Chapter 16
When he stepped inside, she looked up from her desk and when she saw him , she gestured to him to sit.
Before he said anything, she spoke up first
"Don't do that again, Tom. I am older than you, it's entirely inappropriate. " Tom pursed his lips and felt irritated at what she said , however she didn't avoid his gaze showing that there was no room for negociation
"Alright, then" Of course, it was not alright. But for now ....until he figured everything about her , besides he was sure it would not take her long to be smitten with him.She seemed to relax at those words and followed with asking about his days and how he was doing. He answered her and they kept conversing for quite a bit until it seemed thtat she stopped her previous avoidance.
"I am planning to visit Hogsmeade in two weeks, would you come with me?"
"I am your teacher, Tom"
"I know, I didn't know that was forbidden. Is it? Besides it's dangerous now with Grindelwald, would you let me go alone?" This seemed to convince her more than anything else, the idea of him getting hurt seemed to disturb her deeply.
"Alright then, I will go with you"
"Besides, there are only few months left before the end of the year and I wouldn't be able to see you all summer" This seemed to get her attention
"I forgot to ask, where do you live?" When she learned it was in a muggle orphanage, specially with the war going on, she was outraged. Like it was the most indignant thing in the world, Tom would have to agree with her.
"You wouldn't be going there this summer" Tom understood quite well where she was going with this.
"Well, where would I stay?"
"With me, I do have a residence outside of Hogwarts. Though it's quite humble" Tom learned to not trust her definition of humble. But he wasn't surprised that she told him to stay with her. He was looking forward to living with her in her home. She continued
"I cannot believe Dumbledore has been your wizarding guardian this whole time. It's great that you reached your adulthood, otherwise even if it was for a short amount of time, I would have proposed to be" She seemed deeply disturbed at the idea of Dumbledore being the one to visit him or to be nominated his guardian on paper when it came to his school affairs.
"Are you sure I would not impose?" He pretended to say though he knew clearly what she would say
"Nonsense, Tom. It's not merely in summer but I want you to treat it as your home. Do as you wish and I do not want you to ever feel like you impose on anything I do" Tom felt quite pleased hearing her say that, home. He knew she meant everything she said, as a matter of fact, she left him her whole possessions. Speaking of that, he remembered the report he saw.
"Did you visit the healer?" She looked up surprised at his question.
"Do I look tired? Don't worry Tom, I am in great health." He pursed his lips at her lies and fury was building up from under his shields. He bid her goodbye for the night and she was left confused at his sudden change of mood.
He finally had a breakthrough as to how to know Bellatrix's heart object...though he would have to make some concessions. He has been sitting in the common room when he heard Walburga talk about an artifact from the Black's vault her father gifted her as she was taunting her female listeners. Apparently, the artifact had the ability to show someone's romantic subject, if one didn't have one, it would show the closest thing to their taste. She agreed to let him borrow it at the condition that he let her assist a few of the meetings he holds. Tom was irritated, Walburga wouldn't become a member and she still thought herself to be better than him and would be merely fooling around if she came. However, he decided it was worth it. She tried to pry to know on who he was going to use it on because it truly did seem there was no need for it, however he shut down her questions quite fast. She promised to get him the artifact in two days as he was left waiting in thrill. He couldn't wait to see this mysterious man finally. He needed to know how to make Bellatrix use it unknowingly, she is very vigilant .However , she trusted him a lot which meant it would be somewhat easy for him.
When he finally got the artifact, he decided to act fast. He put a few illusions on it to make it look a random quill and put a charm he would be able to wandlessly activate which would then activate the artifact itself. He walked over to her office after his prefect rounds, his hand sweating from excitement. Finally, finally he would get his answer.
When he entered her office, he saw that she had just started her grading.... great, an opportunity already. She greeted him and made space for him on her desk like she always did when she had him over. He sat down and spread his work as usual pretending like he was not up to something. He openly took her own quill that she was writing with from her hand and played with it, she didn't seem to mind it and waited for him to finish playing with it at his heart extent . Yes, she indulges him that much. He wandlessly switched the quill with the artifact and handed it back to her. It seemed as if time was slowing down when she got hold of the quill. He turned his head to not miss a bit of the apparition.... and then he saw him or... it. He wondered if Walburga was messing with him and this artifact had some boggart like functions instead because it would not make any other sense, the thing before him was not even human. It was a snake like man with no nose, hair or eyebrows, his eyes were permanently red not just flashing red like Tom'.... a look never seen even in the most infamous of dark wizards, even in those who pushed the boundaries and ended up regretting it. Tom thought that this person doesn't exist because if they did, there is no way the ministries or the aurors wouldn't be alerted because he looked like some dark lord from exaggerated legends to scare children at night. Besides, this man has nothing similar to him, Tom would be offended if someone claimed so. Even if this man was strong and Tom liked power; this insanity displayed would undoubtedly lead to his downfall, failing to maintain the most important of powers, a strong sharp mind. He cursed under his breath for what a wasted opportunity this was and turned to look at Bellatrix only to be absolutely surprised at what he saw. When she saw the apparition, it was like she couldn't believe it, her eyes lit up like he had never seen them before with extreme delight and fanaticism. It didn't dawn on him any different but only now he saw the difference in her behavior, how happy and excited she was at the sight, as if before, she was merely a dull version of herself. She got up from her chair and completely ignored Tom as if he wasn't there. He strangely felt himself relegated to a secondary position and apprehension was clenching his chest. He has a feeling that he would not like this, his brain felt overwhelmed by surprise as he stood stunned watching her reaction.