Masquerade- Tom Riddle Fanfiction

How Do You Feel About Albania, Robins?

*Dedicated to IIWolfieII for making this new amazing cover

*****

"So how do you feel about Albania, Robins?"

Truth to be told, I didn't feel so good about Albania.

Instead, I replied, "And why exactly are you inviting me to Albania, Riddle?"

He cocked his head to the side, "Who said I was inviting you?"

"Why else would you ask a stupid question like this?"

"Because I expected a stupid answer from you; you are always dependable on that, Robins," he said smoothly, my hackles rising at his challenge.

"Haha," I said, "but why would you expect the diadem of Ravenclaw to be in Albania?" I asked.

"As ever, you fail to notice what is right in front of you," Tom Riddle lilted, as he sat down in front of me, "I asked the ghost of the Ravenclaw House, Robins-- is that a sufficient explanation?"

I blinked. "What does the Grey Lady have to have anything to do with this?" I asked, as Tom Riddle rolled his eyes.

"You are slipping," he murmured, "the Grey Lady, Robins--" he said with haughty look, "is Rowena Ravenclaw's daughter, Helena. She was a rather curious girl, given her mother's power of wisdom, and she sought to take the diadem for herself. She hid it inside a forest in Albania; and when her mother contracted a fatal illness, she sent her lover, the Bloody Baron, a man who once loved Helena--" Tom Riddle's voice grew dark, as if the word love had tainted his voice, "he begged her to return with him. When she refused, he stabbed her, and horrified by what he had done, he stabbed himself."

"--That's why he wears those chains," I connected immediately, "--it's his way of doing penance for his sins."

Tom Riddle's lip curled in disgust. "Enough about trivial matters," he said, as he turned towards me, "I am leaving for Albania tomorrow. Either come or don't; I don't care either way, Robins."

"Yes, and I am sure you can search a while forest by yourself," I said sarcastically, "don't worry, Riddle, I still value my life enough. I'll be there. What time should we get to Diagon Alley and the Floo network?"

Tom Riddle looked at me for a silent moment. "8:00," he finally said, "don't be late; I'll be in the front."

He pointed to the door this time, motioning me to leave as I left the premises and followed the instructions from another orphan towards my room. I knocked on the door. No answer. Turning the handle, I looked at the drab dorm. It's walls were a faded grey; the windows draped with moldy curtains and the floor just as bleak as the rest of the place. There were two rickety beds. On the first was sitting a person, so unmoving that I nearly thought that she was a statue. I remembered Mrs. Cole's words, 'Amy is not quite herself, but she will be a good roommate for you.'

Amy. Amy Benson. I remembered Mrs. Cole's memory. Amy Benson and Dennis Bishop. The two children taken into a cave by Tom Riddle. The girl was motionless, staring out the window with those two big grey eyes, like window shutters that never opened to see the light. I dropped my suitcase on the other bed. She made no movement. I knew better than to engage her in a conversation. Rolling over on my bed, I sighed, staring at the ceiling covered with cobwebs. It was honestly stated in the fit of the room that nobody cared about us anymore.

I thought back on Tom's words. It would be no trouble if we left; he practically owned the orphanage with his manipulation and deceit. We would just be gone on a nice, fancy trip to split his soul. I fiddled with my hands. I remembered Izzy and Will-- the two Hufflepuff friends that I had made. Hufflepuff.