Inside a dark rundown mansion the Dark Lord sits staring at the fire, Nagini curled at his feet. His mind was swimming, though not with the usual thoyughts. No tonight the Dark Lords thoughts had turned to love. Love, something he had never experianced, not as a child growing up in the orphanage nor as young Tom Riddle at Hogwarts, he had been alone all his life.

Even now with his many followers, he was alone. They feared him, but they did not love him. There was one whom he felt deeply for, though of course he had given them no indication of his feelings.

Staring into the fire, he wondered if he had the courage to do so. Are you surprised that the Dark Lord would question his own courage? Ah, but it takes more courage to love than to hate. was he capable, not only of giving love but of opening himself to recieve as well? Could he ever trust anyone that much.

These were the thoughts that tumbled through the Dark Lords mind. And of whom was he thinking?