Truly Yours (TomxLilith)

30

Third POV:

Lilith walked briskly down the corridor, the weight of her homework pressing on her shoulders. She needed to grab some potions from Professor Slughorn's classroom before heading back to the common room. As she approached the door, she noticed it was slightly ajar, and voices drifted out.

Curiosity piqued, she paused to listen. Tom's voice floated through the gap, casual and smooth. "So, Professor, I was wondering about the limits of potion-making," he said. "Specifically, if there are any potions that could enhance... let's say, the effectiveness of certain magical objects."

Professor Slughorn chuckled, the sound rich and warm. "Ah, Tom, always with the inquisitive mind! Well, there are certainly potions that can amplify magical properties, but they're quite tricky to brew. Why do you ask?"

Lilith leaned in a little closer, intrigued but also cautious. Tom's tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious. "I've heard about Horcruxes," he continued, his voice lowering. "What can you tell me about them?"

There was a brief pause, and Lilith could almost feel the tension in the air. "Horcruxes, eh?" Slughorn said, a note of surprise in his voice. "That's a rather dark subject, my boy. It's not something we typically discuss in school."

"Why not? Isn't knowledge important?" Tom replied, his words tinged with that familiar confidence. "I want to understand the limits of magic, and what it can do."

Lilith's heart raced as she listened, a mix of concern and fascination flooding her mind. Slughorn's response was hesitant. "Some things are better left undiscussed, Tom. The creation of a Horcrux requires a piece of your soul, and the cost is... well, let's just say it's not something to take lightly. It's a dark path that very few choose to explore."

Tom nodded, feigning innocence. "I'm just curious about the mechanics, really. I find it fascinating how some wizards might use such magic to extend their lives."

The professor leaned back in his chair, regarding Tom with a mixture of caution and intrigue. "It's not just a matter of extending life, you understand. Creating a Horcrux requires the act of murder. It's a horrible thing to do to oneself. It fragments the soul. It's not something I would advise anyone to pursue, even out of curiosity."

Lilith felt a chill wash over her as Tom's eyes glinted with something more than mere interest. He was playing the long game, masking his true intentions beneath a facade of curiosity. "Of course, Professor," Tom replied, his voice smooth and controlled. "I'm just trying to understand the limits of what magic can offer. Surely, knowledge is important in any pursuit."

"Knowledge, yes," Slughorn responded, his tone wary. "But there are certain types of knowledge that come with a heavy price. Dark magic can consume you, Tom."

Lilith's heart raced, her mind flashing back to her old school. She remembered the hushed whispers among students and the dreadful warnings from her teachers about Horcruxes. The first time she'd heard the term, it had sent a shiver down her spine. A Horcrux was a piece of a wizard's soul, trapped in an object after committing murder. The act of creating one wasn't just dark magic; it was a deliberate choice to shatter one's own essence.

She recalled her old professor's words: "A Horcrux is not just a spell; it's a way of tampering with life and death. The consequences are irreversible. It can lead to madness, and those who pursue it often lose their grasp on reality."

Lilith remembered how some students had jokingly claimed they'd create their own Horcruxes, but the laughter had never reached her eyes. The reality was that those who delved into such magic could end up hollow shells of their former selves, existing only to prolong their own lives at the cost of their humanity.