Gypsy

Chapter Twenty Two

I landed with a thump on a floor, having spilled out of the fireplace like the ungraceful creature I was. A sound of shock came to my left. Looking up, the periwinkle eyes of Professor Dumbledore looked down at me from behind the Headmasters desk.

"Where is Dippit?" I couldn't waste any time. Only the Headmaster could block off a fireplace entrance, it was fortunate I remembered that all sponsors of the school were able to Floo in and out of the Headmasters office, for official meetings.

Dumbledore collected himself rather quickly. Rushing over and holding an arm out to assist my weak body up. "I'm afraid he has retired. Am I to assume your mates are searching for you?"

"Yes." A pained breath hissed out as I stood. Adrenalin was wearing off. Dumbledore released my arm and nodded. Moving to the fireplace, he took out his wand and waved it over the flames, effectively blocking Riddle from following me that way.

Turning, Dumbledore directed me over to a chair and helped me sit down. I flopped into it like a fish, legs shaking and brain foggy. He took a seat next to me and reached out, gripping my hand tightly. Taken off guard, I looked down at our joined hands and nearly wept, six years without a friendly touch.

"Why choose to come here?" he wasted no time. Before I could answer he corrected himself. "I am assuming you do not know what has happened during your absence?"

"Not really." My throat ached, "this place is home though."

Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling in a way that seemed almost sad. "I'm afraid, Miss Zima, you will not be safe here for long." Before he even finished speaking there was a great bang that resonated through the room. Frowning he looked towards the hidden entrance to the office. "Mr Riddle is already here. Fear not, even with the Elder Wand it will take him some time to break through."

Tom has the Elder Wand?! "Mr Riddle was sanctioned by the Ministry to defeat Grindlewald. In Nurmengard, two years ago, he defeated my old friend and took the wand as his reward."

Another bang resounded throughout the room, the portraits on the wall began mumbling amongst themselves. "We had best get you out of here Miss Zima," he reached into his robes and began unfolding a blanket. "This is the Cloak of Invisibility."

As the Cloak unfolded, it became bigger, until it was large enough to cover a human. It shimmered as it moved, as if light reflected off the fabric. "Take it and move to that corner, Riddle will not find you." Another blast shook the room, without waiting I took the Cloak and threw it over myself. Amazed when I immediately became invisible. I hobbled over to the corner, as directed, just as the great Eagle statue guarding the entrance was blown to pieces. Dust flooded the room, Dumbledore remained at his desk, as if nothing were amiss.

From the dust, came two red eyes. A dark shiver went down my back, and I sunk to the floor, thankfully still under the cloak. Riddle, or Voldemort as he now apparently enjoyed being called, stepped into the room. Brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder, he sat down in the chair I had just occupied, looking as if he hadn't just blasted his way into the Headmasters office.

"Headmaster." He nodded his head respectfully, nothing but his eyes reflecting his true fury.

Dumbledore smiled, "Lemon drop Tom?" Motioning towards the bowl of lollies, from here I could see a piece of Eagle had landed in it.

Riddle shook his head, eyes glinting dangerously. "Where is she Dumbledore? I know she was here, I can smell her."

The older Wizard sighed, "When will you learn Tom, you cannot force a Nymph." Guess everybody knows what I am now... "Miss Zima is not a creature you can tame. As such, she has left the school. I would not allow her to tell me where she has gone."

Riddle did away with the calm man act. Hissing "LIES." Dumbledore did not look shocked at his behaviour. "I can smell her. She is still here. Tell me where, and you can keep your precious school safe."

Dumbledore looked at Riddle with pity. "Look at what you have become Tom. You are broken, and she cannot fix you. All you will do is cause her downfall as well."

Riddle was barely containing his anger, the hairs on my arm stook upright with the amount of electric magic in the air. But still I stayed hidden, energy slowly seeping away. I felt when his eyes ghosted over me, searching for a hint of where I was. When that revealed nothing, he looked back at Dumbledore. His hand reached into his pocket and he pulled out a wand. It looked like no wand I have ever seen. Pale white, long and with bumps going to the tip. I could feel how strong it was.

"Little Mudblood. I know you're in here. I can feel you. The bond has only grown stronger over the years, you cannot hide from me or Abraxas now." Lazily he pointed the wand at Dumbledore, who did not seem at all surprised. "Show yourself to me, or I will destroy this school and all who are here."

Dumbledore smiled. "And risk everything you have worked towards?" He leaned back in his chair, at ease, even with the most powerful wand in the universe pointed at him. "After all, it is not easy for a orphan to rise to the position of Minister of Magic." What? Who in their right mind would willingly vote for him?

Riddle smirked. "You think I don't have a plan, do not underestimate me Albus."

Dumbledore's eyes became cold, "I made that mistake once Tom. Never again."

They stared at each other for a moment, before Riddle composed himself and once again addressed me. "What will it be Mudblood. You're surrender, or the lives of all these children, and your precious teacher."

He had me caught, and I knew it. I could practically feel Dumbledore's hopelessness as I shrugged the cloak off of me. It fell to the ground and immediately shrunk and disappeared. Probably returning to it's rightful owners.

"There you are." Riddle sounded smug, the bastard. My head lolled back against the wooden wall behind me. Totally spent of any energy. My eyes were drooping as Riddle moved towards me, totally disregarding Dumbledore.

He reached down towards me, scoffing when I tried to swat him away like a fly. "Still weak I see. You really should not have come here. Anywhere else and I would have given you time to decide to come to us. But I cannot have Dumbledore interfering." As he spoke he lifted me into his arms, frowning as he did so. "You've lost too much weight, clearly Wallburga was neglecting to feed you properly."

Riddle turned towards the fireplace. "Open the Floo Albus. You've lost, again, and I'm taking my mate home." Dumbledore must have done as Riddle commanded. Riddle threw a handful of powder into the fire. Before he spoke his location he turned towards Dumbledore. "Keep your school for the moment Albus, it wont be long before it is willingly given to me." Turning away, he commanded "Malfoy manor." And stepped into the flames, a furious me in his arms