Always || Tom Riddle

For the greater good

It had happened after I had turned the corner away from the Astronomy tower, triumphant from my win, I did not expect for the ground to move, and my surroundings to spin, as I moved through time and space. I ended up in the restricted section of the Library, there was only one reason Dumbledore would have sent me here; to get rid of the books that Tom was going to use to learn about Horcruxes and the Chamber of secrets. My mission was clear, I was going to have to look through every book which contained anything to do with Horcruxes and the chamber of secrets. Thankfully, I was not at a complete loss as to what sort of books Tom would look to read, as many I had caught a glimpse of while he was in the process of devouring them for information on how to obtain immortality. 

"Lumos" I whispered under my breath, moving through the empty library, wondering where to start first. Taking silent steps I remained aware of my surroundings, should any prefects or head of houses search the Library for any stragglers. Running my fingers along the spines, I managed to find my first book...this shouldn't be so bad. I continued to search through every book in the restricted section, only finding a few per row. Now with a large pile of books to move around, I used a levitation spell to keep them hovering in the air while I looked for more books. But as I went on, it was becoming harder and harder to find anything on Horcruxes. And then it dawned on me, Tom said he had already been looking in the Library, maybe that meant he already had taken some out of the Library. Now realizing I was going to have to search for the books outside of the safety of the restricted section, I made the books smaller so that the whole stack would be able to fit into my cloak pocket easily. 

Performing a quick Alohamora, I entered Tom's darkened room, holding my breath as I stepped inside, expecting to see his sleeping form in the double four poster bed, only to find the bed empty, and no sign of Tom being here. Letting out a sigh of relief, I made for his desk, searching for the books. Pulling the bottom drawer open, I caught my first glimpse of Tom's diary in what felt like years, slowly, I stood with it in hand, flicking through the empty pages out of curiosity. Shoving it into my pocket, I finally managed to find the books under a neat pile of fresh parchment. Deciding that these would have to do, I apparated to the edge of the Forbidden forest, not noticing the dark pair of eyes watching me, as I entered the forest, being careful not to trip over the numerous large fallen trees, I kept walking until I felt I was far away enough not to get caught. Throwing a glance over my shoulder, I took the miniaturized books from my pocket, throwing them to the forest floor, and taking a deep breath. 

"Incendio" I muttered, pointing my wand at the large pile of books, they quickly set alight, after orange sparks flew from my wand. Stepping further away from the books, I decided that I would wait until they were ashes, as to prevent anyone from recovering the books. As the fire grew, I heard footsteps behind me and froze, hoping that it was just a teacher and not the exact person I really could do without seeing right now. 

"Isn't it a bit late for roasting marshmallows?" Tom's voice cut through the cold night air like a knife, and that knife caught me off guard. I had to keep his attention away from the books and on me. 

"Tom, I can explain-"

"Explain what? That you are burning school property in front of a prefect? Or that you are terribly sorry and are only doing this for 'the greater good'? Don't lie to me, Clara, I know exactly what you are doing, and didn't I make a promise to you? That I would make this as hard as I physically could? Do not think I will not stick to my word!" 

"I do not doubt you, I merely doubt your ability to prevent me doing this. The books are gone, Tom, I searched the whole restricted section, everything on the Chamber...on the Horcruxes, they are all gone" As if fully realizing what was going on, he made for the books, eyes wide, and hand outstretched, and he nearly reached them, but that was before I sent him flying through the air into the nearby tree, just as he had done with Charlus, and by the looks of it, he did not like the taste of his own medicine. Getting to his feet, he brushed off the leaves and dirt that clung to his robes, sending me a dark look. 

"What? You made your promise, and I made mine. I am going to stop you with whatever it takes. I already tried to warn you, I know spells you couldn't even perform in your wildest dreams. How do you expect to be able to stop me? Hm? By sending a few stunning spells my way, and giving me dirty looks. You won't win, you can't win, because I won't let you. Not this time" 

"Oh, but you see, Clara, I am not alone. Did you really think that my future self would be alright with this? When I am so close to gaining what I always wanted? I made a promise to myself that I would ensure I achieved my goals, no matter what it took; that I would defeat those who stood against me, and it just so happens that you, you, of all people, are in my way. I will give you one last chance, and that is really stretching my patience, now stand aside"  

"I can't let you" 

"STAND ASIDE!" 

"NO!" Snarling, he sent the cruciatus curse at me, stunned, I deflected it, wondering if he was going to continue to throw spells at me. 

"Tom, stop!I yelled as he sent another spell that I was forced to deflect. It carried on like this for several minutes, before Tom stopped, breathing heavily with tears in his eyes. 

"You have betrayed me"

"For good reason!" 

"Clara, you should know by know what I do with traitors" 

"Avada Kedavra!" I prepared myself for the blow of the spell, shutting my eyes tightly, and then everything was spinning again, as I moved on to the next task that Dumbledore had set me. I kept my eyes tightly closed, even after spinning stopped, shaking on the now cold, damp floor that I lay on...Recognizing the feeling of the ground beneath me, I slowly sat up, using one arm for support as i basked in my surroundings. 

"Oh you have got to be joking!" Standing, I crossed my arms over my chest as I tried to piece together why Dumbledore would send me to the Chamber of secrets...only one conclusion came to mind, that I was to kill the Basilisk before it had a chance to kill any of the muggleborns. If Tom was prepared to try and kill me over some books which would aid him in gaining immortality, then he sure as hell would not be happy with me killing his little pet. Just as I was about to act, the mouth of Salazar Slytherin's statue dropped open, and the sound of the Basilisk ploughing its way through the many tunnels made me freeze. I don't think this time turner has the ability to save me from a Basilisk...