Paradox | T. Riddle ✔

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Days lapsed into weeks, weeks into months and months into years as time started to take hold, passing swiftly after the loop had been broken. By then Tom Riddle had completely taken over the identity of Lord Voldemort, orchestrating his Death Eaters and leading them to what would later be known as the First Wizarding War.

He had gained a lot of followers, enough to threaten the Ministry of Magic as well as the entire Wizarding World to bow down to his will. And those followers consisted not just of wizards but also of Dark creatures and other magical races.

He knew very well that in order to dominate, he had to have most people on his side and especially the minorities of the Wizarding World such as Giants, Trolls, Goblins etc.

His incentive to them was simple; he was the savior against those who had tried to infiltrate the magical bloodlines; or put simply he was a savior against Muggles and Muggleborns.

Hence, in their blind decision of following Lord Voldemort, they couldn't overlook that behind his convincing words and connivery lay his own personal benefit of world dominion. There was no such cause of betterment for a greater good, unlike Grindelwald.

Very few of his Death Eaters realized that such as Abraxas Malfoy but even he couldn't back off from the lethal quagmires he had been dragged into along with all others.

Lord Voldemort eventually became a name so fearful that wizards all over began to refer to him as You-Know-Who or He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. The sense of power that fear brought along with it for Voldemort was maddeningly intense, making him crave for more.

Eventually, a group of witches and wizards put together the Order of the Phoenix to resist against the darkness he was spreading and war broke out between the two sides.

It was the year 1977 and Lord Voldemort had started recruiting young students from Hogwarts even, mostly children of the pureblood or halfblood families that already served under him. His trusted follower in charge of the recruitment was Bellatrix Lestrange who was responsible to train those young recruits into battle and teach them the Dark Arts so that they could be able to serve Lord Voldemort properly.

He had never really paid much attention to the recruits until Bellatrix once mentioned that her cousin Regulus would be joining them too and the name as always sent a spark of recognition inside him.

Years had passed but he could not forget the two names he had been given to spare by Eleanor Troy.

Regulus and Esmeralda.

And supposedly that Regulus, who Eleanor held very dear, was Ballatrix's first cousin and she had finally managed to persuade him into joining,

That meant he was inevitably closer to meet the furious witch who had turned up in the past and tried to ruin everything for him by killing him.

"Bella, what was the name of your cousin?" He asked, his voice dangerously silken akin to a predator looking after its prey.

"Regulus Black, My Lord. He's the youngest son of Orion and Walburga Black, only son since they disowned their firstborn and for good reason too," contempt had laced her tone upon the brief mention of Sirius but she disguised it, "the boy is just sixteen but is willingly to serve you in any way he can."

"Sixteen?"

"Yes, My Lord," her head was bowed low in front of him and he knew very well she was one of his most trusted and loyal followers.

One of the very few who would willingly jump into the fire for him if he ordered them to.

"Regulus Black..." The name rolled off his tongue effortlessly. But then he added, "I want to personally meet him, Bella. Bring him here as soon as possible."

"As you wish, My Lord."

Bellatrix left the room but he was still deep in thought. He was about to meet Regulus Black and he couldn't wait to see the young wizard Eleanor Troy had been so in love with that she had dared to take the utmost of risks to ensure his survival.

By night, Bellatrix had returned, features shining in delight upon being able to execute his order properly, "My Lord, he is here."

Voldemort turned to face the doorway where Bellatrix stood with her cousin; the sixteen year old boy with pale features, bright blue eyes and the characteristic grace of a Black family member. The boy was still in his school robes, Slytherin house colors evident in the dim light, which meant Bellatrix had probably gotten him out after curfew.

"Regulus..." His dark red eyes swept over him as he spoke up, "such a pleasure to finally meet you, my boy."

He noticed the slight discomfort that had spread on the boy's features but he had bowed his head, blue eyes lowering respectfully, "it is an honor, My Lord."

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