Chapter 31

"There he showed his contempt for anything that tied him to other people, anything that made him ordinary. Even then, he wished to be different, separate, notorious"HP6

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Evelyn didn't know in which era she wished to wake up into. When she opened her eyes and her mind struggled to understand where she was, she recognized her room on the Ravenclaw tower. And a flood of ideas stormed into her mind. School, subjects, classes, exams, prefect duties and so on. And she was back with Tom.Her sore body followed the routine, got dressed, tidied her bed silently for not waking up her roommates, then she hurried to leave her tower and get busy with her school life.But as soon as she stepped out of her common room, she found a Slytherin boy waiting for her right out of the door."Here you are at last. Good morning" Tom said, his smirk widening as he noticed her shock.Evelyn almost decided to step back into her common room to avoid him. Instead she crossed her arms and snapped "What are you doing here?"."I was waiting for you" he said pointing out that it was obvious."Here? Where everyone can see us?".Tom glanced around themselves, but nobody was close to them "Where are the viewers?".She scoffed at him and tried to shove him away."I brought you some flowers" he announced, taking a small bundle of blue flowers from behind his back. It surprised her enough to make her forget that she didn't want to be seen with him.She gaped, keeping the lovely words that almost dropped from her lips. Then she frowned when she took them into her hands for a closer look "Where did you find them?"."I noticed that you liked them, so...well, I took some of them from our latest adventure" he confessed.Evelyn gasped shocked "You brought them from the past! Can you understand how dangerous it could have been?"."But they didn't even wither! Look how fresh and alive they are. And you also brought mud, dust and hay in your hair and that wasn't a problem!".Evelyn closed her eyes for a moment to control her anger. They couldn't argued over flowers."Alright" she sighed "Ehm... Thank you then"."I could plant some of them. I tore the roots and I was planning to grow them into some pot"."Oh please. Tom the Gardener?" She smiled at him with incredulity."I can do it, if it pleases you".She watched the flowers to avoid his intriguing stare "You slept here, didn't you?"."No, I stayed in my room. You can ask Lestrange if you don't believe me".She rolled her eyes "Fine. So what do we do now? You came to say good morning, but I guess you have a busy schedule as I do"."We have our first classes together, so what's the matter if I walk you to breakfast and then to our classes?"."Just to make a show of it?"."No, because I want to be with you" he said firmly "And I'm not ashamed of being seen with you as you are of being seen with me"."Of course because until yesterday morning you were seen with that Black girl"."Well you saw that I got rid of her. You are free to slap me as much as you want if you'll ever catch her trying to approach me again".She gave him a puzzled look, then decided that keeping arguing was useless.

It was awkward to walk down to the Great Hall with him again. She admired the wonders of that castle with new eyes. And something she imagined seeing Salazar's ghost watching them from some staircases."How do you feel?" Tom asked to break the silence and catch her attention "I mean, any symptom of a possible...?".She scowled at him, the topic was making her feel sick "I think I need to eat something, then if I'll vomit on your legs we can start to seriously worry".He showed a little amused smile mixed with irritation "I've been thinking... That our time travel would have killed any possible embryo. It would be a paradox, wouldn't it? A baby who is centuries old".She looked at the flowers he gave her "I have another paradox in my hands too then. These flowers are centuries old and still they are fresh and beautiful as I remember them in the past".He disliked her observation, but stopped insisting on that matter.She placed the flowers in his hands before they stepped into the Hall and took different paths to reach their tables."So is that true?" Kat welcomed her, impatient to deal with gossip "You and Riddle are back together?".Evelyn played with her food, mentally cursing Tom for pushing her into that kind of troubles. "Yeah, let's say we are trying to fix things" she mumbled."Am I wrong or some nights ago in our little chitchat you said you wouldn't be ever back with him?" Kat teased keeping glancing between her and Tom, who was quietly eating his meal without anyone pestering him with questions about his private life."I was wrong" Evelyn said pretending little interest.Adele leaned towards her "Why do you look so... I don't know... Uneasy? He keeps glancing at you but you clearly avoid looking at him. You don't fully agree with being back with him?".Evelyn scowled at her and recalled that Tom was able to read her friends' mind to learn about their chats."It's just unexpected and new" Evelyn said hurriedly "What should I do? Kissing or snogging at the doorstep?"."Hell yes" Kat replied quickly with a malicious grin.Evelyn sighed "I'm just so worried for the final exams. The term is almost over and there is also that bloody Apparition lesson just before Christmas..."."We all are worried for that" Adele pointed out "But at least you fixed your relationship status while I'm still single".Evelyn resisted to the need to cover her face with her hands.

When they exited the Hall, she noticed Tom hurrying to meet her, then they walked fast to their first class. They could barely talk.He took the seat next to her again and Evelyn focused hard on the lesson, but her mind was so busy she soon started to feel a terrible headache.The following courses just worsened her day. She barely noticed the lunch break, her mind was begging for some rest."Drink this" Tom placed a small cup into her hand, after freeing her from her books "It helps your headache".She barely remembered that she started to complain about it with him. She drank and realized that they were going to separate courses."Just two more hour and it will be over" he said giving back her books "Can we meet on the seventh floor when our lessons are over?"."Sure" she said simply.Her reply made him faintly smile. A smile that she liked to see."Thank you for the potion, by the way" she added before he was too far.He turned back with a smirk "That was the least I can do".

Evelyn felt much more better without the pulsing ache at her head. She enjoyed the Transfiguration hours, feeling nostalgic for the times that the Founders used their magic to tranfigurate her clothes.

When finally the lessons were over for that day, Evelyn went to her tower to get rid of her books and soon after that she found Tom waiting for her just like in the morning.They went to the North Wing to get some books for their exams.Evelyn noticed how hard they were trying to look like a normal couple. She started to be indifferent to the gossip at their back, but she kept reminding to herself how dark Tom has become, no matter how much her mind recalled her the good time the had together.It was like fixing a broken glass vase, but he seemed determined to succeed."Aren't you tired of talking about exams?" He asked pretending to read the book he had opened in front of him."You are the one who keeps talking about it" she pointed out from the other side of the table.Tom looked at her defiantly "Actually I had in mind other stuff. Some doubts from our journey"."What doubts?" She asked with diffidence.He took his time, then lowered his voice "Slytherin asked you if I was that person you were looking for. Who was that person?".Evelyn's breath died in her throat. She forced the thought of Merlin out of her mind "It was just an excuse to explain why I appeared and disappeared. And why I reappeared with you"."You could have said I was then. Instead you replied that I was helping you" he insisted."So? What's the matter? I had to say something. We were fighting, it made no sense saying that we were...whatever we are now".His eyes lingered on hers for a while, then he surrendered "Alright. I suppose I will never know what I truly missed between you and him. That experience gave me some ideas. But I'm not sure if I can share my plans with you anymore".He had been playing with his dark ring, then suddenly he raised his eyes to cross the girl's ones.She pondered her options. She was sure she wasn't going to trade her secret mission around Merlin for some new dark plan of Tom."Why not?" She fought back "Weren't you so impatient to be back with me and now you want to push me away?"."It's not that. The last time I shared my secret intentions with you, you broke with me. I'm just careful this time. I don't want you to run away from me again before listening to what my innocent quest is about".Her eyes lingered on him, trying to catch any hint on what game he wanted to play. He knew how to tease her curiosity, but she knew that it could also be a trap to make her confess her own big quest."Innocent?" She repeated quietly "Everything can be called innocent compared to your latest plans".He gave a wry smile "I swear this is something you would enjoy too".Evelyn leaned closer "We'll see. Then tell me, I'm all ears".The boy leaned towards her too and said in a whisper showing his ring "It's about the Founders. I want to find the other relics. We couldn't steal them from the Founders, so I guess it's right if we seek them. Who else can do it if not us?".Evelyn felt troubled, like she was offered her favourite food and she was struggling to decide if it was real, if she could eat it or it was just a trick."You already have Slytherin's ring"."Yes. And we got the proof that it's really his. He also wore that locket" Tom bit his bottom lip nervously, then added "When I visited him, my uncle also mentioned that he had Slytherin's locket but that it was lost"."Lost?" Evelyn repeated confused."I think he meant that my mother stole it when she ran away with..." He looked clearly unconfortable to mention his family. A family that didn't want him and that he didn't want.She frowned "But you don't have it. So where could it be? In the orphanage?"."That place is destroyed now or I would have already looked for it there. I fear that my...mother sold it" his latest words took a lot of efforts for him to say them.Evelyn felt more troubled. She had the feeling she had already seen Slytherin's locket somewhere. And now she realized where. And it could also give another reason to why Tom wanted desperately to be back with her. It wasn't a flattering idea."What?" He asked noticing her reaction."It can be anywhere now. How can we find it?" She said bending the truth to her advantage."I don't know" he said simply, then inhaled deeply and stared at her "So, would you like to help me in this quest? Or is it too much for you?".She didn't take to much time to decide. She caught him by surprise by placing a hand on his, touching also his ring "Of course I am. Although it might take a lot of time and several years".He smiled gratefully "Nobody forces us to follow this quest forever. So do you have any idea on where the other relics can be?"."For Ravenclaw. Well, Rowena's diadem is lost. We have no clue on where it can be"."They all are lost. We know nothing also about Gryffindor's sword, although I'm sure it's somewhere here, in this castle" Tom glanced around themselves."And Hufflepuff?"."That golden cup you drank from" he replied promptly "It was very valuable".The memory made her nostalgic of that medieval adventure "I fear that's lost too, or buried into some families' vault in Gringott"."We have time to look for some hints during the Christmas holidays" he smirked "Or we can also start tonight, if you don't have other plans".Evelyn let out a soft moan, then scowled at his provocation "Tonight I'll sleep in my room and you better keep your snake into your pants".He laughed "Alright. Then Christmas".That word tickled her again."What? Are you not staying here for the holidays?" He didn't hide his surprise."No, I'll stay" she replied "It's just that before enjoying the holidays we have that damned Apparition lesson".Tom chuckled with relief "I almost forgot about that".

Evelyn never forgot about that. In the latest days before that last Saturday before Christmas she was overly stressed at the idea.The exams gave satisfying results and she'd rather take exams again than dealing with Apparition.Her relationship with Tom was fine. He was patient and avoided mentioning any dark thing. And they just shared some quick kisses, also after the evidence that they weren't going to become parents.Evelyn was grateful that they were together specially at the idea that they wouldn't be rivals during the Apparition practice. If they had been rivals, she would have died of humiliation.

"It's gonna be alright. Why are you so nervous?" Tom tried to comfort her while they were walking to the first Apparition lesson. She didn't even notice that he laid his hands on her to make her relax. "Do you remember how bad it went at our first flying lesson?" also her voice was trembling."I remember I admired the magic of your hair"."That bloody broomsticks flew to my face" she continued ignoring his reply "It was humiliating! While you were perfect in that too. You were also good at flying. Why on earth didn't you become a Quidditch player?"."Because you disliked Quidditch. Or would you have come to the matches only to see me playing?".She rolled her eyes at his provocative smirk "You're not helping, Tom. Apparition is even worse than falling from a broomstick. It can be more painful"."Nothing bad will happen. I'll be right by your side, okay? Just keep calm and focus on the task".His voice wasn't enough to chase her fears away."I'm not ready, Tom. I'm too tired for this. We had a hell of a week"."You don't have to learn Apparition today. If your first attempts don't go well, it's fine"."It's not" she snapped fastening her pace."Hey, look at me" he tried to catch her arm but she slipped away."I'd rather have a trip back into the middle ages right now..." she glanced at the Great Hall in front of them, that made her willing to run away."Nonsense. Didn't we make a deal we won't step into that tower again?"."I feel sick, Tom. Seriously"."Look at me" he forced her to turn her face to him and look into his tranquil eyes "You can do it. With a little practice you will astonish us all as usual"."It doesn't help. I feel worse".He bit his lip thoughtfully "Should we take a little time to...?"."No" she said dizzy "Just this is enough".She gave him a quick kiss on his lips, missing the long, passionate ones they were used to share. But she feared she could throw out her poor breakfast.

The Great Hall became just an empty room with lines of hoops for each student.The professors just watched the lesson, that was held by a wizard from the ministry.Evelyn focused hard on the explanation, but the instructor was more inpatient to make them try and practice.She looked at the hoop five feet away in front of her. It seemed easy, but it was just an illusion. "One..." The instructor said lazily, his voice was the only noise in the room.Evelyn tried to control her fear and focus on the task, but she felt not ready."...two...".She could hear her strong heartbeats echoing in her ears. She was sure the only result would be fainting on spot."Three!".Evelyn closed her eyes, but as expected nothing happened. She looked around and felt relieved that nobody succeeded.She glanced at Tom, who was focusing hard on the task and was staring deeply at the hoop.The next attempts were failures, until Tom managed to apparate successfully, getting praised by the instructor.Evelyn felt more pressure, but she kept failing. Someone got splinched and that made her panic, so she made no progress while Tom already performed apparition several times.

Finally the lesson ended and Evelyn wished to run to hide into her tower.Tom was soon by her side."Don't say anything" she warned him when he opened his mouth "You were outstanding as always. I just want to forget it"."I just wanted to ask you of you're alright" he said innocently."I'm still complete. That's what matters the most" she walked keeping her head low for the frustration.He placed a hand on her shoulder and led her "You will master it, don't worry. The next lessons will be better"."I'm not so positive" she said gloomily "When I was little I saw accidents of wizards who got splinched. It was traumatic, so I've never liked Apparition".She gaped when she realized that he pulled her into a room where his Knights were reunited.Tom closed the door behind them "You will like it, it will be just like learning to walk when you were little" he patted a hand on her shoulder then turned to his mates "Thank you for coming. I hope you will use the holidays to learn the advanced magic I required from you"."It's better than our other homeworks" Lestrange joked.Tom smirked "And I wanted to welcome Evelyn back into our group. No more rumours about me and her are accepted. Understood?"."Yes, sir" the Knights replied as a choir."It's nice that you are back, Evy" Lestrange hesitated to offer her a hand to shake, then he just make a small bow with a friendly smirk that Tom ignored because he was focusing on another Knight."Avery, if you ever dare to just lightly touch her again, you will pay for it" he menaced so coldly that Evelyn shivered.Avery stayed in the back line, his head always low "I got it, my lord"."Good" Tom said simply "Now you can go. Enjoy the holidays".Evelyn barely greeted the boys who passed by her with warm words and repeating merry christmas. She was shocked that Tom had brought up something private. She felt humiliated, no matter how nice all his mates were acting with her, even more humiliated after her failures in the Apparition lesson.

They all walked away, leaving her alone with Tom."Why that face?" He asked. She felt a slightly mocking tone in his voice.She scowled at him and walked out of the room, rushing to reach her tower.Tom followed her "Do you have any problems with my friends?".She felt anger boiling in her vein "No, it's you who have mental problems"."Seriously? What's wrong now?"."Is it the way you treat your friends?" She spatted counting the staicases that separated her from her craved room."They want me as their leader. So I act as their leader" he said simply."You are bossing them around" she corrected him "And why humiliating me in front of all of them? When I only wanted to stay alone for a while"."Did I humiliate you?" He snapped.She scowled at his frown "Why bringing out that thing about Avery and me?".Tom's frown turned into a mocking grin "Ah, so is it all about? Him? You are even defending him now?"."No. I hate that you talked about that in front of others. Making me feel like...shit. Don't touch her again. Your other friends were so polite to try to hide it, but they were laughing inside"."Well you deserved that. He deserves even worse" he said harshly "How could you betray me with him?".He pulled her arm to make her face him "Betray? I broke up with you. What about Walpurga then?"."You know I never did anything with her. While you allowed him to kiss you" he hissed with disgust."I never kissed him" she defended herself."Yes, but you let him touch you with his lips. How could you?".She inhaled deeply, feeling angry and frustrated that she wanted to punch him "You know everything I did while I know nothing about you and Wally. You surely know what she was boasting about you"."And you keep believing to her and not to me? She was lying. She was living her dirty dream that was only into her sick mind. She tried to approach me, to get something from me. But she wasn't you. So I always rejected her. Always. While you didn't do the same with Avery".His accusations made her feel choking "How can I trust your word after all the nasty things you said to me? After seeing you acting and lying for most of your life?"."You should just trust me. Period. Shouldn't we move on now?"."Yeah, we should. But you are not moving on. It's like there's a death sentence over my head and over every boy who dared to try to be close to me"."I'm not used to share what's mine with others. Don't blame me"."What's yours?" She repeated offended "Like I'm your property? An object?".He rolled his eyes "You're mine as I am yours. You keep blaming me because you are the one who made mistakes. When I never betrayed you. So stop this show and blame yourself. I'm sick of this game. We are together, we act as a normal couple in public, but don't you dare to try to overstep again. I forbid it to you, to Avery and to everybody else. I'm doing everything to make this work. I'm not letting you blow it up again".The way he scolded her made her feel like a silly little girl."You don't give me orders, Riddle" she whispered staring at him bewildered. "These are the rules, Evelyn" he said coldly "Rules that you must follow if you don't want to see the world crush on you. You stopped me when I was punishing Malfoy. And I didn't punish it for you. You flirted with Avery. And I didn't harm any of you. How can't you see how much I've done for you? I sacrificed my own freedom and my ambitions just to be with you. And still you turn every little thing against me"."You speak like I've done nothing but being a burden for you. What about all the burden I had to take for you and the evil things you've done?"."You are not just a burden or I'd have got ridden of you long time ago. I've been alone for my whole life, Evelyn. I'm used to be independent, to never tie with people. I hate everything is ordinary. And I made only one exception with you. I even suggested you to get married and you laughed at me"."I didn't laugh. I was shocked" she corrected him "So do you regret making me be the exception?"."I hardly ever regret something. So no, I don't regret it. But I want you to understand that you can push your luck too far".She felt menaced again and she hated feeling so helpless "It's so hard to be with you, Riddle"."That's the price for being with me" he sentenced coldly, then seeing that she was on an emotional crackdown, he walked away, leaving her shocked, desperate, incredulous that a bad day can turn worse than she could ever fear.