Harry Potter, called the boy who lived, never considered himself a happy child. Frankly, he never even considered that he would ever find peace. He sighed and thought about what he was about to do. He shook his head; I must. It was decided. No turning back now.

Everyone had turned on him. They all believed he entered the tournament. They all called him names. And now? Now, he had decided on something. He shook his head. It was time. He sighed.

"Blood of an enemy, force—"

"Freely given, out of peace, and surrender," Harry interrupted, as Wormtail got ready to cut him.

Wormtail looked shocked, but didn't have a chance to question him, as the Dark Lord rose from the now-broken cauldron.

Tom Riddle, who looked perfectly human, was shocked, "How?" He questioned.

Harry sighed, "I freely gave you my blood, Tom, your soul is whole again. I only make one request, as per the debt you owe me."

"Debt?" Tom scoffed.

Harry sighed, easily moving the statue's arms off him, "Yes," he said, "My only request is that when you kill me; you do so painlessly."

Tom blinked; he had not been expecting this, "Why do you ask me to do this?"

"Well, I'm done being used, Tom. I'm tired and just want to die. I murdered you, albeit in self-defense, when I was eleven years old. I've been beaten, abused, raped, taken advantage of and, quite frankly, I just want to die.

"And, honestly, I'm tired of being a pawn. So, please, just make it painless. That's all I request. Simple. Once you do that, the prophecy will be fulfilled, I'd imagine, although I do doubt it's real. The only one who knew of it was the old man, but who knows if he's telling the truth?"

Tom blinked again, obviously confused, "You know the prophecy?"

Harry sighed, "Indeed."

Tom looked interested, "The full one?"

Harry groaned and repeated it, in parseltongue, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. … Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies … and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not … and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives. … The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…"

Harry laughed a little, "Though, honestly, it could have been about Neville Longbottom once, but now I'm sure it's not."

Tom looked at the boy, "Why do you say that?" His wand ready, in case the boy tried anything.

Harry shrugged, "I recently discovered that I'm not quite human. Once I discovered this, I spoke with my best friend and, well, she should be safely away from the school now. Everyone else can die, for all I care."

Tom was confused, and it showed, "What brought this on, Harry?"

Harry sighed, "Since I was a little child, my uncle would constantly beat me. My childhood was never easy, never nice, until I came to Hogwarts. Then everything changed. Everything was fine. Too fine, to be honest. Too nice. I recently discovered why.

"Hermione and I were testing potions. Two to be exact; one that would tell us if we had magical creature blood and, the other, to tell us what potions were used on us. She read about them and was curious. Well, we discovered that Albus had used potions on her and me. Loyalty potions, free-will removal potions, love potions to make her love Ron and me love Ginny, and more.

"Well, as it turned out, I wasn't quite human. Turns out my mother's mother was a squib, her mother being mixed with a magical creature, but anyway; obviously, we were pissed off. We were being used.

"Clearly, we wanted to see if Ronald was being used. We tricked him into trying the revealing potion and he didn't light up. He had no enchantments on him. Neither did Ginny, actually.

"So, we plotted; Hermione and I, and then we found out some interesting facts. Well, Hermione wasn't quite human either. Turns out, she isn't even human. She's the daughter of a Wood Nymph, who was kidnapped by Albus as a child. The whole thing was setup to make you and me enemies. Well, anyway, I'm tired of fighting.

"Hermione's mother offered to take me away, but I refused. I'm just done, Tom. I'm honestly, and truly, done. I'm done with being lied to, having no one train me, and finally; I'm done with the light. Albus was fine with leaving me with abusive people. Hell, he left me there and continues to place me there every summer.

"Oh, yes, the blood wards were strong. Too strong, to be honest, but oh well. Never mind that blood wards are illegal. 'All for the greater good, Harry'," he repeated, "Never mind obviating everyone who questions you. No, it's all for the greater good.

"I'm fourteen, Tom, and he has no problem forcing me to face you; a wizard with far more experience than me. How could I ever defeat you? Certainly, not as a human, and he didn't know about my mother's creature talents.

"Frankly, Tom, I'm just done. Kill me and the light falls. I'm okay with that. Hell, I've tried killing myself enough times. I can't die by my own hands. It's frustrating. I'm hoping you'll be able to do so, Tom. I really just want to die."

Tom, for his part, had only been becoming more confused. As he looked at this boy in front of him, he just saw a scared little boy. He didn't see his enemy. He saw a used, abandoned, mistreated, boy. The boy was practically begging to be killed. Had Albus honestly taken this boy and used him like that? Hell, even amongst his death eaters he didn't use their children.

Now, he would use other people's children as leverage. A kidnapping here and there and, so forth, but his own followers? No. Yes, he crucioed without mercy, but even he had limits. He made it a rule that he did not harm his follower's children. Why? Bad for moral. He also didn't lie to his followers. If he didn't want to tell them something, he didn't but, at the same time, he didn't lie to them. No point, really.

"Tell me, Harry, did you really try to kill yourself?"

Harry sighed, rolling up his other sleeve, "This morning, I did this." He pointed to a huge cut right on one of his veins, "It immediately began to heal itself. Part of my creature blood, I think. Before that though, I was given a massive amount of fast-healing potions over the years. It seems Albus didn't want me to die before it was time, I suppose.

"More than likely, that would have been shortly after Ginny got pregnant. As I said, the love potions were made to make me love her. I don't, never really did, but oh well. Anyway," he looked over to Wormtail then back to Tom, "I'd rather you make this quick and painless, so I don't have to look at him any longer."

Tom blinked, once than twice, "I don't know if I can kill you, Harry."

Wormtail grinned, "Then let me do it, master! Avada Ka—"

Suddenly, Wormtail's head was sliced off by a very quick slicing hex.

"No," Tom grinned, "I don't think so."

Harry sighed, getting on his knees, "Can't you do that to me?"

Tom shook his head. This kid was begging for death. Not even five minutes ago, he would have done it. But, he couldn't. Something just wasn't right here.

Without a further word, he touched Harry's shoulder and they both apparated into Riddle Manor, his safe haven, which was currently empty.

"Another sssnake, master? Why have you brought her?" Asked Nagini as she slithered over toward them.

Tom blinked, "Snake? Her?" He looked around, thinking he somehow apparated another snake here, without knowing about her.

"Yes massster, ssshe is here" The snake replied, going toward Harry, "Why do you hide from the masssster, you're quite beautiful."

Tom blinked again, looking toward Harry, "Harry?" He asked.

Harry sighed, "I will tell you. Nagini is correct. I am neither male nor completely human. I am more snake than human. I always thought I could speak parseltongue because of you, but, I was wrong. Yes, you couldn't kill me that night, for whatever reason, but I am not able to speak parseltongue because of it.

"You see, even though I am only fourteen in human years, I am much older than I appear. I will show you but, I do hope you will kill me soon."

Nagini was quietly listening and couldn't help thinking to herself that the Snake Queen was abused. It was obvious that someone had used her. The smells showed that she was forced into many things, including being used to pleasure another. Nagini was certain of it. She did, however, notice that the Master was confused. He was also back to his human self. Nagini wasn't sure why, though.

Harry continued, "Anyway, as I said Hermione and I discovered this together," with that Harry removed his robes and removed the illusions surrounding her. The woman before Tom was more snake than woman. She had the body and tail of a Cobra and her hair was much longer than it usually was seen. Her eyes were black with white specs. She also had cuts and bruises up and down her body. Dried pieces of blood also on her scales.

Tom found himself enameled with the beauty in front of him. He, for all intents and purposes, was attracted to his mortal enemy. He sighed, lowering his wand, "I cannot kill you."

Harry looked up, black eyes seeking out his, "Why?" She begged, "I can't go on. No one loves me," she sighed, "I just want to die."

Tom blinked, leaning down and placing his hands on her shoulder, "I love you," he whispered, "I realize it now. I'm sorry.

"I know of a way to use this prophecy," he grinned, "Besides the obvious, you're not male. You're female but, ignoring that," he looked into her eyes, "Declare Harry James Potter dead."

She blinked looking into the eyes of Tom, "Tom?" She asked, confused.

Tom looked on serious, "Trust me, please," he begged.

She nodded, taking a chance, "Harry James Potter is dead."

"Are you him?" Tom asked.

"No, I am not Harry James Potter. I am a female. He was a male, but he's dead."

Tom nodded, "I declare Harry James Potter defeated, by my hand he no longer survives."

There was a blight light that came and faded, just a quickly, as the prophecy was fulfilled. Even the Ministry of Magic had logged Harry James Potter as dead, and Magic had also agreed.

Tom smiled at her, "I declare that you, nameless one, are Lindella. I claim right to name you, for I discovered you, and request that you become my mate."

Lindella blinked again, "Really?" She asked, sounding hopeless and unloved.

Tom nodded, pulling Lindella into a hug, "Please, Lindella, I want you. Be my mate?" He requested again.

Lindella pulled back, her left hand touching his cheek, "Yes," she agreed, "I, Lindella, accept your proposal. I am your mate," and with that her lips captured her mate's as an agreement was set.

Once again, the white flash of magic engulfed them. This time, instead of fulfilling a prophecy, it welcomed a newly bonded couple and engulfed them into the bond. Their magic swarming around them as it accepted their bond.

Lindella smiled, "Tom," she cried, "Thank you," holding her face into his chest as she began to sob.

"Shh, my mate," he cooed, "Shh, Lindella Riddle, my love, I am here."

Nagini, happy with this as she felt her Master and Mistress's magic being placed together, wrapped herself around them.

Tom quietly pulled Lindella onto his lap, her own tail wrapping around him, "I'm here, my love, I'm here."

Tom's mind had been returning to him since the graveyard. He wasn't sure why, but it was, slowly changing him. Now, after the bond, he had seen all of his bonded's memories. They came first and then came his own. He was certain she saw the same.

This, of course, would explain her crying. Yes, Tom was crying as well. His love had been through so much. The abuse, the constant attacks during the school year, and yet she had never been free. She, as her previous life, had been forced to endure so much. She had tried to escape the Dursley's so many times, only to be returned without any memory of how.

Recently, that memory had returned. Albus had returned her each time. He knew of her being abused. Worse yet, he sanctioned it. Hell, he enjoyed it. Her previously blocked memories had also revealed that he had used Legilimency on her numerous times, in order to see the times she was attacked, and with great pleasure!

Oh, he would pay. The most surprising thing was that her best friend, Hermione, who was supposedly a muggleborn, had befriended her for real. Everyone else was either using her, or under the control of Albus.

Tom, for his part, was just considering that he would want to meet this Hermione. Anyone who treated his Lindella with such friendship deserved his trust and admiration. Man, Tom, you are changing! Hell, you even enjoy being called 'Tom' again…oh boy, I hope I can still strike fear in the Wizarding population…

"You will, I'm sure," Lindella spoke up, "After all, people fear that which they don't understand."

Tom raised an eyebrow, "You heard my thoughts?"

Lindella blinked, "Huh? You spoke that…didn't you?" She scrunched her eyebrows, looking all confused and cute.

Tom laughed, "No, I thought it. It must be the bond," he smiled, "When two people become bonded, they can hear each other's thoughts. Sometimes, like in our case, they see one another's memories—in order to better understand one another."

Lindella nodded, wiping her tears, "Do you really want to meet Hermione?"

Tom smiled, "I'd be delighted to, my love."

Thirty minutes later, once they were both cleaned up, they stood outside Riddle Manor and by one of the tallest oaks on the property.

Lindella looked over to Tom, "Remove your shoes," she motioned to his as she removed hers as well. Although not fully understanding, he did so.

Once they were both shoeless, she approached and touched the tree, "Hermione, my friend, please appear," Lindella spoke.

Suddenly, with a force of wind, a person appeared from out of the tree.

The woman, Hermione, looked similar to how she did before but, rather, looked like she was made of oak and had larger breasts than previously. She also looked to be in her twenties, maybe early thirties. She was clothed in a single green toga.

"Harry," Hermione smiled.

Lindella shook her head, "I'm Lindella now."

The Wood Nymph smiled, "I'm Lilah now, as well, it's the name my mother gave me when I was born."

Lindella smiled, hugging her friend, "It's great to see you again, Lilah," she giggled, "I've got to get used to that. Oh," she motioned to Tom, "This is my bonded, Tom."

Lilah looked over to Tom and smirked, "So," she looked by to Lindella, "Not committing suicide then? Or," she looked back Tom, "Getting you to kill her."

Tom looked kind of shocked, "You know who I am?"

Lilah smiled, "Don't worry; we Wood Nymphs are loyal only to Mother Nature and, specifically, our trees and home-forests. The war doesn't concern us, as long as people do not harm us, our families, or our homes."

Tom nodded and smiled, "Ah," he extended his hand, "It's nice to meet you, Lilah."

Lilah nodded and shook his hand, noticing how Lindella was leaning against him, "But," she cautioned, "On a more personal note, do not hurt my friend."

Tom smiled, "I wouldn't dream on it." He sighed, "She has been through too much," he kissed Lindella's forehead, rubbing her right shoulder, "I would like to hurt Ronald Weasley and Albus Dumbledore, though."

Lilah smiled, "Don't worry; I'm sure you'll get a chance. Oh!" She paused, reaching into a pocket of her toga and pulling out a note, "Lindella, as you instructed, all of the contents of your vaults, properties, seats on the Wizengamot, etc., are ready to be signed over to Tom. The Goblins agreed, after seeing your memories."

Lindella nodded her head and said, "Thanks," she smiled and giggled a little.

Tom looked shocked, "You planned to give me everything?"

Lindella continued to smile, "As you know, I wanted you to kill me to fulfill the prophecy, so that I could die, but I also wanted revenge on Albus and the other traitors. This contract fulfills those things, based on the condition that you use the strength of my families, in order to take down Albus."

Tom blinked, "Wow, you really were expecting to die."

Lindella sighed, "I've been in a very bad place recently. I also just found that everyone I knew was against me. It wasn't easy and, after testing those closest to me, including Albus, I realized only Lilah was my friend." She looked down, "How would you feel?" She asked, without any hint of malice.

Tom took two fingers and lifted Lindella's chin, "My mate, my love, my bonded, I love you; never forget that."

Lindella nodded, wrapping her arms around Tom, "I won't, I promise. Never leave me, please."

Tom nodded, rubbing her back, "Now, because we're bonded, our vaults are already one; however," he motioned for the contract and was handed it. He smiles, signing it, and watches as it disappears, "So, you know I will not go against your wishes. Furthermore," he removes and lifts his wand up, "I swear upon my life and my magic that I will never go against my Lindella, my bonded and my wife as seen by magic, so I swear and so I say; so mote it be."

Lindella moaned a little, "So mote it be," feeling the powerful magic in the air from her bonded and feeling the love he has for her.

Lilah grins, "So it has been witnessed by a Wood Nymph, here in the contents of a Great Elder Oak, when all before it are shoeless; so mote it be, so it is, and so may these two be bound upon it. May their relationship flourish and never be forgotten. The blessings of the Wood Nymphs upon ye."

Tom sighs, "Powerful bonding magic?" He laughs, "Good, so you know I won't betray my love."

Lindella just held Tom tighter, not wanting to let him go, and loving the feeling of pure love coming off of him.

Lilah nodded, "I trust you but, not because you did the bond, but, rather, because you make Lindella happy. She's my best friend," Lilah's eyes filling with unshed tears, "I could never stand to lose her. When she wanted to die, I nearly lost it. She helped me understand her reasoning, but I never really wanted to lose her…she's just so stubborn."

Tom laughed, "Yes," he kissed Lindella's hair, "She is, and I love her."

Lindella just looked down and blushed, "I love you too, Tom," she smiled here; tears of happiness forming in her eyes.

Lilah smiled at the scene, "I really am happy for the two of you," she grinned and went over to hug them both, "But, I must be going. My sisters are calling for me. Be well; blessed be." With that, she returned to the Great Oak and re-joined it, disappearing completely.

Tom blinked, "She's accepted me?" He sounded shocked, and confused.

Lindella nodded, wrapping her arms around her bonded, and coiling around his body, "Yes, my love, she sees my happiness. As long as I am happy, she will support me," she smiled here, "I love you, Tom, I love you so much," she buried here head into Tom's neck.

Tom just nodded, "My dear, I love you too. I promise to keep you safe," with that he stood up and, keeping a hold of his bonded, lead them back toward the mansion.