the snake, the soul and the lovers

Rubedo

Harry woke up feeling sluggish around midday. Immediately, cold fingers brushed his bangs back, and Harry felt himself relax under the zealous care of the Dark Lord.

"How are you feeling?"

"Better, tired."

The man hummed quietly and the bed dipped.

"I did not expect it would take so much from you, little one. Usually, the average wizard will be out for an hour at most. But for you... it took the entire night. Your paths were not only hidden and sealed, but you have many of them. Meaning your control over the Dark will be powerful. Still, I'm sorry you had to suffer for that long."

Not knowing how to respond to that, Harry simply nuzzled into Voldemort's hand, finding the coldness of his fingers like a blessing on his burning skin. It's the Horror Crux , a voice said deep inside him, your souls are connected. You feel safe with him as he feels safe with you, because your souls are intertwined. Much like soulmates, you won't ever be able to exist without the other. It is a power that runs deeper than everything else.

Mouth open, Harry stared at the Dark Lord.

"You heard that?" asked, pushing himself to sit on the bed. Voldemort helped him as always, caressing his back with lazy circles.

"Heard what?"

"A... voice. It told me..."

Before he could continue, a finger found its way to his mouth, inviting him to keep quiet.

"If the Dark has spoken to you, you have no obligation to share Her words. They are yours, not even I would ever betray that trust."

"But they were about you! About us. I think She wants me to share them."

When he said that, he felt a content thrum in his soul. He was right, She was speaking through him, because he could hear Her so clearly. A soft smile curved his lips then.

"Yes, She wants that. Can I tell you?"

Taken aback, Voldemort straightened his back and nodded, silent when Harry repeated the words. Then, the Dark Lord went pensive, eyes closed and body still like a statue. It was kinda cute. What. Luckily Voldemort had his eyes closed, because Harry was sure he couldn't hide the strange range of emotions that took control of his face then. What the fuck. the Dark Lord... cute. What. While he went through a minor existential crisis, Dippy brought them breakfast, and Harry welcomed the distraction filling his mouth with as many croissants as he could fit - just to stop his mind from going back to the freakin Dark Lord being cute.

"Curious indeed, but logical." Harry jolted when Voldemort spoke, "This would explain why, even if you're distressed by everything that happened to you, you find my company congenial. As I find yours. Our souls, being connected, prevent us from hating eachother or hurting the other. I wonder..." abandoning his pensive pose, the man grabbed a scone and his cup of black tea, but the furrow of his brows still suggested he was thinking hard on something. In the end, curiosity won.

"What?"

"Mh? Oh, yes. I was wondering, do you know of a prophecy made of your birth?"

At that, Harry almost dropped his cup.

"Nope." - good one Harry, you just said "nope" to the Dark Lord. "Er, no one ever mentioned it, at least to me." corrected.

"I see. Well, I happen to know where it is stored, and with your help we can get it. I admit to being very curious about its content, since I managed to hear only the first sentences... The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches, born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... It is because of this prophecy that I went against your parents and killed them, Harry."