The Emerald Terror

Seeking Magic

The Emerald Terror

Summary: It wasn't supposed to end like this. The light was supposed to win and everyone should have continued on living peacefully. Too bad the muggles don't believe in happily ever after... nor coexistence it seems. "Goodbye Magic." Time travel fic.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.

Chapter Seven: Seeking Magic

--- POV Tom Riddle ---

The former Tom Marvolo Riddle sits in the dining room of, rather well kept, Riddle Manor. Red eyes watching in veiled amusement as young Lucius Malfoy glares disdainfully at his father who had dared not only to sit down immediately but without invitation and on my left hand. It never ceased to amaze him that Abraxas had failed so much with his heir. After 17 years you would think that the blond would realize that his father's actions were allowed. Thank goodness the boy has never seen how Lucien treated his lord when he did decide to grace the manor with his presence.

The trio believes it to be the fault of that French woman.

The dolt couldn't understand the diversity in how Voldemort treated the people in his ranks on top of having the audacity to believe herself to be in the same rank as Abraxas simply due to some marriage bond. Abraxas, Lucien, and the Mudblood of Knockturn Alley would always hold the highest place but never my mark for they weren't my followers. Merlin, the deranged Mudblood didn't even know he served me! But then again he might know but not care what with the reputation he's made for himself.

"How is the boy, Lucius? Eileen's child I believe?" Abraxas flinches behind what little mask he has up; Severus would have been, and should be, his but I have to keep him with that horrible muggle just a bit longer because of that meddling old coot and the obnoxious Lady Malfoy.

"He met your mudblood yesterday my Lord. Severus believes him to be strange but knowledgeable." The way the young Malfoy says the Prince heir's name gives me hope that his mother hadn't ruined him beyond repair. Contrary to what the old fool has been spreading about me I don't want the annihilation of muggles and the few magical offspring they produce. I want the complete separation of muggle and magical.

And I was getting somewhere with it too until Dumbledore stuck his nose in and undid all my accomplishments.

But that's beside the point, I want to know more about this strange muggleborn from a source that won't degrade his talent due to his blood status and tell me nothing else about him. So I sit back in my chair and actually look at the teen.

"How is he strange?" I demand and received a shocked look, if that throws him off I fear for the future.

"His speech my Lord. He knew not only the Potter and Black heirs on sight but Severus as well, though he only referred to him by name once. Otherwise, he called him either young master or little professor without prompting, though Severus did put up a fight against such titles. However, most disconcerting was his talk of magic my Lord." I nod him forward, so far all I have out of this is a suspected seer but the feeling of dread shouldn't be this strong if that is the case. A seer who is willingly staying out of things can and should be left alone. I don't want him telling the old fool what he knows of the future simply because I miscalled something.

"He talks about magic not only as if it is something that should be respected and revered, an attitude lost on the average mudblood today, but as if magic were a living breathing person." A face comes to mind, one that I admit to having forgotten long ago. Abraxas' eyes blue orbs shine in a way that tells me he has the same thoughts and we share a look with the final words to leave his son's mouth, to lost in memory to respond.