The Fearsome Name of Riddle

Youngest Boy

1962

A mess of black curls lay on her son's head and large dark eyes looked up at her husband as he held him in his arms. Victoria Malfoy had named her youngest son Octavian for the strength that he was to her. Julius started Rome’s civil war but Octavian was the first Emperor. In a new age, they would have peace. 

Her husband had kept his promise and stayed by her side even a year after Octavian’s birth. Lucius had accepted her apology with open arms and was back to clinging to her hand far quicker than she expected him to. He was far more forgiving than she had been at his age. They felt like a family. 

Even Walburga was smiling at Ivan’s son's birthday party. All their boys were born within months of each other so Regulus, Evan, and Octavian spent a lot of playdates together. Victoria had her friends, her husband, and her sons. Her life felt perfect. 

The Rosier estate, bathed in early August sun, felt like the perfect summer painting. Trees adorned in fresh green leaves surrounded the gardens, decorating the scene of children running and playing. Lucius held a stick like a sword across the grass, play fighting with Rodolphus and Bellatrix. 

"You know," her one stress said as they watched Octavian grab at Tom's hair as he stood entertaining Huntley Avery, "Rabastan will be old enough to join in soon enough. I can see you more then." 

"He's more Pandora's age," Victoria said, her eyes not leaving her son. "Though I'm sure they'll all be friends, we still are." 

"Is that what we are?" Obsidian asked, glancing over at Tom as Octavian fiddled with the tie around the Dark Lord's neck. "I've missed you, the Dark Lord's return to his family has left me without need for my duties." 

"Has it? You should be relieved." Victoria sighed, finally turning to look at him. "I hope I have not become a burden to you." 

"You could never," Obsidian smiled, his hands behind his back as he turned his back on the party. “It has been my pleasure to offer up anything my Lady has wished of me.”

"Tom is here." She said more firmly, noting Avery's suspicious glances and taking a step away from Obsidian. "Watch what you say." 

“He can't hear me.”

“I won't destroy my life for you.”

"What about my life?" Obsidian frowned, his jaw flexing with a sudden surge of anger. "What about my heart? Would you really break it just to mend it again when your husband inevitably runs off?"

Victoria's lip twitched and she turned and walked away from him. They couldn't fight. Not about that. Not in front of everyone. 

"Did you miss us at all?" He asked, his voice a little louder than he wanted it to be. "Because I did. I miss you every day." 

"A little," Victoria admitted, a soft smile on her face as she glanced back but left him behind. 

The dark green dress she was wearing fluttered in the breeze as she walked to her family. Summer's warmth had blessed them for the party. Tom Riddle lifted Octavian’s hand to wave at his mother as she approached them. His giggling face making Victoria feel giddy and forget every worry in her mind. She never had that with Lucius, his innocent laugh at the smallest thing. Chubby cheeks bunched in his smile as Tom kept repeating the wave, making him laugh even more. 

"There's my little man," Victoria cooed as Octavian leaned away from Tom and into her arms. "My beautiful boy. How are you doing? Are you having a good day?" 

"One day, he'll be able to answer those questions." Tom smiled, stroking strands of hair from his wife's face as her eyes glittered in the sunlight. "But for now, he can do 'wow' and 'oh' so, a short conversation."