An ENTERPRISING OMEGA

Chapter 72 Christmas Shopping

For his first steps among this crowd, - his people! - Voldemort let himself be carried away a little by the current and the movement. The good mood was evident around him, people were smiling, people were hurrying. Voldemort had never realized that people could be so happy under his reign, as stupid as it was. Yes, he had known about the general well-being but well-being was not necessarily happiness. What he was discovering there... His omega must have known that he had never seen him. He was even fascinated by a small family who were struggling to know what gifts to offer for the newborn who was sleeping peacefully in the arms of his older brother.

There was love. Voldemort found himself thinking that he might have these kinds of conversations someday… And he felt even more in love with his husband.

To wake up a little when he arrived near the first shops. It was all well and good to daydream but it wasn't the best idea when you needed to buy for a dozen people. In reality, he didn't even know where to start. Voldemort realized at the same time that he had no idea what his disciples and friends might want. He knew them yes, however this private side of their persons... Of course, they would be delighted with the gifts, whatever they were as they would come from him but that didn't suit him. He was Lord Voldemort, he wouldn't accept being mediocre, even in this matter.

Pride shaken, the Emperor entered a first shop, only to be jostled again by a hurried woman who was polite enough to apologize but without turning around. Voldemort once again refrained from flinching. They didn't know, they didn't know. And he couldn't allow himself to let it be known that he was present among them. Otherwise, all this good humor would disappear. Even if he had created it, the dark wizard had enough common sense that his mere presence could make it vanish just because he was him.

He was associated with death and he was fine with that. Voldemort would never stop wanting to be above it, in any way possible.

Which didn't help him much as he wandered down the aisles, leaving the shop to enter another. Unconsciously, his mind worked on what he could associate with each. He knew what to look for Abraxas and Theodore. Less so for Lucius. Bellatrix would be awfully easy to please… But no, he wouldn't give her a Muggle to torture. It wasn't in the spirit of Christmas and Harry would have his head if he gave such a present. Still, it was damn tempting, a good Muggle was a dead Muggle.

Voldemort shook himself. These ideas weren't going to help him, he had to accept it. So what? What was left? His second stop was at the best liquor store in London. A good bottle for Lucius worked. He even bought two, proof that he knew how to be generous. Then the blond had had more than one scare this year because of his mood swings. So he had chocolates added to the liqueur and went out, rather pleased with himself. Before becoming furiously disillusioned. That was only one out of ten.

And he still had no ideas for the most precious person.

Even if in truth, if it were up to him, he would be a person to kill so that Harry could have his Horcrux. All the while knowing that it would be much more of a gift for him than for his husband. He shook himself a little and left, heading for the magical pet store where he took the most beautiful koi carp he could find for Abraxas. Continuing his wanderings, Voldemort found himself smiling at people who were saying hello to him, already wishing him the best wishes and other joys with a sincerity that disarmed him. Did he render these words in a tone that was a little hollow or a little shaken? Hard to say.

His next stop was a luxury bookstore. He wandered around the aisles for a long time, with the growing desire to buy something for himself. When had he not allowed himself to buy a book like that, without thinking? It seemed rather absurd that he, Lord Voldemort, had cut himself off from an activity like this that could give him pleasure without torturing anyone. Oh, it would never replace torture, it was far too satisfying, however… Yes, in case of an argument with his omega, it could certainly serve as a palliative.