All He Needed Was A Friend

Chapter 12: Secrets and Mysteries

***POV Tom***

My plans were running smoothly. I had a small group of supporters which included Abraxas and Lestrange. Granted it wasn't the best start, but I had only begun last month and my plans would be further delayed due to summer vacation... At least I get to spend more time with Beatrix. Beatrix had been on edge for a while now. She refused to talk about it and that was beginning to unnerve me. What was so horrible that she couldn't mention it to me, her oldest friend?

"Tom?" a voice called from the top of the cellar door way.

"Come in," I replied. Lestrange entered the room and stood before me.

"What is it?" I asked.

"I found some of the books you wanted," Lestrange boosted. "There weren't that many in my family library, but I found enough to get us started."

"Well done Lestrange," Tom smirked. Yes, everything was going according to this part of the plan. "If that was all Lestrange, you may leave," I dismissed him.

"Of course, My Lord," Lestrange responded leaving the cellar. Now that I had the books, my plans for a great following would continue, but my other wishes seemed to be failing. Beatrix was pulling away and I needed to get her back. Peter was also a means of distraction and intervention. I would have to wait on destroying him... So many things to do and so little time.

***POV Beatrix***

The end of my first year was finally over. I had passed my exams with flying colors as did Tom, but yet I was still stressed. My "family" was eliminating people left and right. First it was my parents and now Cousin Irma. My allies seemed to be shrinking by the moment and it was becoming harder to tell who was a friend and who was a spy. I knew who the mastermind behind all this destruction was, but I had yet to meet him in person. Sirius Black was not a man I wanted to meet at the moment. If my assumptions were right, he would find a way to get rid of me at the first convenient opportunity.

As for the people I could trust... there was a few candidates. Obviously, Tom was number one on that list followed by the people I've come to know. Abraxas seemed to be friendly, but his intentions were still unclear. Next in line would probably be Daniel Potter. He had an open-mind and was undoubtedly a target himself. Then towards the end of the list would be Walburga and Alphard. On one hand, Walburga cared only for her image, but she had also lost a mother due to Sirius. Alphard, however, I had little reason to trust or distrust. It was becoming more and more  obvious that I had few close friends.Of course, I can't forget about my enemies. The only person that I was sure was my enemy was Lucretia. Her motive for hating me was my tentative friendship with Abraxas. If only she could see that I had no interest.

"Beatrix?" a deep voice called out. It was unlike any voice I had heard and I couldn't attach a name to it. I rounded the corner cautiously, remaining out of site. In the main entry hall stood a man dressed all in black. I had never met him before and I'd rather stay hidden than go see who that stranger was.

"Can I help you?" I heard a voice as hid. I watched Tom enter the room.

"Yes, I do believe you can," the man replied. "I'm looking for a Miss Beatrix Black."

"I'm sorry, sir," Tom apologized, "but she's not in right now. I believe she left to go to Diagon alley early this morning and has yet to return. Can I take a message for her or would you perhaps like to wait in the drawing room for her return?"

"That won't be necessary," the man replied. "I'll simply return at a later date." The man left without another word.

"He's gone now," Tom called out. "You can come out." I walked down the stairs straight to Tom.

"That was weird," I mused. "I've never seen that person before. Thanks for sending him off, Tom."

"No problem, Beatrix," Tom smiled. "If you have a moment though I'd like to talk."

***POV Tom***

I led Beatrix into the drawing room and requested some tea from a house elf.

"Beatrix, I want to know what's going on," I began. "You've been on edge for the last month and further more you've been dodging me at every turn. Just tell me what's bothering you. Maybe I can help fix it." Beatrix sighed and looked off out the window. She seemed to have disappeared into another realm.

"It's... I don't even know where to start," Beatrix admitted. 

"That's alright," I reassured. "Why don't we start from the beginning?" Beatrix re-accounted everything that had occurred  over the end of our first year. She told me about her mother's letter, the ring, and what really happened to her Cousin Irma. It was quite the story and it was no wonder that she had been wary to share it.

"I'm scared Tom," Beatrix wept. "I don't want anyone else to be hurt, but I can't stay here. I have to leave and get far away." I pulled Beatrix into a hug and held onto her.

"Don't worry Beatrix," I comforted. "I'll take care of everything. You just focus on staying safe. From now on, you don't go anywhere without me or..." I hesitated. Should I tell her about the group I was forming? What would she think?

"Or who Tom?" Beatrix asked.

"Or one of my followers," I answered.

"Followers?" Beatrix questioned.

"I'm starting a group Beatrix," I replied carefully. "It's a group that's going to train in very powerful magic and it'll consist of both the most influential families and even the smaller ones. With the group, I'll have power and allies here. I'll be able to hold a strong standing and... and I'll be able to protect you." I couldn't tell her everything, or at least not yet. She wouldn't approve of it and I needed her on my side right now to keep her both safe as well as the secure our future. Beatrix just nodded into my shoulder and I held her for the remainder of the afternoon.

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Forgive me for the shorter chapter. I'm currently sick and it is hard to even type this chapter considering the fact I haven't been able to get out of bed all day. Well hopefully, I'll be better by the time Wednesday comes around. Until then, have a good evening/day!

Sincerely,
Midnight