Archive of Our Own ^beta

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Laurene Rose Stache rushed up through the Slytherin common room, with permission from the Slytherin Heir himself, to the boy’s dormitories. No one stopped her, of course. One Orion Black told her which way to go. As she was heading up there, people were staring at her blatantly, making her nervous. She gripped onto the bottom of her skirt and gathered as much Gryffindor courage as allowed. Once she reached the room, she saw him, curtains around his bed wide open for her to see. She didn’t pay attention enough to see that he wasn’t yet afflicted by the potion when she rushed over in distress to see if he was alright.

She fussed over him at a distance as he discarded her close presence with the roll of his wrist. She noticed that he had no shirt on, just pajama pants, which made her ruby upon seeing. While she wasn’t looking, he looked at her uncomfortable form with a smirk and piped up.

“Tried to be a Gryffindor? Or a Slytherin?” Riddle mocks the Hufflepuff with his sideways smile. He was testing the waters, merely playing with his prey. She couldn’t answer while preoccupied with fidgeting hands. At a moment’s notice, he jumped on this opportunity to commence his plan.

“Do you know why you’re here? It would be a shame if everybody found out what you did” Tom says halfheartedly, not caring if she answered or not. It was a rhetorical question. He just watched from what he could see as her eyes blew wide at this sentence, but stayed silent. He got bored after his provocation didn’t work. She still wasn’t looking at him, so he continued on.

“Someone drugged me and you did it. Luckily, I only drank a little after finding it strange at the time.” He deadpanned seemingly monotone, if you didn’t count for his eyes and mouth. Tom finally saw her determined eyes, liking the fire and betrayal in them. ‘Whose betrayal?’ dare he ask, he wouldn’t know, all he does know is that it had nothing to do with him. It was their first time meeting each other. He internally shrugs and watches her straighten up. Her eyes change as she began to speak. From pain and fury which delved into tears, a weakness such as pleading soon filled his ears.

“It wasn’t me, I promise! I SWEAR it wasn’t me. Please believe me, Tom!” He flinched at that, but concealed the reaction swiftly. No one ever called him by his first name here, only “Riddle”. Perhaps, she was getting too familiar. By all means, he needs to rectify that. He immediately put a sneer on and said.

“What if something went wrong, Gryffindor? What if I died, then what? You, Laurene Stache, Lady of House Perrot, Prefect of Hufflepuff, sent ‘Amortentia’, a drug” Tom’s accusation leaving no room for any more excuses. He hates excuses. He decides to give her hope, only to snatch it away. He leads with a fake sigh and continues on.

“Why would I believe you, Hufflepuff? Where’s your evidence if you were actually framed or not?” She looked down, scared out of her wits, her inherent Gryffindor courage having dissipated. Playing with the hem of her uniform skirt again, she took some time to gather herself once again.

After some time looking around his room bored, did he finally meet her gaze. That look she had on made him mentally intrigued. The once bright blue eyes were already hardened and darkening by the second. The tears, formally threatening to spill, stayed on her lower eyelids, petrified. Through the moonlight, he could see the shimmering liquid like dew, hanging onto her long pretty eyelashes for dear life. He could still see her bright pink lips, evenly filled in. Predictably nice and smooth, but currently confined into a tight line. She looked hard-pressed.

In the dark, she couldn’t see his expression when she folded her arms, taking a stance. He was externally impressed, but the internal struggle between magic and nature is exhausting. The high-level potion ingredients make it nearly impossible for his magic to stop the progression. A calming draught may quell the influx of subsequent symptoms. He needed to go to the Hospital Wing. He needed the antidote and fast. He cut her a deal, which he later blamed the potion for and certainly not himself.

“Finish what you started”. She hid her confusion pretty well for a Hufflepuff, but she wasn’t quick enough to hide from his skilled gaze. Riddle’s eyes probing as she raised an eyebrow. He was subtly indicating what people’s end goal of using a love potion was without saying it aloud. He thought she was smarter than this. Her face still stiff, so he continued onwards.

“Maybe, you could have been in Ravenclaw, but you aren’t that smart…” Riddle drawls out with his polished voice. His eyes had a faint coldness with a smirk firmly in place. She just glares at him, not bothering to say anything. The previous conversation left evident on his face. She noticed that he was enjoying himself.

“I’m talking about sex. You wanted to sleep with me, right?” He said it like it meant nothing, she fought the blush. He tried to keep up the façade, clearly in denial to the accumulation of heat within his cheeks. It was like all his body temperature radiated from his face. Riddle forced himself to look away. ‘Damn this infernal potion! I only drank a little, yet it’s still affecting me, how? I need to study the ingredients later, but it’s a high-class—‘ His thoughts were cut off by the blonde girl’s answer. “No, that was someone else. I only ‘followed’ your order, so I could clear my name and catch the culprit. I was framed and you know it! What are you playing at?” She gives a pointed look. He doesn’t let anything slip under her new glare. He outwardly shrugs his shoulders. It’s rigid, almost awkward, but he elaborates.

“Give yourself to me in exchange for none of this making it out of my House. If it doesn’t spread, you can’t possibly be expelled. Now, we wouldn’t want that, now would we?” There’s that smile again. That damned smile. It was fake. It gave a bite to his words that his eyes couldn’t show. She knew behind all that saccharine sweetness held citrus bitterness. Effortlessly, she was brought back from her thoughts. She saw the calculating look in his eyes coupled with that iconic smirk. Her entire face blanched at the proposal, a veiled threat. It was like her circulation stopped in apprehension.

She didn’t meet his gaze to avoid replying, just needed to think for a moment. She knew she couldn’t fight him. Although they were both pureblood, one was a leader while the other a bystander. While one was at the top of his house, she was basically at the bottom. One was in the shadows and the other one was front and center. One would have the command of legions in his future while she would be trapped in a hopeless marriage. She concedes on one condition: that he’ll leave her alone. He agrees with a smirk and dark eyes dancing with provocation as the “fun” begins.

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After waking up first, she got up, and sneakily modified the curtains’ wards to slip away. She dashed to her clothes and started dressing. Afterwards, she managed to silently bolt to the shared Slytherin bathroom. Through the mirror, her appearance was unkempt. Her blond hair was tangled and messy, some strands defying gravity on top of her head. Her mascara had streamed down her face and dried in trickles while the lipstick was smeared from pressure. She decided to turn on the tap to splash her face. She had to wake up, although consciously having already. She had to get a grip on this reality. She finally stopped once her face was dripping. Preferring not to use too much magic, her thumb was used to wipe up the mess by her lower lip. It would just alert everyone else of her presence. Not wanting to deal with the rest of her face, she just cast it away. She didn't have the necessary items anyway.

Settling on the changes, Laure took inventory. She desperately needed a shower as she smelled of the night before. She stepped in and turned it on. The warm water that came through was a Morgana send. She took the opportunity to let it run over her hair. After a few minutes, she got out and dressed up. She spelled a “Mufflito” on her shoes to get through the room unfounded. She made sure to sap up all of her magic left lingering in Tom’s wards. She went as far to put on a glamour just in case. Laure thought it wise to hide within the shadows in the corridors. New Year's should be over by now.

Arriving at breakfast, Riddle routinely sat down at the head of Slytherin table. He crossed his legs elegantly under it as he waited for his other housemates to come down. Bored for the second time that day, he decides to scan all the viewable faces already here. He ends up catching on the girl’s face. It triggered him to remember her once bright blue eyes that now lost its raging flame, dull. The edges of those eyes were tinged red from crying the night prior. The streaking tears of apprehension and fear had long dried out on her perfect cheeks. It was the day after the conclusion and the start of his blackmail. There was a fifty-fifty chance of her getting pregnant from that one experience. Seems to be enough for him as he could always just marry her, “take responsibility” so to speak. Tom just shrugged it off with sleep when he woke up that morning. Although she escaped, Riddle smirked knowing he inadvertently got what he wanted. In the end, he did his morning duties to then head out to lunch, one scheme lighter.

Stache beat herself up after giving in to that pompous prick. She was hiding the fact of being stricken with dread at what she had done. They’re fifteen, her parents were going to kill her. Soon after breakfast, she had the urge to throw up. Unfortunately for her, Riddle noticed her queasiness and change of appetite during lunch. Since they could roam wherever, she stormed off through the castle to the courtyard. Tom secretly followed her and stopped by the fountain. She turned back to berate him instantly.

“My dear Lady Perrot, why the rebuke?” He questioned, smirking with an amused and curious glint in his eyes.

“I told you to leave me alone. We agreed on that! Before—“ She couldn’t finish her sentence when Riddle cut her off.

“Before that magnificent night in my dorm room?” Tom purred into her ear, dragging out her irritation and a blush from her face. There was no rebuttal, just a backhand aiming for his handsome face. He slyly stepped back just in time. Riddle stifled a chuckle in response, quite amused. Her hand met air, but she was too deep in thought to care. Tom stood there hesitant, watching, waiting. Meanwhile, her brain thought the worst. Her mind raced, supplying questions she already knew the answers to.

‘Does he know?’ Laure stupidly asked herself regardless. She had enough awareness to drag her eyes to the other prefect’s face. The side glance did nothing to reassure her. The Slytherin Heir only raised a perfect brow in retort, while still watching those intricate cogs turn in her head. A look of unadulterated horror soon struck her pretty features. Momentarily speechless, she fought the reaction then cursed herself under her breath for not realizing this sooner.

“Tom” She started, no, pleaded, but she was cut off nonetheless.

“You’re pregnant with my child?” It was more of a statement than a question. His voice dripping sarcasm, mockery and slight astonishment like he still couldn’t believe the news himself. After waiting in despairing silence, she looked at him after directing her full attention from the ground to nod at him in reply.

He just took a deep breath then sighed like this wasn’t that huge, that important, like he already knew from the get go.

“I will be there for that child. I will be there in their life” Riddle commanded, '…and that’s final' was left unsaid.

“Tom—“ Laurene started to argue, but was shut down immediately.

“They’re just as much as my child as your’s.”

“Tom—“ She tried beseechingly again only to be cut off again.

“He needs his father!” Tom says irate, almost like she’s taking the child away from him, denying him responsibility as a parent and opportunities or he’s fearing of losing something precious, something important, like he cared—

“TOM!” He wasn’t letting her get anything in edge wise so yelling was the next best thing to get his deranged attention somehow being a last resort in this situation.

“What?” He finally stops his rant on account of the expression on the girl’s face. She registers what he said moments prior, which left her with one pressing question to ask.

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“He?” Laurene questions as Tom falls into silence at his former remark.

“I want a boy, an heir to my line. I don’t, I don’t want [to die] to let my line die out.” Tom was uncharacteristically silent, vulnerable at the moment. She didn’t dare read between the lines. Although Laure would be delighted either way, it made sense. Silence stretched again as his fists clenched and unclenched, rhythmically, as if counting to an invisible number in his head. She subconsciously reached out to grab both his hands, but stopped. They fell lamely back to her sides instead. She considered him for a moment, then sighed before speaking up again.

“Tom, I won’t let you ostracize me” She spoke steadily, her face twisted in opposition. She may be a badger by virtue, but was raised by a snake, a bloody brilliant one at that. She surmised how he would secretly send his lackeys after her to report back to him. This would be his next “logical” step to keep watch on what was supposedly “his”. The young Hufflepuff was determined to make her standpoint on this manner of action undeniably translucent. He just stared at her shocked, looking like whatever hope that was left, crushed. Maybe he was expecting comfort? Begrudgingly, Tom Marvolo Riddle would never admit this, even under the likes of the Cruciatus Curse. Other people, assuming mainly his fellow dormitory mates, would have delighted in this sight before them. The “Slytherin Prince” acting out of character, like a pained child.

“…showing his true colors.” They would say, or at least she would hope. In her experience, the derogatory words and comments they make were disturbing and distasteful to say the least. She tried not too pay much attention to them. Unfortunately, she found it hard, when they love to make it painfully clear, all the time for all to see, not just hear. Laurene Stache was adamantly against this rhetoric, especially when both her best friends were directly and distantly related to muggles themselves. She also knew how Riddle seconded those views as well, crazy as they were. Despite this, she still wanted to try with him. The alliance would be cordial for the sake of their unborn baby. Against her own better judgment, she stubbornly wants to understand him too, somehow. In light of everything, she raises her arms, sighs, and starts up again.

"Of course, Tom, they would need you around to grow up with some kind of structure as a person. I just know that we’re still in school where you still have a reputation to uphold here. You still need to live your life at Hogwarts. This is a one-time experience, Tom. Only seven years, no more, no less.” She confessed with an empathic face while moving her stretched out arms in the rhythm of placation.

“I’m only a little younger than you, yet you still want to carry this underdeveloped being to term all by yourself, give birth to my child, then raise them on your own? I think not”. Tom’s expression turns intense with meaning, in turn wiping his previous expression clean. He deftly crosses his arms in challenge of her explanation, neatly forgetting what was lost.

“Tom, you have a future, a very promising one. Everyone adores you, aside from Dumbledore. You have exemplary marks and prospects already. Heck, you can even head to the Ministry once we graduate. I’m stuck with an arranged marriage that I can’t get out of, especially now.” She pressed, trying to get him to see her side of things, then finishes with her hand on her stomach, looking down at the life growing inside her belly with worry and resignation written all over her face. How could she do this? How could she raise this poor child in the predicament their father put them in?

He just stares at her in return, looking perplexed. For a moment he goes to open his mouth, then closes it with a grimace forming on his face. He just reassesses everything, sighs, and gets his facade back in place.

“Laurene, I’m only going to say this once, I’m sorry” Riddle confessed and she blinked back in shock then fell into a look of recognition.

“Did you just..?” He just stiffly nodded in response. He had made up his mind.

“I have decided that I will marry you after we graduate. I will take care of you and our child. I promise that.” Tom states resolute, so sure of himself.

“Tom” Laure starts, face pinched with guilt and worry for all three of their lives and futures.

“No, it is my duty as their father to be there when they need me. As you know—“ Tom doesn’t get to finish as the other teen interrupts him again.

“Alright, Tom Marvolo Riddle, if you’re really up for the task, then okay” She gives him a sympathetic face, her eyebrows furrowed and a sad smile plastered between her cheeks before putting her hand out for him to shake.

“I am” Tom simply states and reaches to hold her hand like a gentleman. He then lifts her hand in front of his mouth to kiss it to show his “gratitude” at this new “prospect” of his life. She flushed for dear life at his actions and turned her head away swiftly after she saw his wild smirk only a little bit away from her hand itself.

”So, do we have an accord?” Riddle asks with a calm, reassured smile. She felt the shift in his magic not too long ago. Will everything be okay? What would her parents think? Is he better now? Did she do the right thing? She saw something flash in his eyes without him trying to cover it up immediately. Maybe it was a trick of the light, but was that his way of saying “thank you”? What was really hidden behind those dark eyes? Ambition? Love? Want? Pulling herself out of reverie, she just looked at him siriusly and nodded. Either way, they will make this work.

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No one found out, of course, in either case. All the snake house knew was that the issue was resolved or swept under the common room rug. Everything went back to normal. However, Laurene had to tell her childhood friends that she was expecting. Instantly, it was hidden, not saying a word unless by themselves. Sadly, she didn’t say who the father was, not because of distrust, but protection and apprehension. Tom still went about his day, still trying to control his house. Only after a while, did they start to meet up in the library. It was strictly "business" with a few questions about her well-being thrown in there. It had to be discreet depending on the day, as their peers wanted to get in on the "free tutoring" front that they presented as a cover-up. They were the top of their year in all aspects, so this was bound to happen. They spent much of their free time making actual study guides for their classmates. It was imperative that they made ones for those who needed help and even for those who say they didn't. The group became so renowned that it fell under the radar of the older years. It had already reached the younger years.

Tactfully, Tom created ones for sixth and seventh, while Laurene started on the younger years. Tom wanted to charge them for this service, but Laurene was against it. She believed it should be "out of the kindness of their hearts". How Slytherin of him and how Hufflepuff of her. They compromised to only charge the older years as well as their own, particularly for the N.E.W.Ts and O.W.Ls packets. His reasoning behind the argument was that "It would go towards their life outside of school and a trust vault for their child". At some point summer arrives, he begs again, this time even more fiercely than he ever had before since Dippet and Dumbledore knows not. He was glad he uncovered his sacred heritage that was deliberately hidden since day one. He didn't tell Laurene about the plans made that spring. She was already apprehensive of a not-so-favorable prospect that going home to her parents would bring. Cautiously, he taught her to perform a glamour on herself after she started showing a bit during school. Her friends thought it would be best if she stayed with one of them instead, preferably the "muggle-born one". It was decided to send a letter to her magically inclined family. Knowing that his "family" was taken care of, did he leave for Wool's.

August 1942, a marvelous time for beginning of term preparations. She was already 8 months along with Riddle's child, at this point her parents had known in July. They let her stay to protect her from prying eyes and gossip as well as protect their family's image. Since staying over at her friend's house that summer, she went to the doctors every month to check up on the baby. Of course, her friend's parents kept everything hush-hush, but not really needing to thanks to what aristocrats still do for political gain. Compared to that, this was nothing. The family didn't have a private doctor so that was the next best thing. She decided to ask one of their other best friend's parents to put a glamour on her instead or else she would be found out by the Statute of Secrecy. They went to Diagon together to get the necessary items from their lists. Flourish and Blotts, Madam Malkin's, and others. They even made a pit-stop at the famous, Florean Fourtescue's Ice Cream Pallor. She had no idea when Tom would have a chance to get his supplies for the year. After they crossed off each thing, did they head back home.

They spent the rest of the month enjoying their fleeting freedom from outside the school. Although she couldn't do more riveting fun, more easy fun was allowed. Her friends rode their broomsticks in a mock quidditch match while she wasn't agile or comfortable enough to get on a broom and stay on for long periods of time. The final day of summer arrived where they packed their things in each trunk and held their magical pets. They finally got on the train for Hogwarts. Three-fourths into the train ride, the first of many contractions started. Maybe it was due to all the stress and excitement about being back? One of her friends held her hand while the other suggested to get help after everyone got off the train. Tom sensed her magic in distress already and had got someone the moment he got off the train. Riddle managed to come with the infirmary's head healer.

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A strong "Notice me Not" charm was cast before she "levioso"'d the ailing fifteen-year-old onto a transfigured stretcher. They rushed over to Hogwarts by a secret passage, because apparition would be detrimental to both the teen and the baby. When they finally got to the medical wing, she was moved onto the bed while her clothes were also changed into proper patient attire. Her friends were right behind her as well as the Slytherin prefect. He was by the entrance when the magical nurse put two and two together. After writing a letter to Laurene's parents, she set off to get Headmaster Dippet. Only after she was gone, did he come in to see her friends consoling her. The blond was worse for wear as the contractions wouldn't stop. For the first time in a very long time, he was stricken with panic. Tom’s face was blank, but his eyes, his eyes showed everything. In less than five minutes, the parents arrived. Dippet came soon after they did.

The matriarch immediately went to her stepdaughter's bed upon arriving. The father however...had cursed Riddle in his mind before he even came there. Now that everyone was accounted for, did the adults shoo'd them out the room post-haste. Tom noticed that the room was charmed into silence by a ward. Several hours later, were they were allowed to come back in. The three students had to go through their classes in the meantime. Luckily, being a prefect had it's perks, early dismissal for “rounds”. As he walked in, all he could see was his family. Laurene had the newborn all wrapped up in an expensive blanket, courtesy of Lord and Lady Stache. He skowly stepped right beside her bed, just staring at it's sleeping form. Tom looked over at the new mother. She looked exhausted, but happy and content to have the infant in her arms. The babe was even dressed in a cute little light blue hat to hide whatever new hair it may have. They were basking in each other's company when Laure finally spoke up.

"Tom, it's a boy" Is all she says with a teary-eyed smile of excitement while he tried not to breakdown then and there. A son...he had a son. He wasn't alone anymore. He itched to hold him, but kept in mind about the new grandparents. While Laurene was busy humming to their baby, he observed them through his peripheral, to fully focus on them. The patriarch had this gleam in his eyes. He knew that particular cue, which meant he was going to be used by him one way or another. Politically, financially, it didn't matter. It was probably because of his looks and dare he say, "pedigree" although the man didn't know his heritage. He directed all his attention back to the little family he made for himself. Nothing against the grandmother, but he didn't want to chance a look at her state lest his occlumency shields crumble. They looked so beautiful, like a photograph. All that he wished for and more, since he was a child, had finally come true. Obviously, not in the way his past-self hoped, but at least this way it was a clean slate. Suddenly, the older man spoke up.

"Greetings, young man. I am Lord Pierre Stache, descendant of the Franks, House Perrot." The man said then held out his hand, waiting to test his worth and duality. He takes it and gives a firm, yet strong squeeze in response. After mere moments of contact, eyes and otherwise, the older woman chose to speak up as well.

"I am Esmeralda Stache née Travers, Lady of House Perrot. How do you do?" Tom was able to snap out of the challenge thanks to her. She seems to be the only one of the two people here that he could stand, after the nurse had left. In a silent truce, both men let go of each other's hand so he could shake the wife's. He knew what that man started wouldn't be easily shaken off, primarily since he was still in school. He has no power, not feasibly. The woman just left it at that, seemingly not needing to say nor do any more to him. It's weird that they didn't even ask his name. Did they already know? Hopefully not, it would ruin his plans, so he decides to introduce himself the proper way, just in case.

"My name is Thomas Marvolo Riddle-Gaunt, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance" Is all he says before he bows his neck slightly. This formal action was equal parts polite and disrespectful. He was toeing a thin line in retaliation. The slight provocation was interrupted by sweet laughter. The young woman was laid back with their son, now awake. He was squirming in her arms as her mother raised the most important question that evening.

"Dear, did you think of a name for him, yet? If so, we're delighted to hear it" The older witch inquired, then her husband jumped in.

"I agree with your mother, as we have to get it into the house register as soon as possible." The lord replied almost patronizingly, so in spite of that, she would give her answer after a while. She beckons Tom to her side and sets their son onto her lap. Laure gets him into position to hold the babe. When he was adept at this, did she plant the bundle into his waiting arms. He was flabbergasted, in awe, gazing at him. He was so light and fragile, so weak. As his father, he needed to protect him until he was old enough to protect himself. He felt something unexplainable while looking down at his son. He couldn't or wouldn't name it, not right now. Not only that, but he was so entranced that he didn't recognize Laurene speaking as she looked down at him too.

"His name will be Aaron Tomas Riddle" She states, now looking straight at his father with genuine affection in her eyes. Tom was so overwhelmed that his mask slipped completely. Aaron, his sweet baby boy, suddenly opens his eyes which startles his father into even further silence. Tom just sees his eyes mirrored back at him. His eyes go red and tries not to cry when the newborn reaches for his cheek. He fails instantly, and a tear falls straight from his right eye, trickling down his face where a watery smile forms.