Black Widow

ONE MIGHT SAY THAT NATASHA ROMANOFF WAS USED TO DISAPPEARING OFF THE GRID. Erasing any evidence of her existence, and keeping away from the public’s eyes. However, while having accomplished many impressive feats, Natasha never did get used to the feeling of not existing.

To others, she wasn’t Natasha Romanoff anymore.

She was nothing and everything. She was the girl you’d see taking a stroll in the park. She was the eyes you’d feel following you when you were alone. Still, there was something different about this situation.

Natasha Romanoff wasn’t alone.

Sure, Tom was with her before, but never in the physical sense. With another person with her, it meant she didn’t have to be on her guard so much, but Natasha didn’t see it that way. When there are others, that means more mouths to feed – more opinions.

More liabilities.

More bodies to use as a shield.

Thankfully, since there were only two of them, it meant that Natasha only had to watch out for Tom. However, that also meant that if they ever got into trouble, there might be a chance that someone might get left behind, or worse. She loved Tom, she really did, but… She would admit that if it was either him or her, she’d choose herself.

Call her selfish, but she knew that Tom would do the same thing. Even if they both came back to save each other, they both knew that each other could handle themselves. Would she sacrifice herself if it was the only option? Yes, without a doubt. But, if there were clearly other options, she’d try those first before hurting herself, or potentially making the situation worse.

For example, two weeks ago, they had been tracked down by low-ranking death eaters. Clearly, they weren’t very proficient in magic, so Natasa left the situation temporarily to get their next location ready for them. When she came back, there were three dead death eaters in the motel they were staying in. They both left pretty quickly after that, grabbing the last of their belongings.

However, Natasha did leave a hefty tip for the cleaning lady when she found them.

Safe-house to safe-house the two of them traveled to, keeping a watch out for their surroundings and hunting for the rest of the Horcruxes. Many of them were in places they could not reach easily, such as Bellatrix’s vault, and Lucius Malfoy’s manor.

However, there was one they could search for.

The locket.

While Tom admitted to it being replaced by Regulus Black, it still meant that it was still out there. If it was replaced without Voldemort's awareness, then there was a good chance it was still out there.

Natasha sighed, throwing a ball up in the air, catching it with a bored expression on her face.

“Penny for your thoughts?” Tom asked, leaning in the doorway of the room. Natasha raised her head, lifting her eyebrow up in return as she took in his appearance.

He was dressed in fancy, nice dress robes hanging on his body. “Got a date?” Natasha joked, sitting up further, “Or is this all for me?”

“I live to impress you,” Tom replied, pushing himself off the doorway and stepping into the room. “How do you feel about attending an auction tonight?”

“Tom, we’re literally war criminals,” Natasha deadpanned, an incredulous expression on her face, “I don’t think going to an auction is a good idea.”

“Even to get the locket?” He smirked, a smug expression on his face.

Natasha stood up from the couch, crossing her arms over her chest. “And where did you find that information? Kreacher hates your guts, and you’re not the kind of a guy to have many allies.” She replied, snickering slightly at Tom’s offended look.

“Lots of people will give you information if you have something they want.” He shrugged, delicately lifting his shoulder with a carefree look. “I’m also quite pretty on the eyes, so that’s a plus.”

She snorted, a grin pulled on her lips, “Okay, Mr. Egotistical.” She tilted her head to the side, looking Tom over, “And I’m assuming that I’m your date?”

“Who else would I take? Bellatrix?” Natasha chuckled at his response, walking over to her bag, “Oh, wait, she’s dead.”

Her hands dug through the bag, feeling around for the dress she wanted to wear. She cheered quietly as she found the dress she was looking for, pulling it out of the bag.

It was white, with flowing long sleeves. The bottom half was all layered, with pearls and gems embroidered onto the piece, giving it an iridescent look. She smoothed it out, checking it over for any rips and such.

“Think this will do?” She questioned, showing the dress to Tom. He hummed, giving her a look of approval. Her eyes trailed down over to his hands, where he held a mask. “Masquerade?”

“Yes. The people holding the auction tend to be… a bit dramatic, if you will.”

The Sound of a Live Band echoed throughout the building, with the acoustics making it sound heavenly. People and Creatures of all mingled through the crowd, a polite chatter in the air.

Natasha and Tom walked in, arms crossed with each other. The doorman smiled, opening the door for them to enter the hall, where the auction was taking place.

Items of all kinds were displayed in cases, showing them off to greedy bidders. A few of the guests stopped and stared at the two, giving them a look over. “Do you know these people?” Natasha asked, letting her natural accent flow through her words to hide her more recognizable voice. “Or are you going to say something about your face being pretty?”

Tom scoffed, a playful look in his eyes, “My dear, nothing about this face is pretty.” He quipped back, running a hand through his shoulder-length hair, “It’s perfect for this situation; I’m so boringly common. I guarantee you, no one will recognize or remember me.”

“Sure,” Natasha smirked, bumping him with her hip playfully. Her eyes searched through the room, looking for the locket. “On your left, 2 cases down.” She pointed out, nudging her head towards the direction.

There, in all of its glory, laid the Slytherin Locket. Rich Wizards and Creatures were gazing at the locket, hunger in their eyes. Natasha whistled under her breath, an impressed look on her glamoured face. “That would pay a pretty penny.” She murmured, thinking about how much money she could make if she sold it, “Hey after we get the Horcrux out of it… Wanna sell it?”

Tom gawked, mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water, “I’m not selling a family heirloom for money! It’s my birthright to have it!”

“And?” Natasha deadpanned, raising an eyebrow in retaliation, “You literally put half of your soul in it. That wasn’t its intention. Its intention is to be pretty to look at, like you.”

The man in front of her blushed, a flustered look on his normally composed face. “I… Let’s go get a seat before they’re all taken.” He mumbled, eyes down on the floor as he dragged Natasha to a small table.

“Aw, do I make you nervous, baby?” Natasha flirted playfully, taking smug satisfaction in his appearance. “I’m sorry, it’s so fun to tease you. You look like a little boy with his first crush with how flushed your face is.”

His fingers gripped the table, eyes wide. “I’m going to the bar!” He blurted out, pushing himself up from the chair, “Do you want anything?”

She narrowed her eyes, taking a moment to just look at him. “I’ll have some white wine, thanks.” He nodded, walking towards the bar. Natasha chuckled, watching his retreating figure with an amused look.

“Ah, young love.” Natasha turned her head, meeting the brown eyes of an older woman. Her accent was Greek, and when she smiled, her lips pulled back to reveal fangs, “I remember the first night I met my husband like it was yesterday; flying into his bedroom, seducing him, and turning him into a creature of the night.”

Natasha hummed with a polite look on her face to show the lady that she was interested. “He was quite the whore, if you may, but…” The woman groaned, a hungry smile on her face. “He was like an inexperienced, virgin trying to find the hole to stick it in. I can see it now… You and the man will have that.”

“Thank you, Mrs…” She trailed off, trying to hide how uncomfortable she was with the conversation.

The woman curtseyed, her dress flowing out from beneath her. “Oh, you are so polite, I could just eat you! How about you just call me your wingwoman because I am about to get you some!” She exclaimed, an excited look on her face.

“Oh, um…” God, out of all the awkward conversations she had before, this one was definitely in the top ten, “I’m, uh… I’m not interested in that kind of stuff, really. But, thank you for offering, I guess?”

“Oh, it is quite alright! I remember when I was a human, I tried to lose my virginity on the beach so many times, but I’m glad I waited until I was a vampire to do so. We just have so much more stamina!”

Dear God, make it stop.

Natasha chuckled nervously, looking around to see that the auction was about to begin, “Oh, would you look at the time? The auction is about to begin!” She grinned, hoping that the woman would get the hint.

“Yes, I suppose I should get back to my sexy beast. Y’know, we’re only here because he lost his stupid, cursed hat, but he refuses to believe it’s cursed! Ugh, I must be going, dear one. I do hope you get whatever it is you want!”

Natasha thanked the stars above as the woman walked away, heading far away from her table. Tom, after minutes of uncomfortable conversation, finally came back. Natasha yanked the wine glass off from the tray, taking a huge gulp from it. “Don’t ever leave me alone again. There are sexual deviants everywhere, Tom! Everywhere!” Natasha exclaimed, a distraught look in her eyes.

“Okay…” He sat down slowly, questioning Natasha’s sanity. “I’m just not going to think about that.”

Taking a deep breath, Natasha calmed her nerves as the lights dimmed around them, a spotlight shining on the auctioneer, who smiled upon seeing the crowd.

“Ladies and Gentlemen,” The woman on stage started, hands clasped in front of her, “I am so pleased to see so many faces wanting to purchase these beautiful items. Every year, my family and I hold these auctions with the objects we collect throughout the year. However, I would like to thank you as without your help, we wouldn’t be auctioning off these items.”

The audience clapped, a polite murmur in the air. “Now, without further ado, I’d like to start off this auction with a hat made out of human flesh! Do I have any bidders?”

As soon as Natasha’s eyes landed on that cursed item, she knew that was the hat the woman was talking about. Now, while the human flesh was disgusting, all Natasha could think about was the sexual adventures the woman described.

“You need to erase my memory of that woman,” Natasha leaned over to whisper in Tom’s ear, a shudder making its way through her body, “My mind feels so violated, and you once lived in my head… Your thoughts were not as traumatizing as that woman’s words.”

Tom raised a brow, sending her a weird look. “I’m sure it wasn’t that bad,” He defended, “You’re probably just making it sound worse than it is.”

As Natasha gripped his forearm, he yelped out in pain, digging her sharp nails into his flesh. “You haven’t heard what I’ve heard, the things that woman described… it’s like any creepy, bald guy’s fantasy.” Natasha hissed, eyes wide with a crazed look in them.

The two continued to bicker for the next few moments, making sure to make sure that the locket hadn’t been auctioned off yet. Finally, after a few agonizing, slow minutes, it was time for the locket.

“Here, folks, I have quite the item. It’s the only one of its kind, and one of my favorite pieces here tonight.” The spotlight moved to show the locket, which elected gasps from the crowd, “Here, I have Salazar Slytherin’s locket! However, if you do buy this item, you must keep it in its case as there is some kind of enchantment on it that causes harm.”

Tom squeezed her hand, sending her a smile. She sent one back, squeezing his hand back as well. God, they have to get this locket.

They HAVE to.

“Do I have any bidders for this locket?” The woman asked, and a bunch of hands shot up in the air — proclamations of bids.

Natasha waited for her turn to be called on, a calm look on her face. Sure, she was freaking out inside, but nobody but her had to know that. “500 galleons!” She said, looking throughout the crowd to see if there were any challengers.

“600 galleons!”

“700 galleons!”

Tom sighed through his nose next to her, knowing that they were in for a long night.

“700 galleons, any higher bidders?” The woman asked once more, looking at the eager hands that were raised in the air. Without a few seconds, the price kept climbing higher and higher, reaching 1,550 galleons.

The higher the bid, the more people dropped out. “1,550, do I have 1,700? Going once-!” She was cut off once more, “2,000?!”

Now, there was only one person against them and the locket. She was clearly rich, with emeralds of all kinds embedded into her dress. She was pale — deathly so. If Natasha was being honest, she almost looked like she was dead.

She wore a half-mask, covering one-half of her face. Her hair was long, and pin-straight. Briefly, Natasha and the bidder locked eyes, a silent conversation between them.

The woman raised a brow, looking almost considering before she turned back around. “5,000 galleons!” Natasha shouted, heart thumping in her chest.

“5,000 galleons! Going once, going twice — sold to bidder 175!”

Finally, it felt like Natasha could breathe again.

Bringing the locket back to their safe house turned out to be quite easy. However, the despair oozing off of it made it difficult for Natasha to be around it. She grumbled internally as she helped set up the ritual to return the soul piece to Tom.

Speaking of Tom, he paced back and forth, staring down at the locker intently. “You can look away for a second, Tom. It’s not going to disappear.” Natasha quipped, a smirk pulling on her plump lips.

He huffed, rolling his eyes in annoyance. While he didn’t take his eyes off the locket, he did stop pacing back and forth.

“It’s almost ready… you just need to step in the circle.” Natasha said, watching him for any hesitation. “If you still want to do it, that is.” She added, after a moment of silence.

Tom closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath through his nose. “Yes, yes, I still want to do this…” He trailed off, brows furrowed in concern.

“But?” Natasha urged, crossing her arms over her chest.

A breath he had been holding shuddered through him, shoulders hunching in on himself. Just moments ago, he looked so sure. Now… he looked like he had no idea what to do.

“Every time I made a Horcrux, I became a different person… So, what does that mean for me? I am technically just a Horcrux, so what would happen if I went through with this?” He wondered with his lips pursed with frustration.

Oh.

Oh…

“Tom,” Natasha started, “You’ll still be you. You’re just… adding another part of you to the equation.”

“And if I’m not?”

She chewed her bottom lip, thinking over his words. “Then… then I’ll take you out.” At her words, he relaxed slightly.

“Good, good. You don’t need another Dark Lord to fight as well.”

With that, he stepped into the circle. While it was obvious he was still nervous, it wasn’t as bad as it was before. Honestly, not many people would be comforted by the promise to kill them if something went wrong, but whatever floats his boat, she guessed.

Making sure he didn’t disturb the circle, Natasha grabbed her wand from her holster, using it to lift the locket in the air. Slowly, she gently placed it into the circle as well. The runes activated as soon as it was placed inside, with the locket shaking and growling at the runes keeping it hostage.

Once that was good, Natasha activated Tom’s. The runes glowed around him, keeping him trapped in the circle. Natasha walked over to the side table, where it held a small number of things.

One of which was the script of an exorcism.

Considering horcruxes are spirits made with Dark Magic, an exorcism would be a safe way to get the soul fragment out of the locket and with Tom. She rolled open the script, clearing her throat to clear it.

“Are you sure about this?” Natasha asked a final time, an eyebrow raised.

He nodded sharply, lips pressed together in a Grimm expression. “Yes.”

Taking in a deep breath, Natasha started the exorcism.

“Exorcizamus te, omnis immundus spiritus, omnis satanica potestas, omnis incursio infernalis adversarii, omnis legio, omnis congregatio et secta diabolica.” At first, it looked like nothing was happening. However as she went on, Natasha could see that the Horcrux was beginning to shake more violently than before.

“Ergo, omnis legio diabolica, adiuramus te... cessa decipere humanas creaturas, eisque æternæ perditionìs venenum propinare…”

Angry hissing consumed the room, sounding like a snake. Black smoke seemed to seep from the locket, which had started to raise itself off of the ground slowly.

“Vade, satana, inventor et magister omnis fallaciæ, hostis humanæ salutis... Humiliare sub potenti manu Dei; contremisce et effuge, invocato a nobis sancto et terribili nomine... quem inferi tremunt... Ab insidiis diaboli, libera nos, Domine. Ut Ecclesiam tuam secura tibi facias libertate servire, te rogamus, audi nos.”

As it continued to rise, the hissing turned to angry screaming. Natasha’s heart dropped to her stomach, but she kept on going. This is what Tom wanted, and she wasn’t gonna let a little screaming freak her out. If anything, she should feel like a freaking badass because it’s like she’s on freaking Supernatural!

Heh.

It’s like she’s Dean Freaking Winchester, and Tom is Sam who’s currently addicted to demon blood!

Shaking herself of those thoughts, Natasha’s voice got louder and stronger as the ritual went on. She didn’t stop, even when she felt blood dripping down her ears from the screeching. As she finished the exorcism, a thing of black smoke flew through the locket.

It attempted to escape, but due to the powerful runes, it was unable to. Hell, it even tried to retreat back into the locket, but the runes prevented that from happening as well.

Natasha huffed, catching her breath from the long speech she had just done. Taking a moment, she flicked her eyes over to Tom to make sure that he was okay.

Giving him a once over, she quickly deemed him okay and got ready for the second part of the ritual. In the corner of the room sat the most important piece of the ritual.

A golem.

Before he had died, Albus held up on his side of the deal, crafting a golem for Tom to link himself to. Reaching down, Natasha grabbed the leg of the thing and dragged it over to Tom, lifting it up to set it into the ritual circle.

Grabbing a bowl and the knife from the side table, Natasha slit her palm and squeezed it into the bowl filled with Tom’s blood already. With her other hand, she grabbed a mixture of crushed herbs and dropped them into the bowl. Mixing them together, Natasha poured the blood over the still body of the golem.

Once that was taken care of, she healed her hand with a flick of her wand and grabbed the other scroll on the table. In order for Tom to link himself to the golem, he would need to have a beating heart.

Now, the ritual did say a heart yanked from a chest was the best, but linking it with someone else worked as well. As long as Natasha’s heart beats, so will Tom’s.

She took in a deep breath, and opened her mouth, “Sin eh-tey ex avan-ha vin tan-took koh.” Tom gasped, as if he was in pain, clutching his chest.

He groaned in pain as he began to glow, disappearing from sight. On the floor, Natasha watched with a fascinating horror as muscles, bones, and organs grew right before her eyes. Skin began to grow over the golem, and features began to form right above her eyes. However, she quickly began to see a flaw in her plan as his… penis began to grow.

Letting out a flustered yelp, she grabbed the nearest blanket near her and placed it above him.

It felt like hours were passing when in reality, it was only a few minutes. Still, Natasha couldn’t help her choked sob of relief when Tom opened his eyes. Slowly, he sat up, placing a hand over his chest.

“…Your heart’s racing.”

Natasha laughed, a fond smile growing on her lips. “You mean our heart, right? And you can’t blame me; I just watched an entire body form between my eyes.” She replied, raising a brow. “So… do you still feel any connection to him?”

He was silent, checking it over. Slowly, a smile formed on his face as he shook his head. “No. No, I don’t.” He whispered, an excited gleam in his eyes. However, it did slightly drop when he remembered the other half of the ritual. “Do it.”

She hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. With her wand, she cracked a small opening that kept the locket and Tom separated. She watched as he took in a deep breath, reaching out for the Horcrux.

Everything in her was screaming at her to make it stop, but she pushed that down. It was Tom’s decision, not hers. The world stopped around her as Tom touched the Horcrux, falling down to the ground.

He seized for a moment but then stilled. God, all she wanted to do was rush over to him, but she knew she couldn’t do that until he woke up.

Would he be fine, or would she have to kill her friend? God, she hoped that he was fine — she didn’t know what she would do with herself if he wasn’t.

She didn’t really know a world without Tom, and that was scary for her.

For two hours, Natasha watched Tom for any sudden changes in behavior. Her eyes felt dry from keeping them open so long, but Natasha subconsciously kept them open in case she missed something.

Come on.

Wake up.

Please…

Let her figure out what these feelings are.

What they really mean.

Please.

Just… wake up.

Grey and Red eyes opened.