Bound By Blood.

ch.96~The wind is changing.

"Take care of her. 

We both know how she gets. 

She'll understand, in the end."

Recovered Translated Correspondents between Death Eater Mattheo Riddle, to Order Member Luna Lovegood, 2004.

Riddle Manor, 2004.

Mattheo.

The seasons were changing. The winds were whispering deeper, darker things in this time of year. 

The irony is comical, spring was bringing color back into the world, and I felt like I was dragging it all out again. 

Its been nearly a month since my conversation with Alexandra in the woods, and its been taking every fiber of my being to stick by the words I shouted at her that night. 

I was a Riddle. I needed to focus. 

I hated to say it, but Malfoy was right. 

This was a war, a war I fought tooth and nail in, a war I once begged to be apart of, to have control in. I needed to remember that. 

But no matter how hard I focused on the war, on the countless missions I've been sent on over the last month, the people I've had to take care of...the gnawing ache of missing her was an ever-present weight.

I wondered how she was, what she was doing, if she felt as lost as I did. If she's read the papers...

Was she safe? 

I knew I couldn't allow myself to dwell on these thoughts, yet they crept into my mind uninvited.

Like she always had.   

That  was what drew me to her in the first place, I loved things I could never have, but it was also what made keeping my distance so crucial. 

I couldn't afford to fuel that fire within her, couldn't let it burn brighter than it already was.

I couldn't afford to strengthen my weakness. 

I had long accepted that, even as the taste of regret lingered on my tongue.

This was how it had to be.

No matter how clearly I could hear her laugh in my mind, how if I closed my eyes tight enough I could almost feel her. It wasn't real. 

And right now, neither were we. 

I had to shut it off, like a switch. 

And so, I did. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"We have possession of three out of the seven Horcrux," I stated, as I stood at the head of the long table, "Not only is that disgraceful to my Father and I, but its fucking embarrassing."

The words hung heavily, and I could see a few of them flinch, discomfort evident in their postures.

"This next raid is crucial," I continued, my mask of leadership firm in place. "There's a rumor that the next two Horcruxes are hidden in the same place. Acquiring both would give us the upper hand we need. Failure is not an option. My father expects results. And believe me, if we disappoint him, the consequences will be swift and severe." I crossed my arms, letting the gravity of my words sink in.