It was a moonless night appropriate for that certain day in which no smoke escaped the old hut behind the trees that belonged to the Gaunts. No shout could be heard, no screams or cries, as people grew accustomed to. It was a different kind of evening, one which rarely happened. But they didn't mind it, they weren't curious as to what happened; they only enjoyed it, passing the alley nearby in peace.
The peace was only present to the unconscious ones, inside the hut persisted a powerful and dark power, one never felt before inside. Morfin laid unconscious on the floor, passed out, dirt covered his oily hair and his limbs were sprawled in apparent lack of comfort. Nearby on an old chair sat a handsome young man. His pale skin was the only light to be seen inside. His eyes wandered idly around himself, he was disgusted beyond imagination. His hands hold the man's wand.
It felt heavy, even for Lord Voldemort. He was angry, disappointed, and ashamed of his heritage. They had to die, he kept telling himself. He had done the unimaginable for the first time in his life. He had killed them all.
But it was the right thing to do. They deserved to die. They couldn't appreciate the beauty of magic. He abandoned him and his witch mother. It didn't sadden Tom for a moment, but he couldn't understand why. Why wouldn't you love magic, why would you abandon your pregnant wife on the dirty and cold streets of London in winter? Why wouldn't you feel blessed to meet such a special young man to later find out he is your son?
Tom couldn't understand.
A soft knock broke through the silence in which Tom… His gaze left Morfin's still inert body and looked up to the ragged door. For a moment, he was afraid that the Ministry arrived and swore under his breath. Why didn't he leave sooner? Another knock.
He thought of opening the door and killing anyone behind it. If it really were Aurors, they would have already burst in. It was something else. But who would visit the Gaunts? Neighbors seemed to avoid getting too close to this infuriating hut. Also, Morfin didn't seem to expect anyone.
Another knock, then a soft voice whispering "Morfin?".
Tom casually walked to the door and cracked it open, looking at the person behind through the newly made slit.
It was a girl: a blonde young lady, tall, with big green eyes. She was shocked to be greeted by a stranger rather than Morfin.
She didn't say anything. Her eyes betrayed her surprise and curiosity. Her lips were slightly parted as if she was about to say something but didn't dare. Tom also remained silent, watching her, searching her, memorizing every small detail of her features. He was learning her as he was learning everything else.
The girl closed her mouth and stepped forward in an attempt to enter the old hut. He didn't want to let her in, he didn't want her to see him at all, but something else stood between them.
There was something powerful and fascinating about their closeness, something he never felt before. His magic was excited, it danced and swirled around him as if it wanted to break free and close around her. And her magic, it left him wordless. It was as if his body finally met a missing part of it. It felt uncommon and unknown. But still… familiar.
Tom couldn't speak and for a moment couldn't even breathe. The girl was also silent. Is she experiencing the same feelings? He couldn't tell, but she seemed surprised, her eyes were staring into his, seeing deep into his soul. And he lost himself into her green ones.
For a single second he looked in
When he started breathing again, he moved slightly aside allowing her entrance. She gratefully took the chance to slip inside the dirty hall. Through the open the door of the kitchen, she saw Morfins' body unconsciously lying down. He looked dead; perhaps that's what she was thinking of.
She hurried towards Morfin, her steps hard on the wooden floor, echoing through the empty hut. Then she fell to her knees, allowing her left palm to touch Morfin's cheek. She was checking if he was cold or not, and when she saw his chest rising and falling back, she left a soft sigh escape her lips, but still didn't say anything.
Tom followed her into the kitchen, he too remained silent for watching her was fascinating. Magic all around her, it was as if he found a warm spot to stick to.
Other than that, he believed she was ordinary. Another pretty girl, with no eye-taking features. How can such a plain girl make my magic go wild?
He didn't know. Tom didn't know why or how.
When she moved her gaze from the sleeping form to his face, she was intently watching him. Why is she not saying anything? He asked himself. But then again, why wasn't he saying anything? Why was he not cursing her already? Or better kill her, make Morfin believe he did that too. The fingers of his right hand twitched and slowly moved towards his pocket to draw out his wand.
But he stopped. Better said, his body stopped. His magic reacted in an awful way, hurting him physically, stinging his skin like thousands of needles. He didn't even touch his wand, or perform the spell, he only thought of doing it.
Her eyes lowered to his hand and Tom heard a gasp coming from her. Perhaps she now realized he intended to hurt her.
When the girl looked back up, he found it irritating. All the charade of not talking and just staring was starting to annoy him. Why? Why did he find words so useless right now? Why did he think that talking would destroy the magnificent swirl of their magic? Because both his magic and hers were dancing, and touching, and feeling each other in an uncommon but beautiful way.
"Who…", he started after a while.
She raised a slender finger to her lips and silenced him before getting up from the floor. The way her legs straightened and how her saggy dress embraced her body was unexpectedly sensual and Tom found himself watching the grey material waving around the curve of her hips.
They continued looking into each other's eyes. Time passed, felt like seconds, but a moan escaped Morfin's lips as he was waking up. And the magical moment shattered. Tom suddenly felt angered more than curious. How dare her magic touch mine? How dare she talk to me? Who was she anyway?
But he didn't have the time to stay and ask, he had to leave, he knew he had to. He threw her another long look and turned his back on her. Tom knew it was better to shut her up forever and kill her, it was the smart thing to do. But he felt his magic oppose him.
As his steps took him closer to the door but far from her, Tom heard her voice calling him from behind.
"Aurora." He stopped before turning his head slightly to look at her. "My name… is Aurora." Her voice was as warm as her magic.
"I'm Voldemort." He decided to tell her. Why, he didn't know. Reason told him to kill or at least obliviate her. In the same time, he felt the need to answer her.
When he turned once more towards the door, with his hand on the doorknob, he heard her whisper towards him. "Pleasure."
October 1st, 1943.
It was terrifying, but also intriguing. Transferring from a school to another is always difficult, but Aurora had to do it for a long time now, and since having heard of Hogwarts she couldn't keep away from it.
It was her sorting day, as she'd been told. She was hurrying down the halls, but she got lost on the way to the Great Hall. Headmaster Dippet didn't think about assigning a student to show her about since she was new here. But she also didn't thought of asking, so it was not his fault entirely.
When she reached the large wooden doors to what she believed was the Great Hall, she realized how terrified she really was. Behind the large doors she heard agitation, endless murmurs. How many students are there anyway? Hundreds? How would they react? She had never been to a magical school before, what if she didn't act as a student should? She was scared, but also curious and impatient. I might even make some friends. She only had a friend before, in her childhood; it was a girl that lived next door.
She took a step forward, placed her palm on the cold wood and pushed. Aurora thought it was going to be hard to open it, but it actually only took a small push. It was most likely enchanted to easily open when required.
Aurora was amazed at the view she got once she stepped inside. Of course everyone turned their attention to her, but the ceiling which beautifully mirrored the night sky, the warmness that surrounded her, the smell of fresh food and the golden light from the candles… it felt amazing.
And her magic was excited. It felt overwhelming, powerful and precious. Her magic screamed at her to move forward, get closer. She had to, it was terrifyingly beautiful. The feeling was familiar, but she couldn't name the time it had happened before.
Headmaster Dippet was standing right in front of her, but several meters away on a pedestal. There it seemed to be the teachers table as they were all lined up, prepared to eat. The headmaster stood in front of them and was just gesturing towards her.
"Everyone, please greet miss Aurora Gaunt." Some gasps reached her ears, then whispers. Of course they knew of the Gaunt family. The mad and degrading Marvolo, Morfin and Merope Gaunt. Who didn't know after all? But Aurora was afraid, the thought of not being accepted among them because of her family was suddenly born in her mind and her legs grew weak. "Aurora, please step forward so we can have you sorted in what will be your house for the next two years." She forced her body to move forward under everyone's stares.
When she reached the chair prepared for her to sit down on, she took a deep breath. Professor Dumbledore made sure she knew everything about each house, and since House Slytherin was founded by one of her ancestors, she was sure where her place would be. She wondered how her housemates will be, if they will befriend her or keep away from her.
The moment the Sorting Hat touched her head, it started speaking. "Well, well… it's been awhile since one of you came to Hogwarts." It said all-knowingly. "I believe it's obvious where you belong." A long pause and then it shouted "Slytherin!" before going back into its unconscious state.
Contrary to her expectations, the whole house greeted and cheered for her, which made her smile shyly. Then she heard the voice of Headmaster Dippet. "Tom Riddle, the Head of your house will make sure you accommodate quickly to Hogwarts and all your classes. I have no doubt you will learn the castle in less than a week." She smiled in his direction then turned to the Slytherin table, she followed his gaze and gasped. "Tom, I leave her in your care." The headmaster continued. The Tom he was talking to was actually Voldemort she met several months back standing and smiling beautifully in their direction.
"Of course, headmaster. It would be my outmost pleasure."
And all of a sudden she knew why her magic went wild.
