No one would've ever expected the Dark Lord to get married, well Bellatrix would've been a good match, however he married someone no one would expect. He was Salazar Slytherin's descendant. Rowena Ravenclaw remained childless, Godric Gryffindor had only male heirs. The only remaining heir of the last Founder of Hogwarts - Helga Hufflepuff, was— you.

You attended Hogwarts after Tom had graduated so it wasn't even a cute love story. He had only married you because he wanted to merge the two most powerful bloodlines of witches and wizards—Slytherin and Hufflepuff, so that his heirs would be the greatest wizard known in history, so powerful, they'll overthrow Merlin.

Tom didn't really force you to be a death eater, probably because he respected your ancestor enough. You were the light and he was the void. The Death Eaters even if they didn't like you, learned eventually to atleast respect you, as apart from being Helga's descendant, you were their Lord's wife. You confused Tom. He knew your liveliness was suffocating but you were not just kind and empathetic which would be typical of Hufflepuffs, but you had a love for knowledge like a Ravenclaw, a fiery courageous heart like a Gryffindor, and you weren't exactly cunning but he knew you had a Slytherin side too because he'd observe the way you'd sweetly talk back using your wits. He knew you weren't dumb, he needed you to raise his child rather than to straight up kill you after his heir was born because you'd have served your purpose.

At the age of 21, you gave birth to the greatest heir ever born, a descendant of Slytherin and Hufflepuff combined- Romeo Riddle. He was a spitting image of Tom, but he had your green eyes. From a baby, to a toddler to a child, his personality was very much like Tom's. However he couldn't bother with a fake charm to use on people, like Tom did. He had dead eyes, rarely smiled, but still he was a very gorgeous boy. He'd rarely hug you back, come talk to you himself, but he also never resisted you either. He had a soft spot for you, even though he never showed it. Tom rarely showed him any affection, unless he did something remarkable, he didn't even praise Romeo. However, Tom had just very slightly softened up to you. You were a really good mother to Romeo and your way of upbringing him with knowledge and history was something Tom deeply found pride in.

Tonight, was the night before Romeo's 11th birthday. You were pacing around the Riddle mansion, restless. Letting Romeo go to Hogwarts like you and Tom did was great, but you were so used to his presence that with him gone, who would you read books with? Who would just sit still and listen to you yap about history, stories, your life at Hogwarts?

Romeo walked down the stairs, Tom behind him. Tom probably filled his head with politics at Hogwarts, which teachers to flatter, which students to not bat an eye towards (the muggles and half bloods), to only be friends with the kids of death eaters etc etc.

You perk up noticing them and meet them half way. You pull Romeo towards you, squishing him against your chest "There you are! C'mon I've baked a cake for you come see!" You take his hand pulling him.

Romeo:- with his usual expression just follows. He did have a soft spot for you, afterall he was silently protective of his mother- the woman who birthed him and showed him affection without expecting anything in return. "Ugh slow down" He grumbles.

Tom:- "Birthday party for an 11yr old boy, how funny." He scoffs showing disapproval.

Bellatrix who was nearby smirked slyly "Want me to destroy the cake, master?"

Tom:- narrows his eyes at her. Tom never said anything good but he didn't like upsetting you either, and he knew you were just being a typical mother. He never knew, yet hated his own mother, so seeing you with Romeo was a little healing, though he'd never admit it aloud. "Should I remind you of your place?" His voice is calm yet laced with venom. The smile on Bellatrix's face turned into a frown. "Don't make the mistake of speaking in family matters."