Evil's Kiss

Chapter Eight

Beginnings of Revenge

Semper et infirmi est animi exiguique voluptas Ultio. *

- Juvenal (Decimus Junius Juvenal), Satires (XIII, 189)

"He did what!?" Peter nearly shouted.

"Shhhhh! We don't want everyone to know," James said, but repeated what he had found on Lily's wrist, and the plan he had for extracting revenge.

"Sirius, will you be able to make a diversion big enough for Filch to be clear away from the Astronomy Tower? The way to the Tower has to be completely clear," James said. He shuttered at the thought of being caught by the old, blibering ninny. He had heard stories of older, graduated students who had been caught by Filch in the old days. The old days, when the heavy manacles and iron cages were still in use, well maintained, and scared the stuffing out of anyone who misbehaved.

"Man, you are looking at the king of diversions, hoopla, and overall madness. You of all people should know that diverting Filch will be no problem," Black replied. "But what will be a problem is you taking on Riddle. Yeah, you are one of the best in our year. Yeah, you know your curses and hexes well enough to curse the pants off of old Snape," Sirius gave a snort of laughter at this, "but Riddle, first of all, is the best in his year. He knows more hexes and curses than my cousin Bellatrix does, and that's saying something. Besides, he dabbles in the Dark Arts; you have no idea what he's capable of," Sirius said with a note of anxiousness in his voice. "Oh bloody Hell, why am I saying this? I know I can't change your mind; you're too pigheaded and stubborn not to change it, so here I am blubbering on, sounding concerned! What is the world coming to?" Sirius said with a laugh. Although anyone who knew him well knew that this was a rouse, he was genuinely concerned for his friend.

"Don't forget that my dad is an Auror. I have had to pick up a few things over the years to beat him in the fake duels we always have. But since I've gotten older, I've been suspecting that he's letting me win. You know all that male ego stuff; I guess if my dad thought he won too often, I would go off and sulk. Anyway, that's not the point, the point is that Riddle isn't a threat," James said, with pure confidence. He glanced at his watch and it read 5:00 AM. "Alright, if everything goes according to plan, we should be able to scare Riddle enough to leave Lily alone, and not have her find out about it," James continued.

"I really think it's a bad idea James. There are too many things that could go wrong," Remus commented. As much as he hated to be the voice of reason on the best prank the Mauders would ever pull, someone had to do it.

"Do you want Lily to be abused and beaten by some seventh year, a Slytherin to make it worse? It won't stop, it happened to Reneè; I won't let it happen to Lily," James retorted bitterly. He knew only too well where little accidents could lead.

"Did you send the letter yet?" Peter questioned.

"Yeah, my owl is delivering it now as we speak," James answered and smiled. Tom would not lay another hand on Lily as soon as he was done with him.

"Guys, it's really late or really early depending on which way you look at it. Let's hit the sack. Today is Saturday, so we have plenty of time to finalize plans," Sirius said, yawning. All the boys readily agreed. They dozed the lights, and retreated into the realm of dreams. Sleep came easily for everyone except one person. It is going to be a long day, James thought. He couldn't get Lily's pain-filled eyes out of his head when he accidentally grabbed her wrists. He knew one thing, however. Riddle wasn't getting away with this. Even if he promised Lily he wouldn't do anything.

~

In the Slytherin common Room.....

"Hey Riddle, how was your date tonight? Lily Evens right? She's a Mudblood," some drunk sixth year asked him, as if she was some broom test flight.

"Sod off Vince," Tom said irritably. "She's not like these whores around here." Maybe that's why I feel so refreshed around her, Tom thought all of a sudden.

"Well, if she looked as good as Johnny boy was saying earlier, would you mind if I gave her a try?" Vince continued, as if he had not heard a word Tom had said.

"I said sod off you wanker. Go get laid somewhere else, Lily is mine," Tom responded, almost shouting.

"Well, seriously, did you even look at her tonight? Her hourglass figure, gorgeous red hair, those jade eyes, and those knockers; tell me you haven't seen them? She has to be Irish. She's got some fire in her..." but Vince never finished.

"Clausus!*" Tom bellowed. When it happened, it happened fast. Where Vince's mouth just was, there lied a metal zipper with a light lock on it. Vince's eyes widened into saucer-like proportions, and tried to talk, but only grunts and whimpers came out. Tom, satisfied with his work, smiled evilly, and went up to his bed. He managed to get there without any more interruptions or surprises, considering everyone was asleep at this hour. After he got to his room, he shut the door and locked it with several different charms. He then strolled over to an elaborate carved trunk that depicted a passionate lovers' tryst on one half. On the other half, there was a purity charm on a beautiful necklace around the female lover's neck as she stood there naked in front of a mirror, while her lover, naked also, fastened the pieced of jewelry around her neck. The following words were in inscribed under the second picture, Volo, non valeo* Tom glanced at the picture and smiled slightly. He then opened the trunk and dumped all the contents out. Then, he removed the almost non-visible fake bottom. He took out a worn diary and a bejeweled quill. He flipped to the first page and began writing. He described the night at the ball. His words were quickly absorbed by the paper and just stayed there, waiting for more. He wrote of Lily and though she didn't know it, about how he knew James was spying on them in the lantern garden. When he was all through, he replaced the diary back in the false bottom and piled everything atop it. He then began to formulate a plan to take his little "problem" out of the way. Just as he was beginning to think, there was a sharp rap on the door.

"Can't I ever get a moment to myself?" Tom muttered as he walked to the door. He opened the door and his eyes rested upon something he'd never thought he'd see in a life time. Especially when that something came at three in the morning.

"For the love of Merlin..."

Semper et infirmi est animi exiguique voluptas Ultio. ~ Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind.

Clausus ~ Shut up

Volo, non valeo ~ I am willing but unable