RIDDLES PROPERTY

chapter 69

"Hermione!" Emelia said as she pulled Hermione to a deserted hallway.

"Emelia! What're you doing?" she asked in a hushed, but panicked voice.

Emelia hesitated. She was contemplating telling Hermione about her Dumbledore issue, but Hermione trusted Dumbledore. Still, she was intelligent and Emelia could use her help.

Fuck, too much of a risk.

"I'm not sure, I'll tell you later." she said and walked away. Hermione gave her an odd look and went back into the kitchen. God, that was a close call.

"What were you calling Hermione for?"

Emelia turned around to find Tom waiting by the door. His hair was messy and he seemed as if he'd been up all night.

"No reason. Now what happened to you?"

"What?"

"Your hair is disheveled and your dark circles seem even worse."

Tom grunted and glared at her.

She shrugged.

"Why were you talking to her?" he repeated. She gazed in to his eyes. They were shifting colors again. A sign that he was stressed.

"Come in here," Emelia said and pointed to the empty bedroom. They went inside and she took a seat on the empty chair.

"He's up to something."

"Who?" Tom asked.

She put a silencing charm around the room.

"Dumbledore."

Emelia waited for him to be confused, but he shrugged.

"I knew this."

She was now confused.

"What? Tom, there's something about him. It's not dark, but you've seen the way hes setting everyone up for...death, essentially!"

"All of them are his pets, Emelia, why do you think I didn't want to be associated with them? Nonetheless, times have changed. He's more powerful than us whether we'd like to admit it or not."

She was about to sputter and act like a fool but the door opened and Molly came in.

"It's breakfast time," she said hoarsely and left. Emelia tried to stop her, but Tom held her back.

"She needs more time to process everything."

Emelia realized Tom was right. Molly gave Emelia so much and she repaid Molly by stealing her car and leaving.

Tom held her around the waist and put his chin on the top of her head. They stayed like that. It was so calm and she couldn't believe how everything escalated.

He kissed her and she couldn't help but laugh.

"There's no way you're real, Riddle. You're just so spontaneous, I suppose."

"What's that supposed to mean," he asked.

She looked up at his face and let her hand rest on his lips for a bit.

"I dunno. I'm not going to sit and justify your actions, but at least you're clear with what you're doing."

Rarely.

He smiled a bit, holding her hands gently.

The door creaked open and Sirius peaked his head in.

"I don't mean to interrupt you two, but it seems that we have an Order meeting downstairs. Tom, you'll be with me. Emilia, they want you downstairs though. Ophelia's crying."

Tom's smile faded away and he nodded curtly.

"I'll take care of Ophelia. You can go down."

"Are you sure?" Emelia asked.

"Yeah. It won't be long, I suppose."

She sighed and left the room.

"Well I hate to be a buzzkill and allat, but Dumbledore really wants you two to keep your distance. Order rules."

"I see." Emelia gave a bitter smile and wakes down to the kitchen.

There on the table sat Tonks, Harry, Fred, Molly, and several others.

"Emilia! So glad you could join us," Arthur said. His eyes looked tired and he seemed to be exhausted.

She gave a small grin and took a seat at the table.

"We have news."

Emelia didn't know how she could've possibly missed him, besides the fact he was sulking in the corner, but Severus Snape came out of the dark.

"Hello Emilia. What a surprise to see you here." he said coldly.