The path to the chamber spiralled downwards and the air grew colder with each step. You followed Tom, his black cloak trailing behind him like a living shadow, your fingers brushing the wall as you went. You could hear murmurs echoing from below; the gathering had already begun.

When you stepped into the sanctum, the torches flared unnaturally, as if acknowledging your presence. The De4th Eaters stood in a ring, their masks tucked away and their faces turned towards you — and not in a kindly way.

You took your place beside Tom. You were here by his invitation... no, his insistence. But that didn’t mean the others accepted you.

“Who brings their wife to a war council?”

“She’s not even initiated…”

“Another mouth to protect, or a liability?”

A chuckle broke out across the room. “Maybe he’s just gone soft.”

Tom had remained silent until now, his eyes closed as if deep in thought, but when he opened them... they were icy grey-blue and focused on one of the voices — a stocky man named RowIe. The moment their eyes met, RowIe's smirk faltered.

But it was the next comment that broke everything.

Another man gestured lazily towards you. “She isn’t even your friend, right, Tom? Why is she really here?”

Tom turned to face him, his expression unreadable, eerily calm. "You’re right,” he said softly. “She is not my friend.”

Silence.

“She is my wife.”

Gasps rippled through the room like a tremor. The man opened his mouth, but no words came.

Tom raised his wand, and without hesitation, casted the spell.

“Av4da...”

The spell struck him square in the chest.

The room went still.

No one moved.

Tom stepped forward, his wand still raised. “I brought her here because I trust her more than I trust most of you,” he said. “She has earned her place beside me. And if any of you have forgotten what happens to those who question my judgment—”

He looked down at the unmoving form of the man.

“—consider this your reminder.”

One by one, everyone's gaze dropped. No one else dared to speak.

He turned back to you. His expression softened, but only you would have noticed the shift. He stepped closer and brushed his fingers gently along your arm.

“You’re alright?” he asked, voice so low only you could hear.

You nodded.

His hand hovered protectively at your back as he led you to stand beside him again. Not behind — beside.

He turned back to the circle.

“Let’s proceed. Our enemies won't wait while we waste time on petty jealousy.”

The meeting resumed, but the atmosphere had changed completely. You were no longer an outsider. No one dared to question your presence again.