The Dark Lord's Consort

Chapter Eight - Tom's P.O.V

I sigh for the maybe what feels like the one hundredth time this morning. It's been two days since taking Harry to the orphanage I grew up in and now we have to act like a couple because I have two other leaders coming to see me and talk to me about forming an alliance with me. I sent a message to Harry an hour ago to come see me immediately and he still hasn't come. The leaders will be here any minute and my consort is nowhere to be seen. This is a great morning. Just as I was about to send another message to Harry, here is a knock on my study door.

I straighten out my robes and clear my desk and try to look neat and tidy before calling out a soft "Enter."

Allison, leader of the Vampire Coven in England, and Gregori, leader of the Veela Nation in England, enter alongside Severus and Lucius. While everyone takes a seat, I look over at my followers and silently ask them where Harry is, and they both shake their heads no. Great, looks like I have to remind Harry about our arrangement later.

"Good morning, I hope your travels went well?" I start off our conversation and hope I don't look as worried as I know I am to them.

"Very well Lord Voldemort. I have heard curious news and I am very curious; some have been saying you have selected a mate, a consort of the one Harry Potter-Black. Is this true? Our last conversation six months ago, you were very adamant about not being in a relationship." Allison questions me and I smile softly at them and watch as their expressions turn into surprised ones.

"What you have heard is true. I asked Hadrian to be my consort two weeks ago. We had been working alongside each other more and more and conversing more and more and a bond formed. I know he is young, but he is very powerful, and I do consider him my equal in many ways. I figured it would be best to propose to him before someone else did. I have quickly realized that love does make you powerful. I am sorry he is not here; I hope he is just running late. I asked him to be here to meet with you both." I apologize to them both.

"It is no worry. It is good to see you happy though. Six months ago, you were very closed off and cold. You seem warmer now." Gregori tells me and I wonder what they are talking about. How can I be warmer, our relationship is technically not real since that is what we have made an agreement on, even though I do have real feelings for him.

I am completely bullshitting about our relationship; I know I am good at bending the truth a little bit, but I don't think I am that good. Just as I was about to ask him what he meant, the study door opens to show Harry looking a little frazzled and he hasn't looked around before talking.

"Sorry, I know you wanted me here like two hours ago to go over details, but Blaise dragged me and Draco all around to try and find the perfect outfit for his date tonight. Only merlin knows how he got a date. And then Draco started panicking about what he is going to wear to his date with the twins. I was held hostage and under piles of clothes. They wouldn't let me leave and they took my wand so I couldn't contact you to let you know I was going to be late. By the way you never told me when the two leaders will arrive, so I figured we might have some time to chat. I also haven't eaten yet, but I have had about six cups of very strong coffee so I wouldn't murder Draco and Blaise and..." Harry trails off as he finally looks up from the papers in his hands and sees Allison, Gregori, Severus, Lucius and myself in the room. He flushes a bright red and starts muttering apologies and glaring at me.

"You could have stopped my rambling. Or I don't know, warned me that when I arrived that our company is here. I swear Tom, we are going to work on your communication skills later. Hello, I am Hadrian. You must be Allison and Gregori. It is very nice to meet you both." Harry says and takes a seat next to me and I look at him softly. He gives me a gentle smile before facing our company. When he looked away from me, I gently grab his hand and rub soothing circles on the back of it to calm him down from his momentary embarrassment.