The Other Alley

July 31, 1944

She had grown increasingly cynical as of late, but that was to be expected. It occurred to her that, although she could govern the millions of everyday decisions that life presented, the life-determining ones were always made for her. So, did the small decisions even really matter overall? What was the point in thinking consciously about anything? In the late hours of the night, when her mind seemed to be the clearest, she pondered such questions only to be driven deeper into her state of profound melancholy.

Even with this plague of hopelessness, her strong, stubborn will still won out on some days. It lay like pinpricks of light beneath the blanket of darkness that had developed inside of her. These were the best days: ones where she still felt empowered and in control of her fate to some degree.

This was one of those days.

Today, she had a plan. Instead of sleeping until ten or eleven, which had become her habit over the last week and a half, she got herself out of bed promptly at seven. She bathed and ate breakfast and when her mother found her, she was reading a copy of The Comprehensive Guide to Entertaining for the Sophisticated Sorceress. Just as she planned.

"You're awake," her mother commented with a raised eyebrow of surprise. "I was beginning to worry you'd turned into an idler, but perhaps there's hope for you after all."

Rosemary normally would have rolled her eyes and responded with a biting, sarcastic comment, but she instead gave her mother her sweetest smile. "I've grown tired of lying around, moping in bed. If you and Father are resolute to marry me off, I may as well prepare myself." She held up the book slightly to show her mother the title.

After the argument between Rose and her father the night she returned home from Paris, Basil had rapidly informed his wife of the situation. Rosemary assumed that it was a move he made to prove her claims of his insecurities wrong and she wasn't all that surprised when it had happened. Even though Evelyn was standing by her husband, she had said very little on the matter herself. But that was all about to change.

"Why the sudden shift?" her mother asked with a trace of suspicion.

Rosemary sighed, closed her book, and looked down at the front cover sadly. "I know– I've known for a while, really– that you and Father are right. I know that Tom will never be accepted into this world and that I'd lose everything if I chose to be with him. And I don't want to lose everything you've given me. I love this world and I love being a Horton…as much as I love Tom, it would never be enough."

Her mother's eyes softened considerably and she moved to sit near Rose on the couch. "Love is such a strong word, dear…"

"I mean it. I love him…every last breath of me does. But I think the fleeting pain of letting him go would pale in comparison to the slow, lasting pain of losing everything else."

Evelyn leaned forward and tucked a bright red lock of Rosemary's hair behind her ear. She had always hated it, but let her mother do it this one time. "When did you become so wise? You've turned into such a young lady. Your father and I-" she paused and for the first time in Rosemary's life, she saw tears forming in the corners of her mother's dark blue eyes. "We are very proud of you, Rosemary. I hope you know that."

She averted her gaze from Evelyn's. "There's no need for niceties, Mother, I know how disgraceful I've been. I'm sure you and Father never disappointed your parents in such blatantly improper ways."

Evelyn hesitated and Rosemary waited anxiously. This would be the pivotal moment that would either cement her plan into place or derail it entirely. Finally, her mother said, "I shouldn't dare to bring this up, but-"

And with that, her plan was set into motion.

"When I was your age, I was in a situation quite like yours," her mother started, still sounding rather hesitant. "I was in love with a boy named Pierce…he was brilliant, charismatic, handsome…quite like Tom, really. He was even in Slytherin. But, he came from a blood traitor family so, of course, your grandfather wouldn't have it. I was given the same choice that you have. I loved Pierce for quite a long time, even after your father and I were engaged. I sulked around the house like a miserable wretch. I wasn't nearly as strong as you are…"

Rosemary attempted to look surprised at her mother's confession. "And do you regret it? Marrying Father even though you still loved Pierce?"

Evelyn gave her a small smile. "At first, of course. But I grew to love your father just as much, if not more. There's something to be said of security, which is something Pierce never could have afforded. At least not in the same way...I certainly feel as though I made the right decision."

It was not the answer Rosemary was hoping for. Even though it was rather selfish, she had wanted her mother to profess a lifelong regret regarding her choice. It would have made things much easier. But she really shouldn't have expected so much; even if Evelyn did regret things, it wasn't as though she was going to come out and tell Rosemary.

However, upon hearing her mother's words, Rose couldn't help but wonder for a few short seconds if she actually would be happier in the long run if she didn't choose Tom. Things had apparently worked out quite well for her mother, after all.

These preposterous thoughts vanished just as quickly as they had appeared when she remembered that her situation with Tom was entirely different from her mother's with Pierce. If she followed Evelyn's reasoning she would have to assume that Tom would never be a part of the pure-blood world. But Rose didn't believe truly believe that. She had such confidence in his natural charm that she was certain he could indeed find a place for himself. It was impossible for her to see her family or social status as a permanent loss; it was merely something that she and Tom would regain in time, together.

"Do you think that's why Father is so against my being with Tom?" Rosemary asked her mother in her most innocent tone. "Do you think he's…hurt in some way? It could be a painful reminder…"

Evelyn considered it for a moment. "He has seemed particularly severe as of late," she admitted. "But I do agree with him on the fact that you and Tom simply do not belong together."

Rose's heart sank slightly, but she was still pleasantly surprised by the fact that her mother was being at least reasonable fair. "He's going to marry me off the first chance he gets, isn't he?"

"That does seem to be his goal. But I'll give you my word that I won't allow you to marry anyone unless there's at least a faint chance you can learn to love them."

"Thank you," Rosemary disguised her smile as faux gratitude, but it had truly appeared because she had succeeded in her goal of buying herself and Tom more time. "I do have a favor to ask…It's Faye's birthday and the whole lot of them are going to London tonight for dinner. I know I'm not supposed to leave, but I'm going mad being cooped up here. If I'm married before next summer, this will be the last summer I'll have to spend with them..."

"Your father wouldn't like it," Evelyn began sternly. "He certainly doesn't trust you around Faye since she lied to facilitate your little fling."

"Faye didn't know where I was. I just asked her to cover for me and she did because she's my best friend," Rose lied. Then she continued pointedly: "Plus, Father's on business for Comet and won't be home for a few days…"

Her mother looked at her for a long time before finally giving in. "I suppose it's alright."

"Faye will be so pleased," Rose smiled again. "Thank you." Then, to put the finishing touches on her plan that had gone extraordinarily well, she put on a grim expression once more and said, "It's so sad to think about growing up."

"We should have a drink," said Evelyn. "It will help your nerves. Perhaps a gin martini?"

Rose nodded, though for her, the drink would be more celebratory than conciliatory.

"You've turned into such a young lady," her mother repeated for the second time that morning as she handed Rose her drink and rejoined her on the couch.

It was the first time in her life that her mother had looked at her this tenderly and Rose couldn't help but wish she could actually enjoy it without the gnawing guilt billowing inside of her. This moment made her ache, but she would be strong; heartless, even, if she had to. She would do it again and again for him if that was what it took to be together.

"We were not a hugging people. In terms of emotional comfort, it was our belief that no amount of physical comfort could match the healing powers of a well-made cocktail." – David Sedaris

The Avery's house-elf let her in and told her that the others were in the living room, preparing to Floo to London.

"Do we have to Floo?" whined Rebecca. "It's always so…filthy."

"Not if you cast a Clothes-Guard Charm," Rosemary said snidely as she appeared at the doorway. Markus smirked, which promptly earned him a scowl from Orion.

"You made it!" Faye exclaimed, rushing over to give her a quick hug.

"Happy birthday," Rosemary smiled at her.

Donohue smiled back and thanked her, but Rose couldn't help but notice her friend's slight air of force beneath her merriment. It didn't seem too far off to assume she might be upset; after all, Rose was essentially using Faye's birthday as an excuse to see Tom. It made her feel at least a little guilty and she knew she would have to bring it up and apologize at some point…but what other choice did she really have at the moment?

"Let's get going," said Markus. He added with a wink: "There's someone who is surely very eager to see you."

"Not here," Rose hissed, looking around nervously. Markus' parents were nowhere in sight, but being extra cautious certainly wouldn't hurt. Things needed to go perfectly; after all, this was probably the only time she would be able to see Tom before they returned to Hogwarts.

They arrived in Diagon Alley (in perfectly unsoiled attire, thanks to the Clothes-Guard Charm) and Rosemary shot an impatient, expectant look at Adam. She wasn't trying to be rude, there was too little time for pleasantries. "So…did you find where he's been staying?"

"Not exactly," Adam answered. "But he's apparently been working at Borgin and Burkes…I ran into him a few days ago when my father and I visited the store. While he was busy with another customer, Mr. Burke told us that he works nearly all the time…so it sounds as though you might find him there."

Well, it wasn't as specific as she had hoped for, but it was at least somewhere to start. She really couldn't complain anyway; each of her friends had been instrumental in helping her put her plan into action and she owed each of them so much already. Markus had communicated with the others for her, though she had been hesitant at best to inform the others of the details of her relationship. Adam had tracked down Tom and Faye had been (at least outwardly) supportive of her birthday's use as a front for Rose's lies to her mother. Although Rose had been appalled at first that Markus had told her, even Rebecca had helped by suggesting a restaurant with a strict policy that required a reservation to enter so Rose's parents couldn't just pop by to check up on her.

"Is that in Diagon Alley?" Rosemary asked, the shop's name failing to ring a bell. "I've never even heard of it before."

"It's in Knockturn Alley…" Markus said slowly. "If you want, I can walk you there."

Rosemary did her best not to look nervous, even though she had never dared to step foot in Knockturn Alley, let alone when it was after dark. It was perhaps one of the most disgracefully sordid places in wizarding Britain. She shook her head. "You've all done plenty. I can take things from here…you should go out and enjoy yourselves." She looked around at each of them– even Rebecca– before saying "Thank you, truly."

Faye lingered behind the others as they strode off toward the east end of the Alley. "So you haven't told Riddle you're coming to visit?"

Rosemary shook her head. "I wanted it to be a surprise."

"He doesn't seem one to enjoy surprises…"

"This is different." She gave Faye a self-assured smile.

"Well, you know better than I do."

Her guilt reawakened and she found herself saying: "I'm sorry I'm not spending your birthday with you…It's just…"

"I'm sure you'll find a way to make it up to me," she smirked.

Rose was rather surprised at how nonchalantly she said it, given the fact that Faye had seemed rather upset earlier.

"Donohue!" Adam called from a way down the street. "Aren't you coming?!"

Faye suddenly looked quite nervous. "I didn't tell my parents or yours anything…I don't know how your father found out," she said suddenly. "I just wanted you– both of you– to know that."

It slowly dawned on her that Faye was genuinely worried that Rose blamed her for the entire thing. "I know it wasn't your fault. One of my father's coworkers saw me at the Tournament. Markus didn't tell you that part?"

She shook her head.

"Of course," Rose muttered. "The one detail he decided to leave out…"

"I didn't know about any of it until I received Markus' letter. It certainly explained the look of disapproval your father gave me when we ran into him the day we came back to London." Faye smiled as though it was one of the most amusing things that had ever happened to her.

Rosemary smiled too, in spite of everything. "I'll see you in a couple of hours."

They parted ways and Rose walked briskly through Diagon Alley, feeling both anxious and excited to see Tom. She reached the dark passage that would lead her into Knockturn Alley and put the hood of her coat up. She began walking through it as quickly as she could, staring down at her feet as she strode through. Why did the alley seem so wet? She couldn't help but ponder the disturbing possibilities that might answer this question.

Still, looking at the ground was infinitely preferable to looking up: there was no way that she was daring enough to make eye contact with any of the frightening individuals lining the path. Some of them were arguing with each other and a few were speaking to themselves in frantic, paranoid tones. Worse yet were those that said nothing as she passed, but whose gazes bore into her as though she were some species of human they had never before seen.

Her heart pounded in her chest faster and faster, feeling as though it might explode by the time she reached the end of the long alleyway. Finally, she reached the opening at the main stretch of Knockturn Alley. She saw a sign for Borgin and Burkes that pointed just around the corner, but she paused and lit a cigarette as she caught her breath. Although she really didn't have any idea what to expect of Tom's emotional wellbeing, she thought it would be best to calm herself down as much as possible before seeing him.

Just as she stepped out her cigarette and was about to walk around the corner to the store, she heard a raspy, deep voice from behind her. "Are you lost, love?" he asked her.

Rose turned around slowly, while her heart rate climbed rapidly once more. "No. I'm not lost," she said in the most confident tone she could muster, though her voice had wavered slightly. He reeked of alcohol, as though he had doused his clothes with a bottle of whiskey. It didn't remind her at all of the way Tom smelled after drinking: that lovely trace of scotch on his breath. The man's hair was sweaty and disgustingly matted against his forehead and his beard was far past overgrown.

"Merlin's right nipple, you're tidy," he appraised her as she turned to face him. "Are ya sure, now? You look pretty lost to me. How's about I show you the way…"

"No thank you," Rosemary said firmly, though she was becoming more unnerved by the second. She could hear it in her voice, the way her tone grew higher with each syllable; she only hoped that he would be too drunk to pick up on it. "I have some place to be if you'll excuse me."

"Well, we could go together," he said, his eyes twinkling suggestively.

At this point, she was quite through with being polite. She spun on her heel and hurried away, rather afraid to glance back over her shoulder to see if he was following her. After rounding the corner and spotting the shop, she chanced it, and was relieved to find that there was nobody trailing behind her.

She walked into Borgin and Burkes, but was disappointed when she didn't see Tom standing at the front counter. In fact, the place looked like it might actually be closed: it was quite dimly lit and there was no store attendant in site. She spotted a tiny bell on the front counter, but before stepping further into the shop, she lowered her hood and quickly fixed her hair.

Rosemary crossed the room and rung the bell. It wasn't until then that she took conscious notice of her surroundings. In the glass case that also served as the front counter, there was a severed toe, a few pieces of jewelry that were allegedly cursed, a vial of Acromantula venom, and an assortment of other oddities that seemed to have been thrown together randomly. As hard as she tried, she simply could not picture Tom working in such a place. Had he really been this desperate to find work?

"Can I help you?" The voice was not Tom's, unfortunately. It belonged instead to an elderly, hunchbacked man.

"Yes, actually," she said. "I'm looking for Tom Riddle. Is he here now?"

Rose noticed a slight roll of his eyes as he said, "No…sent him home early…He'll be here tomorrow morning at eight."

"Well, it's a bit more urgent than that," she told him. "Do you know where he lives? I need to speak with him tonight."

"Miss," the man sighed in annoyance, "I can't just give out that sort of information without his approval."

"It's alright, really; he won't mind. I'm his girlfriend."

"You and every other girl that saw him duel in the Tournament," he muttered under his breath.

Heat rose to her face instantly. Not only was she taken aback by his tone toward her (no one dared to speak to her this way), she was obviously startled by his comment as well. "Do you have any idea who I am?" she asked arrogantly.

He looked at her expectantly.

"My name is Rosemary Horton," she said proudly. "I've been Tom's steady for months now…surely he's mentioned me."

The old wizard continued to look thoroughly annoyed with her. "Sorry, I can't say it rings a bell…he's never mentioned you to me."

The words stung. Deeply. They made her wonder if coming to find Tom had just been one huge mistake. Perhaps, if he wasn't even mentioning her any longer, it meant that they were already through in his mind.

No – she wouldn't allow things to end that easily, even if that's what he wanted. She would at least require the decency of being told in person. "Perhaps you've heard of my father, Basil Horton? The Co-Founder of Comet Trading Company and previous Keeper for the Falmouth Falcons?"

The storekeeper grunted in response; she really couldn't be sure that he was paying attention to a word that she was saying until she added, "Perhaps we could negotiate a trade…"

"Trade?" he asked her. That certainly got his attention.

She nodded. "I'll give you something valuable if you tell me where Tom is staying."

"Our antique broom collection is quite full," he informed her.

"It's not a broom that I'd like to trade." She reached into her coin purse and withdrew a small booklet that she had magically folded in order to carry it with her wherever she went. "It's this."

She handed it to the wizard, who slid on a pair of large glasses to examine it. "The Official Quidditch Player's Guide to the 1926 Quidditch World Cup, eh?"

Rosemary nodded. "As I'm sure you know, the guidebooks are quite rare. They're only given to the players, of course. And this year was especially memorable; it was the bloodiest World Cup in history."

He flipped through it, taking in the violent, gory pictures. Her father had given it to her years ago (though it probably wasn't the most appropriate present for a young girl) because he had wanted her to have the chance to see him while he was in his prime Quidditch years. She felt guilty for giving it away, but figured she could just come back to the store and buy it while shopping for school supplies in Diagon Alley at the end of next month.

"So, what do you say?" she asked him impatiently, as her remaining time to see Tom began to dwindle. "Do we have a deal?"

The man nodded slowly. Suddenly, he no longer appeared to think she was wasting his time. "Yes. I should think so." He scribbled down Tom's address on a piece of paper and handed it to her. "I'd like to think that you are who you say you are, but if you aren't, please don't harass the boy. He likes to keep to himself is all."

"I know," she told him before thanking him and leaving the shop. Rosemary followed his directions, and within a couple of minutes, she was standing outside the flat in which Tom was apparently living.

She knocked on the door and attempted to wait patiently. This was difficult, though, given the unease that had been created inside of her when she learned that Tom had apparently failed to mention her even once. The exterior of the flat itself made her even more apprehensive; it looked as though it was falling apart in a slow, painful way. There were also three homeless wizards within a ten meter radius of his front door.

Rosemary had expected him to live frugally, but this was another thing altogether. It was the type of neighborhood that the word 'safe' could only apply in a relative sense – a bit 'safer' than a burning building…or perhaps Azkaban. She underwent a sudden, terrifying realization that this was exactly what her life might become in less than a year's time, if she somehow evaded her parents' attempt at marrying her.

She tried to push the thoughts from her mind, telling herself that it didn't matter where they lived as long as they were together. She didn't need a sprawling estate or a closet with hundreds of dresses or even a house-elf. Besides, things would obviously get better once they were graduated and Tom secured a real job.

But, as she saw a wandering drunk unzip his trousers and take a piss in the potted plant that was not even five meters away from her, she couldn't shake her mother's words from earlier that day. What if, unlike Evelyn, she made a decision she would regret for the rest of her life?

Thank you to those of you who left some reviews for me: AvalonTheLadyKiller, CharlotteBlackwood, RosiePosie15, The all mighty and powerfulM, Lucy Greenhill, MusicOfMyMind, and A regrettable decision! This story has reached 150 reviews which makes me sooo very happy and inspired for the coming chapters.(:

Also, OMG, over 200 follows! A big thank you to each and every one of you (as well as to those who have favorited, of course).

The next chapter will be a HUGE one in terms of a plot twist. It will answer (hopefully) all the questions you might have had after that lovely little cliffhanger last chapter.(;