Dust motes dance in the fractured light

Through window panes, a familiar sight

This house, a shell of broken dreams

Echoes whisper silent screams

Floorboards creak a mournful tune

Underneath the pale, indifferent moon

They're gone now, the shadows they cast

Leaving me alone at last

Merope sang as she walked around the shack. Today was the day she said goodbye to the only home she knew. Many things would be left behind and she was content with that since she only cared about what she viewed as necessities. Resting on her father's chair was an old black leather satchel she had found inside a trunk while she was going through things.

Using the Capacious extremis charm on the bag she was able to fit the few clothes she had, but mostly text books she found about spells, potions, and even a few history of magic books. She made sure to take the jars that had potion ingredients. At first she debated using a charm, but when she learned of the Fidelius Charm that would camouflage the inside of the bag from muggles she made her choice.

She looked around the shack and was reminded once again that this home held no good memories. Only pain, inflicted by a prideful bitter father and mentally unwell brother. Her mind raced back to all those times her father taught her brother magic by using her as practice dummy, and how her body still had the scars to prove it. Her eyes filled with tears as their sinister laughs echoed in her mind. These memories were not the only reason for her tears it was also because of how foolish she felt.

How could she mourn a location of nothing more torture and heartbreak? Why wasn't she the one destroying it herself? She felt just as foolish as the when they ministry came and took her abusers away.

At first, she felt joy when she understood it would be years before they would have the chance to harm her again. This joy soon turned to heartbreak when the aching sound of silence filled the home. Was having them around worth it as long as she didn't have enough time to be lonely? Maybe once she was in her new place surrounded by new people and experiences the negativity would fade. With a sigh, she began to hum some more as she finished making sure she left nothing useful behind.

Let them tear it down, let the dust rise high

It's just a building, beneath a fading sky

Let go of the anger, the bitter taste

It's time to move on, time to embrace

This fragile hope, this twisted fate

Maybe this is how I learn to navigate

Tom road up to the shack using his favorite horse, Barnaby, as the puller. It was the families smallest and simplest carriage that was only big enough for two people and had no cover over the riders. He was annoyed that he couldn't shake the nagging guilt that made him suggest giving her a ride to the manor.

Ever since the day Merope and his family spoke he had been unable to let go of the guilt he felt when she, maybe unintentionally, reminded him how he held no compassion for what he knew she went through. He couldn't understand why he couldn't shake it. Maybe it was because at least one incident of abuse was directly caused by him.

However, if she was looking for an apology that wasn't going to happen. He didn't make her take up for him, and he didn't ask her to rescue him from her brother. She did that on her own free will, and her doing it because she was infatuated with him wasn't his problem.

Once in front of the shack he got off the carriage, grabbed two small packages, and walked beside his horse. He reached into his pocket and took out a sugar cube. "Wait here boy," he said rubbing Barnaby on the nose as the horse licked the cube out his hand.

He walked up to the short damaged white gate, and stopped when he heard Merope's voice inside the opened door shack. It wasn't the first time he had heard her singing. In fact, he often heard it when he road by since the disappearance of her father and brother. Whenever he heard, he found himself stopping to listen. Even once when riding with Cecilia, which Cecilia, wasn't happy about but once he apologized with a gift they were back on good terms.

Once he believed she was done he walked up to the door opening and knocked on it. She stopped in her track as her face got red with embarrassment, and she looked down not meeting his gaze.

"Pardon the interruption...," he stated walking inside and looking around. He noticed that she was leaving a lot, but figured if she wanted it she would take it. It appeared to him, she ultimately chose to say goodbye to a lot and even he felt that was the best idea. "That song did you write...," he asked looking back at her.

She remained silent and simply nodded her head as she looked at the floor. He looked her over and noticed in the last few months she had gotten healthier looking, and no longer looked like a walking corpse. Still she was nothing to admire, but she had improved noticeably.

When the awkward silence became too much he held out the packages to her. She looked up and took them in her hands and nodded with gratitude.

"One is the picture you asked for. Mama and papa, thought it would be safer if it was framed so they took the liberty of doing so for you...," he looked around the place. "Still can't understand why someone would miss this, but I suppose it is...half a step up from homelessness."

Merope let his comment roll off her back. This was the son of Mary and Thomas Riddle, of course he was snobbish and rude. When it came to the two of them, she was only judged by the actions of her family. He was despised for the person his family taught him to be. She maybe be damaged goods because of associations, but he was no prize either. However, his money, disguised this fact.

Merope opened the package and studied the photograph. In the magic world they mostly relied on paintings, but since they often moved they never seemed like something so simple. The photograph had slight colors, and was developed on yellowish paper. The frame was black metal with little swirls around it. A small smile spread on her face and she looked at him and thanked him with it. She opened her satchel and put in the front pocket that wasn't charmed.

He held out the second package, it was a bit bigger and wrapped in brown paper. She looked at it confused, but still took it. Gently she pulled the string that was keeping it packaged and opened the brown paper slowly. Inside was a green blouse, and black skirt. Never before had she owned, let alone been given, a store bought outfit.

"You are going to be working with a lot of people and I just...," he looked away a bit embarrassed. Of course, he could lie and say it was his mother's idea but he had no doubt his body language gave away the truth. "...figured you want to look presentable for once." He scratched the side of his head nervously, before finally looking at her.

"Thank...thank you," she muttered with her cheeks becoming slightly red. It wasn't until he noticed the small tears in her eyes that he realized just how much this simple act meant for her. Could this be the first time she had ever received a gift?

"Well...go ahead and change and get your stuff," he walked over by the door. "I'll be waiting," he closed the door behind.

Merope made sure to find one of the few spots in the one room shack that she couldn't be seen from a window. She removed her ragging dress that she had patched up more times than she could remember and was about to leave it behind. However, she had owned it for so long and reminded her of all the times she spent hiding from her family in the woods and passed the time by doing needle work.

She opened her charmed satchel and tossed the dress inside. As she did, she noticed her shoulder in the corner of her eye. It was times like this she was always grateful the family didn't own a mirror. Her fingers rubbed the fabric of the blouse and the skirt. To others, it was a simple plan outfit but coming from him it made it much more special and baffling. Why would he get her anything, but judging by his embarrassment it was best to just take without question.

Tom waited by Barnaby and rubbed his nose gently. The horse nipped at his pocket hoping he had enough treat inside. Tom chuckled and moved his pocket a bit. "If you get us back to the manor as good as you got me here, there is another treat in it for you."

He looked up when he saw Merope walking out the house. Though it was a simple outfit for a plain looking woman he had to admit she looked decent. The colors worked well together for her, and her long hair while dull looked nice in with half braided and the rest running down her back.

Merope shut the door behind her and walked out the short small gate. She turned around giving the shack one last look. How much she loved to rejoice that she was leaving her hell on earth, but a home is still a home.

In the month, since the arrest of her father and brother she had been working on the possibility of forgiving them. Though there was no logical reason for them to deserve it. So far she hadn't been able to do it, but maybe now with this new start it would help.

"We really should get back before dark...," Tom said as she turned to face him when she heard his voice. He only got a simple nod in return and he found himself becoming annoyed at her timidness. He held out his hand. "Come, I'll help up on the carriage."

Merope looked at the horse and nervousness came over her. She had only seen horses, but judging how often Tom road by she trusted his judgement. Even though the only experience she had with physical touch was negative, her longing to hold his hand even for a moment was too strong to let this opportunity to slide. Their hands locked together and she quickly climbed into the carriage when she felt his other hand on her lower back. A hand touch was one thing but she couldn't handle no more.

"Let's go, Barnaby," he said flicking the reigns after he got in the carriage and the horse moved forward. "Hope this doesn't seem like too much, papa and mama suggested giving you a ride over as another thankful for your agreement," he said repeating the line he had created. He looked at her from the corner of his eye and noticed she was looking down like always. "Did...did the outfit fit alright?"

Merope nodded with a small smile, before turning around at the waist. Her focused on the small shack as if she was saying a final goodbye to a loved on.

Tom rolled his eyes and huffed under his breath at her actions. "You are about to be living in a manor and you are mourning a shack? As if turning down easy money was not bizarre enough."

Merope said nothing and once again made the choice to let his words roll off her back. Was it really worth being offended by him acting the only way he was raised to act?

His eyes moved back at her hand and again noticed the scar on the top. This time he studied it a bit more and noticed that the forms seemed to be words. The closure he looked the more clearly he could see the words "filthy squib". It also clearly wasn't a cut wound instead it had been burned into her flesh.

"You really don't know how foolish of choice you made," he said slowing Barnaby down as they went down a small hill to reach the meadow. "Papa makes the money and mama runs the prison, and if you can't handle it you walk away with nothing."

Merope finished her last look at the shack before turning around and sat in silence for a moment and then simply shrugged. "It's what I started with and it's all I've ever know...why not be a risk taker. If I fail, at least I can walk away knowing I tried."

"I guess, that is admirable," he had to give her credit for her guts. Though he didn't believe she was as strong as she wanted him to believe.

They road together in silence and it was becoming uncomfortable for Merope, and so she began to hum. Tom listened admiring that even when she hummed her voice was like that of a siren he had read about in mythology books.

"Is that another you have made up? I never would have taken you for a writer."

Merope couldn't help but chuckle under her breath. To think, he would give a compliment like that to her. He may not have even meant for it to be so but it made her heart feel warmth.

"I've always made up songs in my head but when my father and brother went to..," she stopped herself quickly. "...wherever they disappeared to, the sound of silence soon became unbearable, and I don't know many songs so I just went back to making them up."

"I won't lie...I've heard you several times while riding by...you have a talent," he said making her blush. He bit the inside of his mouth to hold back the laugh. It was rather amusing how easy she responded to him.

"If...if I maybe so bold...," she paused for a moment as she felt a bit of anxiety come over her that she was living one of her fantasies. Many times she daydreamed about going for a ride with him and having simple conversations. Though they often went farther than only speaking this alone was enough to satisfy her. "...I'm sure you don't take up the time to pick up every new servant. You really didn't have to go to such trouble."

"I...," he now found himself slightly embarrassed that she had asked. Why did? She wasn't a pretty girl you would like to be around or show off to others like Cecilia was, and frankly Merope was rather boring.

However, ever since she turned down the money offered to her, he couldn't help but find her interesting. All his life he had been taught that money was all that mattered in life and the only reason anyone showed his family respect was because of it. "You can make someone sell their soul for the right price." He remembered his father telling him, and often his friend Frederick's parents used their wealth to get him out of trouble.

Yet, here was this girl, born and raised with nothing. Living her whole life without her belly ever being full, without ever having anything but rags to wear, and without ever even owning a bed she rejected easy money.

"I guess, I find you interesting," he finally answered and bit the inside of his cheek again when he saw her blush.

/

As the road up to the manor, Merope had to admit it was even more beautiful up close, and there was no denying that even from a far it was elegant. The three story manor was build entirely out of granite, with spotless square windows from top to bottom. On the second floor the windows had flower designs in them that flashed bright. Merope had never seen windows like that and was left mesmerized.

Outside the manor waiting by the front door stood a tall, slightly pudgy, expressionless woman. Merope could tell right away this woman had to be the head maid, and she felt a cold sweat slide up and down her spine.

"Good evening, to yee, young Mr. Riddle," she said in a thick accent. "This must be, me, new helper." Her words seemed so odd coming from such a serious looking woman.

"Yes, this is Merope Gaunt," he answered as he got out the carriage and offered Merope a hand, but this time she politely rejected it. It was clear she didn't want to give the impression that she was anything more than a servant. "Merope, this is Maureen Livingston. She is the head maid."

Merope smiled shyly and Maureen gave no response. "I'm sure she will do...," Maureen said turning on her heals. "Follow me," she instructed as they went inside the manor.

Merope looked around and noticed all the collectables, portraits, and souvenirs the family had collected over the years. While they were nice with so many she found herself wondering did the family even remember where most of it came from.

"You may admire this all now but keep in mind you are not to touch unless instructed to do so when all the rooms are dusted once a week or whenever Madam Riddle demands it," Maureen explained. "Madam Riddle, has very high demands, on the tidiness of her home."

"And I will not tolerate repeated mistakes," Mary said as both the women came to a stop when they heard her voice appear from the hall to their left.

Maureen courtesies with respect and gave Merope a demeaning expression when she failed to do the same. Quickly tried to fix her mistake, and stuck out her arms giving Madam Riddle, a courtesy followed by a bow. Mary looked at her unamused and looked at Maureen.

"I suggest manners will be her first lesson," she said in a cold tone as Maureen nodded apologetically. Merope was left confused since seeing is how this was how it was done in the illustrations of the few books her family owned. "I will let this incident slide because of your lack of anything proper, and never forget theft will not be tolerated. The punishment will not only result in firing. You are no longer the daughter of a tramp, you are a servant of the Riddles, so best you remember."

Merope looked down in shame and nodded. Now that this woman and her family got what they wanted from her and a lot easier than they expected. They had no reason to hide their true colors. In the short, time she understood perfectly how Tom became the snob he was.

"I do apologize, Madam Riddle, you see I..."

"I don't want your excuse, I want your word you will not repeat this mistake."

"Yes...yes Madam."

"Very good," Mary looked at Maureen. "Teach her what she needs to know while helping her get cleaned up. She is not allowed any where else in this house until this task is handled first."

"Yes, madam," Maureen said followed by a finally curtsy.

Madam took her leave and left them in silence. Merope went to apologize for her mistake causing Maureen trouble, but Maureen cut her off by holding up a hand. Once Maureen was positive that Madam Mary was out of earshot she turned to Merope.

"Don't worry we will talk about this in a moment," she says before walking down the hall to the right that lead to a door back outside.

They walked up the stairs to the one of the pillars that looked like a castle tower that were placed on each corner of the manor. Merope was surprised to see that that these pillars held the servants quarters.

Inside the bedroom, there was everything Madam Riddle had told her. Inside the room was a fireplace, four beds making a circle around the circular room. Maureen opened the second in the room which lead to the bathroom she would be sharing with several other ladies.

Maureen, turned on the hot water in the large clawfoot tub. As she did Merope noticed something in the corner of the room.

"Excuse me, but what is that," she asked pointing to the strange shaped white object.

Maureen looked and what she was pointing at and laughed softly. This poor girl must have really come from low class like her.

"It's a loo, it's part of the water closet," Maureen explained. She could see Merope was still a bit confused. "You no longer have to use an out house."

Merope looked amazed and slightly smiled. "At least no more cold nights trying to rush back and worth and no more worried of stepping on something pointy."

Maureen smiled as she poured some sweet smelling oils and salts into the steaming water. "Alright, I will leave you to undress and when you done, me's get to work on your crown."

Merope looked at her stunned. "Wait...I can..."

"It's only once, no disrespect me dear, but ye could use a lesson on hair care."

Merope ran her fingers in her oily tangled hair and understood the woman wasn't lying. The last thing she wanted was for someone to see her in such a state, but since Maureen was a woman she didn't feel as uncomfortable.

Maureen left her alone to undress and Merope did so. She placed her satchel on a the lid of the closed loo, and neatly folded the outfit Tom had given her. As she made her way to the tub she stopped and looked in the mirror at herself.

It was the first time she had seen her body without fresh bruises. In fact, they were all completely healed. She remembered all the times she saw her reflection in the water in the pond her family used for bathing, and the bruises along with her skeletal figure often made her sick.

Now she noticed her skeleton wasn't clear through her skin, and she had gotten a more natural looking tone to it. However, her back remained the same. In the mirror she saw all the scars inflicted on her by brother. Starting at her shoulders all the way down to the back of her upper thighs were scars from cutting spells and burn marks from the spell she feared the most, Incendio.

A few of the scars where from when her father would use a spell to that made his wand hot like a torch and press it on her skin to test if she could use magic to make him stop. The more she would scream for mercy the less he gave.

Merope was forced out of her thoughts when she heard Maureen knocking on the door asking if she was ready. Merope climbed into the tup getting as much under the water and covered by suds as possible.

"Yes ma'am," she answered as the woman came back inside and locked the door behind her. "You really do not have..."

"It's one time only and besides we must talk and there is no better place," Maureen said sitting on wooden stool behind Merope and began brushing her tangled haired so it would be easier to scrub.

Merope leaned back and began enjoying the feeling of the bristles of the brush run over her scalp. "I'm sorry if I got you in trouble with Madam. I've only seen bowing in book illustrations."

"Do not worry, dearie, and do not think too harshly of the miserable hag," Maureen said her serious tone fading as a more laid back tone began. "The woman you saw today is not the Mary I once knew. She was once a very fun and kind hearted girl."

What no other staff knew was that Maureen and Mary shared a very close friendship behind closed doors. Mary often apologized to Maureen if she came across as too harsh to her or made her feel belittled in anyway. Maureen always reassured her that she understood Mary had an imagine to uphold.

"What...what made her a miserable hag," Merope asked stunned by Maureen's boldness. Of course, they were alone so maybe she was just as cowardly as all the other staff surly must be.

"Lord Riddle, is what happened," she gently and slowly poured water on Merope's head making sure to get none on the floor. "Oh could have lept over the moon, she could, when they first got married, but it didn't take long for the true ways of a rich power man to appear."

Merope wondered for a moment what that could mean, but soon she realized the truth. She had a feeling something was not right in the marriage and now her hunch was correct. They had no love or trust in their marriage because he destroyed it long ago. Lord Riddle, had money, status, and decent physical blessings. He could have as many women as he wanted and since he was aware of this fact, he took advantage of it.

She began wondering if Tom was anything like his father. Not that it would matter since hell would freeze before he would even pretend to want to be with her. He belong to Cecelia. Though she found herself wondering if he did marry her, was her love and longing for him strong enough to put up with constant heartbreak and betrayal? His money and status wasn't worth it, but maybe his heart was?

"Do...do you think, Lord Riddle feels bad for the pain he causes her?"

"No, if he did he would have stopped instead of simply getting better at hiding it until he knew there was no need any longer," Maureen said as she put some sweet smelling shampoo on Merope's head and began scrubbing her scalp and sending a calming feeling over Merope. "They came to an agreement, he makes the money so he can do as he pleases, and she controls the management of the home and how it's run. Though I'm sure deep down she doesn't mean to take out her negative emotions on the staff, she is only human."

"Does she still love him," Merope asked. For the first time in her life she was having a simple conversation with someone who didn't brush her off for her appearance or fear of her family. She also enjoyed that she didn't have to worry about her family finding out she was talking to a muggle. The conversation was not happy but it made her feel like a person for the first time and speaking with a woman was also comforting.

She had no memory of her mother, in fact, she didn't even know her name. It was as if her father made sure to erase her from all history because she was either too enraging or heartbreaking to think about.

"Ay, I do, if she didn't she wouldn't be so miserable. What pains her other than not being enough for him is she has to pretend to be a fool, that she has no idea of his womanizing ways," Maureen sighed as she thought of all the times she comforted her childhood friend. "Without him she wouldn't have had her son, the one thing she cherishes more than wealth or status."

Maureen finished scrumping and cleaning Merope's scalp and left her to do the rest. The older woman had noticed the scars on the young woman's back but said nothing. When the time was right she would ask.

A part of Merope never wanted to get out of the nice warm water, but she knew there was much to do. Once out she put on a maid outfit that Maureen had given her. Instead of the normal black it was gray with a blue pinafore with pockets in the front.

Once dressed Maureen came back inside and wrapped a towel around Merope's hair towel drying it for her, and brushing it gently. Merope asked if it was alright to place the hair in a braid and the older woman agreed. Over the years, Merope had learned how to do several braids which took a long time to learn since there was only illustrations from worn out mythology books in her father's collection. Her favorite was a braid she often saw in illustrations of Greek goddess.

Maureen watched the young girl and inwardly braided her talent for self braiding. Many of the girls happened each other for their hair, but Merope was one of only two that could self braid.

Once Merope was clean and her hair complete Maureen began giving her a walk around of the house instructing her where she would be. Like all new maids her work began cleaning up the living quarters of the other staff members. If her work was up to Madam Riddle standards then Merope would be allowed to do more. She was warned the closer she got to working directly under Madam the higher the standards would get.

Once the tour was over and the time was eight o'clock Maureen finally decided it was time for Merope to officially meet her new family.