Dark Love

Chapter 3: Mates?

Hi yall its me again lol. So sorry for the late chapter but I now have someone irl pushing me lol

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He was boiling in rage and couldn't help a growl slip out. "I swear Albus is gonna get it," he hisses, careful not to wake the small Henry. Tom Riddle sat at his desk in the dimly lit chamber of Slytherin House, his mind consumed with dark thoughts and nefarious plans. He was known amongst his peers as a cunning and ambitious wizard with a gift for manipulation and a thirst for power. Tom Riddle sat with his inner circle of followers. The air was thick with anticipation, and a whirlwind of emotions danced beneath the surface of his composed facade. Little did he know that within this very room, a revelation was about to unfold that would challenge the depths of his carefully guarded heart. As the group huddled together, their eyes fixed upon the slumbering figure of Henry Snape, an air of unease settled over them. Henry, the son of their fellow Death Eater, Severus Snape, had endured a life fraught with pain and mistreatment. His once bright and curious eyes had been extinguished, leaving him blind and vulnerable. Tom's eyes flickered with astonishment and curiosity as he observed Henry sleeping soundly, cradled in the loving embrace of his mother, Lily. The child's trust in his mother was unfathomable despite the darkness that tainted their world. It was a sight that stirred a strange sensation within Tom's chest, an ache he had kept locked away.

The Dark Lord's inner circle turned to him, their gazes filled with anticipation. They sought his guidance, his command, but within the depths of his mind, a storm raged. A storm of conflicting emotions that threatened to tear him apart. Tom's years of embracing darkness and manipulating others had made him almost immune to empathy, but Henry's plight stirred something unfamiliar within him. As the group whispered amongst themselves, Tom's gaze never wavered from the sight before him. The vulnerability etched on Henry's face was a stark reminder of the fragile nature of life itself. A disturbing realization washed over him - the power he had sought so fervently paled compared to the strength of compassion and love. With a determined glint, Tom rose from his seat, startling his loyal followers. His voice, usually laced with authority and coercion, quivered with an unfamiliar vulnerability as he addressed the room. "We shall not stand idle while injustice prevails within our ranks," he proclaimed. The room fell silent, disbelief etched on their faces. Tom's decision went against everything they had come to expect from their ruthless leader. But within the depths of his soul, he could not ignore the flicker of empathy that Henry's plight had ignited. Tom turned to face Lily, his piercing gaze meeting her startled eyes. "Henry deserves better," he whispered, his voice filled with determination. "It is time for us to rise above the darkness that consumes our world." The room erupted in confusion and awe as Tom's followers absorbed the magnitude of his words. For the first time in their lives, they saw a glimmer of the man behind the mask, who had once been a mere mortal, driven by the torment of a tragic past.

Tom looked at his other mate, Fenrir, and they both had an understanding. "You lot watch over Henry while Fenrir and I discuss some things," the dark lord spoke and slowly walked from the room with Fenrir following him. Tom Riddle and Fenrir Greyback paced back and forth in a dimly lit room, their minds filled with thoughts of Henry Snape, the young child born of an unexpected union between Lily Potter and Severus Snape. The duo knew that winning over the young boy's trust and affection would be a challenging task. They needed to strategize, plot, and approach this unusual courtship with utmost caution yet high creativity. With their shared goals in mind, they devised a plan to create an environment where Henry would feel comfortable. Tom enchanted their room, transforming it into a spacious and inviting playground filled with wonders and magical creatures. They knew the environment alone wasn't enough; they needed to gain his trust.

____ Back in the room____

Blind Henry slowly opened his eyes and curled up in his mother Lily's warm and comforting lap. As he tried to adjust to the darkness around him, he could hear the murmur of voices. His heightened senses alerted him to the familiar presence of Sirius, Remus, Bellatrix, and even his father, Snape. Confused, Henry listened intently to their conversation, hoping to gather some clues as to why they were all gathered together. As the voices grew more precise, Henry realized they were discussing his life, his childhood filled with mistreatment and sorrow. Although he couldn't see their faces, their words painted vivid pictures in his mind. Sirius expressed his anger, "How could anyone be so heartless as to mistreat such a kind-hearted child? Henry deserves so much better." Remus added with a sympathizing tone, "It breaks my heart to think of the pain he has gone through." The venom in Bellatrix's voice was unmistakable, "It's all Snape's fault. He never cared for the boy. A pitiful excuse for a father." Henry's heart sank as he heard her words. Tears welled up in his sightless eyes, but he listened intently, his desire for answers overpowering his pain. And then, unexpectedly, it was Snape's voice that softly cut through the tension. "I must admit, I have made mistakes," Snape spoke, his voice carrying a rare touch of remorse. "But I never wanted this life for my son. I was trapped."

Listening to his father's words, Henry felt a glimmer of hope. There may have been more to Snape's story, more to understand his troubled past. As Snape continued, his voice trembling with emotion, it seemed the air in the room grew heavy with regret. "Blind Henry, if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, I promise to do everything in my power to protect you and make amends for the pain you have suffered." Henry felt a complex mix of emotions flood his being. The wounds of his childhood were deep, and the scars would remain, but his desire to understand and find peace within himself was stronger. Drawing strength from within, he cleared his throat and spoke softly yet firmly, breaking the silence that had enveloped the room. "Father, I cannot deny the pain you brought upon me, but I believe in the power of forgiveness," he said, his voice steady. "I am willing to give you a chance to prove yourself. Together, we can heal these wounds and build a new future." There was a moment of stunned silence before Sirius broke into a relieved smile. Remus and Bellatrix seemed taken aback, struggling to process the unexpected turn of events.

Tom and Fenrir sneaked back into the room where Henry was conversing deeply with his parents, Lily and Snape, and Bellatrix, Sirius, and Remus. The atmosphere was tense, filled with joy and comfort. As Henry continued to speak, his voice filled with both determination and vulnerability, he had no idea of the seismic revelation that was about to shake their world. The entire room was oblivious to the fact that these three individuals shared an almost otherworldly bond, one that extended far beyond friendship. Tom Riddle, once known as Lord Voldemort, was the first to sense the looming presence of the connection. Fenrir Greyback, the ruthless and savage werewolf, followed closely behind. Both understood the gravity of the situation but were still determining how the revelation would be received, especially by Henry. Henry, having lost his sight at a young age, was especially sensitive to the emotional and physical environments around him. He relied heavily on his heightened senses, including the ability to perceive the aura of those he encountered. Though he was unaware of the bond connecting him to three of the most formidable individuals in the room, he could sense a surge of energy, unlike anything he had ever felt. The smell of spicy and sugar filled the air again. He tapped his foot to sense the aura and figure out what was happening.

Suddenly, as Henry paused to gather his thoughts, the room fell silent. The bond that connected Tom, Fenrir, and Henry had reached its peak, demanding acknowledgment. The walls seemed to vibrate with unseen energy as tendrils of light snaked toward Henry. In a moment of raw intuition, Henry turned his head towards the source of the disturbance. The expression on his face shifted from confusion to recognition. His senses swirled, struggling to comprehend what was happening. "Mates," Henry whispered, the sheer weight of the revelation erasing any hesitation in his voice. The room erupted with a mix of astonishment and disbelief. Lily's eyes grew wide with shock while Snape's stoic facade faltered, revealing flickers of both surprise and acceptance. Bellatrix's countenance transformed from curiosity to understanding, and Sirius and Remus shared a moment of realization that passed between them in wordless understanding. Henry reached out, guided by an unexplainable force, and his trembling hand came to rest on Tom's arm. The touch was gentle but filled with reassurance. Tom, his throat constricted with emotion, returned the touch, grasping Henry's hand firmly.