The tall dark figure of Tom Marvolo Riddle descended the twisted pathways at Knockturn Alley. It was near midnight and the only sources of light were the faint lamp posts erected several meters apart.
The swift clicking of his boots against the cobblestones was the only sound that could be heard for miles. Strange shadows danced about him, all a trick of the dim lighting, and he determinedly continued until he reached an apartment stowed away in a corner.
He flicked his wand slightly and lit it up, taking out a key to unlock the door. There was utter silence in the apartment except for the low tune Tom was humming. It seemed as if he was in a really good mood; a possibility quite rare for a man like him.
Not bothering to switch on the lights, he headed straight to the bedroom and changed out of his formal dressing. Taking out his diary, he conveniently settled down on the writing desk, switching on the gas lamp by one wand swish and started writing an account of his day.
It had become a habit by then and even though his first diary had been transformed into a horcrux, in safe custody of Tom's faithful follower Avery, he still kept one journal to store his memories. At the moment, he didn't possess a pensieve but to him keeping a diary and then burning everything in it in the time of need was much safer than storing pictorial accounts in a pensieve that were not so easy to get rid of.
A man in Riddle's position could never take such a risk. A man in his position had to be overly cautious; swift as the wind and silent as the grave.
His eyes keenly swept over the neatly written words pausing for a second on Perseus's name. Perseus Burke was undeniably the key he needed to unlock the realms of the Dark Arts. To him, gaining access to all the information stored in Perseus's mind had become immeasurably significant.
For him, Perseus was the white king at his chessboard and his objective was to checkmate him in order to win the game.
The only thing under consideration at the moment was selecting the most effective move to play. The bishop had already been conquered, a few pawns taken down but the rook and the knight still stood dominant on his chessboard.
He had to make sure that his blow took down the two for they were the key to the white king's safety. And he had to make sure that his move would be swift yet discreet.
A sinister spark shone in his eyes as if he had suddenly came to the right decision. His hand flowed on the paper and his eyes rested on another name; the name of the chess piece he had chosen.
Demelza Burke.
Daughter to Caractacus's younger brother Herbert Burke and Belvina Black; she was probably the second closest person to Perseus after that beautiful Fawley who had visited the shop with a basket of homemade scones just a few months ago.
On the lethal game of chess Tom was devising, she represented both the white knight as well as the black queen. The only difference between both the pieces she represented was the way of operation.
Tom Riddle had a clear idea that in the current circumstances, the best strategy would be to trap the knight and wait in patience for when the white rook would get taken down subsequently by the black queen as an after effect of that one move.
At last satisfied with his next line of action, he closed the diary and tilted his chair back, rocking it back and forth slightly, out of habit. A content smile was evident on his face that looked quite deadly as that of a serpent, due to the effect of the moonlight filtering in through the windows.
***
Perseus had been feeling oddly uncomfortable ever since he woke up. To him, it seemed as if something awful would happen if he failed to stop it. Not even bothering to eat breakfast due to the feeling of dread settled at the pit of his stomach, he quickly left his house and headed to his uncle's abode a few blocks away.
Sprinting as fast as he could, he was rather out of breath when he reached there. Their house elf let him in and he saw both Belvina and Herbert were seated at the table having breakfast.
"Perce, dear, how wonderful that you could join us," Belvina rose from her chair and beckoned him to come and have breakfast with them.
His eyes scanned the living room but his cousin, Demelza, was nowhere to be seen. When they insisted further he politely refused, stating that he wasn't hungry.
"So what made you remember that we too live on this street?" Herbert asked, subtly hinting at the fact that Perseus seldom visited them.
He shook his head, "that's not the case, Uncle, I would have visited much often if not for my father. The shop timings keep me a little too occupied. By the way, is Demelza still asleep?"
"No, she woke up early today and said she was going for a walk. We thought she would have gone to your shop," Belvina replied but there was an uncertainty in her tone, "that's partially the reason I was surprised to see you here. But then she could have gone to see Renata perhaps."
"Even if she hasn't come there yet, I'm sure she would stop by in a while," Herbert remarked rather indifferently; contrary to his wife.
Perseus glanced at the tall clock placed in the corner; it was striking half past nine. He knew that was the time for Tom's shift but Demi could have been unaware of it since not so long ago, Perce was assigned with the morning shift.
Caractacus Burke's trust in Riddle had been increasing by every passing day such that he had set a time table, altering the previous arrangement between the two, according to which Tom had to deal with customers for the first half while Perseus was given the easier second half.
From a mere apprentice Riddle had been promoted to an actual artifact dealer in such a short time span and at times it made Perseus slightly jealous. At times he felt as if Riddle was slowly but steadily usurping his position in his father's eyes.
He knew that if Demelza stopped by the shop right then, Tom would be there and he could certainly not trust Riddle enough to let him take any interest in his cousin. Not knowing whether it was a protective elder brotherly stance towards Demelza or the feeling of mistrust towards Tom, he excused himself from his uncle and aunt and disapparated, picturing the dusty building of Borgin and Burkes.
Instead of entering from the main door, he used the backyard from where the house elf Gabby frequently went in and out of the shop. He could hear two voices from inside and as he stepped further, he saw Tom standing by the counter as usual while on the other side was his cousin Demelza.
It seemed as if he had told her a joke because she was laughing and her deep brown eyes were shining with mirth. His fist clenched tightly and he didn't know what to do at the moment.
"And then Professor Slughorn went as far to say that he could ensure that I would definitely become Minister for Magic within ten years if I brought him his favorite currant wine from the local pub in my hometown," Tom had been narrating another of his tales from school and there was a rather flirtatious edge to his voice, "it's the finest wine in the entire region of Yorkshire. If you ever come to Little Hangleton, I would be honored to show you around my humble yet pleasant town."
Perseus was well aware that Riddle worked magic with his words and was quite a charmer when it came to wooing girls. He hadn't been surprised when Tom had once told him how each and every girl at Hogwarts wanted him to take notice of them.
But at the moment he was working his spell on young and innocent Demelza Burke. Demelza who was such a hopeless romantic and could easily be wooed due to her naivety.
He stepped out of the shadows and cleared his throat a bit loudly when Tom gently placed a kiss on her upturned palms and a crimson shade spread over her otherwise porcelain features. Both of them turned around, startled at his sudden appearance.
"Ah Perseus, how nice to see you again," Tom flashed him a bright smile and he instinctively gulped knowing that to him the expression of pure joy on Riddle's face was even scarier than the sinister half smirks, "I was just telling your cousin here how much I enjoy your company. Isn't it great that you came earlier than your shift?"
He ignored Riddle completely and turned to face her, "what are you doing here?"
Demelza who had overcome the shock of seeing him there so unexpectedly spoke up, "I hadn't known it wasn't your shift. Or else I would have come later."
"My shift starts at four in the afternoon," Perseus remarked, "and if you want to meet me you should come after that."
Tom was observing the interaction between both the cousins with an unfathomable flicker of satisfaction in his otherwise emotionless eyes, it was going exactly like he had expected.
"And what if she wants to meet someone else?" Riddle smoothly stated with a suggestive look in his eyes, which made her blush again.
"Then she won't be permitted inside the shop," Perseus spoke firmly, "Gabby will see to that."
A low rumbling laugh escaped Tom and he raised his eyebrow skeptically, "are you sure about what you just said, Perseus?"
"I am perfectly sure of what I just said, Tom. Demelza comes here to visit me, not you and you should know that," his jaw clenched slightly seeing that his warning wasn't going to affect Riddle at all.
He was still leaning carelessly back towards the counter, an annoying smirk plastered on his face. Nothing Perseus said was going to make him back off and he knew that very well.
"Perce..." Demelza tried to speak up but he held his hand up in a gesture for her to keep silent.
Tom shook his head as if he was silently laughing, "oh dear, I hadn't known you were so overprotective. Don't worry, I am not going to hurt your charming cousin in any way. We were just having a small harmless chat."
"I hadn't known you were so talkative either," Perseus snapped back at him, "or else I would have stayed longer to provide the company you so enjoy."
Judging by the expression on Riddle's face and the smile that was still evident, it was safe to say that he was more than just enjoying the whole situation, "ah, that's very considerate of you. I'll look forward to seeing you tomorrow as well then."
Demelza was a little confused on why both of them were reacting so differently; while Tom was calm and composed, Perseus was tense as a mother hawk looking after its family. And in a sense that was correct but she just didn't realize it yet.
He held out his arm for Demelza to take but his eyes were still burning into the cold grey ones in front of him, "come now, Demi. I shall walk you back to your home. Both Uncle and Aunt must be getting worried for you by now."
She reluctantly took his arm as he led her towards the door. Tom who had kept silent for a short while, spoke up, "it was a pleasure to meet such a lovely lady like you, Miss Burke."
She dared not reply as Perseus shot him a stern glance and led her out nevertheless.
After both of them had left, Tom resumed taking notes of the sales done in the previous week in a dusty old register. His features were still shining in satisfaction. He had made the first move and the rook had been trapped.
The only thing left to see was what position his next pawn would land on and which piece would be taken down from there; either the rook, the knight or if he was lucky probably the white king himself.
***