Tomarry One Shots

Belated Apologies

Summary: A lover from the past shows up in her home, begging for her forgiveness. Yet he fails to understand that even as a Potter Helena hadn't tolerated betrayals. Now as Lady Riddle, she was even less inclined to give him her time, much less another chance.

Ship: HarryPotterxTomRiddle/Voldemort

All credit goes to Lady_Lark on Ao3

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"Milady, a guest is waiting for you in the foyer," Missy, her personal house-elf, announced briskly, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to another. "He insisted he has something important to say to you. Should Missy take him to the waiting room?"

Helena's hand stopped above the page. She turned her head regally, looked at the clearly worried house-elf before her. Missy had been one of the few good things to happen to her in the last several years. They had gotten close. Or, perhaps, as close as a Lady can get to her servant.

"I don't recall planning any meetings for today," she said, turning back to her book. Her delicate hand slowly flipped the page. "Marvolo hasn't mentioned expecting anyone either. Tell me, Missy, who is it that has come so unexpectedly?"

"Heir Zabini, milady."

Her hand tightened around the book's spine.

"And how did he surpass the wards?"

"Missy suspects but doesn't know for sure," the elf replied dutifully. "Do you wish to hear what Missy thinks?"

"Of course. You can speak freely, Missy. I value our friendship too much to ignore you like that."

Missy flapped her ears in excitement. "Young Master Draco has spent many days here when he was young. Mistress Narcissa often invited his friends. Missy thinks Heir Zabini has access from those times."

Helena pondered the theory. It was more than viable, and perfectly explained the sudden access. She knew her husband would've never allowed the man access to their home. He trusted few people with knowing where they lived. Those who actually visited them could be counted on one hand.

She was even worse. To count her friends, one would need but two fingers. Two and a half if you counted her mentor.

"Very well." She closed the book with a sharp snap. "Bring him to the blue living room, one closest to the foyer. I don't wish for him to walk around my house."

"Should Missy bring any beverages?"

"No," Helena said coldly. "I doubt our guest will linger."

With a pop, the elf disappeared from the room. Helena didn't immediately rise from her armchair, deciding to think this sudden visit over. Zabini could and would wait. If he wanted to see her so badly, he had forgone protocol and common courtesy, she couldn't be blamed for making him wait. After all, it was a weekend. Few demanded her attention during them. Not with her husband having any say about it.

A small smile touched her lips. Marvolo could be overly protective of their time together. Brief and often irregular, it was all more precious due to its infrequency. She was often busy with her work while Marvolo managed his followers, ensuring their efforts didn't crumble due to a foolish mistake.

Rising from her seat, Helena walked to her table. There, she quickly penned down a note for her husband, telling him of their guest and requesting his presence in the living room. Finishing the note, she wove her hand over it. Immediately the parchment crumbled on itself, turning into a delicate paper plane. Helena petted its head with her finger. Exactly twenty minutes later it would appear in Marvolo's study. No later than five minutes afterwards, the man would join them in the living room.