Obliviate

Chapter Five

Maeve attended every Dueling Club event, as were Tom's instructions. She looked forward to her lessons with him almost as much as Charms class. Maeve was consistently blocking Tom's spells and becoming better at her offensive spells.

"You make a good teacher," said Maeve gathering her things.

Tom smirked at this. "You aren't a bad pupil. Believe me, I have worse."

"Oh, I'm well aware," laughed Maeve. "You mentor Rosier as well."

They shared a laugh on the stairs out of the dungeon.

"You've known all of them your whole life, haven't you?" Asked Tom. "Being a Sacred Twenty Nine."

Maeve nodded. "My family is especially close to the Malfoys, though, as my Mother was one. Which I suppose is why Abraxas and I get along so well."

Maeve found it strange for Tom to bring up her blood heritage. It wasn't exactly on par with their normal topic of conversation.

"You should be proud of your blood status, Sinclair."

"What gave you the impression that I wasn't?" Maeve raised her eyebrows.

Tom seemed to approve of this response. Their walk was silent until they said goodnight.

It was a Saturday afternoon, and Maeve and Tom were dueling. When Maeve declined to go to Hogsmead with Violet, she received yet another nasty comment about how she and Tom spent too much time together.

Tom was in a particularly lighthearted mood as they lazily shot spells back and forth, discussing magic.

"Your father had you practice an Imperius curse as a child?" He laughed.

"Yes," said Maeve.

"They're illegal."

Maeve shrugged as he blocked her jinx. "My father isn't really one for the rules. At least, not the ones in his interest to break."

Tom looked intrigued. "Alright. Brace yourself, Sinclair. I want to see how strong your mind is."

Maeve was taken aback at this comment as Tom aimed his wand at her.

"Legilimens!"

A swirl of mixed, faded colors shot her way. Suddenly she was watching her Father demonstrate a series of spells in The Dueling Hall at her family's home. She was only six. Ambrose was excitedly showing her wand motions and making Maeve giggle with gold sparks.

Tom had entered her mind effortlessly, without asking her. Why had this particular memory come to the surface? Perhaps because they were discussing the spells that Ambrose Sinclair forced her to perfect.

"Is that your father?" Asked Tom Riddle's voice.

"Yes," said Maeve.

Tom appeared at her side. "You aren't even trying to force me out."

"I have no idea how to do that," said Maeve plainly.

Her Father and six-year-old self disintegrated, and she was standing in the Dueling Hall at Hogwarts once more.

"How'd you do that so easily?" Asked Maeve.

"The better question is why was it so easy to enter your mind?"

Maeve scowled at him. "We're dueling not-"

"Who is to say that isn't part of a duel?" Tom interrupted her. "Why did your Father attempt to teach you the Imperius Curse?" Tom waited for a response, but Maeve didn't offer one. "Because in the life outside of this castle, there are no rules. Your Father knows it, I know it," said Tom. "It's time you know it."