Audrey woke up reluctantly for her first day of work. In order to get ready on time and prepare breakfast for the boys, she would have to get up an hour earlier. The sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon and an orange glow radiated through the bedroom. When she awoke, she was glad to find that Tom was still asleep, like always. Being extra careful not to wake him up, she slowly slid out of bed and reached for the robe she had draped across the vanity chair the night previous.

She took a glance at Tom and sighed. He looked like a resting angel, per usual. Even with his hair all messed up and a soft snore coming out of his mouth he was still perfect. She loved watching him like this. He looked vulnerable and sweet when he slept. It was the one time where she was reminded that he was human. Not indestructible, but an actual human being. He drooled on his pillow just like everyone else. He wasn't so scary.

Audrey balled the hem of her dress in her fists. He was scary. She knew that in an hour he would wake up and look into her eyes and flash that charming smile. He would kiss her and touch her and tell her he loved her and no matter how much she'd try to squirm and fight him he would always win. That scared Audrey to death so she tiptoed to the bedroom door and silently made her way into the hallway. It would be better to use the bathroom down the hall so she wouldn't disturb her angel.

But when she approached the bathroom, she noticed that it was already occupied. Who was up this early? She turned around to return to her room when the bathroom door opened.

"Good morning." said a condescending voice from behind. Audrey froze. She knew exactly who that voice belonged to.

Turning around as calmly as possible, she put on a fake smile and said "Good morning, Druella."

"You're up early." Druella said. Her hair was still wet from her bath and she was wearing a dark green bathrobe. In her hands were a hairbrush and a towel.

"So are you." Audrey pointed out. Did she even want to know what Druella was doing in the house this early?

"I'm always an early bird." she said with an air of superiority.

"Good for you." Audrey rolled her eyes, "You slept here then?"

"I live here darling. Didn't you know?" Druella said, feigning surprise.

Audrey's stomach sank. "Since when?"

"Since last night." She smiled, reveling in the satisfaction that Tom hadn't told Audrey anything, "Oh dear, your boyfriend didn't tell you? Keeping secrets isn't a good sign of a healthy relationship."

Audrey scowled. She could just kill Tom for embarrassing her like this. How could he not inform her that this evil bitch was going to be living with them? Now she had to work and live with her? This was unbelievable.

"It must have been so unimportant it slipped his mind." Audrey retorted.

Druella laughed. "Well, I suppose that's possible. He is a busy man." Druella twiddled with the brush in her hands. "Not too busy to come into my room and say goodnight though."

Audrey crossed her arms over her chest and scoffed.

Druella continued, "I suppose by the time he got back to your room he was just too tired to tell you about it." Before Audrey could say anything Druella smiled and said, "Anyway, I should be getting ready now. Good luck at work today, sweetheart." She emphasized Tom's pet-name for Audrey and then she turned around and walked to the bedroom on the left at the end of the hall.

Audrey felt tears pool into her eyes as she stormed into the bathroom. It smelled like Druella's stupid shampoo and her gross hair was in the sink.

" I should have just used my own bathroom." She said to herself in a defeated voice. She was so tired of this. She felt like she had no control over her own life. Maybe she should just beg to move back in with her parents. Maybe this fairytale life with Tom just wasn't going to happen. This was not what she thought she was signing up for.

When she finished getting ready and had started breakfast, everyone else was starting to wake up. She felt sick to her stomach and she was pretty angry but at least she was on time.

Mulciber entered the kitchen first, as usual. He didn't say anything to her but he did take an orange from the counter and walked past her to the dining room. Lestrange, Avery and Nott came in together laughing. None of them paid her any mind either. She preferred it that way. It was better to be invisible than to be ridiculed. Unfortunately, she could not avoid the stares from Mark when he entered the room next.

He was wearing nice robes today. It was his first day working at the Ministry as well. It was just an internship position in the Department of Magical Transportation but it was something.

"Morning." He whispered and gave her a small wave.

"Hi." she said, tucking her hair behind her ear nervously.

"Tom's still taking a shower. I think he woke up late." He said as he stepped closer to her.

"I saw your sister this morning." Audrey frowned at the memory.

"Oh. Yes. Sorry." He laughed nervously. What was he apologizing for? It's not like it was his fault he was related to Satan's mistress. "She begged to come live here. Tom finally gave in, I guess."

Audrey sighed. This was so awkward. Why did he insist on talking to her? Why was she talking back? He was her only friend in the house and she couldn't even speak to him. She felt so utterly alone here.

"Everything okay?" he asked timidly. He reached out a hand to touch her but then changed his mind and placed it back at his side.

"Yes. I'm fine." She lied and turned around to get something out of the fridge. Honestly, she just didn't want him to look at her anymore. She felt like he could see right through her.

"We can talk. He won't be down for a while." He assured her as she placed the glass jar of orange juice on the counter.

Audrey couldn't hold it in any longer. She had to talk to someone. "It's just…" she started reluctantly. "Everything. I hate it here. I feel trapped. He's so…"

"Controlling?" Mark said.

"Yes, and inconsiderate and-and he makes me so mad." She was ranting now. "Why is he like that?"

"That's just the way he is." Mark shrugged. "He's been that way since I met him, first year."

"I just wish he'd listen to me. He acts like I don't matter." she said. Mark placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You do matter." He assured her. She looked down at the floor but he placed a finger under her chin and said "Chin up, kid." Audrey couldn't help but smile.

"I wish I could help. All I can say is, try to stay out of his way when he's in a bad mood and keep him happy. He loves people who obey him. That's why Mulciber is always kissing his arse."

Audrey laughed but then her face turned serious again. "We really shouldn't be talking, Mark. I'm sorry."

"No, you're right." Mark said in a regretful tone and he let go of her shoulder. "I'll probably see you at work, I guess."

"Yeah, maybe."

He was standing in front of her, looking like he wanted to say more- do more. Then for some inexplicable reason, she hugged him. Maybe she was just so grateful to have someone who cared. Or it was possible she was having some sort of mental breakdown. But, either way, she found herself embracing him. He hugged her back reluctantly at first but then sank into her like a big, warm, blanket.

"You'll be okay." he whispered to her and she nodded into his chest. Holding back tears, she pulled away from him and held herself nervously.

"Anyway, I better finish breakfast before these boys kill me." She joked awkwardly.

"Yeah…" Mark said. He looked really confused. "Good luck at work."

"You too." She said as he backed into the door to the dining room.

Audrey wanted to slap herself. What was she thinking hugging him like that? He'd totally have the wrong idea now. If Tom found out he'd literally kill her. Frantically making breakfast now, her mind began to race. Did she actually have feelings for Mark? Surely not. Surely she was just lonely and seeking comfort. If she did like Mark, that meant betraying Tom. And betraying Tom meant…

The kitchen door swung open again and Tom and Druella walked in together. Druella was looking smug as usual and she was dressed to the nines. Her high heels made a clicking noise against the kitchen tiles as she walked past Audrey without a word and into the dining room. Audrey kept her head down and prayed Tom would do the same. Of course, that didn't happen.

He beamed at her when he saw her arranging pieces of toast in a neat stack with her wand and made a beeline right for her.

"Good morning, my love." He spoke affectionately. He placed both hands on her face and leaned down to kiss her. His mouth tasted like toothpaste. "I missed waking up next to you today."

Audrey's heart melted. He was so sweet sometimes. It almost made her want to forget how heartless he actually was.

"Do you want anything special to eat?" she asked, quickly trying to distract him from touching her.

"Mmmm, just you." He teased and squeezed her around the middle. Audrey blushed at his suggestive comment.

"I meant food." She said, faking a laugh.

"No, I'm good." His eyes narrowed at her. He placed a hand on her forehead. "I'd love to know what's going on in that head of yours."

"Nothing special." Oh god, he knew something was up. Audrey wriggled out of his embrace, using the sausages on the stove as an excuse to move.

"Guess I'll have to pick up legilimency then."

Audrey turned around. "What?" He was biting into a green apple from the fruit basket on the counter. He was leaning back all suave and confident like he knew what he was about to say would terrify her.

"You know. Legilimency: The art of delving into the mind. Mind reading." He swallowed a chunk of apple, hard, and smiled.

Audrey gaped at him. He wanted to learn how to read minds? Seriously? As if he wasn't freakishly good at that already.

"Sounds interesting." she said and turned around to attend to the food again. She heard him walk towards her from behind but she still jumped a little when he pressed up against her and leaned down to her ear.

"I want to know exactly what you're thinking." He whispered to her and then he kissed her earlobe gently.

His lips traveled down her jawline but the sensation traveled up her spine and she shuddered. "Tom…" she begged for him to stop. "Everyone's waiting for their food."

"Relax." He breathed into her neck. He started nuzzling her and nipping at her skin with his teeth. Sighing, Audrey turned off the stove and the food floated onto their respective plates. Without taking his mouth off of her, he waved his wand and the plates floated into the dining room.

"There. Now you have nothing to worry about." He smiled and spun her around so she was facing him. He kissed her on the lips as his hands slid down her dress and onto her butt. "You're so beautiful. I just want to spend five more minutes with you, baby." His hands massaged her behind gently yet firmly. The man was a god with his hands but Audrey wanted to run so badly. She could feel her body giving into him. She didn't want to give in. She wanted to push him away, slap him, scream. Why was she so goddamn powerless around him?

"Just five minutes." she pleaded.

"Don't you like me?" he teased. He flashed his charming, pretty boy smile at her. He was so annoyingly cute.

"Of course I like you. I love you." She bit her lip. "I just don't want to be late."

"No, you're always like this." He frowned in a playful way and squeezed her butt. "Always trying to get away from me." He pulled her into him so that their pelvises touched. "You're a bad girl, Audrey."

"No, I'm not." she whined and wriggled in his arms.

"See?" he laughed, "You're doing it right now!" he held onto her arms tightly so that she couldn't move. "I sort of like it when you fight me though."

Audrey stared at him, wide eyed.

"It's kind of sexy." He wriggled his eyebrows jokingly and Audrey snorted with laughter.

"Ah ha! There's that smile." He said and kissed the corner of her mouth. She blushed and tucked her hair behind her ear.

"I want you to fight me like this tonight." He said, "I want you to disobey me so I can punish you."

"Really?" she asked, shocked at his remarks. He wanted her to disobey him on purpose? He wanted to punish her?

"Yeah, it'll be fun." He smirked, "Then I can spank you for being such a bad girl." He tapped her behind lightly. "If I didn't have to go to work I'd have you bent over already, believe me."

She believed him. Tom was in the habit of picking her up and taking her whenever he pleased. Just this past weekend he had made love to her on the living room floor, giving her a serious case of rug burn and on Friday night he had hopped into her shower uninvited, to steam up the bathroom in his own 'unique way'.

"Control yourself." She frowned and hit him in the chest.

"Yes, just like that!" he moaned and swooned dramatically. Audrey burst out laughing.

"Stop it!" she giggled into his chest.

But her protests only made it worse. Now he was fake-grunting. "Oh yeah Audrey, yeah baby!"

"Shhhh!" Audrey tried to cover Tom's mouth but he kept dodging her hand while continuing to make sex noises and laughing.

"Merlin, you're so embarrassing." She covered her face with her hands and shook her head.

He let out one more prolonged, exaggerated moan and then fell into a fit of laughter while holding onto her shoulders for support.

"Alright, alright. I'm done." He kissed her forehead, "See how much fun we have? And it only took five minutes with me to get you to laugh again."

Audrey smiled. He was right, as usual. Despite everything, the connection they shared was amazing. He really was her best friend and she didn't want to give that up.

"Thank you." She hugged him, "I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart."


Tom sat in the backroom of Borgin & Burkes, bored out of his mind. Business was usually slow in the summer whenever London had a nice warm day and today it was beautiful outside. He had woken up that morning to birds chirping and a clear blue sky. So of course, everyone was out enjoying the sunshine, not visiting a gloomy shop down Knockturn Alley. Tom had been assigned menial work today for there were no leads on any interesting artifacts at the moment. Or at least there wasn't until he heard the familiar chime of the shop's front doorbell.

Tom stood up and peered around the backroom corner.

"Lovely to see you Mrs. Archer." Borgin bowed to a raven-haired woman that had just entered the store. She looked rich and although she was dressed like the young girls of the day, Tom could tell she was a bit older; mid 30s maybe.

"Borgin." She smiled and offered a hand to him. Borgin placed his dusty lips on her gloved hand and grinned. Mrs. Archer seemed to be very good at feigning enjoyment at the company of Mr. Borgin.

Tom heard shuffling in the room behind him and he turned around. Burke was standing a foot behind him, rubbing his hands together in delight.

"Ah, see that lady over there?" he pointed to Mrs. Archer who was delicately fingering a pair of black pearl earrings near the front window. "That's Katherine Archer. She's my favourite customer, she is."

"Really? Why?" Tom inquired.

"Comes in just twice a year but always has something good to sell. Last year, swear on my life, she sold me a pure gold watch. Used to belong to the Bloody Baron. You know? From Hogwarts."

"Yeah, I know." Tom said, suddenly intrigued by this woman. "How did she encounter such a treasure?"

"Not too sure, not too sure." Burke said, shaking his head, "All I know is, she's got a lot of connections. Her aunt is a direct descendant of Hufflepuff, I'm sure. And she's married to good ol' Mr. Melvin Archer who lives in that big puff of a mansion up in Bray."

"You don't say?" Tom said slowly, though he was slightly salivating after the mention of Hufflepuff.

"Yeah so what are you waiting for, boy?" Burke said, nudging him, "Get in there and charm the lady."

Tom did not need to be asked twice. He straightened his jacket and sauntered into the main room with a coy look on his face. She immediately spotted him as women tend to do. He flashed her a bit of a shy smile and continued walking around like he was surveying the place.

"Who is that?" he heard her whisper to Borgin.

"Oh, that's uh Tom Riddle. New employee." He smirked. "Riddle!" He gestured for Tom to come over and he gladly obliged.

Tom stuck out his hand for her to shake but she did not take it. Instead she delicately ungloved her right hand and held it out for him. He smiled and placed a chaste kiss on it.

"Madam." He greeted her and bowed politely.

She looked him up and down. "Well, aren't you a work of art."

Tom looked down and laughed nervously, pretending to be embarrassed.

"You are adorable." She smiled and tilted her head, curiously. "No need to be so shy."

"Sorry. I get flustered around beautiful women." He said, and he even managed to blush successfully.

She patted his cheek like he was a 10 year old boy and said, "Well I have a nice treat for the both of you today. I am buying, not selling. So you can take my money instead of giving yours away."

"Excellent!" Borgin said, galleon signs flashing in his eyes.

"I'd love to buy you though." She smirked and swatted him lightly on the bottom as she followed Borgin to the earrings she had been eyeing. Tom jumped in genuine surprise and held his butt defensively. He heard Burke's distinct laugh in the distance. It looked like getting close to this woman would not be a problem at all.

She purchased an impressive amount of things, including a few items that were most definitely cursed. He had never seen someone buy more than two items at a time here. No wonder she was Burke's favourite customer.

"Your presence is always wanted here." Burke said, bowing to her as she collected her bags.

"Thank you, dear." She smiled, "My husband is away on business and I was ever so lonely in that big house by myself so I figured why not stop for a visit."

"So glad you did." Tom interjected before Burke could reply.

Mrs. Archer flashed her blue eyes at him and then looked back at Burke. "Is he for sale?" she asked playfully.

"No, madam," Burke started, "We give Mr. Riddle here away for free."

"Excellent. You should come to the house sometime. I can show you my collection." She said, turning to him and winking.

"I'd love to." Tom replied quietly, smoothing his hair out of his eyes timidly.

She brushed his shoulder lightly as she left the store. Tom felt a new sense of excitement. Just when he thought things were getting boring, an opportunity fell into his lap. This woman's home was sure to be filled with artifacts that he could use and if she really did have connections to Hufflepuff, who knows what kind of treasures he would find. Yes, he would definitely have to take her up on her offer.