chapter eight,      come out to play

t o m

     TOM DIDN'T KNOW what happened to him— ever since Evelyn stepped inside of this mansion, it's like everything got destroyed inside of him. All the plans that he has been creating for as long as he lived got interrupted by her.

     He was reckless around her and he couldn't get ahold of himself— he planned to torture her many times and when he would see her— as if he was enchanted, under a spell.

     Except he wasn't.

     Now, keeping Evelyn's parents away from her was an easy task since Orlov Hawthrone was very talkative and very interested in the way the Ministry of Magic will crumble to dust. Tom simply told them that Evelyn was running errands for him— and she was.

     As expected, after the talk with the Hawthrones, Tom looked into that Igor man that was so eager to marry Evelyn. His records were clear— just like the rest of the Russian wizards. Nevertheless, he believed Evelyn that he was a disgusting man.

     The wisest thing to do for Tom would be just to let Evelyn get back to Russia and marry that idiot. That way he would get her off his shoulder and stay back on track. However, he couldn't just let her go— because he knew for sure that he will search for her if she leaves.

     He couldn't let her leave and he just simply couldn't let her marry Igor or Nott, for that matter.

     That'a why, spent a lot of time thinking after she confessed everything from the truth serum— in fact, she confessed nothing, she was always honest. But the words about Amortentia were making him crazy and he could not shake the feeling that ever since Evelyn walked into his life, all he could think about was her.

     Tom was honest saying that he didn't want to love, that it was useless, but her words— her words that love comes anyway made him terrified. Was he actually in love with her? Is that why he couldn't bear to see her leave and marry someone, marry someone as pathetic as Nott?

      And Tom lied to her, he already knew who the snitch was amongst his followers, he just needed time to figure out what was going on with him.

"Where is Tom?" He heard her voice in the distance and his heart started to pound faster and he let out a groan, frustration overtaking him—how can he be so weak? How didn't he notice what was happening before to him and stopped it? He couldn't let her ruin his plans.

Soon enough, he heard the echoing clacking of her heels and some angry Russian until she opened the door, stepping in, her hair slightly dishevelled as her coat was hanging around her figure loosely.

"I found your snitch," she announced, a cheeky smile on her lips as she moved closer to the fireplace, where a mirror hung and she gasped: "O gospadi, no one told me my hair was a mess."

He silently watched how she fixed her hair in a few swift movements, her posture slightly relaxed, her face attractively focused on the most useless thing ever.

"And how did you get him?" Tom asked, standing up.

"Him?" She turned her head quickly to him, her eyes slightly wide until she shaped her mouth into an 'o' and nodded with a cheeky smile: "You made me do your dirty work— again."

"I bought you time," he reminded her.

"Fair enough," she shrugged. "It was easy to get Francis Roe— his mind was screaming the information I needed from afar."

"And did you get him?" He asked, walking closer to her, his hand in his pants pocket.

"Men are idiots, Tom. I was tempted to show a little bit of my skin for him before his mind alerted me with one location I am sure you know," she exclaimed with a soft smile. "Little Hangleton."

If it was Tom a few years ago, that name would have brought him pain— pure pain. However, now, the remembrance of his father's death, of the torturing, only meant the needed ease for him that he got already. Nothing couldn't associate with that dead muggle of his now. However, it was clear the order was trying to find out everything about him to over-throne him.

     "Well, then we should get going," he stood up, fixing his suit as he walked to her, her wide eyes meeting him, sending that needed warmth through his body.

     He extended his hand to her and Evelyn exhaled softly, hugging her coat tightly around her waist before she placed her hand in his and within a loud swirling sound, they both ended up in front of a mansion that was slowly crumbling apart, moss surrounding it, broken furniture all around it. It was a mess no one cared enough the clean it.

     Tom immediately noticed when Evelyn's hand left his, opening his longing for her touch immediately and she slowly walked inside the dusty mansion that was covered mostly in white blankets, the paintings unevenly hanging on the wall.

     "When did you kill him?" She asked, as of course, she knew about his past and why this place was so related to him. She stopped in front of a painting of her father that shared the exact same hair and eyes as him, but his facial structure was different.

     "When I was in Hogwarts," he calmly replied, stuffing his hand in his pants pocket and walking around this hall as if he didn't kill his father and his grandparents here. He didn't come here to feel guilty, if it was up to him— he would murder them again. Anything to not be associated with the muggles.

     "Hm," she softly hummed, turned around at him, her heels creating loud noises that echoed in the room. She was not afraid to be heard, she wanted everyone to hear her.

"Will you tell me why you didn't just murder Igor if you are so against the marriage?" He asked that question that was stuck at the back of his throat ever since he found out about the expected marriage of hers.

"He is influential, well, not as much as my family. But since in Russia only pureblooded wizards perform magic, every member is important. Execution is made when the rules are broken." She explained softly, her voice slightly mad when she was speaking about him. He must have done something directly at her and it wasn't just about marrying him.

"Would you murder him?" Tom asked.

"Yes," she shrugged, walking to the white mattress that was on the floor. "He is that kind of man you would want in your little minion team. He is brutal, he is unbelievably brutal."

"Are you suggesting I recruit him?" Tom's eyebrows raised slightly.

Evelyn chuckled, "He could be a good warrior if he would be able to listen."

"What did he do to you?" Tom asked as the not-knowing about her was tormenting him

Evelyn halted in her steps before she turned around to face him: "Maybe one day I will show you."

Tom wanted to say something, but both of them shared looks, knowing that something was not right. He pushed a finger to his mouth and she nodded, both of them intensely listening as there were slow footsteps surrounding the mansion. It was a trap.

"We could take them out," she whispered and Tom slightly shook his head, his eyes distant— that's why Francis was so easy to discover because he wanted to be found.

Tom knew both of them could take them out, but not now— Tom needed to be clear of this crime so he could easily insert himself into the Ministry of Magic. If he would kill ten members of the Order, they will suspect him.

That's why he extended his hand since he wanted to deal with this in his own way. Those people outside the mansion will pay with their screams sooner or later. Now, he couldn't let anyone destroy his charming attire to gather more followers.

      "We can deal with them," she whispered again, her eyes wide— it was the adrenaline, it was the joy of torturing someone. She wasn't afraid, he knew that.

      "Oh, without any doubt," he replied and walked closer to her. "However, I need them to stay alive," he whispered, pushing her body against his, completely forgetting that they were about to get caught any second now.

       Evelyn was about to disagree, so he pushed his hand into hers and they both met the familiar swirl that took them away out of the mansion into...

      Both of them were standing in an alley of the Little Hangleton. Confusion ran in his chest as he didn't think about this place at all, it must have been... Shit.

      His eyes met hers and they both understood the same thing. She pressed her back against the brick wall behind her, shadows covering them both. Someone was blocking their magic so they couldn't leave this place. The order was really desperate to end this once and for all.

      "Will you reconsider killing them now?" Evelyn hissed out the words, her right hand slightly to the side as she moved her head softly. "I count ten— ten magic sources... Are they really blocking your magic?" She asked.

      Tom simply hummed as he turned to the side where there was the dead end of the alley— a locked gate that pointed out into a small street and at the end of that street was where this small comic town ended. He quickly moved with her to the gate as he simply broke the lock of the gate with his bare hands—oh, he was furious about this. He really overlooked the Order's abilities to plan.

      They walked past the gate, moving into the small street that was crowded with little buildings and taverns, pressed into each as if there wasn't enough space for them. Surprisingly enough, this city looked way better after the first time he was here— the stench disappeared and some buildings looked renovated.

      "Stop!" She exclaimed and he halted in his step watching the way she extended her hand towards them a loud buzzing sound was overheard as she pushed her hand back, hissing in pain. It burnt her.

      They were surrounded by magic that was forwarded exactly at them both. Francis expected them both to come after him and he alerted the Order as it might be their only chance to get them.

      If this magical border was made for them, it only meant that their magic was also limited—they couldn't leave this place until the magic barrier will be slightly lifted. Since this town was small, they had nowhere really to hide and they needed to act now.

      They both shared their looks and he had to chuckle to himself about how well she was able to read him. Once again, he didn't spot any fear in her eyes, only wickedness. She seemed to enjoy this even if they were getting surrounded. She thrived from danger and she blossomed in front of him beautifully.

     "It's time to act," she whispered and her hands immediately dropped on his suit, making him take off the jacket as she was taking off her own coat.

      "That's all I needed to do? To take you into a war zone for you to jump on me?" Tom pointed out as she gave him a glare.

     "You standing here like an idiot in the middle of the street is not your best plan, Tom," she gave him a soft smile as she tossed his jacket and her coat into a nearby garbage bin. Their clothes definitely didn't make them blend in and by removing their coats, but they looked a little bit better.

      Tom couldn't count on his fingers how many times she has called him an idiot or stupid. He felt insulted, he felt degraded and most certainly he wanted for her to pay. Why couldn't he simply just say crucio and she would be tortured?

     They both moved into the shadowed alley as she was ruffing her hair, making it messier, but yet she was appearing more beautiful to him.

"Is there a tavern nearby?" She asked as she stopped ruffling her hair, her head moving as if she was intensely listening to if anyone was coming.

She seemed in motion while Tom was just observing her. For some reason he didn't feel as afraid as he was supposed to be, knowing that someone bested him. Yet, he was stuck with her and he was enjoying every second since she knew what she was doing.

Tom slowly nudged his head to the nearest building, a small smile creeping on his face: "You seem like you know what you are doing."

Evelyn flashed him a smile as she smoothed out her shirt looking widely beautiful as she moved to his shirt, unbuttoning a few buttons: "I am improvising, dorogoy, I suggest you do the same."

Both of them moved to the tavern door, but as soon as they touched it, they heard upcoming footsteps behind her and they both shared a look before they stormed into the tavern. He shut the door tight behind him, creating a loud thud as he was met by the dark atmosphere of this inn.

A man who was sitting by the bar, wiping beer glasses, raised his head to look at them, but before he could say anything the door opened again and a woman came inside with a very puzzled look.

Tom pulled Evelyn behind one of the booths, watching the woman from afar as he could definitely take her own without his magic. However, Evelyn sat down on the booth comfortably, crossing her legs as she gave the man of the tavern a lovely smile and he literally swooned.

How dare he look at Evelyn like that? Was he out of his damn mind?

"More people are coming," Evelyn hummed as soon enough the townies came inside with loud shouts and laughter and of course there will be a few wizards between them searching for them.

Tom leaned on the seat, his breathing even as the booth was covering them well and the wave of people and their laughter were doing their job well. "We need to get into one of the rooms," he mumbled and Evelyn nodded agreeing, watching how the stairs were on their side.

Both of them raised from their seats and quickly made their way to the stairs, getting up to the second floor as the old wood was squeaking underneath them and her heels were not helping with that. "Take off those damn heels," he snapped at her.

Evelyn glared, "Never."

Tom loudly scoffed as they moved into a small hallway, where many doors were splattered around, a few lanterns hanging around, creating a mysterious atmosphere as their breathing was increased— the adrenaline was working with them on this.

     Evelyn flashed him a cheeky smile and he could swear he was going to swoon like that idiot downstairs, but he stood tall and calm. However, they both heard a creek on the other of the hallway and the door opened so the next thing he knew was how Evelyn grabbed him and pushed him against her, her hands on his cheeks as she pressed their lips together.

     Fucking hell. Tom's mind immediately went blank as his hands grasped her waist, responding to her kiss immediately. He softly tilted his head to the side as her soft lips were moving in a perfect rhythm with his—they were hungry for each other, they craved one another.

     The way her hands slowly moved up to his hair and tugged a strand of them, made him grunt out in pleasure, her hands leaving warm trails on his body. He heard the passing footsteps and hushed whispers, but he didn't care.

Once they heard the stairs creak, Evelyn gently pushed him away, leaving him to feel so empty without her lips. He looked down at her, seeing the way her brown eyes were sparkling in the dimmed light, her lips were puckered slightly as she seemed out of breath, looking over his shoulder.

Tom Riddle realised that Evelyn was his poison and his antidote. She didn't do anything to him, she didn't cast a spell, it was her. It was just her. Tom Riddle was in love with her and he couldn't help around her anymore. Not after he knows what heaven looks like when their lips meet.

"It's clear," she whispered, clearly looking dishevelled, as her hands softly trailed down from his hair to his shoulder as his breathing hitched from her touch.

He didn't want to move back, she didn't push him back. "Improvising, huh?" He exclaimed, his voice hoarse and he felt the way his body responded to him. She wanted him as much as he wanted her—good.

A little smile tugged on her corners, she was proud of herself. She pushed him to the side, walking into the room that was closest to them, basically kicking the door out and once they got into the small, crowded room... Tom couldn't handle himself anymore as he knew what he had to do now.

There was no way that he will let her leave. There was no way he will let her marry that Russian idiot.

"Well that was exciting," she exclaimed, walking closer to the bed that took up almost all the place in the room and she sat down. "Please tell me that I am risking my life for you and you have the plan ready for me."

Tom chuckled, moving to the small window as he closed the curtains, bringing darkness into the room as the only light source was coming from the hole in the door. "I do have a plan ready."

Evelyn rose from her seat and stood in front of him as he moved his thighs to the wall, leaning on it with his back, his head high as he was watching her like this.

"Well?" Evelyn softly exclaimed, moving her hair from one side to another, making her lovely blood orange scent fill his lungs, making his body feel weak for a few seconds.

"I will make Igor Krakov my follower. And after I grasp his power - you can murder him."