Twenty Seven

Rosalie

  At what point did caring for someone so deeply turn toxic?

  Rosalie watched Tom's face about a ruler length from her own, his eyes shut gently, his eyelashes fluttering ever so lightly when a thought passed his dormant mind. Soft blows of air left his mouth every few seconds, his hair sprawled across his forehead messily. Light shades of freckles were seen falling across his face when you got close enough to see his near-perfect light skin.

  She marvelled at his beauty, feeling as though she might be overwhelmed by it. The urge to reach out and touch him surged within her, but she savoured these moments of silence, basking in the sight of his handsome features. In her mind's eye, she crafted a world where they were just an ordinary couple, far removed from the shadows of their true identities—her father's association with Grindelwald and Tom's looming presence as Voldemort. In this fantasy, they resided in a quaint cottage, shielded from prying eyes, cherishing the simplicity of their solitude.

  In this alternate reality, perhaps Tom wouldn't feel compelled to carry out the deeds he believed necessary. Maybe the weight of countless lives wouldn't burden his conscience. But in this world, all Rosalie could do was watch from the sidelines, torn between her love for Tom and the knowledge of his dark path.

  As she turned around and sat up on her side of the bed, her gaze lingered over her shoulder, drinking in the sight of Tom's naked form. The sheets draped over him, exposing his muscled back, which flexed subtly with each movement.

  "Where are you off to, love? It's Saturday. Stay with me a while longer," Tom groaned, reaching out for her. Rosalie hesitated, her robes draped over her shoulders.

  "Sorry, Tom. I promised Lily I'd join her for breakfast," she replied softly, torn between her desire to stay and her sense of obligation.

  Tom seized her hand, pulling her back onto the bed and into his lap. He pressed his lips hungrily against hers, urging her to stay. Rosalie returned the kiss, but when his hand ventured beneath her shirt, she gently pushed him away.

  "Not now, Tom," she said, slipping off the bed and straightening her disheveled appearance. With a coy smile, she bid him farewell and left his room.

  As she walked away, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for leaving Tom behind. But she knew she had to keep her distance, to resist being drawn too deeply into his world of darkness.

  Tom watched her leave, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Soon," he murmured to himself, returning his attention to his book as Rosalie closed the door behind her.

  The journey to the great hall to meet Lily felt shorter than Rosalie expected, her steps echoing in the corridor as she navigated the familiar path. Yet, the frantic pacing in her own room along the way caught her attention, prompting her to pause and listen. She glanced to her side before cautiously opening the door, finding Lily in a state of distress, questioning everything.

  "Lily?" Rosalie approached cautiously, her heart sinking at the sight of her friend's anxious demeanour.

  "Rose," Lily replied quickly, her eyes wide with worry as she ushered Rosalie to the corner of the room.

  "Where have you been? This is important. Bad important," Lily said, her voice trembling with urgency.

  Rosalie's mind raced with possibilities as she braced herself for the worst. "What's wrong?" she asked, her concern growing with each passing moment.

  Lily's hands dropped from her mouth as she pulled Rosalie into an embrace. "I'm so sorry. I don't know why he's done this. It's so stupid," Lily murmured, her words muffled against Rosalie's shoulder.

  Pushing Lily away gently, Rosalie met her gaze squarely. "Lily, what are you talking about?" she pressed, her voice tinged with apprehension.

  Lily hesitated, her expression fraught with uncertainty. "It's Coriolanus. William told me he sent a letter to your father last night," she began slowly, her worry evident.

  "And what did he say?" Rosalie asked, her stomach churning with dread. She thought about just how peaceful Tom was about five minutes ago, and tried to imagine the look of disgusting anger written all over his marvellous features.

  Lily's words hung heavy in the air as she revealed Coriolanus's twisted accusation. "He's got this sick notion that you're one of Tom's horcruxes," she confessed, her voice trembling, her mouth wanting to say more but stopping her.

  Rosalie felt a surge of disbelief and anger rise within her, but she forced herself to remain composed. "That's absurd. Why would he even say that? Where did he get that idea?" she demanded, her tone laced with frustration.

  Lily nodded sympathetically, unaware of the turmoil brewing beneath Rosalie's calm exterior. "I have no idea. I told William you'd never allow that to happen. But there's more," she continued.

  "He's told him something about an engagement, about a pregnancy, absolutely everything you can think of to piss off a girl's father. There's no mistaking what he's trying to do." Rosalie's composure shattered. "Is he out of his mind?" she exclaimed, her voice tinged with fury.

  "Does he realise what Tom will do to him?" she added, her tone laced with annoyance.

  Lily's response only deepened Rosalie's sense of foreboding. "I don't think he cares. That's the scary part," Lily admitted, her expression grave.

  Rosalie's mind raced as she processed the gravity of the situation. Coriolanus had effectively painted a target on both of their backs, inadvertently or not, she wasn't sure, and there was no turning back now.

  "There's no protecting him now," Rosalie declared bitterly, her thoughts drifting to her own precarious position in the unfolding drama. She thought about all the ways she'd see Coriolanus hung in the air, she wondered if there would be much blood.

  Lily met her friend's gaze, understanding the underlying meaning of Rosalie's words. It was clear that the danger extended far beyond just what Tom would do to him, even Rosalie was thinking of the moral implications of using the cruciatus curse on someone.

---

  Rosalie sat at the breakfast table alone, her aura cold, her look even colder. The usually friendly people sat at the Slytherin table even kept their distance, leaving her in her own spiting world of hatred and confusion. Her eyes were fixed on the cup of tea in front of her, but her mind was elsewhere. The weight of his betrayal, even though predictable, hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the otherwise mundane morning.

  As if on cue, Coriolanus appeared rather happily in the hall. His presence immediately a vicious reminder of what he had done. Rosalie's grip on the handle of her cup tightened involuntarily as she watched him approach, his demeanour oblivious to the storm brewing around him as he made his way to the other end of the Slytherin table.

  Without hesitation, Rosalie muttered a quick, cursing incantation under her breath, her wand concealed beneath the table. She stood up and kept her eyes on Coriolanus as his breathing felt weaker, to him, it should've felt as though a snake was wrapping around his neck. He reached for whatever was blocking his ability to breathe, but the only thing he could touch was the coolness of the skin on his neck.

  A surge of energy cursed through her veins as she directed her steps towards Coriolanus, his features twisting into a grotesque contortion, his hands flying across his face and neck as he recoiled in shock. The few people around him looked at him funnily, trying to understand his silly movements.

  Rosalie stared over to him, her voice laced with venom as she got closer and spoke. "Are you satisfied with yourself?" She demanded, her eyes blazing with anger.

  "Do you know what you've done? Even after all that you've done to me?" The words hung in the air, echoing through the hall with a chilling intensity while the students watched on in fascination, no teacher around to stop her.

  Coriolanus stumbled backward, his expression a mix of shock and fear as he struggled to comprehend what was happening, he tried to express his words, but the invisible feeling around his neck only got tighter. Even so, Rosalie showed no mercy, her words seeking to unravel him with each syllable.

  She wanted to feel him suffer more, feel the life draining from his body, but a hand snaked around her arm holding her wand, Tom's voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "Enough, Rosalie," he commanded, his tone firm as he stepped forward to stand between her and Coriolanus. His presence calmed her suddenly.

  Surprisingly, even to himself, Tom felt a pang of astonishment at the intensity of Rosalie's actions. She had always been fierce, but this was a new level of ferocity that caught him off guard. He couldn't help but admire her strength, even as he moved to diffuse the situation. He couldn't let his Rosie be expelled and out of his reach, even if he did enjoy seeing her enjoy herself in the thrill of hurting someone. Coriolanus felt the curse wear off, he breathed heavily, heaving in breaths of air to regain himself.

  Rosalie's wand lowered fully, sending Coriolanus a sneer as she stormed out of the hall, her footsteps echoing in the empty space, Tom followed her close behind. He caught up to her just outside the door, his expression a mixture of concern and curiousity. "What was that about?" he asked, his voice soft but insistent.

  Taking a moment to compose herself, Rosalie turned to face him. "He told him. He told him everything. I don't even know how Coriolanus found out but its not good." She swallowed. "If my father believes him, and thinks that I'm your horcrux- he'll come for us both," she explained, her voice tinged with desperation. 

  Tom's expression softened, he hated when her voice held uncertainty. Without hesitation, he pulled her into a tight embrace, Pressing a kiss to the top of her forehead as he breathed in her scent, his lips brushing against her hair as he whispered soothing words into her ear. Rosalie gripped onto his robes against her weakening fingers.

  "It'll be okay, Rosalie. I'll deal with Coriolanus, I'll deal with both of them. I'd kill any man that tried to hurt what we have," he murmured, his voice like a melody. "You're safe with me."

  And she did feel safe with him, here, in his strong arms. She wished she could hold onto him forever like this and forget the outside world.

  Rosie closed her eyes, allowing herself to lean into his embrace, finding solace in the warmth of his chest. 

---

  The late afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the landscape, bathing Rosie's field in a golden light. Rosie leaned against Tom in the long grass, nestled between his legs. Her head found a comfortable spot on his chest as they both flipped through the pages of a book, the words transporting them to another world.

  Tom's voice broke the peaceful silence, his tone filled with disbelief. "I have no idea why this stupid girl would do such a thing," he remarked, his grip on Rosie tightening slightly as she began to slip. With a snap, he closed the book, earning an annoyed glare from Rosie, who clearly hadn't finished reading.

"Tom, I hadn't finished the page yet," she protested as he handed her the book.

  "Sorry, love," he apologised, his hand finding its way to her jaw as she leaned over his legs to let the sun onto the page.

  "But it makes no sense—killing yourself because what? Her lover killed someone?" Tom questioned, his gaze scanning the field.

  "Her father, Tom, whom she loved, so yes, I can see why she went crazy and killed herself," Rosie explained, her eyes still fixed on the book.

  Tom furrowed his brow. "I've lived without a father and I'm perfectly fine," he countered.

  "Yes, well, I presume it's different when you're the one who's gone and killed him. Imagine if you actually had loved your father, then I went and killed him. How would you feel?" Rosie challenged, finally closing the book and tossing it aside.

  Tom shook his head. "That's entirely implausible, though. There's no point in answering that question."

  "Never been one for theory, have you? I'm surprised you even like reading fiction books," Rosie teased, her gaze finally meeting Tom's.

  His hand traced her jawline slowly, his touch sending shivers down her spine as she leaned into it. "And how would you feel if I killed your father? Would you be driven mad?" he inquired, his voice low and intimate.

  "Don't talk about that, Tom. You'll turn me on," Rosie quipped, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

  Tom couldn't resist her playful challenge, pulling her towards him and seeking out her lips in a tender kiss. Rosie giggled and pushed herself up, straddling him playfully as her fingers danced through her hair. Her white dress billowed around her as Tom's hands explored under the fabric, tracing the curve of her back and pulling her closer.

  His touch sent electric currents through her body, and she couldn't help but arch into his hand as it trailed along the edges of her underwear, his eyes darting back into hers with darkness as he felt the wetness against the fabric of her underwear. A soft moan escaped her lips, as he teased her by tracing a finger along her underwear, mingling with the sound of their laughter and the rustle of the grass beneath them.

  "Tom," she laughed, pushing his hands away teasingly as she moved to get up.

  But before she could make her escape, he lunged forward, capturing her in his arms and pressing his lips hungrily against hers. With a playful grin, Rosie darted away, successfully this time, her laughter filling the air as Tom chased after her, the golden light of the setting sun feeling warm on his back.

  However, his joy was short-lived as a sudden vision gripped him, his surroundings twisting and distorting before his eyes. He saw Rosalie running away from him, her laughter replaced by screams of terror, tears streaming down her face.

  Tom stumbled to a halt, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps as he fought to push the vision away. Rosalie, noticing his distress, hurried back to him, her touch gentle as she brushed his face.

  "Tom, are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

  Before he could respond, a chilling presence filled the air as the sound of apparating filled the air. Tom locked eyes with the sound immediately, Grindelwalds presence filling his presence immediately. The same eyes he was glaring into looked up with him, still confused at the distressing look on his face. 

  Instinctively he pushed Rosie behind him, shielding her from her own father. Rosie turned, trying to see what he was doing. Then she saw him, and felt a little better at how Tom stood in front of her, one of his hands holding onto her out arm, making sure she stayed where she was.

  After a moment of deafening silence from both ends, Grindelwald took a step forward. Tom stood his ground, fearing for Rosalie's safety rather than his own.

  "You must be the Riddle I've heard so much about," Grindelwald remarked, his tone casual but his eyes sharp as they rested on Tom. "Not that it's any of my business, but I've heard you've been running around with my daughter, making horcruxes. It's not exactly a good look for your girlfriend's father."

  His accent played in Tom's ears, and he almost didn't want to reply, didn't want to give him the time of day. One thing was for sure, the Hungarian accent suited Rosalie a lot more.

  She slipped her hand on top of his and held it tightly, whispering sweetly into his ear, not taking her eyes off of her father, "Let's just go." She said, not liking the idea of Tom getting into a duel with her father.

  "You're right, It's not any of your business. I suggest you leave." He says across the field, caLmly, threat looming in your voice.

  Grindelwald's lips curled into a smirk. "You are no hero, Tom. especially not to my daughter."

  Tom's eyes narrowed, a flicker of defiance in his gaze. "I'm better for her than you've ever been."

  "Are you sure?"

  Tom nodded.

  Grindelwald chuckled darkly, his amusement tinged with menace. "You've found yourself a confident one, Rosie," he observed, turning his attention to his daughter, who stood beside Tom, her expression one of fear and uncertainty.

  Tom's grip on Rosalie's hand tightened, offering her silent reassurance as Grindelwald continued to speak. "You better leave before Dumbledore comes stumbling along," he warned, his voice low but filled with authority.

  Grindelwald's laughter echoed across the field, sending shivers down Rosalie's spine. "Very well," he conceded, his tone dripping with malice. "Kill this one Rosalie, or I'll be forced to think you are what I think you are; worse than a traitor, and I'll have to finish the job myself." With a final warning to his daughter, he disappeared into thin air, leaving behind a sense of foreboding in his wake.

  Rosalie let out a shaky breath, her heart still racing from the encounter. Tom pulled her close, his arms a comforting presence as they stood together in the fading light. "It's going to be okay," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

  Rosalie's tears flowed freely as she pushed Tom away, her heart heavy with a mix of betrayal and fear. "I can't believe you did this to me," she sobbed, her voice trembling with emotion. "You made me your Horcrux. I've got a target on my back from my own father."

  Tom's heart clenched at the sight of her tears, a pang of guilt piercing through him like a dagger. He had never wanted to hurt her, but now he saw the pain he had caused reflected in her eyes, and it tore him apart inside.

  "I'm sorry, Rosie," he whispered, his voice thick with regret. "I never meant to put you in danger. I thought I was protecting you- I have protected you. You've got your own Horcrux."

  "Yeah, one that you own! You've got the reigns on my life!"

  Rosalie shook her head, her tears continuing to fall unchecked. "I can't stay here anymore," she choked out, her voice raw with emotion. "I need to get away from all of this."

  Tom reached out to her, his hand trembling as he brushed a tear from her cheek. "Please, Rosie, don't go," he pleaded, his voice desperate. 

  But Rosalie pulled away, her resolve firm. "I need time to think," she insisted, her voice wavering but determined. 

   Tom watched helplessly as she turned and walked away, her figure disappearing into the distance. He sank to his knees, a profound sense of loss washing over him. And as he looked up at the empty field, he knew that he kept on hurting the one person he had ever truly cared about.

---

  Rosie floated atop the cool waters of the black lake, uncaring for her appearance, the monsters that lurked beneath the surface, the problems of the world. Her ears stayed under the water in a soothing silence that let her close her eyes, her chest rising and falling.

  Her thoughts swirled with uncertainty and fear. What would Ophelia have done if Hamlet had put her life in danger? Would she have gone mad and killed herself then? She wasn't sure. Would she have killed Hamlet himself?

  The idea of killing Tom was almost enticing, like the words her father had spoken were some chipped command in her head. Though she knew it was impossible, physically and mentally. Apart of his soul was imbedded in her. The idea of killing him to take it out held sort of a perverse romance to it, but also filled her head with dread.

  She couldn't kill Tom, she wouldn't be able to live with herself. She was scared for her life, scared for the lives of those she cared about, scared of what her father might do if he found out the truth about the Horcrux.

  Hysterical with worry, Rosalie emerged from the lake, her white dress clinging to her soaked skin as she wandered aimlessly until the castle, her bare feet, running makeup, wet hair and slim figure seen through the dress was a fearful site as she stumbled through the courtyard, not entirely sure which direction she should be walking.

  "I've been waiting for you." Tom spoke from beside her, leant against one of the concrete pillars. Rose looked at him with a cold face. It was late, and the students were heading to bed, leaving them alone in the darkness.

  "Go away Tom."

  Ignoring her command, Tom pushed himself away from the pillar and approached her. Rosalie instinctively reached for her wand, her heart pounding with apprehension.

  "You're all I want," Tom insisted, his voice pleading.

  "Go away!" Rosalie screamed, her wand raised defensively. With a flick of her wrist, she unleashed a curse at him, but he easily dodged it, his expression one of shock at her aggression.

  "What the hell was that?" Tom yelled, his anger evident in his tone. But she paid no heed to his words. All she could think about was getting him to leave, to disappear from her life once and for all. Rosalie didn't care, she didn't want to see him, she didn't want to think about him. 

  But he was there. All the time. Every waking moment he was there in her mind.

  "Rosie stop!" He screamed at her, her magic was messy, they weren't her true potential, he was aware of that. But she was hysterical, fuelled by anger and fear, every movement she made was sloppy.

  She continued to hurl spells at him. Some he blocked, some he redirected, but none seemed to get through to her. In a moment of desperation, Tom retaliated, sending a violent green light hurtling towards her.

  Rosalie didn't move to defend herself. She let the curse pass through her defences, the searing pain ripping through her chest like fire. As she collapsed to the ground, blood staining her dress, she felt a surge of agony wash over her.

  As the spell cut through her chest, Rosalie's scream pierced the night air, the pain searing through her like fire. Tom's features contorted with anguish as he watched her agony, his heart breaking at the sight of her suffering. Tears welled in her eyes as she groaned in pain, her body trembling with each agonising moment.

  In one last feeble attempt to hurt him, Rosalie summoned all her remaining strength and directed a curse towards Tom. The spell struck him square in the chest, the sudden shock of pain spreading throughout his body like wildfire. With a gasp, Tom slumped against the tree, his strength draining away as darkness threatened to consume him.

  The courtyard fell silent, save for the heavy breathing of the two wounded souls. Rosalie crawled towards Tom, her movements slow and laboured. Despite the pain coursing through her, she reached out to him, her hand trembling as she touched his face.

  "I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely a whisper amidst the darkness. His skin was now decorated with poisonous black spider-web markings. She fell across his lap, his face looking up at him

  Breathing heavily, they together, their bodies trembling with pain and exhaustion. Tom reached out to touch her face, pushing a strand of hair away from her eyes.

  "You're so beautiful," he admitted, his voice filled with sincerity.

  Rosalie sat up on his lap, leaning her head against his forehead as tears streamed down her face. Despite everything, Tom managed a smile, blood staining his lips. She was so incredibly powerful it had impressed him.

  Concerned for her well-being, Tom uttered the counter-curse for her wound, watching as the blood on her chest began to absorb back into her skin. As they leaned against each other, their heads touching, a mixture of emotions flooded through them.

  Rosalie hurriedly uttered the counter-curse for the poison, her mind changing at the site of his darkening eye bags. She watched designs began to fade away, his face slowly returning to normal.

  "I hate you," Rosalie whispered.

  "I love you," Tom replied softly.

  "I love you too," Rosalie murmured back.

  Their lips met in the middle, crashing down on one another like the world was about to end, the soft texture of Rosalie's lips was a feeling Tom devoured, pressing his tongue into his mouth to savour every sickening taste he was allowed. Rosie pushed away.

  Rosalie met his gaze, her own eyes filled with uncertainty. "Do you mean it? You love me?"

  Tom smiled, his dark eyes full of affection for her; he was once her enemy, now he was the man she belonged to.

  "Do I look like the kind of guy to say something like that often?" Tom responded, his voice filled with sincerity.

  Their lips met in another kiss, a mixture of love and desperation intertwining as they clung to each other in the darkness of the night. Rosalie rested herself against him, slipping her hand into his as she made herself more comfortable by his side, feeling sleep wash over her.

  Tom could feel the exhaustion too, but he used the rest of his energy to grip her hand back, inhaling her scent. The fact that she had just tried to kill him made the image of her even dearer to him.

  "Do you think we're bad for each other?" Rosalie's sighed, her eyes finally letting go and plunging into darkness, Tom's response, if any, falling on sleeping ears.

---

   As the morning bell reverberated through Hogwarts, Tom was abruptly jolted awake in the courtyard. The piercing sound cut through the silence of the dawn, and he sat up, disoriented and bleary-eyed. His hand automatically reached out to the empty space beside him, where he expected to feel Rosalie's comforting presence. But she wasn't there.

  Rubbing his temples to ease the throbbing ache in his head, Tom scanned the courtyard, searching for any sign of her. Panic began to gnaw at his insides as he realised she was nowhere to be found. Where could she have gone?

  With a sense of foreboding, Tom rose to his feet and started making his way through the corridors of Hogwarts. Every step felt heavy, laden with the weight of uncertainty. He checked their usual spots, but there was no trace of her. It was as if she had vanished into thin air.

  Then, as he reached their room, Tom noticed a piece of parchment lying on his bedside table. His heart sank as he recognised Rosalie's elegant handwriting. With cold hands, he picked up the note and began to read, his breath catching in his throat with each word.

My Dearest Tom,

I find myself at a loss for words as I attempt to write this letter to you. The weight of what I am about to say bears heavily on my heart, and I can only hope that you will understand.

It pains me deeply to have to tell you this, but I have made the decision to leave you. Please know that this choice was not made lightly, and it brings me great sorrow to have to part ways with you.

I want you to understand that this is not a decision I have made out of anger or spite. Rather, it is a decision born out of a need to follow my own path and find my own way in this world.

I know that this news will undoubtedly bring you pain, and for that, I am truly sorry. Please believe me when I say that I never intended to hurt you. 

I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me for this decision. Please know that I will always cherish the memories we shared together and hold them close to my heart.

I wish you nothing but happiness and fulfilment in the days ahead. Know that you will always have a special place in my heart, and I will carry the love we shared with me wherever I go.

With all my love and deepest regrets,

Rosalie Grindelwald.

  Tom felt his world shake at hearing the words ring through his mind, but one thing kept him from completely breaking down; she would never call herself Rosalie Grindelwald if she had written it herself.