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He was absolutely restless and he didn't know what to do about it. He'd been trapped in this cave for the past three days and he felt like he was going to suffocate. He needed sunlight, he needed fresh air… he needed to walk and feel the damp forest ground underneath his feet…between his fingers…
He had no idea where Greyback was, so he rose to his feet and pulled on his shoes. There was no point in asking for permission or informing him anyway because he would definitely say no. He started walked through the tunnels and tried to act as nonchalant as possible in front of the wolves he passed. Carefully, he slipped out and was instantly assaulted by that distinct forest scent. A mixture of moist dirt, damp leaves, forest flowers and rain. The sky was a stormy grey. It was going to rain soon. He toed off his shoes near a tree and began walking barefooted through the trees. He wanted to giggle with delight as he felt the coolness of the damp soil on the soles of his feet and between his toes. He'd certainly missed all this.
He weaved through the trees and listened to the melody of the birds, trying his best to whistle a tune but he sucked at whistling. That didn't stop him from trying though and he kept it at it until he came to a halt in front of a very familiar grave…his grave to be exact…He bent down beside it and ran his fingers over the delicate flowers blooming over it. Had Voldemort visited it? Did he regret what he'd done. A pair of approaching footsteps forced him to take refuge behind a thick bush. He peeped through the branches expecting Greyback but when he caught sight of the bare feet, a smile formed on his lips. Guess that answered that question. Voldemort did visit his grave. He couldn't see his face since that would mean he would have to get up so he contented himself with looking at his feet and feeling his heart fill up with an odd kind of joy that made him giddy. Voldemort's sorrow filled voice however saddened him,
"I thought I could stay away from your grave…"
He stopped breathing altogether and listened to Voldemort avidly,
"I thought I could find closure by visiting your grave…"
There was a moment of silence in which a soft pain filled sob escaped Voldemort's lips and the sound broke his heart. It was so familiar to Tom's sobs...
"I thought I could find peace…"
A soft thump signalled that Tom had fallen on his knees and Harry finally caught a glimpse of his tear streaked face. The features were still snake like but those tears made him look so vulnerable…so human...
"I have not found peace, Harry…"
He was tempted to walk out of the bush and go to him. He wanted to comfort him and wipe away his tears but that just wasn't possible. Not yet…
"I have not slept a wink ever since I killed you…Food tastes like ash…Everything seems so pointless…"
He watched Voldemort run his fingers over the flowers that he'd just touched minutes ago. For a few minutes, Voldemort's sobs were the only thing that punctuated the silence. Harry couldn't stop his own tears from flowing. Why did there have to be so much pain? Why couldn't they just have their happily ever after now? Voldemort spoke again,
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?"
He closed his eyes as a fresh river of tears streamed down his eyes. He bit down on his knuckle to hold back his own sobs,
"Give me back my peace, Harry…I implore you…Please…"
He tasted the mettalic taste of blood on his tongue as he bit a little too hard on his knuckles. It was taking everything he had in him to stay still and hold in his sobs,
"Come back…Haunt me…I need you back…"
Thunder clapped deafeningly and Harry felt the first drop of rain land straight on his forehead. He tipped his head back and stared up at the sky, opening his mouth for the falling drops and soon enough a few of them landed on his tongue. The rain tasted so sweet, so absolutely wonderful. Soon enough the rain began to pour and he felt it wash away his tears. He took another peek at Voldemort and saw him still kneeling there. His head was rested on the grave and he was the perfect picture of misery. A scheme stewed in his head and when the lightening flashed, he whispered in a low pitched ghostly voice,
"Look up at the sky."
He saw the way Voldemort's head shot up from the grave and he looked around. He ducked his head and savoured the exhilaration rushing through his blood. He'd needed this. He'd definitely needed this… This rush of adrenaline… For a moment there was nothing, but silence and he chanced another peek. Sure enough, Voldemort was staring up at the sky. The rain was falling directly on his face and his eyes were closed. The lightening flashed again, and he whispered,
"Open your mouth."
For a moment, Voldemort didn't comply, and Harry had almost lost hope but then he did…slowly, reluctantly, he opened his mouth and Harry did the same. He tipped his head back opened his mouth and drank the rain pouring down. When he'd had his fill, he chanced another glance at Voldemort, who was drinking in the rain with the ghost of a smile curving his lipless mouth. It was good enough for now. It would have to suffice for now. He closed his eyes and smiled…enjoying the rain…loving it and watching Voldemort love it as well.
When the rain stopped. Voldemort got up and walked away. He was glad to see that the smile was still on his face when he'd departed. He sat there long after Voldemort had left. He just sat there until night fell. He had dozed off when Greyback's panicked voice brought him back to his senses.
"What have you been doing here?"
He yawned and stretched as he rose to his feet. His clothes were still damp from the rain, but he found it pleasant instead of uncomfortable,
"Soaking in the rain."
Greyback shook his head fondly and began dragging him back to the cave,
"Come on. Bella has been going crazy."