The Phoenix and His Basilisk (Completed)

Crimson Ichor for Rebellion

Tom was silent as he watched Eveline, Luna, Harry and Neville fight against his followers.

When they succeeded in defeating all four, he smiled.

"You're all ready."

——————————————————————

Going to war was complicated.

Tom planned for every single outcome that could happen. Eveline interjected every so often, and Luna occasionally added her own advice, but in the end, they had a battle plan.

They had already had the alliance of the vampires, the fairies, the Veelas and many others. Luna has done most of the alliance parts, but they had many allies.

They weren't going to lose anytime soon.

Harry stared at Tom, who was meditating and collecting his thoughts.

"Tom?" He said. His voice cracked and he coughed awkwardly as Tom turned towards him with an amused look.

"Yeah?"

Harry nervously looked at his shoes. "Do... do you think we're going to win?"

Tom chuckled and stood up. "I think? I know."

He pulled Harry down into a kiss, and then nuzzled into his scent glands.

The door opened and Barty walked in, his eyes wide. "M-My Lord?"

Tom tilted his head. "Yes? What is it?"

Barty trembled but he breathed in and then bowed. "Eveline requires Harry's presence."

Harry parted from Tom reluctantly and then walked out the door. He was silent but didn't move as he close the gates and then leaned against it.

He listened in, as he made his scent fainter and fainter in an illusion of walking away.

He didn't know why he did this, but he felt strangely protective over Tom, for some unknown reason.

Barty was choked up. "My——My Lord, is he... is he your mate?"

Tom was silent. "... no. Not yet."

The other alpha made a soft sound, almost like a sob. "Do... you love him?"

There was another silence.

"I do," Tom finally answered.

After that, there was another awkward silence.

"Ok." Barty whispered. "I'll be alright as long as you're happy."

There was a scuffle, then a quiet whimper coming from Barty.

"Thank you," Tom said, and then Harry could hear foot steps towards him so he moved away and was almost hit in the face by a door.

Barty glared at him and grabbed him by the shirt.

"If you break his heart," he growled. "I'll make sure he'll never see you again. I'll make you rot in the corners of hell until I think you've repented."

Then he pushed him away aggressively and then stomped away.

Harry blinked slowly and then sighed.

What to do, what to do.

——————————————————————

Tom smiled at his followers.

"Soon, we will depart to intercept Dumblewhore's army and then——"

"My Lord, please tell me you're not wearing that to battle," Bellatrix said.