Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

Not Worth It

Chapter 16

Party Pooper

After consuming the love potion treats for Christmas that Merope sold to the village, everyone was acting particularly romantic to the point it was silly. It was interesting to watch and it inspired Merope to sleep less and work more. She made another batch of love potion and decided to save it for Valentines day so she could put it in chocolate and wine for the villagers. Merope spent dawn to dusk visiting Diagon Alley or shopping in the village or doing her chores.

The night before New Years Eve, she had one last dream about her son, Tom Marvolo Riddle. She watched him suffer in the forests of Albania and possess the body of Quirinus Quirrell. He made Quirrell break into the one of the vaults at Gringotts, attempting to steal The Sorcerer's Stone. He lived on the blood of unicorns and attacked Harry Potter. He failed to retrieve the Sorcerer's Stone from Harry Potter and he returned to the Albanian forest again for three years. There he was reunited with Wormtail, the man who betrayed the Potters.

Volemort dwelt in a small, crippled body that did not look human. Wormtail had to carry him place to place. It was disgusting to look at. How could a once beautiful boy and man become such an ugly creature? Merope could not believe what she was seeing. Voldemort and Wormtail came to England and took up residence in the Riddle House. He killed the groundskeeper and fed the body to Nagini, Voldemort's pet. Voldemort, Wormtail, and another Death Eater by the name of Barty Crouch made a plan to get Voldemort a new body. They were going to use the bone of his father, blood of an enemy, Harry Potter and the flesh of a servant to create a body for him. Merope had never heard of such a thing being possible. She hoped it would go wrong. When Harry appeared in the cemetery, Merope pleaded for Voldemort o stop. Yet she was just a phantom. He could not hear her.

"Bone of the Father, unknowingly taken, you would renew your son."

Merope gasped in shock and rushed to the grave of her beloved husband that had left her. "This is wrong! I know he left us, but he was still your father!"

The dust settled in the cauldron.

"Blood of the enemy, forcibly taken, you will resurrect your foe!"

Merope stood between Wormtail and the terrified young Harry Potter. "He's just a boy! Leave him alone! You were friends with his father. What's wrong with you?"
Wormtail stepped through Merope and cut Harry's arm. Harry let out a wince. Wormtail returned to the caulron to shake the blood inside. Then he took the knife to his own hand.

"Bone of the servant, willingly given, you will revive your master!"

Merope covered her mouth as Wormtail screamed and his hand plunged into the cauldron. Slowly, Voldemort stood up from the cauldron with a body as white as bone and eyes as red as blood. Merope backed up, horrified. No. That could not be her son. She refused to believe it. It was worse than all the transformations he had gone through to achieve power. Her son was an exact replica of her husband. Did her son hate his father so much that he would resort to an inhuman body so he wouldn't resemble him?

Voldemort once again tried to kill Harry Potter that day but when their wants met, neither of them could attack. Spirits came out of Voldemort's wand and acted as a shield and bought Harry enough time for him to escape.

Though Voldemort failed to kill Harry that day, he still did everything to rise to power. He broke his Death Eaters out of prison and he sent a group to the Ministry of Magic to retrieve a prophecy. Merope didn't understand this. Why would he need a prophecy? His Death Eaters failed to get it so she never got to know. But she knew it had something to to with Harry and the end of Voldemort.

Many people fell victim to Voldemort or his Death Eaters, especially after the death of Dumbledore. It was chaos. Yet somehow, Harry managed to find all of Voldemort's horcuxes and destroy them. In one last battle, with two different wands, Voldemort attempted to kill Harry. The Elder Wand, said to be the most powerful wand, did not kill Harry. Instead, Voldemort was destroyed and Harry ended up with The Elder Wand. Merope breathed a sigh of relief. It was over.

She walked over to the corpse of Voldemort. She hoped after dying his cursed body would change to something more human. But he remained more snakelike. Then her surroundings changed. She was no longer at the battle of Hogwarts but at a cave. In the place of Voldemort's body was his damaged spirit, much similar to the blackened infant that was in the cauldron.

"Tom?" she said, falling to her knees.

Voldemort groaned but said nothing.

"Tom, let's go."

"He has to stay here," said another voice.

Merope turned and there stood her estranged husband, Tom Riddle. Her eyes widened and she rose to her feet unsteadily.

"Tom, what are you doing here?"

"Someone had to get you," he said. "We all thought it was best that it would be me. It's time to move on now."

"But our son," she looked at Voldemort.

"Merope, he's no longer our son," Tom said. "You know that."

"So, he can't move forward?" Merope mumbled. "He's trapped here?"
"An incomplete soul can't move on," he said. "Not even magic can help him now." He held out his hand, the only genuine time he had done so.

Lips trembling, she took it and he led her out of the cave. "Tom—I am sorry."

"This wasn't your fault, Merope."

"Yes it is," Merope insisted. "If I hadn't tricked you into marrying me, this wouldn't have happened. It was wrong. I was just so desperate to be away from my family and with you."

"I understand why you did it," said Tom. "I am sorry I left you, but I'm sure you understand why?"

Merope nodded.

"We've both made mistakes in our lives," said Tom. "But unlike our son, we still have our souls."

"Tom, do you think," said Merope, "If I hadn't used love potion, you would have really loved me?"

Tom looked at her, smiled and shook his head. "Oh we were worlds apart, Merope. I don't think it would be possible. But maybe—there could have been a time—where we could understand one another, maybe even be friends. But I was such a fool in life. A stubborn fool."

Merope glanced back at the cave, looked at Tom and heaved a great sigh.

–

Merope woke up that morning not sure how to feel. She knew she wouldn't have to dream about Volemort anymore so she was a little relieved at that. But she knew that pursuing Tom Riddle was wrong, and it bothered her. Was he really not the one for her? Was he never going to fall for her? Or would anyone? She still ached to be near with Tom Riddle, even after the dreams. If they were meant to be together, which was very unlikely, it couldn't be through a love potion. She would have to try to get to know him better. Maybe they could still be together, if things worked out. But she had no idea how.

Merope's father would be out of Azkaban in four months time. She had to do something if she didn't want to be bullied and abused by him anymore. After her dreams of Voldemort, she knew that using love potion would not work. Yet, even still, she yearned to be near him.

She received a letter from Emily about a New Years party at Diagon Alley. Emily had to probe her into leaving her cauldron to come to the party. It was at Madame Trelawney's fortune shop. Instead of divination charms and tools in the shop, there was a table of nice food and music playing. Some of the guests were regular customers of Madame Trelawney. They were mostly around Merope and Emily's age.

While Merope was trying out the food and talking to Emily, Emily noticed a young, forlorn looking man walk in. Emily waved her arm.

"Clarence! So good to see you!"

Clarence sighed and walked to Emily. "Hello, Emily. Thank you for inviting me. I can't stay long. Not in the mood for merry making."

"Are you ill?" Merope asked. "I can make you a potion to make you feel better.

"Ill?" said Clarence with a fake laugh. "If it were that easy."

Merope looked at him confused. His eyes looked bloodshot and there were dark circles underneath them. He was rather pale. Something clearly was bothering him.

"Oh this is my friend, Merope," said Emily. "She's quite a hand at potions. Merope, this is Clarence. He plays Keeper for the Tutshill Tornadoes."

"How do you do," said Clarence shortly. "I'm afraid a potion won't cure what is ailing me."

"I don't understand," said Merope, "You look pale and I'm sure a pepper up potion would help."

"Of course you don't," said Clarence. "A Pepperup Potion wouldn't help me. What I need is something that would bring back the dead. There is no magic that could do that."

Merope frowned. "Oh. I see."

"Clarence lost his wife in childbirth recently," Emily explained. "The baby too."

"What happened?" Merope inquired.

Clarence looked at her and folded s arms. "My wife was a muggle and those bastards at Saint Mungos wouldn't help her. They claimed that childbearing pains were normal and could be handled at a muggle hospital. What rubbish! I knew there was something wrong, more than what muggle doctors could do but the healers wouldn't help her just because she was a muggle!"

"That's terrible!" Merope exclaimed. "I'm so sorry."

"I'm sure that one day St. Mungos would treat muggles too," said Emily.

"Not in our lifetime," Clarence muttered. "I'm sure. I see some of my fellow teammates. If you excuse me."

Emily nodded as he parted from them. She turned to Merope. "So sad for him. He comes to the shop once a week for a reading. He's hoping that we can communicate with her. But I'm a seer, not a necromancer."

"St. Mungos really doesn't treat muggles?" Merope inquired. "Isn't Trelawney's son a healer?"

"Yes, he is," said Emily. "I've asked him about it but he says it's out of his hands. He doesn't have that sort of authority."

Merope felt terrible. She had lost her mother. She wished she could speak to her again. Eve though she had found her book, she still wondered if her mother could have some guidance for her right now. A young good looking wizard with brown hair approached Emily. "It's an hour till midnight, Em. I don't think she'll come."

Merope looked at them curiously. "Who?"

"Lycoris Black," Emily answered quickly. "I'm sure she will, Robert. I owled her and she said she would come if she could."

"I'm surprised she was even able to answer your letter, since you're muggleborn. No offense."

"Not at all. I did a reading on both of you," said Emily with a smile. "You're meant for each other."

"Her mother doesn't seem to think so," Robert sighed. "Perhaps she was trying to get here and her mother stopped her."

"I didn't know she knew about your relationship," said Emily.

"I haven't said anything to her about it," Robert said. "And Lycoris claims that she hasn't said anything but the Blacks only care about pure blood supremacy. I'm a halfblood as were my parents. Halfbood isn't good enough. Only because my grandmothers on both sides married muggles."

"That's because my grandfather turned both of them down," said a male voice. "And they married muggles to spite him."

A young man in sharp clothes and features to match approached them followed by an equally dressed woman. Merope recognized her as Mrs. Black's daughter the day she came for her fortune.

"Lycoris," said Robert. "You came...and your brother?"

"He insisted I brought him along," said Lycoris, "and he wouldn't tell our parents. I'm holding you to it, Regulus. I swear, I'll make an unbreakable vow if I-"

"Relax," Regulus said. "I wanted to get out of the house too. Tired of the same thing every year."

Regulus looked at Emily who straightened her shoulders, looking back. "That fudge you sent was actually delicious, but you should have gone without the extra ingredient."

"Oh really," said Emily with a smirk. "I think it made all the difference."

Regulus narrowed his eyes and groaned. Lycoris looked from her brother and to Emily.

"Everyone thought he had gone mad," Lycoris said. "Ranting that he had to come see you. Father had to use a tripping jinx on him to prevent him from flooing to your house. Didn't think you fancied my brother, Snow."

"I didn't!" Emily exclaimed. "It was just a joke. Wanted to teach you a lesson about muggleborns. We're not as inferior as you might think."

"Not sure he or we have learned it," said Lycoris. "We true wizarding families must keep to our traditions. You might be able to use a wand, Snow, but I doubt you are truly worthy of it."

Merope frowned. The Blacks reminded her of her father. Pureblood this, pureblood that. Muggles and mudbloods are the scum of the earth. She was tired of hearing it. Emily went through all this trouble to put this New Years Party together and the two Black children were giving her a hard time.

"I thought this was a party," Merope said softly.

"Say again?" Lycoris looked at her. Merope gasped at drawing attention to herself. "Don't think I met you."

"I—I'm Merope Gaunt," said Merope. "I thought this was a party."

"Gaunt...weren't your brother and father sent to Azkaban last fall?" Lycoris inquired.

Merope nodded. "Father got six months. Morfin three years."

Lycoris opened her mouth to say something further but Robert pushed a drink into her hand so quickly that it looked like he had summoned it. "Merope is right. It's a party so let's have some fun." He smiled at her and said softly. "It's nearly midnight."

"I'll try," Lycoris mumbled.

"Please, enjoy yourselves," said Emily. "Have a pasty, some wine. I promise there's no extra ingredient in anything."

Regulus glared at her but nonetheless, went to the refreshments table to try out the food. Emily chuckled.

"Well he's still a bit of a prat," said Emily. "But I think the love potion helped."

"I'm surprised he's even here," said Merope.

"Me too," said Emily. "I had a good feeling that Lycoris would come. She and Robert are in love, though of course, it's kind of forbidden."

"He said he's a halfblood," said Merope. "The Blacks even have a problem accepting them?"

Emily nodded. "It's so sad. Robert's very talented. Became Quidditch captain in just his fourth year. Favors keeper but he plays the other positions just as good. He's pretty capable in magic too. For a Slytherin, he's quite all right. It does help that Professor Slughorn isn't prejudiced. Tries to teach the students of his house that. Some get it, some don't. It seemed to work a little on Lycoris but I don't think she's about to start supporting muggleborns and muggles anytime soon."

"What does he do now?" said Merope.

"He plays chaser for the Chudley Cannons," said Emily. "They just happen to be Mr. Black's favorite team too but that's probably because they have won so many times in the past. But I see in the future their streak will come to an end."

"I'll refill the refreshments," Merope said, noticing that the refreshment table was starting to look bare. She felt awkward being in the crowd. Last time she was at a party was for Tom Riddle's birthday, and she made a fool of herself there.

She went to the kitchen and returned to find Clarence having an argument with Regulus Black. Emily was trying to get them to stop. Merope put the food on the table and wen to see if there was something she could do to help.

"So you're saying that my wife deserved to die, is that it?" Clarence was saying. "Just because she was a muggle?" Clarence was reaching for his wand. Regulus took a slight step back. "Careful, I'm still in Hogwarts. My grandfather wouldn't be happy."

"He's just a lad, Clarence," Robert squeezed his shoulder. "He doesn't know what he's saying. We understand your loss and you're upset. Save it for the Quidditch pitch, eh?"

Clarence glared at Regulus, his hand tightening on his wand. "I'm sick of you purebloods thinking you're better than everyone else! You ought to know that not marrying muggles would cause us to be extinct, don't you? Having generations of wizards does have its disadvantages, boy. Shortened lifespan, increased possibility of squibs—Bet your grandfather never told that, has he?"

Merope frowned. There were wizards in her family for more than ten generations. Could his words be true? Was this why her mother died young and Merope struggled in magic?

"Everyone please calm down," said Emily. "Lycoris, I'm sorry but if you can't control your brother I'd have to ask you to-"

"No need, Emily," said Clarence. "I knew I shouldn't have come here."

"Clarence," Emily protested. "It's almost midnight."

Clarence shook his head and walked to out of the party, possibly to The Leaky Cauldron for a stronger drink.

Many of the other guests looked at Regulus with disdain while he acted like there was no big deal. He noticed the new desserts Merope brought in.

"Ah, treacle tart!" he said and proceeded to eat one.

"I'm so sorry," Lycoris said. "Had I known...I didn't know Clarence would be here and I didn't know about his wife."

"It's not your fault your brother is a git," said Robert. "I think it's because he's the youngest. Your mother spoils him more and he's trying to look good for the family."

Lycoris still looked upset about it but she didn't say anything. When the clock was about to strike midnight, Emily got everyone quiet so the could countdown. Merope looked around and noticed couples standing next to each other. When the clock struck twelve it cried, "Happy New Year!"

Everyone echoed the phrase and the couple that were standing near each other began kissing. Merope frowned. She was one of the few women that did not have someone. It was midnight now and she figured it was time to go. She was actually quite tired and did not feel like partying all night. She was surprised she made it this walked to Emily.

"I've got to go Emily," she said.

"So soon?" Emily said. "The party's until two. I can put you up for the night."

"Yes, I'm tired," said Merope, glancing around. "Thanks for the offer. Happy New Year, Emily."

"Well thanks for coming," said Emily.

Merope nodded and she turned to the fireplace. She tossed in a handful of floo powder and shouted her home. She was engulfed in green flames and then she was in her small shack. She was to tired to brush her teeth or get in her pajamas. She just removed her dress and crawled into bed, thinking of what the party was like without her. They were probably talking about new years resolutions and things they wanted to see for the new year. Other than not having to withstand her father's abuse one more day, Merope didn't know what she wanted to have happen this year. If there was a way for her to move to another home before he came, or for him to remain in Azkaban longer, that would make her quite happy. He would be home in three months. She had better think of something until then.

Her eyes grew heavy and she fell asleep. She was certain that the widower Clarence wasn't going to sleep as easily tonight.

TO BE CONTINUED