obviously physically strong. He wore an icy blue tux, complete with a ridiculous looking white shirt with ruffles and a black bow tie. He was attractive enough, but Tom couldn't understand what made all the other girls so jealous of him. He had nothing on the likes of Abraxas Malfoy, and couldn't even stand in the same arena as himself!
He watched with a smile as a pretty girl with dark brown hair placed the crown on Carrie and gave her flowers. She looked so happy and he felt his heart leap for her who had been forced to suffer so much! He cheered wildly, shouted her name. He however didn't like it, not the least bit when he saw Tommy Ross take the advantage of the opportunity and kiss Carrie on the lips. It wasn't because he was jealous, of course not! He just didn't like him taking advantage of her, yeah, that was it! He was distracted by all this however, when he saw a pretty brunette in ordinary muggle attire rushed in, eyes peeled to the beams just above the stage. His eyes followed her glance, notcing two white ropes hanging down, his heart stopping when he glanced two metal buckets just above Carrie and her date. The brunette rushed to the stage, kneeling just through the stairs.
She was pulled back by a teacher, just as the ropes were being pulled tight. Everything happened from then on in slow motion! He watched as the bucket was pulled, as the red liquid he knew to be blood by the very smell drenched Carrie, and the second bucket fell, knocking out her date! His shock at the audacity of this blinded him to the moment for an instant. He watched as shock changed to horror, to terrible pain! HOW DARE THEY! He felt his anger rising, he couldn't control it! Someone was going to die tonight! But he felt it, her switch to anger. And it was anger unlike any he had ever known! It reached out, penetrating everything. The force of her menace could be felt, as the unforgivable throng pointed and laughed, including the teachers themselves! They didn't understand what was coming! Pathetic fools!
He felt it, when she first reached out with her power, her immense, raw invisabile power! A smirk was on his lips, as she closed all the doors of the auditorium with her mind. No one would be getting out! No, this was to much! They had gone to far, and the price would be death! Her anger suffocated the room, penetrated every surface, he felt it enter into his very being! A power he had never known awoke in him! He watched as some died, trying to get out the doors. As the pressure hoses left the walls, their pressure built up to killing pressure, all who came in the path of their spray would perish! The screams filled the room, and Tom reveled in it! Such power! Some of the more brave made their way to the stage, they were going to hurt her! He was by her side in a moment, and there as he gazed upon her he realized she was now possessed by her own power. She was not entirely in control.
It was understandable, with her immense ability being paired with no training. Still, as he came up to her, he reached out to her with his own power, to show it was him. His intent, his resolve to fight beside her now! "Carrie, Carrie White!" he said, as her unblinking gaze briefly turned to him. "It's alright, it's Tom!" he felt her recognition, even in her current state. He felt her power penetrating further into him, strengthening him. "No remorse now! They can not be forgiven!" he said, his anger now matching her own! They all had to pay! He whipped out his want and struck out as the first assailant tried to attack her while she crushed the room with her power. "Crucio!" he shouted, and he was shocked by how potent the spell speeding out of him was! Never had he felt his power reach out like that! His victim screamed and screamed as though he had cursed him over and over.
He watched in fascination as the spell litterally tortured the victim to death! She had electrocuted a teacher, and was building the fire with her power, when he glanced at her next! More screams filled the room, as she set everything on fire around them, and Tom could smell the stench of death. Slowly, in a dream like state, Carrie, covered in blood and he right behind her descended from the stage. Only they were protected from the fire. Only for them did the auditorium doors open. He reveled as they walked through the flames yet were untouched by them! The few who managed to get out tried to strike Carrie down. Tom saw to it that all of them fell to his Unforgivable Curse! It was not till he heard a speeding car, just ahead that he feared. Never did he expect to see what he saw!
With the movement of her eyes the car slammed into the pavement and went rolling! She exploded the engine, killing those inside! For one moment, just one moment, she scared him! Slowly they walked, as Carrie headed to her home. He watched as slowly she regained her control and a sense of horror came over her at what she had done. She stopped, sunk to her knees! Tom went down with her, wrapped his arms around her from behind, ignoring the blood as it now soaked him as well. He brushed back a lock of her bloodied, damp hair. He spoke in her ear. "Carrie, Carrie listen to me, you have done nothing wrong!" he tightened his grip as he felt her begin to shake. "But all those people Tom! All those people! So much screaming! WHY? WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN?" she asked, tears falling.
"Because that is what they are! They tortured you, and many others like you, for years unchecked! They are the REAL monsters here, NOT YOU! You have not tortured, you have murdered no one! You have exacted justice, that is all! Never shall they torture another again!" he replied. She wavered still, her body would not stop shaking. "Carrie, look at me!" she turned slowly, staring him in the eyes. "I swear to you, you have done no murder here! I would not stay, had it been so! I would not have aided you! I swear to you I'll protect you, defend you, because you have done no wrong here!" he watched as his words began to sink in. The shock was wearing off. "But it's not over, is it Tom? Not while SHE remains! Will you remain, till it's over?" she asked, silently pleading with her eyes.
He smiled at her. Helped her up. "I know. You have nothing to fear. I'll never leave you Carrie! When this is done we shall leave this place, together! We will return to my time, after removing these memories from us so they can not b read, and you will go to Hogwart's where you belong!" he replied. "Where I belong." she said softly, to herself. Fear was still in her eyes. "Tom, I don't know if I'm strong enough, powerful enough for this! Please, don't let her kill me!" she pled once more. He grabbed her hand firmly in his, light glowing from it into her own. "I swear to you, you shall not die! I swear on my life, on Our Cause! Whoever strikes at you strikes at me!" and with those words he swore an Unbreakable Bond to her. They walked the rest of the way in silence. He knew she had to steel herself for what she had to do.
She entered the house and he stayed out of sight outside, waiting. An hour passed and his heart was coming almost to a stop! Something bad was about to happen, he knew it! He entered the house with no noise, keeping to the shadows. He saw a damp but clean Carrie in a white, simple night gown make her way to the attack as he followed her. He watched as she cried in her mothers arms, surrounded by so many candles! Horror filled him as her mother, to fast for him to react, pulled a knife and stabbed Carrie! He screamed, came out of the shadow's! His wand was in his hand and he aimed at her mother. "Crucio!" he said, filled with a rage he never felt before! To his relief the wound was in Carrie's shoulder, he saw. He felt dangerous, full of hatred as he gazed at her mother.
Low laughter issued out of her mouth. "So Lucifer comes for his own, huh? Come now! Strike me down if you can, Serpent!" she screamed, mania in her face. "HOW DARE YOU! You, who should have WORSHIPED her! Should have sent her to a proper school! Who beat her, threw her in a closet! You are far worse than ANY MUGGLE! You are a maggot! Filth! She shall never touch her again! CRUCIO!" she wreathed on the floor, but instead of screams, more insane laughter! So distracting was the laughter that she was able to knock him down in a sudden movement and race to the kitchen were Carrie was hunched over in a corner in feedle position. He staggered as he got back to his feet, moving as fast as he could! He saw her in the entry way, her knife raised, a strange scream issuing from her lips. "Thall shall not suffer a witch to live!" she uttered.
He pointed his wand at her back, but felt Carrie's power rise to her defense. This was her battle, he knew that, and she was not in danger now. He watched as her mother grabbed her hair, and was thrown back when Carrie sent a knife flying into her wrist, slamming her with invisable force back into the door way! Another slammed into the other wrist, pinning her to the wall. The last knife went straight into her mother's heart! The house could not take all the power in the room. It was starting to fall apart. Tom went underneath her mother's legs and ran for Carrie! He wrapped his right arm around her slim waist and apparated them out just as the house collaspsed. As they got out of harm's way, he stood before her, only inches apart. He lifted her eyes to him, his left hand cupping her chin.
"What is done is done! None shall ever know of the things that have happened here tonight. I will share it with none! We shall remove our memories from us, and destroy them before we leave here, so none may ever find them! Tonight is the end of your old life, and the beginning of a new one!" he said to her. She nodded, braved a ghost of a smile for him. They removed thier memories, she following his lead exactly, and he destroyed them. She began to shake hard, she was losing a lot of blood! "Get us out of here quickly! I am so faint!" she said. Concern came over him. He wrapped his arms tightly around her, making sure still that her hands gripped the portkey as he held it in front of them. When they arrived outside the boundary, she was unconcious. Tom never felt so afraid! He sped as fast as he could, getting the time turner to get them to the right time!
He held her bridal style, when they arrived! A shocked Dumbledore came running at the sight of all the blood that covered them. "My God, WHAT HAPPENED?" cried the Professor. "We were attacked, by her mother! I'll tell you everything, but we HAVE to treat her!" his heart was pounding. He promised! He had to save her! "The poor child! It's going to be alright. We will get her to my Manor, no one is better than me at the healing arts, not even Madam Palmfree! (forgive the awful spelling)" The old wizard looked down at the girl, tears filling his eyes. "My poor girl, such terrible things you have been through! Such terrible things!"