ᑭETᖇIᑕᕼOᖇ

Chapter Two

As Artemisia sat in the Slytherin Common Room, images of a successful future flashed through her mind rapidly. There were just so many possibilities, all because of this glorious information. 

Even as a little girl, the witch couldn't handle the thought of dying. She knew there was too much to be done, too many people to put in their place. Too much uncertainty about what would happen after death. Hell, even the muggles are scared of it. Scared that no matter how they live their little boring lives, it all comes down to nothing. In her mind, the only plausible reality was that no higher power existed and every single person would succumb to the endless pit of nothingness the universe had to offer.

Unlike most of the people she associated with, Lennox was no muggle hater, although all of her friends had many nasty things to say about them. She only despised those who were too weak or cocky for their own good. Power was and had always been the most important thing to her. She spent countless hours in her family library as a little girl, combing through every piece of literature she could get her hands on. It helped that her magic was strong and versatile, for she learned with ease and never exerted much energy when performing jinxes and charms.

But now that she was aware of her capability to make these Horcruxes, everything changed. Now there was a way for her to avoid death, and with her egoistic philosophy, she would have no problem taking another human life to preserve her own. She thought of three people she would gladly murder in cold blood, but for the time being, she would put that off. There was an exceedingly important task at hand.

Figuring out what the hell Tom Riddle was doing in her space.

He easily opened the door, making no noise as he stepped into the room and looked around. Their eyes met, his turning darker for a moment until the witch sent him a teasing wave.

His steps never faltered as Riddle stalked closer until he towered over her.

"It seems we have the misfortune of meeting again, Tiddle. I must say, I'm interested in why you would be roaming the halls at this time of night. Do I need to be worried?" She grimaced, acting as though he was stoning children in a secret torture chamber.

"As much as I appreciate your desultory excuse for concern, it's none of your business," he sneered sarcastically, crossing his arms. "But I admit, I'm also intrigued as to why you are awake at this hour." He cast a silent accio to move one of the large green armchairs behind him. He took a seat and simply watched, waiting for her to come up with an answer.

She huffed, crossing her legs and leaning forwards. If he was honest, it was hard to concentrate on her words when her lips looked so inviting. "I happened across some... unique information. I wouldn't call it exciting or anything, but it's certainly enough to keep my attention."

He could tell she was downplaying it and knew she no longer wanted to continue this conversation by the way she denied any information so plainly. He was about to get up and leave, but she suddenly grabbed his arm before he could stand. "You never told me- What were you doing, Riddle?" He glared, shaking her hand off and sneering.

"Never touch me without my permission, Lennox. Keep your filthy bloody hands off, do you understand?" Her name sounded like a hiss coming from his lips. He didn't stay any longer, throwing the chair back into place with a flick of his wand and furiously marching up the steps to the boy dorms. But before he could open the door, he decided to try the restricted section one more time. Just one more time. Of course she just had to be there when I went to find that damned book. What complete fucking shit.

Artemisia exited and entered the common room without alerting any staff and walked the opposite way to the girls' dorm, wondering just what that boy's problem was. She changed into her nightgown and drew the curtains of her bed shut, casting a muffliato on the curtains and plopping onto the soft mattress.