Lord of time (chapter 41-107)

50

Despite what would be happening in twenty-four hours...well less than that now, Hadrian felt very calm, true to his word he had spent every second with Tom. He wanted to enjoy what time he had, for he was sure that Tom would absolutely hate him. They had investigated outside the back, and found a lake hidden amongst the too long grass, and then started on the library, despite the tasks Tom hadn't once complained nor moved more than a few feet from Hadrian all day. He was truly grateful for that, Hadrian honestly didn't want to be too far from Tom. The thought of living without him distressed him, but he'd completely suppressed it as soon as it appeared, he didn't want anything to tarnish this day. He did find himself curious that Tom wasn't demanding it sooner, all the information he wanted he was going to be handed on a silver platter...he refrained from asking just in case his question blew lid off and Tom did start asking.

Tom inwardly wasn't fairing any better, the fact Hadrian was so sure that he would want nothing to do with him made him wary for the first time in his life where information was concerned. He almost wanted to tell Hadrian that it didn't matter, that what happened in his future had no bearing on their lives now. Yet he couldn't get the words passed his throat, he had to know so Hadrian couldn't keep using it against them bonding. Tom suppressed a yawn as he slid into bed, which was fully made, Hadrian had done it while he had a quick shower.

Tom flicked his wand, summoning his cloak, immediately digging into his pockets and removing the packaged books he'd bought earlier that morning. He had found it after some digging, along with a few others he had liked the sound off. He still felt a smug sense of satisfaction when he could buy whatever he liked, which was mostly books, knowledge was power after all. Even when he hadn't much in the way of money, he still found ways to buy books whenever he could. Ripping off the brown paper, he unwound the string and banished both items without care, no the book he wanted held most of his attention. He had known that it would be difficult to find, but he was nothing if not determined. He had first came across the subject when he'd read Magick Moste Evile, but even that book didn't dare mention nor direction but he had persevered and found the right book...Secrets of the Darkest Arts. It gave explicit instructions on how to make a Horcrux.

Tom opened it to the page he wanted, ignoring all other chapters, for now, but he would read them at a later date. He had read it already, but he wanted to read it thoroughly and properly without fear of being caught. He had just read one page and turned it when he noticed the sound of the water ceasing, unconcernedly he began to read again, only when he noticed how utterly silent it was despite the fact Hadrian should be done by now did he look up confused, only to see a look on Hadrian's face...one he had never seen before and dearly wished never to see again. Fear, completely and total fear was written across his face. "What's wrong?" Tom asked, closing the book as he stared at Hadrian his gaze demanding an answer, since worry was beginning to claw at him too. He never once considered it was the book of all things, Hadrian had seen him reading things just as dark if not evil.

Hadrian stood frozen, scarcely able to breath as his memory flashed to the small baby thing he'd seen in Kings Cross Station, the mutilated form of Tom's soul, unable to move on, forever trapped in limbo. NO! Hadrian absolutely refused to let that happen, he couldn't...the thought alone tortured him. "TELL ME YOU'VE NOT DONE THE RITUAL!" He shouted, his mind begging and pleading for Tom to answer him, that the answer would be no, he felt so defeated. Everything he had done...it was for nothing, Tom still wanted immortality and would go to any means to achieve it...including mutilating his own soul.

Tom's eyes narrowed, "So what if I have?" he spat angrily, he did not like being told what to do or being spoken to in such a manner not even by Hadrian. Unsurprisingly his own anger began to mount, but he had mistaken Hadrian's soul crushing despair for anger. Hadrian closed his eyes and stepped back, as if being near Tom was repugnant now. Tom shoved the bedding aside and stood up, his fists balled as he stared at Hadrian anger.