Poison Ivy | T. Riddle ✔

[63] Reflection

Eridanus had been right in thinking that Voldemort would target the Malfoys upon learning that Lucius had failed to bring Danny with him. Poor Abraxas and Aquila were standing on the thin line that separated life and death as Lord Voldemort stood in front of them with the yew wand raised threateningly.

He was about to say the incantation when the gate to the dungeons burst open and a rather anxious Lucius Malfoy stumbled in, pale blue eyes wide in fear for he could see his parents standing mere two words away from death. His voice quivered as he spoke, "my Lord... He's here."

Hearing those words, Voldemort lowered his wand and turned around, blood red irises landing on Eridanus who stood by Lucius in the doorway. It seemed as if he was looking at a merged reflection of Demelza and himself, or rather how he used to be before he became Lord Voldemort.

The grey eyes staring back at him resolutely were no different from the ambitious set of eyes he had had himself. Cold and emotionless, the stony glare piercing right through him. But other than that his features were softer, much more like Demelza's.

Though he was a mirror image of both his parents, he looked much more human and normal as compared to Voldemort himself who with his chalky skin and red irises was no longer the handsome Tom Riddle that had fallen in love with Demi.

And with the fading of his physically human attributes, his feelings for Demelza had also faded, replaced by an unhealthy obsession instead of love.

"Eridanus..." The name escaped him at last and it seemed as if he was seeing him for the first time, his eyes eagerly taking in each feature of his son. "Eridanus, my boy..."

He had stretched his arms out in an embracing gesture but Eridanus backed off, jaw clenching as a surge of revulsion shot through him. "Let them go," his voice was strained as if being in his father's presence was a curse to him, "you wanted me and here I am, release the Malfoys."

The red irises flashed as the hatred in his voice sunk in, "of course. Lucius, take your parents and leave."

"Yes, my Lord," Lucius quickly stepped forward, supporting his ailing father and mother, taking them out, "we are grateful for your forgiveness." 

Soon enough the father and son were alone in the dreary dungeons of Malfoy Manor, a haunting cold sweeping through the grey stone walls. 

"Do you recognize me, Eridanus?" Voldemort asked at last, he had placed his wand back in his robes as if he had no reason to feel threatened by him even though he was a prominent member of the Order and had dealt with multiple Death Eaters single handed. Though his eyes were fixed on his grey irises, closely assessing each subtle change of expression and slight movement.

"I do," he replied, "Tom Marvolo Riddle. Better known as Lord Voldemort nowadays. Ruiner of hundreds of lives including my family's; notably the Burkes, the Fawleys, Nathan Whitburg, my mother, the list is never ceasing. And unfortunately you happen to be my father, of course I recognize you very well."

A short cynical laugh escaped him, eyes flickering in amusement, "how easily you blame me for all the calamities that befell your family." He had stressed upon the word family, his voice taking a sharp edge, "and yet they were the ones responsible for it, not I. I had given them a fair choice, the same choice which I will place before you now."

"And you shall receive the same answer."

"Patience, boy, haste destroys everything."

His grey eyes were focused on him firmly, "so does greed."

"I have no intention to discuss the past, I want you to focus on the present and the future. Your future. Alongside me."

A wave of fury coursed through his veins but Eridanus kept silent knowing that he had not finished just yet.

"You resent me because in your eyes I caused the death of your loved ones," Voldemort resumed in a soft coaxing tone, "but I had offered them to join me in the pursuit of immortality, a journey which will not get disrupted by death, a life of power forever... Take a moment to think about it, son, envision it before you. A life with no death, forever with no end..."

"Only a fool would wish to live forever," he replied at last, averting his gaze from the piercing red irises.

The words struck deep and Voldemort was rendered speechless for a whole minute realizing that those were the very words Perseus had spoken to him when he had made his motives clear for the first time.

"So you speak his language... Perseus's language... Fool, you call me a fool," his jaw clenched as he muttered, "Eridanus, tell me the truth yourself; who is winning now? Many of your people have fallen and if this war continues none of you will be left yet who is achieving victory after victory? Who is gaining power by every passing day, defying the history of magic itself? But you label me a fool... Preposterous!"

Eridanus looked at him sternly, the hatred in his eyes had not faltered as he spoke, "and yet you lose your humanity by the more power you gain. Is that not a much greater price as compared to what you achieve?"

"Humanity is but a weakness in itself," Voldemort contradicted him.

But he too had a rather valid point to reason with, "you say so because at a point you had been human and disregarded it completely. But you know not what you have lost for you haven't yet seen it from my perspective."

A piercing silence lingered between the two, their eyes vigilant of the other's actions knowing full well that both were not to be trusted for they were no different than serpents who could strike unexpectedly at any moment.

"What is it like to be human?" Eridanus mused, a reminiscent look spreading over his features, "what is it like to not have a scorching fire raging inside oneself, to be normal, to be loved and cherished...? Humanity is a gift which I crave yet you discarded it yourself."

"But my son, you have abilities that are beyond reach, endless possibilities lie ahead of you. No mortal weakness can hold you down, you should be grateful for who you are."

"See, this is the difference between you and I," he spoke after a short pause, considering his words as an ironic smile crept over his face, "you delve into the darkness but you have not yet struck the bottom of it. Uncle Perce and I have done so, both of us know the horror of complete darkness and that is why we yearn for the light. Being trapped in darkness forever even if there are no mortal chains to bind you is indeed the worst torment of all. And if you do not stop in your pursuit, you will realize it but by then it will be too late."

At that moment Eridanus no longer seemed like a reflection of him and Demelza but was a striking image of Perseus Burke. The same words, the same warnings and the same fire raging in his clear determined eyes.

Voldemort frowned in annoyance, realizing that his son was adamant on reminding him of everything that he had tried to ignore even though deep down he knew that there was some truth in those warnings but he stubbornly chose to avert his eyes from it.

"Answer me one simple question, Eridanus, a question that is going to seal your fate... Will you join me or not?"

His voice was calm even though he was aware of the reaction his answer would ensue, "I would rather die than take part in your abominable schemes."

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