Chapter 37

"He refused all offers. The next thing the staff knew, Voldemort was working at Borgin and Burkes.”

“At Borgin and Burkes?” Harry repeated, stunned.

HP6

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The trip to Italy was lovely but short.Evelyn felt blessed when she finally could bite and swallow some food. And the food was delicious so she ate until she felt she couldn't swallow anything else.Tom found a lot of interesting places full of history to visit, but they didn't linger too much to enjoy them all.On the next day they traveled back to England.

It didn't feel like they spent just less than a week away from their motherland. Evelyn felt much more grown up.The diadem was safe into Tom's bag. He also insisted to keep their good luck snake as their pet and hid it into his bag to protect the diadem.Tom wore back his black ring, promising to give her a ring more appropriate to a witch's hand.In London they first visited Evelyn's uncle Caractacus in his shop. Her worries for hiding or revealing their secret was washed away by the rare enthusiast face on the wizard's face."Did you hear the big news?" He asked after a quick welcome.Evelyn laughed to herself for believing for a moment that he somehow already knew something."What news?" Tom replied keeping his bag safe on his shoulders."Grindelwald is defeated!" Caractacus exclaimed "Dumbledore duelled with him and defeated him. He's locked in Azkaban now. The war is over".Evelyn gasped with surprise. There were too many good news in few days."That's wonderful, uncle" she walked to hug the old wizard."Things are going to chance" he announced prudly "This business will rise again".Evelyn couldn't agree more and gave him the souvenirs taken from Italy."These are precious sets for alchemy" Caractacus was soon captivated by the old boxes "Very valuable. How did you find them?"."Tom has a good sense in finding valuable things" she glanced a knowing look to the young wizard, who smirked."How much did you pay for it?" Caractacus kept asking."Not much. Surely not how much you can get from selling it".Caractacus clicked his tongue in anticipation."You should hurry to go back home. Your aunt and uncle are worried sick".

The two young wizards left the shop, agreeing that Caractacus was in a hurry to stay alone with his new toys.Tom had a wide grin at the idea that something much more valuable was hidden into his bag.He offered an arm to Evelyn and apparated themselves to her house.

Milly's parents didn't ask too many questions, distracted by the biggest news that was shaking the whole wizarding world. The war was over. Everyone started to get high expectations for the future.Evelyn on the other side had still many doubts. She kept rejecting any job offer from the Ministry, wanting to enjoy at least the summer before taking big decisions.Tom was in her same shoes, so it helped her being stubborn as well. He got many better choices, but he lightheartedly refused them all. And he wasn't as lazy as she could be, so she wondered what he had in mind for a living.

"I'm not staying here forever. I already reassured your aunt and uncle about it" Tom said laying on her bed next to her.Evelyn frowned, knowing for sure that she didn't want him to live away from her, not when they were secretly bonded "So where are you going?"."Somewhere" he shrugged "Diagon Alley? More specifically Knockturn Alley?".She pressed her hand on his chest, grabbing his shirt, as if fearing that he could slip away from her "And what about me?"."You can come with me" he said simply "Let's go to live together"."Seriously?" She couldn't hide her surprise."Yes. Why not? Do we have to get married first? I mean, we already got our own marriage in that forest. Do we have to formalize it now?".She blushed at the idea "No, I'm just caught by surprise"."We will find some job. We can rent a small flat, then something better. What do you think?"."Sounds cool" the idea of living alone with him was more surprising than marrying him in a foreign forest all of a sudden."You don't look convinced. What is it? Is the idea of living with me?" His eyes narrpwed at her thoughtfully expression."It's just something brand new for me. Just let me get used to it" she pecked his cheek "Maybe it's time to pay a visit to my vault at Gringott's".His face darkened "I'm not going to let you pay".She rolled her eyes "I'm the one who has money and since now I'm adult and graduated I can finally use it. I put the money for getting a flat, then you will be paying the rent".Tom pondered the idea, then surrendered "As you wish. Seems a fair deal".Evelyn grinned and couldn't wait to ask her uncle and aunt for her key.

Some days later she proudly held the key in her hand while her other hand rested on Tom's arm as she stopped in front of the massive white building in Diagon Alley.Tom never stepped into the bank, he didn't own any vault. And he disdained goblins.Also Evelyn wasn't very familiar with that place. She was used to accompany her relatives when she was little, but stepping into it as an adult was a brand new experience.The most exciting part was travelling underground on the carts through narrow corridors that formed an intricate maze.Evelyn could guess what was in Tom's mind. He was thinking of the Founder's Relics that they missed from their secret collection. That was the best place to hide them. But there was no way to find them.The summoning magic didn't work, they couldn't use any disguise to rob that place.In their discussion before reaching the bank, Evelyn concluded that their only possibility to find something there was befriending the descendants of the most ancient families linked to the Founders or rich collectors.Finally the cart stopped. Evelyn could hear her own heatbeat as she waited for the goblin who escorted them to unlock her parents' vault.The feeble light sparkled on mounds of gold, silver and bronze. "There's more than I expected" Evelyn whispered joyfully "We could even afford a small house"."It's not a good idea to spend it all at once. Let's not chance our plans" Tom replied rationally.She agreed with a sigh. After taking an amount of the money, they resurfaced in the daylight.

"I found some rooms that we can rent" Tom said, still troubled by the journey underground "I will visit them and choose the most convenient one"."We can visit them together" she suggested positively, but he didn't look tempted to agree."I have no idea of how they are. You would be disappointed. It's better if I check them first and then I'll show you those that I like the most".She laughed "Oh, come on! I put the money so I'd like if we can choose together".After insisting a lot, he finally gave up and after securing the money, they went to Knockturn Alley.That was right the kind of place that she imagined perfect for Tom's attitude. The place that common people would fear and stay away from.Evelyn soon realized why he didn't want her to visit the available flats.Some rooms were dingy, others very simple but old. She immediately missed her uncle and aunt's large house. Even their cellar was a more comfortable place than all those cheap flats together. But Tom wanted to be independent, not abusing of her hospitality. And she didn't want the two of them to live separately, although she pondered if she could ask her uncle Caractacus to live with him, although he couldn't afford to host also Tom. Evelyn tried to persuade Tom to raise their budget and search some better room, but he refused. She wasn't used to live in poverty, but also Tom's room in his muggle orphanage looked better than those flats.After days of indecision, Tom persuaded the young witch to pick a small bare flat that was in the same road of her uncle's shop.They signed together and after paying a first amount of money to the old owner, they got the key.

"This is why I didn't want you to see this place before renting it" Tom complained when finally they were alone in their new home.He took his wand and started to use his magic to make that place more welcoming and comfortable. Seeing the transformation before her eyes made Evelyn smile and happy for that change in their life. She felt positive that together they could face anything."You don't have to worry about housework" Tom warned "We don't have any domestic elf, but I can help to take care of this place, to cook or get some food and if there's some problem or you need something, just ask. Clear?".She nodded wrapping her arms around his neck "It's wonderful. You had a great idea and you did an impressive work to make this place look nice".He slightly scoffed "That's the least. I know this place is very poor. You deserve something better, but we will work to improve this".Evelyn believed him and pecked his cheek, while he was already busy at casting protecting spells and experimenting better ways to open the door without using any key, ending up involving some dark magic that needed some drops of their blood. But Evelyn agreed that it was for a greater cause and it couldn't do any harm.The bedroom was also narrow, but the bed was large enough for both of them. Carefully Tom hid his bag that container the valuable diadem under the bed.They also had a pet, Hydra, the little snake that Tom brought from Albania and that Evelyn was starting to accept. At least the beast would keep the flat clean from mice and other pests, although she always felt but out when Tom chatted with the reptile in their own  weird language.The first day in that house was like an adventure to get to know the place.When at night they laid down on the bed, Evelyn felt so satisfied, although some noises from the neighbors echoed around them and made her feel quite unconformable.Tom waved his wand to cast some silencing spell "Maybe I should warn our neighbors about their night activities. I'll fix this tomorrow"."It's not that bad. We can make a mess as well" she tried to catch his attention but he was lost into his thoughts "What's in your mind?".He sighed and looked at her chewing his bottom lip "Can I ask you a favor?"."Sure. Tell me"."I want you to make me talk to your uncle"."My uncle?" Her heart leapt, thinking he was going to make some big step."The one who owns the shop".Her hopes cooled."Alright" she said confused "Do you want to ask him about the diadem?"."No. That's our secret. I think he could take me to work for your shop"."Do you want to work with us?"."Yes, I think that one more assistant could help your shop. Don't you agree?".His question made her feel under pressure "It's just that you were offered biggest chances. And now you want to become a shop assistant?"."You rejected all those offers as well. You have your other uncles inside the Ministry, still you prefer to work in Knockturn Alley. Evelyn, we must not care of what others think of our choices. We should do what we prefer".She agreed, but deep inside she felt disappointed. She had hoped he would find some good job elsewhere, not in a place so familiar to her like her uncle's shop. Familiar and dangerous.

In the next morning, Tom left to visit his friends while Evelyn went to deal with her uncle.She felt slightly jealous of allowing someone into that special shop and she knew that her uncle felt the same. No mattee if that someone so charming and ambitious like Tom Riddle."What is it?" Caractacus Burke sensed his niece's stress and eyed her with his usual suspicious look."Tom wants to talk to you. In some formal way"."About what? Why can't he ask it himself?"."He wants a formal conversation. A sort of appointment"."Hmm. He can come later when I close the shop. By the way, your aunt told me you moved in with Tom. Where do you live now?"."We just rented a flat down this street"."And didn't you think of inviting me to visit it?"."You can come to visit us whenever you want"."Good. Then lead the way".Evelyn stared at him flabbergasted, but she understood it was useless to argue. So she allowed him to be the first visitor of her new home.Caractacus' eyes lingered on every detail, but he didn't say loud any comments. He just asked many questions.It was a quick visit. The old wizard seemed impatient to walk away from that place and hide in his beloved shop.

Hours later Tom stepped into the shop some minutes before the closing time.Evelyn didn't want to interfere, but she couldn't miss that sort of job interview. So she hid in the back Her uncle simply nodded to the boy to sit down in front of him, the counter dividing them and symbolizing their position."So, dear boy, why did you plan all of this?" Caractacus asked looking like an inquisitor."Sir, I'd like to work for your shop" Tom said bluntly, with no trace of intimidation."Many already asked to become my assistant, but I rejected them all. I give this opportunity only to my niece" the wizard replied without further thinking."You said that things are going to chance" Tom said calmly. Evelyn knew he was going to use his manipulative manners "That you want this business to rise. I'm at your service. I'm a fast learner and I can keep all the secrets you will share with me".Caractacus eyed him taking his time to ponder his words, then said firmly "I heard that you graduated with the highest grades ever achieved at Hogwarts".Tom simpered "That's exaggerated"."Evelyn told me that and she never exaggerates" the old wizard replied a bit harshly "You got wonderful job offers, that granted you wages that I could never give you"."Money is not everything"."Yeah, there's also ambition on the other side. And love for history, for rare artefacts" Caractacus paused, then lowered his voice "I know that Evelyn paid for the flat you've moved in together. Why do you want to work for me instead of getting some well paid job that could make you afford a better way of life, for you and for her?".It struck Evelyn. He was right. Some doubts started to cloud her mind. Tom's real intentions seemed to emerge, but she pushed away those dark thoughts and focused on the conversation."I believe that I can earn more here than accepting some job that I dislike. I learned that doing a job that you disdain isn't fruitful. I'm sure I can earn more by working with you than forcing myself into something I don't want to do. You need an assistant, sir, to make this business grow" Tom moved the attention from himself to his victim "And you need Evelyn as well at the counter so this shop will get a better reputation. You can make me do any kind of job you wish, I accept any wage you offer. You need someone trustworthy and I need a job. It's mutual beneficial".Caractacus scoffed "You're too smart, boy. If you can speak so wonderfully to my clients we can get into interesting trades"."I'll do my best, sir" Tom promised.Evelyn couldn't believe that the confrontation was already ending, but her uncle surrendered "Then you'll be put to the test for some days. Evelyn can teach you how to behave in this shop, what you can touch and what you are not allowed to. You will follow all my instructions. Then I'll let you know what I'll have decided"."That's great to hear. Thank you, sir" Tom stood up to shake the wizard's hand."Evy!" Caractacus called without taking his eyes off of the boy "Tonight you'll dine here with me".

The wizard barely had the time to eat since he was busy at telling them what they had to do and what were the rules into his shop.Evelyn wanted to beg him to stop with those useless speeches, but she couldn't ruin Tom's victory.She recalled the first time she saw him stepping into that shop. She remembered how embarrassed she was because someone from her school saw her as a shop assistant. But she had also noticed how amazed he was by the shop, no matter how messy and poor it was then. His eyes were full of greed, a desire that she probably had never seen for her.Evelyn crossed Tom's penetrating eyes and forced a little smile. It was a blessing that he couldn't read her mind.

Finally Caractacus started to yawn and decided that it was time to go to sleep."Are you sure you don't want to spend the night here? There's always a bed for you, Evy" he said bluntly to his niece, as a final challenge for his new assistant."Thank you, uncle. But I have a place to stay now" she stepped closer to Tom, although she didn't want to offend her uncle.The old wizard grumbled to himself, then said aloud "Fine, at leastfrom correcting up. You can go, boy. You need to be very fresh if you want to work here".Politely Tom replied bidding good night and walked out, while Evelyn followed her uncle in his little kitchen, that didn't need more than a wave of a wand to be cleaned."I don't like that flat" he said honestly in a low tone "I know you used magic to hide how poor it is. Just because in your graduation trip you were free to try new experiences, you should be careful. He has no money, you don't have a proper job. If you start to build a family, you won't be able to handle it and will regret it all".She gaped at his provocation and replied steadily "We are not planning to build a family. Uncle, we are adults, but we are not that naive"."Still it's not appropriate to move in together without being engaged" he hissed and she bit her tongue to prevent herself from correcting him "And that block of flats don't have a good reputation"."The whole Knockturn Alley don't have a good reputation"."Exactly" he agreed with emphasis "That's why I don't want you to work and live here".

Evelyn walked out of the shop thoughtfully. Tom was waiting for her, unable to hide his excitement. He got what he wanted, she mentally underlined, he didn't care if the old wizard was grumbling and trying to insist that he was the one in charge.They didn't talk much in their way home, but in their flat Tom had other plans in mind than sleeping.

In the next morning, when Evelyn woke up, she saw he was already up and ready, full of energy as if he had slept more than she did."Is this alright or do I need more?" He asked flattening the creases in his white shirt."Perfect" she sighed. He didn't need much effort to look perfect. He would easily win the award as the most handsome shop assistant.When she was also ready, they walked to the shop together.Evelyn felt that she couldn't complain about that simple way of life. They lived and worked together.

Caractacus introduced Tom to his collection of artefacts and soon he was enthusiastically revealing all the story of each object, finding in the boy someone who shared the same interest in everything that was unique, powerful and also dangerous.The more Tom stayed into that shop, the more Caractacus was growing addicted to his presence. Needless to say that Tom got the job.

The first visitors of their flat, aftet Caractacus, were Corvus Lestrange and Emma Rosier. Two schoolmates who belonged to the high society, so Evelyn felt quite nervous to let them into her small home. But Tom had invited them and they wouldn't dare to mock their leader, as he always had been even after graduation.Tom entertained Corvus while Emma stayed in the kitchen with Evelyn.There had always been sympathy between the two witches, although they belonged to two different houses at Hogwarts. Emma was smart and kind, with no prejudice.Evelyn noticed that she was utterly happy.Finally Emma explained by showing a valuable ring on her hand "Corvus and I are to be married! In few weeks!"."That's amazing! I'm so happy for you" Evelyn hugged her, a bit envious now that the difference was becoming clearer. Lestrange lived in luxury. Emma was going to live into a rich mansion. That flat was very poor compared to it.Emma couldn't stop talking about the wedding, a day that came too fast.

In some of the first days of August the event took place in the English fields near the Lestrange manor, so there was enough place for all the many guests.Evelyn was wearing a simple blue dress that she bought few days earlier when Emma accompanied her for some shopping in Diagon Alley. The dress code for the witches imposed to the guests to wear darker colors, so the bride was the only one to shine in her elegant white dress.The wizards were all dressed in black robes, making contrast with the white collars of their shirts and the shining jewels they decided to exhibit.Evelyn rested her hand on Tom's arm as they joined the crowd gathered around the altar, where the vice minister was going to welcome the bride and the groom.Her eyes fell on Tom's hand, where his black and golden ring shone under the sunlight."You should wear that lipstick more often" he whispered to her making her eyes rise and cross his warm ones.She smiled, then they composed themselves as a voice announced the coming of the bride.In that moment of happiness, Evelyn felt sorrow filling her heart as she watched her friend marching as a maid for the last time.Evelyn didn't have her dad to walk her to the aisle. Her uncle Caractacus wouldn't leave his shop to join the event. And she couldn't ask to Milly's father to do that, when his own daughter would never marry.Evelyn realized she would never have such a rich, stunning and happy wedding day. All she could afford was a secret marriage in a forest.The celebrations took the whole day. Although there was a lot to enjoy, Evelyn felt depressed and she had to work hard to hide it.Most of her acquaintances were schoolmates who were sorted in Slytherin, the other guests were mainly wealthy wizards who worked at the Ministry.Evelyn felt like a fish out of water, while Tom had all his Knights invited and gathered in a public event for the first time, when they were used to have secret meetings regularly in different locations.The first dance was an emotional moment. The new husband and wife danced alone for long minutes, their eyes filled with a love that everybody hoped could last forever.Then the guests joined the dance and Evelyn felt happier when she danced with Tom, something they haven't done for a long time.Also the sun grew tired of that long day and decided to leave the sky.The evening breeze was enjoyable after the heat, but it also brought a lot of insects. Most of the guests gathered into the protected marquee, but it was too suffocating for Evelyn.Tom had left her to talk to his mates. Evelyn wondered why he couldn't allow her to join his chat with his mates, but it was also something she grew used to.She watched from distance as he congratulated Lestrange and his wife, then he took Emma's hand and made her spin around.The sight caused jealousy to squeeze Evelyn's heart.She had no reason to feel that bad, but she knew how such a simple human action had a deep meaning for Tom's followers. It was like getting a friendly hand shake from a king. But if Tom was the king, Evelyn didn't feel like a queen."Aren't we lucky to witness the fall of a dark lord and the rise of a new one?" A heavy breath caught Evelyn's nostrils as she roamed in the fields alone.She stepped away and saw his old acquaintance Avery staggering towards her, his shining eyes and the bottle in his eyes clearly explaining his state."You're drunk, Avery" she said disgusted."Yeah, I wish I can drown into whiskey. Want some?" He handed her his half empty bottle."I'm fine, thanks" she said sharply.He shrugged and gulped other liquid "It's great feeling the fire going down your body. You should try it".She wasn't insterested and tried to ignore him, hoping that he would simply walk away, but he didn't move."So two of us are settled down. Who will be the next one to get married?"."Me?" She joked, although there was truth in it.He coughed and sprayed whiskey on her. She closed her hands in fists to avoid an overreaction."With whom? Me?" He laughed trying a seducing look.She scoffed at him "You're mad. No. Our Lord".Avery laughed louder "You wish. But he won't marry anyone because he's already married".Evelyn turned livid "To whom?"."Power" he exhaled to her face and she tightened her fists harder to prevent from attacking him.Avery simpered "Do you think he shags you more than he craves for power?".She gaped at his rudeness "Hold your tongue, Avery. Before you lose it forever".But he kept laughing in a mocking way "You try to be like him, but you can't. You're like any of us. Minions depending from his will. He needs you, that's why he keeps you around him and enjoys your company".Evelyn wished she had been drinking more, to be less vulnerable to those words.Avery's liveliness soon died as he spotted a dark figure approaching them. Also Evelyn felt intimidated for being caught wasting time with a drunk acquaintance."Avery. Drowning in your own vomit?" Tom mocked him as Avery hid his bottle behind his back and bowed in a pathetic way."I'm sorry, my Lord. I didn't realize I drank too much" he said humbly, sounding as suddenly he wasn't drunk anymore.Tom pulled Evelyn's arm to take her far from the boy "You worm should stay away from her. Do you need a lesson to learn this?"."It's alright. He was showing how he shags his whiskey" Evelyn intervened catching a chance to pinch the drunk one.Tom chuckled at her cutting remark and wrapped an arm around her "About shagging, I think it's time to leave".Evelyn wished to say bye to the Lestranges, but he cut off saying that he already did that in her name too.She grabbed the hand he offered her and held her breath as he made them apparate. When she exhaled and opened her eyes, they were back to Knockturn Alley, where there was the opposite of the rich and colourful hills that hosted the wedding.It was like someone suddenly turned off the light and Evelyn only saw darkness in front of her.Impatiently Tom pulled her hand and dragged her to their flat. The noises from the nearby flats didn't help to cool his appetites down.Avery's words were still haunting her and started to spread into her veins like a poison, no matter how Tom was good at distracting her."Is there something troubling you?" Tom asked when he finally stopped chasing what he wanted and noticed she had an absent face."No" she forced a smile "It's just that I've never been to a wedding before"."You've been to our own wedding" he smirked "But I agree. It's the same for me. These majestic events are not for me".She couldn't agree with him after seeing how comfortable he looked for the whole day, but allowed him to seriously distract her this time.

Caractacus didn't even want to hear about the wedding. He just imposed them to follow the schedules for the shop. And he started to teach Tom to negotiate, looking for sending him to find and buy new artefacts. The old wizard realized that it was the best bargain he ever made, Tom was incredibly charming, calculating and manipulative, all natural qualities that the old wizards had tried to master but never truly succeeded. Now he saw that his shop had its chance to improve and he had to be thankful to his niece.On the other hand Evelyn hoped that he could soon realized that Tom wasn't perfect, that he had another face, more scary and dangerous.The young man owned very little, but what he owned was valuable or dangerous.His little snake Hydra was taught to be harmless to Evelyn, but the pet was worse than a guard dog towards any intruders. While Evelyn took advantage from it by taking the snake's poison to prepare her own potions, although sometimes she feared that animal could bite her anytime, even in her sleep.Tom was used to chat with his pet in his weird language. Evelyn couldn't imagine what the conversations were about, but she suspected the animal became a sort of spy.She sighed heavily and noticed a newspaper on Tom's small desk next to their bed.She pulled it closer, noticing it was a pile of covers from muggle newspapers with big titles about atomic bombs, the "most destructive force in universe" and wiped out cities.Evelyn held her breath. Grindelwald was defeated, he was locked in Azkaban, the Daily Prophet also shared a picture of him in chains. The wizarding war was over. She couldn't believe that muggles were capable of so much destruction."Shocking, isn't it?" Tom's whisper made her startle since she didn't hear him coming close."What is it?" She asked, letting him leafing through the papers."The results of uncontrolled muggles who play with weapons able to destroy the whole world" he said calmly, taking her hand to place her index to a black and white image of that appeared like a big mushroom under the title "the monster"."This is the result of their wickedness. Cities wiped out with powerful bombs. Something like that can also wipe away the whole England".Evelyn felt goosebumps on her skin "So Grindelwald is not involved?"."No. Well, as far as we know. Wizards are just watching the show. The Daily Prophet barely mentioned it. Muggles are becoming dangerous and the Ministry of Magic pretends to be blind"."That's awful. But it means the muggles are destroying themselves" she knew well how Tom hated muggles and seeing those news should have given him the joy that instead she didn't see in his face."They are dangerous for wizards too. You saw what they did in London. If you didn't take me away from that orphanage, I wouldn't be here now"."You shouldn't have stayed in that muggle orphanage. Your place is here, amongst wizards"."Yeah, but are we safe? That kind of bombs could harm us too. Maybe the muggles stole the secret of the atomic bomb from some silly wizard and now they are playing with that dangerous toy"."I hope this tragedy woke their conscience. Some Department will deal with this. It's not our job, Tom"."So shall we wait for some crazy muggle to throw an atomic bomb on London while we are sleeping?".She wrapped her arms around his neck to calm him down and also to calm herself from shaking "You should sleep and stop this ranting in your mind. We are safe".He disagreed and pushed her arms away, but in doing so his eyes fell on his ring, on his horcrux. So he had to agree. He was safe.