As the first rays of dawn filtered through the curtains, Marvolo stirred from his sleep, feeling a weight against his arm. Blinking groggily, he realized he was still in Lyra's bed, the events of the previous night slowly coming back to him. He glanced down to find Lyra curled up beside him, her breathing steady and peaceful in sleep.
A soft smile tugged at the corners of Marvolo's lips as he watched her, a myriad of emotions swirling within him. Despite the chaos and unpredictability of the night before, there was a certain warmth in the simplicity of this moment—the quiet intimacy shared between two souls amidst the remnants of a drunken escapade.
Careful not to disturb Lyra's slumber, Marvolo gently got out of bed, quietly slipping out from under the covers. He glanced around the room, taking in the scattered remnants of their revelry—half-empty bottles of firewhiskey, crumbs of cake, and the faint scent of magic lingering in the air.
With a sigh, Marvolo set about tidying up the room, vanishing the empty bottles and remnants of their indulgence with a flick of his wand. As he worked, his mind wandered back to the events of the previous night. Lost in his thoughts, Marvolo was startled when he felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. He turned to find Lyra, now awake, gazing at him with sleepy eyes and a soft smile.
"Morning, Marvolo," she murmured, her voice still thick with sleep.
"Good morning, Lyra," Marvolo replied, returning her smile. "Did you sleep well?"
Lyra nodded, stretching her limbs with a contented sigh. "Like a baby. Thanks for staying with me, what happened last night?"
Marvolo chuckled, "Let's just say it was a night of unexpected adventures. Fireworks, dancing, and a unique display of your ability to turn invisible."
Lyra winced, memories flooding back. "Oh, Merlin. Did I break anything?"
Marvolo reassured her, "Nothing that can't be fixed. The manor survived."
Lyra groaned, rubbing her temples. "I think I might need a Pepper-up potion."
Mippy, ever attentive, appeared with a vial of the requested potion. Lyra gulped it down, sighing in relief as the tension in her shoulders eased.
"Thanks, Mippy," she mumbled, looking somewhat sheepish.
The house-elf nodded, "Mippy always happy to help, Miss Lyra."
As the effects of the Pepper-up potion took hold, Lyra glanced at Marvolo. "Can we get some breakfast? I'm hungry."
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Later in the day, Tom Riddle gathered his Death Eaters for a meeting. The news of Dumbledore's demise had spread through the ranks, and it was time to address the fallout. Lyra, still nursing a mild headache, sat in the corner, observing the proceedings with a watchful eye.
Tom stood at the front of the room, addressing the assembled Death Eaters. "Dumbledore is dead. It's a significant victory for us, but don't underestimate the retaliation from the remaining members of the Order. Keep your guard up. We'll be prepared for whatever they throw at us."
As the meeting progressed, Lyra couldn't help but marvel at the way Tom commanded authority. It was both impressive and slightly unsettling. She remained in the shadows, invisible to most, absorbing the dynamics of the group.
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That evening, as the day's events settled, tension lingered in the air when Lyra broached a topic that had been on her mind. "Marvolo, can we talk?"
He nodded, sensing the weight in her voice. "Of course. What's on your mind?"
Taking a deep breath, Lyra began, "I've been thinking long and hard about our relationship."
Marvolo furrowed his brow, sensing a shift in the conversation. "What about it?"
Lyra met his gaze, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and uncertainty. "I want to move out of Slytherin Manor."
Lyra took a deep breath, choosing her words carefully. "I think we should take things slow. Dumbledore, Agatha, and Tedros are gone. I can handle living on my own now."
Marvolo's expression shifted from surprise to concern. "Lyra, we've been through so much together. Why the sudden change?"
She looked away, her voice tinged with a hint of frustration. "It's something you said in the Death Eater meeting. About being vigilant and watching for potential threats. I realized I can't let my guard down, but living together is not taking things slow. I don't want to be too dependent on you."
Marvolo sighed, reaching out to gently touch her hand. "Lyra, I would never control you or force you into something you're not comfortable with. If you want to move out, I'll respect your decision. But I need to understand why."
Lyra met his gaze, determination flickering in her eyes. "Dumbledore manipulated me for years, controlled every aspect of my life. Now that he's gone, I want to do things for myself, alone."
The air in the room became charged with tension as Lyra's words hung between them. Marvolo, though usually composed, felt a surge of frustration and confusion. He couldn't fathom the sudden desire for independence after everything they had been through.
"Lyra, I don't understand. We've faced adversity together. Why now? Why this sudden need for distance?" Marvolo questioned, his tone laced with a mix of concern and frustration.
Lyra met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a steely determination. "Marvolo, I appreciate everything you've done. But Dumbledore's gone, and I need to break free from the chains he put on me. Living together feels like those chains tightening again."
Marvolo's brows furrowed, his patience waning. "Lyra, living together is not a chain. It's a choice we made. I've never tried to control you, and I won't start now. I've only ever wanted to protect you."
Lyra scoffed, her frustration evident. "Protect me? Marvolo, you need to understand. I don't want to be protected anymore. I want to be free, independent. I can't have you dictating my every move."
His eyes flashed with hurt and confusion. "I've never dictated your every move, Lyra. I've supported you, stood by you. And now, when we should be celebrating our victories, you want to run away?"
She stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. "But that's the thing, it's not our victory, it's yours! You killed Dumbledore! You killed Agatha! You killed Tedros! I can't be dependent on you forever and live in your shadow, I need to do things for myself."
Marvolo stood, his expression a mixture of disbelief and frustration. "Lyra, this is not about living in anyone's shadow. We faced those threats together. We made sacrifices, and we won. It's our victory."
Lyra paced the room, her agitation palpable. "Is it, Marvolo? Every time I turn around, it's 'Marvolo this' and 'Marvolo that.' I need my identity back, and I can't find it if I'm always living in someone else's world."
Marvolo's attempt to keep his composure wavered. "This is our world, Lyra. I thought we were building something together. Why do you want to distance yourself now?"
Lyra shot him an exasperated look. "Because, Marvolo, I've been living in other people's worlds for too long. First, it was Dumbledore, then it was you. I need to find my own path."
Marvolo's frustration boiled over. "Is this about proving a point? Is this about Dumbledore's manipulation?"
"This is not about proving a point, it's about me knowing that I can do things myself! Dumbledore manipulated me, made me believe I couldn't make decisions for myself. I won't let that happen again, not even with you," she retorted, her words cutting through the room.
Marvolo sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Lyra, I'm not Dumbledore. I've never sought to manipulate you."
She stood up abruptly, pacing as if the movement could ease the internal turmoil. "That's the point, Marvolo! I need to be alone. I need to rediscover who I am without someone else defining me."
His gaze, fierce and unwavering, locked onto hers. "I'm not Dumbledore, Lyra. I've never manipulated you. I've always respected you, your choices. But if you want to create distance, fine. Move out. Do what you need to do."
She glared at him, "Why do you making it sound like we're ending things between us? All I'm doing is moving out, doing things for myself. Being something apart from just being 'the-girl-who lived' or 'the dark lord's fiancé', why can't you understand that?"
Marvolo's shoulders slumped as he sighed, a mixture of resignation and sorrow in his gaze. "Lyra, I'll give you whatever you want. If you feel the need to be alone, then so be it. But know that it doesn't change how I feel about you."
He walked over to her, his steps heavy with the weight of the moment. Gently, he cupped her face, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. "I love you, Lyra. I want what's best for you, even if it means giving you the space you think you need."
Lyra met his gaze, and for a moment, the air was charged with unspoken emotions. Marvolo leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek. It was a tender gesture, a silent farewell, and a promise that his love would endure even if the physical distance between them grew.
Without saying another word, Marvolo turned away, leaving the room with heavy footsteps. The door closed behind him, leaving Lyra alone with her thoughts and the echoes of their heated exchange. The reality of her decision settled in, and the room seemed to close in around her.
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In the following days, as Lyra began the process of moving out, Marvolo kept his distance, giving her the space she had requested. The absence of her laughter and the warmth of her presence cast a somber atmosphere over Slytherin Manor. Despite the lingering ache in his chest, Marvolo refused to let his own pain cloud the support he knew Lyra needed.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the manor, Marvolo found himself standing outside the door to Lyra's now-empty room. The echo of his knuckles against the wood reverberated through the silent hallways. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing Lyra, her eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
"Hey you," she greeted softly, a small, sad smile playing on her lips.
"Hey," Marvolo replied, his voice carrying a weight of unspoken emotions. He took in the sight of her, all packed up and ready for the next chapter in her life.
"I wanted to say goodbye," Marvolo admitted, his eyes meeting hers.
Lyra nodded, her expression a blend of gratitude and affection. "Thank you for understanding, Marvolo."
He took a step closer, the distance between them feeling more pronounced than ever. "Can I visit? I mean, when you're settled in at Potter Manor."
Lyra's eyes softened, and she nodded. "Of course, you can visit. And you better promise to come over for dinner. I don't want to hear any excuses."
A faint grin tugged at the corners of Marvolo's lips. "I promise. I'll come over, and I'll even cook for you."
Lyra chuckled, a sound that warmed Marvolo's heart. "I look forward to it."
Lyra reached out, intertwining her fingers with his. "Marvolo, we're not breaking up. This is just a change in our living situation. Normal couples usually live seperately before moving in together after a while, right?"
Marvolo grinned, a genuine warmth in his eyes. "We've never been a normal couple, Lyra. And I wouldn't have it any other way."
She leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his lips. It was a tender farewell, a promise of future reunions. "Even if I move away, you're not getting rid of me. You'll have to endure my presence regularly."
Marvolo chuckled, the sound filled with affection. "I'll be counting the days until I see you again, Lyra."
With one last lingering look, Marvolo reluctantly let go of her hand. "Take care of yourself, okay? And don't hesitate to owl me if you need anything."
Lyra nodded, her eyes filled with gratitude.
With a heavy heart, Marvolo watched as Lyra packed the rest of her belongings, leaving him in what was not meanr to be a goodbye but certainly felt like it. The door closed behind him, and the echoes of their shared history lingered in the shadows of Slytherin Manor.