Second update for the day because 1. I was feeling super motivated to write, and 2. I've had about 1/3 of this chapter written since January (lol).  Like I said before, things are getting real! Let me know what you guys think with some comments! You all are the absolute best! 

"So you're letting her call the shots now?" A voice sneered, interrupting Ellison's and Tom's conversation. Avery busted through the door to the study, Lestrange following close behind.

"Avery, that's enough," Tom said, waving a hand dismissively.

"Ashby needed to die, and you know it! You obliviated him, sure ... what happens when he goes back to the office tomorrow though? What happens when he does make the connection? When he turns up at our doorstep? I won't let you throw everything we've worked for away for her," Avery spat, pointing an accusatory finger in Ellison's direction.

"That's enough!" Tom cut in, raising his voice.

"Admit it," Avery pressed on, ignoring Tom's fiery glare. "You have a blind spot when it comes to her ... you always have. But I don't! I know what she is. She's been a problem ever since we were at Hogwarts. She's your weakness and you can't even see it!"

"ENOUGH!" Tom yelled, slamming his fist against the desk again. "I won't tolerate your disloyalty anymore."

"Ha!" Avery scoffed, shaking his head in a bitter laugh. "While you've been off playing house with this one," he began, pointing at Ellison again. "It seems as though you've managed to lose your grip on things My Lord," He paused, glancing between Ellison and Lestrange, his smirk sending a knot coursing through her stomach. "You say I've been disloyal ... there's been disloyalty happening right under your nose."

"What are you talking about?" Tom shook his head irritably.

"It seems I'm not the only one who's forgotten their place ... You can't see it can you?" Avery laughed mockingly. "Look at Lestrange ... Really look at him. You can't see it in his thoughts can you? The thing he's been hiding from you?" he asked, waiting for Tom's reply. "She's made you weak ... I'm sure she didn't tell you either, did she?" He sneered when Tom said nothing, nodding towards Ellison, a satisfied smirk plastered across his face. "That one of your closest friends snogged her?"

Ellison swallowed hard, the knot tightening within her stomach. She looked from Avery to Tom, who was directing his icy glare at Lestrange now.

"Is this true?" Tom asked in a deadly voice.

"Tom-" Ellison began.

"I'm not asking you," He cut her off. "I'm asking him."

"It's true My Lord-" Lestrange began, the color draining from his cheeks. Tom took a step towards Lestrange, his eyes filled with rage.

"Don't!" Ellison said, stepping between the pair. "Can't you see what he's doing?" She continued, glaring in Avery's direction. "He's trying to take everyone else down with him ... this happened over a month ago, and the only reason he's telling you now is so he can hurt as many people as possible."

"Did it happen or not Ellison?" Tom asked, his voice ice cold, though the rage in his eyes seemed to disappear momentarily.

"It did ... not the way he's making it sound though," she began, "Lestrange ... he, he-"

"I wasn't myself," Lestrange cut in. "I tried to kiss her, but Ellison, she stopped me before I did anything I'd regret," he continued, glancing in Ellison's direction. "Nothing happened... in fact, she stopped coming to see me at all after that. Gave me what I needed for my wounds and told me I could do it myself."

"Is this true?" Tom asked, looking from Lestrange, back to Ellison.

"It is," she nodded.

"You can't be serious?!" Avery scoffed. "She gives you her word, and what? Just like that, all's forgiven?" He laughed contemptuously "She's made you weak!"

"Get out," Tom said coldly, directing his glare at Avery.

"What?"

"Get out," Tom repeated, taking a threatening step towards him.

"You're kicking me out because of her?" Avery asked disbelievingly.

"I'm kicking you out because you cause nothing but trouble," Tom replied coldly. "You're loyal only to yourself ... and there's no room for that here."

"Fine..." Avery stepped back a little too calmly. His eyes, narrowed in a glare, traveled from Tom, and locked with Ellison's only for a second. "I'll see you around," he said simply, before turning and storming out.

"Tom-" Ellison began, turning to face him once Avery had left.

"You too Ellison," He said, refusing to meet her gaze.

"What?"

"Leave ... Go home ... You too Lestrange." His words were indifferent, void of emotion.

"Tom-" She began but he cut her off.

"I need to think ... alone," He said calmly.

"Tom please..." she began, reaching for his arm.

"Go home," He repeated, stepping back, out of her reach. Ellison watched, speechless, as Tom walked out of the room and down the hall, his bedroom door closing with a thud.

"Ellison ... I'm so sorry," Lestrange began.

"It's fine ... It's not your fault," She replied, shaking her head dismissively.

"Yes ... it is," Lestrange argued.

"I should go..." Ellison said, ignoring his objections. "And you should too ... Before he changes his mind." With that, she walked out of the study and through the front door.

-------------------------------

Don't forget to vote and comment!