Snake Charmer

24

Asteria hissed as fingers pressed into her abdomen. Her eyes shot open as her hand wrapped around someone's wrist pulling their hand away from her. She blinked against the soft glow of a light and frowned when she saw Barty.

"Looks like you'll be a little sore. I healed what I could. But I'm not Madam Pomfrey." Asteria rolled her eyes and slowly sat up on the bed her head swimming. Barty helped her to lay back against the pillows again.

"You have a slight concussion. Lucky for you, the dark lord isn't here right now and won't return until tomorrow night." Asteria scoffed and rolled her head to the side and hazel eyes met hers with a coy smile. Asteria smiled brightly as she took in Regulus's face.

"Reggie! What are you doing here." Regulus reached over and took her hand and smiled softly.

"Barty called me. Said that Lucius hurt you. I hexed him by the way." Asteria giggled and closed her eyes as pressure behind her eyes.

"In case Tom kills me. I need you to tell Jamie and the others that they will be safe as long as they wear their Christmas gifts, okay?" Regulus glanced up at Barty with a concerned look in his eye. Barty pointed aggressively at her as if to tell Regulus "SEE I TOLD YOU".

Regulus stood up from the bed and rounded it, before he covered her up to her neck. He placed a gentle kiss on her forehead and turns toward Barty.

"Whatever you do, don't leave her by herself." Regulus had never been so terrified for someone in his life. But he was worried for her. She seemed like she was ready to give up. That she was tired of fighting.

*** *** ***

The door to the room burst open with so much force, Asteria could hear the wood crack under the pressure. Her face was void of any emotion as she stared a Tom. Her eyebrow quirked up at the furious look on his face. Now he shows an emotion.

"Thomas." She greeted him coldly. She had to steel her heart from him. He wasn't the Tom that she knew...maybe she never knew at all. Tom snorted and took a step toward her, causing her to flinch. Something passed in Tom's eyes as he stormed over to her.

Asteria gasped as Tom snatched her wrist. Her eyes landed on the gold band of a ring with a black diamond. Panic surged through her as she struggled to free herself. The ring oozed black magic.

"No. Tom don't!" Tom tightened his hold on her fingers as she felt the cold medal slip over her middle finger and slightly burn her as Tom slid it up. Asteria hissed and wretched her hand back. Tom gave a satisfied smile. As he swung around and gripped Asteria by the back of her head, his fingers weaving through her hair as he pulled her head back so she could look him in the eye.

"You are mine! You won't be able to hide from me now. So run all you like little dove." Asteria shivered as Tom released her and she stumbled back away from him. Tears bricked her eyes as she stared at him in disbelief.

"What did you just do?!" She screamed. Tom gave her an unbothered look and tilted his head at her curiously.

"You tried to run away. I can't have you doing that. If you try to remove that ring, a curse will form." Asteria inhaled a rigid breath.

"Do you think that I am afraid of dying? Do you think that I won't do it?" She countered, pulling at the ring slowly. Panic flashed in Tom's eyes as he took a step toward her.

"Asteria. Don't." He commanded. Asteria scoffed and slid the ring from her finger a smug grin on her face as the ring slid from her finger and onto the floor. Tom cursed and rushed forward as her body began to crumble to the ground.

Tom caught her effortlessly. He wand already drawn and as he muttered softly. She gave him a faint smile when she saw the fear in his eyes as he cast another counter curse.

"Tom Riddle does have a heart after all." She whispered before the darkness drug her under.