Snow was falling of the sky. Snowflakes landed on the roofs of castles. Floor was already starting to become white. There was no living soul around to see him. No soul expect her.
Bellatrix loved him, she truly did. She didn't care if he was kicked out. She didn't care if he truly betrayed the school. She still loved him and nothing would change that. No matter how many days,or years, pass, she would still love him and only him.
She ran trough halls. The coldness coming to her. She was feeling cold all around her body. Coldness only he could warm. Her curly hair was flying on all sides. They went up and down, left and right. She was scared he was already gone. And then she saw him.
Tom was standing in the place where there was no roof. He alone didn't know where he will go now. He knew he wasn't going to stay forever. All his crimes were not forgiven at the end . But he thought this was his second chance. And he gambled it all away. He messed up, twice, and this was his rent. Even thou it was fair he didn't care. It just didn't feel right.
And then Bellatrix. He lost her twice. She was always by his side, always the first to defend him. In both worlds. Before he didn't even pay her attention. Now he realized how stupid he was. Always believing he couldn't feel love. He truly was an idiot. Maybe it was better that he wasn't with Bellatrix. Not for him, but for her. He was always trouble and he doesn't mind that. But with this. No. He will not ruin her life again for his sake. She will marry Rudolphus Lestrange. He knew him. Rudolphus was rich and will take good care of her.
It was hard to believe only a month ago he was actually thinking he might marry her and have children. Truly an idiot. And yet he knew that thought will pass his mind for as long as he lived. He hoped she wouldn't come looking for him. It would only cause her trouble.
-Tom!- He turned to see Bellatrix standing only few meters behind him.
- Beth.- he whispered her name in shock and confusion.
She ran into his arms and hugged him. Tom was hesitant to hug her back at first. But he did deciding it wouldn't hurt. It is better to have proper goodbye.
He could see there were a few tears on her face. He always knew she loved him. But he was never surer then now when he saw her big black eyes. Those eyes filled with tears. Filled with tears for him. Hugging her outside while snow was falling and she was crying. Somehow felt more intimate then any kiss the shared. Any word they said. Any love letter the wrote. This moment felt so beautiful and yet so sorrowing . She couldn't understand why can't he just stay. And he couldn't understand why se couldn't realize that there was nothing good coming with him.
- Don't leave me.- she whispered putting her head on his chest, letting him smell her hair.
- I have to.- Tom said to her gently kissing her head.
- No,no you don't. You can stay, will figure it out- she said letting more tears out.
He took his hands of her waist and put each on one of her cheeks. He gently moved her face to look at him. She was so beautiful that he was starting to question how did he ever deserve her. Her eyes were so beautiful he could get lost in them.
- Beth. You know I can't.
-But! I love you!
-I know.
He didn't know. He didn't know all the things she would do form him. She knew he just couldn't understand the extend her love for him went. She loved him. She couldn't live without him. The way he smiled at her. The way he looked at her with those beautiful brown eyes, in which she could get lost. He just didn't understand it. All the nights she would spent dreaming about him. He didn't know they happend.
- Then why are you leaving?- she said letting yet another tear fall down her face.
- You know I have too Beth.- He looked her straight in the eyes.
- Then take me with you!- Bellatrix cried out.
If he was going she would follow him. To the end of the world if needed, she would be there. There to kiss him, hug him, comfort him. She wanted to be with him no matter what.
-Don't Beth, don't make this harder.- he said.
-And why can't I go?- Bellatrix asked.
- You can't throw your life because of my mistake.- Tom explained.
-Throw my life away? I don't care. I don't need any of it if you are not there.- she looked at him as Tom gave her a sad smile.
- Listen, Beth, eventually you will forget me. You will get married and have children. You'll keep on with your life. You won't ruin it because of me . I would not forgive my self if you did.- There was a tear forming in his eye.
-But, but, but...- she wasn't able to make the sentence.
- How is it throwing my life away if I'm with someone I love?- She said trying to convince him.
-Beth, I'm a criminal. I'm not trying to convince you otherwise. And I won't let you become one too.- He said removing one of her tears.
Tom rememberd how in other timeline she was in Azkaban. She tortured and killed for him. She was loyal to the core. He won't let himself ruin her life like that once again. He would do the right thing this time.
Bellatrix was quiet. She didn't know what to say anymore. She wasn't able to save him, or to convince him of taking her with him. She was only capable of crying. Crying awful tears and nothing else. She hated it.
- Tom?- she looked up to him and stared in his eyes.
-Hm?- he didn't know what she would ask.
-Will you forget me?- Bellatrix asked with concern.
- Beth...-He started - There won't be a day I won't think of you. And there won't be a night I won't wish that you were by my side. Even in death I will remember you.- he said.
It was at that moment he realized how much he actually loved and cared for her. More then he ever did about anybody else. He loved her more than he loved his life.
- Oh, Tom!- Bellatrix kissed him.
Her arms were on his shoulders. His were now standing on her waist and back. Even tho gesture took him by shock. It was a welcomed one. Their lips were on each other. Kissing passionately. They both knew this will be their last kiss. Maybe the last time they see each other. And they made kiss long, passionate and loved.
Once they broke it, Bellatrix looked down at his chest. Her arms in line with her body and his hands on her shoulders. Her face soaked with tears. In her hair there was white snow that was falling from above.
Tom looked up. He couldn't believe time has come for him to go. Like it was yesterday when they were sixteen and kissed in the halls when there was nobody. Like it was yesterday when they laughed in Slytherin common room. Like it was yesterday when they first kissed. And today was the last time they would. A tear was falling of Tom's face.
They looked each other in the eyes. He looked away took his things and walked few meters. Then he turned back to look at her one more last time.
- Farewell Bellatrix Black.
- Farewell Tom Riddle.
They both said it without a smile. Only a sorrowing expression on their faces. No matter how big their love is. Troubles of this world were bigger.
Bellatrix looked as love of her life was walking away. Snow once again became cold. She turned and walked away. Letting just one more tear fall down her face. She,herself, knew se would also think of him every day and night she lived.
She would no longer have anybody call he Beth. A nickname he would use on her. He invented it and he and only he used it. She would no longer blush at his jokes and compliments. She would no longer fell the same as she did when she was with him. What did she ever do to deserve such punishment?
But at last she had to let him go. It was their only option. Maybe one day God would show her more mercy and she would see Tom once more. And maybe she will die having the same man in her mind. Who could know.
Tom resisted the urge to turn around and take her with him. But in the end he knew this was the right decision. He also knew he would regret this decision till the end of his life. Deep in his heart he hoped a miracle would happen and he could be with her. He both hated and loved this felling of love. He and everybody, in another timeline, belived he would never be capable of love. Sometimes he would love that to be the truth. But in the end he wasn't capable of changing his emotions. He loved Bellatrix .At least he had memories. Memories, with her, he would cherish till the end of his life.
Whenever he saw her picture in newspapers he would start rethinking his whole life. But he made the choices that he made. Now he had to deal with consequences. And yet even twenty years later she would still invade his dreams.
Hogwarts halls ran like nothing happend on next day. Students were running to their classes. Teachers were giving homework. Friends were making jokes in great hall. Nobody knew of great sadness Bellatrix felt till she finished the school. Felling she would fell whenever she would turn her head and brown haired boy was not next to her. The felling she would fell when she saw his writings in her notebook. The felling like she could never love again.
Her sister's didn't question her about her feelings. They didn't know how much she loved him. Like their parents they thought that was just teenage love and that she would get over it. Her friends didn't mention his name because they knew that would hurt Bellatrix , and them, for they were also his friends.
On sleepless nights Bellatrix would find her self praying to God for Tom's wellbeing. She would cry thinking about him. Even when she got married she never truly stopped loving him. He was the love of her life. That was something she knew since the day she kissed him to the day she died.