After the Lights Go Out

Part 7 - The Crown

You had followed after Tom in silence as the pair of you descended deeper into the dark foliage of the forbidden forest, further and further away from the remains of Terrence's body. You felt emotionally stunted, only moments ago Terrence had attempted to scorch you of the earth with a blasting curse after you refused to give him the golden key. While you somehow got away unscathed by diving into nearby moss, it was only by sheer luck. Then, Tom had arrived at the scene.

As it was getting darker, it got colder – you shivered as you stepped between branches, startling yourself each time you heard a twig snap below you, still fearful that the Acromantula that had devoured Terrence would return. The nightmares that had plagued you ever since the beginning of the tournament must have been trying to warn you, as now it seemed like they had all come alive, but for one great exception; For some peculiar reason, you still stood by Tom's side.

You saw the golden key glimmer in the grasp of his hand before you, and when his walk finally came to abrupt halt you knew he had finally found it. In a clearing on a small hill – there was a large wooden treasure chest. You could tell Tom was hesitant as he approached it, perhaps he feared that he'd have to encounter a boggart again. With his sullen visage he turned around to gaze at you, as if to make sure that you were still there – palely staring right back at him just as he stole your victory.

You watched as he crouched before the chest, and with a turn of the key it clicked and opened – a bright golden glow emerged from inside, where the price in gold rested beneath a beautiful crown. You walked closer as Tom lifted it carefully in between his hands, you quickly realized it was more of a diadem – and wondered why on earth this were the price he had so desired. The treasure chest was enchanted, for the winner of the Tournament it would produce one item for the champion that would prevail, no matter how rare or treasured it was.

"Wit beyond measure is man's greatest treasure" Tom read aloud from the words etched upon the diadems surface.

"You did this... all of this just for some stupid crown?" you asked out loud dumbfoundedly, and he turned to face you again – his dark eyes still reflection the sparkling opal of the diadem.

"It's so much more than just a crown" he replied, before he turned back to it as if mesmerized. You felt your fists clench tightly together in response, as he glowered before his prize.

"Keep telling yourself that Tom, and one day it might just be true" you lamented, and somehow it must have irritated him just enough to break his gaze off the diadem.

"I pity you" you hastily added, and his gaze pierced you more than ever.

"Don't make me laugh, one day you'll see just how great I am" he swore with furrowed brows when you did not seem to agree with him.

"And what is greatness worth for, when you're all alone after having pushed all those who ever cared for you away?"

Tom carefully laid the diadem back upon it's bed of gold and stepped towards you in frustration - that soon eased into this mild-mannered smile that now disturbed you more than ever.

"Y/n.... I never said I would not share it"

As he came closer his lips brushed against yours, but before you could give inn, you stepped away, refusing his advances despite of how every cell in your body told you the opposite.

"You're sick Tom, not even I could change that..." you whispered as he gazed at you in surprise that you would even consider denying him after all that had happened, that you could be so ungrateful despite of how he had saved your life now twice. His dark eyes looked at you with hurt, but then they quickly filled themselves with contempt rather than tears.