Mind Games | Tom Riddle | DISCONTINUED

Twenty-One: Professions

All was quiet at Hogwarts. The moon was hidden behind a thick layer of clouds, its white light barely peeking through and lighting the grounds. The air was cold, and the breeze made it colder. Frost coated each blade of grass and glistened in the dim light.

Four cloaked figures snuck through the darkness, almost gliding across the grounds as they headed towards the ominous forest in the distance. They said nothing and made no sound. It was almost as if they were ghosts.

The figures entered the forest, making their way deeper into the trees. Each dark outline of each tree looked mysterious and scary like black monsters waiting to snatch any unlucky traveler. The wet leaves barely rustled under their feet as they stepped into an empty clearing.

"He said he'd be here by now," one of the figures said. The voice belonged to Lorcan Avery.

"It's not like him to be late," another figure added in a cold tone that could only be associated with Abraxas Malfoy. He tossed his hood back, the moonlight shining on his sharp cheekbones and making him look almost skeletal.

"I appreciate your punctuality."

The four whipped around, the cold voice startling them. They peered through the trees but saw nothing. Their hearts were pounding as they looked around the clearing for the source of the sound.

A cold, almost maniacal laughter sounded from another direction, and a fifth cloaked figure stepped through the trees into the clearing.

"My lord?" one of the boys asked, the slightest tremble in his usually-steady voice.

The fifth threw back their hood, revealing black waves, porcelain skin, and a piercing gaze.

"Azalea?" Malfoy asked, confusion etched on his pale, pointed features.

"Disappointed?" Azalea drawled.

"Of course not," the fourth boy spoke, throwing back his hood.

"Thank you, Rodolphus," Azalea said, placing one hand over the other and letting them rest in front of her.

"I don't mean to be rude," Abraxas began, "but why are you here?"

Azalea chuckled darkly. She took a step forward, saying, "Because, Abraxas, I-"

"Because Azalea is my second-in-command, and I want her here," a dark voice interrupted from behind her.

Azalea sensed his approach, then she felt him take her chin between his thumb and forefinger, beckoning her to turn her head to face him. She did so, meeting his cool gaze that softened like chocolate melting when he looked upon her. Still, Azalea knew not to cross him when he was in the mood he was in.

Tom leaned close to her, and he could see the almost non-existent look of intimidation in her eye. After all the time they had shared, he still had a hold on her in certain moments. But, he knew that she could reverse the roles the second she wanted to.

"I appreciate your submission, mi luz," he murmured, running his thumb over her bottom lip. "It seems you've learned when to temper that fiery nature of yours."

It was as if Tom's touch lit Azalea's skin ablaze. His words were like sweet honey, smooth and golden. Every syllable entranced her. Somehow, Tom exercising his dominance over her made her feel incredibly intimidated and twice as aroused. She knew the tension between herself and the wizard before her was apparent to all, but she didn't care. She also knew that Tom was reveling in the power he had over her.

Azalea gave him that power, and that made it all the more exhilarating. "Of course, my lord," she responded, unknowingly biting down on her lower lip for a split second.