Disclaimer in Chapter One

A/N: okay, guys, I finished a new chapter :D And I'm gonna start with a warning right at the start: there's blood and gore in this chapter and graphic descriptions thereof. So, readers discretion is advised.

Anyway, I hope you like this new chapter. And as always, let me know what you think ^^ THANK YOU to all you reviewers! You make my day by posting your thoughts on my fic :D it's the best thing to read your input, so thank you:

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Chapter Thirty Four: Nooses give

The sky was deep blue with white fluffy clouds peacefully drifting in the wind. Swallows were acrobatically soaring through the air, hunting for insects. Hermione lay on her back on the soft grass, curly hair splayed around her head. Her right hand rested on a thick book she had placed beside her.

Her tranquil moment was interrupted as someone sat down beside her. Hermione didn't turn but continued to look at the sky. Her companion kept the silence. It was after a stretch of silence that she said,

"You never told me about your girlfriend."

Her companion chuckled hoarsely. "You never asked."

"True." A grin stretched her lips.

Hermione glanced at her companion. Lupin sat beside her on the grass, smug look on his face.

"She's nice."

The smirk on Lupin's face turned into a genuine smile. "I know."

"The only thing I didn't like about her is her job."

A weary sigh left the werewolf. He pulled a pack of smokes from his pocket and lit one. "You and me both. I begged her not to do it. A Snatcher? Really? If they ever find out she's working for the Order…"

Lupin shuddered and took a deep drag from his cigarette. Hermione sat up and eyed him in concern. "I think she can handle it. She's strong."

The werewolf threw her a small smile. "That she is."

Hermione's smile turned into a grin as she quipped, "I mean she has to be if she's your girlfriend."

Lupin laughed loudly and nudged Hermione. "You've spent too much time with Sirius."

She giggled. "What's her first name anyway? She only ever told me the family name. Tonks?"

Lupin tapped the ash off his cigarette and peered at Hermione's through the corners of his eyes. Innocently, he mused, "She didn't tell you, did she?"

As Hermione shook her head, he leaned over to her and whispered as if disclosing a big secret, "Her name's Nymphadora."

"Nymphadora?" Hermione tested the odd name on her tongue.

"Yeah. She hates it." Lupin laughed. "I find it adorable."

Hermione threw him a grin. She leaned on her arms and let her head fall back. For a moment she enjoyed the sun in her face. It was nice sitting here with Lupin. After a while, Hermione spoke up again,

"You know, I've been thinking..."

"I was afraid you might," Lupin teased gently.

"The first time I met Sirius, he asked me something."

As Lupin replied all jest was gone from his quite voice, "I'm sure he did."

Hermione turned her head and glanced at the werewolf. Lupin's strange yellow eyes were observing her. There was something akin to worry swirling in them.

"I've stalled long enough," she said quietly.

A deep sigh left Lupin. He took another drag from his cigarette. Puffs of smoke floated up towards the blue sky. Hermione watched the tendrils disappear.

"It's dangerous," Lupin eventually remarked.

"I know."

A sad smile pulled at Lupin's mouth as he looked at her. "I know where you come from, Hermione. I've seen hints of what you had to endure. It makes me want to rip them apart. But you…" He extended a hand to gingerly curl his fingers around her wrist. "You deserve happiness. Safety. We have ways to protect you. I can smuggle you out of the country. You'll disappear so thoroughly, no-one could find you."

Voice soft, Hermione questioned, "Tom?"

"No-one," Lupin repeated firmly. "You'd be taken care of. I promise. No-one would ever hurt you again."

She smiled. "That sounds nice."

Hermione skidded closer to Lupin and allowed him to pull her against his side. It felt nice to lean against him with his arm around her. Protected. She put her head against his chest. The coarse fabric of his uniform shirt felt scratchy and wonderful against her cheek. Her voice was no more than a whisper as she told him what she'd known all along,

"I can't leave."

Lupin didn't immediately reply. Only his arm tightened around her. He didn't seem surprised, though. Dejection leaked through his voice as he rasped,

"I had to try."

Hermione chuckled softly. "Thank you."

She sat up, ending the embrace. Lupin's arm slipped from her and she acutely felt his absence. Still, her voice was steady and controlled as she said,

"I'm going to join the Order."

Lupin scanned her, glum look on his tanned face. Still a slight smirk curved his lips as he observed, "I should've known. You're too stubborn for your own good."

"Definitely," Hermione sassed. Graveness seeped back into her voice as she continued, "I can't pack up and go. I just can't leave it like this."

"I understand," Lupin hummed. "Believe me, I do."

"They killed my parents," Hermione whispered and her magic wobbled around her in agitation. "Since then… I had no idea. I thought it was normal, you know, how they treated me. I never questioned them." She shuddered and wrapped her arms around herself. "I didn't realise that I'm a person."

"But you do now. They didn't win," Lupin noted carefully. "Why not leave this mess behind?"

"I'd love to, but I simply can't. It scares me." Hermione threw him a small smile. "Whatever happens from here on out, they can't ever turn me back into that thing. So, it's okay."

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"I know you're nervous," Sirius said.

Hermione timidly glanced up at the man. The Order's leader grinned at her, mischievous glint in his eyes. "You can always take a leaf out of Greyback's book and just bite them."

Lupin, standing at Hermione's other side, tried to calm her, "Don't worry. They're all really nice people." He squinted his eyes pensively. "Well, some might also be crazy. So…"

The werewolf shrugged his shoulders while a grin worked its way on his face. Sirius began to giggle. Hermione rolled her eyes at both of them. As Lupin moved to open the door, though, her nervousness rushed back to her. Sirius gave her hand a gentle squeeze and this time his voice was reassuring,

"It's gonna be alright."

Gingerly, he pulled her into the room and Hermione followed reluctantly. A large table dominated the room while a huge military map covered one wall, showing the British Islands. A bout of anxiety hit Hermione hard as she stared at the people sitting at the table. The members of the Order of the Phoenix eyed her with growing interest. Feeling insecure under their curious gazes, Hermione shuffled closer to Sirius. At least there was one familiar face. Tonks waved at Hermione, grinning widely. Hermione tried to return the smile but only managed a twitchy grimace.

"I know you've all been dying to meet her," Sirius addressed the Order members, big smile on his face. "And finally I can introduce you to Hermione." He put an encouraging hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, meet the Order of the Phoenix."

The Order members murmured their welcome while Hermione, still feeling quite tense, only managed a flustered, "H- hello."

"I'm afraid not everyone could make it today. It's always a bit risky to meet," Sirius told her. "But anyways, here are Molly and Arthur Weasley."

He gestured at a man and woman sitting at the table. Hermione felt a bit better as they smiled at her kindly. Both were probably in their early fifties and had strikingly red hair that was quite familiar to Hermione. Shyly, she asked,

"I know a Ginny and Ron Weasley. Are you related?"

"Yes, dear." Mrs Weasley beamed. "They're our children."

Mr Weasley nodded and supplied amiably, "Ginny's our youngest. Last one to Hogwarts."

"Perfect." Sirius wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulder. "It's like you already know each other."

With that he turned to a skinny woman sitting beside Mr Weasley. Her neat black robes, stiff countenance and sharp features gave her a rather stern look as she observed Hermione through thick glasses.

"Here we have Alice Longbottom," Sirius said. "Alice works at the Wizengamot. Could provide us with invaluable information in the past."

Longbottom's frosty eyes never strayed from Hermione as she replied in a controlled voice, "Really, Sirius. You exaggerate."

Sirius laughed and whispered to Hermione, "She's just modest."

He then gestured to an imposing looking man. He seemed to be rather brawny with broad shoulders. A tiny gold hoop glinted at his ear. His face, though, gave nothing away, covered by a veneer of detachment.

"This is Kingsley Shacklebolt," Sirius introduced. "He's a high-ranking official at the Department of International Magical Cooperation."

Shacklebolt stood and offered Hermione his hand. Cautiously, she shook it. Cool politeness laced his deep voice as Shacklebolt said, "It's a pleasure meeting you."

After this, Sirius turned to the last person. Leaned against the window sill, the man struck quite the terrifying figure with the many scars on his face that had warped his expression into a permanent scowl. His left eye was missing, to be replaced by a wildly whirring artificial one.

"Meet Alastor Moody," Sirius said. "He's an Auror and was Lupin's and my instructor."

"Hermione, is it?" Moody growled, eyeing her in distrust.

Timidly, Hermione nodded. The man didn't reply but walked towards her, his artificial eye rolling wildly as he glared at her in suspicion.

"Now, 'Hermione', how do we know you're not a spy?"

Hermione's eyebrows shot up and she spluttered, "I… I'm not?"

"A likely story," Moody barked, making her jump.

Thankfully, Tonks butted in, "Hermione's certainly not a spy, Sir,"

Moody's creepy eye landed on her and he snapped, "You don't have to call me 'Sir'. I'm not your superior anymore."

Tonks rolled her eyes and sighed in exasperation, "When're you going to let that go?"

"You've deserted the Aurors," Moody accused hotly.

Anger smouldering in her eyes, Tonks opened her mouth to snap something in return. Before she could lacerate Moody, Lupin stepped in. Raising his hands in a placating gesture, he soothed, "Now now, there's no need to jump at each other's throats."

Moody crossed his arms in front of his chest and harrumphed, "We're not a knitting circle where people just join willy-nilly."

"It wasn't willy-nilly," Sirius clarified sharply. "I invited Hermione."

"She needs to be interrogated," Moody huffed.

Hermione's eyes widened anxiously. Interrogate her?!

"Can't you see you're frightening her?" Mrs Weasley scolded Moody. She turned to Hermione and said kindly, "Why don't we all sit down and get to know each other."

"Good idea," Sirius exclaimed and pulled Hermione towards the table.

Knees shaky, she was glad to plop down on one of the chairs. Thankfully, Sirius and Lupin sat by her sides. Mrs Weasley poured a cup of tea from a large pot and pushed it in front of Hermione.

"Camomile, dear."

"T- thank you."

Hermione fiddled with the cup, glad to be able to do something. Moody was still glaring at her, but it was Alice Longbottom who spoke next. Voice chilly, she suggested, "Why don't you tell us a bit about yourself? Where do you come from? How'd you end up at Hogwarts?"

Hermione glanced at the intimidating woman and nodded. In a soft voice, she began to tell her story. She took them from her first encounter with the Snatchers as she had been a young girl, to her time at Malfoy manor and finally to her transformation into Hermione Rookwood, the Pureblood witch.

"How did you get the necessary papers?" Shacklebolt inquired in his calm voice. "That's not an easy task."

"I didn't get them myself," Hermione replied. "My Mast- my former Master somehow acquired them. He also gave me the Polyjuice."

Shacklebolt nodded pensively. Moody bent a bit closer to Hermione and eyed her with interest. He had forgotten all about his previous distrust towards her but inquired,

"What's his name again? Tom Riddle?"

Hermione nodded awkwardly. Moody pursed his lips. "Sounds like a capable fellow."

It was Lupin who replied. Through clenched teeth, he fumed, "That little shit tried to hurt Hermione."

"Riddle's a right prick," Sirius hissed angrily.

"Yes yes, of course," Moody agreed. "Doesn't change the fact that he's got some talent. Potentially dangerous." He threw a meaningful look at Hermione. "You need to be vigilant. You're still connected with Riddle."

Hermione swallowed thickly and her hand wandered to her Dark Mark hidden underneath her sleeve. Shakily, she nodded at Moody.

"But Hermione's safe here," Mr Weasley's voice cut through the glum atmosphere. "Right?"

Lupin instantly nodded. He ran a hand over Hermione's arm and soothed, "Yes. The wards around Corps' territory are impenetrable. Don't worry."

"You don't need to be afraid of the likes of Riddle." Sirius sneered. A proud glint shone in his eyes. "You're much better than him. Look at you. You managed to become a powerful witch even under shitty circumstances. And you lived at Hogwarts for months as a student and no-one noticed you're Muggleborn. You don't even know how extraordinary that is."

"Indeed. Sirius is right," Shacklebolt agreed, slight smile on his face. "You're quite the addition to our team."

All the Order members nodded. Even Moody seemed to agree if his happily whirring eye was any indication. Hermione's eyebrows rose in surprise and a warm feeling bubbled up in her stomach.

"Thank you."

She could barely believe that they had already accepted her. The warm feeling stayed with Hermione as the conversation veered away from her past and the Order members discussed their latest missions. She smiled happily and sipped from her tea.

"Did you hear anything new?" Longbottom's voice pulled Hermione back into the conversation. "They must have opened new holding centres."

"No," Tonks replied gloomily. "Nothing after we busted the centre in Hackney."

"It's been weeks," Sirius groaned and rubbed an agitated hand through his hair. "I need to do something."

"What do you mean?" Hermione arched her eyebrows in question.

"We haven't been able to get any intel on holding centres for Muggleborns," Lupin explained. "The Snatchers are on high alert since we've been quite active lately."

Sirius threw his arms up in exasperation. "Umbridge's probably already celebrating her triumph. We need something big."

Hermione's thoughts raced while the others continued their discussion. There was something that had bothered her greatly, but she'd never thought she could change anything. Until now. Cautiously, Hermione glanced at Sirius who still moped. Maybe… maybe now she could do something.

"I have an idea," said Hermione.

Sirius perked up. "Merlin, I hope you do."

"What about the Muggleborns at Hogwarts?"

Sirius' brow furrowed. "What about them?"

"There're at least a hundred working in the kitchens," Hermione replied carefully. "Why don't we try to help them?"

At her suggestion, Lupin scanned her in upcoming concern. "I don't think that's such a great idea…"

"Hogwarts is high security," Longbottom pointed out. "It's too difficult a target."

"I know it's not easy." Hermione conceded. Still, she pushed on, "But it's not impossible. I mean look at me. Sirius and Lupin got me out of Hogwarts."

Sirius groaned, hiding his face in his hands. "And now you wanna go back in?"

"Just think about it." Hermione's gaze wandered over the Order members. Conviction lacing her tone, she said, "We know that there're Muggleborns at Hogwarts and they need our help."

Shacklebolt considered her for a moment. "She's right on that. If we succeed, this would be a huge blow to the Ministry."

"You said it," Moody growled. "If we succeed."

"Don't forget it's a school," Mrs Weasley said. "We need to be perfectly sure that none of the children would get hurt."

Longbottom nodded. "On top of that, we all know how unpredictable missions like this can be. What if the Muggleborns don't want to leave? Or won't trust us? Wouldn't be the first time this happened."

"I know them," Hermione interjected. "I can slip into Hogwarts and talk to them. If I can convince Dobby, the others will follow."

Moody pursed his lips in contemplation. His artificial eye no longer rolled wildly around but was focused on Hermione. He shrugged and admitted, "You know what? I'm kinda beginning to see it."

"Are you crazy?" Tonks shook her head at the man. "…Sir?"

Moody threw her a dark look which only made Tonks grin toothily. Sirius arched a sceptical eyebrow and said, "I'm not convinced. How would we get into Hogwarts? Portkey is out of the question. Not with the mass of people we need to move."

"And don't forget, security has been tightened around the castle," Lupin said in his raspy voice.

"Floo network?" Mr Weasley suggested.

"Nah." Sirius shrugged. "All blocked."

"The already existing ones, you mean," Moody noted. "If we open a new one though… Shacklebolt?"

Shacklebolt pensively rubbed his jaw. "It might be doable. There's a fireplace in the kitchens?" At Hermione's nod he continued, "I might be able to connect it to the floo. Maybe a fake ambassador's floo connection. They don't get monitored. No guarantees, though. It's not easy. And I'm gonna need some bribe money to get it done."

"And the other end?" Moody questioned. "Corps territory is off limits for the floo network."

Longbottom's eyes burned up with enthusiasm. "We could split up the floo from Hogwarts' kitchens to several different destinations. Old hide-outs. Every one of us watches one fireplace and as soon as the Muggleborns come through, we close the floo network. It's easier to get smaller groups out of the country."

"We need to get in touch with Bones," Mrs Weasley mused. "if we want to smuggle them over the border."

"Yes," Mr Weasley agreed with his wife. "Amelia needs to be on board."

"I can contact her." A big grin split Tonks' face. "I'm pretty sure she's in."

Hermione smiled as the Order members got more and more enthusiastic. Only Sirius and Lupin still looked unconvinced. Sirius eyed Hermione in concern. Reluctantly, he told her,

"You'd have to talk with the Muggleborns at Hogwarts alone. They won't trust anyone else. I don't like sending you back there."

Lupin nodded solemnly. "If they catch you, you're done for."

Hermione breathed in deeply. A small smile flittered over her face as she looked at her friends. Her voice, though, was unwavering as she replied, "I know. It's a risk. But Dobby doesn't deserve to be trapped there. None of them do. I can't abandon them. They're good people."

Seeing the determination on her face, Sirius cursed, "Damn. This is more than a little crazy. You know that right?"

Lupin sighed deeply. "And exactly the reason why you launched this whole Order business." He peered at Hermione and a sad smile curled his lips. "I know Hermione can do this."

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Tom's cold gaze wandered over the Black boy kneeling in front of him. Regulus Black had his head bent in a submissive gesture as he grovelled on the floor. A sadistic smirk twisted Tom's lips.

"I have an important mission for you, Black."

Black looked up at him, fear barely hidden in his eyes. "W- whatever you command, I shall obey."

Tom laughed, a cruel sound from his lips. "I am glad you say that."

He intended to prove to Hermione that he wasn't inadequate. Tom knew that as soon as she returned to him everything would go back to normal.

"You may have noticed," Tom whispered in his silky voice. "that Hermione is gone."

Worry flittered through Black's eyes. Bowing his head, he spluttered fearfully, "G- gone, My Lord?"

Tom's magic irately crackled in the air. What exactly did Black think? That Tom had hurt Hermione? Done away with her? How ludicrous. He wanted her back after all.

"Yes. My girlfriend decided to leave the castle," like venom the words dripped from Tom's lips.

Black's shoulders sagged in relief. Malice lurking in his tone, Tom clarified, "Hermione is misguided. She needs to return to me. At my side, she'll be much safer. You understand, I'm sure."

"Of course, My Lord," Black hastily confirmed, grovelling before Tom.

It was a filthy lie. Black didn't agree at all. The coward probably thought Hermione was better off without Tom.

"This is where you come in." A vile smirk warped Tom's features. "You're going to assist me in retrieving her."

"My Lord," Black whispered sycophantically. "she's a Mudblood. Why lower yourself to the likes of her?"

A poor attempt at manipulation. Tom sneered at the other wizard, "It's none of your business why I want her back. You should be more concerned about the reason Hermione left. After all, wasn't it you who told her all about my plans? You scared her away."

Frantically, Black shook his head. "I- I didn't. I don't know a- anything! I swear!"

Tom laughed. "Don't play coy. I read the letter you wrote her." He widened his eyes in mock surprise. "The Founders' objects? My plan to create Horcruxes? I'm an open book to you, it seems."

"No, no!" Black insisted to cry and snivel. "I barely know anything. I don't really know what Horcruxes are. Please, My Lord."

"You are a liar, Regulus Black," Tom scorned harshly. "You know enough. Enough to send my girlfriend a letter to warn her about me."

"I was j- just concerned," Black assured in his panic.

"Of course you were," Tom cooed, vicious smirk curving his lips. "It's just unfortunate that your concern spooked Hermione. Now she's run away."

"I'm sorry," Black whimpered repulsively. "Please, My Lord, accept my sincerest apologies."

Tom laughed, the cold sound echoing eerily from the Chamber's walls. "I might just."

A hint of hope blossomed on Black's face and Tom took great pleasure in stamping it. He slashed his wand and a surprised cry fell from Black's mouth as he was hoisted up in the air. Another wave of Tom's wand and an altar rose from the stone floor of the Chamber. Black was slammed on the altar, ropes springing up to hold him in place. Tom stepped closer to the terrified wizard. In his panic, Black desperately tugged at his bindings.

"You were spot-on. With everything." A mad glint burned up in Tom's eyes. "I do plan to create a Horcrux. Actually, I'll create six."

Black's eyes widened in shock, an unpleasant mirror of Hermione's reaction. "S- six?!"

Tom observed the terror on Black's face and grinned. "You're probably wondering why I tell you…"

He leaned a bit closer and lazily raked his fingers through Black's short hair. A satisfied look crossed his face as Black cringed away from the touch.

"You're lucky, Regulus," Tom murmured. "You know why?"

Black stared at him with fear widened eyes. "N- no."

Tom's smirk widened. "You will be the first one. You will have the honour to die for me."

"No!" Black screamed, tugging desperately at his bonds. "No, Riddle, please! You can't do this."

Tom chuckled at the silly wizard. "Oh, but I can. I don't see why not. You'll be the fuel for my first Horcrux. Aside from that, you know too much. So I have to get rid of you anyway. This is what they call a win-win situation." An evil smirk pulled at his lips. "Well, for me at least. For you…? Not so much."

Black stared at him. His face had gone pale and Tom could see him trembling all over. Helplessly, Black lay before him, at his mercy, and Tom enjoyed the power he held over the other.

"You can't just kill me," Black cried in distress. "M- my family would do whatever they can to find my murderer… The Aurors. You'll never get away with this."

"Don't be ridiculous," Tom replied loftily. "Of course I will."

Black shook his head and again ripped at his bonds. Tom cocked an eyebrow at his pointless struggles. He grinned cruelly as he crushed the other's hopes, "No-one ever found out about Longbottom, did they? And that was a messy job. Still, no-one ever came even close to me. Believe me, when little Regulus Black disappears, no-one will care and no-one will suspect Hogwarts' brilliant Head Boy. They won't ever find your body. They'll probably think you've joined your insane brother and his Order."

By now there were tears trickling from Black's eyes and Tom crinkled his nose in disgust. Black still thought he could bargain and stuttered fearfully, "What about Hermione? Sh- she'll notice. She's my friend; she won't forgive you for this. You want her back. D- don't you? She won't come back if you hurt me."

Tom's fingers tightened around his wand as a flash of doubt shot through him. Hermione had said Black was her friend. An angry frown worked its way on Tom's face but he pushed all doubts away. Hermione was smart. She'd understand. Sacrifices had to be made. It was the way to greatness.

"I'm doing this for her," Tom whispered, voice terse with anger. "She was scared the process of creating a Horcrux might hurt me or her. I should have reassured her, set her mind at ease. I failed at that." He breathed in deeply, forcing composure. "Not to worry, I'll make up for my mistake. I'll show Hermione that it's safe. I'll show her the Horcrux as proof and she'll return to me."

"This is crazy!" Black shrieked. "Hermione doesn't want this. You can't do this! She doesn't want a murderer."

Tom clenched his jaw as he was hit by a jolt of anger at Black's continued lies. This was the right thing to do. Everything had gone down the drain since Hermione had found out about his plan. Tom would prove to her that immortality worked. Then she would return to him and stay with him.

Forever.

"Please!" Black continued to sob. "Don't do this. Please, Riddle. Hermione is never going to accept this. You're wro-"

Tom brandished his wand. He'd had enough of this disgusting whining. A Silencing Charm now stretched around Black's vocal chords, rendering them useless. He sneered down at the tear tracks on Black's face. Pathetic.

"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Tom hissed. "First, I need a few parts. I hope you don't mind?"

Black's eyes widened in horror and a demented grin curved Tom's lips. With a wave of his wand, he summoned a few objects he had left in the Chamber in preparation to this. Tom carefully placed the silver goblet with the potion he'd already brewed beside Black's shoulder on the altar. The sharp dagger followed suit. Then Tom reached for the last object. A soft smile crossed his face as he looked down at the small black diary.

Perfect.

Indifferently, Tom glanced at Black's panic-stricken face. "Now, let's see. I need a bit of blood. Nothing drastic, I assure you."

His index finger gently skimmed up Black's chest making the other flinch in fear. Tom chuckled eerily.

"Blood is life," he purred as he played with Black's tie. "Your blood's going to be the glue that holds the spell together. The other thing I need…" His lips bent into a twisted smirk and he laughed. "I apologize, but it's a bit corny. Don't blame me, though. I didn't make up the spell. But we are doing soul magic here and I hear they are the windows to our souls. So…"

Black's stared at him in delicious horror. He struggled against his bonds in another futile attempt to escape.

"I see you understand," Tom hummed as he ran a finger over Black's face, right below his eye. "Don't worry. It's not like you'll be needing your eyes for much longer anyway."

Black opened his mouth in a scream, but his panic couldn't get past Tom's Silencing Charm. Tom shook his head at the weak wizard. "The spell's a bit… hm, old-fashioned, you see. So, I can't use any magic to gouge out your eyes. We'll make do with this."

He raised the dagger, sharp blade glinting in the dim light. The look on Black's face was hilarious and Tom grinned down at the frightened boy. He reached for Black's arm and rolled up the sleeve of his uniform robe. Black's arm was still bound by the ropes and his pale flesh lay before Tom, quite vulnerable. Tom's fingers flexed around the knife's handle in anticipation. Then he raised the blade to Black's wrist and cut.

"I don't want to cut too deep," Tom whispered softly. "Don't want you to die too soon. That'd ruin the potion."

Dark red blood flowed from the deep wound. Quickly Tom reached for the goblet and collected some of the blood. The potion hissed dangerously as the blood dissolved. Tom glanced up at Black and smirked.

"I suppose that was the easy step."

Tom straightened up and carefully placed the goblet on the altar. Then he again reached for the dagger. Coldly ignoring Black's panic, Tom leaned over him and raised the dagger to the other's face. Black squirmed in his bonds, throwing his head from side to side. Tom sighed. This would be a lot easier if he could use magic. He needed to keep Black still or this would never work. Deftly, Tom slid on the altar and straddled Black with his knees on either side of the other's hips. He grinned down at his victim.

"Well, look at us," Tom whispered teasingly as he hovered over Black, faces only inches apart. "This almost got a bit romantic, didn't it?"

Black stared at him in shock and disgust. He screamed but only muffled sounds escaped through the Silencing Charm. Tom laughed coldly. Black bucked his hips to wiggle away, only managing to bump into Tom's groin.

"Hm, you like this?" Tom whispered, seductive tinge to his voice. "If only you'd told me sooner. We could have had so much fun. You and I." A smirk spread over his mouth. "But you're right I owe you a little fare-well present."

Tom wound his fingers into the other wizard's short hair to harshly force his head into place. Then he bent down and pressed his lips against Black's unwilling mouth. As he ended the kiss, Tom smirked at the other's disgust.

"Mm, that wasn't even half bad." Cruelly, Tom rubbed himself against Black. "Maybe I could get into this."

Black frantically shook his head, fear distorting his features. Tom felt immensely amused by the wizard's panic. He raised the knife and said, "Unfortunately, we're on a tight schedule. So, on with it. Chop-chop." He laughed cruelly. "Excuse the pun."

Again Tom grabbed Black's hair to hold him in place. This time not his lips descended for a kiss but his knife. Black's mouth was opened in a silent scream. Tom didn't care. In fascination he watched as the blade cut into the eyelid and deeper, scratching over the orbital bone. There was less blood than he'd expected. Tom's fingers tightened around Black's hair as the other began to spasm. He angled the knife's blade to be able to peel all the muscle from the bone.

"You know, pain is a sacrifice, too," Tom murmured as he cut. "It's your own fault. You shouldn't have befriended Hermione and you definitely shouldn't have written her that letter. It ruined everything. But don't worry. You're repaying me now and all is forgiven."

Finally he could completely detach the eye from all surrounding tissue. Tom smirked. He'd been afraid he'd accidentally cut too deep, thus killing Black which would've ruined the process. As it turned out that wasn't even possible. Tom used the flat side of the dagger to lever the eyeball from its bony cavity. With his newly gained experience, he turned to the other eye. Tremors ran through Black's limp body, but he was too weak to continue fighting. Grinning maniacally, Tom removed the other eye. Feeling quite pleased with himself, he slid from the altar. Through all this, Black was miraculously still conscious. Tom was surprised. By now there was quite a bit of blood pouring from the empty eye sockets. Still Black was stirring weakly, muffled whimpers falling from his lips.

"You're still with me?" Tom asked, mildly interested.

His only reply was another shaky breath from Black.

"All the better." Tom grinned. "I do like an audience."

He slid the eyes into the goblet and watched as they were etched away by the potion. Then Tom reached for his wand. The potion had been rather challenging, but the spells around a Horcrux were actually not very complicated. He supposed they came from an easier time when actions spoke louder than words. What the spells required, though, was powerful magic backing them up. Not many would be able to do this kind of magic.

Tom raised his wand over the goblet and summoned his magic. He could feel it flowing through his body, a tidal wave that rushed towards his wand. He needed all of it to boost the potion. Tom's eyes slid shut as he concentrated. More of his magic welled up. The dark force crackled in the air and Tom felt it greedily licking over his skin. Deeper he went to wake all his magic.

Tom's grip on his wand tightened as his magic ripped at him viciously. The force was hard to control as it thirsted for nothing but destruction. Tom opened his eyes and stared down at the goblet. In small, precise movements he brandished his wand. As if a floodgate had been opened, his magic plunged into the potion.

Tom groaned as more and more magic left him. A light-headed, dizzy feeling overcame him but he still directed the current of magic into the potion. Black dots began to dance in his vision and the wand in his hand shook violently. A sharp pain shot through him as the last rest of his magic was siphoned into the potion. Breathing heavily, Tom ended the spell. Weakly he leaned against the altar to catch his breath. The goblet was glowing in a bright light. Tom smirked down at the concoction. It had worked. He wished Hermione was here to see it.

Sadly, Tom's only companion was Regulus Black. Derogatory look on his face, Tom sneered down at his victim. Black was deathly pale, breathing shallow, but still conscious enough to weakly struggle in his bindings. An unsavoury smirk crept on Tom's face.

"I haven't even told you the best thing," he whispered coldly. "As soon as I've got Hermione back, I'll turn her into one of my Horcruxes."

As much as he was able, Black recoiled in shock. Tom chuckled in sick amusement. Black's hands balled into angry fists, causing more blood to flow from the cut at his wrist. Tom opened his mouth and cruel scorn danced off his tongue,

"You can die in peace, knowing that you achieved nothing."

Tom smiled a terrible smile and reached for the goblet. Carefully, he poured half of the potion over the empty pages of the black diary. It sizzled and steamed and then the potion was sucked into the small book, leaving nothing behind. Tom glanced at Black and said,

"Now I'm going to drink the potion. And believe me, I'm not looking forward to ingesting all the blood and that gunk from your eyes." He shrugged. "Well, we all have to make some sacrifices, eh?"

Black groaned as he weakly fought against his bonds. Tom laughed insanely and continued, "Then I'll take my dagger and slice your throat. And after that, I'm going to sit here and watch you bleed to death." He raised the goblet to Black and grinned evilly. "Cheers."

It tasted horrible and wonderful. The pungent taste made Tom want to gag. The dark magic saturating the potion made him want to gulp down everything all at once.

The taste of blood in his mouth, Tom reached for the dagger. He felt sick and more powerful than he ever had before.

Once again he slid on the stone altar so he could bend over Black. He already looked like death with the empty sockets of a skull staring at Tom.

Tom raised the dagger and pressed it against Black's throat. He closed his eyes and a blissful smile touched his lips as he felt the sharp blade sink into skin. Black's body tensed and Tom could feel how his knife sliced deeper. He opened his eyes and looked down. He was entranced by the silvery glint of his dagger as it moved through a sea of red, parting it at his command. Tom's smile widened contently as more and more blood flowed. The Silencing Charm was destroyed and gargling sounds left Black. His body started to seize in the throes of death.

Blood poured from the wound in waves. It seeped into Black's white uniform shirt and stuck to Tom's fingers; it dripped on the stone altar, building a glistening pool. Tom could even feel the sticky liquid soak into the knees of his trousers where he knelt on the altar.

Then the flow of blood slowed down. Where it was not painted red by the blood, Black's skin was completely white. His body stopped twitching and soon he became still. Tom stared down at him, transfixed by the sight. There was a moment of peace as Black lay between life and death. Tom breathed in deeply, enjoying the heavy tang of the blood in the air and the feeling of the lifeless body beneath him.

Black's death, his final breath, would have gone unnoticed, had it not been accompanied by an explosion of magic. The magic surged into Tom and wrecked through his body like he was struck by lightning. He threw his head back, a scream tearing from his lips. His whole body burned. Invisible flames of magic engulfed him, consumed him and carried him away. He struggled for breath, whimpers of pain leaving his mouth. All his strength leaving him, Tom slipped from Black's body and fell from the altar down to the stone floor. He curled into a tight ball and desperately wrapped his arms around himself. He wanted to hold himself together as the magic mercilessly tore him apart. A shudder ran through him and he could feel how something gave way under the magic's onslaught. It hurt. So much. Hurt and hurt and hurt.

Tom trembled violently as another wave of unbearable pain flashed through him. A desperate scream tore from his mouth. Pain was now everything. The only thing. It ripped at him, wrenched and tried to split him in two. Tom whimpered as every nerve ending was on fire. Agony engulfed him so completely he could barely breathe anymore. He felt how a part of him was slowly being ripped away.

A precious part, a useless part. A part of him.

Tom felt it pulling away from him and the pain receded. Instead he felt numb. A numbness that spread through his whole body. It was worse than the pain and Tom could feel how that part was completely ripped from his body, cruelly cut away from his flesh. An agonized scream left him as that part of him broke free. All connections were severed and a gaping hole was left behind. Burning hot, regret crashed down on him. In a flash that feeling, too, was gone. The hole stayed. It didn't hurt. It didn't feel either.

It was nothing.

Tears were flowing down Tom's cheeks as he opened his eyes. He trembled uncontrollably but could recognize the Diary lying on the floor. It burned up in an eerily green light and vibrated violently. After a moment it calmed down, the light disappeared and the book just lay there innocently.

Tom shakily sat up on the floor and stared at the black Diary. The pain was completely gone. Not even a shadow remained. There were tears on his face and Tom wiped them away. He still stared at the black Diary like he was entranced by it.

His Horcrux.

Everything had worked like it should. His lips twisted up. The motion felt unnatural. A smile. Yet right.

It was worth it.

Hermione couldn't ignore this.

{{{{{{{{+}}}}}}}}

'Razors pain you;

Rivers are damp;

Acids stain you;

And drugs cause cramp.

Guns aren't lawful;

Nooses give;

Gas smells awful;

You might as well live.'

- Dorothy Parker

(*1893 †1967)