Not a Monster

Chapter 17. Not a Monster

The end of the vacation was near. Only a few days were left before Harry and Iris had to go back to Hogwarts for their second year.

Harry was in his room, sitting at his work desk, levelling up his Enchanter Class while Iris was with their mother, getting trained in the duelling room.

Since Harry wasn't getting any new quests which would require him and Iris to don on their Grim personas, it had fallen on Iris herself to keep up her training.

Although his mother and sister wouldn't get as much XPs from training as compared to quests, they were still making good progress.

Harry exclaimed happily as he picked up the cute cat collar. It was blue in colour with pictures of white daisies imprinted on it.

"Aura, come here." He said to the white cat who was lazing on his bed.

Aura looked at him curiously before jumping down the bed and approaching him. She pounced on the desk and sat in front of him on her hind legs. "Papa?"

"See, this collar here has three powerful enchantments. Firstly, you get a powerful inherent defender. It will protect you from most magical attacks and will also keep your mind from being breached. Secondly, with this you can become totally undetectable whenever you want. You can't be seen or heard or smelt by anyone when using it. And lastly, this has a built in teleporter charm which will bring you home when you are severely hurt." He noted proudly, scratching her behind the ears.

She mewled happily, but moved away when he tried to put the collar on her.

"No, I don't wanna collar. It is ugly." Aura growled, glaring at the cute daisy collar.

"Ouch. Don't be like that, Aura. Papa made this himself and the collar will be very beneficial to you. Be a good girl and wear it." Harry cajoled his wayward cat and tried to collar her.

Aura simply jumped down the desk and ran away screaming a resounding "No!".

Harry too moved swiftly after her, but stumbled when Aura suddenly turned into a human child.

She too was surprised by her own transformation and looked at herself strangely. She was a very cute little kid if he was being honest. Barely five years old. Her chalk white hair was short and her eyes were molten gold.

"Aura. You can turn human?" Harry asked in wonder, kneeling before her and patting her head.

Name: Aura

Race: Shapeshifters

Current form: Human

Lvl: 97

HP: 1940

Affection: 100

Obedience: 100

Aura frowned in discomfort. "Papa, this body doesn't feel good."

"Turn back into your original cat form, Aura. You don't have to be in this form if you don't want to." He smiled in a supportive manner, running his fingers through her hair.

But instead of turning back into a cat, she did something different. Two white cat ears popped out over her head and a long white fluffy tail sprouted from her back.

Name: Aura

Race: Shapeshifters

Current form: Catgirl

Lvl: 97

HP: 1940

Affection: 100

Obedience: 100

"This is comfy now. Whoa! I am so cute, papa. See, I am the cutest." Aura giggled, playing with her tail.

Harry chuckled at the awed tone of his daughter. He picked up the collar. It didn't seem right to put a collar on her when she was in humanoid form now. Maybe he could fashion an adaptable necklace or something.

Aura, who was jumping with childish glee and messing with her tail, glanced at the collar in her papa's hand and misunderstood his intentions. She fumed and pouted and immediately ran away.

"Bad papa! I don't want the ugly collar." She cried as she fled.

Harry wished she wouldn't call the collar ugly. It seriously hurt his feelings.

He chased after her, but her speed was just a little greater than his current level. They ran through different parts of the house and finally ended up in the living room.

"Aura. I promise I won't collar you. Just please stop!" Harry yelled. But the little catgirl was immensely enjoying using her two feet for the first time and just giggled while running around, finding the chase entertaining and exhilarating. As a last resort, Harry teleported directly in front of her and picked her up. She laughed happily and didn't fight, opting to cling to him.

"Got you, Aura." He smiled as she climbed over his back and wrapped her little arms around his neck. "Now let's get you some clothes. I think I remember mum keeping Iris' old clothes somewhere safely."

At that moment, Iris and Lily entered the living room and stilled at the sight of the strange little girl on Harry's back.

"Papa. Grandmother and Aunty are here." Aura cheered, perching on his shoulder. Which was a very odd sight considering how large she was in this human form. But somehow Harry managed not to fall.

"Grandmother?" Lily yelled, not knowing whether to cry or rage.

"Aunty?" Iris asked a little more civilly.

"This is Aura's human form. She calls me papa so following that logic, you both are 'grandmother' and 'aunty'." Harry explained with a strained smile while Aura nodded her agreement insistently.

Lily, trying to keep a straight face, uttered. "She calls you papa?"

"Yes." Harry replied, his eyebrow twitching in annoyance, already knowing what would happen next.

Then the two Potter females fell into a fit of loud laughter.

~xXxXx~

The Potter Manor had been upgraded by Harry. He had enchanted the roofs, the walls and every damn corner, even the bathroom doors to become unbreakable. He had tried his best to make the house an unconquerable fortress. But he wasn't delusional enough to think that he totally succeeded.

After maxing his Enchanter Class, he was even able to enchant energy fields. Due to that, he strengthened the already powerful wards of the Manor and had added various enchantments to the ward itself. He was pretty sure that his house couldn't be taken by force anymore. It would only fall to some mighty God's hand or by a betrayal.

Even Voldemort with his tremendous power couldn't break into his house.

The only remaining thing to do now was give the gifts to his family. He gathered them in his room. Aura was already there, napping in her human form on his bed. Instead of a collar, she had an anklet on, with the same functions as the collar.

She was in a pretty blue sundress. His mother had taken Aura shopping to buy her clothes and all other essentials. He blanked his mind instantly, not wanting to ever remember that terrible day.

Have you ever taken an energetic-greedy-cat-child shopping? Not recommended.

"What is this about, Harry?" Lily asked from where she was sitting on the edge of his bed with Iris beside her.

Name: Lily Potter

Race: Human

Class: Mage

Lvl: 65

HP: 3250

MP: 6500

Affection: 100

Obedience: 30

Thoughts about you: Love, Pride

…

Name: Iris Potter

Race: Human

Class: Mage

Lvl: 108

HP: 5400

MP: 10,800

Affection: 100

Obedience: 70

Thoughts about you: Love, Respect

Instead of answering, Harry took out two silver chains from his inventory. It wasn't too plain or too fancy. It was a perfect casual jewellery. He walked up to them and placed it around their necks. They shot him dubious looks but did pull up their braids so he had easy access.

"This is one of my most powerful enchanted objects. It has three charms attached to it. The first charm is the protection charm which will nullify all types of harmful magics whether they be in a spell form, potion form or in any form. Though I still have to test if it is strong enough to protect against the Unforgivables." Harry thought out loud.

He then summoned an Undead. He had turned his Class back to Necromancer momentarily for this display.

Both Iris and Lily were quick on their feet and had their wands levelled at Bellatrix Lestrange.

"Uhm. She is not the Bellatrix of this world. She is from another world and I have had her turned into an Undead. She won't cause you any harm." Harry explained patiently, standing beside the dead woman whose body showed no overt signs of dead-ness other than the blank look in her eyes.

He took out another silver chain, similar to the earlier two. Bellatrix dropped on her knees and stared at him reverently. As if he was some god. Her emotionless eyes shining with purpose.

Actually, he kind of was a future God. He in fact was a God in training. The God of Order.

Shaking off his head of those ridiculous thoughts, he put the chain around the undead's neck.

"Mum, try the Unforgivables now. I want to see if my enchantments are powerful enough." Harry motioned his mother to have a go. Lily, keeping a lid on her curiosity, did as asked.

"Imperio!"

Nothing happened. Harry sensed the invisible fog of magic attacking Bellatrix, but an unseen protective sphere flared up, absorbing the magic and then purifying it before letting it back in the atmosphere.

Obviously, Lily and Iris saw nothing since all that happening was invisible.

Harry ordered. "Next curse, mum."

"Crucio!"

Just before the red jet of light could hit the kneeling woman, it vanished into nothing. Though Harry sensed the previous invisible process of absorbing, purifying and distributing taking place again.

"The last one, please." Harry whispered giddily, very sure of his victory.

Lily took a calming breath and said softly. "Avada Kedavra!"

The green beam of light soared towards Bellatrix. Something expected and unexpected happened.

As expected, the green spell disappeared as soon as it neared her. And unexpectedly, the silver chain disintegrated into ashes.

Harry observed and realised what had happened. The Killing Curse had been absorbed easily by the chain, but the process of purifying it was unsuccessful, resulting in its self-destruction.

"Damn it! The silver chain is only powerful enough to absorb one Killing Curse. Ah, my enchantments even at level 100 failed to counter the deadly curse. Mission failed." Harry lamented, scooping up the cool ash from Bellatrix's neck, not noticing the undead shivering at his touch.

"That was brilliant, Harry!" Lily gushed proudly, taking him in her arms. "You created a defence against THE Killing Curse. Do you know how unprecedented that is? Do you know how revolutionary it is? You should be over the moon for the accomplishment instead of being all gloomy and sad."

Well, when she said it like that, his mission didn't appear as a total failure.

"Okay. Put me back on my feet so I can continue with my explanation." Harry blushed as his mum was holding him against her side like a toddler. Which was really odd. Not just because of his age, he was 12 damn it, but also because of the height difference. While he wasn't anywhere as tall as his mum, he was still tall enough to reach the beginning of her neck if they stood on the level ground.

"Do I have to? You can continue your lecture from here too." She smirked, nuzzling his face and planting a wet kiss on his cheek.

"Mum!" He protested in a flustered tone. "I am not five!"

"But still as cute as if you were." She chuckled, but did put him down, knowing that he was getting annoyed.

He cleared his throat, unsuccessfully trying to regain the professional air, ignoring the giggling of his family before he continued. "As you saw, the chain can take one Killing Curse before getting destroyed. But that is enough for my second charm to kick in. The second enchantment is a teleporter charm which will bring you here when you are severely injured or when you are attacked by a Killing Curse. So just when the chain is destroyed, it will do one last job, that is to teleport you back home.

"You can also manually teleport to Potter Manor by using the password 'Safe Haven'. And the last enchantment is the one that took so much effort and time or else I would have given you this ages ago. The last function of this necklace is mana absorption. You will never know how difficult it is to charm an inanimate object to absorb magic on its own. With this you can take in the ambient magic around you to power your own magic. I had this idea when I thought about how Voldemort used the same method to strengthen himself in that Chamber. He had used the ambient magic around him to become far stronger than a bodiless soul should ever be. This works in a similar way."

Lily and Iris ran their fingers around their neck, around the thin silver necklace, awestruck and filled with wonder.

"It's brilliant work, love. Even the most experienced Enchanters of the Wizarding World wouldn't be able to achieve what you did in these couple of months." Lily praised, patting his head affectionately.

"Thank you, mum."

~xXxXx~

"Which house do you want to be in, Tori?" Tracey asked the excited blonde.

All the friends along with Astoria were in the train compartment, on their way to Hogwarts.

"Gryffindor, where Harry is, of course!" She answered immediately. She sat by her sister's side with Tracey sitting beside her. Hermione and Neville were on the other seat with Harry and Iris.

The bushy haired girl asked the obvious question. "Why do you want to be in Harry's house, Astoria? Don't you want to be with your sister?"

"Ha! As if I want to spend more time with my sister. Do you know how boring and annoying it gets seeing her stupid mug every day, every hour? I definitely want to be in Gryffindor so I can be with my future husband instead. That is Harry if you didn't know. And obviously please don't fall in love with him or I will have to kill you." Astoria chatted happily, ignoring her sister's glare.

Honestly, she would be snuggling in Harry's lap right now if her mother hadn't hammered in her head how improper it looked to other people. She didn't care what others thought of course, but she wasn't brave or stupid enough to go against her mother's direct instructions. If she thought that angry Daphne was a demon then her angry mother was a Demon Lord herself.

Astoria shuddered, remembering her mother's scathing look when she was informed how Astoria had behaved on Christmas at the Potters.

Hermione glanced at everybody, silently asking if it was normal. They all just shrugged and motioned her to drop that topic.

But Hermione wasn't going to drop the chance to embarrass her friend. "Wow, Harry. I didn't know you already had a bride."

"I don't." Harry protested, but stopped when he saw Astoria's crestfallen and betrayed look. He instantly corrected himself. "But I do have a bride prospect. Don't worry Tori, when you grow up we will go on many dates and see if you really want to be my bride. Okay?"

"Okay." She yelled with a brimming smile.

He stifled a sigh of relief. That was a close call. He almost made Astoria cry. He would have felt guilty if he had done that. While he indeed felt flattered and amused by her naive declaration to be his wife, he didn't know how to take it.

Give him a monster, he will kill. Give him a rescue quest, he will save. But please don't give him an overly romantic prepubescent girl who wants to marry him.

He didn't know how to handle that. Though it's not like he exactly lied to her. In a few years, when they would be older and be in their teenage years, he wouldn't mind dating her. She was cute enough and he already loved her. Well, it was more brotherly love at the moment, but he was sure it could change in future with some effort.

Just like always, he would leave the future problems for future him. He had successfully postponed the disaster. It was good enough for now.

Iris, Daphne and Tracey rolled their eyes in sync seeing how Harry changed his tune at the first sight of 'sad' Astoria. And Neville just chuckled at his friend's precarious position.

~xXxXx~

They bidded a nervous Astoria goodbye and saw a rare sight of Daphne being all soft and caring towards her anxious younger sister. And for the first time that day, Astoria ignored him entirely and clung to Daphne like a little child she was, looking at her elder sister for guidance and confidence. It was telling. However much the two Greengrass sisters bickered in front of others, there was truly a deep bond between them which couldn't be overshadowed by anything or anyone.

"Go, Tori. We will be waiting for you in the Great Hall. Everything will be alright." Daphne smiled tenderly, pressing a kiss on her head. Astoria gave them all a brief smile before running towards Hagrid where all the first years were assembling.

The new first years would go by the boat while Daphne and her friends would use the carriage. The night was clear and full of moonlight. Astoria should have a beautiful memory of the scenic castle by the end of the night to remember forever.

As they chose a carriage and climbed into it, Iris and Harry remained out.

The redhead was pale and scared as she saw the macabre view of the skeleton horses tied to their carriage. She gulped and was a moment away from running when her brother grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. Seeing them always drove it home that she was a killer.

"They are Thestrals. A type of magical creature. People who have watched others die are the only ones able to see them." Harry had said that sympathetically when she had first seen them last year.

Throughout the way to the castle, he didn't let go of her hand. And she was thankful for that. It kept her sane. It strengthened her belief that this person, her brother, who had killed thousands and yet was so kind and gentle, couldn't be a monster, that he couldn't be evil, that somehow with so much blood on his hands, he still was able to retain his humanity. If he could do it then she could too.

She wasn't a monster either. She too was a human. She too was good and not evil.

She was just like him.

Not a monster.

~xXxXx~

Everyone casually applauded as a first-year student got sorted into Ravenclaw.

"Greengrass, Astoria." Professor McGonagall called.

The blonde calmly walked up the dais, keeping her expression stoic, imitating her sister. She sat gracefully on the stool and didn't show a single sign of nervousness as the Sorting Hat was lowered above her head. Before it could even touch her hair, the Sorting Hat yelled "SLYTHERIN!"

Everyone clapped good-naturedly.

But Astoria wasn't satisfied. Oh no, she wasn't satisfied in the least. She wrenched the hat from Professor McGonagall's hands and glared at it murderously.

"You didn't even touch my head. How the fuck did you sort me? Did you just guess? You fucking piece of sack. You unfair bastard. Put me in the fucking Gryffindor. Do your shitty job properly or I will fucking shove you up Hagrid's arse and pull you out of his nose." Astoria was absolutely livid as she threw down the hat and stomped on it in a continuous violent manner.

"Ouch! Ouch! Fine! Fine! You little demon! GRYFFINDOR!"

The hall was incredulous and dead silent, taking in what just happened, comprehending it slowly and rechecking their memories to be sure that what they thought happened really did happen.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome the Queen of Gryffindor. The Lioness. Whose roar has silenced everyone." Fred started with a proud grin in the quiet hall.

"Who bullied the hat to sort her in her preferred house. An incident that had never happened before and which would surely go down in history." George continued with a similar grin.

"Please welcome THE Astoria Greengrass." The twins announced together with a grand voice, standing by the Gryffindor table and bowing towards her.

Daphne was hiding her face in her hands as she was being consoled by Tracey.

"I don't know her. She is just another Greengrass. Don't look at me. I don't know her. Never seen her before." She kept mumbling in a loop.

"100 points from Gryffindor and three months worth of detention for you." Professor McGonagall said loudly, indicating her to go towards the red table. Her tone was a mixture of anger and disbelief.

Professor McGonagall wisely decided to ignore what came next out of the little tyke's mouth as she went away.

"Worth it." Astoria mumbled with a grin before skipping towards Harry who was chuckling softly as if it was a normal occurrence and nothing out of the ordinary. She shoved away Parvati, not even hearing her protest and sat beside Harry.

"Hey." She smiled cutely, clinging to his arm.

"Hey." Harry smiled, patting her head affectionately. "You hungry?"

"Very."

"Then let's hope there won't be any more interesting events."

There wasn't. The sorting continued, though after a warning from the Headmaster that coercing the hat wasn't allowed anymore. His eyes were twinkling and it was clear to everyone that he was more amused than angry by the blonde's uncouth action.

Astoria received various looks throughout the dinner but she wasn't bothered by it. She never cared what strangers thought about her anyway. Although she was apprehensive about her mother's and sister's reaction.

She chanced a glance at the Slytherin table and immediately turned her gaze away.

Shite. She fucked up.

Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!

"Tori, are you okay? You don't look so good." Harry asked her, rubbing her back soothingly.

She sighed and shot him a nervous smile. "I am fine. Maybe. Probably."

"Ah, don't worry too much about Daphne. She will cool down by tomorrow. Just avoid her until then. This should work. Maybe. Probably." Harry suggested, trying to hide his mirth. Apparently he wasn't successful since she gave him a dirty look and a pinch on his arm.

"Ouch!"

~xXxXx~

When Harry's dormmates fell asleep, he quietly teleported to the seventh floor and went inside the Room of Requirement.

Since he wasn't going to sleep anyways, he decided to be productive. Honestly, he had slept on only one night throughout the last couple of months when his mother and sister were with him on his bed. Other than that night, he had been working like a robot with the purpose to level up his Class. His Enchanter Class was maxed for the last few days and it was time to choose the next Class. That was his life now. Grind one Class to max just so he can repeat the process with the next one.

Character Sheet

Name: Harry Potter

Race: Human

Class: Enchanter

Lvl: 100(Max)

HP: 5000 (10 per second)

MP: 10,000 (100 per second)

Traits:

[Remorseless]

[Lustful]

Perks:

[Gamer's Mind] (Passive)

[Gamer's Body] (Passive)

[Observe] (Active)

[Peak Body] (Passive)

[Skill Create] (Active)

[Teleportation] (Active)

[Inventory] (Active)

[Increased HP regeneration] (Passive)

[Killer] (Active)

[Increased MP regeneration] (Passive)

[Unlimited Money] (Active)

[Shapeshifter] (Active)

[Death's Favoured] (Passive)

[Reviver] (Active)

[Dreamer] (Passive)

[Sleepless] (Passive)

[Mana Manipulation] (Active)

Skills:

[Learn]

[Add]

[Break]

[Experiment]

[Reset]

[Create]

One incredible new thing happened after he maxed this class. The system automatically turned his [Mana Manipulation] skill into a perk. He couldn't put in words how convenient and helpful that was. His biggest worry had been taken care of by Isis. Now he could change Classes without worrying about how he would use magic in front of his peers and professors, how he would still remain a wizard in others' eyes.

For example, if he had chosen the Enchanter Class when he was still in school then he wouldn't have been able to use his normal magic since the 'wizard' magic would have been locked with the Mage Class. So to be able to use the conventional 'wizard' magic, he would have needed to create yet another skill to help him with that.

He had earlier created the [Mana Manipulation] skill in the other world just for that, when he needed to appear and do things as a normal wizard in Hogwarts while he still was grinding the [Necromancer] Class. In simple terms [Mana Manipulation] helped him to act like a Mage even when he was levelling up different Classes. With [Mana Manipulation] now becoming a perk, he wouldn't have to worry about the particular annoyance of not being able to use his conventional 'wizard' magic while working in another Class anymore. With this he could now perform the usual spells in the classroom no matter what 'System Class' he was levelling up.

He also got to make another skill using [Skill Create] during his 12th birthday.

[Create]

– Gives the user the ability to conjure any type of metal like iron, copper, silver etc. The amount and the quality of material conjured is directly proportional to the Mana spent.

All things done and considered, he was satisfied with his brief foray in the [Enchanter] Class. He also got an opportunity to share his secret with one more person, but he wasn't in any hurry to do that. His sister and mother needed to know what was going on with him so he didn't mind letting them in the know. But he wasn't too eager to share his biggest secret with anyone else. While he loved his friends, he wasn't keen on revealing the secret to his unnatural strength and abilities.

Putting those thoughts aside, he started a conversation with Isis.

'Which available Class has the highest level cap, Isis? If I want to defeat Voldemort once and for all then I need a tremendous pool of mana and health.'

Hmm, from all the available Classes, the basic Class [Fighter] has the highest level cap of 1000. I would advise you to choose that.

Harry thought about it and couldn't help but grin excitedly at that.

'That's bloody brilliant. I fear that Voldemort is at least level 5000. I don't know how he managed to acquire so much power when Mages aren't allowed to go past level 300. Whatever, I finally see a way to remove him from this world for good.

"If I reach level 1000 and use my Black Sword then my total power would be multiplied by 10. So after reaching the level cap of the [Fighter] and with the Black Sword, I will practically be level 10,000, double the current power of Voldemort. There would be a safe power gap between us for me to easily thwart him. That is good enough for me to attack him. Although I do feel reluctant to rely on a weapon to boost my power. Still, I can't always wait for a miracle. I need to do this.'

That's a safe and good plan. You know you can attack him even now by borrowing your sister's sword. With both the Black and White Swords in your hands, your total strength will be multiplied by 22. Your most powerful class [Necromancer] which is level 300 will be multiplied by 22. You will practically be level 6600, powerful enough to take care of him.

'I know about that. But I still want to play it safe. We don't know what surprises Voldemort could spring on us. And Dai Deam's scouting mission gave us nothing new. We just know that there is a strong impenetrable magical castle in Albanian Forest in which he resides. I don't want to fight him as equals. I want to crush him like a pest, with a single move. But if you can guarantee that my current strength is enough to defeat the Dark Lord then I am ready to teleport to Albania right now. What do you say? Should we do it? Should we end the war right now?'

No, your plan is a safer one. Wait until you get stronger.

Harry chuckled amusedly, already having known her answer. It wasn't just caution and logic that made him stay his hand. It was instinct too.

He knew that if he attacked now, he would die. It was the same feeling he got when he had taken Iris to Voldemort's chamber. And unlike last time, he had learnt his lesson. He now knew to always listen to his instincts. He wasn't going to be impatient and risk it all. He had grown a lot. He wasn't the same impatient boy who led his sister to that accursed chamber because he wanted to grow his level quickly and exponentially.

He opened the system UI and changed his Class.

~xXxXx~

Far away in the fortress of Albania, stood an intimidating castle in which a princess was safely kept hidden.

Her name was Voldemort. She had been imprisoned in this castle for the last 6 years.

She didn't know why she had been incarcerated here. She didn't know how she was born or created. She didn't even know her name until he told her. One moment she didn't exist, and the next she was suddenly here, in this gaudy room.

She had unique memories. The memories of Tom Riddle. Who also happened to be her captor among many other things. And strangely these memories resonated with her as if it was her own. But it wasn't the case of course, she knew that. And yet, her mind couldn't dissociate with the memories. Her sense of identity was in shambles. It always had been. She didn't know what she was.

Was she his clone?

Was she his ritualistic daughter?

What exactly was she?

Whenever she asked him these questions, Tom shut her off with a warning look. And she knew better than to keep on prodding when he was on the verge of losing his patience.

Tom was gentle. He was charming. He was kind. He loved her. But sometimes he got very angry and his eyes turned red. Literally.

That always scared her. But he had never hurt her so at least that was another good point for him. He really was an enigma. He called himself an evil Dark Lord and yet she thought that he was just lonely and frightened.

He claimed to be the most powerful sorcerer in the world and yet never ventured out of the castle, as if afraid of going out. Well, he kind of did go out last year when a stuttering man stumbled into their house. Although she didn't know how much it qualified 'going out' when Tom simply possessed the man to see what was happening outside the world. If she remembered correctly, Tom was curious about the Philosopher's Stone which could have been helpful in the future. She agreed. She had read various ritualistic books in which the Stone would have definitely played a big part.

Her husband, yes, that's what he told her to think of him, came back in his body after a defeat, just a couple of months after he went out. And she did, thinking of him as her husband that is. In spite of being his prisoner, she was his wife and lover too. It was a strange conundrum. There was a bitterness for her lack of freedom obviously, but there was an abundance of love too. She loved her husband like any other faithful and caring wife would do. But her shackles and ignorance aggravated her.

She wanted to know what was going on in her husband's mind. She wanted to know his future plans. She didn't think her husband planned to remain cooped up here forever. But most of all, she wanted to know her origins.

Who was she? Or what was she?

The wall slid open and the subject of her thoughts materialised himself. He smiled at her softly.

No one who had met him would ever consider Voldemort to be able to smile like that. But here he was, smiling tenderly at his wife.

"Wife. I hope you had a pleasant day." He said, sitting beside her and pressing an affectionate kiss on her cheek.

"I did, husband. The new book about the necromantic uses of blood was as immersive and informative as you said it was." She smiled back, leaning on his side as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

"I am glad. I also wanted to inform you that I will be out on the day of the Samhain next month." He added thoughtfully as they laid down on the bed together.

"Oh yes, you are going to test that 'interesting' boy again. I don't know why you are so taken with him." She asked curiously, climbing on him so she could lie atop him. He just gave her a small smile, vanishing their clothes and running his hands down the curve of her arse. She hissed in pleasure as he lifted her up before joining them in the ways only a man and woman could be joined.

"The boy has potential, wife. And like any wise sorcerer, I like to see younglings ripen up. This world is in dire need of more powerful wizards." He commented with a frown.

"Did you have to kill his family to 'ripen' him? I really don't think that was a good idea." She somehow uttered even when her mind started to daze from the pleasure.

"Bah! I was an orphan too and see how far I have come. All you need to become strong and powerful is, no distractions and a singular urge to become the greatest. Although I don't think the Rat was successful in killing Lily Potter. I am sure he is dead already or else he would have reported back. I guess I underestimated the so-called Crimson Witch." He noted calmly. Only his grunt and his glassy eyes revealed the excitement running through him. She found it envious that he could be so unflappable during their sex while she was trembling and moaning like a wanton whore. She didn't say anything in reply or more accurately she couldn't say as their dance got rougher and more insistent.

When they were spent, they cuddled together. She was leaning on his side, running her fingers through his beautiful black hair.

"Why don't you let me be free, husband?" She couldn't help but ask, readying herself for his imminent anger.

It didn't come.

He just sighed, rolling on his side so they were face to face. He cupped her face and asked vulnerably, "The world outside is dangerous, wife. Are you so fed up with me that you want to risk your life?"

She shook her head and begged desperately. "I don't want to be free of you. I want to be free from this damn castle. I have never been out of this room. I feel like a chicken in egg who still hasn't hatched. I feel like destroying the eggshell and seeing the outside world. I want to be in the sunlight. I want to gaze at the night sky. I want to dip in the immense sea. I want to be free. Won't you fulfil my only wish, husband?"

"I wish I could. But I can't. I have been trying to find a way to safely take you out, but I just can't." He answered sorrowfully for the first time instead of angrily dropping the topic.

She gaped at him in incomprehension. "What do you mean you can't?"

"Come, wife. It's time you know. I can't bear the load anymore." He said, standing up and waving his arm. Their nudity was covered by a light robe. She reluctantly got off the bed and followed him to the hidden entrance, to her freedom. The wall parted and he stepped out.

He nodded at her. "Come."

With her heart in her throat, she decided to move out in the throne room. Unlike every time, no invisible barrier came up to stop her advance.

He stood there, leaning on the back of the throne, facing her with grim eyes.

Just as she walked out, her entire body was alight from within. Her skin shone with golden lights before her form started disintegrating in small motes of lights.

"I didn't let you out of the room because if I did then you would have disappeared. You would have died. There is no freedom for you, wife. You are destined to be confined in that room." He mumbled, pushing her back in the room and erecting the barrier again.

Her expression was that of a wingless bird. Lost and desperate.

"What am I?" She cried.

Voldemort walked up to her, taking her in his arms and embracing her tightly. "You are my imagination given form. You are all my desires put in a body. You are half of my soul. You are the only one I am capable of loving. You are what I am not. And yet you are me. You are everything I need and want."

And with a heavy heart, he took her back to the bed and revealed everything.