𝘋𝘈𝘕𝘊𝘐𝘕𝘎 𝘞𝘐𝘛𝘏 𝘖𝘜𝘙 𝘏𝘈𝘕𝘋𝘚 𝘛𝘐𝘌𝘋/𝘵𝘰𝘮 𝘳𝘪𝘥𝘥𝘭𝘦 (English version)

Chapter 54

Malfoy Manor

"This is our only chance, do you understand?"

Tom Riddle's voice echoed through the corridors of Malfoy Manor.

A new meeting had been called, and this time, even the Slytherins had been given permission to attend. The air was thick with tension—the plan had been meticulously crafted, and they couldn't afford any mistakes. No matter what happened, they had to secure the opportunity to keep an eye on Sarah.

Tom scanned his companions, each of them wearing a tense and determined expression.
Then, without another word, he turned and headed toward the main hall, his heart beating with a calculated rhythm, fully aware of the risk.
Everyone took their places, striving, as always, to maintain a suitably intimidated expression.

At the center of the room, seated on his usual dark throne, the Dark Lord stroked Nagini with his skeletal hand. His red eyes darted from face to face, scrutinizing those present with the cold detachment of an unappealable judge.
Then, once he was certain no one was missing, he spoke.

"There is no information on Potter, and I am beginning to lose patience."

The assembled Death Eaters exchanged uneasy glances—he was not calm that day.

He rose from his chair with a slow movement, his cloak whispering lightly against the polished floor.
"I had intended to wait, but I believe the time has come to act... Sarah Black, alive or wounded, as long as she is able to speak."
His cruel gaze swept over the gathered figures.
"Well, then? Don't waste my time. Who will bring her to me?"

The Slytherins glanced at one another, but before they could speak, another voice cut through the silence.

"I will, my Lord."
Bellatrix Lestrange.
Her face was tense, her eyes burning with fanaticism. She gazed at Voldemort with unwavering, absolute devotion.

Tom clenched his fists. He would never allow that woman to get near Sarah.
A little farther away, Draco Malfoy was watching him with a dark expression. Their plan was unraveling. If Bellatrix was tasked with capturing Sarah, every strategy they had built would collapse.

The young Riddle took a deep breath, then stood.

"I don't think that's the best choice, my Lord."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

All eyes turned to him.

The Malfoys flinched, stunned by his audacity.

"And why is that?" she asked defiantly.

"You hold too much resentment toward her," Tom replied firmly. "You don't know her well enough to understand her fears and weaknesses."

Bellatrix scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "Her father isn't enough?"
"Predictable. You have no idea what truly haunts her at night. Things only my companions and I know."
Voldemort watched the exchange intently. Entrusting such a task to a group of young men was a risky move, but... Tom was no ordinary young man.

"And you... how do you think you'll be of use?" he finally asked.

Tom swallowed hard but did not lower his gaze.
"I know Sarah very well. My companions and I were the closest people to her. We know how she thinks, how she reacts. We know the school, the people within it. We know how to move, what to do, what to avoid. We could enter Hogwarts, assess the situation, gather information, see if there are things the school is keeping hidden, and then... bring her to you. No one could carry out this mission better than us."

A logical argument. Unassailable.

Bellatrix shifted in her chair, uneasy.
"But my Lord, they are inexperienced! Experience is required! Black is crucial,we can't risk—"

"Sarah Black was close to Tom Riddle for years," a cold, measured voice suddenly interrupted.
Everyone turned toward the entrance of the hall. Snape stood there.

Voldemort scrutinized him with interest before turning back to Tom.
"The little Malfoy disappointed me last year," he murmured, a cruel smirk playing on his lips.
Tom did not hesitate. "This is different, my Lord. The target is someone who has been our friend for years, not Dumbledore."
Voldemort remained silent for a moment but then nodded.
"Very well. I want information on Sarah Black, and when I decide the time has come, I want her here. Otherwise, you will be the first targets of my wrath."
The tension in the room became suffocating.
Tom nodded, fully aware of the weight of what he had just accepted.
Draco avoided his gaze, his face even paler than usual.
The plan was still intact, but the risk... had become deadly.

⸻

Tom stood by the window of his room, staring into the void.

It was done. He would be returning to school. He would be returning to her.

How would she react?

Would she push him away?

Probably. She had every reason to.

His thoughts kept circling around the same person, so much so that he didn't even notice Mattheo's presence.
Mattheo was lounging casually in the chair beside the bed, a half-empty beer in his hand.

"You did it, be happy"

Tom nodded slowly, his gaze never leaving the window.
A part of him felt a sense of pride for having secured the mission, but the other... the other was restless.
He would have to return to Sarah with yet another lie.
He could never tell her everything—the real reason they were there.

"Do you know when we're leaving for Hogwarts?" Mattheo asked, breaking the silence.
"Soon. Even tomorrow if necessary. We need to assess the situation first. Snape gave me Sarah's class schedule, so at least we'll always know where she is."
Mattheo nodded, stretching lazily before flopping onto the bed.

"Are you... nervous, by any chance?"
Tom turned to him. "What?"
"Come on, you haven't seen her in a while. It must be exciting to see the girl you lo—"
The shirt Tom threw at his face cut him off, making Mattheo laugh heartily.
"Oh, please," Mattheo continued, "are you seriously telling me you're not even a little curious about how she'll react?"
"What reaction could she possibly have?" Tom replied flatly. "She'll probably attack us or scream at us until we have to physically make her stop."

Mattheo laughed again, raising his hands. "Well, I'll leave that part to you."
Tom caught the double meaning in his words but chose to ignore it.
He changed quickly and lay down on his bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to close his eyes.

The thought of seeing her again, after all this time, sparked yet another, senseless hope in him.

What if this was his chance to finally find a little light in the darkness he had lived in for years?

⸻

The next morning, they were summoned for one last meeting with Voldemort before their mission began.

The atmosphere was tense.

The boys waited in silence, impatient to leave that house and return to Hogwarts.

The Dark Lord studied each of them, his red eyes burning with expectation and veiled threats.
"I give you one month. One month to prove your worth to me. I want information."

The boys nodded.

There was no need for more words.

They all knew exactly what it meant to fail a task assigned by Lord Voldemort.

Snape was waiting for them outside the hall, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression impassive.
He waited until they were all close before speaking, his tone as strict and authoritative as ever.
"I don't want any disorder at Hogwarts. Do your job without causing trouble for me, and then leave. Understood?"

A final look.

Then, in one swift movement, the group disapparated.

After months, Tom was back at Hogwarts.

~~~~~~

Today, double chapter!!!

Finally, the two will reunite. What do you think? What do you expect from their meeting?