Gypsy

Chapter Twenty Nine

"You cannot seriously want to place all these books in here, we have a bloody library Tom." Malfoy looked sulkily at his Master, the evil overlord himself was currently re-arranging the room to fit a desk and several bookcases filled to the brim in the corner of the room.

I was bored, one leg sprawled over the arm of the chair I was in. Malfoy had made mention of my 'un-ladylike' position, and I had promptly told him to 'shove his lady like position up his lady-like arse'. He had taken great offence at that, arrogant sod that he was had promptly turned and looked at said 'arse' in the mirror. Muttering about manly proportions.

"I find that the library is rather messy these days," he looked at me and I shrugged. I had made the library my little comfort zone, and I was comfortable with books strewn about haphazardly. "Besides, I need a place to work and keep and eye on our little pet."

My lip curled at the word 'pet', Creature 1403 thank you very much. I was considering making a name badge with the classification on it, taking great delight in how much the name made both men bristle.

"What do you think?" I blinked, Malfoy was speaking to me as if my opinion mattered. Hell has definitely frozen over.

"I think that if Lord Voldemort wants to leave his precious books in here then let him, I could use something else to practice my little fireballs on." I smirked at Malfoy, he paled slightly. Something twitched under Riddle's eye when I looked at him, I could only hope to push him far enough to hurt me and prove my point.

"If you burn my books, I will burn all of your clothes." My head snapped up, "and take great pleasure in watching you sit like that in chairs when you are bare."

My mouth gaped like a fish for a moment before I slammed my legs together, I could practically see them imagining it in their minds. "Go jump of a bridge Voldemort," I hissed. Riddle smirked and dropped the book he was holding, he prowled over to me like some kind of large cat.

"You need to learn manners," his eyes were a deep red and I sat upright in fear. I made to push myself from the chair, but was quickly caged in. I snapped my head forward, ready to headbutt him and ruin that perfectly aristocratic nose. A hand tangled in my hair and pulled my head back against the chair, I yelped momentarily in pain. Malfoy's hand was firmly grasping my thick hair, preventing any escape. It softened slightly when Riddle moved close enough to cage me in himself, now the fingers were massaging my scalp. "I have tried to be understanding of your new attitude Antoinette," I flinched at the use of my name. "And while I find it extremely refreshing, I am not a particularly forgiving man." Rough hands rested on my clenched knees, a swift movement and they were pulled apart and placed on the arms of the chair.

"No." Struggling I tried to close them again, useless endeavour as Riddle quickly slid into the gap between them. The hand in my hair tightened again and I winced, red eyes flashed into mine.

"Do not forget who we are." How could I forget, they had me branded. "Perhaps you require a reminder," a pale wand waved in front of my face and I froze. I hadn't forgotten the pain I had previously suffered at this mans hand, he was excellent at bringing out agony in others. I bit down on my tongue, refusing to beg or plead with him to stop. The wand was lowered and an embarrassing sob escaped my mouth. "No, you remember." The hand that previously held the Elder Wand gently touched my cheek, I flinched. "Shhh, I wouldn't hurt you in that way again." I knew he was referring to the cruciatus curse.

"I--in what way then," my stammer caused my face to go even more red.

His eyes darkened noticeably again, and I cursed by tongue. "There are far more effective means to gain your compliance and obedience then pain." The hand in my hair was soft again. "And unless you wish you find out now what those means are, I recommend that you not threaten to burn anymore of our belongings."

I nodded, letting out a audible sigh when the hand released me and Riddle stood. My legs stayed uncomfortably splayed for a moment before I snapped them shut. "I need to use the bathroom." My voice was quiet and blank. There are better ways to upset them. Plotting my revenge silently, I stood and wobble-walked to the bathroom when Riddle nodded and waved his hand for me to leave. Once inside I shut the door and leaned against it, a huff of air left me and I felt an embarrassing ache.

I'll show them. Determined not to fall back into my old persona of fear and submission, I stormed towards the sink and opened the cupboard beneath. Retrieving what I needed I turned on the tap to hide whatever noises they might hear and decide to investigate. Gripping my thick hair, I felt a moment of doubt before using the scissors I had retrieved and slicing through it. Cursing slightly at the thickness, I finally managed to mangle my hair until it was at shoulder length. Wide and unassuming eyes stared back at me in the reflection, I could hardly recognise myself and smirked at the hideous cut. Triumphant I collected the bundle of hair, it had been very long, and returned the scissors. I opened the bathroom door, trophy in hand, and took immediate delight at he horrified look in Malfoy's eyes. Riddle was still fixing his little study area. Storming over to Malfoy I tossed my shorn hair at him, laughing madly when he was covered. I felt Riddle turn around and glared over my shoulder at him, he seemed shocked, good.

"Pull my hair again, and I'll shave it all off." I sneered at Malfoy, doing a bloody good impersonation of him I believed.

"Nymph, what the fuck did you do." Whispered Malfoy horrified, he wasn't looking at me, but behind me. I glanced over my shoulder again and my legs started to shake a little bit again. Riddle looked calm, too calm. He gently placed the book he was holding down on his desk, the thump made me flinch.

"Hold her."