Iniquity Approaches Book 2 of Iniquity Series~Complete~

Ch. 49

I inconspicuously scanned the chamber as we walked into it.

It was made of stone and wood. It was aligned with tall pillars all along the way.

At the far end of the passage stood the statue of Salazar Slytherin, himself, though the only thing that could be seen was his head, since the chamber looked to be partially flooded.

The heads of serpents stood wrapped around the pillars.

I watched as Tom purposefully walked towards the statue's head. I almost felt the blood drain from my face as I watched him stop a few feet from the statue.

He stood before the statue before turning back towards me and walking slowly towards me, stopping only a few mere inches away.

He smirked at me in a teasing manner before leaning in and catching my lips with his own in a searing kiss.

I could only stare up at his darkened eyes as he looked down at me, his hands on my waist.

Everything seemed to fade around us as we stared into each other's eye; and eventually they did.

** Time skip**

We reached the weekend quickly after that.

Panic seemed to settle in as time crawled by, all of the end of the year activities were postponed, nothing seemed to lessen the tension I carried around after finding out about Lacy being the traitor.

Truth be told, was I felt extremely hurt, not only for me, but for  Seamus as well. I had yet to tell him of my discoveries, only telling Grisha after she cornered me Tuesday after the midnight Astronomy lesson.

Her reaction was tame compared to how I had reacted upon confirming the news.

Everyone seemed oblivious to the tension I felt in the air, even after informing Professor Dumbledore and Headmaster Dippet of my discoveries.

So far all I knew is that all of my friends who are in Gryffindor are planning to join me in the fight to take Nikolai down.

I thought back to the day after the meeting where I revealed the identity of who they thought was a mere poser, out only seeking attention.

I almost laughed when they all realized the danger that was rising, informing everyone of the storm that was brewing and had yet to come.

"Annie? Oh, Annie! Yoo Hoo?!" Cissy sang, waving her hand before my face.

"Sorry, did you say something?" I asked, blinking back into the present.

"What is going on with you? You seem to be out of it, more so now than usual." Tom said, raising a questioning eyebrow at me.

"Just thinking back on everything that's happened this past week. We can never have a normal week, can we?" I asked him, picking at my food uninterested.

"Normal? What ever gave you the impression that anything that happens around here is normal?" He snickered, as he threw a piece of corn bread into his mouth.

I gave him the evil eye, shaking my head at his amusement, though I knew it was rather amusing for anyone to have a normal day here in Hogwarts, we study magic and live in a magic filled world, there wasn't a thing normal about us, and I knew it.

"Shut it." I said, rolling my eyes at him.

He cleared his throat wiping his hands on his napkin before he continued with the previous conversation.

"As I was saying before, Lucius here, and his older brother Abraxas have offered his home for us to use as a headquarters of sorts. I want us all to be there, if not daily then at the least weekly. We will be having meeting there, and practicing our dueling skills as well as our offensive and defensive spells there. Everything we've learned so far." He said.

I nodded, finally taking a bite of my food.

My sleeping and eating patterns had been changed due to all the stress.

I could feel myself need get more nourishment, and rest but I couldn't afford something happening to the school at the moment.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning. Everyone must go to their respective houses, Anna or I will be summoning you when you're needed." Tom said, as we sat there.

I could tell just by scanning the room, and table that every single one of us was lost in thought, I didn't have to be a legillimens or empath to know what everyone was thinking.

It was written all over their faces. As clear as day and as plain as the nose on their faces.

I felt as Bellatrix grazed my shin with the tip of her pointy boot, causing me to flinch at the pain.

"Ouch, what in Merlin was that for?" I whined, gaining the attention of Andi, and Tom.

She inclined her head in the direction behind me, to where Grisha and the group was huddled together on the Gryffindor table.

The group sat around the table, scowling among themselves. When they realized I was looking towards them, they quickly inclined their head beckoning me over to where they sat huddled.

Letting out a sigh, before I stood up and began to slowly make my way over to them.

Tom was sitting right next to me, grabbed my wrist stopping me in my tracks.

'Where are you off to now?' He thought, his eyebrow raising.

'They wish to talk with me, care to join?' I replied, loosening his hand from my wrist before he stood up.

"We'll be back shortly." He said, sighing as he raised his hand motioning for me to lead the way.

I rolled my eyes before I began walking towards their direction.

I could see there was tension within the group, meaning they were either fighting with one another or about to begin fighting.

I stopped before Grisha, feeling as Tom stopped next to me, rather closely.

"You needed to speak with me?" I asked, curiously.

She nodded, looking over at James who was glaring over at Sirius and Remus.

Sighing, as Torin began to speak instead of her brother, annoyance clear in her voice.

"James, here, doesn't want Lily or any of the girls, for that matter, participating. He doesn't think us to be capable or being needed." Torin said, her lip twitching as if she was about to pout.

"Why is that? What's wrong with them participating?" I asked, looking over to him, raising an eyebrow at him.

"Why should they? We, males, have more than enough experience in spells, defensive and offensive, to help fight off this bloke." He replied, scowling.

"Have you practiced any of these spells with an actual opponent? What about dueling? The stronger much more complicated and advanced spells?" Tom interjected, raising and eyebrow before he crossed his arms over his chest.

James managed to look abashed, before shaking his head 'no' in response. I looked over at a smug Tom, and nodded in thanks.

"I thought so," Tom muttered, with a scoff and eye roll.

"From what I hear, Lily is rather skilled in potion making, we're going to need her, leaving any of the girls, who are volunteering out and in hiding could damage any chance we have in defeating this bastard." I said, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Calm down." Tom whispered to me in a chastising voice, jabbing me twice with his elbow in the ribs.

"Look, Potter, if you're planning on joining us, on fighting off this Kuznetsova character then you should probably attend the gathering we will be having during the summer, and practice and improve your skills. Judging by the embarrassed look you gave me when I asked you my questions earlier, you wouldn't last a minute with an opponent, especially not those who are coming. They're rather skilled, especially with the Dark Arts, that's where we come in, being a Slytherin has its advantages." Tom said, looking at him unblinkingly.

All the girls along with Sirius and Frank looked smug. "The girls are needed. Case closed. If you really want to argue, then might I suggest you come to Malfoy Manor during the summer. If you still wish to attend and get help." I said, smiling at Grisha, who was smiling brightly at me, as I winked at her and walked away, heading back towards the Slytherin table with Tom.