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Ellison's eyes fluttered open, a low grown escaping her lips as she tried to sit up. Reaching up, she rubbed her throbbing temple. Had she hit her head? She squeezed her eyes shut and furrowed her brow in concentration, trying to recall what had happened. Her entire body was sore, not just her head. Her arms and legs felt heavy, and her neck and back muscles had been worked into stiff knots somehow. She drew in a deep breath ... Merlin, even her ribs hurt.

Opening her eyes, Ellison looked around groggily. She was seated atop a dark, oak four poster in the middle of a small room. The walls had once been a dark, olive green, though they were faded with age now. A matching oak desk sat on the far side of the room, and a plush, navy armchair sat in the corner nearest the window. How she had gotten here, she didn't know. The last thing she remembered was... Tom – Ellison stood up, her eyes widening. She needed to go ... Needed to find Ella and Calla. Were they still at her mother's? She didn't even know what time it was. How long had she been here? Was it the same day?

"How are you feeling?" A voice called from behind, causing Ellison to jump and jerk her head towards the door. She winced as her neck twinged in objection to the hasty movement. Her eyes narrowed as they fell on Tom, who had propped himself up against the door frame.

"I'm fine," she replied flatly.

"I apologize for Avery," Tom continued casually, ignoring her cold demeanor. "He acted against my orders."

"Orders?" Ellison rolled her eyes, laughing bitterly. Tom's mouth twitched slightly, but he gave no reply. "I suppose you've been giving orders for quite some time now?" Ellison continued, her tone thick with cynicism. "Even when we were at school, you were handing them out, weren't you?"

She crossed her arms over her chest and turned her back on him, looking instead, out the window. The street below them was bustling with muggles who were headed home after a long day's work. "So this wizard they're calling Voldemort ... the one responsible for all the disappearances." She began, watching the swarms of people scurrying along the sidewalk. "I suppose that's you?"

"Yes."

"Why are you doing this?" She asked, turning back around to face Tom.

"I think you know me well enough to not ask a question like that," Tom replied, an amused smirk turning up the corners of his mouth.

"On the contrary," Ellison argued, "I don't know you at all ... not anymore."

"Fair enough," Tom began, his lips forming a tight line at her comment. "Power," he began, stepping out of the doorway, and into the room. "I want power, and those people stood in my way."

Ellison blinked in disbelief. Power. He was turning werewolves loose on people ... killing people ... for power? She couldn't believe it ... refused to believe it.

"Does that shock you?" Tom asked, looking at her mockingly. Ellison glared at him.

"Just obliviate me so I can go home," she said flatly, turning back to the window.

"No."

"What?" Ellison turned back around to face him. He was closer now, propping himself against one of the posts of the bed, looking at her smugly. "But you said-"

"I know what I said," he cut her off, "But I've changed my mind."

"So what? You've decided to kill me then?" She crossed her arms, squaring her shoulders.

"No, El," Tom smirked, "I'm not going to kill you." 

She flinched at the pet name, memories of the last time he had called her that flickering through her mind. "Then what?" She asked, keeping her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

"You're going to stay here."

Ellison stared at him, unsure if she had heard him correctly. "What?"

"You're going to stay here," he repeated casually, pushing himself off the bed post with his shoulder. Ellison glared up at Tom, who was now standing a mere few feet away from her. "If you're worried about your daughters, they'll be safe," he continued, taking another step towards her. "They won't be harmed ... neither will your parents."

Ellison shook her head, laughing bitterly. "Is that supposed to be some kind of consolation? ... For all the horror and pain you've caused?" She began, her tone harsh. "Am I supposed to thank you for not murdering my children in their beds? Or making my mum and dad disappear?" She took a step back, distancing herself from Tom, who had taken another step towards her.

"Tell me Tom," she continued, her words dripping with contempt. "Why me?"

"That's enough," Tom clenched his jaw, glancing away from her.

"What makes me so much more important than all those other people you've made disappear ... all those people you've killed?"

"That's enough," Tom repeated, through gritted teeth.

"No, tell me..." she pressed on, menacingly. "Come on, tell m-"

"You know bloody well what!" Tom yelled, hitting his fist against the desk. Ellison jumped at the loud bang, stepping back reflexively.

"Go to bed Ellison." He snarled, his tone thick with a finality she had heard countless times before. "You'll need your rest." With that, Tom turned on his heel, slamming the door behind him.

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Hey party people! I finally finished this chappie for you all! I hope you like it! I'm excited to finally get into some interaction between Ellison and Tom, & I know you are too ; )