Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. This is made by a fan, for fans.

Author's Note: I redid the last couple chapters and changed Merope's dreams a little.

Not Worth It

Chapter 10

Dancing Lessons

Following the dream of Tom and the two other children in the cave, Merope dreamed of Albus Dumbledore from Hogwarts coming to meet Tom and offer him a place at Hogwarts. She was unsure how, but Dumbledore knew he had been stealing from the children and using his abilities in negative ways. He told Tom to return what he had stolen and apologize for his actions. He also warned him about such activities at Hogwarts. Shortly after Dumbledore left, Tom did as he was told and he no longer bullied the children. However, he made no attempts to befriend them either. After Tom got his school supplies from Diagon Alley, he spent most of his time studying.

When he came to Kings Cross station, Merope could have sworn she saw her estranged husband Tom in the crowd. Her heart leaped to her chest and she gazed at the man with dark hair. Could it be him?

"Tom!" she shouted. "Tom!" She followed him, trying to get a good look at his face. "Tom, it's me! Merope! Your wife!"

What would he be doing in London? In a train station? If he wanted to visit London, he didn't have to take a train. He had a chauffeur. The dark haired man boarded a train at platform one. Though she remembered, it was by train that got them to London when they eloped. Still, whether that was Tom or not, he couldn't see or hear her. Merope was dead.

Merope turned around just in time to see her son dissapear through the wall between platforms nine and ten. From there she witnessed his solitary train ride to Hogwarts and how he spent his first year. The Sorting Hat was only on his head for a split second when it announced him a Slytherin. She saw a smirk on her sons' face when he went to sit with the Slytherin table. Was this the house he wanted? . Tom seemed to excel at everything, except for flying. She wondered at first if her son was afraid of heights, but the broom didn't seem to obey his command. When he finally managed to get it to come up and he could hold it, he looked bothered. Her son was a completely different person at Hogwarts. When the term ended, she could tell he was upset. He did not want to return to the orphanage.

Merope tried to push the thoughts of her dreams aside when she woke up. She was going to Tom Riddle's party today and she wanted it to be perfect. She could not afford any mistakes. After making extra Vitamix potion, she put it in a liter sized bottle. She gazed at it, frowning. The bottle was dusty and rather large. What was he supposed to think it was? If the potion was red or white, it could pass as wine. However, the potion was bright orange. Would he accept the gift like this? She had to put it in something different. She hoped to find something in town. She put the bottle in her satchel along with her wand and some other things and set off the village.

Merope's first stop was at the pub. Oscar was not at the bar, instead a younger, irritated looking man. Merope approached the bar with a smile, but when the young man glared at her, it vanished.

"If you have no money for drink, get out," he hissed.

"I'm not here for a drink," Merope said. "I'm here to ask for work."

"Work?" he laughed. "You expect me to give you a job, after your good for nothing father drank this place dry? He ran up a tab of fifty pounds!"

"If you could Oscar for me," said Merope.

"My father is busy," he said.

"My mother worked here," Merope said softly. "To-,"

"Yes, I know," the young man growled. "Reason why my mother left. She thought your mother and my father were having an affair!"

"Please," Merope said. "If you have mice I can..."

"We have traps and poison for that," he said.

"You don't have to pay me," said Merope. "I'll just take old bottles."

"No!" he said fiercely. "Now get out!"

Merope frowned and left the pub, feeling humiliated. She was foolish to think they would offer her work after all the things her father did. And perhaps now, her mother. Was it possible that her mother had an affair with the proprietor of The Hanged Man? Did she sell herself for money too?

Merope moved onto Constance Webber's store. Most of her merchandise she made herself, others were items on consignment.

"Why, it's Merope," said Constance when she walked in. "How are you liking your new things?"

"They're great." Merope replied. "I was wondering if you have any nice bottles?"

"Bottles?" Constance raised an eyebrow. "Whatever for?"

"Well, I've got a present for Tom Riddle," she replied, pulling up the liter bottle of Vitamix. "But I want to put it in something nicer."

Constance gasped. "I recognize that! After I had my baby I was so tired. Your mother gave me some of this. Told me to put just a teaspoon or two in my morning tea and I'd have energy for the entire day! It's fantastic! Don't suppose you have more?"

Merope nodded. "I made some today. It's an easy enough elixir to make. I can bring you some later."

"Well I've got some nice carafes here," said Constance, leading Merope down the aisles. "But it might still look funny to give to Tom Riddle. They're still big. It doesn't look like wine, does it? I suppose you can pour it in a cologne bottle, if I've got one large enough."

"That's all right," said Merope. "Whatever's left in my bottle is yours."

"Really?" Constance blinked.

Merope nodded, holding up the liter bottle. "I like these cologne bottles."

"I quite agree," said Constance, putting her hands on her hips. "Some people toss them out when they empty, but I like to keep them. And it will be easier to pass that as a cologne—but it will have the same affect if you just wear it, right?"

"I believe so," said Merope.

"How did you manage to get an invitation to Tom Riddle's birthday party?" said Constance. "I don't mean to be rude, but he's not exactly the nicest person in the village. He's the squire's son and your the daughter of a...well...ah..."

"Horrible old man," Merope sighed. "Well, Kevin Hale had an invitation and he's allowed to bring a guest."

"The constable's son, yes, good lad," Constance said. "Hmm, how about this one?" She picked up the largest bottle on the shelf. "It's only four and a half ounces, I'm afraid, but the biggest one I've got. It's quite elegant, looking, I must say."

The bottle was round and the glass looked like crystal. Merope nodded. "It will do fine."

"I hope he wears it," said Constance. "But if I see him with a certain spring in his step, I think I'll know why."

After filling the cologne bottle, Merope left her liter with Constance. Constance also gave her a box for her to put in. When Merope left her shop, Constance filled her teacup with the concoction and took a long swig.

Though she knew she was early, Merope went to the Hale residence. Kevin wasn't home because he doing a job for someone in the village, giving the girls time to themselves. With Mrs. Hale's instruction, Lora brought whatever red clothing she had to Mrs. Hale's bedroom. Lora just had a red blouse and a red hairband that had a rose on it.

"That's all?" Mrs. Hale asked. "No skirt or dress?"

Lora shrugged. "I don't like red, and I wear a skirt enough of the time at school. I just wear that headband and blouse for Christmas."

"What colors do you like?" Merope asked, trying to make conversation.

"Dark ones," Lora said. "Black especially."

"Well she's going to a party, Lora, not a funeral," Mrs. Hale chided.

"Black goes with everything, Mum," Lora folded her arms. "I've got homework to do."

"Lora," Mrs. Hale groaned. "Don't you want to help?"

"I did," Lora said.

"That girl," Mrs. Hale whispered, shaking her head.

Mrs. Hale searched her closet, finally finding a long red skirt. She surprisingly found an old pair of red shoes, but she was concerned they were a bit too big for Merope's feet. Merope tried them on and there was just a small space between her heel and the shoe. As Mrs. Hale turned her back to begin searching again, Merope used a shrinking charm to make them small enough to fit.

"I got them to fit, Mrs. Hale," said Merope.

"How did you manage that?" Mrs. Hale gasped, coming over to examine them.

Merope shrugged, unable to think of something to say.

"Well I've got a long red skirt here," said Mrs. Hale, taking it from closet. "Forgot I had this. Well try it on with Lora's blouse. I'll be right back." Taking the headband and shoes with her, Mrs. Hale went downstairs.

Merope got dressed in the red blouse and skirt and gasped when she looked herself in the mirror. Red was such a bold color, but it made her look rather pretty. After making some turns, Mrs. Hale came back with the shoes and hairband. "Oh, you look so pretty! I put some silk roses on these."

Merope placed the rose hairband on her head and the shoes on her feet. Mrs. Hale then led her to a chair where she continued to doll her up.

"Lora hates it when I practice putting makeup on her and doing her hair," Mrs. Hale said. "She's always dressing in black, sometimes even in her brother's clothes."

"Really?" Merope asked as Mrs. Hale put curlers in her hair.

"Oh yes," said Mrs. Hale. "I'm hoping it's just a phase."

Mrs. Hale continued to chat while she put make up on Merope. After the curlers had set, she removed them and Merope's hair was wavy and bouncy. Kevin walked by the door. He had grass stains on his pants and he looked worn out. He didn't notice Merope.

"Kevin!" His mother called.

"Eh?" he stepped back, leaning against the door frame. He covered his yawn with a hand.

"I have your suit pressed," she said, taking it off the bed. "And your father's tie. Hurry and get ready."

"What?" Kevin said. "What's going on?"

"You've forgotten?" His mother demanded, hands on her hips. "You're taking Merope to Tom Riddle's birthday party!"

"I am?" He spotted t Merope and blinked. "Oh hi there, Merope! That color looks good on you. Isn't that Lora's shirt?"

Merope nodded and looked down, a warmth coming to her cheeks.

"Yes, it is," said Mrs. Hale. "We got Cinderella here ready for the ball. Now it's your turn."

"The ball?" Kevin frowned. "I doubt it'll be anything like that, Mother. Dull, boring, and Tom and his lot will just make fun of us. The way they have their table settings and the dancing. You know I don't like it, and poor Merope here doesn't understand all that."

"You said you'd take her!"

"I know, Mother," he said. "but I'm really tired from working today. Can't I just have a nap first?"

"Oh I know what a nap is like for you, Kevin!" Mrs. Hale hissed. "You'll say you'll sleep five minutes and you'll end up sleeping for three hours! And then you'll be even more tired from oversleeping!"

"But Mother..."

Merope sat quietly as Kevin and Mrs. Hale continued to argue. Merope suddenly felt horrible for asking him to take her to a party he clearly didn't want to go and on top of that, he looked absolutely exhausted. Even if he did manage to get her to the party, he was likely to fall asleep in his bowl of soup. Maybe they should just forget about the party. Even though she wanted so badly to see Tom's home, meet with him and give him his present.

Merope straightened up. His present. The Vita-mix Elixir.

"How about some tea instead?" Merope jumped up.

"Sorry?" said Mrs. Hale.

"I can make some tea," said Merope. "A special kind that be good for us all." Without waiting for permission, Merope went passed them.

"I suppose I could use a cuppa," said Kevin, following her.

"Now wait a minute," said Mrs. Hale. "Merope, your dress!"

"I'll wear an apron," she insisted. "I want to make you all some tea...to thank you."

"Oh, very well," said Mrs. Hale. "I'll see if Lora wants any."

After Kevin showed her where the tea and teacups were kept, Merope insisted that he sat down. As the water was brewing, Merope put a teaspoon of the Vita-mix Elixer in two teacups with the teabags.

"Sorry for this, Merope," Kevin yawned. "There's so many people that want some wood chopped and other projects done before winter."

"Don't worry," said Merope. "After a cup of tea you'll be all better."

Mrs. Hale returned down without Lora. "Lora doesn't want any tea."

"More for me," Kevin chuckled tiredly. Despite his tiredness, he was still cheery. She handed them both a cup. In between sips, Kevin mentioned he felt his energy coming back and Mrs. Hale said she felt ten years younger all of a sudden.

"I'll take a shower and get dressed," Kevin said, standing up. "Thanks for the tea, Merope. It was just what I needed."

Whistling, he went back up stairs, with the familiar spring in his step. Mrs. Hale went to the cubards loaded her arms with different sizes of miscellaneous dishes and set them on the table. Merope gave her a quizzical look.

"Kevin made a point," she said, setting a plate with a bowl on top in front of her. "The table will be set rather formally. Your soup bowl will be on top of your dinner plate...or is it salad? Well...anyway, You remember to go top to bottom, left to right. And there will be three different glasses: water, red wine and white wine. Of course, they'd be in goblet style glasses, instead of these tankards."

Merope looked absolutely puzzled as Mrs. Hale continued to explain the complicated table setting, what to eat when, how to pick up her drink, where to put her napkin. Merope was developing a headache. How was she supposed to remember all of this? She was just wanted to give Tom his present and have him fall in love with her.

Kevin returned downstairs in his suit, whistling. Mrs. Hale paused from the lesson to compliment her son.

"Oh my, don't you look handsome!" Mrs. Hale exclaimed.

"Cheers, Mum."

Merope couldn't keep herself from staring. Kevin was looking rather handsome at this moment. She almost forgot about Tom Riddle, and her desire to make him hers.

"Right, more lessons," said Mrs. Hale. "Right, Merope, get up and stand by Kevin, take his arm."

Merope felt even more awkward as Mrs. Hale told Kevin to pull the chair out for her, sit in fornt of her and she rehearsed the table setting. After that, she gave them dancing lessons. Merope was all tight, kept stepping on Kevin's toes and moving in the wrong direction.

"Mother, maybe this is a bit too much instruction for now," said Kevin, sensing Merope's uneasiness.

"Oh, are you toes sore from Merope stepping all over them?" grinned Lora from behind her camera. She was snapping photos of the pair during their lessons.

"Lora!" Kevin snapped.

"Oh, I suppose that is enough," Mrs. Hale looked at the clock. "You should be headign out there. The Riddles like punctuality. I swear, if yo'r enot there at least 10 minutes early, they'll shut you out of the party. Steven, can you get the car keys for Kevin?"

"The car?" said Lora. "You sure that's a good idea Father? If he drives off the hill, you may have to put him away."

"Lora!" Mrs. Hale chided.

"What a story to tell my friends," Lora said, "my father the constable putting away his own son for wreckign our car!"

Lora started laughing and for some reason, be it nerves or that she actually found it funny, Merope chuckled a little too.

"All right here's the keys," said the constable, handing them to Kevin. "Remember, you have to stomp the gas a little to get it started, and and you have to tap the clutch. Oh, keep the steering wheel steady, it pulls to the left a bit."

"Right, of course, Father," said Kevin, holding his hand out and the constable paused, pulling his hand back.

"Mmm, maybe I should take you there in my patrol car, just in case."

At this, Lora burst into even more robust laughter. "Oh the Riddles will have heart attacks!"

"I've seen you drive the Cowley plenty of times," Kevin told his father, raising his voice over his sister's laughter. "I can handle it."

The constable gave his son his keys. Kevin pocketed them.

"But if you do wreck the car, son," said the constable. "I won't put you away. You'll just spend about ten years of your life to pay it off."

"Oh, right, of course, Father," Kevin cleared his throat. They were headed to the door and his sister called out their names.

"What is it, Lora?" Kevin demanded and his sister took another picture. She then handed it her brother. "Take loads of pictures! See if you can get one of every room, maybe the view from the balcony!"

"Lora, I doubt the Riddles would appreciate me poking around their house taking pictures."

"Oh come on!"

Instead of Kevin taking the camera, Merope took it and placed it in her bag. "All right."

"Thanks, Merope. Um, you know how to work a camera, don't you?"

Merope nodded, though she didn't have the slightest idea. But she liked the idea of having pictures too. Maybe she might be able to have one for herself. Merope saw Mrs. Hale beaming at them. "You two have fun! And Kevin, you'd better be a gentleman!"

"I will," Kevin muttered opening the door for Merope. He led her their family's car: a red 1923 Morris Cowley. Merope slid in to the seat, being ever so careful not to wrinkle her dress. When Kevin got into the seat, they both took in a deep breath. They were both nervous. After hearing her sigh, Kevin looked at her and smiled. He tried to be a gentleman and be funny at the same time.

"Well, m'lady," he said, sounding like he was from the 1700s. "Shall we go to the ball?"

Merope chuckled and nodded and after several attempts, Kevin managed to start the car and make their way to the Riddle Mansion.

To Be Continued