The Oddest of Couples

Winter had covered the landscape in a wash of white overnight, knee-deep snow lying heavily on the ground, reflecting the sunlight, shining from a brilliant blue sky.

The school stood on the lip of the cliff, glimmering with frost. It looked like it had just been plucked straight out of a fairytale, the ethereal glow making the whole castle look even more magical than usual.

It was quiet, many pupils having returned home to spend Christmas with loved ones, leaving the school more or less deserted, although a few still remained.

On the white-covered lawns, a few students pelted one another with snowballs, laughing, noses red with cold, eyes dancing, robes soaked with melting frost.

Within the castle, though, two individuals were taking the chance to savour some time alone in one of the tower rooms, an office, where a blazing fire was crackling in the grate.

In spite of the dazzling afternoon sunlight that was peeping curiously in at the thick-paned windows, the thick curtains were drawn to keep out chills and prying eyes.

The only door that lead into the room was locked, manually and magically, to insure they would not be interrupted, their relationship to intimate and special to be revealed.

A few candles flickered around the room, an elaborate stand beside the fireplace dripping dark wax onto the floor, unnoticed by the couple, who were basking in the afterglow of love-making.

On the thick rug in front of the fire, they lay intertwined, covered by nothing more than a light sheen of sweat, savouring the rare moments of intimacy they could have when both of them slipped free of friends.

"Mmm."

"I have to agree with that," the dark youth rolled onto his back and gazed up at the arched ceiling high above them, his fingers interweaving with his lover´s.

Their breathing levelled out, the light sweat on their bodies evaporating in the warmth, the room´s temperature ideal, not too hot or cool.

Leaning up on one arm, the black-haired youth smiled at his lover. "Do you think I should have let them know how long I would be gone?" he asked, stroking unruly auburn locks from his lover´s face.

There was a chuckle. "Did you honestly know how long you would be?"

"I suppose not..."

His lover sighed. "I think this is the best way to spend a winter afternoon."

"Oh really?" the darker of the pair inquired lazily, lying on one side, a hand stroking down to the flat stomach of his partner.

"Of course. Not only do I get to have you to myself, but you bring chocolate as well." The last was said gleefully, because there was no doubt what that chocolate was for. "You know my weakness for it."

"Well, I did try and get some mandrake potion... something about virility, I think I was told..." he replied, smiling slightly. "But I thought chocolate would work just as well."

"And it was cheaper."

"Actually," the youth laughed. "It would have been much cheaper to steal the mandrake potion, but I know how much you love your chocolate, so I thought I would be generous."

"And you were terrified of being caught stealing from the potions labs," his lover added cheerfully, gazing up at the ceiling above them. "Not that you would ever think about doing that."

The dark boy grinned. "Me? Do something wicked like that? What would people say about me if I did such a thing?"

"You would probably be thrown out into the wide world for being so fiendish, to wander, shamed and nameless, and..." A kiss interrupted the teasing spiel. "You know you can´t be a good boy."

"What makes you say that?"

He was drawn down into another kiss. "Good boys don´t kiss like that."

A dark eyebrow rose. "And you would know all about that?"

"I´m old enough to have had an experience or two," A hand rose and combed through black hair, already mussed and standing in all directions. "Although I don´t think any could compare to you."

"You´re just trying to get back on my good side, after calling me a bad boy."

Bright eyes crinkled with amusement. "Is it working?"

"Nope. Still don´t like you."

His lover gave him a look. "Would you like me to pout?"

"Now that´s unfair," he argued, laughing.

"I made you laugh," A finger pointed at him. "I would say that´s a good sign that you like me."

The youth frowned, then started to smile. "I suppose so," he replied with a grin, claiming a kiss, his hand weaving through the thick auburn hair that shone red in the firelight.

As their lips parted, they studied each other for a long moment.

"You know, by this light, it almost looks like your head´s on fire," the black-haired boy remarked, lifting strands of thick hair up and holding them to the flickering light of the flames. "See?"

His lover gave him a strange look, then slowly started to chuckle. "You really do pick the strangest things to say."

"I thought that would be classed as being poetic."

"Poetic?"

"Well, kind of... it´s the imagery that counts, isn´t it?"

"And what are you saying I´m comparable to? A phoenix that erupts into flames at random moments, starting with my head? Or just a random fire?"

"The phoenix thing is kind of nice... although I hope you don´t turn to ashes because that would ruin the mood."

"You always must think with your hormones, mustn´t you?"

"Naturally, although I would miss having someone to share chocolate with."

"All this from my hair colour..."

Brushing the lock of hair down his cheek, the black-haired boy laughed. "I didn´t say it was a bad thing," he remarked, a small smile on his lips. Leaning down, he dropped a kiss on the waiting lips. "Actually, I like it. I always did appreciate red hair."

"Why do I get the feeling that you aren´t being entirely honest?"

The youth gave his lover a thoroughly virtuous look. "Have I ever done anything to make you think that?" he asked, batting his eyes in a display of mock-innocence. "I´m always honest, all the time. I never lie. Never. Although, that was technically a lie..."

His lover sat up, chuckling indulgently. "You are terrible," A pair of hands framed his face, drawing him up into a sitting position, warm, familiar lips meeting his in a light kiss.

"But great?" he offered with a boyish grin, eyes glinting. "I mean that in an utterly modest way, of course."

"If you were anything but great, would I find you as irresistible?"

"Good point."

Another kiss was shared.

"I don´t know what we´re going to do, once I leave school..."

His lover sighed. "Do you have to bring that up every time we meet?"

"I..." He shook his head. "It´s just that I wonder. I´m so used to having you near me and when I leave... I won´t."

"I´m sure you will learn to cope."

"What if I don´t want to?"

His lover exhaled a long, slow breath. "You will simply have to learn," The response was quiet and reluctant. "I didn´t want to admit it, but after you leave this school, I doubt we will be able to see each other again."

"But you said..."

A pacifying hand was raised. "I know what I said, but there have been whispers... I have to remain here..."

Pulling away from his lover´s touch, the dark-haired youth´s face was etched with betrayal. "But I thought you cared about me..." he whispered, shaking his head. "You told me you cared..."

"And so I do, but..."

"But you don´t want to have me near you anymore?"

"It would be better for both of us to part ways," his lover said quietly. "I am sorry..."

A hand stretched out, but the boy recoiled.

"Don´t touch me," he spat.

"You have to understand..."

"Oh, I understand," the sixteen-year-old growled, scrambling to his feet and snatching his robes from the floor. "You tell me you care... just like everyone else... everyone always cares so much, you know... you use me, just like them... you get what you want from me... and find a valid excuse to toss me aside..."

His lover rose to his feet, making a calming gesture with his hand. "There have been rumours... rumours about the rise of a new Dark Wizard, Tom. If I can protect the pupils, then..."

"You´ll hurt me to do it," Tom Riddle´s eyes filled with tears. "I thought you cared... I really thought you cared..."

"Tom, a Dark Wizard..."

Tom laughed, a wild ringing sound. "You want a Dark Wizard," he half-sobbed. "I´ll show you a damned Dark Wizard!"

"Don´t be silly, Tom..."

The boy stared wildly at his former partner, tears streaming down his face. "Silly?" he whispered bitterly. "You think I´m being silly? Give me time..." Stalking towards the door, he glared darkly at his lover. "I´ll show you just how silly I can be, Albus."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~