A/N: Phew it's been a while. Dammit that last chapter was hard to write, it took me hours! I had the worst case of writer's block ever! But hey, moving on.

I went to the Leeds Carling weekend the best rock festival ever!! It so totally ruled. Check it out guys, next year's line up will be announced soon...

Jaqui12b: aww thankyou. Hopefully this chapter will show their relationship progressing. Thank you for the review, it made my day!

Electra Black: woah dude that J.D. mention totally rocked my sox (and kicked off a craving, but there you go) sorry about that dodgy link ¬ ¬;;

Inandout: I totally agree, sorry it sucked. It just wouldn't work... it was only filler really, I'd already started this chapter, and chapter 14 had been put up, yet I needed a chapter 15... hopefully this one shouldn't be so bad. Sorry about that lol. Here's a nice long one (I hope) for you.

Golden Metal Dragon: ah, cheers, my good friend. Thank you for the review, it means a lot to me.

Several hours later, Shadow had woken up, and slipped quietly out of bed, leaving Tom fast asleep.

Pouring herself a drink, she leaned against the counter, her back facing the door. Sure enough, seconds later, hands had wrapped themselves around her waist, and had turned her around. She was facing dark eyes.

"Hey. Good kip?" he gently nudged her against the worktop, and took the drink out of her hand. He took a sip, and placed it down beside her.

"V-very. Thank you for the dress, Tom. And the shoes. And the tiara-"

"And you're rambling." He silenced her with his lips on hers, for a split second, and then pulled back. "Much better. Come on, I'm going to show you the rest of the castle. Go get dressed." and he gently nudged her towards the door.

Fifteen minutes later, Shadow reappeared, dressed in jeans, a v neck black t-shirt and simple open black robes. Her long midnight hair was gently curled, and fell in long locks around her shoulders. Tom wrapped his arms around her waist and gently pulled her along.

He opened the door leading down out of the tower, and led her down the stairs, to a large wooden door, heavily bolted and locked. Shadow raised an eyebrow when she saw the locks and bolts.

"What? It was for your protection!"

"It's ok, I don't mind Tom. I'm thankful you saved me."

"Well, it was the least I could do. Those three treated you pretty bad..."

He gently pushed open the door, and led her into a hallway of shadowy black stone, with a deep green carpet thick underfoot, and intricate oak panelling covering the walls. Simple in-wall lights lit up doors along the hallway, which seemed to go on far into the darkness. Shadow shivered. The castle seemed to be swamping, pulling her in, and she wasn't sure she wanted to be. Yet Tom was Tom, and a strange relationship had formed between the two, flirtatious and loving, yet calm and cool, as if they had all the time in the world.

But then again, they did. Shadow couldn't remember anything up until that first morning in the tower (not that that mattered). They did have all the time in the world; at least, all the time they would need to form any type of... relationship...

Tom was talking to her, and she snapped back into reality with a jolt.

"- and so now, this castle belongs to me. The muggles weren't that happy to sell, but they found it-"

What was that flash in Tom's eyes? Shadow slightly recoiled at the thought of Tom 'persuading' muggles. She noticed he was absent-mindedly stroking his wand, like he was rewarding it for his help, and she felt uncomfortable, as the image of Tom killing some muggles flashed before her eyes.

Tom surveyed her closely.

"Shadow? Are you ok?" forcing herself to face that smile, and open her eyes, she smiled sweetly.

"I'm fine, Tom. Went off in my own little world then." He gave her a disapproving look, and pulled her along.

"Here's the great hall, where the party will be tonight. You see that stage up there?" she nodded, and he continued. "Well, look at this." And whipping out his wand, he transfigured two carved wooden thrones, each very regal, ancient-looking and imposing. One was almost black, chunky, and had deep green velvet arm pads and a cushion. The other, slightly smaller, made out of a lighter coloured wood, and more delicately carved, had pale green cushions, that looked soft and comfy. Yet her gaze was drawn to the larger one, it seemed to radiate bad feelings and pain, and its high back made it look so imposing. Tearing her vision away, she realised something.

"I don't understand... how can you transfigure something not already made?"

"They were already made. Thousands of years ago, for the Gods. That throne" he beckoned to the lighter one. "Was Persephone's, Goddess of innocence and queen of the Underworld. She, along with Hades ruled the underworld, who sat on that one there." He finished, pointing to the darker one. Shadow's head was reeling. There in front of her sat two thrones of the Gods, two thrones of the underworld, thousands of years old. Shaking her head, she noticed Tom had let her go, and was heading straight for the thrones. Turning around, and giving her a smile, he sat down on the black one. And suddenly the world around Shadow lunged into a mess of darkness and pain, and Shadow felt herself falling into an abyss, as a voice, clear as day, rang out.

"Join him, shadow. Join him, as the re-incarnation of a destiny wrought over three thousand years ago..."

Groaning and opening her eyes, she panicked for a moment, disorientated and confused, as her vision cleared. When it did, her stomach lurched, as she realised where she had fallen to, however impossible it might have been. She was sat, on Persephone's throne, and ancient thoughts seemed to be clouding her mind.

"Shadow. I'm glad you were the one he chose."

"Chose? Who chose?"

"'Tom'. Hades."

"Hades is Tom?"

"No, Tom is Hades. Both my husband and I decided to choose re-incarnate ourselves upon mortals."

"So you're Persephone?"

"Yes, but so are you."

"But I'm Shadow, not an ancient God of Innocence!"

"But what was it the canine star god Sirius who swore of your innocence?"

"Yes, but - hang on a minute. Sirius is a god?"

"Yes, he was also chosen as reincarnation mortal. But back to Tom now. I know your thoughts of the Sirius star God, and you must focus on the destiny I have chosen."
"Tom? He is evil, Persephone. I feel it under a wave of lust."

"I feel this with Hades too. But after he took me... everything changed."

"So Tom did take me! I knew it! But it wouldn't make sense... Persephone?"

"Yes Shadow?"

"I really miss my dad... and Harry. Especially Sirius though. Why has Tom done this? Why does he want me?"

"Because Hades wanted me."

"So Shadow. What do you think of the thrones?"

"Well, they're very..."

"You seem unsure darling. Relax. It's just two old chairs."

"But, Tom, gods sat on them! The rulers of the underworld no less!"

"Are you suggesting we are not worthy of such an honour?"

"No, but-"

"That they are too good for us?"

"Tom please-"

"Listen to me Shadow. You and I are more worthy than any other. These thrones came to us by a sign, and I do not want to be the one to destroy that."

"Tom! Just lis-"

Let us talk no more of this, Shadow. Come, I will walk you back to the turret. The ball will be soon."

Walking along with Tom, Shadow felt unsettled. She had followed Tom up to the stage, sat down, and then risen. Tom looked oddly triumphant... he was defiantly up to something, and Shadow felt insecure around him now. He seemed to know too much about her, about this place... and she realised she couldn't even remember who she was anymore...

"I will come and collect you at 8:00pm for the ball. Don't leave the turret, it may ruin the surprise I have for you." He simply kissed her goodbye, and left, closing the heavy wooden door behind him. He slid over the bolts and chains, securing it completely, and then conjured a sealing spell on the door, walls, and rest of the turret. She was his. He planned to make her stay that way.

She stared at her reflection one last time. Someone else stared back at her. Someone with gently curled hair styled into a delicate bun, wild strands coming loose already. Someone wearing a tiara that framed her face perfectly, bringing out the colour in her eyes. Someone wearing a dress that fitted perfectly, and was gently glowing a dark evergreen. Her treasured necklace caught her eye, and she reached up, to twist it in her grip. She was nervous, and had no idea why.

It was, after all, only Tom's friends. Yet something deep deep down told her to be wary... of what, she didn't know.

There was a knock at the door, and Tom appeared, wearing expensive looking black robes. He smiled.

"Good god Shadow! You look incredible!"

"Incredible-good or incredible-bad?"

"Incredible-good! Let's go dear."

The pair left the warmth of the tower behind, and arrived at the entrance to one of the great halls within the depths of the castle. Tom nodded encouragingly, pecked her on the cheek, and opened the door lazily, with his wand. The masked crowd inside instantly hushed, and hundreds of eyes followed her as they made their way to the stage at the far end of the hall, where the two thrones sat, facing the small crowd. Everyone in the room was silently respectful.

Tom led her up the stage steps, towards the thrones, and motioned for her to sit at the right hand side. The two figures faced the crowd of men and women, their faces hid behind their sleek ball masks, all dressed in dress robes and ball gowns.

"I extend out tonight a large welcome to you all, and hope you will all join me by welcoming my dearest Shadow into our 'circle' of 'acquaintances'." The crowd politely murmured in agreement. "Indeed, these times are hard, and many of us have fallen, fighting for what we believe in, the protection of our bloodlines, the cleansing of our race, and the ultimate goal for supremacy!" The crowd roared, hands thrown up in the air, all pride forgotten.

Shadow was shocked; such a display of emotion after several minutes of cold hard anticipation had come as a surprise. She had little time to compose herself, as Tom was speaking again, and again the crowd went wild.

Once Tom had finished speaking to the crowd, he nodded at Shadow, and rose. Shadow followed, frowning, and he led her out of the hall.

"Why aren't I meeting anyone?"

"I feel you aren't ready yet."

"But-"

"Come, Shadow. I have somewhere I'd like to show you." He took her arm, and led her down the hallway. They arrived, sometime later, at two large blackened stone doors. He placed his hand on a panel, and the doors creaked open, revealing a short stone corridor, empty, with a small door at the end.

"Where are we?"

"My private chambers."

Through that door, was a simple room, where, what appeared to be a guard sat, on a wooden bench, wand at the ready. He suddenly rose, and bowed, and pointed his wand at a stretch of wall. A simple door appeared, and they continued.

Now the pair was inside a cosy room, similar to the lounge in the turret, and similar in design. Except instead of the red and gold, the furnishings were green, and pale silver.

"Ah. Much better." He had striped off his robes, and collapsed onto one of the chairs, wearing only his open shirt, and trousers.

"Come on, darling. Sit, relax, we are safe, and warm, and have each other." Shadow obeyed, sliding gracefully onto a settee. She leant down, and unbuckled her shoes reaching up and pulling the tiara from her hair. The elegant bun fell from its fastenings, midnight hair cascading round her shoulders. She brushed it with her fingers, away from her face, deep in thought.

"Tom?"

"Yes, m'dear"

"W-why have you done all this for me? Why have you gone to all this trouble, for me, yet you treat me as if I am some china doll you need to keep safe?" he moved, as quick as a flash, to her side, on the settee.

"You and I both know the reason why, Shadow."

Flashes of a memory came back, as their eyes locked, and lips gently brushed together. That familiar sense of regretful belonging and adoration that seemed to flow out from her mind, as she was gently pushed back, and the searing kiss deepened. And then the real memories came.

"Come on Shadow, please! Just for a week!"

"No, Dad, I'm busy!"

"For Christmas? Too busy to come over for Christmas?"

"Yes, dad. Too busy for Christmas!"

"Maybe some other time then?"

"Whatever. I'll see."

"Shadow!"

"What now, Sirius?"

"Why do you treat your dad like something you stepped in?"

"Why does this concern you?"

"Because I know your dad deserves better"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Yeah, Shadow. And you have no idea what he's been though!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. More than you deserve to know."

"Shadow. I can make them all go away, just let me in."

"No, I'm still not so sure..."

"Aww come on. How bad can it be?"

"I still don't know..."

"I can make all those you feel superior to realise your power, your beauty, your grip of power... just let me in."

"But the blackness is coming in and I can't make sense of it."

"It's just me Shadow. Just the one you know you can't stop loving..."

"And who are you? Your face is lighting up the darkness."

"My face is the darkness. Your own power lets you see it."

"But who are you?"

"Tom."

A/N: ok, sorry people. That took ages to write, I have been soooooo busy! Ack, damn you coursework!