Written For
Ultimate Patronus Quest (boa: Write about Merope Gaunt) and the Heroes' Hunt Challenge (Quote below)
"Don't let your happiness depend on something you may lose."
-CS Lewis
She holds the vial in her hand, hesitating. For so long, she has slipped the potion into his meals. For so long, she has forced his love.
It's been an unusual romance, but a happy one. Her beloved Tom, the man she has wanted for years has followed her with love and admiration in his eyes. Once, she would have thought that she could never want more.
But her stomach begins to swell as her child grows inside her body. Her precious baby, her sweet little one grows stronger with each passing day.
Merope giggles to herself, her free hand caressing her stomach. They'll be a family. A proper family. She and Tom will show the child love- not cruelty, the only thing that she has ever known in her youth.
Tom sits at the table, still smiling at her, still looking at her with such affection. She knows that it's the love potion that makes him look at her like that, but she wonders what would happen if she stopped feeding it to him.
They've had a happy life together. Surely he will remember that. Surely he will see the opportunity that they have for a family, for a future together.
Hands trembling, she sets the potion aside, untouched, and brings him his breakfast. "Here you are, my love," she says with a smile. "Me, I'm starving. Our sweet baby has a healthy appetite."
"I do hope we have a son," he notes, a smile on his lips as he inhales the sweet aroma of his meal. "Or a daughter. Perhaps she'll cook as wonderfully as you."
Merope feels her heart flutter. It's possible. He still looks at her in love. Their happiness is still strong, and she knows in her heart that it will only grow stronger.
"Well, if she can cook, what use will you have for me?" she laughs, preparing her own plate.
They will be a family. She can feel it in her heart. They will be a family, and he will love her and their child, and nothing else matters.
…
"Witch!"
Merope jumps at the sudden outburst. She turns, trembling, her heart pounding. She is no stranger to anger. She's felt her father's displeasure far too many times than she can count.
Tom leans in the doorway, his chest heaving. His eyes are wild, but she can see the clarity in them. The potion has run its course.
"You vile enchantress!" he rages. "What have you done to me? And to Cecilia?"
"My love-"
"Love," he spits, stepping closer. "How dare you use that word? I was not your love! I was your prisoner!"
She flinches when his fingers curl inward, transforming his hands into fists. Merope steps away quickly, years of dodging her father's attacks making it easy. "Tom, please! Think of our child!"
He stops, his eyes resting upon her stomach. His jaw drops slightly, as though he's just noticed the bump protruding from her body. "That's no child of mine," he says, but he lowers his fists. "I hope you burn in hell right along with that demon that grows inside your wretched body, you bitch."
He pushes past her, and she reaches desperately for him, tears in her eyes, but she can't grab onto him. "Please, Tom! We have a life! We have a future! A family," she screams.
But he's gone, and the door slams behind him. Merope falls to the floor, her body shaking with sobs.
…
She walks, cold and barefooted, without a penny to her name. Her stomach has grown so much, and every step she takes with her swollen feet aches.
It seems strange that only months ago she had been so full of hope and happiness. But now it's gone, ripped from her grasp.
She cradles her stomach, fighting the tears. "Everything will be okay, my little love," she whispers, though she doesn't believe it. "Mummy will make sure you're taken care of."