Sup, punks?
Welcome to Happily Never After my first HP fanfic.
DISCLAIMER: I am Canadian/American, I have never been to England, and I am not 45. So yeah, I'm totally JK Rowling.
I wish.
If I were JK Rowling, the book would not be published.
I doubt it would get past 2.
Synopsis:
Tom Marvolo Riddle is a troubled boy, some say. He was brought up along with his sister, Tabatha, by his 'uncle' Sirius Black, and his wife, Hestia, after his father killed his mother. It is a dark time for the wizarding world, as a man only known as Perth is stalking pure-bloods, along with his group of "Vindicators". Upon reaching Hogwarts, he meets two boys, Harry Potter, and Draco Malfoy. Little does he know that the very prophecy that started the war will end it. But the three boys are in more harm than they are aware.
WARNING: AU,
Child abuse/ Spousal abuse
Minor character death
Chapter One: In Which A Woman Dies and Tom Finds Courage
It started early tonight, 6:30 to be precise. Just 2 weeks before his birthday, one day before school let out for Christmas and one week before the day itself. A letter had arrived, with Tom's name on it, yet his father ripped it quickly out of his hands. Tom was scared of the look in his eye, and prayed that someone had missed his or her shift at the diner where his mother worked and she had to stay back and cover it. No luck on that front, afraid, as the door opened quietly at 6:08 to admit the thin, scared looking Merope Riddle. Tom recognized the signs of a fight and took Tabby into the living room, to do their homework behind the couch. There wasn't going to be dinner tonight, Tom thought, as he pulled the worksheets out of his bag. Not if they start going at it.
In a better world, Tom's father would not beat his wife or son. Tom wouldn't have to protect his little sister from seeing the blows inflicted on him, and Tom's mother wouldn't be stick thin because she starved herself for her children. Tom had long since given up hope that life would change. He was resigned to the fact that his father beat the shit out of them and wouldn't be any hope for them. He wished that Tom Sr. would kill them already, the dirty slob.
It started with shouting soon after the key turned in the lock. Then it was on to the slaps, the sound of skin meeting flesh repeatedly. Then the shouting turned from the usual money issues to the letter. Merope, Tom's mother seemed fearful of the letter, but happy at its arrival. This tone turned to simply fear when the smacks started again. The sound changed, from an open to a closed hand. Merope made not a sound, until a crack sounded.
Tom closed his eyes and leaned against the couch, pulling Tabby in closer when she started to shake, tears starting to drip. With a shaky hand, he stroked the dark brown hair he had inexpertly braided this morning for her. It had been an attempt to obscure the fact that neither of them had showered for a while and Tabby's hair had gotten increasingly grimy. The water in their dingy apartment had been shut off a week ago after his father refused to pay the bills again.
At the sounds of his mother's helpless whimpering, Tom raised his head. He recoiled at the sight, his father taunting the woman who gripped the counter in support, her collarbone sticking out far than normal. Tom was frightened. If her collarbone was broken, then Merope's already tenuous hold on her job would break, and things would get worse. Tom Sr. spun around, fumbled drunk in the drawers. He found what he was looking for and pulled out a knife, brandishing it at his wife. Tom knew if he did not act now, blood would be shed.
"Tabby, on the count of three, run for the closet and call the police. Hide in the secret panel. Tell them to hurry." He whispered in the 7-year-old's ear. She nodded; her hazel eyes flickered from the fracas happening before her up to her older brother. Tom tried to give her a brave smile, but it never reached his eyes before his mother cried out in pain.
Tom didn't even bother to count now, just pushing the girl to the protean safety of the closet. Tabby stumbled to the closet, grabbing the cordless phone off the hook and closed the door. She fumbled around on the right wall until she found the catch that Tom had showed her the week before. Tabby tucked herself into the small space, where only the small girl could fit. The buttons were hard to find in the dark, but find them she did. The phone rang once, twice, then the calm, soothing voice answered.
Tom turned and saw the knife coming out of his mother's chest. Tom Sr. withdrew it and stabbed again as Tom lunged at him, his small arms flailing. A thin, malnourished boy of 8 does not stand a chance against a man who nearly reached 2 meters (A/N: in feet that's about 6 ½ feet.) Tom's father had gotten fat and lazy with beer and gluttony; his meaty hand swept the small boy aside, banging his head on the counter.
Tom was dazed, one eye pointing at the man as he stabbed Merope again and again, the other staring up at the ceiling. Merope gasped her last, blood pooling on the kitchen floor when Tom's father finally cast aside the knife. Tom made a move to get up, struggling against the black closing in when he was grabbed roughly around the neck, hoisting him off his feet. He half wondered where the police were, if anyone had heard and if they would get here before Tabby was found and attacked as well.
The fat man shook him "Dare interrupt me, do ya? I'll show you." The man squeezed tighter on his neck as Tom's head was brought down against the counter, once, twice, then dropped. And yet, it seems, he is still alive, still conscious. A bloom of fire rises as the man stomps away to the fridge, rummaging like an animal through it. Tom can hear sirens screaming through the night as the kitchen erupts in flame.
Sorry for the cliffie there, people. Yeah, I know that this Tom is different, but the character needs redemption. I believe that Tom Riddle is a different entity at heart from Voldemort. I believe that Merope Gaunt wanted what was best for her son, but couldn't give that to him. So here, Tom gets a family.
NOTE: Draco and Harry should enter in the next chapter and the third chapter if things go right. There will be eventual Darry, btw.
So please, read and review. Tell me what you think of Tom. Tabby will get serious character development in the next chapter. (I like her a lot, she's like Ginny, but not so obnoxious.)
Dawnie.