Forever Yours, Tom Riddle (Completed)

Memories

Memories

I will admit, when Dumbledore said Tom was coming to the school I wasn't too surprised. Tom had never wanted to leave Hogwarts, it was his home as much as it was mine. So as I stood outside Dumbledores office, slightly shaking and listening in to their conversation I started to cry. I hated what Tom had become but deep down I still loved him, more than anything on this earth. What was wrong with me! I focused on their conversation instead of my feelings. "But nothing I have seen in the world has supported your famous pronouncements that love is more powerful than my kind of magic, Dumbledore." Tom tried to persuade him, it hurt hearing him say that. But it meant he truly thought I was dead. "Perhaps you have been looking in the wrong places..." Dumbledore trailed off, Tom was here for my job as DADA teacher and head of Slytherin house. "Well, then, what better place to start fresh researches than here, at Hogwarts? Will you let me return? Will you let me share my knowledge with your students?"

This was it, Tom would come through the door any minute. I ran down the stairs and wiped a few stray tears from my face. I didn't know where Tom would go so I went out the front door, tying my Slytherin scarf tighter around my neck. Maybe I would go down to see Hagrid, he had a job here as groundskeeper. The second Dumbledore was headmaster he located Hagrid and brought him in. I smiled, happy that I had good memories still. I started walking down there when somebody attacked me and we both went rolling to the ground. "Payton! It is you! We've missed you!" I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "You weren't sure it was me so you tackled me? You haven't changed a bit LeStrange." He pulled me to my feet and hugged me. "Harley!" Rosier called happily and joined in on the hug, then Nott and Mulciber. Leaving a girl with wild black hair standing away from us. She graduated from Hogwarts last year... LeStrange noticed me watching her and once they'd all let me go he went to her and brought her over. "This is my wife, Bellatrix." I burst into laughter, she was so young! She was Bellatrix Black! Did she even know what she'd gotten herself into? She pulled out a knife and came at me and my eyes widened for a moment before I took the knife from her with wandless magic.

"Bella it the dark lord ever knew about this he'd kill you." LeStrange pulled her away from me quickly, I tossed her back her knife. "It's been a long time since someone tried to kill me." I couldn't help but smile, I did miss the adventure. And I did miss the company, well except for Tom. And if they didn't do so many horrible things like murder and thievery than maybe... Just maybe- I shook my head to clear it. They weren't going to change. "I thought you were dead, Payton." Nott said confused, I was about to answer him when my arm started tingling. "Our master calls us." Bellatrix hissed, obviously she didn't like me.

Mulciber turned and there was Tom coming out the front door. "He summons you? Like dogs?" I pulled up my sleeve and examined my tattoo. It had done this before but I'd never understood what it meant. Mulciber whistled and Tom looked over. He walked over and stopped on the outskirts of the group. Finally seeing me. "Get lost." He hissed and his death eaters took off. I folded my arms across my chest. "I thought you were dead." He said softer, sounding weak. "Well I'm not." I said simply and walked back to the castle. "You two inside. It's nearly nightfall." I made sure the students got in ahead of me, they glanced back at Tom curiously. "You haven't changed, how is this possible? The headmaster told me you were dead. I went to your funeral." I spun around to face him anger evident across my face. "So you decided to go to my funeral after you nearly killed me?" I couldn't help but give him a shove. "How dare you come here! After all this time! After all you've done!" Warning sparks short from my finger tips but Tom just smiled. He knew I was alive and I could see it in his eyes he wouldn't loose me again.

I closed my eyes in shame- if he asked, I would stay. I couldn't deny I still loved Tom Riddle, the question was did Tom Riddle still exist? I could see him, could touch him but was it just an illusion? I looked up into his piercing blue eyes once more and walked away, I had very little things and I would leave them. It wasn't worth giving into Tom. I would send Dumbledore an owl of my apologies. Then I would vanish. Tom walked quickly beside me and I threw the gate open. One more step and I could disaperate. Tom gave me a weak half smile. He rummaged in a small bag he carried with him and pulled out my silver necklace of the snake endlessly slithering. "Don't do this Harley." He placed it in my hand and I held my breath when our skin touched. Suddenly his hand moved to my lower back and pulled me to him. I couldn't help but kiss Tom back, when you love someone that never really changes. When he pulled away I took a step back and out of Hogwarts. "I love you, Tom." Then I was sucked into the air and appeared outside Cedrellas old house, tear threatening to overflow.

I didn't know anyone but hopefully Cedrella would at least let me send an owl from her house. I rung the bell, please let her be home... A scrawny boy with red hair and glasses answered the door, he was maybe seventeen. He had Cedrellas eyes and her nose. I'd never noticed before, he was a student of mine, Arthur Weasley. "Is Cedrella here? Could I speak to her?" He nodded shyly and ran through the house leaving the door open. I stepped inside and closed the door behind me, waiting. Cedrella came in the room. She was laughing slightly until she looked up and saw me. "I have that effect on people these days." I smiled and she ran forward to hug me. "I went to your funeral, how are you here?" She had grey through her hair "Dumbledore." I answered simply and she hugged me again tears pouring down her face.

She pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. I could see the crinkles from smiling around her eyes and lips, she was happy. "Was that your son?" She nodded, "You remember Orion Weasley? I married him and we had Arthur, he's in his last year at Hogwarts. He just returned home for Christmas." She grinned proudly of the life she's living. It made me happy and sad at the same time. Happy because she was happy but sad because it had only ever been Tom and there was no way there was a life with him. Also because I had to bring myself upon her. It would not be a long stay.

"I'm so glad for you, Cedrella. I promise I won't stay long, if it's not too much trouble could I send an owl? Then I'll be on my way." Shock crossed her face, then sadness. "Can't you stay longer? You've only just returned." I wouldn't risk her family so I could stay. No I would run, go into hiding. "I am being tracked." I followed her through her house as she gathered parchment and a quill. "By whom?" She said startled, then her face lost all colour. "It's him isn't it? There were rumors about your death but I couldn't believe them. He loved you so much... Does he know your alive?" I bit my lip and started writing. "He knows now."

'To Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

My sincerest apologies but he knows I'm alive and I cannot stay. I'm going into hiding- I hope to see you when it's safe.

Yours truly,

Harley'

I rolled up the letter and she took it but did not open it. I stood to leave. "You can stay for Christmas can't you? That's only one day..." I sighed and took off my cloak. She squealed with happiness and vanished through the house. I heard her talking to Arthur down the hall, telling him I would be staying for Christmas. I got off the bench and pulled my jacket on, I couldn't stay. It was too dangerous, he was too dangerous. Maybe I shouldn't have even come in the first place... I quietly went to the door and opened it to face Molly Prewett. She looked confused but still smiled, after all I was her teacher. "Professor? Is uh Arthur here?"

"He's inside, could you do me a favor? Tell Mrs. Weasley I said I'm sorry and goodbye." Her eyebrows furrowed, I'd confused the poor girl. "Please, Molly." She nodded and I walked past her onto the sidewalk, checking for anybody watching. "What are you doing, Professor?" Once I was convinced Molly was the only one watching I pulled out my wand and smiled sadly before disaperating. "Disappearing."