Masquerade¹ → Tom Riddle [Rewritten] ✓

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

When Evelyn awoke, she did not know where she was. She could barely see a few feet in front of her and everything that she did see melted into one blurred picture.

"Miss Rivers lay back." She felt a hand on her shoulder, pushing it back to the bed. "You're okay, do not worry."

Evelyn slept for hours, yet when she awoke, she was still plagued with tiredness. When she tried to sit up, she felt the blood rushing around her body, sending stars into her field of vision. She grasped hold of the railing on the side of her bed, using them to lift herself up and steady herself. On the small tables beside her, there was a note: a small piece of paper was crumpled into a ball and upon further inspection, Evelyn could just about make out the words.

Eagles are easy birds to kill

It wasn't signed, anybody could have left it. Before she had a chance to think about the possible culprits, Madame Truckle was by her bedside, "get some rest, Headmaster Dippet wishes to speak with you tomorrow morning."

Madame Truckle walked off again, leaving Evelyn alone with her thoughts. She knew that rest would help to heal her body, but sleep didn't welcome her as a friend. She laid awake for hours, her eyes tracing the intricate designs on the ceilings until sleep eventually greeted her.

Professor Dippet came and woke her early in the morning. He left her with Madame Truckle to dress, waiting for a while in uncomfortable silence. Once Evelyn came out of the Hospital Wing, she was shaking, as though an electrical current was pulsing through her. Dippet took her arm, carrying as much of her weight as he could as he led her to his office. Evelyn couldn't even begin to feel uncomfortable at the thought of her Headmaster holding her up, she was grateful that he was supporting her, without him, she thought she might fall.

"Evelyn, are you aware of what happened to you?" He questioned as he helped her down onto the seat beside his desk.

Evelyn shook her head.

"No-no, I thought that might be the case." He took a seat opposite her, "you were cursed."

"C-cursed? How? By who?" Evelyn hands began to shake, "I-I don't understand..."

"We are not aware of where such event occurred, when Madame Truckle returned from collecting herbs, she found you on one of the beds, no note, nobody around, just you. She believes someone used dark magic on you, magic far darker than we would expect anyone your age to know." He looked at her with wide eyes, "we will find who did this to you, and they will be punished. Now, I heard Professor Dumbledore wishes to speak with you so I will escort you to his office if that would be alright." He left Evelyn little opportunity to respond before linking his arm in hers and supporting her towards the Transfiguration Department. "Professor Dumbledore will be right inside,"

Evelyn pressed hesitantly on the door, watching it open to reveal Professor Dumbledore sat at his desk, tucking into a Sherbet Lemon. "Do come in Miss Rivers,"

Evelyn took a seat opposite him, glancing around his office as she did. His office was fairly small with little trinkets scattered around the room. What little furniture was in his office was a muted Gryffindor red, matching the emblems he had painted on the walls.

"I do have rather a lot of house pride!" He said calmly as he noticed her observing the decorations. "Now Miss Rivers I must say how wonderful it is to see you well again. I must say it was quite a fright to discover you in the Hospital Wing. Now, I do wish to speak with you regarding something important," he flicked his wand, closing the door to the office. "I also do not wish to be overheard, Muffliato."

Evelyn raised her eyebrows, "what is it Professor?"

"I believe you have entered some form of agreement with Tom Riddle-"

"How do you know that?" She felt unusually defensive.

"Perhaps students ought to realise that the Library is not the best place for conversations that they do not wish to be overheard. Nevertheless, I am aware you are now indebted to him, you owe him something and he will claim that from you, I am certain of it."

"Well, yes. I owe him a favour, he helped me with something important," Evelyn thought back to the hours they had spent in the library together.

"I wish to show you something, something that you cannot let change your opinion of this boy, but something you must nonetheless be aware of, something you must take into consideration over the coming years." Dumbledore stood up, making his way towards something Evelyn recognised as a Pensieve from her textbooks. He took the cover off the pensieve gently, making it hover beside him as he spoke. "Sometimes I find that I simply have too many thoughts or memories and during those times, I use this pensieve. Now this particular memory is not one of mine, it is that of a very brave wizard who happened to be in possession of a time turner. A time turner which they used to travel forwards in time, rather than backwards. I think what they saw will interest you." He reached out to the shelf beside him, popping the cap off a small phial and pouring the silvery liquid inside. "Dive in."

Evelyn stepped forwards hesitantly, glancing up at Dumbledore one last time before submerging herself in the liquid until she felt herself falling. With a thump, she collided with the ground beneath her. Almost instantly, she jumped up from the ground, pulling out her wand and surveying the area. She was surrounded by darkness, her hearing the only thing that could guide her as the sound of footsteps began growing louder. Spotting a nearby bush, she positioned herself behind it, keeping her eyes above it, staring into the distance.

Evelyn could tell that whatever was marching towards her was strong. They worked together in unison, remaining in an army formation as they moved. From the crowd, a cloaked figure emerged, positioning themselves in front and raising their hand, grinding the army to a halt.

"Tonight I kill the boy." From the voice alone, Evelyn knew exactly who was controlling the army: Tom Riddle.