The Real Dark Lord
Chapter 5

A few days on and many of the death eaters had returned to their lives as to not arouse suspicion. No one believed that our Lord was back and that was just the way he wanted it, he now had time to review his previously overlooked failures. I stayed with him night after night and we talked about what happened, he was angrier than he used to be. He had changed, but I could still see that he was there and tried to overlook the changes. I still loved him after all this time and I always would, even when we would spend the night in the cold in different places like woods and forests.

Sometimes he would go in the middle of the night and return in the morning, never saying where he was going. I could see he had lost faith in me and I couldn't blame him, though we were slowly getting closer.

Sometimes we would stay in Gaunt's shack or a Death Eaters home, or mine. Some nights we wouldn't talk, some nights it seemed like he was in his own world and sometimes we would talk day and night whilst watching the sun come up.
A lot had happened to him since I last saw him and I now fully understood the need for his anger and why he would wake up during the night, after screaming or thrashing about.

People say he isn't human but as he was when he was with me, he seemed like himself again, the boy I had met all those years ago at Hogwarts.

He didn't smile much anymore, sometimes he would just sit with Nagini curled around his shoulders deep in thought and the rare times that he did smile it was a mere flicker or his eyes would light up, then he would go back to be emotionless. Some days I didn't know what to say so I lay my head on his shoulder and waited for him to speak, some times it would take hours but still I waited loyally by his side.

Some days he would hold me in his arms tight and press my hand against his chest where I could feel his heart, though blackened and damaged from the life he chose, it was still beating. On one of those days I pushed my fingers through his robe and onto his icy chest, I could feel his heartbeat stutter.

"I have not been this close to someone in a very long time."

"But remember, that person was me," I replied "I love you Tom Riddle."

I looked into his eyes as I said the words and he looked back, he went to turn his head away but instead he sighed.

"And I you, my dear."

His heartbeat stuttered more as I slowly leaned my face towards his and he pressed his lips to mine.

As the sun rose I almost refused to open my eyes, had last night really happened?

Yes was the answer, as I felt the smooth lines of his chest under my hand. I traced the delicate curves of his body where I could feel every bone, but yet, he was still so strong. I felt his long fingers caress my back and I moved closer so I could rest my head upon his chest.

"Did you sleep well, my lord?"

"Better than I have done in a long time, dearest one."

And for the first time in many years I saw him smile properly. As he stared at the ceiling; he let out a long sigh and wrapped his arms tighter around me.

"Why are you still with me?" He mused, his skeletal hands twisting round strands of my hair.

"Because I love you." I replied, staring at his snake like face.

"But after all I've put you through; you could have chosen a better path, away from the death that I bring.

"I could never leave; my place is with you, no matter what happens."

"You could be killed you know."

"Not with the most powerful wizard in the world to protect me, when we are together what's there to be scared of?"

"Losing you."

He fell silent and stared at the ceiling; I turned my head and looked out of the window. I could not help but think what life would be like had we taken different paths and they all seemed worthless to me unless I was with him, no matter what came our way.

I didn't know what to say to him but then his fingers found their way to mine and his spiderlike hand entwined in mine whilst the other continued to run through my hair, curling it around his fingertips.

"You don't mind that my body and face are tainted and that I am but a shadow of my former self."

It was not a question, but I still replied.

"To me you are still beautiful, you are still the man I fell in love with no matter how your appearance changes."

He half smiled to himself as leant over to me and kissed my cheek.

"And you are still as beautiful as the day we met." He whispered into my ear.
It was hard to think that I was lying next to the most powerful and feared dark wizard the world had ever seen and that even to say his name was frightening, I could never be frightened of him.

I opened my eyes and looked into his and closed them again as he pulled me closer and kissed me once more.

I opened the door to the second largest bedroom of the Malfoy's mansion with one hand, holding up the tray of breakfast with my other as Tom straightened up and smiled.

"I see you have brought delicacies."

"Only the best for you my love."

He sat back down in the bed with just the duvet covering his naked body and delicately lifted the fork to his mouth.

"I have not tasted food this good in maybe 15 years," he said, "I assume you have seen everyone downstairs?"

"Of course, they asked after you."

"And what did they say to you, I am sure that this time it did not go unnoticed every time you disappeared and came in and out of my room."

"No it did not, I think most have already guessed, Narcissa asked me whilst I was in the kitchen."

"And what did you say?"

"I told her that I was seeing you and had been for a very long time."

"I expect she was a little hurt that you had not told her sooner." He smirked, but I ignored him.

"Yes, I apologised. I love her very much but when you were rising to power, I felt it best if we kept our love a secret."

"Hah, right you where. Sadly, it would be seen as weakness and I cannot show weakness in front of my enemies," he almost spat the last part, "I trust you have asked them not to mention it to anyone outside."

"Of course my lord, has anyone been up to see you whilst I was away?"

"No, but Narcissa came to see me whilst you where asleep, she was with Lucius and they looked quite shocked."

He almost grinned at his words and I smiled at him.

"No one was quite expecting the almighty and powerful Dark Lord to be curled up in bed with a pretty woman."

"Hmm, pretty is an understatement, now, let's get back to that magnificent feast you have brought."