[CH – 6]

September 13, 2019

Riddle Manor, Unplottable Location

'Voldemort'

Jerking back from her mindscape, she regained her senses. Shaking her head to clear the black dots that suddenly appeared in her vision, she gritted her teeth and squeezed her eyes shut at the tremendous jolt of pain that suddenly appeared out of blue. She stiffened as the weight of another body became apparent on her chest. Looking down, she found herself staring at the head of the person. Long, smooth, black hair giving a peek to pearly white, high cheekbones. Ana felt distinctly uncomfortable at someone being too close in proximity to her.

Her little movement jolted Tom as well, who woke up and sat up in his chair straight. With bated breath Ana scrutinized his every tiny movement, waiting for his reaction. Tom flicked his wand and Ana flinched at the sudden movement. She remained tense as two wineglasses hovered in front of them. Tom stood up slowly taking up the hold of his wineglass and flicked his wand again, this time at Ana who flinched again. Her bed was now transfigured into a makeshift, she was now in a sitting lying position. The glass still hovered in front of her and she looked enquiringly at Tom. He looked meaningfully at her and she took the glass resignedly and took a rather large gulp, obviously used to pumpkin juice…
…and promptly sprayed it all over herself, and Tom's luxurious robes.
Looking at him flabbergasted, she couldn't bring herself to mouth an apology. Tom who slowly looked down at his expensive green robes, started shaking.
Ana backed away slightly, fearing the worst, sure that she was doomed. What she heard next floored her completely. Soft chuckles emanated from Tom and soon, he found himself laughing. It wasn't a malicious sound. It was a deep, chocolaty, velvet laugh, that made her nerves aflutter. Tom collapsed back into the chair he had conjured, chucking every now and then.
"Never tasted wine, Miss Potter?" Ana who was smiling bashfully glanced at her glass which was now filled with butterbeer.
"Couldn't afford to," she mumbled.
Tom's good mood vanished abruptly as he knew the reasons very well. But Ana's stomach grumbled loudly and she averted her eyes in shame.
'Oh hell!' She started cursing her stupidity, 'When was the last time I had lunch?'
Tom's eyes narrowed. There was nothing to be ashamed of, in being hungry. He stood up and snapped his fingers. A house-elf appeared in front of him.
"Lunch for two, Tibby" He spoke, "Bring something light for miss Potter and a plate full of treacle tarts."
Ana was surprised that he knew her favourite dish. Lunch arrived and Tom conjured a lunch table over the bed. Ana took a spoonful of soup and found herself very hungry, and started eating with a renewed vigour.

Tom, who was following at a more dignified pace, kept glancing at her with his midnight blue eyes in amusement. As Ana finished her soup, she reached out for the treacle tart but then paused thinking belatedly of what he must be thinking of her now.
"I'm sorry for presuming."
Tom, who had paused to see her hand advance towards his plate of treacle tarts, first felt surprised that she liked them too, and then pit in his stomach as e saw her retracting her hand and apologizing for her actions.
He picked up the plate and placed it in front of her and ordered, "Eat."

Her green eyes shifted on him in surprise but he had already resumed eating. She tentatively picked up a treacle tart and took a bit, eyes still on her companion, wary and surprised. Slowly, she finished her meal and looked at Tom who conjured water and offered it to her. After the meal, se shifted back in her bed, which elicited a small wince of pain followed by a sharp escape of breath.
Tom, who had finished his meal looked at her enquiringly.
"Are you in pain?", he asked.
Ana shook her head. Tendrils of pain spiraling down her neck into her spine.
She bit inside her cheek to keep her expression neutral, "I'm not", and forced herself to take deep breaths.
"Don't", he cautioned.
"Don't what?"
"Don't lie to me."
"I'm not", Ana said.
"You are, I can see it in your eyes", he replied.
Tendrils escaping down to her knees were turning into a blazing inferno of agony by every passing second.
Feeling immense pain and frustration, she bit out, "Even if you do, why does it matter to you? If there is anyone who should be happy at seeing me in pain, it should be you."
Tom, who had felt that all things were going under his control, now felt alarmed, concerned and infuriated.
But Ana, didn't see it as she railed along, "Weren't you the one who had placed a bounty on my head? Why don't you just leave me alone?", as the pain in her head reached to an unbearable level.

Tom, annoyed and furious, at her manners, now gained a firm stance as he knew that in her state, she would not listen to him gently. He gritted out, "The hell like I would…"
Ana, who was starting to get used to seeing this new nicer and gentler side of Tom, now flinched harshly, a treacherous part of her mind whispering – 'See, I told you before, don't trust him.'
Ana closed her eyes shut and whispered, "Shut up", but it continued, "It was all a pretense. Him being nice? Hell would freeze over first and the moon would turn blue. Her breath grew harsh and unable to hold her weight upright anymore, her spine gave up and she sagged forward. Tom, who was still being obstinate, saw her tilting and caught hold of her. Her hands gripped his arms in a vice-like grip and he could tell by her labored breathing that she was fighting tears.
"Ana", he pulled her back to see her pale, drawn face, "I need you to tell me where it hurts."
The same treacherous part of her mind whispered again, 'Don't. He will use your weakness to exploit you. Don't."
Getting no answer, he heaved a frustrated sigh,
"Ana. Please."
He told her in a gentle but firm voice, "Don't, hurt yourself."
Ana, who had never had the comfort of someone soothing her during pain, caved in.
"Everywhere", she said in a small voice.
"My head hurts, my back is killing me," She breathed.
If Tom had not been listening carefully, he would have missed a small – "Please."

He gently pried his arms free from her grip and cast a numbing charm on her body.
"How do you feel now?", he asked.
"Much better, thank you", she replied laying back down on the bed, "This is the first time I felt this fine… without pain, that is." She clarified.
Feeling something coil in his gut, he said in a somewhat more formal tone, "I hope you will be more comfortable here."

And then turned on his heel and promptly walked out of the room. Ana, confused, gazed at the closed door till sweet dreamless sleep cocooned her in its arms.

A/N: Hey guys... I know the updates have been erratic. I've been buried under my last semester exams and internship that I barely got time to breathe.
Anyway, please read and don't forget to review.