Always || Tom Riddle

Breaking free

Gasps echoed around the room breaking the silence which had filled the great hall shortly before handcuffs were put on my wrists and I was led away from Tom who stood in shock with his eyes widened.I looked back one last time to see that his normally hard to read face was full of sadness and pain.Once off the school grounds the guards apparated to Azkaban where I was taken to my cell and thrown in,left in darkness I could only hear the sound of dripping water next to me.

After that I could not tell if it was day or night but from the temperature changes I could tell if it was winter or summer.A whole year had passed and by now I would be at least three months into my sixth year,it was then they came back for me as if they remembered that I existed.I had only been surviving off of the food sent on trays sent up magically to our cells but most of it I did not eat as it was worse than what was given to us at the orphanage.

I heard the clang of keys behind the cell door and soon light filled the room which made me squint as I had been in darkness for days.Before I could register what was happening I was lifted up by my arms and practically dragged out of the cell before two guards who were nearly carrying me apparated to Hogwarts and I gasped at the sight nearly bursting into tears, it had been a nearly a whole year since I had last seen the castle and it felt as though it was the first time I had ever seen it.

When we finally got to the halls I managed to find my strength and walk towards the great hall just as the doors opened and Penelope came running pulling me into a brone crushing hug.

"Finally your free!"She said into my hair as I breathed in her lavender perfume.

"It feels good to be home"I said after she held me at arms length.

"Wheres Tom?"I continued hardly noticing the guards leaving through the big double doors.Penelope seemed to hesitate before answering which made me worry.

"He-hes not here Clara he left you see he gave himself up so that you wouldn't have to be in Azkaban any longer"Penelope explained and my knees felt like jelly so I had no idea how I was still standing and not falling to the floor in a heap of despair.

"Then where is he?"I asked furrowing my eyebrows at my best friend who looked a little older than when I last saw her.Penelope huffed and took my arm leading me away from the great hall.

"When he left we all thought he was taking your place in Azkaban but he has not been seen or heard of in weeks and there are rumors that he has gone into hiding but its near the school..he wont leave without you Clara"

"Just like he promised"I whispered to myself feeling like everything was a dream.

"Hey Penelope I think I am going to fall"I said almost in a daze shortly before I blacked out.