𝑃𝐻𝐼𝐿𝑂𝑃𝐻𝑂𝐵𝐼𝐴|𝙏.𝙈.𝙍+𝙃.𝙅.𝙋

g r a v e y a r d

{10 years later}

THOMAS MARVOLO GAUNT opened the gates of the graveyard in Godric's Hollow.

"Ouch." 15-year-old Cierra mumbled when she tripped over a rock.

Tom's lips quirked upwards for a second. He crouched down to help, giving her a hand.

She smiled thankfully, taking it and standing up. "Thanks, Tommy."

Tom shook his head fondly and walked, not paying a glance to any of the graveyards, eyes on one far away— which was the one they were heading for.

It was the anniversary of Rigel's death, and every anniversary— Tom visited his grave alone, but today, Cierra wanted to come as well.

Alot had changed the past decade.

The wizarding world had never been more peaceful.

Cierra, surprisingly, was a Hufflepuff. It was surprising because her parents had believed her to be a Ravenclaw for many years, but judging by her caring nature, it wasn't that surprising for her to be a Hufflepuff.

She was the kindest person you'd ever get to meet.

She treated every person she loved, animal— and even plants— with the most utmost care.

Many were surprised, and rightfully so— a Black in Hufflepuff?

But Cierra, being herself, didn't let their words get to her.

After all, why should she? She was strong, and she wasn't going to let anybody break her.

And even when some people tried ruining her mood, all she did was give them a soft smile and spread kindness, knowing they needed it.

"Is this it?" whispered Cierra, pointing to Rigel's grave,

'Rigel Regulus Black.
'Even the stars can't shine without darkness.'

Tom wordlessly nodded. He non-verbally made some red roses appear on his grave, then walked over to Lily and James Potter's grave, doing the same thing for them.

They had decided for Rigel to have a grave near his biological parents', knowing it was what he'd want.

"You loved him, didn't you?" asked Cierra as she sat down next to her brother's grave.

Tom's eyes teared up.

Even though it was years ago— he never forgot Rigel. He never stopped loving him. He never got over his death.

How could he even forget him?

They were in love.

Tom still was. He never fell out of love.

The sad thing was.. ever since the day of Rigel's death, Tom hadn't fallen asleep one night without breaking down at the fact that his bed was empty.

He blamed himself for Rigel's death. After all, Rigel did tell him not to go, but he did— Which made Rigel follow him.

"Of course, I did." He whispered, sitting down next to her.

Cierra and Tom had been close ever since Rigel's death. They only had each other to remind themselves of him.

Sirius and Remus were too broken to be able to speak about Rigel. The two had also blamed themselves for their son's death.

They never got over it, either.

"I miss him." She said, laying her head on his shoulder.

Tom wrapped an arm around her, sighing. "So do I, Cierra. So do I."

"He loved you?"

"I'd like to believe so, yes." nodded Tom, eyes never leaving the grave.

"How'd you deal with it?"

"With what?"

"Well," she lifted her head up to look at him. "he's still here, in our hearts, I know that. But how'd you deal with losing him in the end?"

"I never stopped dealing with it."

"You still think about him?"

Tom's eyes welled up with tears again. "I never stopped."

••

The two stayed in silence for the whole day, both of them not once looking away from the grave.

Tom stood up with much reluctance. "We should go. You've got school soon."

"But.. I want to stay." said Cierra with a frown.

"I'll bring you here with me the next time I come, I promise."

She nodded and stood up, starting to walk to the gates.

Tom kissed the headstone, running his fingers over Rigel's name on the grave. "I used to think being immortal was a gift.. now, it's a curse. I'll never get to see you again.." He whispered, a few tears escaping his eyes.

"Tom? Are you alright?" asked Cierra, already by the gates.

"Coming." said Tom, walking over to her quickly.

She held his hand just before opening the gates, looking at the gravestone that was now far away. "Can I ask something?"

"Of course."

"Why'd you love him?"

"What do you mean?" asked Tom as they opened the gates and walked out of the graveyard.

"You used to talk about how much he hated you. Remember?"

Indeed, he did remember.

He'd always tell her bedtime stories about their relationship just like she had asked him to do every night ever since she was 7.

"Yes."

"So, why'd you love him?" She curiously asked with a tilted head.

"..how could I not?" whispered Tom, voice filled with heartbreak.

At first, Rigel was the one scared of heartbreak.
In the end, Tom was the one heartbroken.

|THE END|