The Beginning of the End ? Tom Riddle

Chapter 24

Speaking of the death eaters, Aldus and I had planned our skinny dipping escapade this evening at that lake out in the Forbidden Forrest. Saying goodbye to Leo I flew down the stairs and towards the door before being stopped by Raidon, quite literally seeing as I slammed into his chest. Shaking my head and looking up at him I furrowed my brows.

" Can I help you?" I asked simply as his eyes slowly trailed over me, as if searching for a clue of where I was off to so he didn't have to ask.

" I suppose not." He replied and I worked hard to keep my smirk in knowing I had won. His eyes met mine one more time, the care and concern they held making me feel bad for neglecting him this year and sneaking around.

I reminded myself for what felt like the thousandth time I was keeping him away from this so he couldn't get hurt.

I walked out the portrait door and made my way down multiple flights of stairs and darkening corridors until I got to the Slytherin dungeons. Knocking on the door I waited for it to open, and seconds later it did. I glided in without bothering to check who it was.

" Aldusss!" I shouted, and within seconds I saw his head pop out from around a corner. I saw him glance to a calendar that hung on the wall as he laughed.

" Is it already the 23rd? Well I guess we should get going." He said as he walked through the common room to where I stood by the door.

" Wait wait, you guys are actually doing it?" I swiveled my head to see Abraxas in a chair by the fire.

" Uh yeah. Looking for an invitation Malfoy? You're more than welcome." I smirked as he sent one back, eyes meeting mine in a playful, suggestive way.

" Hold on, don't you both also have significant others?" Lennox asked as he sat across from Abraxas in another emerald chair.

" I mean I think Nagini and him are still kind of a thing but what do you mean both of us? I'm not tied down to any bitch." I replied in confusion as I looked back to the boys awaiting an explanation.

" You're going to absolutely despise me for saying this, but you and Tom are basically an old married couple. You bicker 24/7 but still manage to find time to fit in longing stares across the room and tension filled moments." Lennox spoke as my jaw dropped and I glared at him.

" No. Nope, stop. We do not. I swear I'll act up and go sleep with another random guy just to prove my point." I replied holding a hand up and beginning to turn away.

" You can't fight it Isla, I think you might deny it more than Tom, which says a lot." Abraxas chuckled while grabbing the Daily Profit off a table and opening it to read. I shuddered at the thought. Even the death eaters have a better definition of Tom and I's relationship than myself.

" In what world do wives go skinny dipping at sunset with their husbands best friends? Exactly, none." I answered my own question before they could and made my way out the door as Aldus followed laughing.

By the time we made the trek through the Hogwarts grounds and the Forbidden Forrest it was dusk. It was still relatively warm out since summer was on its way, so we wouldn't have to freeze. I began to tie my hair into a bun before getting in the water. Pulling our clothes off I slowly submerged into the lake while Aldus ran right in laughing.

Before I could ease myself in he turned and splashed a bunch of water in my face. I attempted to shield myself but was soaked as I gawked at him. Raising a challenging brow I began to splash back, and after a few minutes of our laughter filling the air we were both drenched.

" The water temperature isn't as bad once you've gotten used to it." I told him as I floated around.

" See? I was just giving you a little encouragement." He sent a cheeky grin my way to which I rolled my eyes but still chuckled slightly. We continued chatting and frolicking in the water, occasionally looking up to see more stars emerge from beneath the clouds.

" You know at the beginning of this year I would've never thought I'd be going on a fun skinny dipping trip in the Forbidden Forrest with one of Tom Riddles cult members." I told him as we shared a laugh.

" You know I bet Rein and maybe Abraxas would've be down for this as well. Tom is Tom, way to dignified and guarded. Xander is just extremely guarded, and Lennox is a bit too reserved and isn't unhinged like the rest of us." Aldus elaborated as we laughed again.

" Oh! I forgot I grabbed a camera and put it in my robe pockets, let me grab it." I said as I made my way to shore, emerging from the water.

" Want to capture this beauty?" Aldus asked as he did several dramatic poses standing in the water. I laughed and shook my head. Although I didn't pay much attention, Aldus did have an attractive figure like the other death eaters. No wonder all the girls lusted over them. If they weren't hot I guarantee they wouldn't get away with their suspicious doings as easily.

" I want to capture the crazy things I do for the memories, that way I can look back on them, and I can show my grandchildren and whatnot that I will always be more interesting than them." I concluded as Aldus laughed.

The three photos we managed to get was of Aldus doing a Greek god pose in the water, a photo of me in the water with the mountains in the background, and a photo of both of us winking at the camera. I set the camera back on shore before diving back in.

We both decided to go underwater, though we could barely see anything, so we came back up. I flipped my hair out of my face as Aldus shook his head getting some water out. We were shocked when we suddenly levitated out of the water and towels were wrapped around us.

" What the fu-" I stopped mid word noticing Tom standing at the shore as Abraxas flanked him. I scoffed and rolled my eyes before glaring at Abraxas assuming he had slipped up and gave up our location.

" I didn't tell him anything, he already figured it out, I was just dragged along." Abraxas defended himself with his hands raised. I sighed, I should've known Tom would do this.

" This is a real bitch move Tom. If you're jealous use your words." I patronized as Aldus and I touched down on the shore.

" This is a real stupid move Isla. You have no clue what could be in those waters or the surrounding Forrest, it's pitch black now and barely anyone knew where you were." Tom patronized back as I rolled my eyes.

" At least I enjoy my life and don't confine myself." I responded with a bite in my tone as he whipped around and locked eyes with me. I knew I had struck a nerve. Turning around I headed back towards the water before I felt arms wrap around my waist. I kicked for a moment before giving up.

" You can't win this one Isla, he's furious, I'm not sure Aldus will live to see dawn." Abraxas whispered as he held me up. I let out a sigh knowing he was probably right.

" He needs to understand that he doesn't own me though. I can do what I want with who I want." I crossed my arms, my lips setting into a straight line from anger.

" I think he's just overprotective of you. But honestly Isla, out of all the guys you could've fallen for you had to pick Tom Riddle. It's like committing suicide." Abraxas stated in a hushed voice as I froze, realizing he was right. Whatever I feel for Tom will probably never be reciprocated.

" I..." I begun but didn't know what to say for the first time in a very long time.

Abraxas set me down, knowing I didn't have the ability at the moment to tell him off for man handling me, but knew I would otherwise. I realized Tom had already started walking back to the castle, Aldus following sluggishly and almost timidly behind him.

I began the silent walk back with Abraxas at my side, completely lost in my own thoughts.