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coolbeans32 · 7 months ago

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Echoes of Destiny: The Serpent and the Phoenix

PAIRING: Tom Riddle x F!Reader (OC)

SYNOPSIS: For the purposes of not spoiling anything, hehe...It is officially time for the ritual. The ritual that will either bring back Tom Riddle, or one that will cause chaos.

WARNINGS: The following passage contains some themes of death and resurrection and some themes of trauma. If there are any others that need mentioning that I was unable to catch please let me know!

WORD COUNT: 3.7k

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I think you will be pleased with this chapter...that's for sure....Happy Reading luvs!

TRANSLATION: “Dissipata animae fragmenta redeant ad unitatem. De tenebris ad lucem, anima vaga, revertere. Vincula animae franguntur, libertatem inveniunt. Animae divisae simul redeant et corpus inveniant. Ab umbris in lucem, tota anima reviviscat.” (Latin)

“Let the scattered fragments of the soul return to unity. From darkness to light, wandering soul, return. The bonds of the soul are broken, let them find freedom. Let the divided souls come back together and find their body. From the shadows into the light, let the whole soul come back to life.” (English)

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Chapter Sixteen

The Ritual

The morning light filtered through the dusty windows, casting a muted glow over the ancient rooms. In the library, Genevieve was surrounded by an array of books, scrolls, and magical instruments. She had been up since the peak of dawn, meticulously preparing for the daunting task ahead: extracting the pieces of Voldemort's soul from Harry and Nagini. Genevieve knew that rune magic was a precise and ancient art, demanding unwavering focus and skill, as her father Gellert had once said. She had spent years studying its intricacies, but the stakes had never been this high, at least with so many years without practice due to her state. Nonetheless, she took a deep breath, centering herself before beginning the complicated process.

First, she laid out a large piece of parchment on the table, its surface blank and waiting. She dipped a quill into a pot of specially prepared ink, a deep red hue that shimmered faintly. The ink was a crucial component, infused with phoenix tears and basilisk venom she found in the secret apothecary built into the Black house, which when combined is potent enough to interact with the fragments of Voldemort's soul. Genevieve began by drawing a large circle, the foundational boundary for the runic array. She moved with practiced precision, her hand steady as she inscribed the outermost symbols, each one representing protection, containment, and purification. These runes would form the barrier to keep the extracted soul pieces from escaping or causing harm.

With the circle complete, Genevieve added inner layers of runes, each set corresponding to specific magical properties. There were runes for severance, to carefully cut the soul fragments from their hosts, and runes for transfer, to safely move the fragments into prepared vessels. The final set of runes were for healing, to mend the spiritual wounds left behind. As Genevieve worked, she recited incantations under her breath, the ancient words resonating with the power of the runes. The air around her seemed to hum with energy, the magic taking shape in response to her efforts.

Meanwhile, in another part of the house, Harry, Ron, and Hermione were trying to keep their minds off the gravity of the situation. They had set up a makeshift game room in the drawing-room, hoping to find some distraction in each other's company.

Ron dealt a hand of Exploding Snap, his movements quick and practiced. "Alright, who's ready to lose?" he said with a grin, trying to inject some levity into the tense atmosphere.

Harry rolled his eyes playfully. "You wish, Ron. I've been practicing."

Hermione, sitting across from them, managed a smile. "Just try not to blow up the table this time, okay?" They played several rounds, the familiar game providing a welcome respite from their worries. The cards snapped and crackled, and laughter occasionally punctuated the air as they bantered and teased each other.

After a particularly explosive round, Ron leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "Do you think Genevieve will be alright? I mean, this rune magic stuff sounds intense."

Hermione nodded, her expression serious. "It is. But if anyone can do it, it's Genevieve. She’s been studying this for years. We have to trust her."

Harry sighed, his thoughts drifting back to the library. "I know. It’s just... hard to sit here and wait."

Hermione reached over and squeezed his hand. "We’re all in this together, Harry. She��ll call us when she’s ready. For now, we need to keep our spirits up, especially you Harry. Being relaxed helps the transfer to be efficient without any form of resistance." As the day wore on, they shifted from games to conversation, reminiscing about their time at Hogwarts, sharing stories of past adventures, and discussing their hopes for the future. They shared memories that helped ease their anxiety, if only for a while, as they continued to enjoy their time together, despite the troubles in the outside world, just this once.

Back in the library, Genevieve was nearing the final steps of her preparation. The runic array was complete, glowing faintly with the power imbued in each symbol. She double-checked her work, ensuring that every line was perfect, every rune precisely where it needed to be. Satisfied, she moved to the next phase: testing the array. She retrieved a small, inert object, a piece of old jewelry, and placed it in the center of the circle. Chanting softly, she activated the runes, watching as the energy flowed through the array. The jewelry glowed briefly, the runes flaring with light as the magic interacted with the object.

After a few moments, the glow subsided, and Genevieve carefully examined the jewelry. It was unharmed, the runic magic having performed as expected. She allowed herself a small smile of relief. The array was ready. With the preparations complete, Genevieve knew it was time to gather the others. She left the library and found Harry, Ron, and Hermione still in the drawing-room, their conversation fading as she approached.

"It's time," she said, her voice steady but solemn. "We’re ready to begin the extraction." The trio exchanged glances, their earlier levity replaced by resolve. They followed Genevieve back to the library, where the runic array awaited. The room felt charged with anticipation, the significance of the moment heavy in the air.

Genevieve turned to face them, her expression calm but determined. "This will be difficult, but we’ve come this far. We can do this. Trust me."

Harry nodded, stepping forward. "Let’s finish this."

Back in the library, the room was bathed in a soft, golden light as Genevieve prepared for the ritual. The runic array on the parchment glowed faintly, the complex symbols resonating with the magic imbued within them. On the table, two necklaces lay side by side, their simple designs belying the monumental task they were about to undertake: becoming the new vessels for the pieces of Voldemort's soul.

Harry and Nagini stood nearby, their expressions a mix of apprehension and determination. Genevieve motioned for them to take their places. "Please, sit facing each other," she instructed, her voice calm and reassuring. "This will allow the energy to flow more smoothly during the extraction."

Harry and Nagini complied, sitting down across from one another with the necklaces between them. Genevieve positioned herself at the head of the table, her wand in hand, and took a deep breath, centering herself.

"This process will require you both to remain as relaxed as possible," Genevieve said, her eyes moving from Harry to Nagini. "Do not move, no matter what you feel. The runes will guide the extraction, but any sudden movements could disrupt the ritual."

Harry nodded, his jaw set in determination. "We'll do our best."

Nagini, her demeanor composed, added, "We trust you, Genevieve."

Genevieve smiled, “This may feel uncomfortable but I guarantee you both, you won't have to deal with having his soul inside you any more.”

Harry smiled, “We’re ready.”

With that, Genevieve began to chant softly, the ancient words of the incantation filling the room. She moved her wand in a precise pattern, tracing the runes in the air. The runic array on the parchment responded, the symbols glowing brighter as the magic activated.

A soft, pulsing light emanated from the necklaces, signaling the beginning of the extraction. Genevieve directed her wand toward Harry first, her movements fluid and exact. She could feel the resistance as she gently coaxed the fragment of Voldemort's soul from within him, the dark energy struggling against the pull of the runes.

Harry's eyes fluttered closed, his breathing deep and steady. He felt a strange sensation, like a cold wind swirling inside him, but he remained still, trusting Genevieve to guide the process. Slowly, the dark energy began to flow out of him, drawn towards the necklace. The runes glowed brighter, their light intensifying as the fragment was transferred into the new vessel. With a final, soft incantation, Genevieve completed the extraction. The necklace pulsed with a dark light for a moment before settling, the fragment securely contained. She exhaled slowly, relief washing over her as she turned her attention to Nagini.

"Well done, Harry," she whispered, her voice steady. "Now for the next step."

Nagini met Genevieve's gaze, her eyes calm. Genevieve repeated the process, her wand movements precise and her incantation steady. The runic array responded once more, the symbols flaring to life as they worked to extract the second fragment of Voldemort's soul. Nagini felt a similar cold sensation, the dark energy swirling within her as it was drawn out. She remained perfectly still, her breathing controlled. The fragment flowed from her into the second necklace, the runes glowing fiercely as they completed the transfer.

With the final incantation, Genevieve sealed the fragment within the necklace. The room seemed to exhale with her, the tension easing as the ritual reached its conclusion. The necklaces lay on the table, now containing the dark fragments of Voldemort's soul, their task complete.

Genevieve lowered her wand, her shoulders relaxing. She looked at Harry and Nagini, both of whom were now free from the burden of the Horcruxes. "It's done," she said softly, a small smile of triumph on her lips. "You both did wonderfully."

Harry opened his eyes, feeling lighter than he had in years. "Thank you, Genevieve," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "I can't believe it's over."

Nagini nodded, her expression serene. "You've done something remarkable, Genevieve. We can move forward now."

Genevieve's smile widened, relief and hope shining in her eyes. "This is only the first step, but it's a crucial one. With the Horcruxes contained, we can now focus on bringing Tom Riddle back. The next part is something that I will have to do alone. I cannot have you here."

Harry, curiously asked, “Why is that?”

Genevieve turned towards him, “I can’t risk putting anyone else in danger for the rest of the ritual. The runes are complicated and if gone wrong, the vessels may burst and attach to anything alive other than the conjurer. That would be no good. It would be much more difficult, impossible even to remove a full set of horcruxes from a human being. It’s best if you all just waited outside.”

Harry wanted to interject but Nagini beat him to it, “We understand, just be careful.”

Genevieve nodded, “Of course. I promise you both, everything will go just fine. If anything does happen, know that at least I will be alright.”

Harry, still unsure, says, “Promise?”

Genevieve smiled softly, “I promise Harry.”

Harry, defeated, said, “Okay. We’ll be in the other room if you need anything.”

The soft hum of magical energy was still lingering in the air after Genevieve's successful extraction of the Horcruxes. As she prepared for the next phase of the ritual, Harry paced restlessly in the adjoining room, his mind racing with concern. He couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling that leaving Genevieve to perform the ritual alone was a mistake.

Ron, Hermione, and Nagini watched him, understanding his worry. Hermione was the first to speak, her voice gentle yet firm. "Harry, you need to calm down. Genevieve knows what she's doing. She's powerful and experienced in rune magic. She wouldn't proceed if she wasn't confident she could handle it."

Harry stopped pacing, running a hand through his hair. "I know, Hermione, but this is different. Extracting the Horcruxes was one thing, but bringing Tom Riddle back to life? It's dangerous. What if something goes wrong?"

Ron stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Harry's shoulder. "Mate, I get it. I do. But Genevieve is smart. She's been planning this for a long time. She wouldn't take unnecessary risks. And besides, we've all seen what she's capable of."

Nagini, her voice calm and soothing, added, "Genevieve is not alone in this. She has our support and the knowledge she's gathered. She knows when to stop if something goes wrong. You have to trust her, Harry."

Harry sighed, the weight of his anxiety pressing down on him. "It's just... we've been through so much already. I can't bear the thought of losing her too. What if Voldemort's soul fragments fight back? What if they hurt her?"

Hermione moved closer, her eyes full of empathy. "I understand, Harry. We all do. But remember, Genevieve is the one who discovered the Horcrux in you. She’s the one who figured out how to extract them. If anyone can handle this, it's her. She’s been preparing for this moment."

Ron nodded in agreement. "And we're right here. If she needs help, we'll be ready. But she needs us to trust her right now."

Harry looked at his friends, seeing the same determination and faith in their eyes that had carried them through countless battles. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves. "You're right. I need to trust her. I do trust her. It's just hard."

Nagini offered a small, reassuring smile. "It’s natural to worry about those we care for. But worrying won't help her. Believing in her will."

Harry nodded slowly, feeling a bit of the tension ease. "Okay. I'll try to stay calm. But if anything goes wrong, we’re going in to help her."

Hermione squeezed his arm gently. "Of course. But for now, let's give her the space she needs to work. We have to have faith in her abilities."

With a final, deep breath, Harry tried to let go of his worry. "Alright. Let's wait here, then. And keep our ears open, just in case." As the group settled into a tense vigil, the door to the library remained closed, a silent testament to the weight of the task Genevieve was undertaking. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation and concern, but also with a thread of hope. They had come so far, and now, more than ever, they needed to trust in the strength and wisdom of their friend.

Inside the library, Genevieve stood over the runic array, her hands steady and her mind focused. She knew the risks, but she also knew the importance of the task at hand. Taking a deep breath, she began to relax, meditating, feeling the ancient magic respond to her. The room was filled with an eerie stillness as Genevieve was ready for the final phase of the ritual.

The Horcruxes, now contained within two ornate necklaces, lay on the table before her. The runic array she had meticulously prepared glowed faintly, the ancient symbols pulsing with latent power. She took a final deep breath, grounding herself in the knowledge and preparation that had led to this moment. It was time to bring Tom Riddle back to life, to mend his fragmented soul, and set the stage for Voldemort's ultimate defeat.

She began by placing the necklaces in the center of the runic array, positioning them precisely according to the intricate pattern she had studied for months. The room seemed to hum with energy, the air thick with anticipation. Genevieve raised her hands, her voice steady as she chanted the first incantation. "Dissipata animae fragmenta redeant ad unitatem." The runes flared to life, casting an otherworldly glow across the library.

With each step, the ritual grew more intense. Genevieve's voice grew stronger, the power of the incantations filling the room. "De tenebris ad lucem, anima vaga, revertere." The necklaces began to vibrate, the fragments of Voldemort's soul responding to the call.

Sweat beaded on Genevieve's forehead as she moved to the next stage, her focus unwavering. "Vincula animae franguntur, libertatem inveniunt." The runic symbols pulsed brighter, the light shifting from a dark, ominous hue to a softer, more radiant glow. The atmosphere in the library began to change. What had been a heavy, oppressive energy transformed into something lighter, more hopeful. Genevieve could feel the dark magic being purified, the fragments of Voldemort's soul being drawn out of their vessels and into the center of the array.

She took a deep breath, knowing the most critical part was at hand. "Animae divisae simul redeant et corpus inveniant." The light intensified, swirling around the necklaces in a brilliant vortex. As she uttered the final incantation, her voice rang with power and determination. "Ab umbris in lucem, tota anima reviviscat." The room was flooded with blinding light, the dark magic fully transformed into pure, radiant energy.

When the light subsided, the runes on the floor dimmed to a gentle glow, their task complete. In the center of the array, where the necklaces had been, layed a figure. Tom Riddle, not the twisted visage of Voldemort, but a young man Genevive once knew, his features unmarked by dark magic. He looked around, disoriented, his eyes wide with confusion and a hint of fear. Genevieve stepped back, her breath coming in heavy gasps. The ritual had taken a toll on her, but she had succeeded. The vessels were empty, and Tom Riddle was there before her, his soul mended and whole. She couldn’t believe it. He was back.

She reached towards him slowly, and said, “Tom?”

Tom turned around to the voice in front of him. He truthfully couldn’t believe his eyes. The last time she was in front of him, was the day he had lost everything. He didn’t want to believe she was there, she was dead in his arms the last time. There was no possibility that Genevieve was alive.

Tom gulped, tears on the verge of escaping, “Gen?” He said quietly.

Genevieve smiled, tears in her eyes, “Yeah Tom?”

Tom closed his eyes, tears escaping. He thought that this was a dream. “I’m dreaming. You died in my arms. You’re not here. You’re a figment of my imagination.” He said as he was shaking his head.

Genevieve moved to grab his hand. She had to show him that this was, in fact, real. “No, Tommy, I am here. I’m alive. Grab my hand love.”

Tom, filled with confusion but relief, opened his eyes as Genevieve laid her hand over his. Feeling she was real, he moved his other hand to cradle her face. He caressed her cheek, taking it all in that Genevieve was really in front of him. “You’re alive? You’re really here?”

Genevieve moved to caress his cheek, enjoying feeling his warm touch again, “I really am here.”

Tom moved forward, leaning for their foreheads to touch. He let out a sigh that he didn’t realize he was holding on to. For a moment, he just relished the feeling of his lover next to him, not wanting to let go. He furrowed his eyebrows, “But how? You weren’t breathing in my arms… I tried…y-you were so pale…and Dumbledore…he didn’t fucking do anything. That blasted oaf-” Tom stated furiously, body shaking as Genevieve interjected, “I know my love. He did this. He planted this whole plan to separate us and made it seem I died, but I didn’t. He locked me up in hopes for those he wished for to find me and destroy you…but I made them realize who my blasted father was…and now look. You’re back here with me.” Genevieve held Tom’s face in her hands, staring into his eyes.

Tom looked deep into her eyes, and he knew that she was real. Her two different colored eyes radiated with passion and longing just as much as his eyes did. For so long, he had felt lost. Lost without the one person who understood him and loved him, even with his flaws. “I’ve missed you Doll.”

Genevieve smiled, sobs fighting to get out, recalling the last time they were together. For she had wished that their last encounter wasn’t a fight. “I-I’ve missed you too, my love.”

Tom, letting go of his tears, happy that he was finally with Genevieve again, and leaned forward to kiss her. Genevieve reciprocated the kiss, gentle but passionate, filled with an eagerness from the years apart. Simultaneously, a yellow glow had emitted, a symbol of their love radiating from both of their magical cores. Even their cores knew that their two souls had bonded to each other once again, as it had many years ago, in their secret sanctuary.

Genevieve let go to stare back into Tom’s eyes. She said, “Let’s get you into some better robes. I have so much to catch you up on.”

Tom smiled softly and nodded. “Of course my dear.” With that, they moved to stand up to head to the other room.

Outside the library, Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Nagini waited anxiously. When the light had poured from under the door, they had held their breath, hoping for the best. Now, as the glow faded, they exchanged nervous glances.

That is when they heard the doorknob turn. The sight that greeted them was almost surreal. Genevieve moved to stand at the center of the room, visibly exhausted but triumphant. And standing next to her was Tom Riddle, hands held together, looking more like the young man he once was than the dark lord he had become.

"Genevieve," Harry said softly, his voice filled with awe and relief. "You did it."

Genevieve turned to him, a tired but satisfied smile on her face. "Yes, it's done.” Hermione and Ron stepped forward, their expressions a mix of amazement and caution. Nagini watched from the doorway, her eyes unreadable.

Tom Riddle, now fully aware of his surroundings, looked at the group before him. He seemed to be grappling with the situation, wondering whom the people around him were. He looked at Genevieve for some help.

“We’ll talk in a few. For right now, I have to catch Tom up on a few things and then we can continue to discuss our next plans. I'll help with dinner shortly,” Genevieve said.

Nagini was the first to speak, “Take your time. I know you both have so much to discuss. We can handle dinner.”

Hermione nodded, “Of course, don’t worry about that Genevieve. You’ve already done so much. We’ll be in the kitchen if you need anything.” Harry and Ron both nodded.

“Yeah, you should also get some rest. I think we can wait another day before anything,” Harry said with a beaming smile.

Genevieve bowed her head slightly in gratitude, “Thank you all. We’ll be down shortly.” With that, they left to head to the kitchen as Genevieve led Tom up to her room up the stairs. The weight of their mission still heavy but now imbued with a renewed sense of hope, they knew that the end was in sight. They had taken a crucial step towards victory and it was only a matter of time that the end of darkness would be near.

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