The Fearsome Name of Riddle

Mother's Relief

1959

Soft warm sheets covered her skin. Picturesque like a memory to be carved into stone and never forgotten. Victoria had gotten used to sleeping next to Obsidian in the five years they had spent together. She had even gotten used to the throbbing pain of her splitting vow on her hand. As she lay there watching Obsidian's sleeping face, she felt thankful for Tom's lack of faith in the future. They had not promised not to betray each other. They hadn't promised not to cause each other pain. Just to never leave. Her hands bled when she wanted to, but in the end Victoria knew she wasn't going anywhere. She still loved Tom even if it did hurt her pride to admit it. 

Obsidian was strong, bulkier than Tom was. Tall and muscular from his years as a soldier in the Dark Lord's growing army. Black curly hair lay over his closed eyes, a light dusting of stubble over his jaw. One of his muscled arms lay across her waist as his sleeping face smushed into the pillow beside her. He was a handsome man. 

While she had no worries about hurting Tom's feelings, just what his anger would do to them both, she was starting to feel guilty about what their relationship would cause Mrs Lestrange. Would it make her as miserable as Victoria had been? She didn't know Belladonna Lestrange very well, in truth she wasn't sure if they had ever spoken. But, that didn't stop the fact that Obsidian's love for her may be her medicine, but it was also likely Belladonna's poison. 

"Have I done something terrible?" Obsidian grumbled, his voice rough in his groggy state. 

"What?" Victoria asked, lifting her fingers to comb them through his curls. Every strand bounced back into place like it had never been moved. 

Her contorted feelings bothered her rarely, especially when he was there to hold onto. Even Lucius was easier to be around. The little boy knew who she was after some strained time spent around each other. 

"You're staring at me." Obsidian smiled as he tugged her a little closer. He nuzzled against her cheek and made her giggle. "Makes me scared to open my eyes. You're not glaring at me are you?" 

"No," Victoria said, a smile soft on her face. "I'm not glaring at you." 

"Oh good then," Obsidian said, his eyes pulling open. His hands felt along her nightdress, fingering at the fabric as he watched her with groggy eyes. "Good morning." 

"Good morning." She leaned forward and kissed him, soaking in the touch of his warm hands. 

That little bit of peace, tainted by guilt, was sacred to her. His embrace felt healing. No one listened to her like Obsidian did, her every complaint and thought. Any time she needed to think out loud Obsidian had been there to help her through it. Just to be held and loved by him was enough, the attention she craved that she couldn't get anywhere else. 

"Victoria," Obsidian hummed as he pushed his body flat against hers. "I can't stay much longer, let's make the most of the time we've got." 

His lips moved across her neck and collarbone as his arms held her tight. Victoria stretched into him, responding to every kiss. 

"We should run away to Romania," he whispered against her skin, the hum of every word flitting against her. "Climb up into the mountains, see the dragons. I could keep you safe. I could keep you both safe." 

"What?" Victoria chuckled, turning her head to look at him with a confused expression. They couldn't run away. She would die. 

"No!" A small voice shouted and snapped both of their heads around to the door of Victoria's bedroom. "You're my mummy! He's not daddy! You said so!" 

"Lucius," Victoria exclaimed, her heart rapping against her ribs as she scrambled from underneath her quilt. "Lucius, stop. Stop shouting." 

She crossed the room quickly, her nightdress flowing behind her as she knelt in front of the five year old. His hands flailed as she tried to grab him. Victoria hadn't realised how attached to her he was becoming. He had started to follow her around but she hadn't thought them close.