Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or Harry Potter.
Heirs of the Founders
Chapter 17
The Locket
Serena visited Tom in Azkaban as often as she could. He wasn't making very much progress. She worried his sanity was slipping. As much as he hated Azkaban, he still wanted to pursue the dark arts. He felt it was his only calling in life. He was set on becoming Lord Voldemort. He was certain it was his destiny. There was nothing Serena could say or do to change his mind. A few family members and friends suggested she give up on him, her mother especially. Their last customer left for the night and Mrs. Moon brought the subject up again.
"Serena, I want to talk to you about Tom Riddle. Now, you've done all you can. What done is done. You have your job to think about."
"I know, Mother," Serena said. "But I can't just leave him there."
"There are people that need you more," said Mrs. Moon. "Think of your students, and Arabella. There are some boys that want to get to know you…you need to move on."
Serena groaned as she grabbed a damp rag and started to clean the front counter. "I am not dating Tom Riddle. I am only supporting and encouraging him!"
"But you act as if you're in love with him," said her mother. "Writing letters every day, traveling to Azkaban every weekend."
"Well maybe I am!" she threw the rag down and glared at her mother. "Maybe I am in love with Tom—there I said it! It hurts seeing him wasting away in there, but I can't just walk away. I'm the only true friend he has!"
Frustrated, Serena summoned her jacket and stepped out the pub, her mother calling after her.
"Serena!" Mrs. Moon exclaimed. "Come back here!"
Mrs. Moon went out of the pub and found Serena nowhere. She had already disaparated.
--
Serena wounded up on her Aunt Hephzibah Smith's doorstep. Hokey the house elf opened the door and bid her welcome. "Mistress, your niece Serena is here."
Hephzibah looked up from her chair in surprise. She smiled broadly. "Serena my dear! I have not seen you in ages!"
"Hello, Aunt Hephzibah," Serena said glumly. "I don't know why I'm here…I just…didn't know where to go."
Hephzibah's smile faltered. "Oh my, please, sit down. Hokey, bring us refreshments."
"Yes, madam," said Hokey as she disappeared to the kitchen.
Serena sat down on an elaborate chair, looking around the sitting room. She had forgotten how many antiques her aunt had.
"Now Serena, tell me what is on your mind," her aunt said. "Why are you so upset?"
"It's my mother," Serena replied. "She thinks I'm wasting my time helping Tom Riddle. I send him too many letters and I go to Azkaban too often."
"How many letters do you see him?" she asked.
"A letter a day if I can help it," Serena said. "And I go to see him almost every fortnight."
"Hmm, that is a large amount of time," said Hephzibah with a nod.
"You agree with my mother?" Serena asked.
"Well, are you disregarding your other duties?" Hephzibah inquired.
"No, I'm still teaching Kwikspell and I help out at the Pub."
"How are you sleeping?"
"I haven't had a decent night's sleep since Tom was expelled," Serena admitted sadly. "I have nightmares about that day every night."
Hokey appeared with a tray of biscuits, sandwiches, cake and tea. "Here you are."
"Thanks ,Hokey," mumbled Serena.
"Call me if you need anything more," said Hokey and she disappeared once again.
Serena cut herself a piece of cake and began to eat it. Hephzibah smiled.
"Well, it's nice to see that you still have your appetite, dear," said Hephzibah.
"Hokey makes the best cake," explained Serena shyly.
"I remember when that boy was sentenced to Azkaban," Hephzibah said, pouring the tea. "It was the saddest thing I've ever read in The Daily Prophet. He was very handsome and gifted. Why, he could've become Minster of Magic. Now…he'll probably become another poor soul that had gone insane in that prison. There you are, dear."
"Thanks--that is why I am so adamant about helping him," Serena said. "I don't want him to go crazy. I know he'll be different when he leaves, but I don't want him to be insane."
"Yes…like that uncle of his," said Hephzibah. "I remember when he was sentenced too. A man like that shouldn't have been released. Attacking muggles and ministry personnel..." Hephzibah shook her head.
"Yet all my letters of encouragement, my visits, they do nothing," said Serena.
"What do you mean, they do nothing?" inquired Hephzibah. "He is not happy that you see him?"
"No, he is very happy, and grateful," said Serena, "but he's still set on ruling the world. He wants to live up to his role as the Heir of Slytherin and becoming this 'Lord Voldemort.' He feels like his destiny, but I tried telling him he chooses that on his own."
Serena blew on her tea and took a few sips. Hephzibah watched her niece closely as she nibbled on a biscuit and sipped her tea.
"Serena," she began "are you in love with Tom riddle?"
Serena nearly choked on her last bite of cake. She took a swig of tea to wash it down. "I—I don't know. My mother said the same thing. I just know that I care for him a lot and if he comes out of Azkaban sane, maybe we can have a life together." She sighed and shook her head. "But I just don't know. I think my mind is running away with me. It's hard to see a future of us together because Tom still wants to be Lord Voldemort and rule the world and I just…can't be with a person like that. Right now I just want to help him get out of Azkaban alive, and with no desire to pursue the dark arts."
"It's very hard to change a man, Serena," her aunt warned.
"Yes, I know," Serena sighed and she reached for a sandwich. "Deep inside, I think he is a boy that misses his mother. Raye told me about her--how her family was all messed up. How was so desperate to leave that life that she ran away with a Muggle. I admire her and feel sorry for her all at the same time. People think she may had used a love potion to make him fall in love with her. I guess at one time she stopped using it and told him about her, and then he left her. She gives birth to Tom in an orphanage and dies…it's so sad but one of the best love stories I've ever heard. That woman did everything for love. I wish I could be like that. Do one desperate attempt to be with the person I love." Serena shook her head and ate her sandwich. "I wonder what she'd say now, knowing that the son she sacrificed everything for is so full of hate and anger."
"I am afraid there is no spell to bring back the dead, my dear," Hephzibah said sadly.
"I know," Serena said. "But there is no one I can talk to about her. Morfin Gaunt is a sociopath; I'm not going to talk to him. The muggles at the orphanage were with her when she died; but they didn't know who she was. I know she does not approve of Tom right now. She has to be rolling in her grave/ If I can just get her help in some way…"
Hephzibah looked at Serena for a moment and then called on Hokey. "Yes Mistress?"
"Please, get the new treasure I got at Burgin and Burkes," Hephzibah told the house lf significantly.
Hokey nodded and Serena raised an eyebrow, wondering how Hokey knew what she meant. Hephzibah had such a collection that there wasn't room enough for it all. Serena looked at Hephzibah.
"Aunt Hephzibah, you still shop at Burgin and Burkes? That place sells dark stuff, you know."
"Oh, I am not interested in such things," Hephzibah waved her hand and took a sip of tea. "But Borgin and Burkes has the most antiques than any store in Diagon Alley. Very old things that you can't find anywhere. You will love this treasure, I promise you." Hephzibah winked at her.
Hokey returned with a small box. Aunt Hephzibah took it and handed it to Serena. "There—I think you may find some inspiration from this."
Serena placed down her teacup and slowly removed the lid from the small box. Inside she found a golden locket with a silver 'S'. Serena gasped and pulled out the locket. "I don't believe this. It must be hundreds of years old!"
"I had to pay an arm and a leg for it," Hephzibah said, "but I couldn't pass up a jewel like that."
"I'm surprised this was actually in Burgin and Burkes," said Serena. "How long did Mr. Burk have it?"
"Oh, nearly fifteen years," Hephzibah replied. "Mr. Burke said a woman sold to him sixteen years ago one winter. I bought it just last year—I'm amazed he was able to keep it for so long."
"A woman?"
"Yes," said Hephzibah, "Mr. Burke said she looked a little ragged looking."
"It must've been Tom's mother," said Serena.
"Hmm…yes, I think Mr. Burke told me she was pregnant."
"She must've needed the money really bad," Serena said, "to be willing to sell something so important. I bet she knew she was dying, even at that time." Serena felt her eyes tear.
"Serena, I want you to have it," said Hephzibah.
"No, I couldn't," Serena protested.
"I insist," Hephzibah told her, bringing her teacup to her lips. "I daresay I already have too many treasures. I am sure you'll find a use for it." She took a sip.
Serena leaned forward and hugged her old aunt, nearly causing her spill her tea. "Thank you, Auntie—oh, I'm sorry!" Serena took out her wand and cleaned the mess. "I hope I didn't burn you!"
"Oh my dear, you know I don't like my tea too hot," reminded Aunt Hephzibah. "Now, I'm trusting you to keep that locket safe. I'm sure Mr. Burke would want that back when I'm gone, you know."
"Of course, Aunt Hephzibah," Serena nodded as she refilled her aunt's cup. "I'll keep it nice and safe."
"A toast," said Hephzibah, raising her teacup. "To Tom—may you find a way to make him whole again."
"To Tom," Serena said and she took a sip of her tea. She glanced at the golden locket. She knew that the locket will help her, but she wasn't sure what. Serena opened the locket but there were no pictures. Merope must've taken the pictures out before she sold it.
After Serena's visit with her aunt, she roamed London for a while. She came across an orphanage, the very one where Tom spent the first sixteen years of his life. Serena stood at the bottom of the steps for a moment, trying to get a feel of what Tom's mother went through seventeen years ago. Serena took a breath and started to walk up the steps. She knocked on the door and waited for someone to answer. A girl around Serena's age opened the door.
"Can I speak to the matron?" Serena asked.
"Mrs. Cole?" said the girl. "Oh, of course. Come on."
"Thank you," Serena replied, stepping inside the orphanage. The girl led her to Mrs. Cole's office, where she sat.
"Mrs. Cole,you have a visitor," said the girl.
Mrs. Cole looked up at Serena. "Can I help you?"
"Yes," Serena said, entering the office as the other girl left and shut the door behind her. "My name is Serena Moon. I'm a friend of Tom Riddle's—from school."
"Oh," said Mrs. Cole.
"I'm sure you know he's in pr—trouble right now?" said Serena.
"Well, that no longer concerns the orphanage," Mrs. Cole said briskly. "He does not live here anymore."
"I know," said Serena. "I just have some questions, about his mother. Can you tell me about her? How she was dressed, what she looked like? Did she say anything about Tom or his father?"
Mrs. Cole stared at Serena, taken aback by all of Serena's questions. "Why do you want to know?"
"I think if I knew about her," Serena explained, "I could help Tom more. Please."
Mrs. Cole sighed and launched into her story. "I saw her struggling up he steps. Just like other young women before her. We had plenty of girls give birth here and leave their babies with us. Some of them were victims of rape, the boyfriend leaves, or the girls were just careless and didn't want to be mothers. After we help deliver the babies, we tell the girls the importance of abstinence, or if they're rape victims, we do what we can to help them. This girl…Tom's mother, she was different. I've forgotten some of the children's' mothers, but not Tom's mother. I don't know why--she was not a pretty girl.
"She knew she was having a son. I don't know why she knew this. She was in a dirty gray dress when she came to us. It looked like she was always wearing it. I don't know where she came from. I can't imagine any man wanting her, but I am certain that she loved Tom's father. She named Tom after his father and her father, Marvarlo. She died shortly after naming him."
Mrs. Cole looked at Serena. "Anything else you'd like to know?"
Serena was stunned and impressed. "Merope…really loved Tom's father then."
"Merope?"
"Tom's mother," Serena said, "I found out about her family a little while ago. They were…crazy. Merope was desperate to leave that kind of life."
Serena stood up. "Thanks for your help, Mrs. Cole wasn't it?"
Mrs. Cole nodded.
"I'll be going now," said Serena, "there is something I need to do."
--
Mrs. Moon did not confront Serena for taking off. Her husband told her to let Serena figure things out for her self. He reminded Mrs. Moon that Serena was still taking care of her responsibilities and not losing herself in "saving" Tom Riddle.
A few days went by after Serena's visit with her aunt and Mrs. Cole. Serena thought about it over and over, knowing that she could use the information she learned to help Tom some how. She dug through old copies of The Daily Prophet until she found articles about the Gaunts. She cut the articles out and kept them on her dresser with the locket. She read the articles repeatedly. She began to admire Merope's determination more and more. She just wished that Tom's father remained with her. Why did he leave her? Serena wondered if she go visit Tom Riddle Sr. but for all she knew, Tom Riddle Sr. may have forgotten about Merope.
Serena looked the picture of Merope when St. Mungo's released her due to injuries acquired from her father and brother.
"Merope, help me," Serena whispered. "Your son's in trouble and I don't know how to help him. I've done all I can, but maybe you can get through to him."
Merope's eyes were staring in opposite directions. Then they straightened and looked at Serena. Merope looked at her just as pleadingly and nodded her head. She pointed at Serena, then at herself and at Serena again. Merope lowered her hand and her eyes went back as they were.
Serena gasped, thinking she had imagined it. She rubbed her eyes, staring at Merope. What had she seen? What was Merope trying to tell her? Serena glanced at Merope's picture then at her face in the mirror.
"Oooh, if only I knew what to do!" Serena groaned.
Then she felt a sudden wave of epiphany. Her mouth fell open and she looked at Merope.
"If I can't reach Tom," she said, "this maybe his mother can!"
Merope smiled and nodded at Serena. Serena knew what she had to do. She grabbed the locket and Merope's clipping and shoved it into her pocket along with her handheld mirror. There wasn't a moment to waste.
--
In his usual corner of his dark, filthy cell, Tom sat with his forehead resting on his knees. He couldn't sleep, at least not like he used to. He only managed to rest his eyes a few moments until he had a nightmare. Sometimes, sleep was more painful than being awake. He couldn't escape from the dementors, even in his dreams.
Suddenly, there was a bright glow seeping through the bars of his door window. Tom lifted his face from his knees, his eyes focusing on the light.
"Tom," said a voice.
"Who's there?" Tom asked.
"Your mother," said the voice.
"Mother?" Tom didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
"Come to the door, son," said his mother's voice.
Tom stood up and came to the door. He found a woman's pale face with eyes staring in different directions. She wore a heavy gold locket around her neck.
"Are you really my mother?" he inquired.
"Yes, son."
"But…my mother is dead," said Tom. "She died when I was born."
"I did," said Merope. "But that does not mean I still can't be with you. I came because you really need me. You are winding down a dangerous road and I have to intervene. This was not the life I hoped for you."
"I didn't either," muttered Tom, "but here I am. But it does not matter. When I get out of here, I will seek revenge on everyone."
"Why, you think is wrong for them to imprison you?" she asked. "Have you done nothing to harm somebody?"
"Well…I didn't mean to."
"I know everything, my boy," said his mother. "You let the knowledge of being the Heir of Slytherin run away with you. You are in here to learn your lesson, and if you do not learn it, then you will be here again."
"They won't catch me," Tom hissed. "They will be too afraid."
"The other Heirs won't," his mother said sternly. "They will be here when you are released and they will be watching your every move. You attacked and frightened the other children at the orphanage—"
"They annoyed me," said Tom.
Merope continued. "You stole from them. You showed no respect to Professor Dumbledore when he met you. You made everyone think that you were a good student, but you not only opened the chamber of Secrets, but attacked several students, murdered a girl that was in love with you and you framed another student!"
"But Mother--,"
"No!" shouted Merope and Tom stepped back. "No son of mine will be a murderer. This was the exact kind of life I was trying to protect you from, Tom! Do you know what our family was like? For generations, we let the pride of being the last descendants of Slytherin lead us into chaos, and I will not let that happen to you! There is no family pride, not anymore! We married our own cousins, because we'd even saw other pureblooded families as a disgrace to the name of wizard.
"For eighteen years, I wanted to escape from that life. My brother was crazy, my father abusive and I was useless. I wanted to be with your father desperately. He was my only way out. I knew he wouldn't be with me so I tricked your father into drinking a glass water, laced with love potion. I didn't want to, but I had no choice. For the short time we were together, he was kind to me. He told me how beautiful I was, but I knew it was only because of the potion. Then I stopped giving it to him and—he left me."
"But why a muggle, Mother?" Tom asked. "Weren't there any wizard that would've taken more care of you? Wouldn't they want the blood of Slytherin to carry on in their children's veins?"
Merope shook her head. "I was in love with your father for years. I didn't know any wizards. We never left our shack. When you fall in love with someone, you do crazy things. You will do almost anything just to be with them. I hope you find out what love is, someday." Merope looked at him and Tom frowned. He did not understand love. Merope continued her story.
"I was sick and had no one to take care of me. I didn't want to go to Mungos. My brother would find out when he came back from Azkaban. The rest of the wizarding world would've told him. I wanted someone in my family to learn how amazing muggles were, so I chose you. I thought, if you grew up with them…you'd see that they weren't much different than you and me."
"You chose a life with muggles for me?" Tom choked.
"Yes," said Merope, her eyes tearing up. "But when you learned you had abilities, you used them to torment people, just like my brother had! You need to stop your ways, Tom, or you'll end up just like him! You have another year left in Azkaban. Instsead of using the time you have left plotting against those who've wronged you, and those you've wronged, try learning from your mistakes. You need to change. I know you want to be the greatest wizard of all time, but if you become this Lord Voldemort, no one will see you as great. Just evil."
"But…it's all I've wanted."
"Forget it," said Merope. "Want something else. You can be great without murder, Tom. Find a skill you are good at and excel at it. Found your own shop. Work in the ministry, write a book—then your face may just end up on a Chocolate Frog Card. Trust me, Tom, if you still become this Lord Voldemort, no one will want to take your picture for them. It doesn't matter how much magic you have in your blood, Tom, it is what you do with it that counts."
Tom shivered, gazing at his mother. Didn't Serena tell him the exact some thing in the Chamber two years ago?
"Remember what I said," Merope said. "You need to feel sorrow for the pain you've caused. You need to completely change. Rid your heart of anger and hate and bitterness. When you look at muggles, see them as who they are, and not as the father that left you. Muggles aren't always like that."
"But he left you!" Tom exclaimed. "He left you, when you were pregnant with me! You expect me to forgive him?"
"I've forgiven him," said Merope. "He didn't really love me. It was all the work of the love potion. I knew he wouldn't be with me otherwise. He was still a good man, a bit spoiled, but rich people can get like that. I've forgiven him, and so can you."
Merope smiled sadly at him and reached through the window to touch his hair. "You look just like your father."
Tom frowned. He didn't want to know that. It was bad enough having his name.
"Please don't hate your father, Tom," said Merope. "What he did was just human. I didn't expect him to stay with me after he learned the truth. Think of him not as a muggle, but your father. Think of him as the man your mother loved, and still loves."
Tom swallowed. He wasn't sure if he could do that.
"Do what you need to get through your pain," said Merope, "but you can't keep hating him and all muggles. Now, I must leave you."
Tom grabbed both bars of his window and pushed his face to it. "No—don't go!"
"I must," said Merope. "It's time. But remember, I will still be with you. Remember what I've told you, Tom. You need a change of heart. I love you, son."
Merope turned and walked away. Tom stuck his head out of the window, calling for her.
"No Mother!" he exclaimed. "Don't leave me again! Don't go!"
Merope walked down the stairs of Azkaban. When she came to the gate, she pulled out a mirror and looked at it. She scrunched her distorted eyes shut and her face became heart shaped and pretty. Her lank brown hair became blond. Her eyes opened, to reveal the blue eyes of Serena Moon. Serena smiled.
"I think we did it, Merope," she said, "I think we've saved your son."
TO BE CONTINUED