ᑭETᖇIᑕᕼOᖇ

Chapter Four

As long as there are humans who intend to rule with no compassion and cold-heartedness, there will always be those who follow with no questions asked. You cannot blame them when their only aspiration in life is to follow orders. However, these 'lambs' are what makes a person a leader.

Some might say leaders are born; but in reality they are simply a product of their childhood. Yes, leaders are created. A foolish Prince who has known nothing but luxury and pampering would never have the courage nor the ambition to rule over a swarm of dolphins - let alone an entire Kingdom.

No, a strong leader is someone who has seen it all. Someone who can easily observe a situation and have a solution within seconds. Someone who could kill and not bat an eye. Someone like him.

In all sense of the title, Tom knew he was the designated King. He ruled over his land, the captivating castle housing all of his loyal subjects. He had almost everyone wrapped around his finger - the majority having loved him since he began his schooling as a mere 11-year-old. In his never-ending game, these people were seen as pawns. Pieces in a chess game that could be thrown into battle and not be missed when taken out.

All of the people who would one day bow to him as their true Lord. Their savior.

He never questioned his brazen supremacy. The effect he had on others was enough to fill him with pride - ranging from his knights loyalty to the girls who couldn't help but swoon whenever he passed. Tom really was adored by all.

This made it rather effortless to convince Slughorn to sign his permission slip for Hogsmeade - given that the teacher would do anything to please his favorite student and possibly be voted "professor of the year". Riddle had never had any reason to visit the village, but even so, Artemisia suggested they go together meaning he really had no room to decline. He loathed the fact that he actually considered her to be brilliant enough to allow the incessant witch to initiate a private meeting. It was insulting to his good name.

While she was indeed pretty and clever, (certainly a good look for his public image) he was consumed with thoughts of what she had told him the night before.

      Immortality.

It seemed like a dream. In fact, the only thing Riddle had ever dreamt of was the power to live forever. He'd be able to do so much - be so much. The force of his power could eventually overthrow every one and thing, but somehow he felt like that wouldn't be enough. 

To only have one thing keeping him from dying? That sounded impossibly risky - a risk he wasn't keen on taking.

Then, the most glorious idea hit him like a Stupefy to the face.

Multiple Horcruxes.... he smirked maliciously. Of course, he had no idea if this could be accomplished or not, but Tom had always held a little too much confidence at times. 

No one else currently occupied the boys' dorm. Although, if someone did happen to walk in, they'd be forced to observe as a menacing red shimmer glazed over his eyes for a split second.

~~~

Fluffing her hair in the body-length mirror, Artemisia went over the details from last night. She had met a bloody basilisk for Merlins-sake.

Ever since the exceptional witch was a mere tot, her one wish every Christmas was for her godfather to gift a basilisk egg; however he had never bowed to her desires. She was, undoubtably, his favorite person, but not even the little Lennox girl could sway the icy man's heart.