Sorry for not uploading promptly as I normally would have. The plan was to upload on Friday evening, but life gets in the way of uploading. I will do my best to upload as frequently as possible, but unfortunately it is not guaranteed.
Hope you all will enjoy the romantic angst in this chapter.
Happy reading.
Chapter 4: Fading Trust
Kavya sighed as she gazed into Cinnamon's warm brown eyes, finding solace in the comforting presence of her loyal companion. Despite her best efforts to push aside her worries, the events of the day continued to weigh heavily on her mind.
As she stroked Cinnamon's fur, a sense of unease settled over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that Tom's absence during the opening ceremony was a harbinger of trouble. What could have caused him to arrive late, and why did he seem so distant and preoccupied?
With a heavy heart, Kavya resolved to confront Tom and seek the truth behind his strange behavior. But as she contemplated the daunting task ahead, a small voice of doubt whispered in her mind. What if Tom's secrets were too dark to face? What if their friendship was irreparably damaged?
Pushing aside her doubts, Kavya steeled herself for the conversation to come. She owed it to herself and to Tom to seek the truth, no matter how painful it might be.
With a determined nod, Kavya rose from her bed, Cinnamon following faithfully at her heels. As she made her way out of the dormitory and into the dimly lit corridors of Hogwarts, she couldn't shake the feeling that the darkness lurking within the castle was closing in around her.
The echoing corridors of Hogwarts seemed to whisper secrets as Kavya navigated her way through the labyrinthine halls. Each step she took felt heavy with anticipation, her heart pounding in her chest as she neared the Slytherin common room.
As she reached the entrance to the Slytherin common room, Kavya paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts. She knew she wasn't allowed inside, but she couldn't let that stop her from speaking to Tom.
Instead, she decided to wait outside the entrance, near the dungeons where the Slytherin common room was located. The dim torchlight cast eerie shadows along the stone walls, adding to the sense of foreboding that hung in the air.
Cinnamon nuzzled against Kavya's leg, sensing her tension. She reached down to stroke his fur, finding comfort in his presence as she waited for Tom to appear.
Lost in her thoughts, Kavya failed to notice the figure lurking in the shadows nearby. It was Avery, one of Tom's closest associates and a fellow Slytherin. His dark eyes bore into Kavya, his expression inscrutable as he observed her from afar.
Meanwhile, Tom paced restlessly in the deserted corridors of Hogwarts, his mind consumed by a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Fatigue gnawed at his bones, a constant reminder of the toll that splitting his soul had taken on him. But beneath the weariness, a flicker of something else stirred—a gnawing hunger for power, for control.
Lost in his thoughts, Tom failed to notice the figure approaching him until it was too late. He looked up to see Professor Dumbledore standing before him, his piercing blue eyes fixed on Tom with an intensity that sent a shiver down his spine.
"Out after curfew, Mr. Riddle?" Dumbledore's voice was calm but stern, his tone betraying none of the warmth that Tom had come to expect from the esteemed headmaster.
Tom straightened his shoulders, his jaw set in a defiant line. "I am the head boy to the school, Professor," he replied, trying to assert his authority. "I have certain privileges that-"
But Dumbledore cut him off with a wave of his hand, his expression unyielding. "Being head boy does not give you carte blanche to wander the corridors at all hours of the night, Mr. Riddle," he said, his voice like steel. "I expect better of you."
Tom bristled at the reprimand; his pride wounded by Dumbledore's dismissal. But he knew better than to argue with the headmaster, especially when he was clearly in the wrong.
With a curt nod, Tom lowered his gaze and muttered an apology before turning on his heel and stalking away, his mind seething with frustration and resentment. He had been so close to asserting his dominance, to proving himself worthy of the power he so desperately craved. But once again, Dumbledore had shown him that he was not so easily swayed, that his authority could not be challenged.
As he retreated into the shadows, Tom couldn't shake the feeling that he had just suffered a defeat, a setback that would only fuel his determination to rise to greater heights of power and influence.
As he walked, Tom's thoughts drifted to Kavya, his former friend and confidante. He couldn't deny the pang of regret that tugged at his heart whenever he thought of her. But he quickly pushed aside such sentimentality, knowing that sentimentality was a weakness he could ill afford.
Instead, he focused his thoughts on the Horcruxes, the key to unlocking immortality and unrivaled power. With each step, he grew more determined to delve deeper into the darkest depths of magic, to uncover the secrets that would make him invincible. The side effects of splitting his soul weighed heavily on him. He needed to figure out how to stop his fractured soul from making him so fatigued and irritable or people would suspect something of him.
That's when he glanced towards the courtyard and the pathway which led to the Forbidden Forest.
Back near the entrance to the Slytherin common room, Kavya's frustration continued to mount as she waited for any sign of Tom's return. The minutes ticked by agonizingly slowly, each passing second only serving to deepen her unease.
As she glanced around the dimly lit corridor, her heart skipped a beat as she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. She turned to see Avery lurking in the shadows nearby, his gaze fixed on her with a predatory gleam. A shiver ran down Kavya's spine as she realized she was being watched, and she quickly averted her gaze, her heart pounding with unease.
Avery's presence in the vicinity was not coincidental; rather, he had been tasked by Tom to keep an eye on Kavya. Tom's growing paranoia and desire for control had led him to believe that Kavya might uncover some of his secrets, and he had instructed Avery to watch her every move.
As Kavya wandered the corridors, Avery lurked in the shadows, his gaze fixed on her every move. He remained hidden from sight, blending seamlessly into the darkness as he observed Kavya's actions with a watchful eye.
Though he harbored no personal animosity towards Kavya, Avery's loyalty to Tom compelled him to carry out his orders without question. He knew that any misstep on his part could have dire consequences, and so he remained vigilant, ensuring that Kavya did not stray too far from Tom's watchful gaze.
But before she could dwell on the unsettling encounter, a familiar voice broke through the silence, sending a jolt of surprise through her.
"Kavya? What are you doing here?"
Kavya looked up to see Amara standing before her, a concerned expression on her face. Relief flooded through Kavya at the sight of her friend, and she quickly rose from the couch to greet her.
"I was looking for Tom," Kavya admitted, her voice tinged with frustration. "But he's nowhere to be found."
Amara's brow furrowed in concern as she glanced around the corridor. "That's strange. Have you tried asking anyone else if they'd seen him?"
Kavya shook her head, a sense of helplessness washing over her. "No, I haven't. I just... I don't know where to start."
Amara placed a comforting hand on Kavya's shoulder, her gaze softening with sympathy. "We'll find him, Kavya. I promise."
But even as Amara spoke the words, a nagging doubt lingered in Kavya's mind. What if Tom didn't want to be found? What if he was hiding something from her, something that could change everything between them?
As the minutes stretched on, Kavya's anxiety only grew, a knot of worry tightening in her chest. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong, and she feared what she might uncover if she delved too deep into Tom's secrets.
Kavya nodded, grateful for Amara's support, but the doubts still gnawed at her. She couldn't help but wonder if Tom was deliberately avoiding them, if there was a reason he didn't want to be found.
"I hope you're right, Amara," Kavya replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "But what if he doesn't want us to find him? What if he's hiding something from us?"
Amara's expression softened, understanding the depth of Kavya's concern. "We won't know until we try," she said gently. "And even if Tom is hiding something, we'll face it together. That's what friends do."
Despite Amara's reassurances, Kavya couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that hung over her like a dark cloud. She feared what she might uncover if she delved too deep into Tom's secrets, but she also knew that she couldn't ignore her instincts.
As they lingered in the hallway, uncertain of their next move, the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, drawing closer with each passing moment. Kavya's heart quickened with anticipation as she turned to see who was approaching.
To her surprise, it was Professor Dumbledore himself, his silver beard and twinkling eyes a stark contrast to the somber expression that now graced his features. Kavya's stomach churned with apprehension as she realized that this unexpected encounter could only mean trouble.
"Professor Dumbledore," Kavya greeted him, her voice tinged with unease.
"Miss Singh, Miss Sullivan," Dumbledore acknowledged them with a nod, his gaze lingering on Kavya for a moment longer than necessary. "I trust you are both settling back into Hogwarts comfortably?"
Kavya exchanged a glance with Amara, her mind racing with questions. What could Dumbledore want from them? And why did he seem to be scrutinizing her so closely?
"We're doing fine, Professor," Amara replied, her tone cautious. "Is there something you need?"
Dumbledore's expression grew more serious as he fixed his piercing blue eyes on Kavya. "I'm afraid there is, Miss Singh," he said gravely. "I have noticed that you have been wandering the corridors alone earlier this evening. Care to explain?"
Kavya's heart skipped a beat as she struggled to find the right words. She knew she couldn't tell Dumbledore about her concerns regarding Tom—not without revealing more than she was willing to disclose.
"I-I was just... lost," Kavya stammered, her voice faltering under Dumbledore's penetrating gaze. "I got turned around on my way back to the common room."
Dumbledore's eyes narrowed slightly, as if he could see right through her facade. "Lost, you say?" he repeated, his tone betraying his skepticism. "In all my years as headmaster, I've never known a student to get lost in the corridors of Hogwarts in their seventh year."
Kavya felt a cold sweat break out on the back of her neck as she struggled to maintain her composure. She knew Dumbledore was no ordinary wizard—he was one of the most powerful and perceptive wizards of their time. And now, she was standing before him, trying to conceal her true intentions.
"I'm sorry, Professor," Kavya said, her voice barely above a whisper. "It won't happen again."
Dumbledore regarded her for a moment longer before finally nodding in acceptance. "See that it doesn't, Miss Singh," he said sternly. "Breaking school rules shouldn't be a part of your curriculum in your final year."
With that, Dumbledore turned and strode away, leaving Kavya and Amara alone in the hallway once more. Kavya's heart raced with a mixture of fear and relief as she watched him go, knowing that she had narrowly escaped Dumbledore's scrutiny.
"That was close," Amara remarked, breaking the tense silence that had settled between them.
Kavya nodded, her mind still reeling from their encounter with Dumbledore. "Too close," she murmured, her thoughts drifting back to Tom and the secrets he was keeping.
As they made their way back to the Hufflepuff common room, Kavya couldn't shake the feeling that they were treading on dangerous ground. With Dumbledore watching their every move, the stakes had never been higher, and Kavya knew that they would have to tread carefully if they were to uncover the truth about Tom's disappearance.
Kavya nodded in agreement as Amara headed towards the Hufflepuff common room. "I'll catch up with you later, Amara," she called after her friend, her mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Tom.
Alone once more, Kavya found herself unable to shake the worry that had settled in the pit of her stomach. She leaned against the stone wall of the corridor, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
Time seemed to stretch on endlessly as Kavya waited, her thoughts consumed by the unanswered questions swirling in her mind. What was Tom hiding? Why had he been avoiding her all summer? And most importantly, did he still care about their friendship?
Deep within the Forbidden Forest, Tom prowled through the dense undergrowth, his eyes scanning the shadowy depths for any sign of movement. He had heard rumors that unicorn blood possessed powerful magical properties, capable of granting immortality and would quell terrible dark magic to those who drank it. To harm something as pure as a unicorn was considered vile and inhumane in the wizarding world.
For weeks, Tom had been plagued by the relentless whispers of the dark magic he had unleashed upon himself. The Horcruxes he had created had exacted a heavy toll on his soul, leaving him weary and drained. But now, he saw a glimmer of hope in the prospect of the unicorn blood.
The canopy of trees above cast dappled shadows across the forest floor as Tom pressed on, his senses heightened to the slightest sound or movement. He knew he was treading on dangerous ground, venturing into the domain of creatures far more powerful than himself. But he was driven by a singular purpose—to reclaim the strength and vitality that had been sapped from him by his experiments with dark magic.
As he moved deeper into the forest, Tom's thoughts turned to the Horcruxes he had created—the fragments of his soul that had exacted a heavy toll on his psyche. He knew that he needed to find a way to restore himself, to replenish the life force that had been drained from him.
Suddenly, a flash of movement caught Tom's eye—a shimmering white shape darting through the trees ahead. With a surge of anticipation, he quickened his pace, his heart pounding in his chest as he followed the elusive creature deeper into the heart of the forest.
Minutes turned into hours as Tom pressed on, the thrill of the chase driving him forward despite the growing sense of unease that gnawed at the edges of his mind. He knew he was close now, close to achieving what he had set out to do.
At last, Tom emerged into a small clearing bathed in moonlight, where a lone unicorn stood grazing peacefully on the dewy grass. Its pure white coat gleamed in the moonlight, and Tom felt a surge of exhilaration course through him at the sight.
Drawing his wand, Tom approached the unicorn with careful steps, his movements fluid and purposeful. He knew he had to act quickly, before the creature sensed his presence and fled.
With a swift incantation, Tom cast a spell to immobilize the unicorn, freezing it in place as he drew a vial from his pocket. With trembling hands, he held the vial to the unicorn's neck, allowing its blood to flow freely into the container.
As the vial filled with the shimmering silver liquid, Tom felt a surge of triumph wash over him. He had succeeded—the unicorn blood was his, and with it, the promise of renewed strength and vitality.
But even as he gazed down at the vial clutched in his hand, Tom couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the depths of his soul. He knew that the path he had chosen was a dangerous one, fraught with peril and uncertainty.
With a final glance at the unicorn, Tom tucked the vial safely away and turned to leave the clearing, his mind already racing with plans for the dark magic that lay ahead. There was no turning back for him with the choices he had made.
As Tom made his way back through the forest, the weight of his actions began to settle upon him. He knew that what he had done was risky, perhaps even reckless, but he also knew that he would stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
Lost in thought, Tom was startled when a voice called out from the shadows, breaking the silence outside the corridors of the school. Startled, Tom turned to see Kavya emerging from the darkness, her expression a mix of concern and curiosity. His heart skipped a beat as he struggled to compose himself, his mind racing for a plausible explanation.
"Kavya," Tom said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the unease that gnawed at him. "What are you doing out here so late?"
Kavya stepped closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she regarded Tom with a penetrating gaze. "I could ask you the same question," she replied, her tone firm but tinged with worry. "What were you doing in the Forbidden Forest, Tom? It's not safe out here, especially at night."
Tom squared his shoulders, a faint glimmer of authority flickering in his eyes as he met Kavya's gaze. "As head boy, I have certain responsibilities," he began, his voice tinged with self-assurance. "I was conducting an inspection of the grounds, ensuring the safety and security of the students."
Kavya arched an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced by Tom's explanation. "Alone?" she asked pointedly. "In the middle of the night?"
Tom's jaw tightened at the implication, but he maintained his composure, refusing to let Kavya's probing questions unsettle him. "I didn't realize it was so late," he replied, his tone clipped. "I lost track of time, that's all."
Kavya regarded Tom with a searching gaze, her expression thoughtful as she considered his words. She knew that there was more to the story than Tom was letting on, but she also knew that pressing him further would only push him away.
As Tom met Kavya's gaze, he felt a pang of guilt tugging at his conscience. There was a time when they had shared everything with each other, when they had been inseparable. But now, things were different. Their relationship had changed, fractured by secrets and lies.
Despite the distance that had grown between them, Tom couldn't help but be drawn to Kavya's unwavering gaze. There was something in her eyes – a flicker of concern, perhaps, or maybe it was something else entirely – that stirred something within him.
For a moment, the weight of their shared history hung heavy in the air between them, a silent reminder of what they had lost. But just as quickly as it had surfaced, Tom pushed the thought aside, burying it beneath a mask of indifference.
As Tom turned to leave, Kavya couldn't hold back any longer. The questions that had been gnawing at her mind demanded to be asked, no matter how uncomfortable they might make her feel.
"Wait," she called out, her voice echoing through the stillness of the forest. "There's something I need to ask you, Tom."
Tom stopped in his tracks, turning back to face Kavya with a curious expression. "What is it?" he asked, his tone guarded.
"Why have you been ignoring me all summer?" Kavya blurted out, her words tumbling forth in a rush. "And why haven't you answered any of my letters?"
There was a moment of tense silence as Tom processed Kavya's words, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his voice was tinged with a hint of defensiveness. "I've been busy," he replied curtly. "With duties, studying, and other responsibilities. I didn't have time to write back."
Kavya's heart sank at Tom's dismissive tone. She had hoped for a more honest answer, something that would reassure her that their friendship still mattered to him. But instead, she was met with indifference, leaving her feeling more alone than ever.
"But that's not like you, Tom," Kavya pressed on, her voice tinged with frustration. "You've never been too busy for me before. What's really going on?"
Tom stopped in his tracks, his expression hardening as he turned back to face Kavya. "What do you want from me, Kavya?" he snapped, his voice laced with irritation. "I've told you; I've been busy. Isn't that enough?"
Kavya's heart sank at Tom's defensive reaction. She had hoped that he would open up to her, that he would understand her concerns and address them with the same care and consideration they had once shared. But instead, she found herself facing a wall of resistance, leaving her feeling more hurt and confused than ever.
"Do you even care about our friendship anymore, Tom?" Kavya asked, her voice trembling with emotion. "Or am I just another inconvenience to you now?"
Tom's mask of indifference slipped, revealing a flicker of vulnerability beneath the surface. For a moment, he hesitated, his gaze searching Kavya's face for answers. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the vulnerability vanished, replaced once again by a steely resolve.
"I care about our friendship, Kavya," Tom replied, his voice softer now, though still tinged with frustration. "But I have other priorities, responsibilities that I can't ignore. I hope you can understand that."
Kavya's heart ached at Tom's words. She had hoped for reassurance, for a sign that their bond still meant something to him. But instead, she was left feeling more alone than ever, uncertain of where they stood and what the future held for their friendship.
With a heavy heart, Kavya nodded, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "I understand," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just wish things were different."
And with that, Kavya turned and walked away, leaving Tom standing alone in the darkness of the school corridor. As he made his way back to the Slytherin common room, his heart heavy with regret and longing for what could have been.
This whole entire chapter is just basically "This is fine" fire meme. Tom is becoming more and more resilient on his quest to becoming Voldemort in the future.
Does that mean conversations and interactions between Tom and Kavya won't happen? Of course it will or else I wouldn't be writing this story in the first place. With each step Tom is taking things just keep getting more and more complicated for him.
Also, I honestly feel like unicorn blood is the most purest form of magic, so it can most likely be able to keep the dark magic from horcruxes at bay. It definitely wouldn't be a permanent thing obviously.
Review.