Mind Games | Tom Riddle | DISCONTINUED

Eighteen: And So It Begins

Azalea's eyes were wide in shock at the sight before her. All the students around her looked at the scene the same way.

In the middle of the seventh floor corridor, surrounded by dropped books, was Amelia Rich, the fourth year Anthony Indius left Azalea for. Her green eyes were wide and glassy, and her frozen expression was one of shock.

"What happened?"

"Is she dead?"

"She's like a statue."

Azalea simply stared at the girl.

"Is this a job for us?" a voice asked, snapping Azalea from her stare.

Azalea turned her head and met Zara Windstone's pretty eyes. "Is it?" she asked in response.

"I suppose we should keep everyone back," Zara suggested.

Azalea nodded, and they both stepped forward. "Keep back," Azalea ordered as she pushed through the crowd. Any argument was met with a short, "I'm a prefect and a Verdine. If you've got any sense, you'll do as I say."

Luckily, there wasn't much argument.

Azalea and Zara stood solemnly at the front of the crowd. As they waited for a professor to arrive, Azalea wondered who was the cause of what had happened. Then, as she was glancing at her reflection in the window, it hit her.

This was Tom's doing.

Then, help arrived in the form of Albus Dumbledore. In silent and swift motions, he squatted down and examined the body for a moment before standing up. Looking upon the growing crowd of students, he said, "I want everyone to return to their dormitories. No one is to leave until dinner."

A hushed buzz of chatter fell over the crowd as the students dispersed.

"See you around, Azalea," Zara said, "I expect we'll be seeing more of each other after this."

Azalea nodded in response, then turned and headed down the corridor. She had to find Tom. Her thoughts raced as she marched down the corridors. Then, as she reached the maze of changing staircases, she heard a hissing voice inside her head.

"I have done it, Master."

"Good. Seek out your next target, but wait until my signal."

Azalea's head began to pound as she bounded down step after step, pushing past students with reckless abandon. Finding Tom was now an absolute necessity. She had to speak to him. Suspecting that he'd be returning to the common room, she continued her path there.

Then, as she turned the corner after taking the stairs into the dungeons, she slammed into a firm torso.

"What's got you so worked up?" that silvery, chilling voice asked with the hint of a chuckle.

Azalea glared. "Tom," she hissed, "what was all that?"

"My plan being put into action," Tom replied smoothly.

"You didn't tell me," Azalea said in a harsh and hushed tone.

"I don't have to tell you everything," Tom remarked.

"I am an Heir of Slytherin too, you piece of shit. I should know these things when it's involving Slytherin's, and therefore my, monster," she snapped in that same hushed voice.

"Mind your attitude," Tom said coldly and sternly, his gaze piercing Azalea.

"You learn who you're working with," Azalea argued. The second those words left her mouth, she felt the tip of Tom's wand at her throat.