Title: Over Fear
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Tom/Merope
Warnings: None
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 304
Summary: AU. Merope knows she must get over her fear.
Notes:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Two Week Drabbles Wars - International Woman's Day: Task Prompt - Write your character overcoming a weakness that had previously overwhelmed or prevented her from progressing. : Dialogue Prompt - "Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it." - Brave

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Elladora Black - Bronze - Prompts Used - Gift, Whirlwind, Mother, Tray

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: [Writing Club!] The Word Prompt Express - Prompt Used - 53. Bath

200 Characters in 200 Days: 185. Tom Riddle Sr

When Merope first met Tom, he felt like a whirlwind in her very dull life. Not able to remember her mother, she was never allowed to talk about boys and how to approach ones you like, so she had no idea what to do about her feelings.

She thought about Tom every waking moment. She thought about him while she ate dinner from a tray, all alone as her brother and father didn't like spending time with her. She thought about Tom as she took a bath at night. She thought about him as she laid in bed, unable to sleep because her mind refused to quiet.

She wanted to tell Tom how she felt, but she feared his rejection. Her fear always held her back and once again, it was preventing her from achieving what she wanted: true love.

She didn't want to lose her chance at true love, though. So one day, when she saw Tom at the marketplace, she thought, 'Enough is enough. Fear will no longer rule me.'

She reached into her bag and grabbed the gift within it; she always carried it around with her in case she ever got the courage to actually give it to him.

He stood alone by the apple stand, and she made her way to him. She cleared her throat

He turned to her with a quirked eyebrow. "Yes?"

She took a deep breath. "This is for you," she murmured.

He took the gift. "Thank you." He looked into her eyes. "Do you believe in fate?" he whispered.

She remembered an old quote and repeated it for him. "Our fate lives within us, you only have to be brave enough to see it."

He smiled and her heart fluttered. Maybe finally getting over her fear really would help her get what she wanted.