Invictus [Tom Riddle / Tomione]

Friends, Non-Friends, & Well-Laid Plans

"My Lord," Abraxas greeted with a low bow as Riddle walked through the front doors of Malfoy Manor. "Welcome back to London, my friend."

"Yes, Malfoy, thank you. Where is the book?" Tom threw his cloak over his arm as he made his way to the library, forcing Abraxas to keep up.

"Book?"

"The book on Soul Bonds, which else?"

"Ah, yes, my apologies. I did have Dobby fetch it for you. Dobby!"

The elf promptly appeared with a crack.

"Did you locate the book I asked you to find for Mr. Riddle?"

"Yes, sir, Dobby did find it straightaway."

Abraxas nodded. "Very good. See that you bring it to the library for Mr. Riddle, and quickly, no dawdling."

"Yes, sir." The elf immediately apparated away.

"How was your trip, my Lord?" Abraxas followed Tom into the library.

"Busy."

Abraxas noted that Tom seemed quite preoccupied. "That's good. Busy is good, sir."

Tom cocked a brow and gave Malfoy a look as if to say, "Why are you still here?"

Abraxas nodded and began to back toward the door. "Ah, yes, well... I will see you Saturday morning, for our meeting, as usual. I'll leave you to your studies, then." Abraxas left, chagrined.

A moment later, Dobby apparated into the library, bearing an old book with faded red fabric and fraying ends. "Here is the book Master Riddle was requesting. Will you be needing anything else from Dobby, sir?"

Tom shook his head absentmindedly. "No, that's all. Thank you."

He took the book from the elf's hand and then waited as he apparated away. He scanned the front of the book, entitled, A Marriage of Spirits: The Anatomy of the Magical Core and the Fundamentals of Stitching Souls.

Interesting, Tom thought.

It was Thursday. He'd been too busy catching up at work to continue his research. For the past few days since they'd both returned to London, he and Hermione had written back and forth during work hours. The day after their conversation using a rather grumpy owl, Tom had sent her an enchanted parchment, which utilized a spell similar to the spell he'd cast on his journal horcrux, which allowed them to write back and forth magically, barring the use of owls.

Despite her strange hesitancy to talk to him, he had come to enjoy her cheeky repartee and snarky little quips. It broke up the monotony of the day, so to speak. Her birthday was this Sunday, and he had plans for her, whether she realized it or not.

But now, he honed in his focus because he intended to research more deeply the subject of soul matter and the connection between soulmates, which could potentially heighten his magical power significantly, according to myth.

Tom sat in a tufted leather chair by the hearth, which now housed a crackling fire, as the mornings had begun to grow rather cool. He scanned the various chapters of the book until he found a passage that piqued his interest.

Twin flames, or mirror souls, are the epitome of true soulmates. These individuals may have different bodies, but are two halves of one soul. In essence, they are one soul split between two bodies. Their magical cores are tethered throughout eternity, and many may find that when they meet, they suddenly possess memories from lifetimes they had not previously remembered. Many witches and wizards report having dreams about their twin flames prior to meeting them. Their souls cast projections throughout time and space which manifest in a seer-like gift or a psychic link. Often these individuals refer to feeling as though they'd been connected by some higher power. It can feel rather divine, as the god-magic within is calling to its magical mate. Some report feeling the connection as a physical manifestation, or a powerful bodily magnetism. Twin flames are connected mind, body, soul, and magical core. This connection typically manifests in an instant spark or magnetic pull. Because of the nature of this soul connection, the twin flame will mirror back one's own deepest insecurities, fears, and shadows.