Twenty

Pathetic

  When the sun began to shine through Rosalie's windows, she knew she was absolutely doomed. She tossed and turned under her sheets until she couldn't take it anymore, the events of last night replaying in her mind like a broken record.

  Despite her best efforts to keep her thoughts quiet, she found herself unable to sleep. The night had passed without her being able to close her eyes. The encounter with Tom lingered in her thoughts, a confusing mixture of attraction and repulsion warring within her.

  She couldn't deny the pull between them, a force that seemed to draw them together despite the animosity that simmered beneath the surface. It was a connection that she couldn't explain, one that defied reason and logic.

  She couldn't give in to it.

  As she lay awake in the sun lit room, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions, she couldn't shake the desire that stirred within her. To her, it was a forbidden longing, one that she knew she should resist, but one that she couldn't ignore.

  Rosalie's hands slowly touched their way down her body, each movement feeling more detrimental than the last. Her mind filled with memories of Tom- how his lips felt on hers, how his tongue felt on her core, how she loved the feeling of pulling his hair.

  Her hand slipped underneath her nightgown and up to her clit, she circled it slowly, memorising everything she could about Tom. 

  His arms around her waist.

  His lips against her neck.

  His budge against her back.

  Rosalie was needy for him, she flicked her fingers back and forth, quickening at a rapid pace. She tried so desperately to find the pleasure for herself, but it was nowhere near what Tom was able to do for her.

  She suppressed her moan as she stuck her first two fingers inside herself, twisting and turning to find something that could even slightly resemble Tom's ability. 

  Lost deep in her thoughts about Tom's body doing cynical things to her, she didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching her bedroom.

  It wasn't until Coriolanus entered the room that she was pulled back to reality. He stood in the doorway, watching with determined shock and curiousity. Rosalie composed herself quickly, pulling herself back against the bed frame.

  "I'm so sorry- I swear, I didn't mean to." Coriolanus stuttered, unsure if he should look away even now, though she had made herself decent.

  "I can leave." He said quickly.

  Rosalie tried the mask the emotions that were threatening to overwhelm her. Already embarrassed, she couldn't bare to make it worse. Instead, she acted as if nothing had happened.

  "It's fine, really." She lied, covering her hard nipples by crossing her arms and her legs.

  Coriolanus nodded and approached her bedside, taking a seat right at the end of the overly large bed. He tried to hide his face of utter embarrassment, though the redness seemed to be fading as he came closer.

  "I was thinking today we all spend time walking around the back garden's forest, or perhaps we could set tea up. Whatever you want really. Food is ready whenever we want. It's up to you to decide, we'll do whatever you want." Coriolanus placed a hand on her calf and looked into her eyes, trying to show his nice side.

  It seemed to be working on her, she smiled lowly in a slight thanks that he hadn't made the mood awkward, like she thought he might. Rosalie never really knew with Coriolanus.

  She was about to suggest something when his hand moved further up her leg. The hair on her back began to stick up, but she stayed quiet.

  "Though," He chuckled, misreading the situation very badly. "I have an idea of what we could do first." He spoke, leaning in closer to her, his hand travelling up her thigh and under her night gown.

  Rosalie was in a state of shock and sexual vulnerability, and sat, a ghost of her own body.

  Coriolanus was on top of her the moment she had nothing to say, their mouths met in a strange collapse, and he devoured her desperately. Rosalie lifted a hand to Coriolanus's face, not entirely sure what she was doing.

  She was horny, but she also knew this wasn't right. She shouldn't be doing it. Apart of her soul knew she shouldn't be doing it.

  Coriolanus began pushing her nightgown up, exposing her body completely to him. He pinned her hands against her as he kissed against her neck, his hands leading up to feel around her breasts, feeling over her nipples as his dick hardened in his pants.

  Rosalie shook her head- she didn't like this. She didn't want this.

  "Coriolanus- stop." She said, trying to lift her hands away from where he had them pinned.

  Coriolanus only groaned against her neck, his mouth travelling back to her lips so she wouldn't have the chance to say anything else.

  He lifted one hand off of where he had them pinned as he fiddled around with his belt. The sound of the clanking metal had Rosalie squirming against him pulling her head away.

  "Coriolanus stop- I don't want to-" Rose spoke, trying to move away from him. She didn't get far until she was pulled back under him.

  He pulled his pants down, exposing his cock in all its length to her. He leant out and grinned.

  "I said stop!" Rosalie finally screamed, thrashing under him.

  As he leaned in again, Rosalie seized the opportunity to strike, her fist connecting with his throat in a swift, decisive blow. Taking advantage of his momentary weakness, she wriggled out from under him and hastily adjusted her nightgown before bolting out of the room.

  Coriolanus quickly regained his composure, his face contorted in frustration as he hastily rearranged himself. Meanwhile, Rosalie burst through the doors, her anger propelling her forward. To her surprise, she encountered Lily emerging from her room at the same time. 

  Before she could utter a word, Coriolanus grabbed her shoulder and spun her around.

  "Rose-"

  "NO! I SAID NO!"

  Rosalie's voice echoed with fury, drawing the attention of Lily and, soon after, Tom, who had rushed over upon hearing the commotion. He stood nearby, observing the unfolding confrontation with a mix of confusion and concern.

  "What the hell did he do, Rose?" Lily demanded, her voice laced with disbelief. She moved closer to Rosalie, offering her support.

  "He tried to rape me-" Rosalie admitted, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the words heavy on her tongue.

  Lily's expression darkened with rage, her eyes flashing with fury directed at Coriolanus. But before she could react, Tom stepped forward, his wand pointed threateningly at Coriolanus's throat.

  "Is that true?" Tom's voice was cold and stern, a lethal look behind his gaze which was wild and unfriendly, demanding an answer.

  Coriolanus remained silent, his gaze averted, refusing to meet Tom's intense stare.

  Tom then turned to Rosalie, his demeanour softening slightly as he addressed her.

  "Is that true?" he asked again, his tone gentler this time.

  Rosalie nodded, her expression fraught with distress.

  "You're just giving me more reasons to kill you, aren't you, Rosier?" 

  Tom's voice was chillingly calm as he spoke to Coriolanus, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity. 

  "The only reason I haven't already is because you were kind enough to offer your home. But make no mistake, if you ever lay a hand on her again, you won't escape so easily. Your death will be long and agonising-a fitting retribution for the pain you've caused Rosie."

  "Even then- I might just change my mind and kill you tomorrow. That's the thin ice you're on Rosier. Think carefully, you're just one step away from a very painful death."

  Tom kept his wand against his throat even after making his threat, his eyes still wondering if he could really ever let him walk again. He wanted to torture him. Castrate him. Cut limbs from his body. Set him on fire. Make him live through all that torture just to kill him when he begged for it.

  "Tommy." 

  Her voice broke him out of his rage. 

  He let Coriolanus go and rushed over to her, pushing her head against his chest.

  "Are you okay?" He asked. Rosalie hugged him back, clawing her arms up his back to find comfort in him.

  "I'm okay." She reassured him, still feeling guilty that it was only because she was thinking of him- that got her into this mess.

  "Let me kill him." He whispered down to her, in complete seriousness, hugging her tighter. He wouldn't even have known what to do with himself if Coriolanus had managed to get what he wanted.

  Rosalie shook her head and pushed away from him, a sorry look on her face.

  "I need him still. Just for the holidays." She said, her frown not moving from its lifeless position.

  Tom shook his head and scoffed at her, looking back to where Coriolanus once was- now he had scuttled off to some dark corner.

  "You can't seriously pretend to still be with him after what he's just done?" Tom asked her, pressuring her to change her mind.

  Rosie bit the bottom of her lip and tilted her head.

  "I have to, Tom." She spoke softly, not knowing any other choice she had if she didn't want Tom to be killed, or her to be found out as his horcrux and killed as well.

  Tom shook his head again, beginning to walk away back to his room, though all other desires in his body told him to be close to her, to never let her out of her sight again.

  "You're being pathetic." He spat and shut the door behind him, leaving both Rosalie and Lily frozen in their own state of shock. Lily walked back up to Rose, holding and petting down her hand.

  "I'm sorry Rose."

  There was a long and intimidating pause.

  "He's right. It is pretty pathetic just to let him walk all over me- but Tom just doesn't understand that it's the only option." Rosalie turned to face her friend, in need of some of her top tier advice in that moment.

  "You just have to get through it. Don't give Coriolanus the time of day except when he's around his parents. It's only a few more days." 

  Rosalie nodded.

  "A few more days."

---

  A few more days felt like existential torture, for both Rosalie and Tom. 

  Awkwardness still plagued over those in the group who were aware of what happened between Coriolanus and Rosalie, and Tom's smouldering glare at the intertwined hands of Coriolanus and Rosie spoke volumes to Ben, hinting at the turmoil beneath the surface.

  Their third day at the Rosier mansion had dawned, and the notion of 'taking a walk,' suggested by Coriolanus, felt like a transparent attempt to provoke Tom. It was like a punch in the face that he couldn't return.

  For now.

  At the front, William and Ben led the group of newer boys, their banter wondering through topics of school, with William dispensing mischievous advice on vexing their divination professor- an idea Ben cautiously resisted.

  Just behind trailed Coriolanus and Rosalie, his grip on her hand uncomfortably tight, as though he feared she might vanish into thin air. He prattled on while she averted her gaze, offering soft, disengaged responses punctuated by the occasional murmured agreement, never meeting his eyes directly.

  Bringing up the rear, Tom and Lily walked in silent accord, their thoughts echoing a shared sentiment: Rosalie needed to get away from Coriolanus. It was a feeling of discontent that perhaps had them walking side by side.

  Tom knew that the only reason Rosie put up with Coriolanus's supposed kindness stemmed solely from the presence of his parents, dutifully chaperoning them from a distance of about fifty meters. Casting a glance back at them, he could practically sense the smug satisfaction emanating from their affluent smiles, happy in the notion of Coriolanus's secured "bride." 

  The sight turned his stomach with disdain.

  Lily moved her gaze from her friend to Tom, trying to understand with every fibre of her body what made him tick. She couldn't fathom why, out of all the possible choices, Tom had fixated his undying affection on Rosalie. In Lily's eyes, Rosalie deserved far more than what Tom could offer.

  Eventually, Tom looked back at the couple in front of them. He tried to deny the fact that, apart from the obvious hate, they looked perfect together; a good looking couple. It had Tom himself wondering what he and Rosie looked like together. Did they fit together half as well?

  Though, Tom wasn't sure why he was thinking of such a thing. He would make them fit. Like pushing two pieces of a puzzle together that didn't go together.

  Finally, his eyes trailed along to Lily, who was already glaring at him with a mixture of confusion, hatred and admirance. An odd combination for Tom to fully wrap his head around.

  "What?" Tom asked lightly, after not receiving a word from her.

  Lily pursed her lips, her eyes flicking to the girl in front of them momentarily.

  "You look at her so intensely. It scares me." She finally said, raising an eyebrow and putting her hands behind her back, trying to get the scene from her mind.

  Tom flinched his eyes.

  "You think I can help it?" He said coldly, his eyes yet again fixating back to Rosalie.

  Lily couldn't understand it, how he could seem so distant yet so close to her.

  "Neither you nor Coriolanus deserve her." She shook her head, sighing a light breath of the fresh air they walked through. Coriolanus's back garden seemed to go on forever.

  "You will never deserve her, Tom." She reiterated.

  "She's sunshine, and you're a snake." She chimed, in the back of her mind she could replay every single thing he had done to be undeserving of her; starting with blatant murder.

  Tom absorbed Lily's words, allowing them to resonate within him, even as his gaze lingered on to Rosalie ahead, adorned in her pristine white dress.

  "Snakes love to bathe in sunlight." He replied, his voice light.

  Lily recoiled in surprise, struck by the unexpected gentleness of Tom's words, a departure from his usual sharpness and aggression. She swallowed down her own harsh words.

  "Does she really mean that much to you?" She asked.

  Finally, Tom's gaze shifted downward to meet Lily's, gratitude etched across his features. He silently acknowledged the comfort of knowing that Rosalie had a friend who cared deep enough for her wellbeing, even if she herself failed to recognise the necessity of such concern while she had him by her side.

  "She means more." He swallowed.

  He was apart of her own soul now, the horcrux had made such a bond that he would never be able to back out. That was how sure he was of her worth to him.

  Lily felt unsettled by his words, the romance in them feeling too warm to hear coming off of Tom's cold tongue.

  Suddenly, it felt as though he had crossed a line. He turned away and looked over the rest of Coriolanus's garden, bathing in the morning light of the day. He shook his head, changing the subject and his expression.

  "I will never understand your fascination with William, however." He finally said, though not completely meeting her gaze again.

  Lily smiled, looking ahead slightly at her own love interest, admiring the way the natural highlights in his brown hair looked under the morning light.

  She sighed herself, also not understanding her own fascination at some points.

  "He's really just an idiot who plays too many jokes." Tom scoffed, he dismissed him foolishly, though he had been disgustingly loyal to Tom Thus far, something he couldn't deny.

  Lily shook her head.

  "You can't choose who you love Tom." 

  Tom raised an eyebrow, his shoulders dropping again at the sight of Rosie looking back at him, in desperate need of a break from Coriolanus. He suppressed his own smile.

  "Yes, well I suppose I should know that."

---

  As the night draped its veil over the Rosier estate, the inner circle convened in the dimly lit estate library. Rosalie, seeking solace from the chill, nestled herself by the crackling fire, her legs pressed up against her chest as she leant her head on her knees. Coriolanus anchored himself behind her, his gaze never straying far from Tom, who had the same notion.

  Tom's voice pierced the hushed atmosphere.

  "I will soon have the power to create another horcrux." He paused, the words laden with the weight of impending power.

  Rosalie looked away from him and into the fire. Tom broke away from looking at her face and looked over the new recruits.

  "What happened to the first Horcrux, my lord?" Dolohov asked in meek curiousity. William, Ben and Coriolanus all looked at him, each knowing better than to ask.

  Tom's countenance remained as icy and foreboding as ever, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. Rosalie's refusal to meet his gaze had only stoked the flames of his fury to a dangerous intensity.  Tom held out his wand. 

  Crucio

  Dolohov writhed in agony, the very fabric of the couch protesting beneath his convulsions. Malfoy and Mulciber recoiled, their expressions tinged with horrified fascination as they watched his torment unfold. Tom, unmoved by their reactions, persisted, his eyes fixed on Dolohov's contorted form as his screams rung through the room.

  Rosalie felt a chill settle over her, tears welling in her eyes as Dolohov's cries pierced the air. She loathed this aspect of Tom, the cruel and merciless facade he assumed as Lord Voldemort. 

  Unable to bear witness to the brutality any longer, she averted her gaze, her features shrouded in a shadow of sorrow. "Tom," she murmured, her voice a fragile whisper amidst the chaos, scarcely audible above Dolohov's agonised pleas.  But Tom's ears had been trained especially to hear the sound of her voice despite everything.

  Reluctantly, he lowered his wand, tucking it away in his pocket as he observed Dolohov, now quivering and spent, slumped upon the floor before him. Malfoy moved to assist him, but Tom's sharp command halted him in his tracks.

  "Don't- or you're next."

  Rosalie's sudden, silent gaze of a reprimand pierced through the tension like a blade, a silent plea for restraint. Yet Tom, undeterred by her unspoken telling off, fixed his steely gaze upon Malfoy, who recoiled and resumed his seat, leaving Dolohov sprawled unconscious upon the floor.

  In the aftermath of violence, a heavy silence descended, punctuated only by the laboured breaths of those present, as the Spector of Tom's dark power loomed large over the room.

  "Why would anyone ask such a question?" He finally spoke, breathing quietly. The protection of his only horcrux paramount in his mind.

  "In what world is anyone- anyone- deserving of knowing what or where it is. You're all already trusted enough in knowing I have one. Do not ask for more. Understand?" 

  "Yes, my lord." They all spoke in unison, Rosalie kept her gaze away from Tom and into the fire, ignoring his request.

  "The war right now is currently preventing us from recruiting larger families or finances. However, I believe we will not have to wait long until Dumbledore defeats Grindelwald." Tom took his place back on the couch in front of Rosalie. He looked down at the side of her face, wondering what she was thinking.

  "Excuse me for asking, my Lord, but how do you know?" Mulciber asked a rather risky question. Tom seemed reluctant to reply.

  "Because Dumbledore is smarter than my father. My father's army grows bigger by the day- its only a matter of time before Dumbledore's reluctance- his love for my father- gets trumped by the fear that Grindelwald may actually win." Rosalie spoke into the fire, remembering the shape of her fathers face and the way his voice sounded when he wanted something for her.

  A part of her missed him. He was the only family she knew. She hated him, no doubt about it. But all of this still felt like betrayal.

  Tom looked at her like she had just revealed her biggest secret to him. He could see the utter sadness on her face, and moved quickly to change the subject.

  "I want you all to research the house's that Grindelwald has recruited. More than likely after such a defeat they'll be thirsting for more, and come running into our arms. See which ones are worth keeping and which ones are worth destroying." He explained coldly.

  Was he any better than Rosalie's own father?

  "Yes, my lord," they echoed in perfect unison, their voices a testament to their unwavering allegiance.

  In a sudden break from the somber atmosphere, Coriolanus rose from his seat, a sense of purpose evident in his demeanour.

  "Forgive the interruption, my lord," he began, his words laden with significance. "But I have news that aligns perfectly with our plans."

  Tom inclined his head in acknowledgment, granting Coriolanus permission to speak.

  "My mother is hosting a ball this weekend, before we're headed back to Hogwarts. She wanted to toast mine and Rosalies engagement" Coriolanus continued, his tone clipped and precise. "It will be attended by every elite pureblood family in Britain."

  A calculating stare flickered in Tom's eyes the purpose was less than ideal, but here was an opportunity to solidify his influence and forge invaluable alliances within the wizarding elite.

  "Indeed," he replied, his expression darkening. "Wonderful."

---

  As Rosalie returned to her room, a heavy weight of emotional exhaustion bore down upon her. Her bed beckoned like a sanctuary, offering a fleeting rest from everything else. Collapsing onto the mattress, she finally found something resembling solace, her gaze drifting upward to the familiar expanse of her ceiling, haunted by memories that refused to fade.

  But before she could wind herself up on the memory, a faint rustle drew her attention. Startled, she rose from her prone position, her eyes fixating on the small piece of paper lying before her door- a silent messenger slipped beneath the threshold.

  Curiosity mingled with fear as Rosalie approached, her fingers trembling slightly as they grasped the delicate parchment. With a mixture of reluctance and intrigue, she unfolded the note, its contents etching themselves into her consciousness with each passing moment.

  Love, I need to see you.

  Please.

She could recognise the handwriting a mile away.

  Her heart faltered at the sight of his words, torn between the allure of his presence and the weight of her own betrayal. Tom's actions had jeopardised everything they held dear, a reality she couldn't ignore. Yet, despite her thoughts, the longing to be near him tugged at her, threatening to unravel her composure.

  Everything inside of her wanted to go running into his arms, feel the warmth that he only radiated in body heat and not his words.

  She knew what she had to do.

  Minutes later, she stood outside Tom's door, a cup of steaming tea cradled in her hands. With a tentative knock, she waited, her pulse quickening with each passing moment. When Tom opened the door, his expression a mix of surprise and earnest anticipation, Rosalie couldn't help but feel a flicker of warmth within her chest. 

  "I wasn't sure if you'd come," Tom admitted, his gaze searching hers with a depth of sincerity that stirred something within her.  

  He looked down at her hands, seeing what she was holding.

  "What's this?"

  She offered a tentative smile, holding out the cup of tea as a peace offering. "Earl grey," she said simply, her voice soft with emotion.

  In that moment, as Tom's eyes met hers, she sensed a glimmer of understanding pass between them. His heart softened at her gesture.

  "Please come in," he said, the words coming out as begging rather than a friendly notion.

  Rosalie swallowed, rather than seeing Tom, she saw the little boy at the orphanage, alone and in constant need of a friend. This was the Tom she was hurting.

  Her gaze fell to the floor, a dull ache settling in her chest.

"You know I can't, Tommy," she whispered, her voice barely audible above the weight of their unspoken tension.

  "Is it him?" He asked, both knowing who he was referring to.

  Rosalie shook her head, sorry for his own stupidity.

  "Of course not." She closed her eyes, aware of the pain and jealousy she had caused him.

  Tom's eyes bore into hers, a reflection of his own inner turmoil writ large upon his face. "You can come in. You're just afraid," he asserted, his words full with a plea that echoed the depths of his soul.

  Rosalie scoffed, the bitterness of betrayal lacing her words as she spoke with a steely resolve. "You betrayed me. I can't just forgive you," she declared, her tone laced with the finality of her decision.

  Silenced by her words, Tom found himself grasping at the cup of tea thrust into his hand, a feeble attempt to anchor himself amidst the storm of emotions raging within him.

  As Rosalie turned to leave, her footsteps echoing in the silence of the room, a pang of regret pierced Tom's heart. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have come. Goodnight, Tommy," she murmured, her voice tinged with sorrow as she vanished behind the closed door of her bedroom, leaving him alone with his thoughts.

  In the quiet of the night, he stood there, the only reminder of her presence the warmth of the earl grey tea cradled in his hands, a bitter-sweet reminder of what once was.

A/N

Vote and comment...

This story still has a longggg way to go don't you worry readers.