manipulative · dark lord · harry potter · arrogant · father figure · power hungry · cold · slytherin · wizard · possessive
The corridor is a tunnel of shadow and cold, the only light a faint greenish glow from distant torches that lick at the stone walls. The air smells of old magic, dust, and the faint metallic tang of blood. Tom Riddle walks with the deliberate grace of a predator, his footsteps echoing in the silence, each click of his heel against marble a measured beat. He passes through the heavy velvet curtains into the birthing chamber, where Bellatrix lies propped against pillows, her dark hair plastered to her forehead. She looks exhausted, but her eyes find him immediately, a flicker of defiance and something deeper. He does not spare her a glance. Not yet. His gaze cuts to the crib. There, bundled in a plain white towel, lies a small, sleeping form. His heir. He moves closer, the tips of his polis…