It was the middle of the day, and Merope had just finished up harvesting and foraging for variety of berries, and she was grateful that not only was her basket full of them but she had managed to find a few wild garlics.

Since the arrest of her father and brother food hadn't been so scarce, and what she had found in the past few days was enough to keep her belly full for the time. What really surprised her was the fact in the months they had been gone, and words reached the village, at least once a week someone left a basket of with enough food for one whole meal.

She wasn't fully sure why no one had done this before, but if she had to guess it was becomes she is the least feared of the family. However, the food was always left anonymously so it also seemed they still found her too strange to risk her finding out who they were.

"Double, double toil and trouble Fire burn, and cauldron bubble Double, double toil and trouble..."

She sang to herself to destroy the unbearable sound of silence. Maybe it wasn't the right song for her to sing if there was a risk of someone hearing, but she could only bear silence for so long.

"Something wicked this way...," she halted when her house came into view and three figures stood outside the door. Even without seeing their faces she knew who two were based on their flamboyant clothing.

Then there was the third who, she knew the best. He could have shown up with ragged and damaged clothes and she would still recognize his beauty. It was none other than Tom Riddle. He was now closure to her home than he had ever been.

He tried to get close once out of curiosity, she believed, to see if the giant S on the door was actually a dead snake. He was seconds away from touching it before her brother flung the door open screaming because the filthy muggle had the audacity to try and touch the door of the Gaunt family.

"My dear, we have knocked several times and have waited over an hour. She is clearly not here," Thomas said in a groaning tone to his wife as he held his pipe in his hand.

"He is right mother beside the sun will be down soon and we all know you don't like being out in..." Tom tried to plead with his mother but was cut off by his father.

"Next time we come here it will be bright and early and our son will fulfill the only task he was given," Thomas gave his son a disappointed expression. "How hard is it to make sure someone is home."

Tom wanted to fire back how he didn't even want to be here to begin with. He didn't want anything they were after, but as the heir he was forced to watch how to conduct business.

"Maybe you are right, but where would a girl like her possibly be...," her voice was cut off and she screamed slightly as she turned away from the door and saw Merope standing behind them on the other side of the small damaged wooden fence around the shack. "Oh my goodness..." she placed one hand over her heart and grabbed the basket full of treats before it hit the dirt. Her breathing was rapid and deep. "What are you trying to do scaring people like..."

"Excuse me," Thomas said standing in front of his wife and offering Merope a simple smile. "I apologize for my wife she was startled is all."

Merope said nothing and quickly broke her eye contact on Tom. Though she longed to simply admire his face forever she knew that would only fan the flames of his discomfort at the sight of her. It was always best to admire him from a distant, she reminded herself.

Tom could not help but notice she had changed slightly. Most notably her eyes, they looked normal, whereas before they looked in different directions.

Her eyes were not the only difference, she appeared cleaner and better cared for than all the other times. It seems the absentee of her family had become a great blessing.

Thomas waited for her to respond but gives up and huffs on the inside.

"Miss Gaunt, my family and I have been wanting to speak to you for some time. Would you mind if we spoke for a moment?"

Merope stood silent for a moment and eventually simply nodded her head. She walked past them and opened the door allowing them inside the humble shack.

Once inside the Riddles were surprised to find it wasn't as horrible on the inside as they had imagined. It seemed like Merope, had kept it as clean and orderly as possible.

"Do you mind we take a seat?"

Merope shook her head and offered the patched up small sofa to Thomas and Mary. She saved the head chair in the household for Tom. It is her father's chair, a chair that she herself until his arrest never touched. He wouldn't allow a filthy squib like her near it. To others it is nothing more than a dirty patched up piece of furniture but to a man like Marvolo he saw it as his last symbol of greatness.

Tom looked at his mother and she gives a simple expression back. Before coming over they made sure the wash room was ready for their clothing to be cleaned after the visit. With that reassurance Tom finally sat down.

Merope began looking for glasses inside a cabinet with a door that dangled off the hinge. At the sight Mary quickly spoke up.

"Oh no need, deary, since we invented ourselves and are taking time out of your day we couldn't be rude and not bring at least a little something to repay you for your time...," she said setting the basket on the small uneven wooden table.

"We even brought plates and glasses, to add some extra flare," Thomas said holding up Waterford crystal glasses.

Mary slowly and carefully placed the glasses, plates, and spoons on the table. Not out of fear of breaking them, because she knew she could easily get more, but she wanted Merope to believe they were the grandest and most expensive tableware around. When in reality they had some far grander. Mary took any opportunity she could find to flaunt her lavish lifestyle.

Inside the basket was a glass bottle of tea, and wrapped up inside wax papers was individual slices of cake. Mary unwrapped the cakes and simply allowed them to fall on the plate. Had a maid set a plate like that she would have flown off the handles. Like she did when a new maid once made the mistake of giving her a cup of tea with some of the liquid on the saucer plate.

"We made sure to bring an extra piece since we know you will enjoy it," Mary said giving her a tight lipped smile.

"We apologized for the tea being cold, we brought it over while still hot but..."

"It's the thought that counts, I'm sure...," Tom said cutting off his father. If his father wanted this girl to listen to him it was best to not put any blame on her. Even over something simple as tea. He looked over at Merope and noticed her hesitation to touch anything. "It's alright, it was made by our chef that personalizes in desserts. He has been working for us longer than anyone else, so I promise it's delicious."

Merope looked at him for a moment wanting to just share eye contact with him if only for a second. It was no secret to Tom, she was infatuated with him, and though he would never admit it, he rather enjoyed it.

True she was plain and odd, but a part of him wondered how much devotion she would give him. Many young ladies found him attractive and his ego relished in it, but so far the one lady he picked for himself wasn't as mild as he had hoped.

Merope looked at the cake, picked up the plate gently and used a spoon to scoop up a piece. A new sensation hit her taste buds and she found herself in ecstasy at the taste of the icing.

After a few chews she swallowed and placed the plate gently back down.

"Thank...Thank you for such a delicious offering."

The Riddle family sat in silence as they finally heard her voice. They never would have thought such a gentle and nurturing sounding voice could come from someone like her. Everyone in the village believed she would sound as crazy and disturbed as her father and brother.

"It is good we brought extra since you seem to love it," Mary smiled though her eyes showed her judgement at Merope's lack of luxury if she found simple red velvet cake so appealing.

Tom took a plate and sat back in the chair. Merope can tell this was the last place he wanted to be right now. Maybe off riding with the one he calls "darling". Hearing it always caused Merope so much heartbreak.

Thomas looked out the window and noticed the sun was nearly down for the night, and he decided to waste no more time. She had already wasted it forging like an animal for food.

"If I may, Miss Gaunt, the hour is getting late so I hope you don't mind if we hurry this along," he took his pipe from his coat pocket, put in some high brand tobacco and lite it right away.

Merope nodded and continued to listen as she took in the smell of the tobacco smoke. Every once in a while, when he could afford it or steal it, her father smoked a pipe. Over the years, she had grown to like the smell.

"We would like to express our condolences. We have learned the tram...," Thomas was cut off by a sharp elbow to the side by his wife. "...your father and brother are no longer with you...," he stated in a curious tone. He was hoping to pry the truth about what actually happened to them to end the gossip spreading in the village. Though everyone was thankful human curiosity is still rampant even in a small village.

Merope sat there with her usual blank expression. Of course, they are the talk of the town as always, and she resented it so much. At least with them gone maybe the gossip would end. She couldn't be seen as disturbed as her father and brother? If she was than why were people leaving her small baskets of food?

"Yes, they are gone...," she finally answered before looking down at the hands she has rested in her lap. "I know, I am not alone in this celebration. Though I'm sure mine is milder."

Tom continued eating his cake, but a smirk grew slightly on his face. "At least she is self aware and not ignorant," he thought to himself.

"This must be a difficult time for you. I can't fathom a parent taking one child and abandoning another. Such a disgrace...," Mary said in a condescending tone as she judged another parents often to make herself feel like a superior one. "I can't imagine the loneliness you must be..."

"I'm fine...," Merope said cutting her off with a dull tone. "My days are now peaceful."

This was only mildly true. With her abusers gone her days have gone from heartbreaking to lonely. Most of her days are learning new spells and potions, her family history, and making up songs to sing once, she finished the few she knew, to destroy the unbearable silence.

"We are glad to hear it young lady," Thomas said before slowly exhaling a large amount of smoke he had stored inside his mouth to savor the tobacco taste. "When we heard of your situation we truly wanted to help in anyway we can."

"You are still young woman with a lot of years left in you. It would be a shame to waste it alone," Mary stated. "Our hearts sadden to hear this and we wanted to offer a proposition."

Merope just sat there. What could she say? Did these two think she actually believed they care? After a moment of silence Tom finally finishes his cake and sets the plate on the table.

"For the love of God," Tom huffed in annoyance. "Just tell her or I...," he cut off when he saw his father's expression.

His father eyed him with a very cold stare, and it was during these moments he remembered the true side of his father very few knew.

"Please forgive our son, his time of responsibility is near and that can be difficult for young folks, especially males...," Mary smiled before giving her son a side eye. "To be truthful with you, after learning a poor defenseless young lady was living alone we wanted to offer up."

"With your abandonment, you must be dealing with the lowest moment of..." Thomas stoped when he realized he might be taking a risk at insulting her pride. Though he doubted a girl like Merope had much he couldn't risk it. "We simply want to offer a helping hand."

Merope remained silently as her heart crumbled. These people clearly had no interest in her words since she had already declared she was fine. What pained her more was, she knew she was no genius, but for them to believe she was a total idiot was insulting. She knew the reason they were here. They were taking advantage of her to fulfill an agenda they have had for years.

"You...you feel sorry for someone like me now," Merope asked in her soft tone.

"Why of course, dear," Mary answered as Merope caught on that her expressions often do not match her words. "We always have seeing is how this...," she looked around the shack and forced out her words. "...home is not meant for anyone let alone a young lady."

"I'm sure it's not easy in any weather. Let alone the winter that is coming soon," said Thomas.

Merope looked at Tom, and she wondered if he has forgot that day he tried to see if the "S" on the door was a real snake. Or the day, her brother noticed her glance Tom's way as he raced by on a new horse. Or the time he holted his horse when he heard her screams as he trotted by while enjoying a day of riding with Cecilia.

She turned her head and faced his parents. "Mr. and Mrs. Riddle, if you don't mind me asking are you a close family?"

Thomas and Mary looked at each other with confused expressions. Thomas nudged her a bit to answer the odd question.

"Why of course," Mary said.

"We are and always will be a close and happy family." Thomas stated and placed a hand on top of Mary's.

Merope knew they were not telling the truth. If she had a husband she loved there is no chance she wouldn't take his hand in return. Even if before the question they had gotten into a heated exchange of words. Also Mary's expression, gave it away, when Thomas placed a hand on hers she also frowned slightly but quickly turned it into a slight smile. It was evident she was trying to hide something.

"Do you and your son speak often, not just about deep personal matters but also small talk, sharing funny stories, gossip, or even scandals." Merope asked as her tone grew weaker.

"Why...yes, he is our son why wouldn't he reach out to us to speak."

Merope looked back at Tom with sorrow in her eyes. He looked at her and felt something for her he hadn't in years. It was a nagging feeling he was told to ignore for years. Why wouldn't he, but when their eyes met and he saw a small tear in the corner of her eyes the slight feeling of guilt washed over him. He then understood why she was asking these questions and he knew she could see his inner shame.

His mind raced back to times he knew something wasn't right but made the choice to look the other way. Even worse, he remembered that day she was beaten to protect him from her brother.

/

It was the summer of his second to last year in high school, he had a few of his friends from boarding school over for a week. During one of their rides Tom showed them the Gaunt house and told them about the old tramp named Marvolo who lived inside with his children.

The newest member of the friend group named Jack, dared him to see if that was indeed a real snake nailed to the door as they believed? Tom didn't want to but his pride pushed him. He was the second richest out of his five men friend group, and boasted often about himself. If he back out of the dare because of fear what would they think?

"Maybe Tom here, is more like the nonentities in this village if like them he fears these tramps," Frederick, the riches of the young men said.

"Oh shut it...," Tom fired back. He began mentally kicking himself for his arrogance got him in this position.

He bit the inside of his mouth when he heard a snicker from Frederick, Warren, Daniel, and Jack. The worst thing about the situation was his friends didn't fully understand the situation they were putting him in.

Tom had only talked about how poor and disgusting the family was. He hadn't told them of the rumors about the son of the old tramp, Marvolo. The daughter was best described as a shell of human. Her whole aura matched nothing more than a defeated. However, the son, should have been locked up in an asylum years ago.

With the snickering of his friends becoming more enraging he hoped off his horse. He gently patted the horse on the side of his neck when it placed its large head on his shoulder. "I'll be fine, Barnaby."

Tom looked at his friends and noticed they were already shocked but they still wanted to test him. "Well shut us up, Lord Riddle," Warren chuckled.

"You brunch of pillocks," Tom said rolling his eyes and began walking up to the damaged small wooden fence around the property. Inside the fence was a garden on each side of the house. Though he recognized most plants on the right, the ones on the left he couldn't identify. As the door got closure, Tom's nerves calmed down. If the family was home surely they would have come out by now.

"I'll give you...," Frederick reached into his pocket. "I got 50 notes on me...it's yours if you steal it."

"I got twenty..," said Daniel.

"Me also," said Warren and Jack at one.

Tom debated if he would do this new dare. Of course, Tom didn't need the money but it would be nice to have money he earn instead of asking his folks, no matter what stupidity made him earn it.

"You're all leaving early if you don't...," Tom fired back and got closure to the door. Once in front of the steps, he discovered it was in fact a real snake, the poisonous adder. After a moment of hesitation Tom reached out to grab it.

In a split second the door flung over and the young lord was faced the rage of a crazy eyed tramp.

"How dare you!" Morfin raged as he came out of the shack swinging his fist. "...you filthy muggle dare touch the home of the descendants of the great Salazar Slytherin!"

Tom luckily dodged the swings but landed on the ground on his back painfully. He put his hands up in defense as Morfin dug into the pocket of his torn coat.

"Leave him alone...," Daniel said jumping off his horse. His other friends except Jack followed so. However they all stopped at the gate when they saw that Morfin had one eye on them and the other on Tom.

"Here take the money and...," Frederick went to get the money he promised Tom. "...look it's right..," he noticed the bizarre shaped stick in his hand. It was short and twitched from top to bottom. "We have a fifty, and three twenties."

"You think your muggle money will save your filthy lives...," he laughed showing off his rotten teeth. He looked at Tom on the ground and smiled even more sinister. "Sectumsem..."

"Morfin, no," a young woman came running out the house next and grabbed his arm. "Please brother let him go...," she beg.

Morfin yanked her by her hair and threw her on the ground. Tom took this chance to get to his feet. He looked at the pale, and dirty girl. She had the same eyes as him and looked like she had not bathed in a while. Her skin was covered in dirt and bruise and her hair thick with oil from lack of cleaning.

"Merope! You are defending this muggle your disgraceful little filthy squib...," he yelled and kicked her in the gut.

She let out a groan as she got into a position to help soften the blows to her gut as he kicked her again. Tom ran to his friends and told them they needed to leave. His friends normally had the same morals but they looked at the poor girl as she turned over so her brother would kick her back instead.

"But Tom, she..."

Tom looked over at the girl and their eyes met. He couldn't tell if she was begging him for help or telling him to flee but it mattered not to him. He didn't want to be in her shoes.

"I'm not her damn keeper," he said as he rushed to his horse. His friends looked at each other and then agreed climbing on top of their own and beginning to ride off.

Tom could barely hear what her brother said next as they road off, but he was haulted for a moment as he heard her scream.

"Brother please, stop it hurts!", followed by the psychotic man's laughter.

/

Tom broke his eyes contact with her as more shame came over him. He knew that she knew he or at least his friends told his parents about that day. She also knew he talked about all the other times he knew she was being abused as he road by. She also knew he didn't care and his compassion was none existent when it came to her.

His parents never raised him to be very nice to others. Especially, the lower class that is why whenever he road into the village everyone turned their head at the sight of him. He couldn't go anywhere without at least one glare. However, for the first time he realized just how morally bankrupt he could be. To think, she helped him that day and he felt nothing about leaving her to suffer his punishment.

"She would have been beaten anyway," he said to himself to clear his conscience. Though it helped little.

Merope looked at Mary and Thomas. "I know the real reason you are here. You have wanted this place for years. Now that my father and brother are gone you have come to the weakest Gaunt. I am no genius, Mr.and Mrs. Riddle, but please don't treat me like a complete fool. Have true compassion on me and be honest."

Thomas and Mary looked at each other and their once gentle expressions changed. A serious and almost cold look they gave Merope once they looked back at her.

"Very well," Thomas said before taking another long puff from his pipe. "No, compassion is not why we are here but allowing you to live in our manor instead of this eye sore is true compassion, Mrs. Gaunt."

"You will have a bed with the rest of the staff. The rooms have their own fireplace, four beds each, you will have to share a bed with another maid, but each bedroom has a bathroom. Two tubs in each and you can use it everyday after work. You will work for room and food, and have extra spending money on the side."

"1 per week," Thomas states. "And the weekends we have parties you will receive a little extra if you earn it. Also you along with the rest of the maids will have Sundays off."

Merope, had to admit that didn't sound horrible on paper. Especially, being able to use a tub everyday and make extra spending money. Of course, she had the feeling the Riddles would not be the easiest employers to please. Then again they couldn't do anything worse than her brother and father already had.

"What will you do with the house?" She asked with almost a tone of sadness in her voice. This house more of a torture shack but was the only home she had ever known. "I'm guessing you will have it torn down?"

"Maybe in time," Thomas said. "As of right now we know not what we would put in this land. We are prepared to offer money as well. Now if you choose to become a maid the price will drop since we will soon be giving you a room and food. We are willing...

"I want a photo of the home," she said cutting how though she did not want to be disrespectful. "If I am going to work for you, which after what you have told me, it's a very kind of you to do. I wish you would have been straight with me but...I just ask to have a photo of the home."

The riddles looked at each other puzzled. Was see really this foolish? Who would turn down this offer? She would receive at least 20 an arc.

"Why...why would you want just a photo of this shack," Tom asked her slightly baffled. "With the money..."

"I want to experience life. I want to work hard for myself, I want to make true friends, and I want to say I got something from my own worth...," Merope states. "I appreciate the offer but it's not what I want. This new start will not be easy but my life never has been and if one positive thing comes from starting my new life as a maid it will be worth it."

Thomas and Mary looked at each other and nodded their heads. They both stood up as Merope and Tom did the same.

"Very well," Mary said packing up the dishes and utensils they used. She left the remaining cake wrapped in the wax paper for Merope. "We shall have someone out here soon to fulfill your request."

Mary placed the basket on her arm and fixed the skirt of her dress. "We will give you a few weeks to get your things in order, and when the picture is done we will have someone sent out for you."

"Thank you all," Merope said with a small smile. "I appreciate your offers...," she opened the door for them.

Thomas tipped his hat to her and Mary slightly curtsy with respect to her. Merope gave them a small smile in return. Tom stood beside his parents still in shock she had turned down the money. It wasn't until he felt a slightly sharp smack to the back of his head from his father that he gave Merope a bow and she smiled back but her face never looked up.

Thomas and Mary got into the chariot and waited for Tom. He had offered to drive since Murphy was at a Sunday night service. Tom watched as Merope shut the door behind herself and soon got in the front of the chariot to get them back home.

Merope watched as the chariot road off. Soon the silence in the small shack made her anxiety grown and she began to hum a melody as lyrics came to her.

And then they came, the gilded cage they bring

Offers of sympathy, a softly spoken thing

They knew the bruises, saw the way I cowered low

But their eyes held not compassion, only where to go

They want this land, this house that bears my scars

So they'll play the gentle savior, reaching for the stars

But I see the puppeteer strings, the smile that feels so cold

And I'm playing along, letting the story unfold

...

Author note:

This is the first fanfiction I have written in over a decade.

In this story, there is no love potion and it will feature some mature themes.

I'm hoping to make this a many chapter story. I hope you enjoy.

Let me know what you think so far!