Invictus [Tom Riddle / Tomione]

Oblivion

They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered. - F. Scott Fitzgerald

Tom couldn't believe his luck. It was as if the universe was conspiring to help him achieve his goals. The Boot family had been a dead end, but the Agyris purebloods had welcomed him as the heir of Slytherin, and politely answered his inquiries.

"But of course Herpo was preserved," said Adamantia Agyris. "If I recall correctly, he passed away during the Archaic period, and was buried for centuries in his tomb. Well, he wasn't actually buried per sè, but was cremated in the ancient Athenian style, and his ashes placed in an urn and concealed in his tomb, here in Athens. We still have an ancient scroll detailing his Prothesis ceremony. The Greeks believed this ceremony was necessary to usher the soul into the afterlife, although we cannot be certain what truly became of Herpo's soul, after all."

"Who buried him?" Tom asked.

Adamantia gave a grim smile. "His enemies. He had no protégé, for he did not desire to bequeath his magical knowledge to any living witch or wizard, for fear that they would turn against him. He was quite mad, the legends say. It was the splitting of his soul which caused madness to overtake him. His children despised him when they discovered what he had done. They refused to attend his Prothesis, sadly. His enemies conducted the ceremony as a mockery, since it was unlikely that his soul would ever advance onto the afterlife."

"How do you know all of this?" asked Tom, his pulse racing.

"Our family is one of the oldest in Greece, dating back to ancient Mycenae. We can even trace our line back to the witch Circe. We are historians, Mr. Riddle. We have preserved the ancient magical scrolls for millennia. Our trove of history is priceless. We possess the most extensive magical libraries that have ever existed since the library at Alexandria burned."

"It's quite impressive," Riddle replied, resorting to flattery. "I would love to visit them at a later date. I admit I find myself honored to be enlightened on the topic by a witch of such illustrious lineage."

She smiled, her eyes glittering. "I am honored in return, to meet the last heir of Salazar Slytherin. He was a descendant of Herpo, I'm told."

"It is very likely," Tom mused. "Where is the burial site of Herpo located?"

She made a face. "Well, the burial site was disturbed in the late 1800s. The International Confederation of Wizards determined that the wards on the tomb were insufficient and demanded that his ashes be turned over to the British Historical Society of Magic for safekeeping. They were under the impression that there might be witches or wizards who would desire to use his ashes for some ritual of dark magic."

"How silly," Tom smiled.

"Indeed," she laughed. "In any case, his urn is kept by the Historical Society now, in London."

"I truly appreciate your meeting with me. I had longed to visit his tomb, as I am quite likely an ancestor of his. However, it seems that is, unfortunately, impossible, so I will take my leave."

She looked disappointed. "Will you not stay a bit longer? I could show you the city and introduce you around in my circles."

He grinned, flashing his dazzlingly white teeth. "I would certainly love that, but I unfortunately have to be back in London soon. I do appreciate the offer."

They both stood, and she held out her hand. "I wish you the best of luck then, Mr. Riddle. If you are ever back in Greece, please do come and pay me a visit."

"I certainly will." Tom reached out and took her hand, then gripped it firmly and yanked her forward, eliciting a gasp from her throat. In the same instant, he withdrew his wand and placed it at her temple. "Obliviate."