The Death of Ciara Avaran

Chapter 4
Fated Separation


They ended up running away together. It seemed as if all odds were against them, thus it was the only option. Tom's friend, the clarinet player, and Branwin were their only witnesses besides the priest. But they didn't care. They were in love and finally ready to begin the rest of their lives together.

For a while, they were quite happy, though a few awkward situations did arise. For example, on their honeymoon they went to Africa. One night while they were taking a walk alone, a very poisonous snake crossed their path, ready to strike. Tom wasn't sure how to go about getting rid of it, or even if he could be successful if he tried, but didn't have to worry long about any of that. Ciara suddenly started making the strangest hissing and spitting noises at it, which the snake promptly returned, before turning back towards the bushes and slithering away. Ciara claimed it was a trick she'd learned from a strange old lady in a traveling circus when she was younger. Tom also thought some of her quick cures for fevers and stomach problems (much quicker than regular medicines) were just a bit odd, but whenever asked Ciara simply replied, It's a family recipe.

After a while of this happy marriage, Ciara became pregnant. Tom was overjoyed by the prospect of being a father, praying that it would be a boy. Tom Marvolo Riddle, he would say almost hourly, the Second.

But happy endings only work out in fairy tales, Ciara knew that much. Her father had found out about her and Tom, and when he discovered that threatening to disown her wasn't going to solve all of his problems, he took one step too far.

It was a regular, lazy evening in the humble and cozy cottage of Tom and Ciara Riddle. A fire was burning, and Tom was taking great pains to keep his lovely wife (and negative-two-week-old child) comfortable. They were both slightly startled by a knock at their door, as they were not expecting any visitors. Tom told Ciara to stay where she was and that he could handle it.

When he opened the door, he immediately second-guessed himself. A tall cloaked figure in black stood before him, striking a terrible resemblance to the Grim Reeper. May I help you? Tom asked timidly.

If you want to keep Ciara, come out here farther and face me, said the man, who disappeared from that spot and appeared farther in the distance.

While Tom contemplated that little magician's trick, Ciara sat up straight as chills waved down her spine. She knew her father hated Muggles, but to go as far as coming to their home? Her heart sank. He could be killed. The child she carried within her could end up without a father if she allowed her own father to go through with his evil plans. She stood up and walked over to Tom. You can't go... We need to escape.

Tom looked at her as if he had been insulted. I'll get rid of him. I would never let anyone hurt you. Besides, we probably couldn't get away anyway.

That's my father.

He blinked, trying to process the information, then nodded. Now I understand why you didn't invite him to the wedding.

She knew he meant it as a joke, but he didn't understand. He never would...

Are you coming, Boy? cried Mr. Avaran from afar, or shall I take my daughter home?

Tom walked with deliberate steps towards the figure in black, while Ciara hurried behind him trying to persuade him to turn back. Finally, the two men were barely a meter from each other.

The elder grinned as he pulled a long stick our from within the folds of his cloak, a wicked cackle playing in his words as he said, Now I can get you out of the way and return my daughter to her pure family, after I get that wretched Mudblood out of her. Ciara cringed at her father's harsh words, ever wondering what he was going to do to Tom as she watched him wave the wand around. I have long awaited this moment, Boy, and now that it is here, you should be using your last few moments to say goodbye to your wife and gaze upon her as your spirit departs.

What do you mean...? Tom asked, a flash of terror in his grey eyes.

Mr. Avaran's evil laughter grew to its climax as he lifted his wand and directed towards Tom. Avada ke-

Avada kedavra!

She didn't think she'd do it, not even for Tom, but she did. In what would have been the last moments of Tom's life, she imagined her own life without him... empty... pointless... and the wand was in her hand and the words out of her mouth before she really knew what she was doing.

Tom stood over the man's body, trembling as he slowly turned his eyes to Ciara. What... what did you do...?

I... It was the only way... He was going to do the same to you, Tom, but I couldn't let him... I love you too much....

Is he dead?

Yes, just like you would have been.

Tom stared down at the shocked expression, now cold and dead. Are you... some sort of sorcerer... or a witch or something?

Yes... We come from a very esteemed family, which is why he could easily get away with murder and not be punished... But when the Ministry finds out about this... Ciara turned away and started pacing, Tom's eyes cold upon her.

You killed someone, Ciara! Do you realize that? You're own father, no less!

I had to, don't you understand? It would have been him, or you. I couldn't let him take you away, not now that we're finally together....

You... you're a witch... You're an evil wretch that should go back to Hell where you came from! he shouted angrily at her.

Tom... please don't do this... You don't understand...

I understand all that I need to, you murderer. You killed your father for nothing, I cannot live with someone like you. Next it could be me for all I know, or our child! No... not our child... my blood could never run through a little demon like the type you will give birth to... This... this never happened. I never met you, never loved you. That child you will have, it's not mine. It's whatever demon thing you are. I will have nothing to do with your kind. Goodbye Ciara. Goodbye to an evil temptress I happened to meet on a dark and deceitful night. Goodbye forever.

Tom turned and walked back to the cottage, but instead of going inside, he walked past it... and kept going. Ciara stood there helplessly. She couldn't stop him. Not now. It was over. It was all over.

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