Soulmate AU. The pairing is fem Harry (Morrigan)/Tom Riddle with a twist. Be aware that this Tom Riddle is quite similar to his canon self and already has two Horcruxes of which one is mentioned in this story. There will be no happy end for the both of them...
PS: I borrowed some names from Alexandre Dumas. :P
The first thing her eyes acknowledged was a blinding white light. The second thing was the familiarity of the Hogwarts Infirmary. The third was her friend Hermione Granger right beside her. Groaning, Morrigan Potter sat up. It was a bad idea because her head was hurting quite badly and everything around her started spinning. Thus, said witch laid down again.
"What happened?" She whispered with a hoarse voice.
"I asked myself the same question." Morrigan sat up again and spun her head around quite viciously. It was a bad idea. A very bad idea. Morrigan groaned and pressed her palms against her forhead, trying and failing to will the pain away.
"Professor Dumbledore!", she croaked but fell silent again as soon as she saw him. His auburn coloured hair was glinting in the sunlight. He looked so much younger than she remembered him being.
"You seem to know me but I do not know you. Care to enlighten me, Miss?"
"Potter. Morrigan Potter."
"A Potter. And one I am not acquainted with. How curious!"
"Yes. Quite so. Before I explain myself can you possibly tell me to-days date?"
"To-day is the 4th day of July, 1944." He said, his eyes twinkling merrily. "And your question answers some of mine. Want to tell me what happened?"
"Much. And many of those things I can and will not tell you. But how I came to be here…" She trailed of. "I am not sure. We-" here she pointed to her friend. "-Hermione Granger and myself- have been fighting a nasty battle in Hogsmeade. Against a Dark Lord and his followers. A Dark Lord who made it his goal in life to kill me because of a prophecy he once heard around the time I was born. Well, as I said, we have been fighting and – somehow – have been hit by an unknown, silent stray curse. The next thing I know is waking up here."
"I found the both of you in Hogsmeade Village. You were bleeding heavily so I called some elves to help getting you to the infirmary. Our Matron has healed your wounds, needing many potions in doing so and you have been unconscious these past five days."
"Well…Thank you, Professor, for finding and rescuing us."
"You are quite welcome, Miss Morrigan." He got up then to call the Mediwitch. "I will leave you to your lunch and will drop by later!" She gave him a smile and a wave before the Matron stormed over to bring her food and check over her wounds once more.
Some hours later – the sun was already setting – Morrigan heard Hermione groan next to her. She placed the book the Matron had given her - it was about healing because she had nothing else in her office - on the sidetable and pushed herself up on her elbows.
"Morrigan?" Her friend asked quietly. "Are you there?"
"Of course, Mione. Where else should I be?" She chuckled softly.
"Well. Maybe unhurt for once… And not in the infirmary."
"Not likely to ever happen!" Hermione laughed softly before sitting up.
"How long have you been awake."
"Long enough for Professor Dumbledore to talk to me and the Matron – Madam Lobosa – to check my wounds thrice."
"Madam Lobosa? What happened to Madam Pomfrey?"
"Well. She is still in Hogwarts. In her second year, I believe, come autumn."
"You are joking!"
"No, I sadly am not. Somehow, we have been thrown into the past. Professor Dumbledore stated that to-day is the 4th of July 1944."
"Tell me you are serious!"
"No, I am not Sirius. He was my uncle. But yes, I am afraid, that it is true."
"How do we get back?" Hermione asked her friend. Morrigan absentmindedly looked at her left arm.
"I am afraid that we cannot return." An elegant snake tattoo was curled around her left wrist. It was drawn in great detail and reminded her a lot of Nagini – Voldemort's familiar. She had had the tattoo as long as she could think and believed it to be a rare soulmate mark. Not everyone had one. And those that had one mostly wore it proudly and exhibited it for everyone to see. Morrigan – who suspected Tom Riddle to be her soulmate – always told her friends that it was just a normal tattoo. That it was insignificant. They believed her.
"Why are you so certain? Maybe the Headmaster will find a way!"
"Professor Dumbledore will not be Headmaster until the year 46. And I do not know if we can trust Professor Dippet."
"Than we have to find a way back by ourselves. You are a natural in Runes and Arithmancy. And I love to research. Thus, we can team up and research."
"If it only would be this easy." Morrigan sighted and leaned back.
Just after dinner Professor Dumbledore returned and talked about their imminent future. He insisted that they retook their OWLs and that they also sat the exams their future year mates took this June. Furthermore, he told them that they could not stay at Hogwarts after being healed completely and that they had to relocate to the Leaky Cauldron where he had already rented them a room each.
He also told Morrigan that she probably should change her name because being a Potter would be quite suspicious. The purebloods knew each other very well after all. She promised to visit Gringotts as soon as possible.
It took them another week to heal completely. Dumbledore then accompanied them to Diagon Alley and gave them some money from the Hogwarts funds, advising them to buy everything needed to study for their exams and OWLs. They would be in two weeks' time. He then left them on their own. Hermione instantly stormed Flourish and Blotts while Morrigan walked to the bank to get an inheritance test done.
"Welcome, Miss. What can Gringotts do for you?" The goblin on the front desk asked condescendingly.
"I need to take an inheritance test." The goblin peered at her from his desk.
"Well. Sharpclaw will take you to antechamber 8." He rang a bell and soon another quite unfriendly looking goblin appeared.
"If you will follow me, Miss." She nodded and trailed behind the petite – but probably very vicious – goblin. He led her through a small labyrinth of hallways and staircases until they finally stopped in front of – what seemed to be – antechamber 8. He opened the door and led her inside. She sat down on the offered chair while he walked around the table and took his place. A nasty grin on his face.
"Well, Miss. You need an inheritance test?"
"Yes."
"Why exactly do you need one? You do not seem to be one of those muggleborn witches."
"Well. There has been a slight mishap with time Master Sharpclaw. I have been fighting for my life one moment and the next I was hit with something and was thrown back in time. I am the daughter of James Potter and Lily Black but claiming either name in this timeline is quite impossible. If I am right, my grandmother has graduated this June and my parents will not be born before 1960."
"I see. This is truly an unfortunate situation but I will help you sort it out." He got up and went looking for a ritual knife and a piece of parchment. When he found what he was searching, he sat back down and gave her the knife.
"You have to cut your palm and let ten drops of blood fall onto this parchment. It has been charmed by us and will proceed to show you your ancestors."
"I thank you, Master Sharpclaw." She took the knife and followed his instructions. After the blood had dropped onto the parchment they placed it in the middle of the table and waited. Small lines and names appeared on the sheet until her family tree was completed and Morrigan took it back into her hands.
"Well. It seems to me, that I have two options. I either take the Gryffindor Name or the Peverell Name."
"Hm. I always new the Potters had a long and old history. But I never new that they were indeed related to the Peverell's. This is quite surprising. And-" here he looked at her parents name. "this is truly extraordinary." After a few minutes of silence he got up and walked to a large cabinet on the back wall. "You are in luck, Miss Morrigan. We recently acquired a rare ring. Some deranged wizard sold it to us to make some sorely needed liquid money. We paid him 50 Gallons." He pulled out a drawer and picked something up. "It so happens to belong to you, no matter if you choose to take the Peverell-Name or not." When he returned, a golden ring with a black stone was lying in his hands. She instantly recognised it. In her timeline, Voldemort had used it to make a Horcrux out of it. Albus Dumbledore had also explained that the ring was quite old and was – together with her cloak of invisibility - what was called a Deathly Hallow. One of three items that are rumoured to belong to death.
"I believe I will take on the Peverell Name. It may be older but it is much less recognisable in the magical world. Seeing that it officially died out around 1550 when it merged with the Potter Name. Only few will know the importance of the Name. On the contrary to the Gryffindor Name. Everyone will know it and I will be talked about a lot."
Sharpclaw passed the ring over to her and Morrigan studied it carefully. The Peverell coat of Arms was at the bottom of the stone. A triangle, a circle and a line. She then placed the ring on her left middle finger and looked at Sharpclaw.
"I thank you, my friend!" She said with a smile.
"You are welcome, Lady Morrigan. Or is it Lady Peverell now?" He said with a sharp smile. "We will take the money out of your new vault, by the way."
"And rightly so!" She got up and offered his hand. Sharpclaw took it.
"I will order another goblin to take you to your vault. It has the number 7. Seeing that it is one of the oldest vaults in our bank. Beware of the dragons!"
"Dragons. Really?"
"Oh yes. And you can only open the door with a mix of your blood and your magical signature." He handed her the knife again. "Keep it because you need it every time you want to open it. Besides, it is a goblin forged blade and quite useful later on."
"Thank you, Sharpclaw. May your enemies always falter before your might!"
"And may yours cry out in fear of your prowess." She bowed her head and left. Outside another goblin waited to take her down to her vault.
After her visit with Gringotts, she met Hermione in Flourish and Blotts and bought whatever book she needed for the exams. Hermione already had many books in her cart and was engrossed in "101 Household Charms and their use for Defence"
"Hey, have you got everything?" She asked her friend.
"Yes. I have been waiting for you." Hermione checked her watch. "I didn't think it would take you less than an hour."
"Well, the goblins do not dally much. And I only took some money out of my vault. All those books have to wait for another time."
"You have books in your vault."
"Yes. Family Grimoires and so forth."
"Cool. Can I read them sometime? They are surely very interesting and informative."
"I believe they are but sadly only members of my family are allowed to read them seeing that they contain many family secrets and magics."
"Hmpf. Those are some stupid rules. Can you not make an exception?"
"I think not. They are keyed to blood and magic. Sorry, Mione."
"Well, I can't change it anyway. What family have you chosen?"
"The Peverells. Old name. Not very well known."
"Never heard of it. Or even read about them. Are they very important?"
"Not at all." She lied. "Compared to Gryffindor, the other name I could have chosen."
"Gryffindor? You are related to Godric Gryffindor?"
"Yepp! I thought you knew?"
"No. I didn't. Why did you not take it?"
"How do you explain the sudden reappearance of a name that vanished in 1436 after Rolanda Gryffindor – the last living heir of Godric Gryffindor – wedded Horatio Potter."
"You may be right for once." Her friend got up and together they went to pay for their books. They visited the magical menagerie where Hermione bought herself a regal looking barn owl – she called him Hermes – while Morrigan found herself a familiar. A black Mountain Jackdaw. She named her Badb.
The bird found her favourite place on Morrigan's shoulder. The only time she flew away was during her hunting and while delivering messages to Dumbledore.
At the End of July – a few days before her 17th birthday – they sat their OWLs – practical and theoretical – and the standard 6th year examinations. Seeing that she took her OWLs the second time, Morrigan scored high marks. Mostly O's and a few EE's in between. (Like History, Astronomy and Herbology). In her other exams she got O's in Transfiguration, Charms, Defence against the Dark Arts, Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures. She outscored Hermione in Runes and Arithmancy, where she received the highest marks possible – she had inherited the Potters affinity for Runes and Numbers. In her other subjects – Potions, Herbology, Astronomy and Healing – she only scored EE's while even getting an A in History and Divination. Hermione got straight O's. Like always.
"We should think about a background story, Morrigan. We cannot go to Hogwarts without answers prepared for the many questions we will surely receive." Hermione sat down at the table Morrigan had occupied for breakfast.
"Yes… well. You probably thought about something already, did you not?"
"Quite right. Well I thought about my parents being a muggleborn and a halfblood. It makes it more realistic and less prominent. My father – Dan Granger, an American wizard – met my Mother – Emma Morgenrot, an Austrian muggleborn, during a train ride to London. Both of them were on a holiday in 1920 and liked each other from the start. They met regularly during their trip and fell in love. My father – having lost his family during the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 – followed Emma to Austria and courted her officially before wedding her in 1922. I had an elder brother, who was born in 1924. Both of us had been home schooled because of the starting muggle war and Grindelwald's rise to power. But this summer, we had to flee the country. During our flight, Grindelwald's men caught us. My parents and Christian, my elder brother, were killed while I was able to hide and flee. I met you on my way through France. You were also fleeing your country and we decided to seek sanctuary in Hogwarts which was far away from the muggle war and Grindelwald."
"I am impressed. Good story. Nobody can doubt it. And if they do, they cannot proof it to be a lie. Mine is a bit simpler. My father was a squib – Frederik Peverell – who lived in a small village in southern France. He met my mother – Mercedes Dantes, daughter of Lord Edmond Dantes and Lady Francesca Sarotti, both issues of a noble pureblood line – in the summer of 1926 during a ball Lord Dantes was giving. They fell in love but mum's parents prohibited a union because my father was a squib. They met secretly and loved each other arduously. Mercedes found out that she was with child somewhere during Christmas and told her parents. But instead of wedding them, they told everyone that their daughter was terribly sick and locked her away in the manor. She gave birth to me in July 1927 and as soon as I was out of her womb I was shipped of to my father to be raised.
My mother was then married of to Fernand Mondego, a notorious and rich pureblood of noble parentage. It broke her heart. And she died ten years later after birthing an heir and a spare. My father raised me at home – having not enough money to send me off to school. This spring Grindelwald reached out to him – seeing that he carried the name Peverell – to discuss some secret business with him. My father refused and was killed brutally but not before he had made me flee the country. I met you and we both went to Scotland."
"So, you are a pureblood?"
"Yepp. My father was from a long line of squibs and my mother was a prominent pureblood witch."
"But how can you lend your story any credibility. If someone digs into it they will soon find out that your family does not even exist. Should you not make them halfbloods or something?"
"No. The families are quite real indeed. Even Frederik Peverell existed and was listed as my father in my inheritance test." She placed the paper in front of Hermione. "I AM the illegitimate daughter of Mercedes Mondego, nee Dantes and Frederik Peverell. Sometimes, time and fate work in quite mysterious ways."
"But how can they be your parents? I though Lily and James Potter to be yours."
"They are in our original timeline. But here and now they are not. They are not even born yet. How could they be my parents? Thus, fate thought to give me new ones."
"This is quite singular. I never heard of anything like it."
"I guess that it rarely happens at all."
"But if your father is Frederik Peverell why did you ever think about Gryffindor or any other name."
"Because I did not know that he was my father until I made the inheritance test." She said pensively. "And if you look down the line you find my great-grandmother Evangeline Potter, a squib who was raised in the manor but was married of to Cesario Malfoy – another squib. They moved to France where their daughter Celeste Malfoy married Corvus Peverell, my grandfather. And through Evangeline I AM related to Gryffindor." Morrigan chuckled. "It seems like – no matter when and where I am – I will always be a Potter in some way."
"Lucky you." Hermione muttered and pushed the parchment back to her friend before sipping her tea quietly. After some time, they started talking about the current curriculum and the students they would meet. Morrigan was glad that she did not ask anything else about Grindelwald and his strange obsession with the Peverell's. She would have hated to lie to her friend. During their talk she also kept quiet about Tom Riddle, whom she knew to be their future classmate.
In late August, they received their list for school and went into the alley to shop some more. During her visit to the apothecary – Hermione was still at Madam Malkins being measured for her uniform – she met him for the first time. He entered the shop with his list in his hand and Morrigan recognized him instantly. A slight scowl appeared on her face and she retreated into the back of the apothecary. But bad luck would have them meet. Tom – who did not notice her in time – ran into her and made Morrigan spill all her ingredients on the floor before crashing down herself.
"I am so sorry!" He said with his smooth, rich voice. He wasn't sorry at all. "I didn't see you!" He held out his hand for her to take. Morrigan stared at it for some time before she took it and was pulled up.
"Do not worry about me!" said she calmly while swishing her wand and picking up her ingredients and jars.
"Are you new? I have not met you before."
"Yes. I have been living in France until some months ago."
"You speak a remarkably good English with only a slight accent."
"My family hails from Britain." She noticed that he still kept a hold on her hand. "Morrigan Peverell. Nice to meet you!" She forced a saccharin smile onto her face.
"Tom Riddle. Headboy and Slytherin. The pleasure is mine." He said smoothly. Morrigan freed her hand, nodded shortly and walked over to the counter to pay for her ingredients. Tom continued to collect his but she noticed him watching her. Wonderful. Just what she needed. Tom Riddle being curious about her. She placed some Galleons on the counter and left as fast as humanly possible. Hoping against hope that Tom Riddle would forget her.
She met with Hermione and managed to avoid him for the rest of their trip. Afterwards they returned to the cauldron and spent their days learning and reading the new material.
"You never told me that You-Know-Who would be in our year." Hermione scolded her after she saw the young Slytherin on the Platform.
"I repressed it. Hoping that he would magically disappear." Lied she.
"He looks quite handsome!"
"I know. But he is the devil in disguise."
"When did he start becoming Voldemort?"
"During school. I believe in his sixth year. It is when he found and opened the chamber of secrets."
"Maybe he is still salvageable."
"I wish you luck trying. But promise me not to fall for his false charms and honeyed words."
"I will not fall in love with Tom Riddle!" Hermione promised her good-humouredly and opened her transfiguration book. But not five minutes later she closed it again and look at her friend. "Do you think that I could make it into Slytherin?"
"If the hat deems you ambitious and cunning enough then yes. You may be a Muggleborn but no one else except me knows it. It would surely be funny. And it would probably be quite hilarious if I could see Draco's reaction to your being sorted into the house of the pure." Morrigan snickered while Hermione laughed loudly. Someone knocked on their door. Both girls stopped laughing and turned around. A young man that looked remarkably like her uncle Sirius entered their compartment.
"The Headboy mentioned a new girl and I find two instead." He said good-naturedly. "My name is Alphard Black and you must be Morrigan Peverell!" He said, offering her his hand. Morrigan smiled politely and placed her hand in his. He raised it to his lips and kissed it softly. "A pleasure to meet you."
"The pleasure is all mine, Alphard!" she exclaimed happily. "But please meet my friend Hermione Granger. We met a few months ago on our trip to Hogwarts." He turned to Hermione and offered her a kind smile.
"Pray tell why such lovely maidens need to travel to Hogwarts by foot."
"We have both been victims of Grindelwald's reign. Our families have been killed and we had to flee the country. I am a native Austrian and my friend is French." Hermione offered him as an explanation. Alphard's mien darkened after hearing the Germans name.
"I dislike him greatly. Our whole family does. We do not agree with his ideals at all. And I am sorry for your loss! I…" But before he could continue the door slid open again to reveal Riddle and some of his friends.
"Ah, Alphard, Miss Peverell. How nice to meet you again!" He said smoothly. They entered their compartment. "Please meet my friends –" Are they truly? – she thought "- Malveus Nott, Evan Rosier and Rodolphus Lestrange." The three young men bowed their head in greeting before sitting down. Morrigan nodded in their direction and introduced her friend. Having never heard her Name – Granger – they asked her about her heritage and were quite satisfied about her having a decent family background.
Of course, they were asked about their pasts and their sudden appearance in the Kingdom. But their stories were interesting and credible enough to believe and thus they had much to talk about to fill the remaining hours until their arrival in Hogsmeade.
They were sorted before the new first years were lead into the Great Hall. Hermione was placed – surprisingly – in Slytherin while Morrigan was sorted into the same house she had been in before. Ravenclaw. She joined her classmates and had some friendly and refreshing conversation with Corban Yaxley and Augustus Rookwood – of all people.
The weeks flew by and Morrigan got used to Hogwarts again. Yaxley and Rookwood became her friends while all the other Ravenclaws kept their distance. They were often found in the library, reading or composing their essays. Sometimes they used an empty classroom to practice their wandwork or simply enjoyed their days on the shores of the lake.
Sadly, Morrigan saw her closest friend less and less. She integrated herself in Slytherin and tried to become like them. A cold and distant witch. She soon belonged to a group of girls who adored Tom Riddle – Morrigan thought of it as a fan club – and followed him everywhere. She suspected that her friend was seriously crushing on the Headboy. Surprisingly, the Blacks were not amongst Riddle's lackeys. Alphard – who had also become a close friend of Morrigans – had told her that – although he was the heir of Slytherin – he would only be an acquaintance or ally. Nothing more. Riddle wanted followers. But the Blacks bowed to no one. The remaining Blacks – Orion, Cygnus and Cedrella – also followed Alphard's example and had befriended Morrigan. She even received Mail from her already graduated "grandmother" – Walburga. Surprisingly Charlus Potter and the two years younger Abraxas Malfoy had also offered her their hand in friendship after tracing back her linage and discovering that she was family. The Potters invited her to stay at their manor during the Yule break and the Malfoys invited her to their annual Yule Ball.
Albus Dumbledore invited her regularly to some tea and conversation and Horace Slughorn was intrigued enough to invite her to his Slug Club. Luckily, she managed to persuade Professor Dumbledore to accidentally time their little meetings whenever Professor Slughorn had one of his. Sadly, the Potions Master managed to uncover her free Saturdays and thus she had to participate in some of his gatherings.
During her time with the Deputy Headmaster she learned a great deal about his past – the horrible happenings with his sister Ariana and his former friendship with Gellert Grindelwald who – more or less – destroyed his family and his relationship with his brother Aberforth. He also thought her the more complex aspects of transfiguration – after finding out that she wanted to become a wandmaker – and some alchemy. He also set up a correspondence between her and Garrick Ollivander, the wandmaker in Diagon Alley.
"Morrigan, may I have a moment." They had just finished ancient runes – the last lesson before the start of their yule break. To-morrow she would return to London with Charlus and Alphard and join the Potters for some weeks. She sighed softly and cleared her face of any emotions.
"Of course, Tom!" She said coolly and turned around to face him. The other students had already left. Only Hermione still lingered at the door. Waiting for Tom. "How may I help you?"
"Always so distant and avoiding me. I slowly get the feeling that you do not like me at all."
"Would you care?" She asked bluntly.
"Of course I care. Why shouldn't I?" He looked slightly hurt.
"Because I am wholly unconnected to you. And probably never will be. I have my friends. You have yours. If one can call them friends at all. They are more like followers for you, are they not?" He looked at her strangely.
"Did Alphard poison you against me? The Blacks do not like me quite that much although I haven't found out why, yet."
"I wouldn't have guessed." She said dryly. "Alphard didn't poison my mind, if you want to know. I do watch you interacting with your friends occasionally, Sluggy's parties offer many opportunities. It isn't how I would treat my friends." A strange expression darkened his handsome face.
"I see. But that was not what I wanted to talk to you about." He cleared his face and his charming smile reappeared. "You are invited to Malfoys Ball, aren't you?"
"I am indeed."
"And I happen to know that you still have no one to accompany you."
"That may be correct, too."
"I also happen to have an invitation and am lacking a partner. Hence, I want to ask you, if you will be my date for the evening."
"Why do you ask me? There are many girls probably more willing to accompany you to such an exclusive event, like Margot Droope, Druella Rosier, Iolantha Gamp or even Hermione over there."
"I want you at my side. Not them." Morrigan heard her former friend gaps and knew that she was probably eavesdropping.
"Why? What am I to you?" He grasped her left arm and pushed her sleeve up. Morrigan stared darkly at her mark.
"Because of this." He pulled her closer. "We belong together, Morrigan!" He hissed dangerously. "You carry my mark while I carry yours." His free hand rolled his sleeve up to reveal his mark.
"A raven and a ring." She offered. "Why are you sure that I am your significant other? It could be anyone."
"This ring looks exactly like the one you always wear while Morrigan – the Irish goddess – is also connected with ravens. And this-" he pointed to the lightning bolt on the ravens forehead "- adorns your forehead."
"Even if I am your soulmate. It means nothing. I dislike you immensely and you only want me around because I bear your mark. You would not even think about me otherwise."
"You assume quite a lot!"
"And am I wrong?" He watched her carefully. "You do not do love, Tom. You abhor it. You believe it to be a weakness." She hissed threateningly. "So why in Circe's name do you want to court me?"
"Because you are MINE!" He roared possessively and pulled her closer. "And I always claim what is mine."
"Unhand me, Tom." She spat venomously. "I will never belong to you. I am a human being and not some pretty trinket you can place in your cabinet." She tried pushing him away but he trapped her in his arms.
"I will never let you go again. You are MINE!" He claimed her mouth with force, bruising her lips and drawing blood. Desperate, Morrigan summoned her wand into her right hand and banished him. He crashed against the wall and gave Morrigan the chance to flee the room, leaving a gaping Hermione in her wake.
"Why have you done that?" Hermione cornered her in the train the next day. "If Tom Riddle asks something of you, you do not refuse him!"
"And why shouldn't I? I do not care for him at all, Hermione." Morrigan said furiously. "I never have."
"But he is your soulmate!" She cried.
"So what?" Morrigan balled her hands into fists and smashed on of them lightly against the wall. "I never wanted to be and I do not care."
"How can you be so cruel? Only very few people are lucky enough to have a soulmate not to mention even fewer find theirs."
"As long as he keeps behaving like this I will not even think about giving him a chance, Hermione. I want to live! And not be caged in a toxic relationship. I want my future husband to respect me, to love me instead of seeing me as nothing more than an item that is nice to have but nothing more."
"It's a pity that he is your soulmate. I would have taken him in a heartbeat."
"You and his fan club. You all fell to his charm and his honeyed words and his oh so heavenly blue eyes, right? And let me guess: he is sooo talented and related to…" She stopped abruptly, remembering that only very few people even knew that he was the heir of Slytherin. And it would probably be a bad idea to scream it out loud in a train full of children and young adults. They would remember otherwise and forever connect the Dark Lord Voldemort with his oh so hated muggle name. "You know what? Go to him and try to dry the tears he surely is crying at the moment over his great loss. Maybe, if you're lucky, he will ask you to be his date to the Malfoys Ball and even make you to his prize girlfriend for a few weeks." She turned around and walked a few feet ere turning around again. "No, wait. Tom Riddle doesn't do girlfriends!" She whipped around again and stormed off to find her friends Corban, Augustus and Alphard. But she did not get far because Tom Riddle suddenly blocked her way.
"Just what I needed. The high Lord himself!" She mocked. He looked at her strangely.
"Someone seems to be in a very dark mood, today."
"Oh, really? Nice of you to notice."
"What made you so bitter towards me, Morrigan?" She looked, truly looked, into his face for the first time since meeting him. His blue eyes were watching her keenly.
"You really have to ask, Lord Voldemort?" He gasped and lowered his face closer to hers until his lips nearly touched her ears.
"And how did you come by that name?" He hissed quietly while also caging her between the wall and himself.
"There are little birds everywhere, Tom. And they can sing so beautifully." He pulled back and stared into her eyes. Morrigan's walls were up instantly.
"You surprise me, Morrigan." A smirk appeared on his lips. "I never thought you to be like this. Dark, feisty, intriguing."
"Well, what did you expect? Someone meek? Or someone easily manipulated by a smile and friendly words."
"No. But nothing like this either. I knew that you had claws but having your own network of spies is completely new and unexpected. Who knew you had it in you?" His fingers touched her cheek, caressing it in a strangely tender way. "We fit so wonderfully together. It is like we are made for each other. How can you not see?"
"Tom. Please don't…" But he had claimed her lips again, alas this time not as brutal as the day before. Morrigan tried to push him away but he pressed her only closer against the wall, his hand keeping her face fixed in place. Morrigan closed her eyes, hoping and praying to Hecate, that he would let her go soon. He did, only to lean his forehead against hers.
"Be my date, Morrigan, please! And let me show you that I can be a decent man." She sighed heavily. If she said yes, he would win. If she said no, he would not let her go until he had forced her to agree.
"Very well. Have your date, Tom. I am staying at Potter Manor and await you to pick me up at 7 o'clock sharp! Not a minute earlier or later." He seemed to be quite stunned and enabled her to finally push him away. "I will be wearing an emerald green dress, maybe you will find something matching!" She tossed her dark, wild, black locks over her shoulder and left him standing in the middle of the hallway.
"What took you so long?" Alphard asked, as soon as she entered their compartment.
"I was at first stopped and lectured by Hermione and after that I was cornered by Riddle." The three boys looked at her quite concerned.
"He did not hurt you?" Corban asked.
"No. Unless you compare kissing someone with hurting someone."
"He kissed you again? Did he learn nothing?" Augustus said angrily.
"Obviously not." She leaned back, sighing softly. "Only because I wear his stupid mark doesn't mean he can touch or kiss me whenever he wants. I do not love him. I do not even like him."
"And I do not envy you." Alphard said. "I hope, for your sake, that he will change his cruel, bigoted policy at least a little. Rejecting your soulmate will probably do you no good in the long run, I think so at least. I never knew someone who had a soulmate and there is nearly no literature about it. You could be lucky and just have a jealous other who tries to destroy every relationship you take up."
"I know. But, to be honest, I do not want this relationship at all. I never did." She looked at her friends.
"You have to choose on day."
"Yes, but I do not know what to choose. A terrible relationship with a man I do not like and respect or a hopefully happier one without him." She sighed again. "By the way, I had to agree to be his date."
"I truly do not envy you, my dear!" Alphard chuckled softly. "How will you survive that evening?"
"I do not know, my friend. I hoped that you would help me out!"
"You can count on us." Corban said. "We will at least dance with you twice. Each. He cannot keep you to himself all evening. And he knows that we are friends."
"Thanks guys! You are my save heaven!"
"And maybe there will be some guy to sweep you of your feet."
"Only time will tell." They laughed and changed the topic to their difficult charms essay.
Her holidays were lovely. The Potters made her feel at home and tried to give her the family she had lost, including her in every ridiculous family tradition they had. Myriah Potter had taken her to the alley for some Christmas shopping and to get her dress for the ball. Hardwyn Potter had taken her aside and given her the Potter Family Grimoire for her to read, ere he led her to their duelling room to practice all the magic. Charlus joined them quite often and was a well-matched duelling partner for her. Whenever they did not train, the young adults sat around the manor and relaxed themselves.
Christmas itself was a very happy occasion. For two whole days she forgot that she came from the future and enjoyed the holiday with the Potters wholly. She also forgot Tom Riddle and the Yule Ball. Only after Myriah sent her to her room to get dressed, did she remember. An elf was helping her with her hair and her make up. Her black hair was tied in her neck into an elegant knot, while she had soft finger waves on her head. She was wearing only a very light make up to bring out her eyes and high cheekbones. Her dress was matched by a fine, black cloak and black heels. Silver earrings with the Peverell crest adorned her ears and a silver bracelet was on her delicate wrist. Morrigan found that she like the vintage look on her more than the simple ponytail or a braid.
A few minutes to six, she went down into the drawing room to wait there with the Potters. To her misfortune, Tom was just in time and matched her colours perfectly. He charmed the Potters – except Charlus – and together they flood to the Malfoys manor in Wiltshire.
"You look truly ravishing, my dear!" Tom complimented her, a cold but coveting look in his eyes. Morrigan raised her delicate brow.
"Thank you, Tom." She backed away slightly. "Let us greet the hosts ere I go looking for my friends."
"A capital idea!" He offered his arm, which she reluctantly took, and together they went over to greet the Malfoys. Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy were delighted to see her and directed her, and sadly Tom also, over to a large group of Ministry workers to introduce to. She shook many hands and learned many new names and smiled at them all very politely. After some minutes, she took her leave of them – including Tom, who was engaged in a conversation with Mr. Nott Senior – and went looking for her friends, wandering around the rooms for at least a quarter of an hour.
"I find it terribly rude of your partner to leave you all on your own so soon in the evening." Morrigan spun around. A tall and handsome man was leaning against the wall, a glass in his hand. He had dark, brown hair that greyed slightly at his temples. She guessed him to be in his late forties, early fifties – still young for a wizard.
"I do not mind at all, Sir. I do not like him very much but he asked me out and, seeing that there was no one else, I agreed to be his partner for tonight."
"Please, don't call me Sir, it makes me sound so old." He walked over to her side, taking her right hand in his. "Theseus Scamander at your service!" She gasped. The war hero and bachelor brother of the famous magizoologist Newt Scamander.
"Morrigan Peverell." She bowed her head in a greeting. He smiled and kissed the back of her hand.
The Malfoys opened the ball around eight o'clock in the evening. Tom, who was still talking to some acquaintance of his, did not notice and thus, Theseus asked her to dance. They waltzed across the dance floor and turned many heads, for Theseus Scamander was a wonderful dancer. Morrigan enjoyed herself fully until Tom Riddle suddenly noticed that his partner was dancing with someone else. He took his leave of his 'friends' and went to fetch his partner.
"I beg your pardon, good Sir, but would you be so kind to release my partner. I would so gladly want to dance with her.". Morrigan whirled around, her hand near her hidden wand, her eyes fixed on Tom, looking ready to fight.
"You neglected her for more than two hours, Mr. Riddle. It is very impolite to do so."
"What I do and don't is none of your business, Sir. She is my partner, not yours." Tom then grabbed her left arm, making her flinch. "Do you know what that is?" He turned her arm around, showing him her mark. Theseus raised an eyebrow but nodded once.
"It is a soulmate mark. MY soulmate mark." He looked at Morrigan quite arrogantly. "She belongs to me. Magic made her only for me and it honours me to be blessed like this."
"And I hate it. I have never wanted it." Morrigan hissed angrily, pulling her arm out of his grip. "I would rather die than be yours for all eternity."
"You have such a vigorous spirit and strong will!" He raised two of his fingers and caressed her cheek possessively. "But I will break it and make you mine!"
"Oh, you won't!" She shoved his hand away. "You bastard!" Morrigan turned around and stalked out of the room, her head held high. Theseus eyed his inherently evil grin with disgust and followed her.
He found her outside, walking circles in the snow near the fountain. Morrigan turned around as soon as she heard him approaching, her wand drawn.
"Are you well, Morrigan?" He asked, his voice full of concern. She lowered her wand and put it bak to where it had been.
"Yes, as well as I can be. How dare he?" She stopped pacing and looked at him. "Theseus, can you do me a favour."
"Anything, Morrigan, as long as it is in my power to help you."
"I need to take my NEWT's ere the new year dawns. I cannot stay in Hogwarts any longer. It is not safe anymore, even with Professor Dumbledore there to protect me."
"I can arrange that but what will you do then?"
"Originally, I always dreamed of becoming a maker of wands and apprentice under Garrick Ollivander. But it seems that those whishes have to be postponed to the distant future. If you will have me, I will gladly join your team, Theseus. I need all the training I can get or I won't be able to protect myself from him and you are the best!" He pulled her into his arms and placed his chin on her hair.
"I will train you, if you want me to. But no matter what happens, I will always protect you from that monster." She sighed softly, laying her head on his shoulder.
"Thank you." She whispered.
"Marry me, Morrigan, in a traditional, legal wizarding bonding and he won't be able to force you into anything ever again." His hand played with a strand of her hair that had loosened itself during her pacing.
"What about the soulbond?"
"Soulbonds can be broken. Magic will not punish you for refusing to live with a cruel and probably abusing man like him for the rest of your life. She will understand."
"I hope you are right! Why could Magic not have chosen someone else instead, Theseus? Someone like you or one of my friends. Why him?"
"Maybe she wanted to give him a chance at happiness if he only tried to grasp it and do it right. But he took it for granted and thought that you would bend to his will sooner or later, if not he would have - like he said - broken you. Again. And again. And again."
"I will marry you, Theseus. And I am sorry that I will mess up your life like this so suddenly. After all, we met each other only a few hours ago..."
"I offered it to you, Morrigan, and will not regret it anytime soon, if at all! We are on a good track to become friends and I want to protect you. This is the only way to do it." He kissed her temple softly. "And maybe we will even become something much more dear some time in the future."
"Thank you, Theseus! And may Magic forgive me one day." He pulled her closer to his chest, a soft smile on his lips.
Hermione Granger walked through the Great Hall after returning from the yule break. She had seen Morrigan's friends on the train but not her old friend. And now, after scanning the tables for the petite, black haired witch, she asked herself where she could possibly be. Had something happened? Was she hurt and in the hospital? Or would she arrive later that evening because something kept her with the Potters. Confused, she sat down in her usual spot on the table. Maybe Tom knew something?
"Good evening, Tom. How was your break?" She asked charmingly.
"As good as it could be. The ball was a success, at least in making useful connexions with ministry workers or other noble pure-blooded families."
"What about Morrigan?"
"She preferred to spend the evening in the company of her friends and Theseus Scamander." He sounded quite angry.
"Did she now? How disappointing it must have been to you." Tom nodded.
"Yes, and although he knew that she is my soulmate, he lured her away from me."
"Well, luring is definitely the wrong choice of words, Riddle." Alphard Black had just sat down at the table. "You found that talking to some gentlemen was more important than taking care of your date." He turned to Hermione. "He ignored her for more than two hours and only noticed after the Malfoys had already opened the ball. Theseus Scamander found her wandering the rooms alone. Alone! And then you had the gall to talk to her like that. It's no wonder that she refused to spend the rest of the evening at your side." Alphard glared at the handsome wizard.
"He had her for the evening. But I will have her forever." He smirked coolly. "Because she is mine." Alphard raised a brow. "And I will show her during the next few months."
"No, you won't." The young Black said calmly
"She will have to return to Hogwarts at one point this week and then no-one can keep her from me."
"She won't return." Hermione gasped and Tom Riddle glared at the other Slytherin.
"What do you mean?"
"She dropped out of school and sat her NEWT examinations at the end of December. She is now working for the Auror office." Tom's face darkened.
"For Scamander."
"Yes. She started her training on January the first." He paused for a moment. "But there is more, Riddle. Theseus Scamander wedded Morrigan Peverell in a traditional wizarding ceremony on the fifth of January."
"He did what?" Tom Riddle hissed furiously.
"He married Morrigan and they seem to be quite happy and contend with each other."
"I will kill him. He will die a slow and very painful death."
"I doubt it. He isn't England's best Auror and hit wizard for nothing. And if he is through with training Morrigan, they will be quite the duo." Alphard then took a sip of his goblet. "It was a very beautiful wedding ceremony." He pulled out a photo. "And Morrigan had been a very beautiful bride." He placed it in front of Tom and Hermione. The time traveller found that Alphard was right, Morrigan was indeed very pretty in her wedding attire. But she also looked very happy on Theseus Scamander's side, who was a handsome man himself. All of her few friends – Corban Yaxley, Augustus Rookwood, and Alphard – the Blacks, the Potters, the Malfoys, the Scamander's and Albus Dumbledore surrounded them. There were also a few people she didn't recognize at all. Probably family or friends of Theseus'.
"Dumbledore was there?" Tom asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yes. He is a close friend of the Scamander brothers and was asked to bond them together. Also invited were Torquil Travers, the Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Minister of Magic, Leonard Spencer-Moon, himself." Hermione stared at the photo again. What had happened that led her to wed someone who wasn't her soul mate after so short an acquaintance? Would she be punished by Magic now for declining her chosen? Or would Magic forgive her?
"Quite the merry gathering." Tom said sarcastic. "All those prominent people. And Dumbledore did the bonding?"
"Yes."
"Which one?"
"He bonded their body, heart, mind and soul." Tom's face darkened but Hemione looked at him questioning. Alphard took pity on her. "That means the bond cannot be broken but by death."
"Why would they choose such a strong, permanent bond?" She asked but Alphard just smiled. Tom snarled under his breath.
"To protect her. From me, right? That is also the reason they married in the first place."
"Probably. But I guess they will be supremely happy with each other. They match each other very well. And maybe love will come one day." Alphard grabbed the photo again, putting it back in his pocket. "Have a nice evening!" He tipped his fingers to his forehead in a greeting and left for the Ravenclaw table.
Oh dear! Hermione thought, glancing at a furious Tom Riddle, whose eyes flashed red for a moment while he toyed with a slightly familiar locket around his neck. May Magic protect them.