Voldemort grumbled to himself as he dressed for another one of these tedious dinners.
Usually he doesn't bother to show up to these social events, but needs must. Even Dark Lords needed to take the time to schmooze to ensure that his closest circle remained happy and also to charm young recruits, especially ones who may later end up influential. These were the same people continually lining his coffers, he was almost as wealthy as one of the noble families even without factoring in his Slytherin vault and his inheritance from his father's estate. That inheritance had been a surprise, but he had been registered as his offspring after some finagling with the goblins. About a year after Tom himself had murdered them he had been sent a letter notifying him that he was the last living relative of the Riddle family and therefore he was to inherit their estate.
As he summoned his house elf Evvie to fetch him the last of his things to take with him he took one last glance in the mirror and was out the floo.
---
When he entered the drawing room at Black Manor he took note of who else was there.
Tom was used to people's eyes lingering on him, once they saw his face and felt his magic it was inevitable. Tom was almost 40 years old and didn't look a day over 27. He was taller than most in the room save Orion Black and Xavier Lestrange. Sharp cheeks, dark eyes and perfectly coiffed dark curly hair. His pink lips contrasting with his flawless pale skin tone always drew people in to notice his mouth.
"My Lord, welcome" simpered Walburga.
Walburga Black had been 5 years ahead of him at Hogwarts and he had hated her then and he hated her even more now. If she hadn't somehow wheedled her way into being Lady Black he'd have ordered her buried alive. It would have definitely been a service to the general public to have her permanently silenced.
"Walburga, Lady Black” he briefly nodded towards Melania Black, “thank you for having me today" he quickly turned and walked over to Lord and Heir Black Arcturus and Orion respectively. He figured if he sought out the heads of the household she'd leave him be for a second.
"My Lord" both Orion and his father spoke at the same time Arcturus gently inclined his head and Orion bowed slightly deeper.
As they begin to lose themselves in conversation Tom stayed half listening as he willed his magic to reach out around the room to see if there was anyone strong enough worth recruiting. His magic soon brushed across someone interesting.
He looked to see who it could be and saw a boy, no older than 8, standing in a corner looking like he'd rather be anywhere else. Black haired, with gray blue eyes, obviously the young Black heir, the boy seemed positively bored.
He walked over and was about to ask the boy what he was doing here when he felt the faint residue of curse damage surrounding the young child.
Tom drew in a breath and released it to try to calm himself. As a young orphan he knew what abuse was, he also knew how much it affected young children. There was nothing he found more disgusting than hurting a child unable to protect themselves.
"What is your name?"
the boy looked up at him startled,
he licked his lips and carefully composed himself. The Dark Lord took notice that he looked like the perfect mix of both Arcturus and Orion, but he'd probably grow up to be even more handsome than both of them as his features were already making him look absolutely beguiling.
"Sirius, sir..." he swallowed heavily "Sirius Orion Black"
he fidgeted for a moment before he slightly bowed and then looked back up at the Dark Lord for his reaction. When he looked him straight in the eye the Dark Lord took a quick peek into his mind as carefully as possible.
He did not like what he saw.
He quickly drew himself to full height and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. As his thumb brushed against the side of the boy's neck he felt a shiver run down the boy's spine followed by a spark that seemed to manifest in his bones. He himself felt his magic react to the boy's magic in a way he'd never heard of before and when their eyes met he felt a peace he'd never known. The moment felt like it stretched for hours when it was probably only seconds.
"Come with me Sirius" the boy looked panicked. "you've done nothing wrong darling"
'darling?' the dark lord thought to himself...where did that come from? Now is not the time for reflection he chided himself; he needed to speak to both Arcturus and Orion immediately.
---
Orion found himself being called into his father’s office by the Dark Lord himself. The Dark Lord Voldemort sat in Lord Arcturus Black’s chair with his son Sirius by his side. His father stood off to the side grimacing slightly.
“My Lord?” Orion bowed “is everything alright? Did my son do something to insult you?”
At this their Lord looked absolutely furious.
“Sirius has done nothing wrong, that is not why I called you in here. Would you please tell me why this young child of 8 has faint curse residue floating around his body? Would you please tell me why this isn’t the first time he’s been at the other end of a nasty cruciatus or hex? Please Lord Black and Heir Black explain to me why you feel the need to torture young children in this supposedly Noble household?”
Orion opened his mouth to respond but had no idea what to say, he knew Walburga was harsh with the kids, but he had agreed to try to support her as best as possible. He hated spending time with her, which meant he hated spending time with his kids. It wasn’t a good way to parent but it allowed him to do his own duties away from her and it allowed her to take her frustrations out on someone else. There was no way he could admit this to his Lord.
Lord Black turned to his son.
“As the Lord of this house, Orion, I am asking you to respond to Lord Voldemort. Did you know this was happening under your roof?”
Orion stood there gaping like a fish some more.
“I have some things I need to speak to your father about Orion, but I’d like for you to take more interest in your son and get a handle on your curse happy wife. You will not be happy if I resort to using my wand to get this under control. Child abuse will not be tolerated under any circumstances.”
“I will be keeping a closer eye on your household, Orion. I will not hesitate to remove my grandson and future heir from your household if need be.”
Orion had never seen his father look at him so angrily.
“You are dismissed”
As Orion walked out he saw his son’s face looking at the Dark Lord with a light in his eyes. A light that Orion had never seen before appeared on Sirius’ young face.
---
After Voldemort returned home he ignored the reports sitting on his desk for a moment as he went over his conversation with Lord Black. They were able to conclude that there appears to be some sort of soul bond between himself and young Sirius Black. With Sirius being so young there was a lot of time for the two of them to research exactly what the bond meant and also building a proper relationship between Sirius and Voldemort. But he knew a blessing when he saw one, he would do everything in his power to ensure he could be everything his little soul mate would ever need while keeping his own personal goals in mind.
---
“My Lord, were you able to look over the information I had my elf drop off to you?”
“Yes,” Voldemort sighed “I had found something similar in the libraries at the Slytherin mansion. Although the books there are not in as good shape as they are here in your library.”
He poured himself another two fingers of whiskey
“Before we continue this conversation about soul bonds, how is my little soul? Is he better now that he’s living here with you and Lady Black?”
Arcturus straightened up and smiled slightly “much better. He’s taking to his lessons quite well, he's extremely talented when it comes to transfiguration and has a decent mind for potions. He’s fantastic on a broom, although he’s unable to sit through his etiquette lessons well. I try not to be too strict about it because as long as he stays busy with his school work and quidditch at Hogwarts I know he’ll mostly stay out of trouble.”
Arcturus looked up at him and laughed
Voldemort raised an eyebrow
“Also I’m not too worried about whether he knows proper courting rituals or not because I’m not sure he’ll have to worry about that too much with you around”
Tom gave him his half smile
“No, I do not plan on letting anyone close enough to my little soul to think they'd be allowed to court him. Magic has chosen him to be by my side in my ascent to greatness and considering the strength of his magic, his intelligence and his looks I can see why. But rest assured I will properly court your dear grandson once he is 16.”
Lord Black inclined his head slightly in thanks.
“Did you want to see him before he leaves for Hogwarts tomorrow?”
“Of course, that’s one of the main reasons I came.”
“Oh? And the other reason?”
“I needed to let you know that I’ll be away for awhile…I’m unsure if I’ll be able to make it back in time to see your family at yule. But by next summer I’ll become a regular in Sirius’ life.”
Arcturus smiled at him. It was the first time he’d seen him truly break his pureblood mask.
---
Sirius was so excited to get on the Hogwarts express and finally be off to school. He found it much harder to leave Tom’s side than he thought possible. He had shook hands with his grandfather and even hugged his grandmother Melania back but he found himself unable to walk more than a few steps away from Tom. He wasn’t sure when he’d see Tom again.
“Please write to me as soon as your sorting finishes darling”
“Of course. Will you be very upset if I am not a Slytherin like you and my grandfather?”
“Sirius, as long as you work hard in all your classes and keep your pranking to a minimum there’s no reason for me to be disappointed in you. Even if you ended up in Gryffindor,” Tom sneered slightly in disgust “I would not be disappointed in you”
“Well then I’ll ask to be in Hufflepuff and not Gryffindor if only to keep that look off your face”
The dark lord looked down at his little soulmate who could barely contain his laughter
“Well then my little badger I look forward to hearing from you soon”
Voldemort gently brushed Sirius’ cheek and nodded for him to begin to climb onto the train.
---
The Dark Lord smiled when he saw that he had received a letter from his little soul mate
Dearest Tom,
I do hope you’re not too upset when you read this but I am somehow in the Hufflepuff house. The hat was undecided between Slytherin and Hufflepuff and I would’ve been ecstatic to have been in your house under different circumstances. But I couldn’t risk being in the same house as the greasy git know it all I met on the train.
On the train I’ve made friends with Aurora Parker, she’s the daughter of someone really wealthy, I could tell by her robes. She’s now in Slytherin. I also met Heir Potter, he’s okay so far. A little annoying but he is funny and knows cool pranks.
I know my grandparents won’t mind that I made it into the house of Badgers, they only care that I am safe and continue to excel in all I do but I supposed I’ll get a howler in the morning from my dear mother. Is there something you could do to help me out, maybe get ahead of that for me, please?
Sincerely,
Sirius
He wasn’t surprised his fiery little soulmate had argued into being away from someone he referred to as a “greasy git”. But right now Tom needed to head off Walburga’s howler that would surely reach Sirius as soon as she found out his sorting. She’d do well to remember she’d never been able to outduel Amirah Davies while they were in school. Amirah had been a feisty Hufflepuff in Walburga’s year and the reigning champion of Hogwarts dueling team from her 5th through 7th year. She was currently a dueling coach after having won the world dueling championship twice in her twenties. Badgers may be loyal and generous but they’re also fierce.
No he was definitely happy, having a Hufflepuff consort by his side in the future would definitely open up doors for him politically with more neutral/gray alliance families.
The next day Tom had to leave for Asia starting with India, he was currently collecting fellow parseltongue allies like candy. They were few and far between but they were central to his revised future plans.
---
Sweet Tommy,
I know we’ve only been apart for a few weeks now but I got used to spending all my summer days with you and I find myself missing you. I’m glad you finished your projects and are able to spend more time with me at Black Manor.
It’s nice having Reggie here, he comes to sit with me sometimes at lunch. Also I showed him where the kitchens are and we have agreed to have breakfast there together once a week to discuss the happenings at Hogwarts. I should be able to keep you updated on Slytherin gossip through him.
So far I really like arithmancy and ancient runes. I'm really glad that you tutored me in arithmancy this summer. Connecting it to the muggle mathematics you taught me has kept the newest professor at Hogwarts, professor Vector, totally in awe of my skills. I’m tempted to tell her that I have a few tricks up my sleeves but I definitely won't.
Please update me on what you and my grandfather are currently working on in the wizengamot. Have you taken over your seats as Lord Slytherin yet? If so, should I still call you my sweet Tommy or shall I begin to refer to you as my sweet Snakey?
Write back soon.
Love, Sirius
Sirius was lucky that he was his soulmate, he would not tolerate nicknames from any other person on this planet. Now that Sirius was safely back at school he’d start part 3 of his plans and apparated to Russia. The Dolohov family had set him up with some goblins there that would put his newest and slightly younger identity together further cementing him into European Wizarding Politics as it would ensure he gained a few seats in governments across a few countries.
---
Sirius sat down on his bed to write to his soulmate. He was surprised by how much he missed him already. He wished they had been able to spend more time alone, although he had especially loved their time alone last night.
He shivered a little as he looked down at his hands and remembered the way Tom had held his hands and pulled him close to give him a chaste kiss on his cheek to say goodnight. Sirius had leaned in and the Dark Lord had kissed down his neck and Sirius had felt that deep in his stomach. When Tom pulled back he kissed his knuckles as he always did but before he unlaced their hands and left Sirius’ room Tom had grazed his teeth against the back of Sirius’ wrist and looked at him with a heat that went straight to his groin.
It was tough being a teenager so far away from his boyfriend. He decided to write to his man before he went to quidditch practice and tried to work off all this extra energy he suddenly had.
Dearest Tom,
I’m so glad you spent much of yule break tutoring me for OWLs, everyone here is going crazy with preparations and I feel leagues ahead of them. I mean I still hate you for making me study instead of going to muggle London that day with James and Remus, but also thank you. Although you totally owe me for ruining my fun.
One of the boys in Remus’ dorm got a record player for Christmas. I’ve been listening to some records with Remus and his Ravenclaw friends after the library and it’s been really fun. I am excited to introduce you to some muggle rock music. I have a feeling you may already be familiar with some of the more popular bands considering how much time you spend with muggle bankers.
As always, keep me posted on the happenings of the wizengamot and the reactions of a certain old goat. I’m expecting to see some memories of people’s reactions to you claiming the Slytherin seats this session.
Please tell my grandmother I say thanks for her latest care package and I'll write to her soon.
Love, Sirius
---
The death of his old friend Orion came as a shock to everyone, he was one of his original Knights and in the same age range as Tom. He found himself unaffected, however Sirius reacted far worse than the Dark Lord thought he would.
Sirius stayed the night at grimmauld place in his old room after the service on Saturday and the Dark Lord flood over in the morning as soon as he finished his tea.
The first thing he saw was Walburga with an odd glint in her eyes. The Dark Lord looked at her and frowned.
“My Lord, I had no idea you’d be here I would’ve cleaned up”
She walked over to the stairs and began shrieking like a banshee for Sirius to hurry and dress and get his arse downstairs.
Voldemort frowned.
“Walburga, despite Sirius’ differences with his father, Orion was in fact his father. Let the boy rest a bit after the events of yesterday before he goes back to Hogwarts.”
Walburga looked disgusted at the suggestion.
“Let me just send Kreacher to go wake him for you”
As he saw her opening her mouth to shriek for that barmy old elf the Dark Lord cut her off
“I’ll just go wake Heir Black myself, I had a few things I needed to speak to him about”
Voldemort took a few breaths to calm himself as he walked up towards Sirius’ room.
Voldemort knocked and quickly entered the room and shut the door with locking and privacy spells before Walburga came to stick herself square in his business with his sweet soulmate.
Sirius was awake but still in pajamas sitting on his bed with a pillow on his lap. He had been reading one of the muggle science fiction novels Amirah had shared with him. His eyes looked shiny and his face had a few tear stains on them, despite this he looked more beautiful than ever. His long dark hair slightly curled, his flawless olive skin, his bright blue/gray eyes and perfectly pouty pink lips. Voldemort gently smiled at him.
“Are you alright my little soul?”
He gently sat down on the edge of Sirius’ childhood bed.
“I am alright, I’m unsure about what I’m feeling. I am mostly sad that I didn’t have a better relationship with my father. My grandfather has been more of a father and mentor for me than my own father ever was. I guess it’s just hitting me that I didn't really know him and now I never will”
He shrugged. “I’m just feeling weird about it. I’ll be okay”
“Yes darling, you will” he tucked some of Sirius’ hair behind his ear for him and kept his hand on his shoulder gently brushing his thumb against his neck.
“Can…can we go home now? I was waiting to come downstairs until you came. I didn’t want to face my mother without you”
Voldemort looked at Sirius with surprise, “How did you know I’d come for you?”
Sirius’ eyes twinkled with mischief , he took one of Tom's hands in his own “I just knew '' he gently kissed the back of Tom's hand the way Tom had kissed his so many times before.
Tom put his hand on the back of Sirius’ neck and pulled him closer. He pressed his lips to his little soulmate’s beautiful pink lips. He soon found himself with a lap full of his little love pressing his excitement against Tom’s body. Tom wanted to apparate them quickly back to his rooms at Black Manor but he knew they’d get carried away. So instead he snogged Sirius within one inch of his life leaving a few marks on his neck before he called for an elf to bring Sirius a change of clothes.
Sirius emerged from his rooms with puffy lips and a slight daze on his face as they made their way downstairs.
---
Tom had patiently waited for his little soulmate to both turn 17 and graduate from Hogwarts so that they could bond. He and Arcturus had done their research and laid down thorough plans for their future during Sirius’ years away at school. Soulmates were rare to begin with and had become even more increasingly rare in the last 100 years. He and his little raven were the first soulmates in 66 years, or at least the first soulmates to have successfully found each other in recent times.
The more they learned about soulmates the more Tom realized that the fates had indeed smiled upon him despite all the mistakes he had made in his life. Soulmates were only granted to those who would be able to do some good to the world around them because soulmates had to be powerful on their own to create a soul bond in the first place, but also because once they found each other and bonded together their magic would grow.
Tom wasn’t sure it would’ve been possible for him to fully soul-bond with Sirius due to the fact that he created horcruxes so he began the process of reabsorbing his soul pieces back to him. He created a new identity for himself which would actually be that of his own cousin twice removed and had been slowly letting a select few Death Eaters and his original Knights of Walpurgis members know of his new identity and updated political ambitions so he could continue gaining power both in the Wizengamot and in the ICW.
As excited as he was to take over Dumbledore's position soon in the international confederation of wizards he was most excited to bond with his soulmate. He found himself having desires he’d never felt before. Sirius had grown into a beautiful and powerful young man. His quick wit and intelligence made it easy for the Dark Lord to get lost in spending time with him. He found his imagination running wild when he’d get lost in Sirius’ fiery intelligence and quick wit…he was excited to see how it’d manifest in other more intimate parts of their marriage. Every time they kissed he could taste the innocence on Sirius’ lips and the Dark Lord found himself feeling both hungry and possessive in his desire to both teach Sirius a few things and have his way with his beautiful little soul.
---
Sirius gazed at Tom, he looked so handsome. For as long as Sirius could remember other than his grandparents Tom had been the most steady part of his life. Tom was the first person to ever stand up for him against his mother, and Tom was the one that saved him from his parents. He couldn’t imagine a life without Tom as his anchor in good times and in bad times. His soon to be husband was his mentor, his protector and his first and only love. Their fingers were laced together and their hands gently bound by different colored ribbons. Sirius had never been as happy as he was at this moment. Today he was finally bonding with his soulmate, his sweet Tommy. He was barely listening when suddenly he was being prompted to speak his vows to his husband.
“Sweet Tom, for as long as I can remember you have been there for me. You’ve been my best friend, my guide, my mentor, the man I’ve been in love with since I was a child. I loved you before I knew what love was because to me love is not just a feeling it's what I am…what I become when I’m with you. The day our betrothal was made public last year was one of the best in my short life because I had been waiting to be able to share with the world what you mean to me, to share how dear you are to me to all those around us. I am so excited and so honored to spend the rest of my life by your side. I love you, Tom. Always. ”
“Dearest Sirius, you have been my guiding light ever since I first found out that we were soulmates. People may think that because I’m a few years older than you I may be the only one to lead in our partnership but they’d be mistaken. You’ve made me a stronger and better version of myself, you’ve helped me to find happiness, and your very existence has changed me for the better forever. I am eternally grateful to magic for guiding me to you: my soul. I never thought I’d say these words but I love you, Sirius Black, and I am so happy to be binding my life to yours today.”
Sirius feels the tears and can no longer hear what the officiant is saying. He just knows that he is Tom's and Tom is his and nothing could ever come between them.
He barely registers what’s happening around him and then Tom’s mouth is on his and the heat that spreads through Sirius is unreal. He kisses Tom back with all he has. He pours everything he’s ever felt for Tom into this kiss open mouthed and both hungry but soft. Tom's hand is in his hair and Sirius feels his knees growing weak as he pushes himself against him.
The swell of magic in the air was heavy in the reception hall at Black manor as the new couple kissed and kissed and kissed some more everyone in the room could feel that it wasn’t just a bonding they were witnessing.
Sirius and Tom’s bond was the most extraordinary magic they’d all ever witnessed.
---
Tom and Sirius did indeed live happily ever after ;)