A Deeper Connection: A New Beginning

A Deeper Connection - Part II

Her voice broke, uttering the last word seemingly too much for the magic-despising woman.

"What a fitting description," the Dark Lord sneered, internally revelling the expression on the Muggle's face at the sight of the pale Yew wand casually slipping into his hand, "was there anything else, Petunia?"

"He... he had... had... re... red eyes," Petunia eventually stuttered, her eyes still glued on the white wand in the Dark Lord's hand.

Fractions of a second later, the hand holding the Yew wand travelled upwards, eventually stopping at the level of the Dark Lord's eyes. A short series of hisses escaped his lips before onyx irises turned crimson, "I am afraid that you were wrong, Petunia Dursley. I never died nor fled. I was there the entire time, my soul attached to Harry's, as you mistreated him and in turn me, the Dark Lord Voldemort. Now that I have my body back, courtesy of dear Harry here, I will ensure that you will pay."

Opposite of him, Petunia started to scream. Her husband, being the dense Muggle that he was, followed moments later. Before they could do much more, two red beams of light briefly illuminated the cramped hallway. Fractions of a second later, the Stunned bodies of the two Dursleys noisily connected with the hard floorboards.

"You have lost none of your theatrics, old friend," Corvus chuckled as he stared at the two bodies, "while your little show was immensely entertaining, I still do not understand why you did not include at least a bit of torture."

"You know exactly why," Tom sighed.

He and Harry had debated extensively about today's proceedings. Given the tight time frame, the limitations of Harry's magical reservoirs, and the planned cover-up for the two Dursleys, the had refrained from excessive torture, despite how much both of them desired to do so. Both Dursleys deserved to suffer, preferably for as long and as agonising as possible. Still, their plan was more important than the perfect revenge. For now, it was time to get back to Malfoy Manor, despite how much Lucius opposed the idea of having Muggles in his home. Ignoring the silent protest of the Lord of the Malfoy family, Tom reached out for the beefy arm of the Stunned Vernon Dursley. After all, they had no time to spare and a ritual to prepare.

A few hours later, Tom looked up from the finished Rune circle. Outside, the sun was already setting. There was still enough time. Luckily, the Rune circle they were using today was much simpler and less time consuming to create than the one they had used during the Resurrection Ritual. Furthermore, it could also be used again. Especially the latter point was vital for the completion of their plan. Checking the familiar Sumerian Runes for the last time, the Dark Lord rose to his feet, joining Harry, who was standing by the window, observing the vast grounds with all its fountains, gardens, paddocks, white peacocks, and the impressive maze at its centre.

"The circle has been finished," the Dark Lord said, now standing next to his Equal, who only nodded in answer before once again focussing on the vast grounds ahead. For a moment, they simply stood there, side by side, simply enjoying the silence and the setting sun.

Eventually, the silence had to be broken, as Tom cleared his throat, "While I knew that we have a tight schedule to follow, I must ask you, and I swear it will be the last time, if you are ready and still want to go through with this. Be assured that this will be the last time that I ask. I just have to-"

"I can, I will, and I must," Harry interrupted him, deep crimson and Avada-green eyes meeting, the air around them charged with sizzling magic, "you know why. I simply cannot continue like this."

"I know," the Dark Lord said quietly. For a moment, neither of them spoke, both of them aware of the other's motives.

"Did you bring the object?" Tom eventually asked. In answer, Harry opened his right hand, revealing a small silvery tin soldier, a stark reminder of his miserable upbringing.