******Explicit chapter warning ******
Smut and a lot of it . Same warnings as previous chapter apply. To the rest enjoy ✍🏻
Tom aparated us on the docks. The Ground beneath my feet squelched with each step , as we made our way down to the port. Various trading ships loomed all around us , the wood within them creaking , each time a wave hit them. The river looked angry, compliments on what seems like a raging storm just on the horizon. I put the hood of my jacket up ,because with the ways those dark clouds were looking ,i knew i am about to get drenched. The smell of fish and rotten metal cages , filled the space around us . It was so pungent it made me scrunch up my nose. Disgusting.
- Big scenery change eh? Barty asked beside me. He kept a steady pace , while Tom barrelled forward, leading us in between strange alleys . Each one worse than the one before.
- Oh yeah , real atmospheric. On your left we have a wonderful selection of weeks old piles , of fish intestines. But that's not all ladies and gentlemen . If you look to our right , you would see our fabulous housing. 3 stores of rotten , wouldn't be caught in dead buildings , that you can apparently..
I grabbed Barty's fancy tuxedo pulling him towards the left, just as someone decided to throw a bucket of , i dont want to know what, down on the street.
His face scrunched up in disgust , before he looked at me .
- I don't know if i should laugh at your dramatics or laugh at the accuracy of them. Thanks . Barty said with a laugh and straightened up his jacket.
- You are very welcome. So since tall and broody over there , is storming like he is on a mission , wanna tell me where we going? I asked and resumed the walk this time keeping the balconies above my head. I refuse to be hit with another "i hope it's water " bucket. He laughed again beside me and i noted he has a strange laugh. Unique.
- Oh you are funny. We are going to the port and looking for a ship. He replied making me glare at at him incredulously.
- Aye no shit genuis. Why a ship what's on it? I asked and he rolled his eyes at me , before sharply turning left. I traced Tom with my peripheral.He paused his walk , lifting his hand up and leaning towards the wall.
- That's what i would like to find out , if you can cease your insistent rambling . Tom bit out , but he kept staring ahead. I moved towards him , making sure I don't approach to close. The end of the street provided an opening view , towards the port bellow us. 3 ships were decked to the shore. All different insignias non of them familiar. Heavyly guarded by aurors i noted , as one of them began pointing his wand , at the men unloading one of the ships.
Where we are , provided and expert view of the whole thing, but we were too far away to hear them talking or read any of the labels , stamped to the side of the wooden crates.
- Nice spot. I murmured and could have sworn Tom smiled at me , but by the time i turned his face was blank.
- Which ship we care for? I whispered out , but they both remained silent.
- I don't know. I just saw the aurors dispatch . Got curious . Barty replied and Tom frowned still looking ahead. He was thinking i could see it , but i wanted to know what.
- What time is it? I asked and looked Back to a confused Barty.
- Uh it's 23:40 . He replied uncomfortably.
- Why you got somewhere you need to be ? Tom bit out suddenly and turned towards me. He was annoyed.
- Clearly not since i am here , but it's a bit late for shipments ain't it? I questioned and glared at him pointing ahead. Surprise flickered in his face removing the scowl.
- It is. He murmured while i focused on the labourers. Nothing in their clothes, to tie them to their ships or to where they are from. Raggedy looking faces , all of them and the aurors on their backs , sure didn't make it easier. The urge to shift my eyes was tremendous, just so they could clear the endless shadows ahead . Maybe i can see something. But I couldn't. We are to damn far away. The aurors seemed to have a perimeter , which was unusually well formed . Strict. No way that way without being spotted. Trying your luck with the alleyways bellow us , could be a plan , but they all lead to the wide open space in front of the ships. Nowhere to hide there.
- Oi get out of here you rug rats. An auror yelled bellow me and i noticed a group of children , scattering on the streets bellow us. They all looked severely underfed . Their dangling limbs noticeable , even from up here. It filled me with resentment , towards the ones that left them in this state.
- We need to get closer. Tom said and Barty began looking very nervous beside me.
- I tried that with Nott earlier . It doesn't work . They have the whole place cornered and the streets bellow aren't exactly our familiar ground. He answered nervously and the look of disappointment ,Tom gave him, was harsh enough to make me straighten up. So Nott is in on this too? Interesting i thought , but said nothing.
- So you failed and still brought me here? Tom questioned and i turned away , tunning out their conversation. I need to think.
Childrens chattering reached me again and my eyes followed them to a bussier street in our left. They were jumping around holding a small bag , with smiles on their faces. Ah so pickpockets. An idea came to mind and i turned back to the man radiating anger behind me.
- I have an idea. How much money you got on you? I asked and they both looked at me like i am crazy. Good start Carnage. Wonderfull.
- 20 galeons maybe? I don't really keep money on me. Barty replied making me roll my eyes and i took out a small batch from my jacket before extending a hand to him.
- Give em to me.
- Enlighten me of your plans Caarnage. Tom said with amusement and directly took the money of Crouch, placing the pouch in my hands.
- You stay here . That fancy tuxedo is not gonna fit anywhere. Think of some way to warn us if you see aurors coming our way. I said and pointed at Crouch . He saluted me immediately with a grin , that made me smirk back at him. He sure knew how to get into character. It almost made me laugh the comical irony of this moment. Only they didn't knew that.
- Come on. We need to get down there and i'll explain. I said and restricted the urge to grab Tom's hand , before turning to a street to out left , which led downwards. He didn't protest following behind me . A little too close for comfort.
We entered the slum streets using a half broken ladder. My boots landed into thick mud , cobblestones did not pave the alleyways here. For once my choices of footwear for the night, benefited my situation. The smell got progressively worse down here. Tom pulled a hood over his face, that seemed longer in the front covering him entirely. I thought he looks like a Wraith with his considerable height and easy footsteps , dressed all in black.
Few people roamed around us most of them sailors i figure. Too drunk to walk, even less notice us. Broken windows and half rotted doors greeted us att both sides. Various piles of trash we had to dodge on the way. I navigated to the place i last saw the kids . Tom seemed awfully silent beside me.
- So little one are you going to tell me why we are walking aimlessly, knees up in mud and filth? He asked with an amused tone and i turned to find him already watching me. I couldn't tell if he is smirking or not , from his hood.
- I am guessing we are interested in the cargo of this ship you are looking for?
- Extremely. He confirmed and i turned left , ending on what i imagine , is the main square of this place. More people here.
- Well we can't get anywhere near it without being spotted . Considering our sneaking around so far , you don't want that to happen. I have an idea if i could just find..
A flash of a movement was on my right in a second and i felt the bag being lifted of my belt. I turned around immediately and grabbed the kid, making sure my grip is secure, but loose. I had no intentions of hurting a child.
- Sorry miss. I stumbled is all. The blonde boy quickly lied trying to pull his hand away. I kneeled down to his level and regretted the fear his eyes showed. Gods know how many angry people he had to face ,with this line of business.
- Relax little thief . What's your name? I asked and released his hand holding the pouch between us. His eyes widened immediately scanning it.
- Mathew . He replied his eyes trying to look under my hood. He was nervous. I removed it and smiled at him politely. It seemed to ease him a bit.
- You are fast around the streets. I saw you and your friends earlier .
- Burrows is me home miss. There isn't a single street I don't know. He answered proudly and looked back towards the bag in my hand. Tom moved beside me , removing his hood as well . Tactical.
- Well Mathew i will need your help. In return i can offer you money you don't have to steal. Do you know the ships on the dock? I offered and took out 4 galleons , placing them in his already extended palm. He looked so happy the gold glistening in his eyes, it made me sad. A child should be happy for things far grander than gold..
- Aye i do. Last one in is posh. Bloody cloaks all over. Scaring people away . He said with a smile and turned to look at Tom.
- Well we are interested in that one. Can you read? I asked and the boy looked away in shame immediately.
- No miss but Runt can. Hey runt. Come ere. The boy yelled out and another smaller boy, popped up from a trash bin on the side. He approached us carefully , his legs ready to run.
- Miss asks if u can read . Gave me 4 galeons for speaking to er. The boy said to the other and his smile beamed immediately. They seemed to have some instense conversation moving away from us and into the alley.
- Good . Now they are gone and you have nothing. Any other plans? Tom grumbled behind me in a soir mood, but something in his eyes seemed almost soft , following where the boys disappeared.
- Have some patience Tom. I wouldn't trust me , if i was them either. Regarless i find that children rarely lie , when it's beneficial for them, unlike adults.
- What is this place? I asked and leaned into the wall next to him. He surveyed everything around us , an deep exhale leaving him.
- The burrows. It's a slum and the poorest neighbourhood in wizarding London. It has gotten worse , since last time i been here. He admitted and anger flashed through those eyes.
Multiple churping voices made me turn to see a total of 5 kids now approaching us . It made me glare at Tom victoriosly.
- Got the whole lot for you miss. What ye need? Mathew asked and the others seemed to take him as the leader.
- I need to know what's on that ship. Their are labels of the side of the crates , saying what's inside. Find me any information that you can about that ship. I said and placed two coins in each of their hands. They rushed off faster than i though. Whether to the task or to hide the money , i did not know.
- For an heir , you sure know how to find your way around the slums and it's inhabitants. Why is that? Tom murmured and i turned to find him inspecting me closely.
- Ocupational hazard . I said shrugging my shoulders.
- What occupation might that be? Tom questioned making me smirk.
- Ah i told you already Tom. All things Abrasax. I replied and could have sworn , his glare turned my blood cold.
- Quite the area of expertise being an Abrasax it would seem. He commented making me roll my eyes.
- Will you ever answer a direct question? Tom prompted , while i remained silent , watching the streets around me. This place was.. bad. I've been to slums before , but this one was on top of the degrading list. No one should have to live like this.
- I did that enough for one night Tom , be fair.
- Well i have more questions and i need answers. He mumbled and i turned to look at him , crossing my hands over my chest. It was getting brutally cold , the sky above us darkening. Nothing but a black hood greeted me.
- Not tonight. Why did you bring me here? You could have easily left me in the restaurant?
- I didn't want you to be out of my sight. Was his reply and it made me snort a laugh.
- Oh you are gonna have huge issues with that one , I'm afraid.
- What did you say? He questioned and I threw him an award wining smile.
- Nothing.
There was silence between us for a while . The rain i expected, began pouring down on us like there is no tomorrow , forcing us to retreat under a shabby roof. The holes in it , allowed the rain to reach us regardless , but some shelter was better than nothing. The temperature around us began dropping fast , as cold winds of ice blew from the shore. Nothing to stop their frost bite of air , as it moved through the allyways of the slum. I clenched my teeth and put my hands in the pockets, cursing the fact I didn't take a warmer jacket. Then again i was going to dinner , not to sneak around a slum , with a vaguely mysterios Tom Riddle , for gods knows what reason.
- You cold? He asked interrupting the silence.
- I'm fine. I lied quickly , even though my whole body shivered. England cold hit you different. The moisture of the air just sips into your bones. Suddenly Tom grabbed me and pulled me back, until my back hit his chest. I was too stunned to protest, as he pulled me into his coat, his hands wrapping around me , to keep it in place. His cologne filled my nose immediatly. Pine trees , burned wood and something else. Winter . Tom always smelled like winter, but the heat radiating of his chest , riveled that of the desserts. My body relaxed and leaned closer to him , without my conscious consent . I could blame it on survival instinct and my body grasping for warmth, but the feeling of safety his arms brought me , i could not. How strange to feel such a thing , with someone you don't even trust.
He didn't say anything he just kept me where i am , his heart sending rhythmic thumps down my spine. I let my eyes close for a moment , enjoying the feeling i knew wouldn't last . When he moved his hand ,mine shot out instinctively trying to keep it in place. He tensed behind me , before pointing ahead to a two of the kids coming back . They kept to the walls ,shielding themselves from the storm , their small figures shivering.. I let go of Tom much as i hated it and headed for them.
- Miss! You did not leave! The new boy they called Runt said and beamed at me.
- I always honour my deals gentlemen . What did you find? I asked and stood in the way of the wind , trying to shield them of it.
- Dunno what ship it is miss , but I haven't seen one like it. No banner to be found. They took out one big crate first. Most of the men are still complaining about it . We couldn't find it . We found others . Runt give eh the list.
Mathew said pushing the other boy shoulder. He extended it to me nervously. His writing was shaky, some words misspelled , but he included details. Solid 6 lines if text and all of it on a old napkin. I noticed on most he scribbled Fragile.
- Is that a symbol ? I asked noticing a rough sketch on the bottom.
- Yea it's like a rose, but no petals. In a circle. I saw it on the bottom , when i sneaked in. Also this . He said and extended a weird looking stone to me. Magic flated within my palms as soon as i touched it . Scanning every inch of the surface. My eyes widened when i felt the current of magic , dormant inside. Quickly putting it pocket i took out Crouch's pouch and my own and extended them forward.
- Thank you for your hard work . These are yours. Split them in between yourselfs, but hide half for days worse than this. I said and smiled at the tiny wizards. I hoped they listened to me. They took them with bright eyes and smiled back at me, their cheeks red from the cold.
- We won't forget miss. The shy one said making me smile.
- Neither will i tiny wizards. I replied and they laughed before running down the streets. I watched them until they were out of sight , hoping this makes a difference somehow. Please make a difference. A hand slowly coiling around my waist , pulled me away from my thoughts and i felt his chest on my back.
- We have to go. Tom's timbre caressed my ear and i restricted the urge to close my eyes and lean into him, but god did i wanted to.
- Okay. Was my only reply before the apparition took hold.
