When the Roses Bloom Again by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 57

Death to Fall

The memory of what happened in the cave still brought a feeling of euphoria to Tom and writing of it in his diary meant that he could relive it at his leisure. Benson and Bishop had screamed at the lightest of touches, his magic leaving no marks, but proving to be quite agonising for the muggles.

Hearing their pleading and the throes of their anguish reverberating off the jagged stone walls filled Tom with joy and seeing them stare at him so fearfully was perhaps the most thrilling thing he had ever experienced.

It proved to be the highlight of his summer so far, that and purchasing the diary.

He ran his fingers over the gold, embossed lettering over the quite lavish leather binding.

It truly was an excellent artefact.

He had no gold to his name, but he had obtained it from Borgin and Burkes using the pittance Hogwarts provided for him to buy his books for the school year.

Tom had no need of them.

He was far enough into his subjects that he was all but teaching himself now. He was certainly beyond the fourth-year material he would be studying.

Besides, if he had need of a text to refer to, it wouldn't be difficult to obtain one from one of his housemates.

He watched in fascination as the ink he had just scratched into a page was absorbed into the parchment.

To any that had not studied such things, they would never know what this diary was.

It was not just a book.

No, it was so much more.

Mr Burke had assured him that the more he wrote in it, the more magic it would absorb, and the more it would become a part of its owner.

To Tom who'd never had need of friends, this would be perfect.

If he could put enough of his magic into the diary, it could perhaps even become his own confidant, something he could use not only to relive his favourite memories through, but one that would start to think like him.

He smirked at the thought.

Mr Burke had no idea what he was talking about when he mentioned its limitations.

If the diary didn't work how Tom wished it to, he would find a way to make it.

There wasn't a magical problem he had encountered yet that he had failed to overcome, and it would not be an enchanted book that would see him falter.

(Break)

Dawn had broken some time ago, and Evans and Potter had yet to return from their excursion. Gabriel had given them three days, but that did not stop him feeling concerned.

William Potter would already be turning in his grave at the thought of his boy on the frontlines, now, he would be spinning like a top.

What Gabriel had been thinking letting the pair of them go, he didn't know, but he had, and he would have to manage the fallout.