Whoever came up with Alphard Black x Voldemort was an unappreciated genius far ahead of their time
I’m writing a fic from Alphard Black’s POV about his relationship with his nieces and nephews, and I was browsing the AO3 tags for inspiration when I came across Alphard Black/Tom Riddle, which absolutely blew my mind. As a caveat, I didn’t actually read any of the fics I found yet, so idk how people execute it, but even just the concept—WOW. Galaxy brain moment right there. Major, major props to whoever came up with it.
Like, canon only raises one question about the guy: 'Why did Alphard go against his Dark wizard family to financially support his nephew?'
And this manages to answer it in the WILDEST way possible: 'Because Voldemort was his ex!!! It’s a lover’s quarrel!!! DUH!!!'
And on its surface, that seems absolutely insane. BUT:
- Alphard is the exact right age to have been at Hogwarts when Voldemort was there (probably slightly younger, but they could theoretically have even been in the same year)
- They both would have been in Slytherin
- They both would have been well-known around school (Alphard for his family, Voldemort for his academic success)
- They definitely definitely DEFINITELY were at least aware of each other
- It's already popular (I think?) to headcanon Alphard as queer, because he's a 'bachelor', and it adds an extra layer to his relationship with Sirius
- So may I suggest…Voldemort as Alphard’s queer awakening? Unrequited crush on the aloof handsome older boy? Voldemort being fully aware of Alphard’s feelings but not returning them and Alphard being one of his first sustained experiments in manipulation and psychological control until he eventually goes too far and Alphard cuts ties with him, vowing eternal spite?
- Immoral/morally grey Alphard mayhaps? Where he would totally have been a wizard fascist if not for his interpersonal beef with the head wizard fascist?
- Alphard died relatively young—maybe Voldemort could have had something to do with that? Like, a slow-acting curse, or repercussions from some Dark magic they did at school, or something?
- And you could even do some interesting parallels with Alphard and Bellatrix, if you happened to be of the 'Bellatrix was attracted to Voldemort' persuasion
It's soooooo juicy. There's so much potential. This is 100% my headcanon from now on.