Epilogue
-December 8, 1991-
After a few hours of waiting, Draco finally woke up. During the wait time, Voldemort refused to let Little One go, so he spent the entire time with a lightly dozing toddler hugged tight to his chest. Death hovered near the pair, and it was obvious that the being didn’t want to leave them alone.
Voldemort informed the Malfoys that their missing son was safe, much to Narcissa’s relief, and within minutes of informing her, the Malfoy matriarch had arrived at his bedside. Lucius, still in recovery from Dumbledore’s attack, was still at home.
Voldemort had been holding Little One when the boy woke, gently carding his fingers through Little One’s hair, reminding himself that the child was safe. Draco made an inquiring mutter before he opened his eyes, a soft, “Mother?” escaping his lips.
“Oh, Dragon!” Narcissa cried, gently tracing her son’s cheek. “I was so worried!”
“Where’s Little One?!” Draco suddenly cried, jumping up. “We have to get him out---”
“Little One is safe, Mr. Malfoy,” Voldemort drawled, interrupting the child before he could do anything drastic. “Although, your desire to protect him is appreciated.”
Draco stared at Voldemort for a long second, his mouth wide as he owlishly blinked. Finally, he said, “Oh,” and allowed himself to fall back against the bed. “That’s good. I was scared he was hurt.”
“Little One escaped without injuries, as did you,” Voldemort said.
“But only just!” Narcissa cried. “What were you thinking?! How did you get there? Why would you just leave like that?!”
“I had to!” Draco cried. “It was my job!”
“Your job?” Voldemort raised an eyebrow. “How so?”
“The lady said I was a Guardian,” Draco said matter-of-factly. “She took me there.”
“The lady?”
“Well, I think she was a lady,” Draco said sheepishly. “I couldn’t actually see her. But she sounded like a lady! She was really cold and she told me I had to save him.”
Voldemort looked at Death out of the corner of his eye, only to see Death shake his head, “Was not me,” he said. “Sounds like my Dear Sister.”
“Sister…?” Voldemort whispered in confusion. He frowned. “If you'll excuse us, I’ll let you two talk,” Voldemort said, standing up from his chair, adjusting his hold on Little One as the toddler sleepily sniffed and burrowed closer to Voldemort’s chest.
Narcissa nodded, and Voldemort knew she was going to lecture Draco the second he left. He thanked Draco one last time for rescuing his son before he left, shutting the door behind him. The second the door clicked shut, Voldemort turned to face Death.
“Your sister?” he asked. “The same one who put Little One in danger?”
“That’s offensive,” a cool, feminine voice drawled from behind him. Voldemort whirled around to see a woman standing behind him, her long white hair contrasting against her mocha skin. Her eyes glowed a light green and a smile stretched across her face, highlighting her overly defined cheekbones. “I did everything for a reason, you know.”
“Ah, Sister,” Death said, leaning forward to lightly embrace her. “You had me on the ropes, I must admit.”
“I told you all would work out,” she said, her eyes twinkling in a very Dumbledore-esque pattern. “Are you not pleased?”
“I am not,” Voldemort cut in, his hold on Little One tightening. “Why would you do this?! Why would you put us through that?! I thought my son was dead!”
“It was all part of the plan, Immortal Lord,” she said. “It was necessary to truly bring you together.”
Voldemort grit his teeth. “What does that even mean?” He was really getting sick of strange beings with cryptic messages.
“Your Master is with you, as is your Companion,” she said, completely ignoring Voldemort’s question. “All is well. At last, you can be happy.”
Death grinned. “Thank you,” he said. “Although, I fear my Companion is quite unhappy with you.”
“In due time, Dear Brother,” she said. “After all, we have eternity together.”
Before Voldemort had the chance to demand what was going on, the woman walked towards him, a smile on her face. She lightly reached out, as if to touch him, and Voldemort stepped back, narrowing his crimson eyes into a tight glare. She just laughed and shook her head, not at all threatened.
“It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Immortal Lord,” she said, dipping into a curt bow. “I am Fate.”
“Fate?” Voldemort frowned. “I thought Life was your sister?”
Death and Fate burst out laughing. “Oh no,” Death said with a fond grin. “Life is far too bubbly for me.”
“I am looking forward to knowing you,” Fate said, extending her hand with a knowing grin. “Tell me, do you like to play chess?”
With Dumbledore dead, the Order would disband, finally breaking Severus from the oath that had haunted him for most of his adult life. He knew a part of him should feel guilt for the man’s death, but all he could really feel was relief. It was finally over.
Severus breathed in deeply, and the air tasted like freedom. Severus smiled, leaning his head back to look at the bright, blue sky. Beside him, Black and Lupin stood, somewhat awkwardly, unsure of what to say. “The Dark Lord has found Little One,” Severus said. “I suppose that means it’s over.”
“Er, right,” Black said, and his words were laced with uncertainty. “Look, about what I said earlier…”
Ah yes, their… confession. Severus felt some strange feeling bubble up in his gut at the memory. In the hassle of everything going on, Severus had completely forgotten about it, however now that it was all over, Severus would be forced to address it, wouldn’t he?
But how did he really feel about it? Severus wasn’t sure. Black’s apology and recent behavior were strange and so different from what Severus was used to, he found that he didn’t know where he stood between them.
“I…” Severus paused, turning to look at the couple behind him. “I don’t want to just jump into a relationship with you.”
He could see the poorly hidden disappointment in Black’s gaze as he nodded. “I understand---”
“But,” Severus continued. “I… I think we could start off as friends? Put the past behind us and see where we go from there?”
Black looked up, excitement written all over his face. Beside him, Lupin mirrored his look. “We can work with that,” Black said. “Let’s be friends, Severus Snape.”
Severus grinned. “A pleasure, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin.”
As Voldemort laid in bed, his head pillowed on Death’s shoulder, Little One sleeping peacefully in between them with Larry nestled in his hair, Voldemort felt like he could finally breathe. After meeting Fate and playing a substantial amount of chess---he lost every time---Voldemort had retired to bed, Death following soon after.
Death’s arm was wrapped around Voldemort’s shoulder, his fingers lightly trailing up and down Voldemort’s arm. The touches were meant as nothing more than comfort, and Voldemort melted into them.
“I have never been happier than I am in this moment,” Voldemort whispered, stunned by how true that statement was. Beside him, Death hummed.
“It’s all over, now,” Death said gently. “We’re safe. We can be together now.”
In a sudden moment of passion, Voldemort leaned forward to kiss Death gently, displaying the overwhelming affection he felt for the being in his eyes. “It’s over,” he agreed. “Finally.”
Death smiled, cupping Voldemort’s face softly. “Thomas Marvolo Riddle, Lord Voldemort, will you be my companion for eternity?”
Voldemort smiled. “Eternity is pretty boring, alone,” Voldemort replied with a grin. “I suppose it’s bearable with you.”
END!