Romeo & Juliette

Love does not define my twin brother and I. We are much more than love. We feel much more than love.
On the outside he is a charming, caged wild beast who hides behind a smile. His beauty masking the violence that shines in his shaded brown eyes.
Dumbledore certainly does not like him. He despises my brother for who he is. For how he survived with his lot of muggles for eleven years.
It's not as if I am in much of a different boat. My resemblance to my twin warded me as another devil in disguise to Dumbledore.

He hates us for living.
For surviving the only ways we could.

Even in two separate environments, Marvolo and I grew up in relatively the same atmosphere. Looked down upon. Hated. Abhorred for our blood, magic and existence.

I feel much more than simple love for my twin.
He is the day. The night. The one who spins my world. The man I would live forever until forever ended...

If he hadn't chosen his path as he had.

I do not judge my brother for his lack of emotions, or feelings, or understanding of the basic human function. I, myself, possibly feel too much of what he misses. But I cannot come to terms with what he had almost created of himself.

My brother, my life, my other half, the blasted bastard had dared suggest Horcruxes to me. The crudest of Magic known to wizards and witches.
How he found out about the soul-ripping ritual is but a mystery to me.
I, myself, had not learned of such Magic until Slughorn came to me. Worried for my brother whom had asked seemingly one day in our sixth year.

"Horcruxes?" I whispered to Marvolo that night. "What are you thinking, Marv?"
"One life is not enough for me, Morgana." He had replied.
"And our promise? To stay with one another for forever?"
"I can create one for you, once I know the magic actually works."
"Marvolo," I frowned. "You can't."
"Why not?"
"It is tearing your soul."
"It is splitting my soul." Marvolo had corrected me. "I am separating my soul to preserve it."
"No, you are creating a dark artifact. Do you know the consequences of making a horcrux?"
"Do you?"
"I know you won't be the same. I know the book you found has not explained anything but the positives of such magic to you."
"Have you read the book?"
"I do not need to read a book to know what is wrong and what is right."
"I will not die, Morgana." He took my hands into his, squeezing so very gently. "We will not die."
I shook my head, standing and pulling away from his touch. "You will ruin yourself."
"I will make myself better."

I hadn't thought him serious at the time. But than Orion came to me, worried for what Evan had whispered to him of Marvolos plan.
I fought with him then. Our usual calm talks forgotten as we yelled at each other.
He didn't understand I was worried for him. For his health and body and mind. My brother was already troubled; forcing his soul into two pieces would not do anything good for him.
He didn't see it my way, thinking I was trying to hold him back. It was never an interest of mine to repress him. I had given Marvolo enough help throughout the years, most especially when he allowed our ancestors basilisk free from the Chamber of Secrets.
Dumbledore had him almost expelled, as Marvolo did not hide that he was Parselmouth. I had made the quick decision to blame Hagrid, forcing the boy to be expelled and his wand to be snapped if only to save my brother from going back to the Muggle world.

"We are not meant to be immortal, Marv!" I had yelled at him. Despair tugging at my every muscle.
"Forever, Morgana. Forever."
He had ended the argument there, tugging me into his chest as I broke. Marvolo was always kind to my tears, especially when it came to our disagreements.

But I could not have him do this to himself. Or to me.
I could not bear watching him ruin himself, only to call it better when it would be, in fact, worse. I knew this, even with the smallest of information Slughorn would give me.
Marvolo making Horcruxes would only bring destruction. I would choose Marvolo over the world; over everyone. But I could not stand at the side knowing Marvolo was taking lives for his own benefit.
Myrtle had been a mistake, and Marvolo had expressed regret to me for her untimely death. Even if it were only that Hogwarts was almost closed.

Going back to Riddle Manor with Marvolo was not of my favorite. Everyone realized our separation.
The small spaces we left when before we'd be touching at the elbow, wrist, shoulder. The lack of words we shared before studying and eating. The absence of his form in my bed each night and each morning.

It weighed heavily on me, the feeling mounting until I broke again. Balling like a child onto my Dark Arts book. Uncaring that Tom, my biological father, sat five meters from me. His pen never once halting against his documents as I cried to myself.
The grief of knowing what my brother planned to do was tormenting to me. The weight of knowing he was planning to take a life for his own self desires pummeled me into the ground.
I could not live without my brother, but I would not live with half of him. I refused it. The idea was barbaric to me.
If we had met later in life, when he had already done it and I had not grown to know the young man whom I now could not breathe probably without his presence in the same room. Maybe if he had already taken lives for his own greed and had made his path in life. Maybe then I would have been able to accept such an idea, possibly even do it myself to only be with him until the universe crashed down on itself.
But we had met at age eleven when he was wearing second hand robes and using second hand books. When his hair was wild, long and untamed. When he stomped his foot and pouted anytime he did not gain what he wanted.
We had met when he was at his purest form, and I could not throw that boy away for a half-baked version of him. One Marvolo would feel he would have to hide his obvious desires for more power behind.

A facade I would undoubtedly see through.

I could not.

Crying had done nothing for me apart from soaking my book so thoroughly I would have to borrow Marvolos to finish my school assignment on Magical Creatures and their origins.
I had laid in bed, staring at nothing but the plain wall holding but a mirror and desk.

I had heard my door creak, and a large body slide in behind me. Kind fingers grazed down my back, a soothing pattern repeated along my spine.

"He said you were crying."

'He' is what we called our father.
The man did not get a name, let alone a title.
He was he, and we were we.
That is how we addressed the other.

"Morgana." Marvolo breathed.
"I am not in the mood for talking." My voice had wobbled with unshed sadness. It seemed to be one of two emotions I had felt since the New Years. Aggravation and grief being close relatives to sadness.
Marvolo had moved closer, swarming me with the heat I'd been lacking the past month. "Please, Morgana, talk to me." His arms pulled me to his chest. "It's been long since we've talked."

Indeed it had been.
I had been counting the days. The hours. The minutes. All the way to the seconds of the time we did not talk. The time we did not touch. The time we did not make eye contact.

"Why were you crying?" Marvolo whispered, his own brand of sadness leaking from his raspy voice.

My twin brother had always been gorgeous with black curly hair, pale skin. A straight nose, tipped eyelids and long eyelashes.
He was a ladies ideal type. Even more so when you placed his unimaginable height above other men.

I blinked my eyes, tears burning in the back of my eyelids. I had not cried this hard since He took away my only present. A small fluffy pink bunny-rabbit.

"Morgana." He whispered, pulling strands of loose hair from my cheeks, twirling it around my earlobe.
"I do not want to talk."
Marvolo had sighed, but complied that time and simply held me to him tighter. "I shall talk then."
"Marvolo."
"If you do not want to talk, then do not talk. But I do. All we've done since New Years is bicker and ignore each other. I have not once wanted to tear you from my side from such disagreements." He said, "Slughorn told you of my inquiry of Horcruxes. I admit, it was not the smartest decision knowing how loose his lips are and when he knows how close we are. I should've thought it through more thoroughly, knowing your outlook on our promise. But I do not agree that one lifetime is worth a forever. We promised each other forever, to stay with one another until time ends. Yet the moment I find a way to make it plauseable—"
"Marvolo..."
"I am talking." He continued, "I should have listened to your thoughts on my plan. But you should listen to mine. Splitting our souls— we could hide them somewhere no one would ever find them. We could live as Nicholas Flammel and his wife have been. Alive forever, living how we want. Doing what we want. The Wizarding world is expansive and forever changing. It would be a waste to die only two hundred years after we'd live so long."
"There is no guarantee we would live for forever." I breathed that night. "Someone could always find the pieces of our souls and kill them. They would be treasures with no armor. No security. At most, Marv, your plan is half-baked and selfish. I know you'd rather rule the world for all of eternity than live a mere two hundred years with me. After all, you are afraid of Death."
"I am afraid of you leaving me, Morgana." He pulled me around, forcing us to face one another.

It had been nearly two months since we made eye contact.

"If we are not immortal, there is no guarantee of which of us will leave the other first. Death will consume one of us first, and what if it is you? Do you truly think I will be able to live without you by my side."
"I cannot live with only half of you together, Marvolo. I cannot know you took one's life to attempt a ritual we don't even know will work. What if the book you read is nothing but fictional? Could you really allow a life to be sacrificed for something so useless?"
"It will work. I have read other material."
I shake my head, laying my cheek against my pillow. "I cannot live with only half of you."
"I cannot live without you." Marvolo hissed. "You are my other half, Morgana. Since the day we were brought into this world."
"And much after we leave it." Marvolo had shaken his head.
"I will not leave this world knowing I have left you, or you had left me."
I bit my lips, the burning sensation welling in my eyes. Marvolo had wiped at them, pulling me into his chest.

I hiccuped. "We will not agree on this, Marvolo. I cannot lead a life where half of you left me."
"I am giving half to be with you forever."
"Forever can come in all shapes and forms. Like reincarnation."
"We are not so lucky as to be reincarnated."

I had agreed with Marvolo then.
Fate had been cruel by giving us life through love potions and an incest whore. I didn't want to think of what we would be given in the next.

Minutes, hours, days.
It all stretched into long, torturous weeks as I watched Marvolo.

I could not allow him to make a Horcrux.
I knew he would wait until the Track was removed from our wands. When he could not be called for questioning by the Ministry of Magic.
I would have to act within the next six months before our birthdate on the 26th of December.

"Morgana, are you ready to leave?"

Was I ready to play fake in front of the large Black family? No. I had not been, but I must.
Marvolo rub his thumb along my jawline when I did not immediately answer. The tips of two of his fingers poking lightly against my forehead.
I closed my eyes against the sensation, savoring the last of our time alone before the door slammed open.
Orion panted in the frame, youthful eyes beamed at us.

"Riddle, Morgana!" He grinned. "Ready to go?"
Marvolo sighed, "Don't you know the meaning of knocking, Orion?"
Orion blushed but simply bowed his head and slipped to my side. "Are you okay, Morgana?"
"I'm fine." I had smiled. "Shall we leave?"
Orion nodded. "Wally came, and she isn't too fond of that little brother of yours."
"Hmm, the little Muggle spawn."
Marvolo hissed at the reminder of whose genes we shared. His skin crawled with each reminder of how ordinary his father was, and how wretched our mother was.

Orion followed us down the stairs of Riddle Manor. The floorboards creaking underneath our combined weight until we were in the hallway to the front room.
Walburga was near the open front door, scowling at the little beast hovering in the family room archway. She turned her attention at our appearance.

"Riddle," She had greeted Marvolo. "Morgana, you look tired."
I smiled. "Thank you, Walburga."
She gave a crook of her lips as I came to her side. Lord Black was on the front porch, too repulsed to step into the Muggle Manor.

"Shall we go?"
"Yes." Walburga pulled my hand through her elbow. "Orion, Riddle, you two will go with my uncle."
"I can come with you and Morgana."
"Nonsense," Walburga had scowled. "Get, we hadn't all day."
Marvolo sneered at her. "Morgana."
"Listen to our future Lady of House Black."
He scowled at me, but had moved to Lord Black.

I looked up at Walburga, then at my Muggle family line. He was looking at us, watching with that level of disdain.
I turned away, spinning on my heel with Walburga. The distinct crack rang through my ears as we closed in together. Flying through space before landing in Walburgas room at Grimmauld Place.

She pulled away from me, situating herself at her desk. Walburga had been a refined woman with straight black hair usually styled up, wearing conservative dresses and tall dragon hide boots to appear taller than your average man.
She was beautiful in the sense of stern perfectionist.

"Sit, Mor." She gestured to her bed. The lush silk sheets smooth and cold against my fingers. "Tell me what is happening."
"Walburga—"
"Don't lie to me." She snaps, her shape grey eyes boring into my very soul. I had frowned at her. "Something is different between you and Riddle. What has happened? Tell me."
"It's nothing you truly should concern yourself with, I assure. Marvolo and I... we are simply disagreeing."
"Yes, so tell me."
I only continued to frown. She sighs.
"Morgana, whilst we may not be close friends and I understand you have a life of your own. Riddle and you have been stuck to one another since the first day at Hogwarts. Tell me what has happened?"
"I... it cannot truly be explained. Marvolo has been brewing an, unimaginable idea I cannot cope with. I.. have yet to change his mind on the topic."
"Alright. What is his idea?"
I wanted to say. But could I? What would Walburga say?
"Morgana." She pushed.
I frowned. "Marvolo wants to create a Horcrux."

It had hardly been a whisper but Walburga had heard. She had stood in fury, glaring venomously at me.

"He what?!" She all but spat.
"I have been attempting to talk him from the idea. B-but he won't listen. I cannot live with only half of him, Walburga. I don't —I can't —"

Frustration and grief had torn at me. Tears brewing underneath my eyelashes.

I had felt hopeless at the time as Walburga seethed in front of me. Hardly holding herself from strangling me.
I could understand her aggravation. It was how I felt when Slughorn first told me of Marvolos inquiry.

"What are you going to do about it?" Walburga finally asked.
"I've been talking to him—"
"No." Walburga had me captured in her taloned fingernails, the tiny bites shooting pain across my arms. "You must do more than talk to him, Morgana. He will ruin himself with such a ritual."
"I've been trying to tell him—"
"Then take the option away!" She all but screamed in my face. "Kill him if you must!"
I gasped at the suggestion.

Kill Marvolo?
No. I couldn't. I could never kill my brother.
Without him my world would stop. My life would become grey. Magic would be useless. My life would be pointless.

"Walburga." Lady Black hissed before I was pushed to Marvolos chest.
He had glared coolly at her, his palms rubbing against my aching arms. As if he knew where she'd stabbed me with her fingernails.
Lady Black smiled at me, before turning to Walburga. "What are you doing with our guest, silly girl? I told you to Apparate her into the sitting room."
"My apologies, mother." She breathed. "I had gotten the coordinates wrong."
Lady Black had simply smiled and taken Walburga by the loop of her elbow. "Let us go, the men are waiting."

I tried to follow Lady Blacks silent demand, but Marvolo pulled me back. His fingers tickling the curve of my jawline.

"Did she hurt you?" He had asked.
"No. Walburga has never hurt me."
Marvolo stared at me, my occlumency long perfected though he tried to read my thoughts. I blinked up at him.
"Are you positive? It looks as if you were on the verge of crying."

That is because she suggested killing my twin brother. Knowing full well I could never hurt Marvolo without hurting myself.
It would simply be too painful without sharing his sentence.

"I am fine," I had lied.
There had not been a second since I learned my brother wanted to tear his soul had I been fine. I could not bear the information he planned to hurt himself and another.
If I could speak freely, it would be of my begging him to use me as his test subject if he wished so dearly to be immortal. If only to throw a last effort into the months since New Years.

Marvolo pulls me closer to him as that heartbreaking ripple shreds at my chest. It is hard to breathe when I think of living without him. And him without me.

"Morgana." He breathes, the closest sound to worry he can get wavering at his steady voice.
"I am fine."
"No," He had denied my claim instantly. "You are not."
"Do not start this conversation, Marvolo. I will not leave it without crying."
He breathed heavily, the weight of my words impacting him as Orion calls us from downstairs impatiently.
"We will talk of this later," He promises.
I do not want to talk of it, but I do not say any protests as Marvolo pulls me out of Walburgas bedroom.

His arms did not leave me the rest of that day.
My unsteady mind had hurt him, making Marvolo clingy as he had been when we were younger.
His warmth did not leave me until the last day of our summer holiday. I had almost forgotten what we had been disagreeing about with his constant attention.

It had been in Lord Blacks study when I remembered. My heart and mind wavering closely to that edge once more as I stood in front of the fireplace.
A dagger held in a glass case sitting in front of my face.

"What is this?" I had asked.
"A Black heirloom," Lord Black had said absently, "It was imported from our Egypt vault. Said to curse those who touched it without Black blood in their veins."
"A single touch can, make them go mad?" I had been mesmerized.
"Killed instantaneously, actually. We had to lock it in the glass because a Cursebreaker touched the hilt and fell over dead."
I hummed, staring at the intricate black gems. I wanted to touch it, and see if what Lord Black said was truth.

Marvolo pulled my hand back before I could, always watching me even without his arms around me.
Though, I had remembered him looming over Lord Blacks shoulder. When had he walked over?

"Do not touch it, Morgana." He breathed, that silent please in his voice.
"I was only going to touch the glass."
Marvolo did not believe me. I don't blame him; I didn't believe me either.

He pulled me away from the glass-cased dagger. Putting me firmly in front of his chest as he continued to read over Lord Blacks shoulder. I had no interest in what they were working on, instead taking interest in the Eagle quill.
I had always found them beautiful, even if I never owned one myself.

"May I?"
Lord Black nodded. I picked the quill from the desktop. Running the feather between my fingers, feeling the sharp tip.

Eagle quills truly were the best of our writing utensils. They were even more glorious when customized to one's personal aesthetic.
Marvolo rubbed at my spine, a constant reminder he would not allow harm to come to me. Whilst it be by someone else or from myself.
His worry was unnecessary, I was simply admiring the quill. Losing myself in the strong stem and intricate colors of the feather.

It was soon taken from me, however, when Marvolo and Lord Black were finished with their business.

"Time for lunch." Marvolo breathed into my ear.
I nodded, interlocking my fingers with my brothers as he led me out of Lord Blacks private office.
The wards snapped into place as Lord Black closed the door.
"We are meeting the girls for lunch in Diagon Alley." Lord Black announced as we stepped past the row of house-elf severed heads.

He took each of our elbows silently before we each spun on our heels. Marvolos arms encasing me as we cracked away from the pureblood property.
It had taken all of two seconds for us to land in a checkpoint within Diagon Alley. Lord Black removed his hands from our elbows and led us to a restaurant hidden between Knockturn Alley and Diagon.

Lady Black, Druella and Walburga were already sat. Three open seats around the table for us to take. Marvolo sat on the edge whilst I sat between Druella and him. Walburga glared opposite of Marvolo as Lady Black smiled directly at me.
I shared her smile.

"How has your day been, my dear? Boring with the men I'm sure."
"It was not too boring." I giggled. "Lord Black allowed me to examine one of his Eagle quills as he and Marvolo spoke."
"That's very generous of him." Lady Black rubbed at her husbands wrist. He simply grunted as the menus appeared before us.

"Are you ready for school tomorrow?"
"Yes," I grinned. "It feels as if I have not been there for years."
"We were only gone for two months." Druella sighed.
"It feels much longer when you're housed by Muggles."
Druella wrinkled her nose, attracting a stern glare from Walburga with a snide remark from Lady Black. Her nose quickly unwrinlked.
"Going back to Hogwarts will be a fresh breath of air."
"We'll make sure to wake extra early, so you get the best compartments."
I giggled at Lady Blacks statement. "That sounds lovely."

It had, truly, sounded lovely to know I'd be on the Hogwarts Express in less than twenty-four hours. I, however, could not roll the weight of the reminder of Marvolos and Is' birthdate appearing in only five months.
The knowledge weighed heavy that I had five months to find some way to talk Marvolo from his Horcrux charades.
Walburga glanced at me, also coming to the same conclusion of the short amount of time I had before Marvolo ruined himself.

The thought only made me snuggle further into him. I cannot loose Marvolo. Not a quarter of him, not a third of him, and certainly, not a half of him.
I simply... cannot.
He is much too important to me without giving me a shred of his pain. But I will not tear my soul.

Marvolo rubbed my knee, the sensation soothing as my mind raced with turmoil.

I had no clue what to do, that did not hurt Marvolo nor I. I did not want to hurt him —yet, I was loosing hope rapidly that Marvolo would bend to my plea.
I cannot lose him. I would pray to God for guidance, but he is as useful as Fate. Both liked to screw us over very much.

Lunch went by relatively quickly. Or it was simply me. I could not unblur Walburga, Druella, Marvolo and Lady Blacks voices. I simply answered with what I believe was a smile and a good-hearted giggle at appropriate times.
It felt like the world around me was swirling around me until I was awake and stepping from the floo network connecting to platform 9 3/4.
Marvolo was staring at me as he pushed one trolley toward me.

"Place your things on Morgana."
I listened, waving my wand. The 11 inch, Holly wood and Pheonix feather core always pleasant as it directed my Magic.
I lifted our trunks on top of a trolley, quickly following after Marvolo as he pushes them toward the Hogwarts Express. He pulls out his 13 inch, Yew wood and Pheonix feather core wand, waving it with a silent spell.
Our trunks raise, following after him as he jumps into the train. I push the trolley back to its rack as he finds us a compartment.

"We'll miss you, dear." Lady Black says as I walk back to the door Marvolo disappeared into.
"We'll miss you as well." I smile, accepting her short hug. Always grateful she didn't care for long affections.
"You'll have to come over for Christmas. This year we're hosting the Yule Ball."
"Oh? I'm delightedly surprised to hear such news. Madam Malfoy must have gotten tired hosting."
"I ripped it from her hands." Lady Black giggled joyfully. "She has next year."
I give my best of a laugh, hopefully passing it off as real as Marvolo steps down the train stairs. His chest coming to my shoulder blades as we continue to exchange goodbyes with the Black Lady and Lord.

Marvolo takes hold of my hand when we are able to climb into our compartment. His assistance helpful as I grab the pinch of dress, pulling myself into the train.
The light skirt swaying around my ankles as Marvolo comes to stand behind me. Holding the fabric as I climb into the trains hallway. The dress curls around my high-heeled sandals as I take my brothers hand. Following him down the quickly crowding train to our compartment.

Abraxas, Orion and Lucretia already sitting on one side as we enter. The two boys bow their heads in respect to my brother as Lucretia smiles at me.

"I love the dress, Morgana. Did Lady Black drag you shopping again?"
"I quite like her shopping sprees." I say in way of greeting. "How was your summer, Lucy?"
"It was fine. Would've been better if daddy listened and took us to Brazil like I wanted."
"Aw, yes, if daddy had listened—"
"Shut up, Orion." Lucretia snapped.
He shrugged. "I'm just saying. If daddy had listened—"
She shoved him from the seat.
"Hey! I'm the Heir of a Noble House!"
"So?"
"So treat me with respect!" Orion bristled as he stormed to his feet and planted himself by my other side. Forcing me from the window seat.

Marvolo hissed, forcing our friends to tense. Orion quickly slipped back to his cousins side.

"Watch your manners, Orion." He said to the fourth year.
"Right, sorry."
Marvolo pushed me back to the window seat as the door opened. Cantankerous Lestrange and Evan Rosier walked in with Druella Rosier.

Druella smiled nicely at Marvolo as she took the seat beside him. Marvolo pulled me closer to the window as he placed himself knee, hip and shoulder close to me.
Most women would find it disrespectful their brother would take so much of their space, but I did not mind as Evan sat between Druella and Marvolo. Cantankerous taking Abraxas' open left.

"It's our seventh year," Evan groaned as he stretched his arms around the seats back. His legs outstretched in width, pushing Marvolo closer to me as Druella voluntarily squished herself to the other side of the seats wall. "Salazar, when did we get old?"
"I'd hardly call us old," I said. "You're the only seventeen year old in the compartment."
Cantankerous smirked as Marvolo placed his cheek on top of my head.
Evan pouted at me. "Don't be mean, Morgana. That's hardly your style."
"I'm not being mean. I'm being truthful."
"Same difference. You just hurt my feelings."
I wince. "Oh, I'm—"
"Don't apologize to him," Marvolo gruffed. "He's being an arse."
Evan gasped. "Mi lord! Why must you say such harmful things?!"
"Point taken." Abraxas mumbled.
"What did you say, Malfoy?"
"That I want it to be Christmas Holiday already." He sighed, pushing back the long length of his white hair. "You're giving me a headache."
"Oh, that reminds me." I tapped Abraxas' knee. "I heard your mother isn't hosting the Yule Ball. Is she alright?"
"My mother is fine." Abraxas rolled his eyes. "If not a bit panicky for what Aunt Melania is planning."
"I heard she's doing swans."
"That's not too bad." Druella said, "It's better than ravens."
"Black swans." Lucretia enunciated.
"Oh... well..." She had no rebuttal.
"It'll be extravagant either way," Abraxas sighed. "Are you going, Morgana? My lord?"

I could feel Marvolo glancing at me.
Usually I'd accept without a seconds thought.

I frowned. "I'm not sure. As it's our last year, I was hoping to spend the Christmas holiday at Hogwarts."
"That sounds nice," Cantankerous nodded. "I remember when we all stayed for our first year."
"Too bad we have actual responsibilities now." Orion sulked. "That does sound really fun."
I smiled, giving a small giggle. "It's not for certain. I've yet to bring this topic with Marv."
"One would think you two would have it planned since first year."
"Well, usually we capitalize on Madam Malfoys Yule Ball for dancing and drinks, but it is our seventh year. It won't come again."
"You'll also skip out on the disaster of Aunt Clothilda and Aunt Melanias bickering."
"They aren't so bad."
"You're deaf if you think so highly of our mothers." Orion deadpanned. "They're wretched."
I simply smiled.

There wasn't much I could say when each had such strong opinions of their relatives.

"You want to stay for Christmas?"
I glance up at Marvolo, and nod. "I hope that's alright."
"It's perfect." He relaxes into my side. "I've missed Christmas at Hogwarts."
I smiled. "I'm glad to hear it. We can celebrate Christmas, and then lounge about for our birthday."
"Do not remind me."
"It's not so terrible. I've already gotten your present."
"Of course you have."
I nodded. "I didn't know if it was going to be on the shelves long, so I got it before we left Hogwarts."
"You're making me feel guilty I didn't get you something already."
"I don't need anything."
"Nonsense."
"Really, it's fine. I don't mind not getting anything."
"Stop lying to me, Morgana. I know you too well for such words to influence me."
I frowned. "I've not an idea what you mean."
He simply hummed, his lips brushing the top of my head as Marvolo turns to stare out of the window.

The green highlands already moving rapidly from outside. As the lands whisked by, I couldn't help but to feel as if I were back on this train my first year.
Marvolo sitting across from me as two marked muggleborns with nothing but the same name —Riddle.
He had been such a small boy with a violent gleam in large rather pure brown eyes. Marvolo had looked at me and asked who I was. His accent had been rough and from the slums of central London. His hair curling around his nape and earlobes as I was polished. Just as my grandmother wanted, speaking of how Riddles must look nothing but the image of perfection no matter where we ventured.
I had announced my name and he had glared. A sneer on his lips as he muttered in Parseltongue how so many people had his name. First it was the fucking bartender at the Leaky Cauldron and then me, the bitch who sat across from him.

He had despised me for months afterwards. So fueled with hatred and anger it was redirected to the first person whom had smiled at him.

I felt restless with the memory. Haunted with the knowledge that he was now planning to rip his soul apart. To become something worse than that boy filled with pain and self-loathing.
I couldn't imagine it.

It made me feel surreal as we soon changed into our school robes. Each of us wearing Slytherin robes and ties. Marvolos Head Boy badge over his heart as mine rested on my right breast.
Marvolo quickly fixed it as I entered the compartment with Druella, Lucretia and our two new Slytherin Prefects.
Emmett Clearwater and Theresa Fox.
Marvolo pulled my hair around my right shoulder, twisting the black strands together until they were strangling his fingers.

"Who are the two behind you?"
"Don't be so mean," I said to him. Untangling my hair from Marvolos hand, I turned in the direction of our new Prefects. "These are Slytherins new Prefects."
"Clearwater and Fox."
I nodded.
Marvolo placed a hand between my shoulder blades. "Then I suppose it's time to start the meeting. Clearwater, Fox, follow us."
"See you guys in the Great Hall."
The others nodded as Marvolo and I led the two fifth years from our compartment. His hand slipped back into my hair, tangling his fingers back into the long strands.

"You're going to ruin my hair, Marvolo." I complained as the waves curled greedily around his knuckles.
"I will brush it for you later."
I pouted at him, but knew that was the best I was going to get from him.

"They are related, right?" Clearwater whispered to Fox.
"I... think."
"They act like a couple."
Fox didn't answer for a pause. "Maybe they're just really close."
"Too close."
"Well, I heard they are from the Gaunt line. Maybe incest is just imbedded in their blood."
Marvolo smiled, opening the door to the Prefect and Head Boy and Girl compartment.

His hand detangled from my hair as I gratefully slipped past. Clearwater stumbled in, plopping himself in gracefully onto one of the cushions laid out on the floor.
Marvolo stopped Fox, however, closing the door for it to open only a second later. Fox stared at Marvolo in pure horror as he turned and fluidly walked to me.
I smiled, happily locking our fingers together when he opened his palm to me.

"Fox? Aren't you going to come in?" I asked when she continued to stand in the frame.
Fox mumbled something under her breath, before she ducked in and sat behind Clearwater. He raised an eyebrow back at her, but Fox didn't look up as the door closed behind her.

Marvolo smiled charmingly. "It's a blessing to see you all here. As I'm sure you know, my sister and I have been given the chance to be Head Boy and Head Girl. As you have been given the chance to each be Prefects, and hopefully in your seventh year Head Boy or Girl. Let us start with the rules we must enforce on and off school grounds."
"He means Hogsmeade."
Quirrel and Williams nodded.

Watching Marvolo talk the new Prefects through our schools rules truly did remind me of what it was like as my first day of being Slytherins female prefect.
Though I'm certain Weasley did not have to expand on Walburgas words so much. It was funny how Marvolo glanced at me each time I did do it.

Climbing off of the Hogwarts Express, our sixth and fifth year Prefects followed.

"This part is easy." I told the fifth years. "You simply get on a carriage and tell your friends about your new responsibilities."
"Friends are not an exception to the rules." Marvolo snipped.
"Marv." I hushed.
"Friends are no exception."
"Yes, as you've said." I smiled at them. "We'll see you tomorrow for round schedules."

The group nodded, quickly dispersing.

"I'm serious—"
"I know." I chuckled, cupping my hands around Marvolos neck to hush him. "They also know you're serious. Do try to remember they are children."
"We are pillars—"
"Yes, as you've said." I pull him down, kissing him chastely on top of the head before pulling him to the carriages. "Tonight, however, we are simply seventh years. Enjoy it, won't you?"
"I don't think you're taking this seriously."
"I am taking this very seriously." Marvolo grabs my waist, pulling me into the carriage before pulling himself in.
The glistening Threstals skin shines in the moonlight as others join our carriage. Marvolo pulls me tightly against him as the carriage begins to move.

I place my arms around Marvolos shoulder, staring out the open sides. It's hard to believe myself when I say this is the last time I ride a carriage up to Hogwarts.
I hadn't thought of such a thing when I first climbed on. A muggleborn who was enchanted by the glistening castle as I rode in a boat with the angry boy and two others.
If I closed my eyes, I could almost hear as the sorting hat first shouted out my placement in Slytherin. I had been ecstatic, quickly turned to boiling rage when the girls in my year began to bully me.
They had stopped once I threw them into the Black Lake with our newly learned Leviosa charm, yet it still tasted salty on my tongue when I think of it.

Marvolo helps me down from the carriage before we're walking up the grounds.

"This is the last time we do this." I breath.
"I know."
I clench his sleeve, my stomach knotting. I swallow, staring up at Hogwarts as we enter the courtyard. "We'll return, right?"
Marvolo nods assertively. I almost laugh, remembering he'd signed up for the classes a Professor should strictly take.

How foolish of me.
If either of us will not return to Hogwarts, it is I. Who wants to be a Herbologist in Spain.

I rest my temple against Marvolos bicep as we climb the stairs to the Entrance Hall.
The Great Hall is glowing with floating candles and the enchanted ceiling flickering with twinkling stars above us.
Marvolo pulls us to the middle of Slytherins table, sitting us down as the others join us.

"Nice to see you again." Orion greets as he sits opposite of me.
"It wasn't that long." I say.
"Feels like it has been. You won't believe how Lucretia wouldn't shut up after—"
"Do you ever shut up?"
"I'm an Heir of a Noble House, what would it do me to shut up?"
"Give us some peace and quiet."
"I'm disowning you from the family when I'm of age."
"I'll be a Prewett by that time." Lucretia rolls her eyes. "Your threats hold no weight to me."
Orion scoffed, "Your name is Black. Which means you are part of House Black until death."
"You sound like Walburga."
Orion whips his head to Abraxas in horror. "No. Take that back."
"I won't take back the truth."
"Disgraceful! I will never be like that woman!"
"You say that now, but you will have to live with her the rest of your life."
"Ugh, don't remind me."
"Walburga isn't so bad." I say, "Maybe if you treat her with a bit of respect, she would do more than glare at you."
"That's her only face." Orion yells in defense.
"Not her only one." I frowned. "I've seen Walburga smile once or twice."
"You're different." Orion says, "If you were to die today, Walburga would build a shrine simply to keep your memory alive."
"She isn't dying." Marvolo clenches my wrist. "Not for a very very long time."
"He was simply giving an example, Marvolo. Don't be so rude."
"Yeah, don't be so rude." Orion mimicked me.
Marvolo glared, making the fourteen year old shrink in his seat.
I sighed. "You knew not to do that Orion."
"Can't help if it's fun."
"I'll strangle you then see if it's still fun."
"Marvolo." I hiss, "Do not threaten people."
He scowled, firmly turning his attention away from the conversation.

I shake my head, sighing as he instead pulls out round schedules. Apparently he'd been working on them all summer, one of the only times we'd stayed away from each other for a long period of time.

Thinking of summer only reminded me of what I was attempting to push into the back of my mind. I frowned, resting my chin against Marvolos arm as he wrote against the parchment. An ink-filling quill scratching gracefully.

"Are you still planning on making a Horcrux after our birthday?"
"Yes." Marvolo mutters.
I frowned. "Please don't."
"Let's not have this conversation in public, Mor."
"But, Mar—"
"Later, darling."
I sighed, but relented.

The thought weighed down the evening.
I hardly remembered Headmaster Armando Dippet announcing us as his new Head Boy and Head Girl along with his Prefects and Quidditch captains for the year.
Dinner passed and I hoped I ate adequately or Marvolo would turn the conversation to my eating habits rather his suicidal dark ritual plan.
Conversation flowed, and I attempted to be active, but I'm not certain I was good at that either.
We were in our common room and it was empty before I knew it.

I laid on Marvolos chest in front of the fire.
A ritual of our own we'd long done. I closed my eyes, listening to his heart beat.

"Do you think you'd even have a heartbeat if you made a Horcrux."
"It's separating a piece of my soul, not ripping my life from me."
"A soul is the essence of one's life."
"That's a magical core."
"No. A magical core is only half of a wizard and witch. If one needed a magical core Muggles would not exist."
"Wizards and witches can live fine without a soul."
"No they cannot. I have read of the Kiss; it leaves a wizard essentially dead. They do not eat, do not drink, do not sleep. It kills them within months once one has received the Kiss."
"A Horcrux isn't like the Kiss."
"It is worse."
"No." Marvolo sighs. He rolls, putting me underneath his chest to make eye contact with me. "A Horcrux simply separates a small piece of one's soul. It is still in existence and not eaten."
"Isn't that essentially the same thing? One is only being placed into an inhuman object for storage."
"I'd hardly call one devouring a soul and one preserving a soul to be the same."
"If a piece of soul is being preserved, don't you think that would only damage one's health? The piece will stay at the age of its life when split, hurting the owner of said soul the longer they are separated."
"Preserving is to keep it healthy."
"But a soul is one's life force in essence." I muttered. "Wouldn't it turn bad at some time simply because it was left on its own."
"No, souls are not living things."
"Then why must one have it to live?"
"One does not need it to live, they simply condition your physical body to think such from birth. The quicker you extract it from your body, the easier it will be to live without it."
"You truly think that?"
"I do."
"Then why split it if one does not need a soul to live? Why not simply transfer the entire thing into an object?"
Marvolo frowned, a crease coming between his brows. I soothe it with my thumb.

"That is an excellent point, Morgana. But the ritual will not allow it."
"Because one cannot live without a soul."
"Or the risks are too high."
"Like one dying from their soul being ripped from their body."
"Morgana," Marvolo sighs, falling back to the carpet floor.
"I am making a good point, Marvolo. I have thought on this quite a bit."
"I see that. You had no such arguments a month ago."
I frown. "...But you still want to do it?"
"I'm performing the ritual, Morgana. It is futile to attempt to change my mind."
"But I talked to Walburga and she said—"
"I don't care what Black said, Morgana. If you want to argue my plan, you are free to do so, but do not add that wench into it."
"Don't you think someone raised in a Dark Magic family would know best though? She has grown up around it."
"Doesn't mean she knows it best."
I frowned. "Marvolo—"
"I cherish you, Morgana. I take everything you say, do and think into serious consideration but I simply do not think you understand this as well as you think you do. I have done extensive research; and while someone like Black may know more of Dark Magic, that does not mean she knows everything of the subject."
"I really think—"
"Would you like my books, darling? Possibly you can understand my side of this argument if you read what I have."
"I would like that, but I do not believe you are listening to a word I am saying, Marvolo. I truly am terrified this could kill you, or do something worse. Some irreversible damage we won't be able to fix."
Marvolo sat up, poking me against the forehead with two gentle fingers. "I know what I am doing, Morgana. Stay here, I'll be right back."

I watched him leave, before falling to my back. I frowned at the ceiling, fists balling at my sides in frustration.
I knew those books would do nothing but prove my very point. The fear of being too late by the time Marvolo realizes I was right, builds another boulder in my chest.

He comes back quickly with a large stack of heavy and ancient books in his arms. He drops them to the carpet, coming to sit at my side. I take one, feeling the texture.

"Is this.. human skin?"
"That's what I think. The man I bought it from wasn't so forthcoming with that information."
I try to hide my utter disgust with the revelation a book was blinded by human flesh.

I set it down, and line the others. "Which one did you read first?"
"This one. 'Magiks Forgotten Throu Time'."
I take it, flipping through the easily thousand page book. "All of these contain mentionings of Horcruxes?"
"Some of them." Marvolo says. "Others are on how the ritual works."
"Some are of the effects a Horcrux gives, and the rest are on how to make one."
Marvolo nods. He looks like a child just given his favorite candy. "You'll understand my point of view when you read them."
"Okay, will you be considering my point of view on this matter whilst I'm learning yours."
"I'm already giving yours thought."
"Then more thought." I say. "You may not realize it Marvolo, but I feel rather unheard whilst I'm attempting to understand why you want to make a Horcrux for not just yourself but for me so badly."
"I want to live with you forever. Until the universe falls in on itself —just as we promised."
"There is more than one way to live forever."
"No. There is not, Morgana. You either watch as the sun burns us to death, or you die before forever can come."
I frowned at Marvolo. "Do not say that. I never wish for you to be hurt."
"And when we are immortal, nothing will hurt us."
"Except for everyone we know will die."
"And we will have their children, and their grandchildren, and great-grandchildren."
"Do you not wish for a family?"
"You are my family. I need nothing else from that useless word."
I stared at Marvolo for a long moment, before gathering the books and standing. "We start classes tomorrow. We should go to bed."
"Are you escaping from me, Morgana?"
"No, but if I am to read all these books and study for N.E.W.T.s, you best believe I need my rest."
Marvolo smiled, but sighed and stood. "I would assist you, but I cannot go into the girls dormitory."
"That is alright. I will see you tomorrow morning."
"Tomorrow morning, then."

Marvolo poked the center of my forehead with two gentle fingers before following me to the girls dormitory entrance. He waited until I was out of view to head for his own dormitory.
I sighed as I entered my dorm, the door clicking behind me with the assist of my ankle.
Setting down the books Marvolo had given to me, I sit on the edge of my four-poster bed, staring at the binding of ancient fabric and dried human skin.
Closing my eyes, my back hits the thick of the mattress, sinking me into my bed.

It was wrong.
To have so many books on such a dark ritual. It twisted my stomach at the thought of Marvolo sneaking off to read these. His followers none the wiser, nor me.

I took a breath and stood. A shower called for an escape. But doubt lingered in my mind, for if it were truly an escape. And not a loud cage to cry into.
My chest weighed heavily at the idea of Horcrux books sitting on my nightstand. It gnawed at my very conscious.

Months passed by quickly.
Too quickly, in fact, as I read through each book Marvolo had given me. It absorbed all of my attention. Quidditch, my studies, my classes were all but a blur as I read, and read and wished I would stop reading.

Death.
Blood.
Soul ripping.

It made me sick each time I imagined Marvolo performing such a ritual. My stomach queasy each mealtime, yet I didn't put the books down. And each day Marvolo seemed more and more delighted how enraptured I was with his discoveries.

It was December before I truly blinked past the words on old parchment. Felt past the feel of human skin rubbing against mine.
Abraxas stood beside me as Marvolo and I sent them off to their homes for Christmas Holiday that I realized I couldn't do it.
I couldn't allow Marvolo to do such a ritual. Our birthdate was in two weeks, and only now could I not fathom the idea of allowing Marvolo to hurt himself, hurt others, in such a way.
It had been a thought before. Now I knew I could not live with myself and with Marvolo if he were to do it.
I also knew, now, that I could not simply stop him with pleas and tears. He would not listen to me now, with our birthdate only fourteen days away.

Abraxas' hand wrapped around my knuckles, lifting my hand to plant a chaste kiss across the back of my hand. He blinked passed long blonde eyelashes at me.

"Are you positive you do not want to come with me? My mother would be delighted to have you, Morgana."
I smile, pulling my hand from Abraxas' hand. "No. It is my last chance to stay the winter. Make sure to give your parents my best wishes, yes?"
"Of course."
I smile at him, but Abraxas. Oh Abraxas. He sees through it as he always does.

His fingers come around my wrist, pulling me away from our group near the edge of the platform. He hides us under Notice-Me-Not charms and his gaze softens. Those magical, pureblood, grey eyes twinkling with emotions he'd show no one but me.

"What is wrong, Morgana? You have been, different since last New Years."
I shake my head. "It is nothing. I am simply thinking."
"Of what?" Abraxas' hand touches a stray length of my hair, pushing it behind my ear. "Do talk to me, Morgana."
I smile, but it falters underneath his gaze. He sees the fakeness of it. He's always seen it, since that one month he spent at Riddle Manor over third year summer.

"It —it truly is nothing. Marvolo, it, I don't know."
"You don't know... or you don't know how to say it?"
I frown. "I bit of both, I suppose. He... he wants to make a Horcrux—"
I do not get the chance to finish as Abraxas grabs my arms, pulling me to him. He is tall, forcing me to look up in order to meet his eyes.
"One who makes a Horcrux, Morgana, is an abomination. Promise me, love, if he does, you will come to me."
I blink in surprise at the harshness of Abraxas' tone. "I... is it so terrible? I-I've read the books he'd researched and, we have talked—"
"Morgana." Abraxas tightens his grip. "You cannot be by one with a ripped soul. Books do not expand into the devastation such Dark Magic brings. Promise me, the moment he makes one, you will come to me."
I open my mouth, then close my lips. "Are you not a friend or —follower, of his, Abraxas? I—"
"No, I am not. Promise me, Morgana." Abraxas hisses as the Hogwarts Express whistles.
I swallow, and nod when he grips my arms only tighter. He does not hurt me, the tightness of his fingers white with concern.

Abraxas does not let go as he pulls me closer. His lips whispering so close to mine.

"I promise." I whispered.
"The Magic of Horcruxes has been lost for a reason, Morgana. Burn the books Riddle gave you."
"I doubt—"
"Burn them, if not for his sake, for another wrecked soul."
I swallow, but nod. "Okay."
"Do not allow him to perform such a ritual on you. It is worse when one such as yourself is brought into such a mess."
"Okay."
"Come with me." He breathes.
I shake my head. "I—I cannot. I will keep my promise, and heed your words, Abraxas. But it is too late to run away from Marvolo. I would not leave him to destroy himself."
"You will run away only after?"
"Yes."
"Morgana—"
"I will keep my promise." I repeated. "The second something has changed, I will come to you. But, for now he is still my brother. I—I will not leave him in our plans alone."
Abraxas closes his eyes in agitation, but relents and kisses the top of my head. "Fine, write to me nightly."
"Okay."
"And be careful."
"I will be."
"And... survive until I come back."
"Okay." I breathe.

The Hogwarts Express whistles its last warning. It forces Abraxas away from me, separating our bodies as the Notice-Me-Not charm disintegrates.
We walk back to the crowded doors and Abraxas steps into the fray with younger students. He turns back, taking my hand with the ring he'd gifted me in first year. His lips come to my knuckles as the train begins to move. Abraxas is hesitant to let go, possibly thinking of pulling me on with him at the last second. But he drops my hand and whispers a farewell and happy New Years.

He and the others are gone minutes later. Marvolo and I standing side by side as the crisp air bites at our exposed skin.

"Where had he taken you?" Marvolo asks.
"Over there," I point to the lamp post for there is no reason to lie. "He wanted a private conversation."
"Did you tell him of my plans?"
"No." I lie through my teeth. "He simply wanted to speak of plans for Christmas."
"Did he try to convince you to go with him?"
"Yes." I say, "I declined."
Marvolo nods, turning to me. He pulls me into his arms, encasing me in his shocking warmth. "Good. I hate when people try to take you away from me."
I close my eyes, nodding.

For two weeks it is Marvolo, I, some stranglers from other Houses and a few Professors who remain in the castle.
Marvolo and I hide away in Slytherin. Our books and homework spread across the common room. Blankets and pillows strewn about for our comfort.

Marvolo sits beside me in front of the fireplace. I hold a new book he gifted me, with a new set of earrings gifted by Abraxas. Marvolo reads a tome Evan had sent him this morning.
Our Christmas gifts lay about. My pile remarkably bigger than his as I run my hands over the silk dress Walburga had sent me. Inside her uncles dagger hidden.

I close my eyes as my fingers come across the sharp iron of the blade, followed by the cool leather hilt. Sighing, I lay my book down, and pull the dress on top of my lap.
Walburgas warnings. Abraxas' warnings.
They each ring in my ears as the fire cracks and pops with deteriorating wood.
Marvolo glances at me.

"If you want to put it on, go change."
"I do not want to put it on. The material is simply divine."
Marvolo hums, hardly paying attention as he turns back to his book.

"Marvolo." I breath.
He hums.
"When do you plan on making the Horcrux?" I ask.
"We're allowed into Hogsmeade tomorrow. I was planning to visit our uncle then."
I frown. "From our mother's side."
"Yes."

Tomorrow is our birthdate, and he plans to celebrate it with Death.

My heart gives a lurch as tears sting the back of my eyes. I briefly feel the need to stand and run to Headmaster Armando's office; if only to beg him to allow me to Floo to Malfoy Manor.
I do not want to be near Marvolo when he turns seventeen and heads for our unsuspecting pureblood uncle.

Taking a breath, I reach over and close Marvolos book. He protests as I move it and situate us. He sighs in irritation as I lay on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, the silk dress bundled within my hands.
Marvolo grouches, poking my ribs as he grabs his tome and reopens to his page.

"That was unnecessary."
"Sorry."
He grunts. A single hand falling into my tied hair. He plays with the dark strands as I stare into the fire. Our Christmas and birthdate presents from our —my friends, his followers— housemates strewn about.

We are sloppy when others are not around.
We are ourselves when others are not around.

Marvolo is an emotionless beast curling in preparation for attack.
I am the weak deer whom cries at every turn.
We are different, yet we come from the same womb. The same situation. The same blood.

I swallow as the iron blade glints into existence. I stare as my fingers curl around the leather hilt. My skin not once touching it as the dagger continues to be encased within the silk dress.
Such a beautiful dress. I am remorseful the dress will never be put on my body.
The tiny diamonds glinting as the tight-blue material begs to shape my waist. I refuse to slip it over my breasts and place the straps around my shoulders.

I place my chin underneath Marvolos Adam's Apple and curl my body around his as I've done so many times before.
He ignores my shifts until the dagger is between us. Pressing against my covered diaphragm as I angle it.

"You will make a Horcrux tomorrow?"
Marvolo sighs, "Yes. Morgana, I will be making a Horcrux tomorrow."
I nod. "You do not wish to change your mind?"
"You're attempts are futile. I had made my mind up long ago."
I nod. "'Till forever ends, Marvolo."
"Morga—" He gasps as the blade pierces past his shirt and enters his skin. He jolts in surprise underneath me as I close my eyes.

Marvolos heart stutters as the book falls from his hands. Clattering on top of my back and to the floor. His arms falling onto my sides as his heart slows, attempting to pump through the curse of the blade.
I take it from his body, dropping my hand from his shoulder to lock our fingers together.

"Inter Alia."
Our fingers seal together as Marvolos chest stops underneath my ear. His heart freezing in place.
Tears well in my ears as pain shoots through my own heart. Guilt pulling at me as I take my brothers life.
Taking a hard breath, I pull back the tears and place the tip of the dagger at my sternum.

"Forever, Tom." I hiccup as I pierce myself with the dagger.

The pain is unimaginable as I rip it from myself and throw it to the side. I wrap my arms around Marvolos middle, and breath the incantation once more.
Our bodies glue together as my breathing becomes dragged. My heartbeat glowing. My veins searing with agony. I close my eyes, willing the tears to stay away as I open them. Finding it harder to breath. To move. To see.

It hurts, then it doesn't.
Warmth is gone, and I know Marvolo and I are too.

For better or worse, 'Till forever ends.