The room chosen for this particular meeting was vastly different from the one he typically chose for his death eaters. That may well have been because of the vast difference between them and the girl. It was a rather large drawing room Tom had chosen for this occasion, and it was lavishly decorated, it's furnishings looked fit for royalty.

It was a good thing the article that stole the front page of The Daily Prophet had found his attention before Tom had entered this room, or everything in it would have ceased to exist in his raging temper. As it were, he had destroyed another just like it. That fool of a Headmaster had struck, and he had struck hard. But Tom was sure the old wizard had no idea just how badly that would backfire on him.

Killing the girl's family, and by extent, Tom's family as well, was surely not something any sane person would do. It was not well known, except by maybe those few who had been close to him in the very beginning, but Tom set much store by family. Pinning the crime on him though, was just the type of thing Albus Dumbledore would do to try to force the girl into his hands.

If Dumbledore was resorting to these tactics already, that could only mean one thing. The girl was not as foolhardy as one might expect, and did not trust the old Headmaster. This brought a semblance of a smile to the current Dark Lord's glamoured face. Smart of her. Now to find out just how smart, and valuable, she would prove to be.

Tom had decided to cover himself in a glamour for this meeting, and looked every bit the way he had looked back in his days as a twenty-five year old. Soon, it would not be just a glamour, but a complete transformation. His two favorite death eaters would make sure of that, and Tom had the utmost faith in them. They would not fail him.

It was there, in that very room, that two figures suddenly appeared out of thin air, accompanied by a loud popping noise. One figure was the lowly death eater Tom had given the fetching task to, the other, smaller form belonging to what he could only assume was the girl. He showed no signs of being surprised by their sudden appearance. "I take it you had no trouble then Lebeau?"

Having taken the girl’s hand and turned on his heel, Fletcher apparated easily to the agreed upon location and landed with grace upon his feet just before his Lord’s feet. He fell to a knee, bowing his head to the man he lived to serve. “No trouble at all, my Lord,” he said easily, letting a smile cross his lips. “You have a lovely relative, even if she is a bit feisty. All the better to survive in this world, if I might say so.”

He looked up at the man as if asking permission before getting to his feet, retreating slightly so that the girl could better see the Dark Lord. Fletch had to admit the glamour was quite nice. The natural form of Tom Riddle was quite handsome, and he was sure it would help win the heart of many a follower should the dark wizard choose to use it in such a way.

“What else might I assist you with, my Lord?” he asked, eyes lighting with eagerness to serve. “The young Malfoy said he would await the girl’s return, by the way.” He thought the man might want to know this as well, plus it would darken his opinion of the boy even further. Fletcher never liked the spoiled brat. Perhaps he’d soon be rid of the pompous child when this was all said and done. He could dream at least.

Eyes first pierced the form of the death eater. He was dressed in his ministry robes, a good touch for this mission, Tom thought. Finally, he laid his eyes on the girl, intrigued to see a family member who had survived Dumbledore's plan of extinction. She looked small for fifteen, but that could not be used to judge any potential she may have. He looked her over greedily, his own small smile forming, only his did little to make anyone feel at ease and held up a hand to silence his servant.

"My, my. We are lovely, aren't we?" Tom made a show of circling the girl slowly, stopping only to address his death eater again. "Malfoy's have always had eyes for beauty and power. This does not surprise me. However," Tom's tone became silky soft, and he returned his attention back to his distant niece, a sneer crossing his handsome face, "it does not please me." He hissed out lowly, coloring his tone with anger that could be both heard and felt.

The Dark Lord did not take kindly to those who claimed things that were not theirs to claim. "The Malfoy heir will no doubt be learning his place soon enough." Tom commented as if talking to himself, but he knew the other two in the room would hear him just fine, and he was looking for a reaction, hoping to not be disappointed. He was much more excited with this meeting than he thought he might have been, but he did not let any of this show. Tom looked every bit the cunning snake he always had been with the dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Leave us. But do not go far. I will summon you when it is time to return her." He spoke dismissively to his follower and motioned to the many chairs and sofas in the room for the girl's use. "And where would you prefer to sit, young Skyler?"

Skyler removed her hand from that of the wizard's as soon as her feet were back on solid ground. And none to gently either. Ripping her hand from his might have been a more accurate description. Her violet eyes quickly scanned the room she had been apparated to, writing it off as gaudy in her mind and not taking any extra time to observe it's obviously expensive taste. No, instead, her gaze became glued to the man she was here to meet with. She had to say that whatever she had expected, she wasn't disappointed.

He was dangerous, that much could be felt just by being in his presence, or just by seeing his eyes. There was a cold and calculating look there that made her uncomfortable and on guard. The dark aura he seemed surrounded by seemed to cloak the room and warned her to continue in this cautiously, lest she had a death wish. His face though, was handsome, and could easily melt hearts, and his form was tall and strong looking. There was something else though, and Skyler couldn't put her finger on it, but she knew that even if he wasn't a dark lord, if he entered a room everyone in it would notice. It might have been wrong but the brunette was envious of this command of attention.

Watching the man who had brought her there kneel and bow his head before this other wizard, a look of disgust crossed her face. Skyler did not bow. Not now, and not ever. She did not feel inclined in the least to do so either, so she simply kept her stance and watched silently, thinking this was probably the wisest move. She steadily became more uncomfortable when she found herself being circled by the dark wizard, and her nerves were wired, but she refused to show her fear and unease by moving.

Her blood began to boil beneath her skin when he spoke about Draco, and claiming things that weren't his to claim. The brunette had to bite down on her tongue to keep from spitting back a retort. She willed herself to keep her head and remember who she was dealing with. When he dismissed the other man and asked her where she wanted to sit, it became too much for her to keep her mouth shut though. Was this a damn tea party? For the first time, she met his gaze, refusing to look away despite how scared she was, and did a decent job of keeping her body looking casual, if a little stiff. "I will not sit with the man who killed my family. And I do not appreciate being referred to as something that can be claimed."

By the end of her little speech, the teen had lost her fear as a rage filled her very bones, reflecting in her eyes. Dark Lord or not, Skyler was not about to sit there and pretend to make nice just because she was afraid. Being afraid was one thing, being a coward was completely different. And Skyler Riddle, for better or for worse, was no coward.

Feisty she was proving to be. It seemed Lebeau had gotten that much right. Tom could not in good conscience blame the young Malfoy heir for his interest in her. Tom himself was becoming quite intrigued with the young lady, and he had only been in the room with her for five minutes, if that. He was surprised that the anger he thought he should feel at her statements did not come. Tom found himself taken aback by her nerve. He couldn't think of when anyone had dared to speak to him like that.

Tom was angry, however, about being given the blame for her family's death. His eyes narrowed in response to his anger and his nostrils flared significantly. "Let us get the facts straight Miss Riddle. I did not have any involvement in the murders of your parents and grandmother. If I had had any knowledge they had become targets you can be assured I would have taken it upon myself to extend their lives."

The Dark Lord thought this ought to be said and felt no remorse in saying it and being honest with the young witch. He had a good instinct when it came to reading people's emotions and he could sense her fear but also her fury and could tell her anger was winning out. Teenagers, in his experience, were ready irrational without any cause, and he would need the girl to be rational and of sound mind to understand the position she were now in, and the remainder of what they woe discuss. "Now chose a sitting area, and do not presume me to be a patient man by stalling. It will not end well for you."

Tom meant his threat and again, felt no remorse at passing it. But more to the point, he thought the girl could use a moment to regain herself after his claims and did not want to rush into things. He understood what Albus was after and why, and Tom was not going to make the same mistakes. He just needed time to feel out the girl's character some.

Skyler, for once, was at a loss for words. Her fear seemed to still be there, but at the moment it was on the back burner, replaced with confusion which now swirled in her violet eyes as she looked at the man skeptically. He hadn't killed her family? But then, who..?

It hit her like a ton of bricks. There was only one person the brunette could think of who stood to gain anything from it. Or, atleast stood to maybe gain something from it. Or maybe she had it right the first time? So much was going on Skyler wasn't sure she was keeping up anymore, but instead being strung along by it all. Whatever the case may be, the teen felt completely out of control with her own life and like she was a pawn in a game she hadn't realized she ever began playing.

"Dumbledore." She concluded out loud, sinking into the nearest armchair, too mind blown to be properly shocked by it's comfortableness. In fact, it was probably safe to say she was too mind blown by everything to remember exactly who's presence she was in, because her body seemed to say with the realization that had hit her moments ago. Truthfully, Skyler couldn't bring herself to care at the moment, and her body language gave it away.

It had nothing to do with the fact that she was comfortable in the man's presence. He was a Dark Lord, a man she knew could kill her without a moment's thought, and without hesitation. But she couldn't muster the strength to be properly afraid anymore. She could feel the hairs on the back of her neck standing up, a clear warning sign or danger and to be cautious, and she hadn't exactly let her guard down. The brunette was simply done with walking on eggshells.

After a moment, the teen sighed and her eyes found those of the greatest dark wizard of all time. She would be lying to herself if she said she didn't feel curious about the man. How did one become a dark lord? What made someone choose such an existence? Skyler was moments from voicing these thoughts aloud when she quickly choked them back. She had a feeling she would get herself killed if she did.

Instead, she gave a look that was somewhere between expectant and pointed. "So you win this round. I'm sitting. What is it you want from me, because I'll be honest, I don't think you set up a meeting just to kill me." It probably wasn't the most tactical response in the eyes of someone else, but to Skyler it was. The brunette didn't have a whole lot of cards on the table, but the ones she did hold had a lot of power, and she was ready to see his hand now.

A low chuckle emitted from him, and he seated himself in the chair across from her. It amused him, what she said. "I find myself thoroughly amused by you, young Skyler. Intrigued as well. I will be honest, very few people have ever been as bold and forward with their thoughts in front of me."

Tom was, indeed, being honest, but his eyes held something dark that promised should the wrong thing come from her lips she would pay for it. He did not want to scare the girl off, but neither did he want her to get the idea that he was soft. This line he needed to walk was not new to him, but it had been some time since he had walked it, and that was making things difficult and confusing for him.

He gazed at her intensely, trying to see into her mind and clarify a few things. Her stunning eyes and features made for a lovely face, and usually that was the most you could count on in a package when it came to females. Yet it had taken her less than a few minutes to come to the correct conclusion regarding the murders of her family, and so it appeared she had a brain, somewhat. In many ways she appeared childlike, but Tom could sense the dark undercurrent running just beneath the surface. She reminded him a lot of Bellatrix back in her school days. He thought that if trained the young witch before him would torture those she counted as enemies with a childlike joy and excitement.

"You are correct, on both counts. It was Dumbledore who murdered your parents, and my intention is not to kill you." He allowed slowly. "For the time being, I would prefer you alive." He amended. "A lot of things are going to change within my shall we call it, regime? And I am certain I could use your help in this. Along with one Harry Potter, who I have been told you have a certain relationship with."

Skyler was unnerved by his laugh, and it put her on edge. Surely he shouldn't be laughing? But, she supposed, it was better than him cursing her or something. The brunette decided to just count her blessings where she got them. She wasn't sure if amusing him was exactly a good thing or not, since she had been going more for difficult. The teen couldn't help the satisfied smirk that developed on her lips at his assessment of how she expressed herself. Skyler wasn't exactly known for being subtle herself, despite her talent in reading and decoding it.

But her smirk didn't last too long as she met his intense gaze, refusing to look away even though it was highly uncomfortable. Skyler refused to squirm in her chair or make any movements that would give away her discomfort, and suddenly she remembered what Draco had told her. The one piece of advice and instruction he had given to her. Unfortunately, the brunette found it extremely hard to think of anything else but the intense gaze upon her, and could only hope that brief remembrance of what her boyfriend had told her had been sufficient enough.

She gave no sign of being surprised by what he said, though her dark brows furrowed together in thought as she brought her violet eyes to her shoes. Processing what she had just heard, Sky wasn't sure she liked where this was going. But at the same time, she couldn't tell for sure where it was going. She enjoyed games liked this, but not when there was so much at stake to lose. In the end, she gave the man a blank look. "I don't see how we can be of any help to you."

It was all that she would say, hoping to force the man into revealing more than he necessarily wanted to. The brunette realized this was a long shot at best, but it was the only idea she had at the moment. She didn't bother questioning what he said about her family's deaths. He wasn't the kind of man to kill and regret, or hide it. She was sure that of everything he said to her so far, that atleast had been true.

"Ah, but see, that is where you are wrong young Skyler. See, I know you can help me tremendously." Tom's intent gaze never left her face and he was determined to recruit the girl and Potter and she could be the key to the latter. "You can do something no one else can. You can help me get to Potter."

Tom neglected to say that his goal was no longer to kill Potter but to make the boy-who-lived to be an ally. It would make his life much easier if he did convince Potter they had a common enemy in Albus but he and the boy had a lot of bad history between them courtesy of the old headmaster. It had not taken Tom long to realize it would be impossible to approach the young wizard without first planting the seed of doubt. It had seemed like a godsend when the younger Riddle had entered the picture.

He knew she would flat out refuse based on any false information she had heard or been given. There were very few people indeed who knew the truth behind all the insanity and lies that had been Tom's life. It was maybe only himself who knew just how far Dumbledore's treachery went and there was not one person Tom would rather torture to within an inch of their own life, until they were begging him for the mercy of a death he would not grant, other than the headmaster who fancied himself the ruler of the wizarding world. But there was a very strategic plan in place and Tom wanted to see Albus stripped of all the pompous titles the old wizard had worked and strived for before he finally snuffed the life from the man's eyes.

"You see Skyler, for some time, my goal has not been to kill our young savior." He hissed out. "But I require his cooperation to achieve a common goal. However, he is not the easiest person to get hands on as you might have guessed and that is where you come in. I require of you only to deliver a message to Potter."

Skyler narrowed her violet eyes as she could now clearly tell where this meeting was leading. The brunette didn't know whether to be miffed that this had very little to do with herself and seemed to focus more on her friend, or to be grateful that that was the case. It was odd to her, to feel any sort of connection to the dangerous wizard before her, but Skyler couldn't deny to herself she did. In some way, they were family, and no matter how distant or small the connection between them was, it was enough for the teen to feel the slightest bit jealous that Harry and not her was his prime focus.

Mentally shaking herself free of whatever ridiculous emotion she was feeling at the new turn of events, and carefully considered what she had been told. Whether she believed it or not remained to be seen. Skyler knew she couldn't afford to accept things at face value, especially not from who she was speaking with, and not with who it concerned. The brunette also wasn't enjoying the idea of being messenger. The look of distaste on her face said as much, and suddenly it didn't matter that he was the Dark Lord to her. She wanted to make it clear, just like in the headmaster's office, that she was nobody's pawn.

"I am not an owl, and furthermore I have no reason to believe what you say to be true." Skyler stated haughtily, a small sneer forming on her face. This served to show just how much she disliked what he asked of her, because it was not a normal reaction of the teen. The brunette felt that this walking around the edges had gone on long enough. It was time to take the plunge, no matter where it led to. She met the intense gaze of his with an even look, not willing to back down and forced her voice not to shake as she chose her next words carefully. "My loyalty to Harry far outweighs any familial connection I share with you. With that being said, if what you say is true, and you want to form some kind of alliance with him, and I am the one who can make that happen, then what is my incentive for doing so?"

Skyler was all too aware of the fact that living may well be her incentive, but if that proved to be the case then he would be sorely disappointed. Because she had no intentions doing what anyone wanted just to stay alive. Maybe she should make that clear as well. A smirk that told that she knew she was playing a dangerous game and didn't care graced her lips. "And it my incentive is to stay alive, then you really have no idea who you're dealing with." Skyler was aware she may just pay for saying the things she did, but she had no desire to let any fear she felt control her.

It was not clear in his mind whether her words or her careless attitude was what triggered the curse to fall from his lips in a deadly hiss as his yew wand slashed through the air. Tom's eyes were narrowed into slits and his mouth formed a cruelly cut sneer. His anger was apparent in the very air surrounding them. It was thick and nearly tangible and he watched the unforgivable cruciatus curse streak toward it's mark as if in slow motion.

He watched the effects of the curse on her with angry eyes and a slight satisfaction building, but Tom did not lift the curse immediately. He held her under it and wanted to make her pay. For what, he was not entirely sure of yet. There was the obvious of course but Tom knew there was something else which had hit harder. He kept the curse up for what was probably the worst minute of the girl's young life before lifting it completely. "Do you not value your life?"

His anger was apparent in every hissed word and it was etched into his face. His tone was a deadly silkiness and his eyes still narrowed as Tom gazed down at her form. His wand was still trained on her but not for fear of any vengeful attack but served it's purpose as a deadly threat. Had Dumbledore already performed his magic on her as he had Tom?

Unbearable. That was what it was. That was the only word Skyler could think of to describe the pain she felt. If she could've placed together coherent thoughts in her mind she might've described it as feeling like she were being stabbed by thousands of knives all over body while simultaneously being burned and having all her bones broken. That, was the cruciatus curse. It was no wonder it was outlawed. Even in the U.S. one wouldn't dare use it and the brunette now understood why. She wouldn't wish this pain on her worst enemy. Atleast, she didn't think so.

The teen knew somewhere in the back of her mind that her body had managed to twitch itself out of the chair she had occupied and onto the floor, and she also knew it was likely convulsing and folding in ways it shouldn't while she screamed. But Skyler could no more control what her body was doing than she could focus on it, because the entire forefront of her mind was consumed with nothing but the pain of what was happening to her. It felt like it went on for hours, and though she could tell the curse had ended, her body felt the effects of the residual pain it left behind.

She lay there on the floor, eyes squeezed tightly shut, drawing in gasps of air that burned her sort of raw throat. Her body still twitched from it's latest experience, and the brunette knew she could not move just yet. Her body seemed to protest the very thought. She did not give the satisfaction of wincing, atleast not out loud. She was already angry with herself for allowing him to draw even one scream from her, no matter what the pain was like. This anger struck a chord with her inner defiance, and her temper flared.

The teen didn't answer his question right away, choosing to stew in her anger for a few moments longer, regaining her bearings. Finally, eyelids snapped open to reveal dark purple eyes full of angry defiance and the brunette forced herself back up to her feet. She stood on shaky legs and willed them with all her might not to give out on her as she faced the dark wizard in open hostility, her temper flaring as she met his cruel gaze dead on.

"I would rather die on my feet, than live on my knees." Skyler answered darkly, lifting her head and making a show of not bowing to him in any way. She was aware that this could very well be the last thing she ever did, and that she was probably in for more torture. She was also aware that some would call her stupid. But she didn't care. Those were people who could not understand the situation she was now in. Her pride, for better or worse, was one thing she wasn't going to let anyone take from her.

"For someone who needs my help, you aren't earning any brownie points." The brunette spat out vehemently, glaring at the dark wizard before her. In the wake of her outrage and righteous anger, Skyler seemed to have vanished all fear from herself and had no problem with calling him out on his failure. He was the one who needed her, and he had admitted that much himself and she was not in any mood to be doing any favors or to trust the man on his word.

For one fraction of a second Tom was torn between several different emotions: anger, humor, and pride. He didn't have to think too hard to know why exactly he felt each. The anger was obvious and a natural reaction for him when being challenged in any way by someone who he perceived to be beneath him and the humor was for much the same reason with the added factor that the young witch before him looked very much like an angry kitten, except one that could do much damage, he would allow her that.

It was the pride he felt that threw him entirely off and made Tom that much more confused by this sudden thrust back into reality. It was an emotion he had not been in touch with in many, many years. It was the defiance, rash and idiotic as it may be for her to stand against him when it could very well mean she forfeited her life. Yet that was exactly why he felt that stroke of pride as he gazed impassively at his younger relation and his mind was drawing parallels between her and the Boy-Who-Lived, the only other person to have stood against him so firmly and defiantly.

It was slowly occurring to the dark wizard that she was not the simple pawn most of his death eaters were or that Dumbledore would see her as. She was strong and had courage, two admirable qualities if trained to work in tandem with subtlety and tact. It would be worth training her and he was encouraged now that she had passed his test.

Tom slowly lowered his wand and never once lost the impassive look on his face or in his gaze a trait he had learned long ago which kept anyone else from reading into his thoughts from facial expression alone. "Congratulations. I am rarely surprised with the good fortune of being in the presence of someone who does not fear me. Though for most that would mean only their death. For you, however, it means now your training can begin."

He would not compliment her or feed her ego in any way. It was clear she were a proud being, in many ways more proud than many of the so called proudest of purebloods that served him. Tom saw much of himself in the young witch and that too was encouraging. She would bow to no one, and that was a quality they both shared.

Skyler couldn't help her brief look of surprise. That was not at all what she had expected, and the look on her face said as much. She supposed she might be thankful that he wasn't torturing her or killing her, but she wasn't sure this so called training wasn't just a better word for either of those. And as per usual, the brunette was unable to keep her mouth closed or her inner defiance at bay.

"Training in what? Torture? Maiming? Killing?" she questioned rhetorically and pointedly, her tone one of mocking and her violet eyes narrowed. "Thanks, but no thanks. That really isn't my style." She added on coldly, but in the back of her mind a little voice questioned that last bit. Wasn't it her style? Look what she had done to Parkinson just last week? It wasn't any cruciatus curse but it was definitely up there in the cruel intentions department.

There was also the added factor that this man didn't seem like the type to take no for an answer, and if Skyler were going to make it out of there in one piece, like she would prefer, then she would have to strike a bargain. She would have to agree to the training though. The teen wasn't sure how she felt about that, but she would be lying if she said she didn't have any interest at all in what he could teach her.

This all ran through her mind in a matter of mere seconds, and Skyler gave the dark wizard a skeptical look, not letting her guard down even if he lowered his wand. She cocked her head for a moment, simply gazing at him intently, as if hoping to see something she hadn't before. In truth, the brunette was just trying to push his buttons and see if this would annoy him in some way. She had it on good authority that people didn't exactly like being stared at like some science project.

Finally, after several long moments, Skyler grinned like a loon and took her place back in her seat, her eyes bright. The brunette was very much aware that her sudden changes in attitude and demeanor tended to throw people off, and even underestimate her in some situations. And she was counting on that. She made a show of removing her wand from it's place in her pants leg and propping it behind her right ear, which was a trademark of hers. Her wide grin that spread from ear to ear never left or fell, and any sings of pain were well hidden. For all the world Skyler looked like a child who anticipated a great deal of fun in the coming moments.

"Let's say I agree to this...training." The brunette started, pretending she had a choice in the matter so well that one might actually think she did. "I might have a few..terms..that would need to be agreed upon beforehand." Skyler quite enjoyed the fact that she had the upper hand now, and they both knew it. He needed her, though she couldn't tell why just yet. But it was need enough to keep him from killing her so far, and she was sure she had pushed farther than anyone else had. And in true Slytherin fashion she was going to exploit this need by striking a deal where she was in control of the terms. The determination in her eyes was a clear indicator that she would settle for no less.

"My terms are simple. One. I am not now, nor will I ever be, one of your lackeys. That being said, I reserve the right to say and do what I want, when I want. I will not be held to their standards. Two. I reserve the right to refrain from learning and/or doing anything I do not want to. Third, I agree to training only if you agree to call your dogs off of anyone I consider a friend and ally. And last, this will be a partnership." Skyler listed her terms in a serious, matter of fact tone, leaving no room for him to believe her to be joking, even if that loony grin was still on her face.

Her surprise was good to see, for Tom greatly enjoyed surprising people. Though his type of surprises were usually on the horror side of things. Her outright stance against any training he could offer was both disappointing and offensive, yet not entirely shocking. He had assumed this might be her reaction, but had hoped his soon to be protégé would agree, if reluctantly. Tom would not admit it to anyone else but himself but he was intrigued by her and her potential at his side. She had impressed him greatly but her adversity to learning what he could teach was hindering her in his eyes.

His nostrils flared in his offense and his wand twitched in his hand out of anger or agitation, Tom was not sure which because he was having a hard time telling one from the other around the young female, especially when she were observing him as if he were a fish in a bowl. It was unnerving and it made him feel like she were reading him somehow, yet that we're impossible because he felt nothing on the walls inside his head. But just as he was convincing himself this was impossible and made the conscious choice to curse her again, her entire attitude changed as if someone had flipped a switch.

In the blink of an eye gone was the serious observer standing in front of him, and now he was faced with a grinning child who liked too happy for someone who had been recently cruciod. This change in attitude threw Tom for a loop and that only served to anger him further, and he sneered at her. "Conditions?" He repeated questioningly in a deadly soft voice that was too calm to be a good sign. Tom's eyes blazed as the young witch went on. She wasn't a witch but a damned she-devil!

His first instinct was to kill her, his second to crucio her, and his third was to laugh at the idea of a teenybopper giving him conditions. The idea was laughable, yet it were real, and that was worrisome. Tom gazed at her with his burning eyes for minutes on end, until finally a low chuckle sounded from behind his lips and they curled up into a disturbing smirk. "I agree to your terms young one." His hand ashes forward, his wand slashing through the air so fast it almost didn't happen and he once again put her under the cruciatus curse.

"Consider this your first lesson Skyler Riddle." He addressed her in a calm tone, as if he were speaking to her while she sipped a cup of tea. "Pain is fear leaving the body. Accept that, and you will want it more. Accept that, and you will lose your fears, and no longer feel the pain." This time, he held her under the curse for a couple of minutes. He wanted to make a point, but he did not want her too damaged. He had to send her back to Dumbledore's camp in one piece.

Skyler had to work hard to keep her surprise from showing on her face when he actually agreed to her terms. The brunette hadn't really been as confident that he would agree to her demands as she had seemed. In fact, she had aimed high so as to start off what she thought would be negotiations. So she was pleased with herself for getting him to agree to everything without much hassle. Or so she thought.

Her pleasant surprise only lasted about half a minute however, because faster than she could blink Skyler was once again crumbling to the floor as her body spasmed from the pain it was being forced to endure. The brunette clenched her teeth together as hard as she could but the blinding hot torture weaving it's way through her very bones was too much for even that to keep a scream from emitting from her throat.

Skyler could hear the sound of his voice, calm and steady through her torture filled mind and forced herself to focus on his words, anything to think of anything but the pain. It seemed to last forever, and the brunette was sure this was how she was going to die. A sob like laugh burst from her even as he kept her under the curse as a picture of her headstone reading 'death by making demands of the Dark Lord' flashed in her head. What a way to go.

It seemed like luck was on her side, however, because eventually she could tell the curse had been lifted. But the teen could also tell there would be no fast recovery after this second experience. She also knew she didn't want a third experience with the curse either, but was almost one hundred percent sure she would gain much experience with it due to her inability to cower under those more powerful than herself. Not to mention her rather cheeky attitude.

Now that the curse had been lifted, Skyler didn't bother controlling her gasp for air, and didn't even attempt to move. Every inch of her body hurt, and it was only a fierce will to not show any further weakness that kept her tears at bay. The teen stayed on the floor, her breaths coming out in pants as she focused once again on his words, forcing her brain to work through the haze of pain the curse had left behind. Unbidden, a hoarse, humorless laugh choked up from her throat. "Have you ever been on this end of the lesson? Because I doubt you'd feel the same way if you had."

The teen knew she were only asking for another dose of the curse, but at the moment she didn't care. Every fiber of her being was calling at her inner defiance to awaken and her cherish retort was all she could manage as she finally forced her limbs to move with a groan. Somehow, and Skyler seriously had no idea how, the brunette managed to pull herself back to a standing position, and faced the man she had agreed to learn from. She was almost doubled over from the effort, and it took every bit of will power she possessed to stay on her feet.

"Do not do that again or I will repay the favor." She spat angrily, her violet eyes turning murderous. "And if you are quite done, I would appreciate it if you had your golden retriever take me back now." It was a tribute to her character that she didn't fold under the pain she still felt in every inch of her body or the fatigue she now felt for keeping herself upright. The teen didn't regret saying what she did, but she mentally chided herself for being so tactless. But Skyler was not one to submit, and every bit of her was a fighter.

The Dark Lord's eyes glowed red for a moment as he sneered down at the witch, his wand hand twitching at his side as it itched to deal more damage to the teen who continued to press her luck by pushing his newly formed buttons. Tom ground his teeth together in restraint but it did nothing to take away from his murderous look as he approached the now standing girl and gripped her chin in his hand roughly, forcing her face upwards and bringing it to where it was inches from his own.

"Such spirit you have." His eyes burned into the violet ones of the girl, intense and searching as he pushed forward into her mind. He forced the eye contact between them as he relived her most recent memories and read her thoughts. Tom was surprised to find there were no tenors of fear to them. Not for her own sake. He witnessed through her memory the meeting with Potter and Dumbledore, finding it most interesting and intuitive. He pulled back from her mind when the recent memories of her time spent with the Malfoy heir made their way to the forefront of her mind and he sneered.

"Your mind betrays you." He hissed out. "You need to learn to control your thoughts, for they are a weakness you cannot afford around Dumbledore, or myself." He roughly let her chin go. "You will learn that your mind cannot only betray yourself, but also those you care for. Your enemies will use those closest to you as a means to break you. You and the young Malfoy have been careless." Tom hissed his displeasure at her fail to understand this prior to this meeting. "Tell me young Skyler, is it love you feel for the Malfoy heir?" He questioned as his lips formed a most cruel smirk. "If so, you would do well to forget it. I have known the Malfoy's a very long time, and a more self serving group of individuals I have never met. They never do anything that does not benefit them in some way or form and they do not know that the concept of love even exists. They know only power and self preserve and that is the only reason for the young Malfoy to take such an immediate liking to you. He uses you to better shield himself from me."

Tom did not understand himself why he should warn the girl away from the Malfoy heir, for there were no better choices from his own ranks. He was not happy with being involved in teenage angst and had no experience with caring for someone beyond whether they served his purpose or not but with the return of his sanity came a conscience and the ability to feel emotions. Emotions he had either never felt before or had not felt since Dumbledore's curse had tainted him. Now he was in a situation where the very thing he warned her against was the very thing he himself needed to guard because it was clear that he could care for the girl who was the only remaining family he had left.

It put him on edge that he should feel anything toward the girl and more that he should feel the seat bit anxious about sending her back into the clutches of the headmaster, who could do any number of things to the girl. Tom had to look at it from all angles and knew it could be seen as a good thing the young Malfoy were there to help protect her but it did not sit well with him that they form a close bond. That was not in his plans for her. "You should cut ties with the boy before it becomes dangerous for the both of you and focus more on Potter." Tom looked directly into her eyes. "Do not forget I will know whether you heed my commands or not. Should you refuse me on this, LeBeau here can fix it so you have no choice in the matter. He has a particular talent when it comes to what the mind remembers."

He indicated the death eater he silently called back into the room and waved dismissively to them both. "Return her to the village. Make sure our young Mr. Malfoy gets my warning. And Skyler," Tom addressed her for a final time, "Do not forget to deliver my message to our young friend Mr. Potter, and perhaps you should ask Mr. Malfoy what secrets he has been keeping from you, and remind him that his time is running out." He gave a final glance to LeBeau to indicate he could take the girl, ending what was sure to be the first of many interactions between himself and his neice.