Chapter 25

He stepped down the stairs of his extended suitcase and warmth hit him as he stepped into the path of the artificial sun.

He breathed in the salty sea air as he made his way to the cave where Seraya laid. He visited as often as he could, which was perhaps once every week or two, given that he linked the extended suitcase and his trunk with Vanishing Cabinets.

`Seraya?` he hissed out as he made it into the depths of the cave.

`Master?` excited hissing rang out and he heard her slithering her way towards him

`It's me, Seraya. Do you know any other speakers?` he hissed out in amusement as she came into view.

She said nothing as she came forward and rubbed her snout into him and he fell on his backside and began laughing at the ticklish action.

`Are you sure you're OK with the arrangements so far Seraya?` he asked after they both settled down. He'd asked her not too long ago whether she was happy being cooped up in the suitcase even if it was large enough for her to roam to her heart's content.

Tweenie, as Atticus' head elf, assigned the elves below him to weekly drop off fresh cows and goats in the plains not too far away from the cave where they were able to graze the little food that grew here.

`I am fine with this home Master, I only wish you come maybe more often.` she hissed out a little accusingly to his ears and he nodded `I can do that Seraya`

`Perhaps more deer. I like goats but I missed eating deer.` she asked hopefully and he laughed `I can do that as well` he said fondly.

He sat there speaking to her absentmindedly as he rubbed her snout.

It's been almost a week now since Emily left with Dayton to see to the death of her family, on both sides. She seemed to be unaffected with the deaths of her family.

According to Dayton, the story is that Morfin broke into the Riddle home and massacred the Riddles but not before Thomas Riddle, Tom Riddle's father, managed to fatally wound with a pistol whilst he died from a nasty piercing curse in his gut.

Aurors had gone and investigated and it made it into the papers albeit it only garnered a small section in the middle of the day's paper. Seemingly it was signed off by Emily as it would create the necessary background to her. Those who paid attention would be able to put things together if they dug into her background.

He hadn't asked if Emily had spoken with any of her family before Morfin...killed them all.

He considered his own role in the affair. Tom Riddle was innocent in almost all ways and it was to his great misfortune to fall prey to a unstable abused woman and he bolted as soon as he could and he couldn't blame him given how messed up he must have been. The only negative was the fact that he knew she was pregnant and never searched for the child and even then, it was understandable why he didn't. Similarly the Riddle grandparents likely had no idea that they had a grandchild.

He effectively through a series of steps caused their early demise. There was little chance of them living as soon as she entered Hogwarts. Even if they had been perfectly accepting of her status as a witch, she would never have accepted anything muggle about herself. No, he thought, their deaths was likely as soon as he decided not to kill Emily.

`Master, you are distracted` Seraya broke him out of his thoughts.

`I am Seraya` he chuckled `I'm just thinking of the impacts my actions have. Some were hastened whilst some won't happen,` he sighed.

`My actions have had consequences for people I have nothing to do with, who I don't care even a little about, all because my own desires required my input.` 

`I don't understand Master` she hissed out confused `You did what you wanted? Is it not your right?` she hissed out in confusion and he grimaced. 

'Was he so lacking in people he trusted that he had to vent out to animals who had no concept of human morality?' he mused to himself. 'Yes' he thought grimly.

`It's OK Seraya` he hissed out as he rubbed her snout.

Soon enough, he made it out of the suitcase and began getting ready for a Yule party at the Malfoys.

Normally his family rarely attended Yule parties, especially ones by Malfoy given that they tend to be quite political, but Emily was invited by Abraxas and she decided to attend and asked him to go with her and he agreed. His parents were also coming.

He looked himself over in the mirror. He was dressed in a formal dark green robe that contrasted well with his pale skin.

He tied his hair with a thin silver piece of silk string that matched well with his attire for the night.

He walked down the stairs and made it into the living where his father was seated with a glass of wine in his hand. He sat down next to his father and a glass of wine appeared floating in front of him. He glanced at his father and saw a bemused look on his face.

"We may be waiting a little while. A glass of wine is suitable, don't you think, as we wait?" his father said with a smile on his face.

Atticus chuckled and grabbed the glass of wine and sipped it. They enjoyed an amiable silence for a long moment.

"We haven't spoken alone since that meeting in my office" His father began and he turned towards his father who was swirling his glass of wine as he spoke with his other hand holding his wand in the air and cast what he knew to be a anti eavesdropping spell. 'Seems like it'll be an interesting conversation' he thought

"No we haven't" he said calmly as he sipped on his wine.

A silence fell among them before his father spoke once more "Did you have any problems with the actions we took?" his father asked calmly.

"With the act?" he mused as he considered it. No, he didn't. Killing didn't bother him. Who was killed did. There were people who deserved it, and then there were those who didn't. There was also those who didn't deserve it yet but would do things that would deem killing necessary. They would cause too much damage. McKinney was one of them. 

"No. The act did not bother me. Morfin Gaunt deserved to die. But Tom Riddle and his parents?" he posed. "I do not think Emily's grandparents deserved to die at all. I understand why but they didn't deserve it. Tom Riddle also didn't deserve to die but once again I understand why." He said tiredly.

He eyed his father "Did the grandparents even know about her?"

"They didn't." His father answered and remained impassive looking. "They were unfortunate casualties beyond their control. Life often causes such casualties." His father said without care.

"But did we have to cause it ourselves?" he said a little warily.

"If we hadn't, eventually they would have died anyway but at the hands of young girl who would forever by defined by this act" his father said as he finally turned his head towards Atticus.

"You know this very well son." He said pointedly as he pinned Atticus with a look.

He looked away. 

His father continued "You were well aware of her disposition and given how she needed to cast so many dark spells in our duelling room that it took me longer than usual to reset the duelling room to its original state, you cannot deny the Riddles were living on borrowed time. Regardless of perceived guilt. Such things rarely matter when it is as deeply personal as Emily Riddle's situation was."

"You made us aware of her disposition and the possibilities she may yield and effectively had us take her in and as such made us responsible for her wellbeing. I considered this to be within her wellbeing. Removing the Riddles from the living is a small price to pay to prevent the girl from walking the path you made clear to us exists or did exist." His father paused as he turned to meet his father's gaze.

"Given that you decided against killing her and involved her in our lives, you have a responsibility Atticus that you have taken on willingly and in turn made us take it with you." His father said with his eyes drilling into him and he grew angry but before he could retort "Accept it son. From the very moment you decided to take her off her path with all the time you spent with her, the things you have informed us off – of which I am certain you have not divulged fully to either me or your mother" he stiffened slightly and if his father noticed that, he hadn't said anything "–and all the other little things you have and are doing for her have bound you to her." His father said sternly.

He furrowed his eyebrows "Bound?" What did he mean? He thought confusedly.

His father closed his eyes momentarily as he sighed "Son..." he began calmly "You are not thick." He said calmly as he opened his eyes and his grey blue eyes held a strange glint "That girl is infatuated with you." His father said simply with an raised eyebrow.

He gaped slightly "Close your mouth. It is unbecoming" His father said frowning in disapproval.

His mouth snapped closed audibly and he blinked a few times "No. You are wrong father. She isn't. She can't be" he denied fervently.

His father looked to him amused "The great Atticus Sayre, the boy genius, the next Dumbledore has not noticed something so blatant?" his father said with upturned lips with his eyes alight with amusement.

He grimaced and glared at his father "Low blow referring me to that" he said annoyed.

His father chuckled before he turned his gaze to his wine "You mean referring you to as the boy genius?" he said before sipping on his wine and eyed Atticus as his face soured. 

The Daily Prophet sensationalised him and drew parallels with Dumbledore which his family – and Emily for that matter – had taken great joy to tease him about it.

"Getting back on the subject" he said glaring at his father once more before he turned serious "She isn't infatuated with me. She's just..." he trailed looking into the distance with deep in thought. He didn't know what to describe her as. She was manipulative and he knew that he could never take things at face value. He knew that she was likely in some way fond of him but never did he ever think what his father was referring to as possible.

His father sighed what seemed to be in an exasperated manner and he turned his face to him "Son...It seems that there are limits to you after all" his father said a little amused before he turned serious.

"You have a hold on that girl son. It is only through careful observation that either I or your mother have noticed. When we have seen you two alone, with the two of you unaware we are watching, that girl opens up in ways she never does in either mine or your mother presence and certainly not in the presence in other people." His father said and he moved to interject, to explain that it was simply that they had things in common but his father raised his hand and looked at him sternly.

His father continued "Do not think we have not noticed that she does not like touching, not at all. The way she stiffened and remains stiff when your mother placed her hand on her shoulder and her set jaw was very clear. And yet she allows you that right freely. Not to mention the way she looks at you, even if it is subtle, clearly shows how much you interest her" his father said and things begin to click as he recalls all the moments he had with her.

He slumped in his chair "It's...not what I intended" he said a little hollowly as his mind continued to analyse what his father had said.

How could he have not noticed this? Or did he and did he simply dismiss because of what he knew of her? He ran a hand across his face and looked at his father who looked to him sympathetically.

"Are you certain father? Are you certain that you are not misinterpreting?" he asked as he met his father's gaze who simply gave him a wry smile "I think I am experienced enough in the fairer sex to see the signs, even in someone like Emily" his father said wryly.

"Mind you" his father said absently as he looked at his glass of wine thoughtfully "I'm not certain she knows herself what it is she holds for you. Given her...deplorable upbringing" his father frowned lightly and he narrowed his eyes lightly at that "and the circumstances she was born in, she likely doesn't have a healthy understanding of feelings." His father said as he turned to him.

He furrowed his brows in thought as he considered what his father said "You think...the potions and the forced nature of her birth has had an effect on her that much?" he asked shocked. He had once considered such a thing but he dismissed it based on her upbringing as he compared it to his own in his previous life.

His father hummed "I do. Dayton and I considered it. It might not have had a large impact but perhaps enough to matter" his father said with a frown before turning to him "You must understand son and you do so very well, magic is never completely logical and can have entirely unpredictable outcomes and consequences. Free will, intent and so on have a large impact on magic. Given that the potions forced love or rather more accurately infatuation" his father said pointedly "it is possible that she cannot love in a normal way, that she expresses such things in extremes and in a possessive manner. She expresses such behaviour but it is not necessarily the case." 

His father paused momentarily "She is of course fourteen in just over a week's time and well within normal behaviour for teenage girls, even if she is far from a normal teenager." His father said pausing for a moment as he seemed to consider his next words "Not to mention, her Gaunt blood may have some influence in her as well. The muggle" his father said with some distaste and Atticus struggled to prevent his eyes from rolling "blood has likely done wonders to remove the excessive negative traits that the Gaunts have subjected themselves to but the Gaunt blood is still there. She shows extremes rarely but when she does...ultimately she is a difficult person. And she is infatuated with you." His father paused "At the very least." His father said finally finished.

They fell into an uneasy silence. 

He wanted to laugh and he wasn't sure at what. He really screwed the pooch. Emily Riddle, Voldemort's counterpart was infatuated with him.

To be honest, much of what he was doing with her was on the fly. He had a general plan on how to ensure she didn't become a Dark Lady but he never considered the consequences on himself. He knew she had the capability to turn obsessive, after all, she was obsessive about power, about immortality and of course her counterpart was obsessive about a stupid prophecy that became self fulfilling.

And now he finally realised she might be obsessive about him. He should have seen it earlier. After all, she had sought him out initially to assess his threat level to her and that turned completely when he coaxed her into a position where he was something more to her. 

He sought make himself into a companion to her, one of equal stature and someone who she could speak with and consider as an equal, a person who was off the world chess board in her schemes but one she would share with and confide in.

And it seems that he was far too successful in his endeavours if his father was correct.

"Now what are you going to do" his father said breaking him out of his thought and he turned to his father who held him in such a gaze that he felt naked under it.

"I..." he began struggling for words. "I don't know" he admitted feebly. He had no idea on how to proceed now that he knew she likely cared for him in that manner.

His father hummed as he drank from his wine. 

He looked at his father frowning "What does it matter anyway? She's not a pureblood." He said confused "Why have you not simply said 'No there is nothing to be done. Get rid of her infatuation and bring home a pureblood girl'?" he asked his father plainly.

His father turned to him "Your mother and I...are not against the match" he said plainly and once again Atticus was shocked at the plain explanation.

"What?!" he shouted before he settled down, clearing his throat "You are not against this match – which" he said pausing deliberately "I am not entertaining at this point, possibly never – ...why?" he asked as he met his father's eye with hawkish interest.

It was surreal where their conversation was headed. 

His father had a strange expression on his face "From an early age you have shown capabilities and intelligence that would put adults to shame". Atticus frowned at the sudden shift in conversation as his father continued.

"You have latched onto magic almost immediately and almost all of your efforts have been into improving your magic, increasing your knowledge and anything else that wasn't specifically anything magic that you took interest to was at least someway related to your obsession about magic." His father paused as he looked at Atticus for a brief moment before he smiled.

"You have made us immensely proud with your achievement and it heartens both your mother and I that you have found something worthy to spend your life doing." His smile fell as he grew serious "But we are well aware that you are...aloof in many ways. As an infant, you were silent and seemed to dislike contact until your mother managed to ease you into it." His father eyes grew distant as he was recollecting his memories "It made us worried about you" his father said simply.

Atticus carefully blanked his face as he felt an array of emotions, none of them positive. He thought he manage to conceal much of his strangeness when he was younger but it seemed he was far less successful.

He'd been aware that he likely didn't completely sell the lie that he was an ordinary infant given that it was impossible to act in that way but he never thought his parents were far more perceptive. That he was hearing it for the first time was another thing that concerned him. What did they know? What did they suspect? Many questions like it rang through his mind. His greatest fear was that his parents would discover that he was reincarnated. He never wanted them to find out and change the relationship he had with them that he so cherished.

"Over time" his father continued as his thoughts whirled "you grew more and more affectionate even if you still held that aloofness with you but with the family that sense was reduced significantly. But it still caused us concerns. Throughout the years, at all of the events we've attended, that aloofness about you even as you engaged with people remained." His father sighed.

"There is nothing wrong about that, do not think we are unhappy about you. It is a part of you." His father said calmly before his face softened slightly "But when you discuss magic, that aloofness, that disinterest disappears entirely and you are at your happiest at that point" His father tilted his head slightly "and the only other circumstance that I have seen you that happy was when you were spending time with Emily Riddle." His father dropped on him.

He frowned deeply "But I spent much of my time speaking with her regarding magic." He explained calmly as he sought to understand his father's point.

"But it is not the only thing you discuss with her, is it?" his father said as he looked at him knowingly.

"I..." he began before he paused midway and closed his mouth and sighed "No it is not. We talk about a great many things. But that doesn't mean anything." He protested.

"Perhaps" his father admitted "But it might mean something." His father said calmly.

"We are not against the match because even if she is a half blood, she is still of House Gaunt and the blood of Slytherin courses through her veins. In addition she is a powerful witch who you've said had the potential to be an archmage. Our family has always sought power over pedigree but she has both even if she has muggle blood" His father said pointedly before his face softened considerably "But also most importantly, your mother and I think she is perhaps one of the few individuals that lives that could hold your interest. I have seen many marriages" Atticus flinched at the word "that were miserable and it negatively affected the children in that marriage. Many of the dark families are a prime example of what miserable matches can produce." His father said pointedly.

 "You need decide a course and figure out what role she has in your future and soon lest it cause massive problems that you cannot escape. That girl is dangerous to scorn" his father warned and he grimaced as he slunk into his chair.

"Dangerous to scorn?" he murmured lowly as he was in a mild daze.

His father hummed "You are aware of the family history and the dangerous of an angry female Gaunt" he said in dark humour and he eyed his father "I didn't think you'd make a joke out it" he said cautiously and his father simply smiled at him "It seemed appropriate."

"Are you not concerned that she is volatile? That she might be unable to love?" he asked his father pointedly.

"I am concerned, of course" his father agreed "But you have shown that you are capable of dealing with it and doing it admirable job of it and importantly you don't seem to mind it" his father said with a tilted head with a raised eyebrow and he looked away. It was true he didn't mind too much her volatile nature, only when she was verging on crossing the line did he hate it.

He felt uncomfortable, he has been uncomfortable during this whole conversation. But...there was a part of him that he denied that did not reject the entire idea. The problem was he did not trust anyone with everything and he knew that whoever would be in his future would need to know much about him.

And even if he was...attracted...to her, he couldn't trust her. Even if he believed that she would never betray him or harm him and his family, he did not believe he could trust her wholeheartedly and completely.

And that was no basis for a lasting relationship even for one as emotionally stunted as him knew that. He finished his glass of wine and closed his eyes as he leaned back into the chair.

"But ultimately" his father continued "Those kinds of questions are what you have to ask yourself. Whether her flaws are those that you can accept. That you can perhaps work around or even remove if possible." His father said as he listened with his eyes closed.

"You have our trust Atticus. You have had it for much of your life. You have never disappointed us and with this, the future of our house, we are entrusting you with it. You are uniquely gifted in determining the right path for our family and so you shall" his father finally intoned.

He opened his eyes and looked at his father who got up "Now, it's been a while since I checked on your mother. It's nearing the time we should leave" his father said as he walked towards the stairs leaving Atticus with his thoughts.

He considered everything he thought of Emily. Brilliant, powerful, passionate, interesting and utterly beautiful.

But she was also manipulative, volatile, tendency to be cruel, her fears such as death and control ruled her and had a large disposition towards violence.

He finished the glass of wine and set it aside. Had he not known what she could turn into, would he have been against the idea? He laughed briefly. What idea? He wondered. A relationship? Something he's never done? 

Even if he wanted to, and he wasn't certain he wanted to, was he even capable of being the kind of person that could make a relationship last? 

His parents were the golden standard of what a relationship should be. They give themselves to each other. Emily and him...would they be able to get to that stage? With all their problems? 

He sighed and rubbed his eyes. What did he feel about Emily in the first place. Attraction? 'Yes' he admitted to himself. Her own capabilities with magic, her mind and her personality – when she wasn't being so manipulative – and her beauty certainly attracted him.

So was he hesitating because of her flaws and potential of being a Dark Lady or was he simply using them as an excuse? Or both? 

Questions like this rang through his mind until he heard footsteps, multiple footsteps and he decided to shelve it all. 'I won't be able to solve it in one night' he thought as he shook his head clear.

He got up and made it to the bottom of the steps. His mother and father were locked in arms as they descended down the stairs.

His mother was dressed in a lovely purple dress that had a shining glaze to it. She had her hair up and she looked beautiful.

"Mother, you look wonderful" he complimented her and she beamed at him as she got to the bottom of the stairs. 

"Thank you dear" his mother said kindly as she came forth and cupped his cheek. "You look very handsome, you'll make the ladies swoon" she crowed a little.

Before he could say anything else, he heard light tapping and shifted his attentions towards the noise and his eyes widened as he took in the appearance of Emily.

He was transfixed on her as she descended down the stairs, gliding down so smooth and so seamlessly. He never thought he'd see her more beautiful than that day in the summer, when, for a moment, she had been ethereal.

Tonight, she truly defined the meaning of ethereal for there was nothing on Earth or elsewhere that he imagined that could rival her. She wore a sleek black dress that seemed to absorb all available light, not unlike how he imagined her own mere presence would absorb the attention of all those around her. Her hair was loose, gently swaying as she walked down the stairs, in line with her sculpted figure that her dress so accentuated.

He looked up from where his gaze had migrated to and met her eyes as he took in her face. For the first time in his life, his heart was pounding away in his chest, evoking something that made him feel so weak as he fell into a breathless state.

Her face was as pale as it ever was but today, it had a strange spellbinding quality. It was as if the blackness she was cloaked in, the blackness that seemed absorbed all, served to supplement her. The contrast between the black and white seemed to fit her as well as her dress. She was one of extremes, one that represented some of the best of humanity and some of the worst and like the flickering flames of the fire that drew attention, none could help but stare. Though he mused in the back of his mind, would she burn him or would she provide him with warmth...

She finally made it down to the floor and he could see, now, the dark blue shine in her eyes that one rarely saw. He saw her smile and it was one of confidence and it was easy to understand why. Her lips were blood red, only a shade more red than he was used to and it gave a strange quality to her that seemed to taunt that if you weren't captured by her presence, her beauty, her words would soon mitigate that flaw of yours. 

"My apologies for my lateness" she said pleasingly as she continued to meet his eyes. He knew, then, that she knew she held his sole attention.

His father loudly cleared his throat that broke him from his reverie and he blinked a few times before blood rushed to his face and it must have been so very apparent as his mother laughed melodiously as he turned his face towards her and he saw the mirth in her eyes and delight and he felt embarrassed.

"Well, aren't you going to compliment her on her appearance?" his mother said expectantly and his father couldn't help but chuckle silently to himself and his eye twitched at their antics but nonetheless he turned towards her and stepped forward as he met her eyes.

He grabbed her limp hand that felt so soft and raised her hand to his face slowly whilst his eyes never left hers until he brought her knuckles to his lips and he planted a chaste kiss on it as their eyes continued to meet.

"Emily...words do not, cannot, describe your sheer majesty tonight. It could never truly capture how utterly spellbinding you are." He said softly as he gently let her hand go and he saw her faintly blushing as he hungrily took in her face.

A moment of silence passed before she spoke "Thank you." She said with a soft smile "You look very handsome tonight" she returned with a small smile as her eyes lit up. He inclined his head a little but before he could say anything further his father spoke up "Well, let's not be too late. We are already fashionably late." His father remarked and it served to rally both him and Emily to begin moving.

He glanced towards his mother who he had never seen so hard trying to restrain herself with the amount of excitement that shone through her eyes. He was thankful to whatever deities existed that his mother hadn't made the evening more difficult than it already was. He was already struggling dealing with the emotions Emily evoked in him.

Soon enough they made their way towards the floo and departed towards Malfoy Manor.

----------------------------------------------Break----------------------------------------------

Malfoy Manor was every bit as extravagant the HP universe tried to make it out. It was more akin to a palace than it was a manor and the Malfoys made certain of that.

The party was attended by ministry personnel, by lords and heirs and ladies of noble families and a few exemplary individuals in their crafts that were somehow affiliated with the Malfoys.

He spent much of the evening speaking with a number of people who wanted to personally speak with the youngest Master for centuries. They had been uninteresting, for the most part, but niceties had to be observed and he needed to live up the image he represented to them all...the prominent powerful pureblooded genius. In truth, there were some interesting conversational points but he had been distracted, just as many others were.

Emily stole the show even if she was just shy of fourteen. She was unquestionably the most beautiful at the party and she used it to devastating effect.

She had met some of the women and men during the summer when he or his mother had taken her to events and it proved to extremely fortuitous to her.

Watching her perform as she did was almost like watching a once in a lifetime performance, like Buddy Rich's performance in 1982, so expertly did she play the crowd. She charmed them all with her wit, her intellect and the subtle ways she manipulated them all into wanting to be charming to her, forgetting all the prejudice they would normally hold for someone like her.

Her old circle was in full attendance today, Black, Rosier, Rockwood, Nott and a few other stragglers like Dolohov that were either at the edge or already in the new one. Many of them introduced her to their families, some of them had been less than kind but like so many others, couldn't withstand her charm for the most part. 

Some of the Hogwarts age girls were exceedingly unhappy with her presence and had made snippy comments that would have made one self conscious and yet it fell off Emily like water droplets on an oily skin.

Emily was currently talking with a number of lords and heirs. A flick on the shoulder shook him free and he turned to face the person who flicked him.

"If you keep on staring at her all night, you're going to start rumours" Nymera commented with a raised eyebrow.

Nymera was the only one from his friends in attendance given that she was a Greengrass. 

"I'm not staring at her and certainly not all night" he murmured as he frowned at her. She looked at him in a knowing and strangely pitying way and dragged him towards one of the stands that held glasses of champagne and forced a glass into his hands and he sent a querying look to her.

"You definitely need some alcohol if you can't see what you're doing. You're practically foaming at the mouth with the way you are looking at her" she said sighing as she eyed him.

He frowned as he considered his actions and realised there was some truth to her words.

"I didn't realise..." he murmured and she spoke once more "Well, you did" she said primly as she raised her chin as she looked at him and he smiled at her antics which in turned made her smile until it fell off and a strange smile crossed her face even if her eyes were distant.

"You know, when we first met you were quite cold. I didn't quite understand it but it made curious and perhaps why I decided to continue to try and befriend you." She said with a strange lilt to her tone, one that seemed almost wistful and melancholic. 

"It wasn't until you began helping our little group with magic, and then later with our year group, that I understood really what it was about you. You cared little about people" she said calmly and he made to interject "Please, let me just" she said haltingly and he remained silent.

"You loved magic however and that always shone through your cold exterior when you tried to share it and I knew then that your life would always have magic at the forefront. Most people never think of magic beyond how useful it is but you...you breathe and live it. It is your centre of being Atticus. Look at what you have achieved and will achieve." She said warmly as she met his eyes.

"Over time" she continued "you grew more and more comfortable with us and truly became my friend and it made me happy. But there still remained some part of you that was kept separate from everyone and I always thought that would always be the case." She said before turning her gaze towards somewhere and he looked at where she was looking and he understood her implications.

"I always thought you were meeting with her because you were simply curious at another prodigy. I warned you against her but you already knew that she was dangerous and continued to meet with her. It simply seemed that you saw her as another puzzle to solve, a tricky Riddle to solve and as time passed by, my assumption didn't seem wrong" she said pausing as they watched Emily talk to a bunch of people.

"My assumption was right but also wrong. You aren't looking at her like a puzzle to solve...you are looking at her in the same way you look at a piece of magic that fascinates you. Your eyes look at her with a hunger and with such interest that I have never seen in you before except when you read those strange foreign books that I have no doubt contain some esoteric knowledge." She chuckled as he remained silent.

"I'm happy for you Atticus, that you found someone that can hold your interest as much as magic can." She turned to him with a mischievous look "Theodore believes that you would forever remain alone in a immaculately clean room littered with fantastical artefacts that you have created with a library grander than the one in Hogwarts." She turned away with a smirk on her face "Perhaps he wasn't wrong completely. You wouldn't be alone in that room, most likely" she said finally as they fell into a silence.

It seemed as if everyone knew him better than he knew himself, in some ways. First his father and now Nymera. Even Theodore wasn't so wrong in many ways and wasn't that a strange thought.

It was a hard pill to swallow, that he was...enamoured with her. He was afraid. He never allowed himself to be vulnerable and what he felt for her would make him vulnerable in ways he barely could comprehend. 

The last time he had been so vulnerable had been when he had been five in his old life and he had asked his mother why she didn't love him. Her response, or lack of response was still something that he carried into his new life and it had taken him years in this life for him to understand that Anne Sayre truly loved him.

But this was a different prospect. He'd be exposing himself in a way that he had never done so before. And this to a girl who had no compunction of manipulating this vulnerability for her own desires and plans...to a girl who could cut him far more deeply should he ever allow her in.

"I...don't know what to do" he admitted. "She's..." he began as he struggled for words and she looked at him sympathetically and nodded.

"She is dangerous. Especially to you." She smiled wryly as she looked away "It's funny. I always thought you were going to be unbeatable, untouchable. She likely wouldn't be able to even approach you in skill or magical power, even if she is likely to be the closest one out of everyone. And yet, that is not what makes her dangerous to you." She said with pursed lips.

"Luckily, it seems that you might equally be dangerous to her. In that way." She said a little mirthful.

He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her. She continued "I have also been watching her" she admitted "when I realised how often your eyes were drifting off to her. Imagine my surprise that she was stealing glances at you when she could" she turned to him once more but with a mild grin and mirthful eyes and his own eyes widened and he felt pleased about it.

"You should go and join her." She said gently as she took his now empty glass of champagne and pushed him to Emily's direction and he made his way towards Emily.

"-gwarts has fallen in quality and it is plain to see why" a pompous voice rang out as Atticus approached the crowd that included Emily.

"I couldn't help but overhear you speak of Hogwarts Mr..." he said smoothly as he was behind a man who seemed to be as wide as he was tall who stepped to the side and he recognised him vaguely.

"Gaston. Gaston Gamp" Gamp said as his eyes lit up in understanding "Ah, you must be the young Sayre heir, the prodigy!" Gamp said excitedly as he extended his hand whilst inclining his head slightly. 

Atticus took the hand that was slightly wet and fought an annoyance as he smiled slightly outwardly "Atticus Sayre" he intoned as he inclined his head as he turned to the five individuals other than Emily herself.

"Lord Nott" he said as he inclined his head as he met Lord Nott's pale grey eyes "Heir Sayre" Nott said respectfully as his eyes were keen and sharp as they roved over Atticus. Next to him was his son who was in Emily's year and a few he vaguely recalled though there was one with a forest of a beard and thick moustache that he didn't recognise.

"Ah, please let me introduce you to the rest of the fine folk here." Gamp cheerfully stated as he began "You know Lord Nott of course and his heir Theodore Nott, next to him is Aston Travers, brother of Lord Travers" he nodded to Travers who returned the nod.

"Next to old Aston is Thraxis Bullstrode heir of House Bullstrode and this gentleman opposite you is Josiah Boot, heir of House Boot whilst you of course came with the delightful Emily Riddle" he finished.

"Pleasure" he said as he greeted and was greeted by everyone present before he turned to Emily who was staring at him with an indescribable look that he was barely able to see. He broke of his eyes from her and turned to Gamp who began to speak

"We were simply discussing the unfortunate decline of Hogwarts and the likely causes of it." Gamp shook his head "In my day, we have classes of Enchanting, Metalworking, Music, Arts and so much more" Gamp said in a disappointed tone.

"Ms Riddle and young Nott were simply regaling us that such options did not exist currently and it was shocking to hear." Gamp said as he glanced over to the two.

"Oh?" he said with a tilted head "What are the reasons?" he said curiously.

"With the increase of mudbloods who are granted reduced fees attending Hogwarts, the school is unable to meet the high standards that the school is, was known for" Thraxis Bullstrode sneered as he spoke.

"Yes, yes" Gamp bobbled his head in agreement "Not to mention, the many pureblooded magicals who were ineligible for Hogwarts that could pay because of some faulty enchantment that hasn't been updated since the days of the founders!" he exclaimed in a put up anger. Or so it seemed to him. Though he was curious what exactly he was referring to.

"Yes, it is a travesty that has been allowed to continue to prevent pureblood children from upstanding families to attend the greatest school in the world because of they are wrongly evaluated and have to attend one of the smaller schools in the Isles" Travers spoke.

And he understood now. The founders – likely Rowena Ravenclaw and he wasn't saying it because he was biased in his admiration of her – enchanted the book of admissions to be capable of picking up a minimal threshold of magic in each individual.

It is one of the core tenets of Hogwarts that only those who appeared in the book of admissions could attend – unless you were a overseas transfer and could perform at least to the average of the year group – and the rest were sent to the four other schools in the Isles.

Not even the ministry could change that aspect about Hogwarts and it would result in severe pushback as the ministry was not allowed to interfere in Hogwarts beyond the curriculum.

"The greater shame is that places are taken by mudbloods who then do not contribute to magical society, taken places from purebloods who are wrongly judged." Lord Nott said emotionlessly to the crowd "They reduce the standard of education of our youth and then contribute nothing to the same society that welcomed them and instead they seek to change it." He said finally and it gained angry agreements of muttering.

"That's right, they do not treat our traditions and our culture with respect and instead want us to be more muggle like, the filthy mudbloods" Travers sneered as he got into a tirade which he blocked out as he glanced at Emily who was watching him. She had a light look of mirth in her eyes and he slightly narrowed his eyes.

"- something must be done to set us back on the correct path" Travers finally finished "Hear Hear" Gamp said as he raised his glass of champagne.

"What do you think Atticus?" Emily's voice rang out and silenced the crowd as everyone turned to him.

His eye threatened to twitch at what she now forced him to do.

"I'm afraid I have not much to add" he said smiling genially to the crowd "I defer my judgement over such...complicated matters to the elders who know more about the workings of Hogwarts and the Ministry" he said finally with an inclination with his head.

"Come now Heir Sayre, you are considered to be the upcoming thinker of your generation, already having reached heights that most will never do at such a young age" Lord Nott spoke as he assessed Atticus. "Your opinion...matters" Lord Nott said as his eyes bore into him and Atticus pursed his lips.

A silence fell among them until he spoke "Very well. The founders built things to last and I do not think that their magic was faulty." He said with a tilted head "Do any of you believe the Great Salazar or the Great Rowena could have created anything that they wouldn't make certain that would last as close to eternity as possible for their legacy?" he said smiling at Nott and then turning his gaze to the crowd until his eyes met Emily's who was enjoying it all. 

'If you want to play like that, well watch me then' he mused to himself as he returned his gaze to Lord Nott who nodded in acceptance "Perhaps. What about the influence of mudbloods in our society and the decline of what is taught?" he posed to Atticus.

An elf came by with a tray of champagne and Atticus promptly grabbed one and sipped his drink as he considered the words carefully.

"Tell me...Gentlemen" as his eyes roved to the crowd before he turned to Emily with a smirk "And fair lady" and saw her keep tight control over her lips though he wasn't sure if it was because of annoyance or amusement – perhaps both.

"Do mudbloods" he said evenly without giving any signs that it felt distasteful to him "my apologies muggleborns" he lightly chuckled "I once heard some fine pureblood first year" he gestured with his free hand waving slightly "can't quite remember...I think it might have been a cousin of the Cornfoot family" The Cornfoots were a prolific family and they had many cousins "That once chastised another first year about how uncouth it was to besmirch oneself with such words even if it describes muggleborns well enough." He continued to chuckle with a shake of his head as his eyes grew a little predatory. He smiled widely as he looked to Gamp who was looking at him with some surprise "Nowadays I feel a little conscious whenever I say mudblood. Besmirching myself with what some parts of society consider to be offensive" he shrugged lightly "Well, I tend to want to make sure I do not fail my ancient family with such tarnish." He said lightly and he could see some discomfort shining through their posture.

He eyed Emily from the corner of his eyes and say that she seemed amused by his antics.

He returned to the topic "Do muggleborns have any influence over Hogwarts or the ministry for that matter" he said with a tilted head as he posed the question to the crowd, shaking them from their earlier discomfort.

"As if they'd ever allow to" Bulstrode sneered and Travers agreed "Mu- They" he corrected to his everlasting amusement "are no right to be involved in either. Not that they do not try to" he mumbled.

Atticus hummed "Then why shift the blame to them?" he said with a tilted head as he looked genuinely confused "Muggleborns have no real influence in what taught and what is allowed in Hogwarts and the Ministry is the one that is responsible for cutting traditions down to barebones." He said with a pursed lips.

At this point Emily decided to join in the fun "Heir Sayre is correct" Emily's soft voice capturing them all as they turned to look at her.

"Heir Sayre and I discussed about how to go about having Rites such as those performed on Samhain – the one without sacrifice of course" she said smiling genially as she delicately pushed her hair behind her ear before she continued "and we were told that the ministry had banned such rites from Hogwarts." She sighed dramatically "It would have been nice to observe ancient rites such as that from a hallowed place such as Hogwarts." She said with a sad inflection in her voice that masked the calculating look in her eyes as she gazed towards the crowd and he allowed a very small smirk to appear on his face.

"That is outrageous" Gamp said "To think our traditions are banned from our own very soil" he said blustering as he talked.

Emily nodded sagely and empathetically "It is. Such a shame...why" she began a little daintily "there are blood traitor children who celebrate Christmas rather than Yule who nothing of our people's traditions" she said with a shake of a head.

Boot looked disturbed and he fought to keep off a bemused look and he glanced at Lord Nott and for the first time he saw something more than cold indifference and saw a little amusement somewhere there whilst Theodore Nott was looking far more bored anything else. 

A clanging of a wine glass, loud enough to travel far, rang around the room and disrupted their conversation. He turned towards the noise and saw the Malfoy Patriarch standing there with the Minister Spencer-Moon in close proximity 'If nothing else, the Malfoys know how to get themselves entwined with power' he mused.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for gracing us with your presence. We are honoured to spend Yule with such esteemed people" Malfoy said silkily as the crowd lapped it up.

"Now that our hunger and thirst have been sated, please join us at the ballroom where the night's entertainment, the famous Aaschen Magical Symposium" he paused as there were a few excited gasps "will perform. You will be free to dance as you wish" he said before pausing as he smiled appeasingly "In fact, we encourage it. Please follow me there" he said and soon the crowd began to move towards the ballroom.

"Ah, of course the Malfoys only managed to get the most famous band in the world" Theodore Nott muttered as he joined him and Emily as the others moved at their own pace.

"The Malfoys know how to impress the crowd" he said shrugging his shoulders and Nott agreed.

He turned towards Emily was beside him and extended an arm at which point she glanced up at him and within a moment linked her arm with him and she held a pleasing glint in her eye.

They said nothing as they entered the ballroom which was exquisitely decorated and they stood at the side as the band began their music.

"How's your evening been?" he asked as he broke the silence.

"Well enough" she said smoothly. "Yours?" she asked with interest in her voice and he turned towards her "Well enough" he said with a smirk and she rolled her eyes.

"It was fun watching you play with them" he said suddenly as people began to move to the dance floor to dance to the music.

"Oh?" she said enticingly as she looked at him with a smirk and he nodded with twitching his lips "Yes, it was a mesmerising performance. Like watching an artist perform their greatest piece of work." He said tilting his head with a piercing gaze sent at Emily.

She raised her eyebrow slightly "I didn't realise I was so good that you needed to watch me all that time" she said as she came closer to him "I didn't imply that I needed to watch you" he said calmly as he looked at her "No?" she said soft as he came closer "Were you able to stop watching me? If you simply wanted to, you could have. But you didn't." She said with a quizzical tone.

"No, I didn't" he agreed and he extended his hand and she eyed it for a moment before she took and he gently guided her to the dance floor.

"Do you know how to dance?" he asked as he placed his hand on her waist.

She looked at him amused "A little late to ask don't you think?" she said with a raised eyebrow before replying anyway "I do. One time, one of the more wealthy donators gave the orphanage free tutoring in dancing to the girls for a month. I couldn't decline as the matrons deemed it mandatory. And last summer your mother took it up on herself to teach me...the finer things of society" she said calmly and he hummed in understanding as he lead her through the music that was decently paced.

"Well, it seemed that you are very good at it." He said complimenting her and she smiled "Thank you." She said softly.

They fell into an amiable silence as they danced and simply enjoyed each other's company even if neither would admit it at this stage.

"What do you think?" he asked breaking the silence and after her querying look "About all this?" he asked lowly, only intending for her own ears.

She pursed her lips as she looked to the side "Pretentious, irrelevant" she sighed before she turned towards him "but also necessary given that most of these people are important." She said with some forced politeness and he nodded in understanding.

"What about you?" she asked intently "You seemed quite natural at it, from a distance" she said.

He gave a sad smile "It is necessary if you want to be a part of this society" he said as he looked into the distance. "I've been to a few like this and sometimes I get to meet interesting people but most of the time it's just..." he trailed off as he turned his gaze towards her.

"It seems so...false" he began as he met her eyes "I see all this and I can't help but feel dismay Emily" he said softly ensuring that only she could hear.

"Dismay?" she asked full of interest as she bore her eyes into him.

"Don't tell me you don't see this and can't draw parallels with rich muggles" he said expectantly and her face soured. He knew from her recounting of her time at the orphanage, she had met plenty of rich snobs and he was drawing her to it.

"I'm aware. I have been aware from the start" she said firmly and he nods.

"I see all this Emily and I wonder 'is this the best our kind can do?'" he said as he bore his eyes into her hoping to get through to her "Decadence and a culture that promotes stagnation over progress, one that rejects new ideas especially if they are from the muggle world that could parachute magical exploration centuries. You've heard those people talk about muggleborns" he scoffed lightly "As if they are the problem. They are scapegoats, easy scapegoats that prevent society to look at itself and admit that they are part of the problem." He thinned his lips as she listened to him.

"A culture that values excessive wealth and showing it all off and control over others and values purity of blood when the gift of magic is what should unite us. Seeking knowledge is what should drive us and tolerance should we strive for." He looked away from her for a moment as he took on a wistful look "People believe to grow stronger is take from others." He shook his head "Strength comes from self improvement, from seeking to grow beyond others rather than having your boot on the neck of others." He sighed as he looked at her.

"Time and again this society and culture creates dark lords and light lords that jostle for power and each time destroys a little more of our world" he closed his eyes briefly as he tightened his hold on her and he opens his eyes and he met with unblinking eyes. "It's all so self destructive and so...shallow."

"Then help me change all this" she said as she searched his face "I understand your concerns, your apathy to the country but I know you're not apathetic to the people" she said with narrowed eyes "I don't know why you're so against it"

He couldn't admit that he intended to take the people who wanted to come and find a new society with principles, with standards, with morals that he could agree to. A new society that wouldn't be shackled to a stagnant culture that was heading towards an inevitable doom.

"Ask me again after you graduate Hogwarts" he said intently "I will continue to be there for you, I doubt that there is much that could stop me from that" he smiled softly at her "but I don't want to involve myself in the politics of this country. The things I want for Britain would never be accepted"

"So you won't even try?" she said with narrowed eyes "You won't fight for what you want?" she asked him.

He smiled at her 'I already have something to fight for but you can't know. Not yet...perhaps not ever'

"What makes you think I want to fight to change Britain?" he said with a tilted head. "There will be those who will fight to keep as it is and many will not budge on it." He shook his head "No, it's better for me to continue on my ambition" he said with a grin.

"And what would that be?" she said as her chest closed the gap and met his. He almost gulped but it seemed that he couldn't keep his face calm as he saw a triumphant look on her face. She drew her face closer "Won't you tell me?" she whispered as her breath warmed his neck, so close was she to him. Moments passed as their eyes held each other.

"Emily...not yet" he said as he took back control over the situation and she pouted a little after she moved away a little and he chuckled before moving his face towards her neck until his lips were by her ears "You're getting better" he whispered as his breath warmed her ear and she shivered ever so slightly and he moved away to take in her face and saw her cheeks redden and he smirked at her as she glared at him thought it held no heat.

"You know..." she started nonchalantly. "I hope it is good because the wait is becoming unbearable. I know it's something big" she said with narrowed eyes "You wouldn't be so coy if it wasn't and so smug" she said calculatingly.

"I'll give you that" he nods in agreement. "It is large and you will be surprised beyond your imagination" he said with a tilted head "I wonder..." he murmured as he took her in.

"What?" she asked keenly.

He shook his head. He won't say anything. He wondered what the chances were that she would abandon her quest for power in Britain if she knew what he intended. After all, she would get to shape a brand new society rather than fight to change this one. Not only that, the allure of greatness would be...great. After all, who can say that they followed the path of Atlantis. 

Atlantis was the one true Magical Kingdom that ruled more than ten thousand years ago – the Kingdom that faded into myth even to magicals. A city that flew where magic was explored to a degree that seemed fantastical to current magicals. He had found records well after he wanted to create his own magical island and he had been gleeful that it had been done before but saddened that it was destroyed – allegedly. Though the wording...it always referred to as sunk rather than destroyed and it made him wonder...

He knew such an enticement would work well with her but he did he want to share it with her? It was something that he would find out over the years to come. 

"Never mind." He said calmly as he grabbed onto her a little closer to her and waltzed a little faster which earned him a raised eyebrow and he simply smirked lightly at her and she rolled her eyes.

They once again fell into an easy silence as they danced to another couple of songs.

"This is nice" he said softly as he met her eyes and saw her eyes widen lightly before she smiled softly and nodded lightly as she squeezed his hand lightly "It is."

"Highlight of your night?" he asked her teasingly and she raised her eyebrow "I wouldn't quite say that" she said with an impassive face that broke moments later and he chuckled.

Soon enough, they made their way towards one of the tables at the edge of the ballroom and drank some champagne as they sat and watched the crowd.

"Will you tell anyone now your heritage or will you keep it to yourself?" he asked her as they kept their eyes on the crowd.

"I won't tell anyone, likely for another six months at the least. Not so soon after the accident" she said calmly.

He hums in understanding.

"Have you claimed the vault at Gringotts?" he asked curiously.

"No. I will do that this summer. I have a number of things I want to do at Gringotts and the summer would be best" she replied calmly.

"Understandable." He said calmly.

"You haven't asked how it was. The accident." She said finally after a few minutes of silence.

"I figured you'd tell me if you wanted to." He said calmly.

Another few minutes passed before she spoke "I spoke with him" she said with a strange tone "Before he was...gone" she said a little coldly.

She crossed her legs and he could see her pale slender but muscular legs before he returned his eyes towards the dancing crowd.

He remained silent as she spoke "He knew that she was pregnant. I asked him why he never searched for me and he excused himself that he didn't want to deal with anything that involved Merope. He hadn't even told his parents that they might have a grandchild" she said with an emotionless tone.

"I asked him had he known exactly where I was, would he have picked me up from the orphanage."

"He said yes." And Atticus turned to her with widened eyes. And she turned to meet his eyes. Her eyes were distant.

"He was lying" she said in a cold tone that felt as if he was in a blizzard.

"I felt nothing when they were finally gone" she said simply as she turned her gaze towards the crowd and they fell into another easy silence.

"They weren't your family Emily" he began as he broke the silence "Not truly. It doesn't however mean that you are without family. You can make your own..." he said pausing before continuing "or be part of another. If you wished it so." He said finally and they fell into a long silence that he was growing a little bit more uncertain.

 Until she placed her hand into his and he turned towards her and saw her eyes with a light shine as she smiled at him broadly and he returned it wholeheartedly.

----------------------------------------------Break----------------------------------------------

"Happy birthday Emily" he said as she walked into the dining room and she looked a little surprised before she composed herself and smiled at him "Thank you." She said pleasantly as she sat down at the table.

"A number of owls arrived this morning with packages addressed to you" he said after a bite as he eyed her and saw her calm controlled expression of being pleased.

"Good to hear" she said with a smirk. "How many?" she asked as she drank from her water. "33" he said calmly and she stared at him and he shrugged "I haven't opened any of them but I recognised some were from those you impressed at the party." He said calmly.

Malfoy's party was over a week ago and they arrived late from Malfoy's party as they ended up meeting up with a few of her Slytherin associates along with a few older people.

He and Dolohov talked about duelling avidly and the kinds of duelling styles famous duellers talked about. Dolohov would compete in the U16 tournament this summer and given what he knew of the boy, he's likely quite the duellist.

"Is that so?" she murmured as she began to eat thoughtful. 

"Are you intending on doing anything today?" he asked between bites and she shook her head "No, I am not one to celebrate birthdays" she said calmly and he hummed in understanding.

Soon enough his parents came down and joined them for breakfast and they talked a little.

He was broken out of his thoughts by his father "What do you intend on doing today Atticus?" his father asked.

"I will likely work on some of my own projects. I don't particularly have anything else to do. Why?" he looked at his father. 

"Your mother and I will be away from the home for today and won't return until very late, that was all" he said calmly and Atticus nodded in understanding.

"Oh, it is your birthday today isn't it dear" his mother's eyes widened and she smiled at Emily "Such a shame you didn't wish to celebrate your birthday at all." His mother complained lightly before she continued "No matter. Your present is among the rest in a large blue package" she said happily at Emily "I'm quite glad you made such an impression at the party, my, I don't even think Atticus ever received that many" she said as she smiled at him and he rolled his eyes.

"Thank you Mrs Sayre" Emily said politely with a little bit of warmth in her voice. "Ah no need to thank me Emily. Well" she said as she looked at his father "we have to go now, we will see you tomorrow morning" she said as she came round and planted a kiss on his cheek leaving him and Emily alone.

"What do you plan on doing today?" he asked curiously.

"I'm going to go to the Riddle Manor." She said simply and he widened his eyes "I have a housekeeper that I only met briefly and today I want to speak with her." She said calmly.

He nodded in understanding "Do you want me to come?" he asked her and she looked at him warmly but shook her head "No, it's not necessary." She said calmly but firmly.

He nodded his understanding and bid her goodbye and made his way towards his room. Ms Florence was at her mother's whilst Mr Dayton was spending it with his family.

He made some headway in his spaceship design. In essence, it would be far sleeker than the NASA shuttle with only small wings given that there was no propulsion and would effectively fly free from gravity and would be fly through runes and charms. He didn't need to calculate many things related to aerodynamics given that he was not affected by things such as fuel economy or other forms of efficiency.

He had no doubts that later on that he would have to sit down and design a comprehensive ship design but for now, for the prototype, he didn't need to beyond ensuring that the safety of the vessel was absolute.

The prototype would be roughly twenty metres long and it would be far more oval than arrow shaped. The ship would be entirely functional as it was only meant to, at a maximum, achieve orbit rather than capable of interplanetary flight.

He had a number of problems to deal with, namely speed. He would need to invent new charms and study more flight charms that would give an idea how to achieve a decent amount of % of speed of light.

Power was now a nonissue. Given that he could now create massive diamonds capable of storing massive amounts of magic, power failure was unlikely to happen. But he was concerned about interference.

As far as literature was concerned, there was nothing that could disrupt magic other than magic itself but that was on the Earth. He did not know what the effects of space would be and he would need to do some experimentation to ensure his own safety.

The first prototype would be entirely magical but with principles of what he remembered from his old life. He knew many robotic and mechanical principles that he could apply magically to the ship even if he did not know many other control systems, control systems that would not be implemented for thirty years.

He sat down at his desk and began to draw out the structure and the systems that he believed were necessary for the rest of the day. 

Soon enough it was well into the evening and he heard a knock "Come in" he shouted as he scribbled his latest thoughts on his notebook. He closed it and turned around and saw an intense looking Emily with her eyes looking at him with sheer hunger and he frowned until he saw in her hands the Locket that he procured for her and he understood.

"You went through all that to get me this?" she whispered as she stood at the door.

He got up and approached her. He had told written a note to her saying that he purchased it off someone named Ferlow who purchased it from Borgins and Burkes.

He shrugged "It belongs to you. I thought there might have been something belonging to your family in Knockturn Alley and I was lucky enough to get a name from Burke." He said kindly to her and before he knew it she threw herself at him and hugged him for the first time.

He stiffed and gently took his arms out from under her and hugged her back. He didn't know how long they were there for.

He felt slight guilt for lying how he got the Locket but he dismissed it. It was done in self protection and it didn't harm anyone.

He did promise to himself...and to her, in his mind, that he wouldn't manipulate her again.

She finally stopped hugging him and stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you" she said with such a vulnerable voice that sounded so unlike her and an expression that truly showed how sincere she was.

"You're welcome" he said softly as he put a hand forth and placed an errant lock of hair behind her ear and cupped her cheek for a short moment and he could almost swear she leant into it before she took a step back.

"It's late. I'll see you in the morning" she said as she turned on her heels and left the room.