An – I couldn't believe it when I received an email about a review for this story, I had almost thought people would have forgotten about it seeing as I haven't updated in almost a year:-/. Thanks for the reviews guys I will be continuing this story however it might be a slow progress, but I have ideas still floating around in this mind of mine. Any ideas please share them, still need to bridge stuff together, and you guys could really help x
Disclaimer – All parts of this chapter that are familiar are from "The Half Blood Prince" by Jk Rowling.
The Christmas Party
Snow covered the ground of Hogwarts Castle, and a chill was in the air, however the inhabitants of the castle were unconcerned by the icy conditions instead preoccupied with the festivities going on around them.
Anya walked into Slughorns office, which had been enchanted to a size befitting the number of guests at his "small" get together. Glancing around at the guest, she spotted Slughorn talking to her brother and his friends. Tom was laughing convincingly at something the old coot had said holding a glass of wine in one hand. She noticed a couple of girls staring in his direction, each looking almost dazed as if he was a god in their presence. Anya couldn't help but laugh quietly to herself at how funny they were, admittedly her brother was handsome, something he used to his advantage whenever he could, and tonight was dressed befitting the occasion in smart dress robes. She had often wondered where he got the money for such smart clothing but dismissed the thought as unimportant.
It was at this moment that Tom noticed her and pointed her out to Slughorn who didn't waste a second in walking over to her.
"Ah Miss Riddle, I wondered where you had got too, poor Tom has been victim to my prattling for the last 20 minutes". Slughorn winked here at his own joke.
"A pleasure as always Sir, of course" Tom replied charmingly.
Slughorn laughed merrily and clapped him on the shoulder. "Thank you, my boy; you'll go far I'm sure". Tom merely smiled to him and looked to Anyana. "Sister" he said.
"I apologize for my tardiness Professor, I wanted to check on the potion before I came, its complete sir as we expected." She handed him a vial with a smile. Slughorn beamed at her and commented to Tom "Fantastically clever sister you have their Tom, together I believe you would be unbeatable. " With that he beamed at the two siblings and walked off mingling with other guest, showing them the vial of potion, boasting about his two prized students.
"You know for once in my life, I'm inclined to agree with that old fool." Anya commented stealing her brother's wine and taking a sip.
"You do realize you just gave away the potion, don't you?" Tom remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"Relax, that's more of a decoy"
Anya reached into her beaded bag and pulled out a second vial, this one seemed fuller of colour than the last and she handed it to Tom who quickly placed it into a pocket within his robes.
The party seemed to be drawing to a close as guest began to leave many not quite stable due to the amount of wine they had been drinking throughout the evening. Anya herself was tired, she must have been introduced to dozens of people that night, Slughorn was determined to show her off to his friend and contacts, many of the young men seemed to want to get to know her better, to which she merely smiled but dismissed politely. It didn't help having Avery follow her around all night like a lost puppy; she wasn't sure what to make of his behavior unless Tom sent him to keep an eye on her.
Slughorn had resized the office to look like his normal lodgings before collapsing in an armchair with a glass of wine. Tom and his friends took this opportunity to sit as well in the comfy arm chairs.
Anya glanced at Tom before taking a seat herself in a far corner out of the way, this was his moment.
"Sir is it true Professor Merrythought is retiring?"
"Tom, Tom even if I knew I couldn't tell you. I must say, I'd like to know where you get all your information, boy, more knowledgeable than half the staff, you are".
Tom shared a glance with Anya as the boys laughed around him and glancing admirable looks his way.
"What with your uncanny ability to know things you shouldn't and your careful flattery of those people who matter, thank you for the pineapple by the way you're quite right it is my favorite I confidently expect you to rise to Minister of Magic within twenty years. Fifteen if you keep sending me pineapple" he winked" "I have excellent contacts at the Ministry".
More laughter from the boys, whom Anya noticed seemed merrier than usual, she guessed from the wine. Tom merely smiled at Slughorn, and there was certain coldness in his eyes when he commented.
"I don't know the politics would suit me sir, I don't have the right kind of background for one thing".
Anya rolled her eyes here and the boys shot looks between themselves, clearly Tom had informed them about their famous ancestor.
"Nonsense couldn't be plainer you and Anyana come from decent wizarding stock, abilities like yours. No, you will go far. I've never been wrong about a student yet."
The clock chimed 12 and Slughorn looked around startled.
"Mt world is it that time all ready? You'd better get going boys, Miss Riddle, or we will all be in trouble. "
Anya made to move as Slughorn started talking to Avery and Lestrange about homework.
"This is your chance Tom" she muttered. He nodded in reply and helped her don her cloak, Avery was waiting to the side, Anya sighed couldn't he take a hint.
As Anya left she spotted Tom walking over to Slughorn.
"Look sharp, Tom, you don't want to be caught out of bed out of hours, and a prefect…"
"Sir I wanted to ask you something…
It was some time later that Tom returned to the common room. Anya was sat gazing into the fire when she heard the portrait open and close.
"So…what did he say?" she asked quietly.
Tom walked around the chair and sat next to her, he had his confident smirk on his face and his eyes were alight.
"They are real…and with them you can become immortal…"
Anya gasped, and shook her head, this couldn't be possible no one was immortal; she said this to Tom who laughed coldly.
"Sister, you really are naïve and I shall prove it…I shall make one and with it, I shall never have to succumb to death…not like the rest of our family…"
His eyes were manic and it scared her more than ever before, for one moment she saw something darker than she had ever thought possible in her brother's eye a kind of insanity that could become dangerous. She knew there must be consequences for this kind of magic and only prayed Tom would see sense before he went past the point of no return.
"How?" she asked quietly, "How are you going to split your soul?"
Tom glanced over at her holding up the ring that had once belonged to their uncle.
"I already have, and so have you…by murder."