Chapter Two.

April was currently perplexed at her actions. She was hiding behind a table, using the wood as a shield against the magic that she had no idea how to fight. She was a Muggle, this powerless when it came to this sort of thing. She peered over the wood and searched the battlefield for Lord Voldemort because she just couldn't let him die. She didn't know why she so desperately wanted to save the man, it could have been out of common courtesy, a life for a life, or it could have been something else entirely she wasn't quite sure. Her eyes stopped as she reached the middle of the room. Voldemort was currently facing a teenage boy, Harry Potter she assumed. The Dark Lord looked haggard but he seemed to be doing alright. It was then that she caught a figure slowly making his way towards the Dark Lord's seemingly unguarded back with a what looked to be a sword. She may not be able to perform magic but she was decent enough with a sword thanks to a drunken asian man who had taken it upon himself to teach her the art of sword fighting a few years ago. From what she could see there was a clear path and she bolted with all her strength. To say the teenager was confused would be an understatement. In his surprised his thrust of the sword pierced the floor, staying put while he was unsure of what to do. His face turned as red as his hair before she knocked him out quickly and pulled his weapon out from the ground, with great effort mind you. As soon as she touched it her hands felt as if they were on fire but she didn't have time to worry about that. She made sure that her hands were not bleeding before pressing her back against the Dark Lord.

"I'm surprised you can hold that sword, it was made so that only those who posses magical abilities may wield it. I believe it was crafted with the help of Merlin." April looked around, they were being surrounded.

"So, you didn't need my help?" She said through gritted teeth.

"Not really, but I appreciate it all the same. One less dunderhead to worry about." The Dark Lord looked around to find that only a few of his followers were left standing but was amused that the girl thought that she could be of some help. Though now, she was somewhat of a hindrance.

"Well, the sword feels like its burning through my hands so I hope you have some sort of plan to get out of this mess because I don't feel like watching you die." The Dark Lord was slightly taken aback by her words.

"It seems that Harry Potter was destined to defeat me. My followers are no more and my only allay is a Muggle who is barely a threat." April could see the confused and curious faces on those that were surrounding them, she must look strange.

"Can they tell I'm a Muggle?" She whispered.

"Well, considering you hold the sword I'd say no. And the only people who know you were a prisoner seem to be dead." April could see that three men who had given her food and the woman from earlier lying in various positions on the floor. It really was a shame for that spy, but on the other hand that meant that no one knew about her portkey thing.

"Voldemort, it seems you picked up a new recruit that we weren't informed about. The two of you seem fairly close. Tell me, does she beg you for punishment or pleasure?" The boy's words were filled with malice and were rather crass . April could feel the chuckling of the Dark Lord behind her. It really wasn't the time to be amused.

"I assure you Potter, she begs just as nicely as your dead mother did."

"Avada Kad—." Before Harry could complete the curse he was hit with a client Crucio by Voldemort. Although in pain Harry smiled. Simultaneously the encroaching circle around them cast the same spell while Voldemort was still torturing Harry. The last thing that April saw was the brilliant flash of orange before she was stunned. When she came around she was in a concrete cell but she was not the only occupant.

"It seems you are awake Miss Thornwood." April turned to find a different Lord Voldemort than she had been accustomed to. He looked middle age, dark chestnut hair that fell slightly in front of his eyes that still managed to hold their reddish hue.

"Lord Voldemort?" He nodded. April took in his appearance once again before deciding that magic really was a complicated matter. She looked at her right hand and was relieved to find that the ring was still there. They could possibly escape. She looked at him once again. "I'm surprised that you are alive, or that I am for that matter."

"As am I. I thought Potter would have killed me while unconscious but that does not seem to be the case."

"So, what are your plans now then?"

"It seems that I have been stripped of all my magical abilities, probably the work of Miss Granger. As of now I cannot escape nor do I have any plans for the future." The Dark Lord's eyes glinted furiously. All his hard work, all his ambition had gone to waste. Now he was a mere Squib thanks to the Potter brat and his friends. April looked thoughtful for a moment before approaching him and placing a ring in his hands.

"The greasy haired man gave this to me after you left. He said it was a portkey, I assume you know how to use it. I don't really know if it can transport more than one person so I figure you can have it and I can stay here." The Dark Lord looked at the ring and then back at April.

"Miss Thornwood you really are an intriguing person. Considering neither of us have left I suppose Severus modified this."

"He said you needed to twist the stone and say where you wanted to go." Voldemort thought.

"I wonder if Potter had this place portkey proof."

"You can always give it a try." Voldemort turned the ring over and over again in his fingers. Potential freedom was in his hands yet he felt an unfamiliar stir when he thought about leaving the girl behind. The portkey could probably transport two people, but that was not a guarantee. If she was left behind he was not exactly sure what her fate would be, but he knew it would not be good even if she was a Muggle. Muggle, he was basically one of them now.

"Miss Thornwood you do realize that I have planned to kill you only hours ago." April nodded.

"I do, but I couldn't leave you there. During our conversation I had wondered what a father would be like, despite our conversation not being a conventional one."

"I don't think you should be considering me Father material Miss Thornwood." She shrugged.

"I wouldn't really know, Sir." Voldemort looked at April and noticed for the first time that this girl seemed more magical that he had originally thought. There was an air about her that he couldn't place. He had never encountered someone quite like her throughout his lifetime. Perhaps this was his chance.

"Where would you like to go Miss Thornwood? I have safety houses in Venice, the countryside of France, and various states in England. We could visit my estate on the legendary island Avalon if you would like." Voldemort was sure that no one besides himself knew of these safety houses.

"Avalon. Isn't that where Morgan le Fay ruled and Excalibur was said to have been forged?"

"The one and only."

"I thought the actually location of Avalon was unknown."

"Well, according to Muggle history. But the place is well know as a very powerful magical nexus in the wizarding world.

"Avalon sounds like the place for us, a used to be wizard and a Muggle who pulled Merlin's sword from the base of your castle like domain." Tom Marvolo Riddle could not agree more.

"You should probably grab a hold of my arm Miss Thornwood." When she was latched on firmly he turned the stone of the ring. "Arbre de Savior , Avalon" as April felt a tug just behind her naval she made out Tree of Knowledge from Voldemort's French. Seconds later she was standing on the ledge of a rather high up balcony that overlooked the sea. An arm was wrapped around her waist which she was thankful for considering she would have fallen over without the support. Walking towards the railing she inhaled the freshness of the air and looked at the reflection of the light of the stars and the moon on the surface of the ocean. She turned to her left to see Voldemort's form lean against the railing of the balcony.

"You named this place Tree of Knowledge?" She questioned.

"It seemed fitting, a snake residing in a place famous for its apples." April smiled before chuckling slightly.

"This place is really beautiful, Thomas." Tom Riddle looked at her through the corner of his eyes before looking out once again towards the sea.

"Yes, though I've never really appreciated the scenery to tell you the truth." They wouldn't be found here. This property was unplottable and he doubted Potter or his friends could track down Severus' portkey. The man was much too clever for that. This was his chance to start over.

"I suppose you'll want to see your room." April looked at him for a moment before a large smile graced her lips.

"My own room? Really?" Her enthusiasm was somewhat endearing despite her age.

"Well, I can't have you sleeping in my bed, that would be rather irresponsible of me as a father figure don't you think?" She laughed and Tom smiled at the sound. This didn't seem too bad at all.

Author's Note: Sorry that the ending was a bit clichéd and predictable.