warningin this chapter: Time-Skip
Side-Canon Character Death
Beta: none
Ner words in this chapter: 3,654
"Talking"
'Thinking'
–Parseltongue–
/Hand-Sign-Language\
Dream/Memory/Flashback/Others
Letter/Journal/Book/Newspaper
Time change/Date of time
Change of POV
Chapter XXIV
–Death–
Friday, 16 November 1973
AMM's POV
Harry arrived home to see Tom waiting for him. The man didn't seem angry…
"Where's Kieran?"
"Privet Drive."
Tom nodded.
"I'll fetch him." Tom made a move to leave and apparate, but Harry grabbed his sleeve. "Yes?"
"I… I sentenced someone's death…" Harry mumbled, barely a sound.
There was a silence as Harry was unable to look up from the floor and as Tom looked at Harry's hair.
"Did this person deserve it?"
"I…"
"Besides; didn't you kill Umbridge?"
"Yeah… but this person didn't do anything… yet. And I could stop him of doing it, but…"
Harry felt Tom hugging him.
"Do you think this person can change?"
There was a long silence, before Harry shook his head.
"He would even sell his soul if that would've keep him alive."
"Then you did the right thing. You can't save everyone, my Pet. And not everyone deserves to be saved." Harry nodded against Tom's chest, holding unto it. "Want me to send a few wolves to Privet Drive to watch over Kieran and spend the night alone with me?"
"I don't want him to see me like this." Harry agreed.
"Slippery." The house elf appeared. "Warn the Alpha of Kieran's whereabouts and take whoever he says to 4 Privet Drive for the night." Harry hissed angrily, only for Tom to add: "If you please."
The house elf bowed and disappeared.
"I love you." Harry mumbled against the robes.
"Right back at you, Pet." Tom replied, before pulling him to their room upstairs.
"Am I… odd?"
Tom laughed.
"For being a moral Wizard that regrets that he sentenced someone to death? Aiden, you would be odd if you didn't feel anything after that. Voldemort's the odd one since he doesn't feel regret."
Harry felt himself being sat on their bed. Looking down he could feel himself trembling.
"But…"
"You are completely normal, my moral Pet."
–PW–
Saturday, 17 November 1973
LV's POV
Early morning, Voldemort called Silvine, Rodolphus, Jeremiah, Lucius, Augustus and Bellatrix through the Dark Mark. It didn't take long for the house elf to welcome the six with an extra to the dining room. Voldemort looked at Young Neville, but he supposed the Wizard wouldn't let his wife apparate by herself in her state. Voldemort offered the seats and they sat, before he looked at Young Neville.
"Are you a D.A.?" he asked and Young Neville nodded. Only then did Voldemort turn towards his men and women. "Silvine, Rodolphus, Lucius, Jeremy." The four straightened. "Yesterday, you showed your loyalties to the Grey Lord and since D.A. means Drey Army, both Dark and Grey into one, I will put you on his group. You are still Death Eaters, but you work with the Greys." They nodded. "Silvine, my fiancé mentioned that you will take him shopping, I want Rodolphus and Jeremy to go as bodyguards." At once, the two nodded. "And Lucius for his style sense." Lucius nodded as well. Voldemort turned towards the other three. "As you can guess, Grey Lord is Aiden Mather. When I told him he had to have a few Dark with him, he requested for you as well. Bellatrix most likely for you to stay in the same ranking as your husband." He finished, pointing to said Wizard.
Voldemort looked towards the side, as Fenrir entered the dining room while Slippery set the table for everyone.
"So, these are the weaklings that Beta joined our rankings?"
"Indeed. As you all must know, this is Alpha Fenrir. The Greyback Pack has joined our fight… Aiden is also his Beta. So, technically, all of you will be fighting alongside Werewolves." Every Death Eater showed their respect to the Alpha. Voldemort turned towards the Werewolf. "Do you want their names?"
"Healer, Healer's Mate, Ward Maker, War Maker's Father, Mr Blondie, Witch and Wizard." The Werewolf argued.
Voldemort smiled amused, that did simplify names.
"Wow… Voldemort forced you all to wake up this early on a weekend to go shopping?" a voice said as someone entered the dining room and his Pet approached, pecking Voldemort on the lips.
Aiden sat at his side, as the Death Eaters looked away awkwardly at the show of affection from their Dark Lord.
–PW–
AMM's POV
"You know, shops don't open before 9am." Harry pointed out, serving himself. "And even though we'll be shopping for mascaraed clothes, I don't believe that Wizard robes would be acceptable in Muggle London." Harry grinned at seeing everyone staring at him as much wide-eyed as those Purebloods with a stick up their asses could get. "What? I'm not stupid enough to buy in Wizardry World only for Dumbledore to track me down."
Neville snorted.
"Only you would take Death Eaters to Muggle London, Aiden."
"They can go to Voldemort and argue against it, if they want." Harry argued, seeing the amusement in Tom's eyes. "Alick, I need your measurements for body, height and face."
"Face? We're going to have masks?" Neville sneered in disgust.
"But of course… not Death Eaters' skeleton masks. I was thinking something more alike animal ones. Symbols of our Patronus." Harry ate quickly and stood. "Done, I'll be right back. Have to go fetch Kieran."
Harry frowned as a hand found his, successfully stopping him.
"Pet."
Harry turned towards Tom.
"What? You also want to come shopping?"
"To Muggle London? No, thank you. I already live in a Muggle village. No need for more than I have to, Pet." Tom argued, making Harry snort.
Tom stood and before Harry could ask 'what was it he wanted', his face was grabbed and he was pulled up to a deep kiss. When Harry was able to move back, his breath was laboured and his face deep red.
"Are you ever going to stop calling me that?" he hissed.
"I'm afraid not, Pet."
Harry glared at the bloody bastard, before leaving the dining room. He was so bloody… dominant!
–PW–
Monday, 7 July 1975
Harry watched with a huge smile as Kieran helped Bellatrix with the Neville twins. Since almost two years ago, Bellatrix had given birth. Garwins, Blacks and Lunes had made a big scene when she had given birth late in '73, to two beautiful twin flowers. Harry looked back at Neville, even though the man knew Bellatrix and the twins were all right he was still such as mother hen as he had been when she was pregnant.
"So, Ron, how does it feel to be almost free?" Neville asked amused into his drink.
Ron frowned confused.
"Almost free?"
Harry snorted.
"Oh, you know… it's almost 3 years…" Harry said off handily.
When even then Ron didn't get the memo, Harry pretended to play with a bracelet. Ron frowned and looked at his own arm, where he unintentionally was using the hand he had the bracelet on to play with it. Ron's eyes grew.
"Oh!"
Harry and Neville laughed.
"Did you actually forget that just a few more months and you're free?"
Ron blushed, deep red.
"Of course not." He argued, what only made the two laugh harder. "Shut up, you two."
"And?" Harry asked with a huge grin.
"And what?"
"Did Mr Blondie actually manage to win your heart or are we having a divorce? First one in Wizardry History."
"Skeeter will have news for her newspaper column for a week." Neville pointed out, making Harry snort.
"A week? Rita will use this for a month… whatever the outcome."
Ron groaned, letting his head fall into the table with a huge chock sound.
"I still have time…"
"Oh my… is our dearie RonRon having second thoughts?" Harry and Neville joked.
"Leave me alone… you guys sound like the twins."
Harry and Neville smirked and high-fived in a playful way, as if to say 'we won'. Ron limited to groan from his seating position with the head on the table.
"Aiden!" Harry looked at the entrance of the café at hearing his father, to find the fifteen boy running in his direction, Sirius fast on his heels. "You have to come quickly. Something's not right with Father. His chest…"
Harry was up by the time James said quickly, Neville and Ron by his side. He took a peek at Severus, who nodded back with his brother by his side and the three adults left after the two boys. They run towards a group of people and forced the way in. Harry approached the sitting man on the floor, his face looked kind of… Harry's eyes grew, turning towards Neville, who had already his wand in hand and a serious face. Harry saw Ron persuading Sirius and James to take Dorea out of there. Then, Harry felt the flash of a camera. He looked up to glare at the fool journalist, only for the camera to explode on the man's hands. Harry's magic was ready to explode the next stupid one but then hands appeared on his shoulders and he was pulled up and into a chest. Before Harry's magic could react, it was already being controlled by his lover's overpowering magic.
"No… let me go. Let me go, Tom. Neville, do something… anything… let me go, Tom, you bastard!" but as much as Harry struggled, as much as he fought, as much as he screamed… Tom didn't release him. As much as Harry insulted every single part of Tom, as much as he threatened him, nothing worked. Tom didn't let him go and all Harry could do was watch his grandfather die of a meagre heart attack. "Please…" Harry pleaded, tears on his eyes, weakly.
Only when the struggle finally left Harry, did Tom release him. Harry turned around and slapped Tom, before letting himself fall on his chest, crying. Tom held him and Harry could feel himself being held a little too tightly. He knew Charlus would die one day, but he hoped…
–PW–
APWBD's POV
Albus looked from the distance as Aiden cried on Tom's arms after just giving him a red cheek. Albus was certain he wasn't the only one who contained his breath at the bold move, but Tom had limited to hug his husband-to-be back. The Tom Albus knew would've put Aiden on his place for his daring… maybe they really were equals…
Albus looked apprehensively to the fallen body of Charlus Potter. A good Wizard and a Light one at that. His death had come in a really bad time. Now Aiden would be the Lord of the Potter Family and win the power over the Heir… James Potter. If Aiden didn't exist, James would most likely turn towards Albus for guidance. But it wasn't the case.
It was unfortunate, really, for Charlus to die before Albus had gotten James under his wing.
–PW–
AMM's POV
Harry held Dorea as she cried. Unlike him, she had held herself all day long while they started the preparations for burying the body. The Potter Manor had been full of old friends and relatives, wishing them condolences. Harry had managed to send James with Sirius to the Lestranges when they had left. Severus had come to hug his Grandma, after that he had returned to Riddle Manor where he had left his brother with the Werewolves. Harry glanced over Dorea's shoulder as the red in Tom's cheek was still quite noticeable. How the man had kept a straight face all day and played perfect host with that on his face without hiding it, Harry didn't know, but he was thankful for Tom. Bellatrix had had to drag Neville away by force as the man kept blaming himself for being unable to do something. Harry suspected she had taken them to Black Manor, so her family would help them with the twins. And the Malfoys had taken hostage of the Lunes, taking them all to Malfoy Manor.
"You should go…" Dorea hiccupped.
Harry shook his head.
"Tom can go if he wants, but I'm not leaving you, Granma…" Harry argued, slipping the last word into her ear. She needed to hear it now more than ever.
"But the boys…"
"All taken care of, Dorea. James is with the Lestranges and Severus and Kieran are with the Werewolves. They're fine."
Dorea raised herself from Harry, still crying and turned towards Tom.
"Thank you…"
Tom shook his head.
"We're family. Family sticks together, I've heard."
Dorea smiled and offered her hand towards Tom, who approached and took it. Dorea approached the hand to her face, looking at the ring Harry had given him years ago.
"Promise me that you two will actually wed officially and not just in magic."
"There's been a lot on our minds." Harry argued. "And don't talk like that. You're going to be there."
"I'm waiting for Aiden's memory to fully return." Tom answered, making Harry turn towards him. "I want all of his memory. All of him. And it's not like we are in a hurry."
Dorea smiled, nodding. Harry watched she approach the drinks cabinet and prepare 3 glasses of Fire Whiskey. He raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you didn't drink."
"It's Ch… his special bottle. He would've want it to be opened today."
Harry nodded sadly, accepting the glass and Tom copied him. The three drank in silence, Dorea making a face at the taste.
"What did he see in this?"
–PW–
LV's POV
Voldemort looked as Aiden helped Dorea to the bed. The woman had just taken half a glass, she couldn't be that drunk…
Finally, Aiden returned and the two went to Aiden's old quarters.
"I… I'm not going to apology for…"
Voldemort looked back as his Pet was pointing at Voldemort's face. Voldemort nodded, knowing it would happen and not expecting anything else.
"I know. I know why you did it… doesn't mean we won't argue later. But for now, you need me."
"Thank you…"
Voldemort nodded and pulled Aiden with him to the bed.
"It was already too late when you three arrived, you know that, don't you?"
Aiden leaned into Voldemort's naked chest, crying into it.
–I know… doesn't help one bit.–
–Did you like him that much?– As much as Voldemort tried not to, the jealously slipped into his voice.
Aiden stopped crying and leaned back, looking at Voldemort in the eyes.
–Yes.– Voldemort narrowed his eyes. –He was the father I never got the chance to have. And as much as me and Dorea argue in point of views, she and Charlus were my first biological family I ever had.–
Aiden leaned up and pecked him on the lips.
–Biological family, hmmm?–
–That's why I said first. You, Severus and Kieran are my biological family.–
–PW–
RXL-M's POV
Ron glanced at the twins, as they held each other. That had been his reaction as well… turn towards Fred, make sure he was there…
"Here, let me." Ron glanced at Lucius as he picked Luna from Ron's arms and took the sleeping Witch to her room in the Manor. Ron followed them in silence. He watched as Lucius tucked his adopted sister down. How he took care of her. How the Malfoys took care of them. "What is it?" Lucius asked after he finally closed the door to Luna's room, quietly.
"You know… you aren't bad… for a Malfoy, that is." Ron mumbled.
Lucius frowned, looking back.
"When did you hit your head?"
Ron blushed, lowering his head.
"That sounded terrible, right?"
Lucius approached and put a hand on Ron's forehead.
"Are you all right, Ron?"
Ron took the hand from his forehead - he didn't have a fever!
"Of course not. A Wizard who took me as family just died!" Ron argued, glaring at the other. "But… I can't do this anymore. I've spent the last two years and half living a lie. Not anymore… I can't do this, Lucius. I just can't… I… I want a family… a big one. Life is too short. Bloody hell, when I was 18 I saw Gred die!" Ron saw Lucius' eyes change, as if realizing where this was heading… good. "I know I must be a terrible person… and that I should've die and go to the pits of hell, or whatever it is called. I'm certain that in the morning I will feel as disgusted of myself as I should've for doing it on this day, but…" Ron took a deep breath, trying to win courage for the most shameful, stupid and immoral thing he would ever do in his life… honestly, Charlus had just died! "Sleep with me."
There… he said it… he had actually said it… oh Merlin… what had he been thinking? It was Harry's grandfather that had just died… how could he be thinking of… That?
"Sleep… I thought you were breaking up with me…"
Ron's eyes grew at realizing Lucius hadn't understood… Ron put his head in his hands, but he was a Gryffindor, by Merlin's beard. He started, he had to finish…
"No… I want us to sleep together… not as in sleep-sleep, but as in… you know… That…"
There was a silence, where Ron started to lose his little courage he had gathered.
"Right now?" Ron nodded, not taking his face from his hands. "As you wish…"
Ron's eyes grew, looking up from his hands only for Lucius to grab Ron's hand and pull him down the corridor towards his sleeping quarters.
"You mean it…?" he asked deep red.
Lucius nodded, walking quickly to the bedroom. Someone was in a hurry…
"You love me." Lucius said, looking back. Ron nodded, even though it wasn't a question. "Then if you are going to that pitch, I'm following you because I won't wait another night."
Ron's eyes grew at the husky tone Lucius had. Ron had a feeling he won't be sleeping tonight and not because he spent the night crying like had done at Fred's death…
–PW–
Tuesday, 8 July 1975
AMM's POV
Harry didn't know why he couldn't sleep. There was something nagging in the back of his mind that told him not to. That something was wrong. Harry glanced at Tom as the man slept at his side. Tom sure had proved himself this day and night. He didn't regret the slap, Tom knew that, but instead of the man throwing the usual fit, he had taken it like a man and stayed by Harry's side. Not even when they had been alone and, Harry with a few drinks, had the man taken advantage. It surprised him, he had expected Tom to force Harry's mind away by making him relax in the only way the other man knew how.
"Do you know how creepy that is?"
Harry smiled faintly as Tom opened one eye and looked back.
"I'm sorry… didn't mean to wake you up.
Tom grumbled and sat, stretching.
"Had you been anyone else I would have already awoken sooner." He argued and Harry knew he wasn't lying. A little sound in their room always made Tom react. "Lady Dorea is still sleeping?" the man asked and Harry nodded.
Tom frowned and stood, Harry following him.
"What is it?"
"Would you be able to sleep so long if something happened to me or our children?" Harry shook his head, growing alarmed. "I couldn't sleep when you were in a coma. It's not the same but… and they were married for decades."
Harry started running, Tom after him. The two arrived the Master Bedroom and entered. The sigh that they met was like a normal one, Dorea looked like she was asleep soundly. Harry was unable from moving from the door, so Tom approached and touched her on the neck, only to shake his head at Harry. Harry fell on his knees.
"How…?"
"I think she took a sleeping potion before we drunk that Fire Whiskey…"
Harry looked at his grandmother sadly.
The next couple of days were spent in a haze. Harry didn't remember anything. Not the burials, not the taking over the Potter lordship, not the becoming James mentor… he didn't even remember moving from Potter Manor to Riddle Manor…
–PW–
Wednesday, 23 July 1975
LV's POV
Voldemort sneered as his lover was dead walking, like an inferi. He didn't like it. Yes, it had been two deaths unexpected all of a sudden. He thought Aiden was better than this, but…
Nothing Voldemort did helped. Since ignorance, to overbearing with feelings, to use the Werewolves as nannies as he gave Aiden a night of passion he wouldn't be able to forget… and the bastard was till numb.
He had to bring his lover back. This wasn't his Aiden. This wasn't his Pet. This was a soulless animal. No purr, not even when petted the exact way to give more pleasure. Not even his crawls from when he got angry or bored. Because he didn't…
Severus and James had destroyed the living room right before Aiden's eyes and by the time Voldemort arrived and hissed at Aiden, he had smiled at the duo and congratulated them. That had been when the children had understood that they weren't the only ones affected by the deaths.
Something inside Aiden had snapped.
The issue was… Voldemort loved Aiden too much to take the children and leave the Wizard behind until he would wake up. He feared that he wouldn't wake up. It scared him even more than when Aiden had been in a coma.
–Come back to me, my Pet, don't leave me again.– He hissed in a pleading voice into his fiancé's hair as they went to bed.
He didn't care anymore… it wasn't like Aiden could actually understand him. And didn't that hurt?
–Why?– he hissed, punching the wall, only for Aiden's soulless body to hug Voldemort from behind. –Why Aiden?– Voldemort couldn't believe he was crying.
It had been decades since he was a child and shredded tears…
–Why is it that only you can do this to me?–
(TBC)
Hi
I wrote the whole Potter's death scene without shredding one tear. And I thought… 'Not emotional enough' so let's make it stronger.
Wrote Voldemort's scene… and shit did I almost cry!
Next Chapter's name: Lords Meeting
~Isys