To Answer A Riddle [Tom Riddle Era / Harry Potter]

Entry #24

It wasn't snowing.

Even if it was late December, the clouds had decided to stop their precipitations and let the sun pass between them, resulting in a beautiful day. There was no wind, only cold air surrounding the forest. The trees were almost completely white, full of snow on their long empty branches. Only the few coniferous had managed to keep a slight shade of dark green in this day.

Elliott didn't mind the cold. If one thing, it was making him feel more alive. He smiled and looked at the peaceful scenery. A walk in the forest was exactly what he had needed after a few days stuck in the house because of a snow storm.

"It's so cold..." complained Tom beside him. Elliott laughed.

"It's winter, what did you expect?" he answered.

Tom grumbled an answer and shivered. They continued their walk in silence, just enjoying the nice weather. They hadn't really anything planned for the day, so they had decided to go walk in the forest behind Elliott's house for a little while. If Elliott didn't mind the snow, Tom wasn't of the same opinion.

"Come on, stop complaining," continued the blonde. "Enjoy it while you can, before we go back to Hogwarts."

"Can't wait to go back," whispered Tom as he closed his arms on himself, trying to conserve some heat.

"What for? It's nice out here. There's nothing back at school for us, except some homework and more classes."

Tom threw him a teasing look and Elliott sighed.

"Tom, we are not making a horcrux again. We already talked about it. After all, since you love Hogwarts so much, shouldn't be careful to make sure that it doesn't close down like it almost did because of said horcrux?"

"I know, I know, I was just messing with you," answered Tom. He exhaled deeply, watching the pale mist escaping his lips raise in the air.

"Good. I really don't need any other incident for the rest of the year..." It ended in a whisper, but Elliott knew that Tom had heard him.

"So I was right..." said a voice behind the two boys.

They jumped of surprise and turned towards the sudden sound. In front of them was standing Elliott's uncle, wand in his hand and a frown on his face. He seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. Elliott was extremely confused on what he was doing there and why he hadn't noticed him before. Tom seemed more suspicious than anything else.

"What are you doing here?" asked Elliott.

"What are you doing here? I knew I shouldn't have left you alone with that boy," Uncle George answered hardly, gesturing at Tom. "I thought that I should trust you, but now I see that I was wrong."

"Wait- What the hell is going on?" asked Elliott.

"Don't try to lie to me once more. As if you don't know what I'm talking about. I've heard it all. What he did, the murder, the horcrux... He must be controlling you somehow... Maybe the imperio curse..."

"You heard..."

Elliott looked in panic at Tom, who conserved a defensive attitude. How the Hell was he supposed to explain himself?

"I've heard it all, all of what he made you do! I was listening when you thought no one would a few days ago, then concealed my presence to make sure today. But don't worry, Elliott. Everything will be fine. I'll make sure of it."

The middle-aged man lifted his arm and pointed his wand at Tom, who took out his own wand in less than a second. They stared at each other in silence. The situation had escalated way too fast to Elliott's taste.