Seduced By Darkness

Notes : See Notes for C.9 but I do want to note that the wedding vows were taken from Traditional Celtic Vows.

***

Chapter 10: The Wedding


Bellatrix was pacing back and forth inside her room. It had been days since he had come to her and she knew that it was solely because of the Gryffindor bitch that he stayed away. Narcissa was right, the slut was his new toy, and now he intended to marry her. All she wanted to do was hurt her in the cruelest possible way. She had wanted to catch her alone ever since he had told everyone what he planned to do. However, the girl was never alone and if she was it was never anywhere where she could get to her. Bellatrix knew that he had meant every word. He saw the little slut as his possession and if she deprived him of her before he tired of her he might kill her in a fit of rage. It never crossed her mind that he actually had feelings for Claudia, especially since she herself was so dead inside. Lord Voldermort only had room in his heart for hate and contempt, nothing else, so if he was paying special attention to the girl it was because she was as Narcissa told her, a new toy. He needed to get her out of his system. She almost understood why he wanted to marry her. He liked the finest things and would look for the same in a wife. It was also a slap in the face to Dumbledore’s side to marry the daughter of a family that so openly opposes him. A girl that only five weeks ago, was under Dumbledore’s apparent protection. He had taken her right from under Dumbledore and this sent out the message that Hogwarts was not the safe haven everyone thought it was. Just the same, she believed that he would tire of her and come back to her bed, how could he not? Being patient was not in her character and she hated not knowing how long he would continue to stay away.

“Bella” Bellatrix turned suddenly at the sound of her name, of his voice. “My Lord,” She exclaimed in pleasure and ran to him in her excitement. He grabbed her by the wrists and kept her at arms length. “None of that my dear, I just came here to tell you something.” Openly disappointed and frustrated she frowned up at him. “Tell me what my Lord?” She tried to sound meek and docile but he thought that she was failing miserably at it. As he was not in the mood to spend a long time in her presence he quickly said, “You will no longer be my Mistress.” He emphasized the word mistress to let her know that wasn’t what he really thought her to be. At her cry of stricken disbelief he continued, “Do not waste your empty words or female hysteria on me Bella. I have not really desired you for months now. Be grateful that I allow you to remain here with your husband.” At his mention of her husband her eyes widened frightfully, “You can’t mean to give me back to him, please my Lord, you cannot. He-”

“Do not presume to tell me what I can or cannot do. He’s your husband and he gave you to me years ago. I no longer have use of you in, the same capacity, thus he has every right to you. If you do not like it then take that fight up with him.” He then pushed her away from him and turned intending to leave. “It’s that bitch’s fault! She’s done this. The little tramp has bewitched you someone, perhaps she’s used a potion or something. I hate her and I will kill her with my bare ha-” She never finished her statement. In her tirade she had forgotten who she was speaking to and of his warning a few days ago. Tom backhanded so hard that she landed at the foot of the bed, painfully hitting her back against the bed post. He marched up to her, taking a fistful of her hair in his hand as he brought her up. Both of his hands went around her throat as he lifted her off her feet. He brought her face within inches from his as he began to squeeze tightly.

“What did you say?” He viciously whispered. Her eyes filled with panic, believing that she had pushed him too far, “For-forgive me... m-my Lord-d... I didn’t...” He shock her harshly, “I am sure that you have not forgotten what I told you that I would do if any harm comes to her. Did you think I said that to hear myself speak? You are nothing but a worthless whore. It’s the reason your husband gave you to me, he didn’t give a fuck who fucked you. Do you think it’s because of who I was? Anyone could have offered him a mere twenty pounds and he still would have let you go.” He shook her again before throwing her off him in disgust and onto the bed. “You hate her because she’s beautiful, and her true beauty is physical and you can’t comprehend it. Even when you used to be physically beautiful you were still ugly and repulsive inside.” Bellatrix had scooted to the far end of the bed, away from him. “That didn’t matter to you before. You would never have wanted someone like her. I do not understand why she’s become so important to you.” She finished brokenly, her throat was on fire and the muscles around it ached. Tom stayed silent for several long moments, not looking at her. She was afraid that he would still kill her and jumped when he finally spoke, “Only because you have been such a loyal Death Eater will I let this pass. If you ever speak another ill word against her I will kill you.” He turned his head toward her and stared harshly at her as she knelt on the bed, “Thank you my Lord...for your mercy.”

He narrowed his eyes as he looked at her, almost as if trying to see inside her head to see if she was being honest with him. He suddenly turned and walked out. Lestrange was waiting outside. “Your wife needs some comfort, I suggest you give it to her.” Seeing the hungry, twisted look that came into the man’s eyes Tom felt that she would get what she deserved tonight for having insulted his future wife. “Goodnight my Lord.” Lestrange said before going into Bellatrix’s room. As angry as Tom was over what Bellatrix had said, he couldn’t help but feel relieved that he didn’t have to suffer her company any longer.

***

“Dear sister in-law, is something wrong?” Lucius asked, as he sipped from his tea. It was morning and Bellatrix was still angry but frightened enough to be cautious, “Lucius you must help me, you must speak to our Lord.” Lucius raised a perfectly sculpted eyebrow at her, “Must I? About what?” She sat next to him, “He’s given me back to Lestrange. I cannot abide that man. He’s nothing but filth.” Lucius was temped to tell her that so was she but kept his thoughts to himself. He wondered if she purposely didn’t see it or if she was pathetically oblivious to what she’d become. “My dear, you know that I cannot help you with that. If the Dark Lord no longer wants you in his bed, then it is your husband’s right to have you back.” Bellatrix gave a strangled scream, “If I have to suffer the rutting bastard one more night I will kill him myself.” Lucius continued sipping his tea as calmly as when she had entered, “I do not think that wise my dear. Lestrenge serves his purpose as you well know. He’s an important Death Eater to our Lord and I do not think that he will appreciate you getting rid of him.”

Bellatrix sometimes really hated Lucius and Narcissa. To the outside world they seemed to have the perfect life. They had escaped every hardship, were rich and had a family. How she wanted to hurt them for everything that they had and she didn’t. “I know this!” She spat. With an exasperated sigh Lucius put down his tea and got up, “Then if you know this, shut your fucking mouth about it. I know what you did. Lestrange heard the whole exchange from the hall. You are so stupid sometimes Bella. If anything ever happens to her, even if you are not responsible who do you think he’ll take his anger out on?” He cut her off when she was about to protest. “Forget being his lover Bella, he has this girl now and he will not be coming back to you. The sooner you accept that the easier things will be for you and all of us.” He gave her one last measuring look and then left her. Bellatrix, however, had no plans on accepting anything. She was certain that one day her opportunity to kill the little slut would come. Whatever hold she had on her Lord would then break and he would come back to her. This thought was the only thing that she continued to cling to even though a part of her told her that he was now beyond her reach forever.

***

A few days later Claudia was relaxing while taking a bath. The bathroom adjacent to her room was the master bathroom and it reminded her of the Prefect’s bathroom at Hogwarts. Except that it was more elaborate, everything in it, golden. She thought that it was merely gold plated but looking at everything closely she realized it was solid gold, and in the unmistakable shape of snakes. At the moment she was enjoying herself in a luxurious bubble bath. A part of her thought that she really shouldn’t be enjoying such comforts while imprisoned but she couldn’t muster the strength to feel guilty over it. Her head was thrown back, eyes closed and lips slightly parted. It was in that position that Tom found her. He wondered if she realized how seductive she looked when everything about her screamed sex and innocence. He had no idea how those two things went together, but when it came to her they did. It never failed to drive him mad with desire.

Tom got into the pool as quietly as he could and swam up to her. His hands went around her waist as he pulled her to him. Claudia’s eyes flew open as she gasped at the sudden intrusion, she almost screamed but his mouth closed around hers and her momentary fear melted away. She never failed to forget the world around her when she was in his arms. It was a frightening thing, this hold he had on her but she fancied that she did the same to him, at least when they were together like this. Wrapping her legs and arms around him she enthusiastically kissed him back. Feeling a bit playful she tore her mouth away from his. Giving him a wicked grin she hugged him tighter to her and bit his ear.

“Ah, so you like biting do you?” He teased as he pinched her bottom. She gave a startled cry, “Hey, I didn’t bite you hard!” She said indignantly. “Perhaps you should Love.” He said as he grabbed her ass again but not to pinch, instead he caressed her and inched his fingers toward her center. Claudia giggled then licked and kissed his mouth. Pulling back slightly, gasping as his fingers had found what they’ve been searching for, she touched his lips with her fingers and whispered, “I love your mouth and the way you kiss me.” He half-wondered if her current mood was due to having been so relaxed before they started their erotic play. He found that he loved this side of her, it sent his blood racing. Lifting her slightly he settled her over his erection and looked into her eyes. The passion she saw in his eyes filled her with a sort of giddy pleasure, not waiting for him to make the next move her hand reached down to grab his cock. She knew that she’d caught him off guard with her boldness as he moaned and grinned at the same time, eyes sparkling with a mixture of passion and amusement at her.

“I think that I am tired of playing my Lord” She said, her voice husky as she lowered herself onto him. They both shuddered and she closed her eyes throwing her head back, and exposing her neck to him. Tom bent forward and began kissing and licking her face, neck, ears, lips, and breasts as she moved up and down over his hard length. The friction the movement in the water created was bringing her to orgasm, when he felt her climax and her walls clenched around him he came soon after. She wrapped her arms around him burying her face in his neck. He held her tightly and said, “Claudia, we need to talk about the wedding.” Feeling her tense, he silently cursed bringing the matter up when she was being so lovable and playful but they had to talk about it as it was only two days away.

She tried to scoot off him but he held her in place, with his cock still inside her which made her gasp. “I can’t talk to you like this.” His eyes danced, “Focus Love.” He said, grinning at her. She frowned at him but stayed perfectly still and tried to ignore the feel of him inside her. “I am focusing, what about the damn wedding?” He pinched her bottom at her impertinence. “We will go into the village to get married as no one but my Death Eaters are allowed into the castle. To the outside world it is nothing but a pile of ruins. The town is made up of Half-bloods and Mud...Muggleborns” He changed the last word when he noticed her frown. “There is a wizard there that performs weddings and will marry us. Now I do not need to tell you to behave accordingly in front of him do I?”

She wanted to throttle him, “No Daddy, I’ll be a good girl. Cross my heart.” She said in a mock child’s voice. He burst out laughing which was not the effect she was hoping for. He continued his explanation with a smile on his face, “Love, a memory charm will be put on him after he performs the ceremony so he will not remember a thing. Preferable I think to the other alternative.” She had an idea what the other alternative was and thus remained quiet. “Tomorrow Narcissa will come and work out the details of what you can expect.” She turned rigid in his arms, “I don’t need her to tell me...” But he stopped what she was going to say by squeezing her lightly, “Claudia, this is non-negotiable. It will make things easier.” He then grabbed her around her waist and gently lifted her off him. She gave him a reproachful look. He knew that she didn’t appreciate him forcing Narcissa’s company on her but Narcissa had been through this before. It had not been the same kind of wedding but it would help her even if she didn’t see it that way. He left her before she said anything else as he did not want to argue with her.

The panic that Claudia had been feeling the past few days as the wedding date came closer came back to her full force once he left. Why did he have to ruin her perfectly happy state by bringing up that horrible event. Now he wanted to force Narcissa onto her. What made her even madder was that it wasn’t Narcissa who should be with her during this time. All the anger flowed out of her at that moment and she felt incredibly tired. She wanted her mother, her friends, and family. She wanted to be marrying for love and although she knew that she felt love towards Tom there was hate mixed in there as well. Hate for the person that he was and wasn’t. It was all terribly confusing and she just didn’t see how it was going to get any easier. Everything felt so wrong and yet when she was with him, physically at least, she couldn’t come up with good reasons not to love him. Sighting she left the bathroom and went into her bedroom intending on retiring for the night. “Tomorrow will be a long day. Maybe I should just slit my wrists and put myself out of my misery.” She said bitterly but without any real meaning since she would never intentionally harm herself.

***

Lucius was watching his Lord quietly. He was constantly surprising him lately with his mood. Lucius doubted that anyone else noticed much of a difference. He only did because he liked to study him carefully and thus could see any minor changes in his demeanor. Like now he seemed extremely relaxed and at ease, and since he had come from his bedrooms Lucius had no doubt it was all due to his sweet little captive. “Lucius do you believe that Bellatrix will continue to be a problem?” Tom asked suddenly. Lucius didn’t think that Bella would let defeat claim her so quickly but he really didn’t think her stupid enough to try and harm Claudia after what had happened a few nights ago. “I think that she will behave my Lord and not pose a threat to your bride.” Tom considered him for a few moments while taking sips of brandy, “Is everything in order for the ceremony?”

Smiling, Lucius said, “Yes, the old wizard will be expecting us, and has been warned that this is a private affair and not to include the whole bloody village.” Tom smiled at him, “And the memory charm that you will perform?” Lucius nodded, “It’s all in order, but my Lord...” Tom looked up at him, “Yes?” Lucius didn’t know exactly how to word his question, “Are you certain that you want the vows performed in the Ancient Celtic Wizarding fashion? The ministry frowns upon the practice and it’s one of the few things I completely agree with them on.” Tom’s features were set, “Yes, I am certain. I don’t intend on ever letting her go Lucius and I want to bind her to me forever.”

Lucius understood this but was still apprehensive, “But you will be bound to her as well.” Tom smiled and looked out the window, “I already am.” He said calmly and thoughtfully. Lucius said nothing else in protest. He had the strangest feeling that whether his Lord knew it or not he sounded as if he was falling in love with his bride. While love was an emotion that Lucius didn’t spend a lot of time and energy on, he understood it. He loved his son, Draco was his flesh and blood and he would die for him if need be. For Narcissa he felt great affection, but he wouldn’t call it love, certainly his feelings for her weren’t as strong as for Draco. He acknowledged that he was harsh and hard towards his son. Draco probably didn’t believe that he did love him, but Lucius had raised him like his father had raised him. He believed that it would serve Draco better in the future. Still he always made sure that Draco understood that he would always be there for him. Lost in his own thoughts he didn’t notice his Lord leave.

Reaching his room, Tom removed his clothes and got into bed. An hour later he was still awake. Not being able to sleep wasn’t strange for him as he mainly slept because he had to, it didn’t really bring him any real rest. Tonight though, he couldn’t get Claudia out of his head. Lucius’s earlier question came back to him now. Somewhere in the back of his mind he knew that the blonde was right. He shouldn’t bind himself to her with those kinds of ancient vows, since a lot of the words the old wizard would speak he didn’t have any belief on. However, it had become a primal thing now. This need that he had of her was something palpable that he couldn‘t even put a name to it let alone understand it. He wanted them to be irrevocably linked and this ceremony would ensure that.

About half an hour later he was still unable to sleep, so he gracefully got out of his bed. Not bothering to put any clothes on he strode into Claudia’s room. He found her sound asleep, her golden hair covering the pillow like a silk blanket. He leaned down and brushed his hand over her face, like a kitten she turned her face into the caress and whispered his name. Tom felt a warm feeling settle at the pit of his stomach as he watched her. She looked so pure, that he wondered if his touch tainted her somehow. Very quietly he got into bed and took her into his arms. Her right hand came up and her fingers entangled themselves in his hair. For a moment he thought that he had woken her up but she was still breathing deeply. Hugging her to himself he fell asleep a few minutes later.

As Claudia began to stir awake she felt strangely safe and warm. Then her eyes flew open when she realized that someone was holding her. She was delighted and confused at seeing Tom in her bed. Why was he there? He had never spent the night before and he hadn’t just come by to have sex because otherwise he would’ve woken her up. She couldn’t deny that she loved feeling his arms around her. Claudia carefully got on her elbows and stared at him. He was so beautiful. He looked so serene and gentle as he slept. It wasn’t that he wasn’t gentle with her, but just by looking at him one would not guess who he really was. Claudia tried to sneak out of his arms after thinking this, it was always disturbing thinking of him as Voldermort, and she hated it.

Tom’s arms wrapped tighter around her body, “It’s too bloody early for you to wake up now. Go back to sleep.” His voice, groggy from sleep, came from above her head. Claudia smiled against his chest and agreed that it was too bloody early. Laying her head back down on his chest she fell asleep once again. When she woke up again Tom was already gone. Not that she was surprised as it was almost noon. Getting up she quickly dressed and Nagi, as if sensing that she was awake, brought her a combination of breakfast and lunch for which she was thankful. Hearing a knock on her door and frowning since neither, Tom or Nagi, ever knocked she got up to answer it. As she opened the door she was unpleasantly surprised to find Narcissa Malfoy there.

“Mrs. Malfoy, really, you shouldn’t have come.” She said acidly, but the blonde ignored her and strode right in, several house elves in tow. “Now darling, they will be taking your measurements and writing down what your favorite colors and fabrics are. We are here so that you can have whatever you like to make the perfect wedding dress available to you for tomorrow. I have some suggestions since this won’t be a traditional wedding.” She finished very matter of fact. The woman wasn’t being hostile nor was she being nice, there was this iciness to her demeanor as if there was no warmth to her. With parents like that no wonder Draco was so foul, she thought. She spent the better part of the afternoon getting poked and prodded, she didn’t enjoy it one bit.

Before leaving her Narcissa said, “Dear, you are a smart girl, I can see that. I know that you are not going into this willingly but I can also see that you are smitten with the Dark Lord, at least with what he’s become now. I suggest you make the best of it because once you are married there is no breaking that union. Not with the vows you will speak tomorrow.” Then she turned and left. Claudia wondered if this was the woman’s idea of comfort. Dismayed she slammed her room door shut behind Narcissa.

***

Her wedding day came much too quickly. She had not seen Tom since she had woken up in his arms the morning before, as he was at least sticking to tradition by not seeing her for twenty four hours until the time of their wedding. She wished that he had more of a sense of tradition and respect for other things; but there was no sense in continuing to worry over that at the moment as Nagi had come to get her ready. The same house elves that had come with Narcissa the day before entered her room now, and bore her shoes, tiara, wedding gown, and what she would wear underneath.

The first thing she noticed were the shoes. They were high-heeled ankle-wrap sandals with diamonds, with a jazzy look set in stone as the diamonds were light pinks and blues. The diamonds matched the ones on her earrings which were dazzling with an antique silver plated post back. To wear under her gown was a satin and lace merrywidow. The thing made her curves look sexy under the dress. It had removable push-up pads, garters, back hook-and-eye closure in light pink. However, when she saw the wedding dress her mouth dropped open in awe. It had to be the most beautiful piece of clothing she had ever seen, and the most expensive.

Running her hands lightly through the material her eyes took it all in. It was a satin halter with tulle skirt. The bodice was corseted with beaded alecon lace appliques in the shapes of roses all accented in Rum Pink. The tiara was white gold, five diamonds in the shapes of light pink roses decorated it. Her hair was picked up and away from her face in an intricate design. Once she was ready she looked at herself in the mirror and felt like a princess. It was that moment that Narcissa chose to come and collect her. Claudia’s heart sank, everything looked beautiful but this certainly wasn’t a fairy tale and she doubted that she would ever have a happy ending. “You look lovely my dear, our Lord will be pleased. It is time to go, come along now.” Only because Narcissa was older than her did she not say anything to her, the woman was talking to her as if she were a scared child. Then again, perhaps she was, at only seventeen and being forced into this she was quite astonished that she hadn’t had a nervous breakdown yet.

Putting on a thick white and pink fur cloak, she drew the hood and covered herself as best she could since it was lightly snowing outside. When she and Narcissa reached the entrance hall Lucius Malfoy was already there, waiting for them. He couldn’t see her face very well but she looked breathtaking, he could only imagine how she looked underneath. He had seen the gown, in fact had picked it out, along with his wife, for her. He once again felt that she had the bearings of a queen, she looked so calm and composed, only her eyes betrayed her. The girl was in a frightful panic, so he quickly walked up to her and took her hand and Narcissa’s, “Come along ladies, we wouldn’t want to be late now would we?” He tried to make his voice as soothing as possible, “Our Lord has ridden ahead to make sure that everything is in order.” He said, as he helped his wife and the trembling bride into the carriage.

The carriage ride over to the small church-like building, where the ceremony was to be performed, was quiet uneventful. Claudia spent the entire ride staring out the window, her face blocked from view by the hood of her cloak. Lucius and Narcissa kept throwing her anxious looks, they hoped that she would hold up until after the vows were said. If the old wizard thought that she wasn’t willing then he would refuse to perform the marriage and that would not do, as it would make things difficult. Claudia’s mind was reeling, it was as if an invisible hand was closing around her heart. She guessed that perhaps it was because while he kept her she had always had hope of escaping him. It didn’t matter what she felt for him, if she could leave she would have. However, the ties of marriage would bind her to him, and from what Narcissa had said he wanted the ancient celtic vows performed. She knew that those vows were, while not outlawed, heavily frowned upon. They were considered archaic, very restrictive and completely binding. The way that she saw it they were just another form of control for him since they were not marrying for love.

Before she could get more upset and scared they arrived and Lucius was leading her out of the carriage. Upon entering she noticed that the small building was slightly decorated with pure-white, star-shaped lilies, their mild sweet fragrance invading her senses. Narcissa handed her a bouquet which consisted of two dozen bridal white roses, soft greenery and elegant white trim. Claudia thought she was going to be sick, the panic she felt had gotten unbearable. Lucius gripped her elbow and made her walk down the isle to stand beside Tom, who was looking as beautiful as he always did. He was dressed all in black, including his robes which were made of the finest silk. Narcissa had helped her take her cloak off as soon as they had walked in and now she felt vulnerable, as if the cloak had offered some level of protection.

Tom’s eyes never wavered from her face which compelled her to hold his gaze and calm down. She wondered if that was his intent? “Good, good, the beautiful bride has arrived. Excellent! Now if we can all get started please.” The old wizard who was going to perform the ceremony said. He wore spectacles and was still squinting down at her as if trying to focus so that he could get a better look. Lucius had placed her hand in Tom’s and then moved to Tom’s right. Narcissa stood on her left side and she thought that this is how it must feel standing before a judge about to be sentenced to a horrible fate. There was nowhere to run and no one to save her. They stared up at the old wizard, Narcissa and Lucius with impatience, Claudia with panic, and Tom seemed to look as if he did this twice a week.

“Dear, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?” The old wizard asked. For a moment Claudia’s mind went blank, she opened her mouth but nothing came out. “What was that my dear?” The wizard asked, leaning a bit closer, certain that she had spoken but that he hadn’t heard her. “Y-yes, it is true.” She said, after finding her voice. Her breathing felt painful now. The wizard gifted her with a warm smile. The man clearly thought that she was just a jittery bride. “With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?” He asked. She wanted to scream then and say no one, that this farce could never be a blessing. Lucius spoke up quickly, “She comes with me and my wife, she’s our niece, and is accompanied by all of her family’s blessings.” He spoke the lie so effortlessly that she almost wanted to believe him.

Smiling again the wizard spoke, loud and clear, “Please join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say.” Tom took both her hands and looked into her face. She, however, refused to look at him and kept her gaze firmly planted on the old wizard’s face. Again he continued, “Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Be free in giving affection and warmth.”

Claudia felt the words encircle her as if someone had poured something warm all over her body. The old wizard was not yet finished, “Groom, I have not the right to bind thee to your Bride, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.” Tom spoke, his voice strong and without doubt, “It is my wish.” Then he placed the ring that she would place on his finger in her hand. Satisfied the old wizard asked the same request of Claudia. Again her mind emptied and she almost dropped the ring Narcissa had given her to give to Tom. Mentally shaking herself, her eyes unfocused, she said weakly, “It is my wish.” Then she placed the ring in Tom’s hand.

At this point the old wizard was practically beaming at them. Looking at Tom he said, “Repeat after me; I, Thomas Marvolo Riddle, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee Claudia Marie Olmo, to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.”

Claudia heard the vows, heard Tom say them and felt anger and sorrow immediately. How dare he say those things to her! He didn’t mean any of them, at least the love and respect parts of them. She didn’t have time to get properly upset as the priest required her to say the same vows. Once the priest spoke them she automatically said them back, as if he had branded them to her brain when he had spoken. “Please, exchange rings.” As they did he raised a chalice and handed it to Tom, “May you drink your fill from the cup of love.”

Tom then held it to Claudia’s lips as she sipped then handed it to her to do the same to him. Once they did this the old wizard took it back and took two pieces of bread handing one each to the couple. They both fed each other the bread as they had done the wine. Almost bouncing on the balls of his feet, in apparent excitement, the old wizard said, “By the power vested in me by God and the Ministry of Magic, I now pronounce you husband and wife. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you both. You may now kiss your bride.”

Only then did Claudia look into Tom’s eyes, the warmth she saw there confused her, but she didn’t have time to think on it as he lowered his head and claimed her mouth. “Congratulations my Lord, my Lady.” Lucius said brightly. “Yes, it was a wonderful ceremony.” Narcissa said, although not as enthusiastic as her husband. Tom smiled lightly, “Lucius, you know what to do.” Without letting Claudia go he turned and led her out of the tiny building. “What?” She asked and tried to stop but Tom’s hold did not loosen, “Memory charm Love, Lucius needs to perform it now.” Claudia thought that they were going back into the carriage, but instead he got on his stallion and placed her on his lap. Her cloak, which he had helped her put on before going outside, sheltered her from the cold and snow as he rode towards the castle without looking back.

***

Harry sat up with a start. He had been asleep, but had the strangest dream. Frowning in concentration he tried to remember what it was about. He felt it had to do with Voldermort, but how could that be right? He was looking down at a girl and she was in a wedding dress. No, that wasn’t right. It couldn’t be Voldermort because whoever’s eyes he had been looking through felt…felt what? His mind screamed. It wasn’t love was it? It was all confused and strange. However, that person felt a great tenderness and affection toward the bride. “The bride...” Harry whispered. So startled was he, by the sudden realization that had just hit him, that he fell off his bed with a thud.

“What’s wrong, what is it Harry?” Ron asked, panicking and looking around the room for any intruders. Disentangling himself from the bed sheets Harry ignored him and headed off to speak to Dumbledore. “It just can’t be... How...” Ron was fast on his heels, “Harry wait up.” But Harry did not slow down, Ron barely caught up to him to go up the circular staircase to the headmaster’s office. Barging into the room everyone turned to look at him, it was apparent that they were having some sort of late night meeting. Sirius, Lupin, Snape, McGonnagall, Moody and Dumbledore stared back at Ron and Harry with raised eyebrows. Sirius rushed forward, “Are you alright Harry?” Harry nodded, not wanting to worry his Godfather. “He’s married her.” Everyone just looked at him not understanding what he was going on about.

“Who’s married whom Mr. Potter?” Snape asked curtly. Harry made an exasperated sound, “Voldermort, he’s married Claudia. I saw it, through his yes, although he felt completely different still.” Professor McGonnagall gasped, “The poor dear, married to him? It can‘t be Potter.” But Harry was looking at Dumbledore. “Yes Harry? There is something more isn’t there?” Harry nodded, “Yes, I think that ... that ... He’s falling in love with her.”