A Deathly Kiss
Chapter 5 - Reincarnate
It was only a few months after graduation when they naturally found their way back to the grounds of Hogwarts.
They'd spent their day in Hogsmeade doing the mundane tasks of picking out furniture for the small apartment they were renting. Despite numerous offers from Fawley, Lestrange and the like to stay in their family manors they had decided on a place in one of the by-streets down Knockturn Alley. It was a shady place but the Dark Artefacts trading center of Britain. Their apartment alone was next to a potions store which sold some barely legal (and illegal) ingredients and the wand shop opposite was owned by a particularly suspicious man who could make nearly any substance into a wand core as long as it came from a magical being. Human flesh included and apparently, it had to be harvested whilst the subject was still living. And awake.
After finally settling on a sofa and an old antique desk they'd left for the gates of Hogwarts where they'd depart.
"I'll see you afterward", Tom reminded him as if he'd forgotten.
"I know", he replied and then he looked up. Spotting the image of Dumbledore coming across the grounds towards them he leaned forward and pressed a gentle almost caring kiss on his lips. At the odd look he received he let his eyes flicker to the side to signal that someone was coming up behind them. Tom caressed his cheek with the back of his hand and waited for the clearing of someone's throat to reach their ears. They both turned, perfect looks of shock adorning their faces as if they honestly hadn't seen anyone coming up behind them.
"Professor Dippet is ready to see you", Dumbledore said softly and Tom nodded in turn. He let his hand linger for a moment longer before heading off towards the castle.
"It's been a while Professor", he spoke politely with a small smile on his face and the Professor chuckled. "A few months is hardly what I'd call a long time".
"I still miss our conversations".
"Then perhaps we should use this time to catch up?" he asked with a raised eyebrow.
They started their walk towards the lake. In summer the water seemed to shine a clear blue that it never did in the other seasons and the grass was a fresh green dotted with white blooming daisies.
"I see you and Tom are still friends. Perhaps more..." he trailed off with an odd tone of voice. Like sadness.
"Do you have a problem with that sir? I didn't take you as the type", he pretended to frown to himself and watched him out of the corner of his eye.
"No, no of course not. I thought you would have gathered by now that I am certainly not that type".
Heleus shrugged back, "You can never truly know, can you? Even the nicest people can be completely different behind closed doors".
"That is all too true", the Professor murmured before his voice took on a wistful tone. "I knew a man once, in my childhood. That was a very long time ago and I was, by all accounts, a completely different person. I met him one summer and when he talked...he spoke of peace and beauty and the most amazing future I could ever come to imagine. I don't know how he felt for me but I know that I loved that man, something in me still does today. But as with all sweet things they have the potential to turn rotten. And it took something horrific for me to realize the error of my ways. I turned tail and ran. Sometimes I try and imagine what it would be like if I didn't. If I'd have stayed would I have had the power to change him? Or would we just carry on down the same path...I can't know and it doesn't do to dwell". The older man turned to him with a look of blindingly profound sorrow.
"Do you love him?" he asked all of a sudden.
Did he? It was a hard question to answer.
Tom Riddle was all of the things he could ever want. Powerful, handsome, charming and passionate. He could sing sweet words whilst bringing down a building with his raw power. He could be cruel and manipulative. That much had been proved time and time again. But with Tom, Heleus could well and truly be himself. Both sides, equal and opposite. He could be stupid and sarcastic, he could be violent and bloody, and Tom would indulge it all. Not once batting an eyelid with that same look of perpetual amusement quirking his lips. When Tom struck, he struck back just as fiercely and they both knew that no matter how hard they hit neither would ever truly submit to the other. Because they didn't want somebody weak and somebody compliant. What they wanted was each other.
Was that love? He honestly couldn't tell. But there were moments of weakness, of kindness. When they'd lie in bed of night, just holding each other in their arms and no words were necessary at all. He didn't even know whether it was true. Tom Riddle was a psychopath, or at least so he'd gathered. Could he feel anything at all?
No, he didn't love him. But he could already see himself falling down that rabbit hole and it was far too late to get out.
Dumbledore seemed to take his silence as an answer, "It's ok to fall in love. It doesn't show weakness, it shows that you're human". He turned to meet his eyes, "It is in times like these, young Heleus, where we have the power to either do great good or great evil. When that time comes, remember who you love. Remember why. Lead with your heart, that is the only way".
Heleus wasn't sure whether those were the best words or the worst given the situation. They might just come to be this man's downfall.
"I'll take your advice", he acknowledged. "You are, of course, the wise one. I've always been taught to listen to my elders".
"I suppose I am quite old", he pointed out. "But age does not always equal intellect. You were a very good student".
"Not as good as Tom though".
Dumbledore's eyes strayed up to the tower where he knew they'd be having the interview right at that moment. "Yes', he mused, "Tom was always quite the genius".
"Your academic records are exceptional", Dippet praised from where he sat at his desk pondering over the paperwork he'd been presented with.
"Thank you, sir", Tom thanked kindly. "I hope they are up to your standard".
"Yes, certainly, certainly" he murmured before leaning forwards and tapping his chin in deep thought. "You are more than qualified my dear boy but I'm afraid I can't accept you".
Tom felt the stirrings of anger in his gut and fought to keep himself calm, "Is there something wrong sir?"
The man shook his head quickly, "Not with you. You've only just got out of school." A look of sympathy came over his face, "I've read your file. It's my understanding that your childhood in the orphanage wasn't the most pleasant one. Now that you're an adult, you're free of all that. It's your time to go out, travel the world and see the sights. Not be tied down by rude students and hundreds of papers to mark. Give it a few years and if you've considered all the possibilities and still believe that this is your best option then come back and we'll have this interview again".
"I understand sir", he stood and offered a handshake which was returned with a happy if slightly remorseful.
He walked back across the grounds with his jaw set and his hands twitching, he saw Dumbledore talking to Heleus and instantly drifted towards the lake where they were just finishing their conversation.
"Tom?" Heleus said in surprise. "How did it go?"
"Let's talk when we get home. It was very nice to see you, Professor, but we really need to get going", he slipped his arm around Heleus' waist and smiled a charming smile that all three of them was completely fake but nobody wished to comment upon.
"Of course. I'll see you soon?" Heleus agreed quickly before he was dragged away to cross the school wards and back towards Hogsmeade.
He leaned in to whisper into Heleus' ear, "How do you feel about blowing off some steam?"
"In what way", Heleus smiled suggestively and Tom traced his hand across the man's waist where he knew a knife was stashed. Their eyes met and they both just understood.
They'd lived in their apartment for ten years.
That was a very long time, although small when compared to the normal life expectancy for a wizard. They'd developed their own sort of routine, no matter how different it was from other peoples.
Every morning the two of them would wake up at exactly 5 A.M and, if they were in the mood, participate in some lazy half awake sex either in bed or in the shower that would help to get them ready for the day ahead. They'd sit at their small kitchen table and drink steaming hot cups of coffee that were as high a percentage of caffeine as their bodies could handle without collapsing. They made sure they were dressed in appropriate dress robes and groomed their hair to perfection, then they'd put on their nicest smile and head to work. Tom spent his day in a Dark Arts shop on Knockturn call Borgin and Burkes where they sold all kinds of interesting products sold to them from all over the world. He would read through the books and analyze artifacts in his spare time, then charm the rich and mysterious customers who came to ask of his assistance. Heleus would go to the Ministry where he spent his time in a dark basement researching the secrets of the Wizarding World, satiating his thirst for the obscure and the ritualistic arts. Most crimes which were punishable by death were perfectly legal in the safety of the Department of Mysteries. All in the name of progress of course.
When they got home they discussed their day and then they would, sometimes, take a trip out. This really depended on the day of the week. They'd visit the old Knights, many of whom had been paired off with their respective wives and had their own heirs to take care of. Every once in a while they'd take to the streets of Muggle London and find themselves an interesting person. One thing to be noted about Tom Riddle was his thirst for blood. If it wasn't dealt with it would compound upon itself and become impossible to deal with between the two of them. Sometimes they'd just dissolve into their research.
The ten years were amazing to Heleus. The hours they spent together, just the two of them in their apartment, were something to be cherished and they appealed to that small part of him that still longed for home and for family. That small piece of humanity that still clung to his heart like a leech that wouldn't let go.
He'd stepped into the rabbit hole and he'd fallen. Hard.
And one day he came home to Tom Riddle, sitting at the small kitchen table with his hands in his lap and his brows furrowed in concentration. His head had snapped up as soon as the door had opened and eyes had beckoned him to sit down. "It's time we left this place".
Many, many questions came to his mind at this statement but he stayed quiet.
"We can't go just yet. I still have a few things to do but before I even get to that there's something I have to tell you. Something that I probably should've told you before".
He reached under the table and pulled out an object, a small black jewelry box. He sucked in a breath and his eyes went wide. A second later another object was placed on the table, a black diary with the word's T.M. Riddle inscribed on the back. He reached out instinctively till his hand was splayed across the cool leather and shiver went up his spine. He could feel the magic pouring out of it. Dark, powerful, seductive and oh so achingly familiar. But that was impossible. Until he realized it wasn't. His eyes snapped up to the man across from him, a look of disbelief marring his features. "You didn't..."
"You understand?" he asked softly.
"Psychí prósdesi", he confirmed. "A Horcrux, I assume." His eyes drifted to the box. "More than one?" He could hear the slightly hysterical edge to his tone. His palms were sweating and his heart was beating far too fast. If he didn't get out now he'd have a panic attack.
"Two for now. But I have plans for 4 more."
"Seven is the most stable magical number", he murmured before halting his train of thought.
Tom smiled, "Imagine it though. Complete Immortality. Never having to worry about death or injure because you know you can always return. We could rule forever".
"We?" he asked breathily. "You want me to..." he shuddered at the thought.
Tom took a deep breath and leaned in to clasp his hand tightly, "I need you Heleus. I could survive without you but I could never truly live. What is the purpose of changing the world if the only ones worthy, the two of us, are already dead? It will all be for naught".
He pulled his hand back, "How do I know I can trust you? How do I know this isn't just a game?"
"You have nothing to lose", Tom assured. He pushed the box towards him and let his wandless magic flick it open. Heleus had always been jealous of that. "It's a ring. I've done my research and it belonged to the Peverell family, descendants of Slytherin. Synonymous for their research into the Necromantic arts. I thought it was symbolic".
"It has your soul inside it".
"A piece", Tom confirmed. "I want you to wear it. I want the world to know that you're mine."
Mine. He was a possession. Of course, he was. It was like he always knew, Psychopaths could never love. But Tom wanted him, lusted after him and cherished him as much as it was emotionally possible to do. So what if it wasn't love? Only Heleus could and ever would make him feel this way. Only Heleus could ever be the dark lord's equal. This was what he wanted, no needed.
He pulled the ring out of the box and felt the heavy weight of the onyx stone settle in his palm, admiring the engravings with a critical eye. "It's charmed so that only you and I can touch it. Anybody else would die a particularly slow and gruesome death." Heleus slowly slipped the ring onto his finger and felt the magic settle over him, it felt like ecstasy in his veins and he let out a breathy moan that made Tom smirk.
"There's another way", he hinted and watched as Tom's eyes narrowed in confusion. "A ritual they used to do in the ancient times. Banned because it was deemed immoral. They used to think it was sort of like an arranged marriage vow, to force a bond between newly-weds to stop animosity between the two. The only downside was that if one of the partners died so would the other. About 100 years later they found out that the reason why was because instead of creating a bond between their magic it created a bond through their souls. Like, well the best way to describe it would be induced soulmates. One soul cannot exist on the mortal plane without the other and so if one died it would always drag the other to the Astral Plane alongside it".
Tom was following his words intently and came to the correct conclusion almost immediately. "If it works one way, surely it would work in reverse. My soul has been tethered to the earth by my Horcruxes so it can never go to this 'Astral Plane'. If we did this to us neither of us could die. My soul already has a tether and if ours were bonded yours could never ascend without mine".
Heleus nodded in agreement, "We can only every die if we died together. And that would be impossible".
"It's ingenious!"
"It's risky", he interjected. "But not as risky as me trying to create a Horcrux. It would screw with my magic completely. The difference between you, Tom, and the rest of the magical population is the pure power you have. If anybody else tried to create one Horcrux they'd go insane but you've made 2 and it's barely made a dent. You're so powerful it's just like your soul pieces are still functioning as normal even when they're housed in a completely different unit. It's incredible. But it wouldn't work for me. My powers would never be the same again and its something we can't afford to try. This is my only option".
"Let's do it".
One quick cut across the woman's throat was enough to start the blood flowing. The potion stopped it clotting, meaning that her whole body would bleed itself dry from the cut, no matter how shallow. The blood flooded the carved indents on the floor, painting rich crimson words in Ancient Greek symbols surrounding the whole room. Her body was disposed of but her heart was left behind.
The two men watched the process with blank faces. Both of them were naked with runes painted in black across their forearms. It was an odd sight to behold.
"They used to do it with animals", Heleus commented. "Or at least the most people did. Those with looser morals realized that human blood was much more effective. Murder wounds the soul, makes it more susceptible to change. The Horcrux ritual should've required it too".
Tom nodded in answer, "That and much more. I got creative".
They walked to the center of the room and knelt down on both sides of the heart. Tom leaned down to pick it up and was shocked to find it still beating, although weak and irregular the soft thumping was still there. They both let their hands wrap around the heart and slowly squeezed. The thumping sped up, getting louder and stronger like a wild panicking animal until it ceased and the muscle seemed to turn to dust within their hands. A dust which they started to rub into the runes along their arms. "Have I ever told you that your rituals are very odd?" Tom inquired. He was met with a cold blank stare. "What now?"
"We fuck", Heleus said crassly. Then he was launching himself forward. Lips met and teeth clacked together with violent force. The magic of the ritual was already starting to work, sending fiery sparks of power up and down their veins. As they progressed onwards, the connection only got stronger. And when they reached climax it was hard to distinguish between who's pleasure was who's as they felt both experiences in their very core.
This was what heaven felt like.
2 days later, Hepzibah Smith was found dead in her home. Supposedly killed at the hands of her house elf. Nobody noticed that two of her most prized artifacts were missing.
1 week after that, both Tom Riddle and Heleus Vasilikas quit their jobs and packed up the essentials from their Knockturn Alley apartment and headed to Gringotts where they did a few things. First, Heleus had all of the money from his vault in Greece transferred over and placed in a private vault. Then he handed in his Heir ring to the Goblins, officially revoking his title as future Lord of the House of Vasilikas. Tom claimed his legal right as the Lord of Slytherin. Although the title held no money, the political value was completely priceless. Under the names of Thomas and Heleus Slytherin, they headed off to the continent and the rest of the world. Not to be seen for at least another decade.
It had been around 20 years since Tom Riddle had applied for the Defence against the dark arts position. 10 since Albus Dumbledore had last seen or heard of either Tom Riddle or his once favorite student Heleus Vasilikas. Heleus had been working at the ministry in his desired position as unspeakable and if what people said was true he enjoyed the job very much. Then one day he just dropped off the face of the earth.
To be honest, Dumbledore didn't know whether he'd see either of them ever again. He certainly didn't expect Tom Riddle to walk into his newly acquired Headmaster's office looking not a day over 25 although he should be almost 40. The only thing that had really change were his eyes. The colors, once a warm hazel now showed the signs of darkening to a dark crimson. Like rubies. Or more accurately like blood. He was here, just as promised, to claim the job he had once been denied.
"Tom Riddle!" He exclaimed, more than a little surprised. "It has been far too long".
The man twitched slightly at the name but he didn't make any attempts to object to it. "Good afternoon Professor Dumbledore. I assume you are well? Heleus has inquired about you often".
"You still live together?" he asked curiously.
Tom let his hand come up onto the table to display a golden band on his ring finger, "We're married. Have been for about 10 years. It was a quiet affair, we signed the paperwork at the bank with a few Goblins as witnesses. It was convenient at the time. I would apologize that you didn't get an invite but the same is true for everyone else".
Dumbledore chuckled in amusement but the underlying tone of apprehension was still there. Tom Riddle and Heleus had got married. He still remembered the words he'd spoke a long time ago and he hoped that perhaps his favorite student had the power to save the man in front of him. He couldn't be certain. Tom was very good at facades. "You are here for the job I see? Our recent professor retired only a few months ago and the ex-Auror who agreed to step in has decided to go on an impromptu cruise around the world with his wife. He sent his condolences and a very nice Muggle postcard". He gestured to a small image on one of his shelves of a tall, lean man in his mid-50's standing next to a blond woman on a sandy beach. His face was lightly scarred and he cut an imposing figure, probably would've frightened the children anyway.
"I suppose we should talk about qualifications?" Dumbledore suggested. "I already know about your NEWTS and OWLS but I would be interested to hear what other experience you may have".
Tom nodded in understanding before launching into his description, "Me and Heleus have been all around the world really. We've visited most of the Magical capitals as well as some very obscure locations. One of my personal favorites was a temple in Thailand run by a Buddhist Wizard. He taught us quite a lot of interesting things. I had learned so much and we believed it was finally time to return back home. To teach our learnings to the next generation of Wizards and Witches."
"You truly believed Hogwarts is your home?"
"Don't all your students?"
Dumbledore would've liked to believe so. He'd worked very hard from the time he'd first been employed here to create an environment that all of the students could learn to love. Hogwarts was quirky and unique, different from all other Magical schools. He'd wished to preserve that, enhance it. And he truly believed that the school was flourishing. The children were safe, happy and there was peace. Tom Riddle...he would change that.
Tom Riddle could charm his way into the minds of the most powerful and respectable witches and wizards. What would he do with a generation of young, impressionable children? It was impossible to know. He hadn't seen this man in so long he didn't know on what ground he stood anymore. It was too much of a risk.
"I'm sorry Tom, but I'm not sure I can accept your application".
"Lumos", Heleus whispered and the world came to life.
Shelves upon shelves of books and hidden treasures accumulated over hundreds of years. There was everything from empty bottles of contraceptive potions to tomes of magic long forgotten, probably hidden years ago at the time of the founders by some desperate students trying to stay out of detention. It was truly a marvel.
He slipped his hand into his bag and pulled out the Diadem. It was made out of pure Goblin-wrought silver and embedded with sapphire jewels, each of which had various runes carved in an old indecipherable language. The same magic that thrummed through his ring were saturating the most prized possession of Rowena Ravenclaw herself. Sometimes the magic that Tom wielded was magnificent and puzzling all the same. Things like this should be possible and yet... here he was.
They had found it in the hollow of a tree in the forests of Albania. It was far off the grid and it took a long while to get there but the triumph at getting the fifth Horcrux was worth it completely. There was only one to go.
Heleus quickly stashed it at the highest point of a stack of books and placed a protective and a proximity ward around it so they'd be warned as soon as somebody came within 3 meters of it. It wasn't likely but it could always happen. The protections froze the trespasser and would throw them quite forcefully away from the area. That was only the first warning before things got really messy.
He left the room and headed out to where he agreed to meet Tom at the gates. When he arrived the man was in a foul mood and it wasn't hard to guess why.
"What was his excuse?" Heleus drawled.
"He said the job wouldn't suit my temperament or my lifestyle. I could tell he was very cautious. I tried to flash him my ring to ease his mind but it didn't work. I was thinking we could leave him a gift behind. Something to make his life a lot harder", Tom smirked mischievously.
"We could always try Nemesis, Goddess of Revenge. She had always been one of my favorites".
And so the Defence curse was born and it would be a long time before Hogwarts could hold a DADA teacher for longer than a year.
Heleus watched carefully from his position on the roof.
The streets of Diagon Alley were busy below him as people gathered, marching in groups and holding up flags with bright obnoxious colors and pathetic slogans proclaiming Rights for Squibs and other such trash. Honestly, he hated it. 90% of Squibs chose to go live in the Muggle world, forsaking their culture and their families. Then they have the nerve to say that their lives aren't fair. Didn't they understand that there was a reason some people weren't born with magic? Didn't they understand that, although they couldn't use a wand, they could still be useful to society? Squibs could own stores, work jobs in certain parts of the ministry and even become Potions Masters! Sure they couldn't ever be in the Wizengamot or any upper-class position but really most of the Wizarding population didn't make it that far anyway. They could live their lives as normal civilians if they just stopped their silly protesting.
His eyes tracked the movements of the crowd below and he spotted wild curly black hair hidden behind a dark hood. He recognized her immediately. The newest recruit to the movement that Tom liked to call the Death Eaters. They would always have the Knights, of course, but the Death Eaters were there to strike fear into the hearts of the people. The warriors in the revolution. This particular young lady was called Bellatrix Black, soon to be Lestrange if her Betrothal contract went through. She was the eldest of Cygnus' three daughters and by far the most vicious, perfectly suited to her role. There was also Andromeda, a free spirit who reminded him far too much of Lucretia, and Narcissa who always seemed very strict and reserved to him, she never strayed once from her Pureblood training and her mask was ironclad.
She weaved her way through the clouds until she was in the center, standing just behind Stanley Pearce the Pro-Squib advocate from the Department of the Regulation of Magical Creatures. She looked up, her lavender grey eyes meeting his in mid-day sun with the gleam of rabid insanity already building to a crescendo within them. Bellatrix certainly wasn't one to be restrained, all she was waiting for was the signal.
He reached over his shoulder and pulled out one solid silver arrow from his quiver then aimed his bow towards the window of Slug and Jiggers where an innocent looking blue potion sat on a shelf. A flick of his wand and the end of the bow was lit up with blue, inextinguishable flames. Steadying his aim he closed one of his eyes and took a deep breath, then he released. The arrow traveled quickly through the air, whistling along the breeze. As soon as it hit the window it smashed straight through it bashing into the bottle and the flames exploded outwards in a swirling tornado of fire. The crowds were blown off their feet, smashing into the windows and walls with immense bone-breaking force.
Bellatrix, having known already what was to come, had cast spells to stick her feet to the ground and shields to stop the blast. She used the time gained from the chaos to grab hold of Stanley Pierce and to cast one well-aimed curse straight to his heart. His blood boiled throughout his body within a second and he dropped dead to the floor. Then she turned with the speed and agility of a cat and drove her wand to the floor, sending a bright purple pulse of Dark magic out into the air and incinerating the bones of at least 6 people within the vicinity.
He could see now exactly why she was Voldemort's favorite Death Eater.
The man himself strode down the center of the alleyway like a God. His now completely red eyes were bright and malevolent. The crowd parted for him almost instantly and as he heard the pops of apparition and saw the groups of crimson-robed Aurors entering the zone he knew the battle was only just beginning.
With one quick motion, his bow compacted itself into one single pole of metal and stored itself away in his quiver. He used his arms to haul himself up and, in a moment of bravery, fling himself over the edge of the roof where he landed solidly on both legs.
His eyes zoned in on the first girl, she was 16 and sobbing over the body of her dead father. Tears streaming down her face and clothes ripped and bloodied. He hurried over to her and pulled her into his arms and away from the man's body. She squirmed and screamed trying to get away and he leaned down and grabbed her face to pull her into a long forceful kiss. He watched in fascination as the life left her eyes and her magic seemed to leave her mouth in white wisps of smoke. Now, with his magic fully charged and feeling completely empowered, he strode through the center of the madness to meet his foes on the battlefield.
For the first time that day he pulled his wand from the holster on his bicep, brandishing it in the air before him and sending one long chain of curses that ripped through the bodies before him. The remorse that he would've once felt now completely gone in the face of war.
Tom's eyes met his and seemed to light up at his presence, a large smirk flickering across his face at the sight of his blood-covered lover surrounded by the dead. Lord Voldemort, as he was now popularly known, always did have a bit of an infatuation for death.
People dropped like flies, men, women and children. They were, of course, selective. Nobody would leave without injury but some were specifically chosen to either live or die. This event had been planned for months ahead.
He came up beside Bellatrix and arched a brow at the glee written all over her face as she repeatedly cast the Cruciatus on an Auror. "My Lord!" she shouted happily as she let go of the curse and stumbled towards him, trying to smooth the knots out of her hair.
"Do you have a body count?" he inquired and she wrinkled her nose. "Thaddeus Nott should.." she let out a mad cackle as she released a stunner at a small girl who had just been waking up from her pain-induced slumber. She slumped to the ground immediately after.
He nodded to himself and drifted to Tom's side. "Don't you think Dumbledore would be so proud of his little protégé?" the Dark Lord declared.
He chuckled to himself and thought back to one of the first few conversations he'd had with the old man. He'd told him from the beginning that he wanted to change the world, it wasn't his fault Dumbledore had decided to misinterpret his message.
Regulus Black had made a mistake.
Growing up in the House of Black had been hard. His brother, Sirius, had always been a failure in his mother's eyes and so it was expected of him to one day step in as Heir when the boy was inevitably disowned. It was his job to be the Epitome of Pureblood skill, etiquette and intelligence, forever having to prove himself to be better than his brother.
He'd been sorted into Slytherin, as expected, and made friends with all of the other Pureblood Heirs. He'd taunted the Mudbloods and spread propaganda in-between intense study sessions. He'd never sullied himself by hanging around with Gryffindors or Hufflepuffs and nobody of lower status. He had a few friends in Ravenclaw but they mainly helped with his study group. The only friend he had who could be deemed as unworthy was Severus Snape but he'd easily proven himself as a Master of Potions and the Dark Arts. He was also Heir to the Prince line although that fact had never been disclosed to the public.
When his slightly mad cousin Bellatrix had approached him with the idea of joining the Death Eaters at the age of 16 he'd agreed immediately.
This was what he was raised to do, what he wished to fight for. 2 weeks later he had a brand new tattoo on his left forearm in the shape of a snake and skull. It acted as a Portkey, he could be pulled from his school at any time and have to participate in all manners of illegal affairs.
He didn't regret a thing.
Until he'd met her.
Her name was Meredith Antoinette. Her family had only moved to Britain around 300 years ago so they weren't at Noble or Ancient status yet so although she was of Pureblood lineage she was technically considered his inferior. But she was so so beautiful. She had long curly brown hair and deep blue eyes. Her skin was tanned like gold and she always wore the same lip gloss, cherry red. He wondered if it tasted like cherry too.
She was a Gryffindor but she didn't have many friends there. Occasionally she'd study with Remus Lupin, apparently, they'd met on the train, but she'd be as far away as possible when he was with his other friends. She read a lot but not for study. Muggle novels and poetry were her favorites and he'd often hear her humming unfamiliar songs as she read or drew by the lake. Severus had caught him staring a fair few times and had berated him but it did nothing to stop him.
One day he approached her in the library.
"Who's Jane Eyre?" he asked as he slipped into the seat opposite her.
She looked up from behind the pages and eyed him with trepidation, "A governess. It's a Muggle novel." She said the word Muggle as if she expected him to suddenly recoil in disgust. He snagged the book from between her hands, ignoring the glare he received, and started reading the blurb.
"It seems interesting", he said sagely before placing it back in front of her. "I was wondering if you wanted to go to Hogsmeade with me this weekend".
She slowly slipped the book back into her bag, keeping full eye contact the whole time so that she didn't miss any of his movements. "Mr. Black", she started in a stern voice. "I'd like to make two things clear. The first, I am no cheat, don't expect me to do your work for you just because you take me on a date and give me nice flowers. The second, I am no two-bit whore and I certainly won't be getting on my knees for the likes of you anytime soon".
He smiled, "I'd like to think I'm smart enough to do my own work, Mademoiselle Antoinette".
"I'll meet you at the gate then", she confirmed before turning back to her book.
Their date went well, very well. And there were many many dates after that. He'd fallen in love with her from their very first kiss and although they kept their relationship secret it was amazing for the both of them. And then she took his shirt off and she saw it standing out on his forearm. The sign of a Death Eater.
She'd hit him. Hard.
Then she hadn't talked to him for a month until one day she'd seen an article in the Daily Prophet about a Death Eater attack and somehow she just knew he was involved. She'd come to him in the dead of night and kissed him whilst sobbing at the same time and she'd told him, with absolute certainty, that wherever he went she would follow.
That thought was terrifying. The fact that she loved him so strongly, just as much as he did her, that she was willing to go to the Dark Lord. Willing to turn her back on her family. Part of him was pleased. The other part knew that he couldn't possibly let that happen.
Not in a million years.
The opportunity came one evening when the Dark Lord himself had requested the use of his house-elf, Kreacher, for some kind of job. When the elf got back it'd been completely traumatized and told him everything about the events that had transpired. That evening he found out about Horcruxes and that the Dark Lord had made one. He vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to destroy it. For Meredith.
"Regulus?" he turned at the sound of a voice from where he was stood at the entrance hall just about to leave. The Death Eater meeting had just finished and they'd been discussing their progress within the Ministry of Magic.
He recognized the voice of the Dark Lord's consort. Heleus Slytherin was what they'd been told his name was but most people just referred to him as their Lord and nothing more. To the outside world he was nameless, faceless, the Dark Lord's most prized assassin. Sometimes he'd take down his victims with an arrow to the throat or a sword in the back and other's he'd kiss his victims and leave them dead in a way that was comparable to a Dementor sucking your soul out. He looked young, probably no older than thirty but with emerald green eyes that showed knowledge far beyond his appearance and he always dressed to complete perfection. His accent was odd, a mix between something European and a typical British Aristocrat. He'd learned about him vaguely from his father but he'd never really met him before he first started attending Death Eater meetings.
He seemed genuinely kind.
That, to Regulus, made him a hundred times more terrifying.
"You seem stressed. Is it your family? I haven't had a proper conversation with them in a while..." he trailed off looking wistful.
"No my Lord, my family is perfectly fine unless you count Sirius. You remember how he ran off to the Potter's a few years ago", he spat the name like a disease. "Well, now Mother is all in a tizzy about disowning him and Betrothal contracts. There was one being lined up between him and one of the Fawley daughters but now he's gone and she doesn't quite know what to do about it all. Does she cancel the contract and revoke his Heirship or does she hold it off at the risk of everything? I don't think I've ever seen her so stressed in my life".
The man seemed to wince imperceptibly, "Yes I remember Walburga seemed to get very vocal when she got stressed. Screamed like a banshee that woman. Anyway, it was very nice catching up".
Regulus nodded and as he went to leave he didn't notice the man's eyes narrow in suspicious, nor the subtle tracking charm that was sent his way.
Heleus arrived at the cave merely 2 minutes after Regulus did.
He smelled the blood on the stone before he saw it. He waved his hand to the side, the wards automatically recognized him and let him in without the normal sacrifice required and so he entered into the gloomy darkness and approached the edge of the lake just in time to see Regulus boarding the boat alongside his house elf.
"I wouldn't do that".
The man heard him and a look of abject shock and terror came over his face as he saw the wand of the other man slip into his hands. "My Lord...". The house elf trembled beside him.
"Don't", he interrupted loudly. "Save your excuses. We both know exactly why you're here."
Regulus sighed in defeat stepping out of the boat and letting himself sink to his knees in front of him. "Kill me. But please, save her".
He didn't know who she was at all. But he could tell from his tone of voice that whoever this woman was she meant the world to him. He leaned down in front of Regulus and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I made a promise once, to your Aunt Lucretia". The man's eyebrows furrowed at the name of the aunt he'd never met. "I swore to her that I'd protect her family and it's a promise I intend to keep even now. You won't be dying today."
Regulus sagged in relief and let out a deep breath. "Thank you. How can I ever repay you?"
"You can leave", Heleus replied bluntly. "I'll offer you the same deal I gave your Aunt. Whoever she is. Take her and run. I don't expect to see you ever again and I swear if you speak about what's in this cave to any living being I will kill you and her in a heartbeat. Do you understand?"
He nodded quickly and was pulled to his feet. He looked back one more time before the house-elf took his hand and they popped away. Heleus was left standing in the dark cave on his own. His eyes drifted to the water as he heard it begin to splash and swirl. He was startled completely thinking that it had been warded against any sort of animal getting in. He stepped close to the edge of the water and leaned down to view what was beneath.
He knew it was a stupid move the second he did it.
A hand reached out and grabbed him tightly around the wrist, wrenching him into the pull and trying to drag him under. He yanked out his wand and started firing off spells in crazy succession. Flames hit the hands but they failed to release their tight grip as he was fully submerged under the dark gloomy water and his lungs began to fill with fluid.
Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort as he was now known, was broken.
Something inside of him had snapped completely after Heleus had failed to return for at least 3 days, something that had never happened before. He knew, deep inside, that his lover was dead.
He didn't know how long it would take for him to come back, or even if the ritual had worked at all. Could he be lost forever?
When one of his followers, Severus Snape, came to him days later with news of a mad prophecy and the baby that would cause his defeat the numb pain he felt was filled with rage. He wouldn't die, he wouldn't let everything him and Heleus had worked for fall to ruin.
He would avenge his lover.
Harry Potter was going to die.