❖ 1945 to 1950 ❖ When Tom Riddle retreated into darkened alleys, the wizarding world breathed a sigh of relief. He had left behind a trail of bloody footprints, yes, but no ruin had been left in his wake. And yet... a shadow lingered. He was silent, yes, but a chill had been left in his place. Shadows curled in the corners of the towns and in the minds of anyone who dared wonder what had happened to him. Those who had left behind waited for the signs of his true return... both with bated breath and enchanted locks. After all, The Dark Lord was not done with the world that had shown him what true power was. He simply needed to... perfect himself. He watched the world go by with a too clever mind, seeking what would make him stronger. As he lurked on the edges, he found three others who were doing the same. A surprise to them all, certainly... but not an entirely unwelcome one. One, a prisoner. Another, a murderer. The last, a legacy. They all sought destruction. Perhaps for power, perhaps for violence... it did not matter. Tom fed on it and drew them all together. They were his followers. His... friends. Friends that promised each other freedom and revenge. But secrets and lies laid beneath them all... and it was only a matter of time before their loyalty would rot away to nothing.

if i smile with my teeth, i bet you believe me. -paramore, fake happy

Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs would like to present: The Beginning ------------------- Mr. Prongs would like to welcome you all, and remember with us, our journey into becoming An- Mr. Padfoot would like to ask why Mr. Prongs gets to speak first, and would like to remind him that its also about Mr. Moony being a we- Mr. Prongs would like to tell Mr. Padfoot to shove it, I know what I'm doing Mr. Moony would like to apologize for Messrs. Prongs and Padfoot and their idiocy; and would like to remind them that we are in the middle of some- Messrs. Padfoot and Prongs suggests that Mr. Moony to stay out of this. Mr. Wormtail recommends for you all to ignore them and would like to welcome you all into our story. /// A collaboration story by, @CrownedMadness @Iveyn-Adler @TwinkleMelodics @Dianne_R

" MORIOR INVICTUS. " ⠀━━━ ⠀ they called lenore ceirin a cursed flame; one that will devour the noble house of ceirin into a heap of ash and bone. in her bitter youth, her mother had always spoken of tales of glory; how it was so painfully constructed yet so easily dismantled. and as society's glory cracks and pillars fall, lenore soon discovers a biting truth. that even the most artful and vicious have the dirt of their graves wedged under their nails. [ harry potter 1960s au ] ⠀ ⠀ oc x oc pairing ⠀ ⠀

there's no good place to hide / s4-s15

❖ Tom Marvolo Riddle . . . There was a time when Tom Riddle would have been able to save himself. When he could have pulled himself out of an ocean of secrets, darkness, and eternal life. But the promise of power, of control... He was tempted. Even though he knew it demanded a sacrifice, even when he stepped over that line... he kept going. There is a story that tells how he found his way there. A story that only exists- truly- in his own memories. There were others, but his path toward temptation could only ever be described through him. His path that was eventually flanked by fear and whispered promises. His path that started with a scared, little boy who knew nothing... to a master of his craft, who had others on their knees.