Besot: to infatuate, obsess.
May 5, 1925
He was… everything. To Merope Gaunt, this tall, pale, dark-haired young man was far more than just rich or just handsome or just anything at all. He made the stars shine and the day break. He was her savior, the one who had given her the courage to break free, her first and only glimpse of a life that was not ugly.
She perched on the edge of the mattress, watching the early light play over his chiseled features. He looked younger asleep, hardly more than a boy. And his peaceful expression was natural. There was no drugged lilt to him like this. She could almost imagine that he would wake and be glad to find himself here. Perhaps… perhaps he would.
She pushed her fingers along the striped pattern of her dress over her abdomen. Surely – surely – life could not be made on illusion alone. Surely miracles did not come about accidentally. She had never given him the chance to love her, so quick to assume he wouldn't. Her hand jumped to the locket still strung around her neck. It nested cold and clammy in the cup of her palm, the weight of her father's shame and derision. But he'd been wrong. Look at what she'd done; Look at where she was. He'd been wrong about her and she'd been wrong about her… so couldn't Tom have been wrong about her, too?
He stirred on the bed and she jumped. She watched his eyes flutter open, clear and alert and looking at her – just her the way she was. Her heart hammered. She let the confusion swim across his face, let him prop himself up on his elbows and stare around the room. And then his gaze fixed back on her and he opened his mouth –
She couldn't do it. Almost involuntarily, she raised the little beaker to his mouth and tipped a few drops over his lips. The change was instantaneous. A purplish haze infused his dark irises, a haze came over his expression, a vague, hapless smile drooped so out of place on his aristocratic lips.
"Thank you, love," he said, leaning up to kiss her cheek. "I really don't know what I'd do without you nursing me. You're too good to me."
She smiled ruefully, letting her hands fall limply into her lap. Someday soon, she would do it. Someday soon, she would stop being afraid of herself because this child deserved true happiness, not just a simulation.
A/N: I've known this word would fall to Marope Gaunt for months now. Had to get a little obscure. Sorry. Review and tell me who you like to hear about and I'll try to get back round to them! :) I think it was Amy who wanted to see Harry and Dudley's families together? Right, well, love you all.