Chapter 49

As they approached the old house Anastasia immediately knew where she was. The stone had cracked and crumbled with time, but the immersive sound of the waves crashing on the Dorset sand took her mind straight back to that Summer. Anastasia took a deep breath as she followed Draco through the front door, wondering what had happened to those boys. Anastasia was led into the library where Draco told her to wait. She looked at all the books covered in cobwebs and dust. Mulciber had loved this house so much. She was filled with an overwhelming desire to run through the darkness towards the sea, like they had the first day she had arrived at the house.

"Anastasia" She was abruptly awoken from her memories to see a pale-looking Draco in the doorway. "Come on." Draco indicated for Anastasia to follow him. She inhaled deeply and began to walk, trying to gain confidence with each stride. Draco held her arm to keep her from running, although Anastasia felt the boy tremble. The door opened to the dining room and Anastasia saw a handful of people sitting around the old oak table. Anastasia scanned over the faces, desperately searching for Tom until she landed on the eyes that sat above the others. The man sat at the head of the table, and she immediately recognised him from the time she had touched Draco's tattoo. Voldemort. His snake nose and pitch black eyes made her muscles tense up, but she watched his expression as he stared at her. He rose from his seat, analysing the girl that stood before him.

"Impossible." He whispered, walking towards her. Anastasia stared at the man, and then at the large snake that followed him. Once he reached her he lifted his pale, dry hand and placed it on her cheek, moving her head around to inspect her.

"I can see why you wanted me to meet you in the flesh. You carry a striking resemblance. What is your exact relation to Anastasia Delaney?" The man whispered loudly, turning back towards his seat. Anastasia looked around at the others, watching their rigid bodies and fearing eyes. She didn't know this man. He felt hollow, like a shell slowly cracking with time. However, she knew only one man who could make people cower as the others around the table did before her.

"Tom?" Anastasia whispered, confused. This was not how she had expected him to be. The man stopped dead in his tracks, and slowly turned back to face her. She saw him blink, but he didn't express any emotion.

"What did you call me girl?" He scowled. Anastasia took a step forward, then another one. She moved slowly, like someone not wanting to scare off an animal. The man didn't move a muscle.

"Tom?" Anastasia repeated, reaching a hand up to his disfigured face, her skin stinging at how cold he was. "Jesus Tom, what's happened to you?" She whispered. Voldemort furrowed his inexistent eyebrows, and for a flash of a moment Anastasia saw Tom's eyes looking back at her.

"Everyone get out." The man stated quietly, fearing his voice would break. His followers looked around cautiously as they began slowly getting up. Bellatrix's face burned red and she made her way over to the dark lord, gently placing a hand on his shoulder before leaning in to whisper in his ear. Anastasia watched the way she touched him and couldn't help but shiver.

"Get out!" Voldemort screamed harshly, making Anastasia take a step back. She stared at the wild-haired woman, who looked hurt at Voldemort's words. Once everyone was out he returned his gaze to the girl. He had so many questions, but his uncontrollable rage prevented him from talking. As he stared at her, Anastasia felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. The great Tom Riddle, her beautiful beau, had gone so far that he had lost all of his humanity, so much so his appearance had abandoned concept.

"What are you doing here?" Voldemort spat. "How are you here? I thought-"

"You thought you'd killed me? Gotten rid of me for good?" Anastasia peered up at him. "Well, surprise! Looks like I was pretty easy to replace." Anastasia spat, annoyed that the wild-haired woman had bothered her so much.

"You have no idea." He walked closer to her. "You have no idea what I went through. I thought I was the reason..." Voldemort began to raise his wand. "And now I find out you've been alive all this time? That you abandoned me?!" He shouted with his wand extended to her throat, small tears forming in the corners of his eyes but never falling down his cheeks.

"You have to tell me what happened the night I disappeared Tom. I can't remember. All I know is that I woke up here, in this time." Voldemort lowered his wand slightly.

"You don't remember?" He whispered.

"I remember you and I." She saw a flicker of her Tom again. "I remember the necklace." Anastasia pointed to the scar in between her collar bones. Voldemort took a final step towards her, cupping his long fingers under her chin and forcefully pushing her to look up at him.

"I'll tell you what happened that night."