Gypsy

Chapter Sixteen

I was silently directed through empty corridors, once or twice Riddle seemed to change his mind about where he was leading us and went back the way he came. All the while never releasing my hand, he stopped only once and stared down at our joined digits, or rather my fingers currently being squeezed between his palm. Brow creased he released my captive limb for only a second, quickly pushing our palms together and threading my fingers between his. The small frown between his eyes disappeared and he seemed to suddenly appear healthy again. Before I could study him more he was up and moving again, this time having a clear destination in mind. Malfoy trailed behind us, almost skipping and definitely whistling. Eventually we came to a familiar sight, the Head Common room. Almost shaking, as I could hardly believe their sudden vows to never hurt me again, I allowed myself to be pulled through the doorway and into the comfortable looking lounge room. This time there was no Head Girl for Riddle to order away. Expecting to be pulled up to his room I was instead directed towards the couches. I chose not to question their behaviour for the moment and instead sat down. Releasing my hand Riddle stood above me, arms crossed over his chest, simply studying me. Malfoy stood similarly next to his Master, also studying me. Nervous I looked at the floor, absently picking at my stockings where the blood had made them stick to my skin. Breath hissed out of Malfoy's mouth, and he knelt down in front of me, pulling my hands away from the wound.

"Why haven't you healed?" asked the blond, glaring at my leg with such anger I thought for a second he might be trying to catch it on fire.

"She's running out of magic." Came a mumbled reply from the still standing Snake. Narrowing his eyes he pulled out his wand. I flinched as he wove it over me, wrist moving in a pattern too elegant to describe. A murky brown aura surrounded me, hovering for a moment around me before dissipating. Frowning Riddle pushed Malfoy out of the way and gripped my chin, pulling my face to the right then left, examining me for something.

Huffing slightly from his toppled over position, Malfoy pushed himself back up and close to my side. "How can she be running out of magic?"

Riddle, interrupted in his studying of me, frowned at his follower. "For her to sustain her heritage and continue using magic, she has to live off of ours. Without the magic inside of her, unlike a witch or wizard she won't simply become a Squib, she'll die." He grunted out the next words as if they hurt him to say, "And when she dies we die, or at the very least lose our own magic. Already I can feel the effects." So that's why they look all weak and less-Adonis-like.

Malfoys face paled, his cheeks losing whatever colour they still had. "So we have to keep her alive?"

I frowned slightly, quickly surmising that they had both wanted me dead in the near future... once they were done with their 'playing'.

Riddle made a very comforting 'grunt' to convey his annoyance. "Could you have killed her anyway?"

"Could you?" Snapped Malfoy, distressed with the whole situation.

Not bothering to reply Riddle released my chin, letting me pull my face away and look to the right, look away from them. "Why am I here?" My words were so mumbled I wasn't sure that they heard them.

"Why wouldn't we want you here?" Glancing back at Riddle I tried to think of an answer that wouldn't offend them, but came up blank.

"B—because all you ever wanted to do was hurt me. And now that you suddenly can't... I just don't understand, it doesn't make sense." Smirking Riddle moved his fingers and pinched my arm, "Owch!" I gently massaged the reddened skin, glaring at him from beneath my lashes.

"We can still hurt you. We no longer wish to though."

I was still confused, thankfully Malfoy elaborated. "There is no point to it anymore, you are ours. And if you do decided to do something stupid that would endanger your life, or you disobey us, then we have other more... interesting ways of punishing you." If that had come from anybody else's mouth I would have been shocked enough to slink away quietly, but coming from their mouths all I could do was gape mindlessly at them.