Ink and Parchment ~ blood and bone

17

Eliza cast some detection charms on the diadem, even a few in parseltongue just to be safe and was pleased when nothing came back. Tom hadn't mentioned any curses but he wasn't in any position to know right now. Checking and reinforcing her occlumency barriers Eliza finally gave into temptation and reached for the diadem.

The blue gems seemed to twinkle in the dim light as Eliza ran a hand over the ornate silver.

Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure

Smiling softly she placed it on her head.

Instantly the world about her dissolved and Eliza cringed at the disconcerting feeling of being roughly yanked into another's mind. It was just like when she used to go into the diary and soon the image about her stopped spinning.

She was stood in a forest, tall towering trees surrounding her, cold air nipping at her face as she breathed in sharply. Sunlight streamed in through the branches, casting shadows of dappled leaves on the ground. If she listened hard enough it sounded like there was a river in the distance. A twig snapped behind her and Eliza whirled around.

This Riddle was different from her Riddle, he was older for one but something about him seemed calmer, more tempered. Tom had a thirst to prove himself, he was ambitious and ruthless and Eliza could always see that in his tightly coiled movements, his sharp smiles. This Riddle was confident, he stood relaxed and comfortable instead of Tom's jagged edges, he was sure of himself. Not arrogant but steady in a way Eliza could only hope she would emulate one day.

"Hello" he said slowly, a soft smirk playing at his lips as he regarded Eliza.

"Long time no see Riddle" Eliza quipped back with a crooked smile and watched as he blinked in surprise. His eyes weren't like Tom's hazel, Riddle's eyes were a burning red. They made him seem otherworldly, a predatory edge to him that made Eliza feel a bit nervous.

This wasn't her Tom.

She would have to be careful.

"You seem to know me but I don't know you? That's hardly fair is it?" He crooned softly, stepping closer and Eliza edged back in response. It's a move he noticed judging by the growing smile.

"My name is Eliza Potter but you tend to call me darling" Eliza said teasingly. She didn't think Tom was actually aware that he called her that, didn't think he knew she now had a pet name but she wouldn't be the one to tell him.

"Explain" Riddle said shortly, dangerously and Eliza immediately launched into a rambling explanation of her life, of Voldemort's decline and destruction, of her first meeting with Tom, of their plans and aspirations. By the end both she and Riddle are sat on the forest floor, leaning on opposite trees.

Riddle looked contemplatively at her when she finally finished. The silence in the forest is peaceful and Eliza can't help but relax slightly as she breathed in the sharp cold air.

"I can understand why we are so fascinated with you Eliza" he said and Eliza didn't even bother calling him out on the collective pronoun. If Riddle had wanted one seamless identity he shouldn't have chopped his soul up into so many pieces.

"So what trouble have you caused this year Eliza?" Riddle said and Eliza almost felt like she was back with her Tom when she saw Riddle quirk his eyebrow and tilt his head. Shaking her head Eliza delved into an explanation of her year so far and ignored how her stomach twists when she heard Riddle's warm soothing laughter.

She could get drunk off the sound of it.

Eventually she has to leave the forest, leave Riddle. She has to let Tom know she's found the diadem so he can leave Albania, she has to go to her court but she's reluctant to part with Riddle. He may not be her Tom but he was still Tom. It was nice to finally be able to talk with him properly.