House: Gryffindor
Position: Year 2 Stand In
Category: Drabble (a sad event/ moment/ emotion)
Prompt: [Theme] Family
Word Count (excluding header): 317
Merope gazed down at the screaming bundle on her chest. She wanted to move her arms to embrace her child, but she lacked the strength.
The Muggles at the orphanage had called the authorities as soon as she'd arrived on their stoop screaming and crying as her child tried to force his way into the world.
He son, her beautiful baby boy, was finally alive. And she was going to trade her life for his.
Yes, Merope would die tonight. Despite the orphanage matrons best efforts, she would take her last breath soon. And for that, she grieved.
She was not distressed for herself. Her life had been nothing but fear and abuse. Her father hated her. Her brother tormented her. The man she loved had scorned her and left her pregnant and alone.
She didn't matter. But the child resting on her chest did. She was devastated to leave him behind, away from everything and everyone that she'd ever known. Her family could never know about him; they'd kill him for being impure. Her son's father could never know where he was. He'd sworn that if he ever found the child that he helped create, that he would cut him down.
Merope gazed at her son. He would live.
"Stay with us," one of the matrons ordered. "Stay here for your child."
"My child," Merope slurred. She was losing too much blood to remain conscious for much longer. "My Tom."
"Tom?" the matron asked. "Is that his name?"
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. After family," Merope whispered.
She could hear the sirens of emergency vehicles in the distance, but knew that she would be gone before they arrived.
The last thing Merope was aware of as her heart stopped beating was the rhythm of her son's heartbeat on her chest.
She was giving her life for his. She was his only family, and that's what family should do.