The sounds of delicate piano playing echoed through the house. The keys seemed to be telling their own story, a sonata detailing of love, of loss, of life. Emotion poured through every note, each stronger than the last. Anyone who heard it could say how beautiful it was, that the playing somehow brought tears to their eyes whenever they heard such talent.
This was a regular sound at Riddle Manor.
"Annalise!" a woman cried out through the home. She heard the sounds of the piano so she would know exactly where the girl was, where she always was.
In the library.
Annalise Riddle could almost always be found either seated at the bench of the expensive grand piano or on the bench overlooking the rose gardens with a book in her hand, the family cat by her side. Today, it seemed, she had chosen the piano. Her mother would be smiling when she entered the room. She loved it when her daughter played. It was too beautiful not to love, even on occasions like tonight when they were so incredibly late.
Evelyn Riddle walked into the room—as indicated by the echoing sound of her heels—and stood behind her daughter. She placed her hands on Annalise's shoulders and kissed her cheek. Annalise smiled but didn't stop playing. She wouldn't unless she had to. "Darling, I love your playing but we must make haste," her mother murmured.
Annalise ceased her playing and sighed, staring down at hands that felt so empty without the keys underneath. "Do we have to?"
"Yes, Annalise," her mother said because she never called her Annie. "You know Aunt Astoria has been begging me to bring you to one of these and I promised you would go."
Annie sighed and followed her mother out of the room. She was already dressed and prepared to leave, knowing that she wouldn't win any argument about going, not that she would put one up anyway. She didn't like confrontation enough to do that—such a stark difference from the rest of her family, who had all been, at the bare minimum, an accomplice to murder at one point in their lives. But, she supposed, that just came with being a part of the Dark Lord's family. Death and destruction were like their version of family game night.
"You don't have to dance with anyone," her mother continued, seeming to guess her daughter's reservations. "And you don't even have to speak with anyone. All we have to do is arrive and Astoria will be satisfied."
Annie didn't like parties. She didn't like crowds. She didn't like people. So a three-day masquerade ball? That was far from something she would like. Very far, indeed.
She didn't enjoy talking to people. She didn't like the small talk as they looked at her either with disappointment, realizing she was the less beautiful, softer version of her mother or with fear as they remembered her father was the most powerful wizard on the planet. Plus, she wasn't good at talking to people. She never seemed to know what they wanted to hear, always shutting down the moment they began to ask her questions. Shy didn't seem to cover what Annie was. More like terrified of everyone outside of her family.
Terror was a natural emotion for someone related to Tom Riddle to experience, though, usually, it was directed at them instead of the other way around. But Annie had spent her whole as the baby of the Riddle family. Her father and brother were very overprotective of her and even her mother insisted that there were many dangers in the world, things that could destroy a girl like her who could barely defend herself against a teasing older brother. She was small, not very good at magic, and utterly naive. It didn't exactly make her confident in the world, especially when her mother had gone through hell and back when she was younger and Evelyn was even stronger than her daughter. They all repeated how someone would easily take a girl like her to get back at her father. Hearing things like that constantly, how could she not be afraid?
So Annie was shy. She stayed away from people, even at Hogwarts. She wasn't good at making friends—you had to talk to people to make friends, after all—and she wasn't good at remaining calm in social situations. They could hurt you, she would think, even if all they were asking about was her favorite color or what she did the previous weekend. They could take you and hurt you just like they did to Mum.
For the most part, her family didn't mind that she was shy. Her father loved that she didn't want to talk to other people, her mother didn't push her to be someone she wasn't, and her brother was thankful that he didn't have to chase away any boys.
And yet there they were, Annalise dressed in a sparkly white gown that fell straight to the floor, embroidered with tiny flowers that matched the ones in their garden. It emphasized what little curves she had while also accentuating her petite size. Her mother had picked it out. "You look absolutely stunning, darling," she had said with tears in her eyes when Annie first appeared in the foyer. "Just beautiful."
Tom gifted his daughter a small, silver tiara to wear on her head. "For my little princess," he murmured as he fastened it to her hair, which was in a curled bun that left many pieces of brown hair to fall down her back. Then, he gave her a matching necklace of many small diamonds that sat elegantly on her neck. It was dainty and yet very pretty.
James, her older brother, smiled at her. He was wearing a dashing tuxedo and grey mask, prepared to escort his younger sister to the festivities. Their parents were going to go until Evelyn insisted that Tom would make their daughter too nervous so James offered to go. Annie was thankful for it. She didn't know how she would make it through the night without knowing James was keeping an eye on her. At least if he was there, she would know that she was somewhat safe.
Annie studied herself in the mirror. Her hair was elegant and her makeup—which was quite plain save for some gloss on her lips and some pale sparkles on her eyelids—was nice. Even the mask, which was white and adorned with flowers to match the dress, made her look regal. Perhaps I am... pretty, she thought. It was odd but Annie had never really thought of herself as pretty. Never thought of herself as ugly either. Never really thought of herself at all.
While Annie was quietly studying herself in the mirror, her family was admiring her, perhaps a bit too eagerly. "You are so beautiful, sweet girl. So, so beautiful," her mother said while fanning her eyes for tears.
"Kill anyone who thinks otherwise." There weren't tears in Tom's eyes but Annie could tell that he was getting emotional. Well, as emotional as her father could get.
"My baby girl is all grown up! Off to balls and joining the marriage market." That seemed optimistic. They all knew that Evelyn would never marry. Even if her father and brother could somehow be convinced to approve of a boy, it was unlikely that Evelyn would ever trust one enough to devote her life to them, to ever not be afraid of what they might do to hurt her.
"Mom, we said she's not marrying."
"James is right. She's not marrying, Little Dove. Ever."
"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Tom. Of course she will marry."
Her father scowled. "Boys can't marry her if they're dead." She heard a grunt—probably from her mother's sharp elbow—and then, "Fine. She can marry if James and I approve of the boy. And only if she loves him, of course."
Annie chuckled to herself. "Then I shall never marry because that would mean someone has to talk to me."
A large grin spread across her father's face. "Even better. You can live with me and Mummy for the rest of your life. You'll always be our princess."
Normally, Annie would be thrilled at that prospect. She was a daddy's girl at heart and she did completely adore and idolize her mother. But lately... well, it was hard to explain. She loved her home and she loved her family but lately, Annalise couldn't help but wonder if something was missing from her life. She was at the stage in life where she was ready to spread her wings but too terrified to fly. At twenty years old, Annie had been an adult (in the eyes of the Wizarding World) for three years and yet she had nothing to show for it. No job, no real accomplishments besides a few pianoforte suites, no friends, nothing. She'd never even left England. Perhaps it was time for her to get out there, to find a life of her own.
But that was all so much easier in her head, where she wasn't completely terrified of the world. In reality, the idea of leaving Riddle Manor even for a weekend made her palms sweaty and her heart race.
James offered his arm up to Annie before saying goodbye to their parents, promising to have her back and completely single in four days. This was a three-day ball so Mrs. Malfoy—who was somewhat of a friend to their mother—offered to host the Riddles along with a few other guests of the same age. They would attend the dances on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before traveling home Monday.
It had been four years since Annie had learned to apparate and it was still dreadfully uncomfortable, her stomach feeling like it was pulling downward, making her nauseous. When they arrived outside Malfoy Manor, she had to take a few breaths to steady herself.
"You alright?" James asked, still holding onto her arm. He was always a really good brother to her. Perhaps a tad overprotective but everyone else was too so it didn't bother her. James was her only real friend while she was at Hogwarts. Even now, as most of his time was taken up by studying to be their father's heir, he always made time for her, listening to her play the pianoforte or taking her to shop for new books in Hogsmeade.
"I'm fine," Annie lied. Well, it wasn't a full lie. She was mostly fine. Nauseous from apparating, nervous from the crowd she could hear, itching to go back home where it was safe and no one could take her.
"I'll be here the whole time..." James trailed off and she sensed there was more.
"But?"
He winced. "But I was hoping to spend some time with Charlotte." Annie knew Charlotte, a girl in James's year that he had been interested in toward the end of their time at Hogwarts. Charlotte was very nice and always tried to welcome Annie, who did the best she could not to be completely awkward whenever she was around the girl.
Her brother looked at her expectantly and Annie knew that what she said next would determine their weekend. If she allowed it, James would probably spend all three days with Charlotte. Annie would be alone and frightened in an unfamiliar home surrounded by unfamiliar people. She probably would go the entire time without talking to anyone else. But if she said no, James would spend the whole time glued to her side, miserable because he couldn't be with Charlotte but insisting that it was alright. Did she want to do that to her brother? Hadn't Annie just remarked that she wanted to become more independent?
Perhaps tonight was the night to start.
"Alright," she said softly.
"Alright?" James asked as if he hadn't expected her to say that. To be honest, she hadn't either. "Annie, are you sure? I know this is a lot for you. I'm more than happy to be with you."
"It's fine." Annie's voice was quiet. Or perhaps it just sounded quiet because they were entering a ballroom with hundreds of people. "Charlotte is nice and I... I can meet others my age. You should be happy."
"Hey," James said, bumping her shoulder. "I am happy with you."
"You see me every day."
"And every day is a blessing," he cooed, kissing her cheek lightly so as not to rub off her makeup.
"Go," she giggled. "Find Charlotte."
James stopped and grabbed her hands, looking into her eyes with his deep, grey irises, the ones that matched their mother's. "If you need me, I won't be far. Don't take off your mask and don't go off with any strangers. And no drinking."
She smiled softly. "Alright."
"Remember," James said, kissing her hand, "No one here knows who you are. All they see is a beautiful girl in a pretty mask and gown. Perhaps you can use that to your advantage. Meet some other girls. But not boys. You can't trust any guy except me. We're all horrible liars with only one thing on our minds. Don't talk to any of them, okay sweet girl?"
She was sure he meant it as a way of telling her she wouldn't be targeted by their father's enemies since no one would know which children were Riddles. But, in a way, it almost seemed like a reminder: no one knew who she was. They wouldn't know she was shy or afraid or awkward. Perhaps in this dress and mask, Annie could become someone else. Even if just for a night.
So she stepped into the ballroom with her head high and a glimpse of a smile on her face. Perhaps this wouldn't be so bad.
⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆ ⭒ ˚ . ⋆
Annie fingered the fabric of her dress as she walked around the room. The ball had already begun by the time she and her brother arrived so she wasn't entirely sure where to go. Did she grab some lemonade? No, she didn't want to risk it being spiked and alcohol was entirely out of her comfort zone. She couldn't watch for potential threats if she was inebriated. Did she grab a refreshment? No, she was so anxious that her stomach was in knots. There was absolutely no way she could eat anything, not without immediately purging it back up.
So she just hovered at the edge of the room, really regretting telling James he didn't have to be with her. Whatever confidence she'd had whilst walking in was completely gone. She didn't know how to be charming or cool or whatever it was that she needed to succeed at these things. She only knew how to be Annie and Annie was naturally shy and timid and perhaps a little boring.
There was some commotion going on behind her but Annie paid it no mind. A few minutes ago, James was walking around with two glasses of punch so he'd probably found Charlotte and darted off to a quiet room where they could be alone. Annie didn't blame them. Being alone sounded marvelous right now.
The couples in the center began to line up for the waltz and Annie sighed, resigning herself to just watching the dances while pretending she was at home playing the songs instead. But before she could do that, a large, warm hand was placed on her back and Annie found herself being pushed to the center of the room.
"Dance with me," a husky voice whispered in her ear. "Please."
She could feel the warm breath and smell the woodsy scent of the man guiding her. Annie's mind was bombarded by a million things, so many that she could hardly do anything but react, one foot moving after the other. Who was this man? Why was he touching her? Where did he come from? Why did he want to dance with her? But, like always, Annie's mouth froze and she couldn't get a single thing out, just following his lead.
He let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
Annie supposed that she should have said something back but her mind was too focused on the warmth of the body behind her. Why did it feel so good? Why was she listening? Where was James?
Well, at least she could answer one question. He was away with Charlotte. Annie still looked around the room but he wasn't there—probably off in another room—so she sighed and turned back to her dance partner.
And there was the most beautiful man she had ever seen.
Annie is like my little baby lol, I just want to wrap her up and take her away from the world. Anyone else feel that way? I'm really enjoying writing this story so far and I hope that you are enjoying reading it :)