Merope walked through the rows of books lining the shelves of Flourish and Blotts. Her eyes looked at the spines and read the titles.

Once her magic began to appear after the arrest of her family she quickly realized potions was her passion. Of course, she enjoyed learning new charms, especially the charm she used on her satchel.

However, potions made her feel powerful and ambitious, but not in a self serving way. Though she rarely saw much of the outside world growing up, she had heard word of muggles dying from diseases and outbreaks often.

Her kind were lucky, they didn't have as many diseases as muggles and even more lucky that muggles diseases have no effect on her kind, as Marvolo said.

If she could learn simple potions, followed by advanced, and maybe even self made potions there could be a lot of muggles saved from an early death.

She winced in pain from a burning sting on the back of her scarred shoulder as she thought about what her father and brother would do if they knew what she was doing.

After searching with no luck she walked over to a tall, skinny, blonde haired middle aged woman with thick glasses and a face resembling a horse.

"Excuse me," Merope asked kindly since the woman was looking over some records.

"Excuse you, can't you see...," the middle aged woman, with the name Thora embroidered on the right shoulder of her dress, said looking up a Merope but stopped when she saw peaking out slightly from the young girls blouse a golden locket with the letter S formed from the body of a snake. Then she looked up and saw Merope's face and she knew fate had just fallen into her lap.

"Ohhh my apologies, what can I do for you," she said smiling though it looked more like she was eating something sour.

"I...," she looked around and noticed that most of the customers were clearly purebloods. Most seemed friendly but some it was clear they wore their blood purity as a badge of pride for all to see. It was usually the very wealthy looking ones. "I live in the muggle world...," she said softly so few could hear.

Thora looked around and walked out from behind her desk and signaled for the girl to follow her. "Siani, take over for me," she said to a much younger girl that was likely her daughter.

"As you wish," the young woman replied respectfully.

Merope followed the older woman to the back of the store. She held out her wand and muttered "revelio". At that moment, tapestry that had two children reading stacks of books as its artwork, began to change and the out lining of a door became clear. She opened it and let Merope go in first.

"Do...do you think any of them...," she said referring to pure blood fanatics that sometimes shopped here when they knew trouble would be waiting for them in Knockturn Alley. "...maybe saw?"

"They know if they do something wrong in this store they won't be allowed back, Merope. Don't worry they won't do anything foolish."

"How did...how did you know my name?"

"I remember the faces of all that come to my store, Miss Gaunt...," she said giving her a smirk revealing she had remembered her from the last visit she had in this store. "I must say you have only changed for the better, deary. The last time, you came to the store I believe you were seven."

"You remember names as well?"

"No, not really but...your family is not as forgotten as you think," Thora said as they walked down the steps. "At least by some."

"...or hope," Merope added. "I'm guessing word has spread about the arrest? I know a muggle attack is a serious crime but they happen so often I wouldn't think it would make a big scandal here."

"Again, your family is not as forgotten as you think or hope, young lady," she said holding out her wand and pointed to each candle and lit them. The basement was lined with books across each wall. "The Gaunt family, once a mighty dynasty, descendants of the mighty Salazar Slytherin himself, and possibly the last remaining Parselmouths. Such an extraordinary gift if I do say so myself."

Merope didn't respond to her compliment because to her it wasn't one. She hated the sound of the language, and the hissing caused her great agony. She knew if she heard the language, they were near, the two people she feared more than death itself.

"Well, what are you looking for," she said sensing the young woman didn't want to talk about the subject anymore and this was disappointing.

Thora had found the fall of the Gaunt dynasty interesting for years but when she attempted to ask Marvolo information, long before the birth of his children, it was not a pleasant experience. Everyone that remembered the Gaunt family had nothing kind to say about them, and Marvolo showed her why.

"I work for a muggle family but I still want to learn and advance in potion making but...," she said explains looking at the walls full of books. "I don't think they would like seeing someone reading witchcraft books in their homes. Also muggles have a lot more diseases than we do, but surely we must have some potion cures for muggles diseases."

Thora thought and began to look across the selves. "My grandfather told me that, when his grandfather worked here, a woman once came to this shop asking that very question. It's a family tradition of mine to work at this shop, you see..."

Merope nodded her head to show she was listening. While she wanted to visit a few other places and quickly. She was not going to pass up a "history lesson".

"The woman came here looking for answers, after the death of one of children," Thora began. "She married a muggle man, and they had three children. The one she lost was a squib. I can't imagine the state she must have been in.

Though at the time she was not able to find much, but what little the store had, she took it back to her village and was determined to cure as many muggle diseases as possible."

"That's very noble and brave of her," Merope said in an admiring tone.

"Oh yes, it was that, but muggles don't often think the way we do," she sighed sitting down in a dusty old velvet chair. "When the muggles of the village found out what she was doing...they were not pleased. They called her an abomination."

"...why," Merope asked stunned and confused. "How could they after all..."

"Because only a witch would try to fix problems caused by the devil that should be in the hands of God," she sighs a bit. "Such foolishness, from what I was told the woman was an active member of the town church...oh my, such...a shame, honestly."

"What...what did they do to her," Merope said already knowing the answer was going to be nothing but tragic.

"Burnt her at the stake...," said Thora as she looked down and Merope could see the woman almost had tears. "Sorry, young lady, when you study people in history as much as I do...you start to feel you know them personally...," she took a rag out of her pocket and placed it to her eyes. "Her children thankfully escaped, but it was still tragic."

Merope remained silent as she sat down in an old uneven chair. Once again she was confronted with the realization that humans on the outside of the shack, the prison she was raised in, can be just as disturbed and despicable as two people that lived inside with her.

She thought over all the words Thora said and the danger she could put herself in, if people began to question her methods. No one ever helped her in life, so why should she risk her chance at a new and free life to help others?

She stood up from the chair and was about to leave and abandon the reason for her visit. As she began to turn around and go back up the stairs a sudden reminder hit her.

What if her new friends got sick? What if Dorothy, The Bundle, got sick? What if the guy who was nice to her yesterday, Max, got sick? What if...Tom got sick. The guilt of valuing someone she loved more than the ones that were actually good to her made her feel shame, but couldn't help her feelings.

She would never admit it to him or anyone but she loved him. It started with a crush, because of how beautiful he was, but his cold emotionless attitude, despite being born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Seemed to reveal he had secrets and feelings buried inside. Like he had a kind soul he wanted to show but simply couldn't for whatever reason.

Then she thought of her friends, who in such a short time had brought her more happiness than her family ever did. She couldn't bare the thought of them dying so young. No, with everything in her, she was not going to let that happen.

"Please...show me what you have," she begged kindly turning back to face Thora. "If things go bad then...it was meant to be."

"Interesting that's also what that woman said, I was told," she chuckled slightly getting up from the dusty chair. "I guess, history can repeat itself. Let's hope not always.

Of course, you are in a much safer time than she was. She was born before the Witchcraft Act of 1735."

Merope had heard of this act, but only through the words of her father. He said it was one of the only times muggles did something righteous.

Thora began looking through the shelves and found a book so damaged it simply looked like a pack of paper sewed and glued together. The cover was completely gone and many of the pages had burn damages on the side.

"Someone really wanted this destroyed," Merope said and opened it to the first page. Written in cursive was a small quote. In a language she could not read.

Peidiwch ag ofni'r fflam.

Goddefwch y boen.

Os yw i fod, gadewch iddo fod,

Oherwydd bydd yn.

Followed by the name, Elynor Prys.

"It's blank, I don't under...who is Elynor Prys," Merope asked the woman confused.

"The very woman, I told you about," she explains. "As I said at the time, the store didn't have much on helping muggles even though we have always allowed muggleborns around, but since she left with little to nothing she personally put all her time and effort she could spare into finding cures for muggles diseases."

"How did you get..."

"As I said, young lady, my family has worked on this store for many generations. These books you see down here belong to my family. Our collection, it's a secret room and only those we allow are able to come in."

Merope was amazed and she couldn't help but smile a bit. "That is dedication."

"That very object you hold in your hand escaped with her children. It's in that state because her two living children fought over what to do with it. The daughter wanted it saved since it was their mother's life work and she knew her mother would never want it destroyed. The son,...well I'm sure you can imagine why, he wanted it destroyed. So the daughter gave it to a member of my family and we have had it here ever since."

"I still don't understand, why is it blank?" Merope asked again.

"I'm not sure, the sentence is written in Welsh, it is still around but not as many speak it. I'm not sure when the woman was born but it couldn't have been later than 16th century. Don't ask me how to make the words appear else where, you have to find out on your own."

"Why?"

"You have to earn its trust," she explains. "Elynor wanted to make sure that whoever got this wanted it for the right reasons. Whatever reason she believed was right at least."

"What is the price, even if I can't pay it now I promise I can...maybe we can work something..."

"Calm down...," she said with a bit of a laugh. "I don't necessarily believe you should pay for knowledge but it's not my store, I just work here but things in this room are mine to give and get."

"Thank you, that is so..."

"I'm not done...," she said her voice getting very sharp and serious. Merope stiffened a bit at the sudden change in the woman. "You really thought I was doing all of this out of the kindness of my heart?"

Merope said nothing just looked at her and it was clear to the middle aged woman that she had frightened the already timid young woman.

"Let me explain, for years I have wanted to learn the history of the Gaunt family. How the mighty family of Salazar Slytherin destroyed itself. However, as I am sure you are aware, your family is not and never has been the most...approachable people. However, it seems you turned out...I would say normal.

Though I am sorry about that the horrors you have gone through. I guess for some people abuse makes them become better."

"You know about..."

"My dear, I am a seeker of knowledge, I ask questions and I get answers. No other subject has been harder to study than your family line. Your family is an enigma among wizard kind. All we know is once your family was mightier than all and now...there is nothing I can say I'm sure you don't already know and believe yourself."

Merope found herself getting angry, and resentful. Why did she always have to be judged and mocked because of the actions of her ancestors. From the moment she was born she was damaged goods. No one ever looked at her a person. She was either "the last of once great dynasty" or "the daughter of a tramp". Why did no one ever think she was worthy of being seen as simply herself?

"...but none the less, since your family is very...close-knit and private many do wonder..."

"What do you want from me," Merope finally said cutting the woman off. She was done with this conversation and simply wanted out of the room.

"Right to the point I see," she said, feeling a bit bad that she didn't go about this more compassionately. "Most pure blood families keep a record of their history. I have for so long wanted to at least read and write down some of the history of your family.

Almost every pure blood family has a recent book written about them. Your family has never had even one book published where they are the main topic. Your family has only been mentioned in books. I believe it's time they had one."

"So you want my history for profit," Merope said rolling her eyes.

"Yes and no," she replied back a bit sharply. "The muggle world has a famous dynasty much like yours, and honestly, your family needs to be remembered. To stand as an example of the self destruction and the dangers of blood purity obsession. The money is a bonus. I would even be willing to share..."

Merope pulled her satchel in front of her and began moving her hand around inside. Once she felt what she knew was a book, she began feeling around in the same spot until she felt the scales of a snake. She pulled out a dark green and black scale covered book, with blood red pages.

"Here...," she says holding it out to her. "Do what you want. It didn't have the answers I wanted anyway...," she walked up the stairs. "Please open it."

Thora wanted to say something, but couldn't think of the words. She was slightly ashamed that she allowed her passion for knowledge to ignore the clearly troubled girl's feelings. She simply waved her wand and allowed her to leave seeing their trade as fair.

Before walking out the room she placed the damage book inside and made her way out the room and outside the store and began her walk to broom landing area. As she did she looked at the many different shops she had planned to explore, but now all she wanted was to get back to her friends.

/

"...fuck," she muttered as her body hit the ground after using the portkey. She looks up at the sky and it appeared to be a bit past noon.

Since she had more time than she thought she reached into her satchel pocket and looked at how much money she had. Though her father and brother hated it they were not against using muggle money if they were desperate enough. It was always a last resort, so she had at least enough to get a few things.

Once to her feet, she made her way into the village. As she walked, she did the best to avoid the looks she was getting and she didn't have to try hard to hear what some were saying.

"I heard she is living with the Riddles now," one elderly woman said to her equally as old friend.

"Such a shame, from one terrible family to the next," her friend sighed. "But it's not like she was ever going to amount to much anyway. Best take what you can get, I suppose."

Merope kept her head down. Their words were cruel but she knew it was best to not be upset by someone saying the truth. She could barely get by in a village, if she tried going any where else she would never survive. The Riddles were her best option, and she had live with that fact.

"I swear, she was uglier before," said one guy to his friend, who were both around her age. "I mean she is still plain but she looks...better."

"As good as she can get, at least she looks like a human instead of a skeleton wearing human skin. Gots some meat on her now," his friend said taking a puff of a cigarette.

Merope opened the door to the small store that was owned by the second richest family in the town, an Irish family, the Doyles. The had made a deal with the Riddles. They get to keep the store in their name, and pay the Riddles property taxes and some of the percent from their earnings.

When Mr. Doyle heard the sound of the door opening he looked up and gave her a wave greeting. "After noon to yee, lass," he said with an excited voice.

Merope gave a small smiled with a nod and began looking around.

"If they want me to practice all this new shat, they could at least give me the sterling, to buy the shat for it," said an older man looking through the store catalog trying to find some jazz sheet music for pianos. "Going to parade around like they got as much money as God, but expect me to..."

"Silas, I agree with you, but keep in mind they kept you...," said a voice Merope recognized. It was Max and he seemed to be agitated. "I had to ring up all the others to tell them they were let go...," he sighs remembering how he wanted to fling the phone across the room after the second call but still had to get through all eleven of them. "...you try having to listen to a guy beg for his job because he has five kids to take care of."

Silas rested his elbows on the counter, leaned forward, and began rubbing his eyes. "I'm sorry, it's just...I'd rather not say...," he began looking in the catalog again.

He felt old, the times were changing, and he had always hoped music was the one thing that never would.

Max patted his shoulder gently before he looks in the corner of his eye and noticed her. He smiles and walks over.

"You know, I could have came to you, but I guess you are excited to tell me your answer," he said kindly referring to him asking her if she would like to walk with him to the pub one weekend.

Merope smiled with her mouth closed and looked down shyly. It was so odd having a man speak to her like she was any other person, but it also filled her with warmth. She wasn't sure how she felt about him, but she couldn't deny his kindness.

"I'm still thinking," she says shyly looking over the few books they sold in the store. She picks up one and looks it over. The idea seemed interesting. She had never been allowed to read the books of muggle writers, so she was excited to see some of the interesting ideas they came up with.

"That's a good series," Max says and reaches to another book on the shelf. "It's best to start with this one. It's the first in the series," he explains handing it to her. "It's still going but...," he pauses and gives an unsure expression. "...they have gotten bollocks."

Merope smiled shyly and took it. "Thank you, I might as well buy a few of them if you say there are many. What is the next one?"

"That one right there," he said pointing to the one on the left.

Merope reached for it at the same time as him and their hands brushed against each other. She pulled back and muttered "sorry." He gave her a kind closed mouth smile and grabbed it for her, before hand it over.

"It's alright, I think you will enjoy at least the beginning of the series. Maybe we can talk about them sometime," he said kindly. "Let me guess...," he laughed a bit. "You'll think about it?"

Merope looked up with a smile and for the first time her smile seemed genuinely happy. Every other time it was shy and timid.

"You know me well...," she said attempting to make a joke as she took the book from him. "I...I should be getting back to the manor...," she said walking up to the counter. She noticed the candy that was sitting there. "How much for some?"

"Well each bag cost one pence, but personally I would suggest doing a mixed bag. The most popular are the Fruit Salads and the Black Jacks. How about we do a small mixer of that for two pence?"

Merope nodded kindly at the Irish man's offer. He leaned forward a little. "Don't tell the Mrs. but I'll give you a bit extra. My kids get into this to much."

Merope smiled a bit and held back a chuckle. It felt nice people talking to her as if they didn't know her connections to her father and brother. She was realizing more and more that she was never the problem, but damaged goods by her association to her family. This brought some comfort, that people seemed a bit more willing to be kind to her now that her family was gone.

"Thank you, I'm sure my friends and I will enjoy them."

"Working for the Riddles, you need to get all the joy..."

"You work for the Riddles," Silas said cutting off Mr. Doyle before he, himself, even realized it. "Do you know, Louisa?"

"Oh yes," Merope said kindly in her regular gentle voice. "We have become good friends very soon."

Silas nodded and reached into his coat pocket. He pulled out an envelope with his name written on it, in cursive. "Do you mind giving her this for me, please?"

"No I don't mind...," she said taking it and putting it in the pocket of her skirt. "Are you a friend?"

"You could say that...," he said with a slightly agitated tone. "Thank you, I do appreciate it."

Merope nodded and payed Mr. Doyle after he handed her the packaged wrapped in brown paper with some white tape around each. She took the bag of candy and placed it in to the uncharmed pocket of her bag.

She turned around saw Max smiling back. "I would offer to walk with you back but...I still have some stuff to do for, Lord Thomas."

"Good...good luck, don't be out too long," she said shyly before giving him a small smile and walking past him.

Merope held the packages in her arms and close to her chest as she began to walk out the village and beginning her walk to the manor on top of the hill.

To enjoy a longer walk and free time she took a longer way to the manor. Which meant she would walk through the woods. Over her life time this became a habit to avoid the ridicule of others.

She noticed the manor that seemed so much smaller because of the distance of the village and it. It reminded her just how much the Riddles owned, and it felt overwhelming. To the point of obnoxiousness. Why would one family have or even want so much?

Merope quickly changed her thoughts back to Max. He was so kind, and it felt so unnatural a man like him giving her the time of day. He wasn't as handsome or beautiful as Tom, but his personality made him shine.

At first, she believed he was just being nice to the new girl, or maybe any girl would do if he had ulterior motives. However, that couldn't be true. If he wanted a woman just for his own pleasure she would be the last woman he picked, besides Valeska. However, that wasn't because of physical appearance but age.

The idea of him actually feeling anything positive for her made her heart skip a bit. However, not only because of happiness, but of fear.

Her experiences with "love" was only abuse, cruelty, and sorrow. She wanted love but didn't want to go through several men to find it. Could someone like her find true love the first time? As she thought and walked she began to hum and soon opened her mouth...

I've seen love from the outside, through windows and screens

It never knocked on my door, never waited for me

I've learned how to live in the quiet and cold

Built walls around my heart so they wouldn't take hold

Then you came with a kindness I'd never been shown

Spoke soft like the wind through a place overgrown

I want to reach, but my hands pull away

I want to stay, but I'm scared it won't stay

She sang not loud but enough to destroy the silence around her. She continued to sing that what she is experiencing could almost be love. As she sang she payed no mind to sound of hoofs slowly following behind her.

I was taught love was something that shattered like glass

That hands that once held you could hurt you so fast

But your touch doesn't burn,...

"Oi...," called out a voice she knew by heart. She stopped in her tracks as a cold sweat went up her spine. How long had been following? Did he really hear all she had sang? "I know you can hear me, Gaunt."

Merope sighed and turned around slowly and stopped when her bottle green eyes met his chestnut brown ones.

"Yes sir, Mr. Riddle?"

/

Author note: I apologize for this one being a bit boring and shorter. Some personal matters have come up that I am dealing with, but I also didn't want to get out of the habit of writing.

Next chapter, will show the complexity of Tom Riddle.