Odd Vacation
As I sit here on the floor after supper with a toddler in my side I feel an incoming headache coming to ruin my day.
Shouldn’t I be happy? Dad’s home after being gone for a few days. I just had a great dinner with a great sachertorte dessert. Everyone’s well fed and happy. Look at Lily and her sunflower patterned dress matching her wide bright smile.
Except...
The dark lord is sitting beside me.
As a goddamn baby, a toddler, a child.
A mere four year old child!
What the heck is going on???
There’s no way I’ve got my information mixed up or something, because that is definitely Voldy and his dad Tom Riddle sr. What the heck is going on? Maybe I Shouldn’t be too weirded out by this situation since a lot is already different than what I remember but still, he’s supposed to be way older than us. And his dad should’ve abandoned him and his mother after getting out of his trance.
I pondered about this situation I’m in. I thought about it for quite a while.
Hey, if I just off this little guy now there’d be literally no chances of him offing us later.
...
...
Yeah... like hell I could kill a child, I’m not Voldemort.
This little guy will turn into the darkest wizard of them all, killing many including my little sister. But with his current background, would he still end up the same? As I stare at little Tom trying to shove a toy car the size of his head my eyes shifted behind him, to the three people drinking tea while conversing.
“You have such an adorable son, it must be rough raising a child by yourself” ‘I also wanted a son but three children would be too many’
“I had been raising Tom ever since my wife passed away” the man with black hair says as if just uttering the word wife causes him pain.
I look at him and we made eye contact.
Ah crap.
A young girl was running up a hill she then look at me and smiled. She was pretty in her own odd sort of way. Her hair were the colour of milk chocolate and so were her eyes that shined from the bright sun.
Wait is that Merope? She’s different from what I had read.
The young girl then reached out her hand to grab mine.
[Would you believe it If I said I wasn’t from this world?]
What?
I heard giggles coming from my mouth [I would, because you’re an angel sent to me from the heavens] he playfully replied caressing her reddened cheeks. She giggles and the memory faded.
Then appeared a woman lying in bed. Her lifeless eyes still opened there was a hint of a smile etched on her face. I then reached out and closed her eyes and held her hand while the cries of a newborn could be heard.
“I’m really sorry to hear that, your wife must’ve been a lovely person”
“She-” ‘She was the love of my life, Merope’ “It’s fine, I’m used to it by now and I’m also here to apologize since I’m the reason you’re husband had been staying at office for a while, he had been covering for me for a few days now.”
That was quite the memory. It’s different from what I knew. Wasn’t from this world? What does that mean? Was she also like me? I wanted to see more! But it’s rude, I definitely shouldn’t! But-
“Oh, I don’t mind it! He’s always the type to lend out a helping hand to everyone within his sight.” Mum says while patting dads back. ‘It’s one of the things I loved about him’
“Hon, it’s just sometimes I see myself in others. I’ve always struggled and I’m only here right now because of other people’s help” He’s as red as beet as he stares at mums eyes.
I’ve heard about their story from them, well seen it actually. Mum also made a book out of their story. [The Knight Princess and the Fox Scholar] It’s a pretty cute story that Lily and I loved very much, a story that mum would read to us at bedtime. It’s a story about a princess who got lost in the woods and ended up meeting a lonely fox.
“And I would also love to offer up my help, I’ve heard you’ve looking for someone to look after you’re son whenever you’re at work. I’ll gladly take the job!” ‘I want to help out this poor man, I can’t imagine raising my kids without Harold’
“But-” he stops then contemplates for a while then sighs ‘Why do they want to help me this badly?’ “With how your husband talks about you I feel like saying no would be fruitless and I don’t really have the luxury to say no.” He looks at them in the eyes then bows his head “Thank you very much!” ‘At least Tom would have somewhat of a mother figure growing up’
“Oh, no need to bow your head Mr. Riddle!” Mum laughs embarrassed, “You’re my- our friend now, we treat our friends as family” ‘How polite!’
“That’s right Tom, and besides you only live a couple of blocks from here, it’s not really a problem” added dad. “And you can come over for dinner anytime! It’s nice to have more company around!” ‘I want to feed you more food you seem so thin!’
“Tuna!”
My eyes shifted back to the little boy on my side. Cute rounds cheeks and bright milk chocolate eyes are his prominent features.
“Tuna look!” he says as he eagerly points at the storybook Lily had lent him. “You! Tuna!” He was pointing at the little princess with golden hair in the picture. ‘Pretty Tuna!’
“My name’s not Tuna”
“Tuna!” he giggles, his eyes filled with childish glee. ‘Tuna! Tuna! Tuna!’
“He likes you Tuney!” exhaled Lily. “Yes! It looks like Tuney!” ‘It’s princess Tuney!’ she added to him matching his giggling voice.
Well seems like you’ll be around for a while, Little Tommy.
-
A year had passed since then. Little Tom had spent mornings to noon at our house except Sundays when his father’s home the entire day. This year I had observed that Tom sr. is a loving father, he seems to always make time of the week to spend with his son. I don’t know much about him from the book except that he was rich and looked down on others, basically a spoiled brat. But I never blamed him for how Voldy turned out since he was taken against his will. And little Tom does not look like a cold unfeeling creature but a happy little child.
This is really different from what I know. I probably shouldn’t rely on the story anymore.
The Riddles are currently off to spend summer at the Riddles manor in Little Hangleton. While we-
“Tuney! Come look!” Lily said excitedly. “Cows!” Lily exclaims as she points outside the car window. ‘They look fluffy!’
“They’re adorable” Though not as adorable as you “but they’re probably huge up close” I said as I stare out the window.
We’re currently on summer vacation and on the road to our grandmother’s home, mums mother. I don’t know any information on our grandparents since they weren’t even mentioned in the books. Were they there when Harry saw his family in the mirror of erised? I wonder if dads parents where there too. Dad was orphaned at a young age too, like Harry.
“Say Lily what do you think our Grandmas like?”
“Like mummy?” she said cutely tilting her head.
“Probably but older”
“Then what about great grandma!” she asked brightly.
“Probably even older”
“Do you think they’ll like us?” she said with a slight hesitation in her tiny voice.
“Of course girls they’ll love you!” added mum looking back at us from the front seat. “They’ve been wanting to meet you for so long!”
“Grandma’s lovely. And she bakes the best cookies!” added dad. ‘I’d love a chocolate chip cookie by now!’
“Better than mummy’s?!” Lily said exaggeratedly. I could see her imagining taking a bite of some golden cookie.
“Uh- well that’s-” he hesitates as he looks at mum glaring at him. ‘She does make better cookies but I feel like I’ll die if I said that’
Dig your own grave old man.
“Well I guess she does make better cookies because mummy got her recipes from her” mum added.
“That’s right! Mummy is a great cook and grandmas like her teacher!” said dad. ‘I’m saved’
“Really! I hope she makes us cookies! Right Tuney?”
“Yeah, I hope she also teaches us how to make them since mummy won’t”
“Girls, you’re just too young to be in the kitchen”
“But we’re already seven” I answered.
“Yeah we’re seven” Lily added pouting
“Well I guess you girls are seven” added dad sniggering at our proud faces. ‘My little flower are so cute’
“Fine but only when making them, you’ll just watch when grandma and I are putting them in the oven”
““Deal!”” we both said excitedly.
I haven’t baked in so long, I really miss it. I’m supposed to be on my path on becoming a patissier but that’s a thing of the past now. I better stop thinking about that before I start crying.
Few hours had passed and we had arrived at Ottery St Catchpole the town where Grandma and great grandma are living in.
“The house is just a bit far off the town. You can see it from here! Just atop of that hill” Mum points at a modest looking manor atop of one of the many small hills.
“Wow! It’s like a castle!” exclaims Lily. ‘Is mummy a princess?’
What an adorable thought.
Well it looks more like a noble mansion or something.
As we arrived at the manor and got out of the car we were greeted by five people. There was an old lady whose hair had turned white but streaks of blonde hair could still be seen she was smiling while waiting patiently. A woman with brown hair tied in a braid had an air of excitement she could barely contain. A man with light brown messy hair was holding her hand tightly as if telling her to wait. a young boy resembling the man but instead had greenish blue eyes resembling the woman’s also brimming with excitement. And an old man hunched and smiling gently. Lily looks at them and I could clearly see how shy and nervous she is, she’s looking up and down with a blush in her face. ‘I need to make sure I won’t mess up! I hope they’ll like me!’
She really wants to be liked by grandma that badly huh. I thought as I grabbed her hand tightly, she looks at me and seemed to have calmed down. I’m also a bit nervous since I barely have any information about them.
“Iris!” screams the woman who no longer able to contain her excitement.
“Holly!” screams mum as she quickly threw herself at her.
“I’ve missed you! You should’ve come earlier!” the woman says pouting at mum. ‘Iris! Iris! I’ve missed you so!’
“I know! I’ve missed you too! It’s just we had to deal with a lot of things” she then let’s go of her and hugs the old lady beside the woman. “I’ve missed you mum!” she said with tears in her eyes.
“But it seems like I’m only second to your sister” the old lady said teasingly. ‘This unfilial daughter, let me tease you a bit’
“Mum, it’s not that!” mum giggles “I’ve missed you two equally”
“Hello ma’am, it’s been a while” dad said inserting himself into the conversation as mum comes at our side.
“Well it has been a while, come here boy” she said as she opens her arms for a hug. Dad then embraced her and then exchanged pleasantries with the other then turned to the two of us. “These two are our daughters, the elder one Petunia and the younger one Lily”
“Hello, it’s a pleasure to meet you!” I said doing a small curtsy. I’m prepared to use my cuteness to my advantage.
“Hello” said Lily mimicking my curtsy.
Agghh she’s so cute! I lose! My heart!
“Petunia and Lily, they’re adorable names for adorable girls” grandma says as she lowers herself at our height and touches our cheeks “I hope you’ll be friends with grandma” ‘How adorable they look just like Iris and Harold when they were kids!’
As I look into her eyes I could see a memory of a young girl and a young boy holding each other’s hands.
Wow I look almost identical to mum while Lily looks just like dad.
“Yes!” Lily replies excitedly.
“I would love that” I replied shyly.
-
A few days had passed and Lily and I have been getting along with the residents of this house. Holly was mum’s adopted sister, she lives here with her husband Dorian Fields and their 7 year old child Quill, the old man was the gardener Emerson.
“Hey Quill, why we haven’t seen great grandma yet” I asked the boy whose currently digging on the ground with Lily.
“Great nan is sick!” he says as he looks up to me “She hasn’t been well since a while now”
“That’s too bad, I wanted to meet her” says Lily sadly.
“You will meet her, once she’s a little better” added Quill. He then proceeded to take a mound of mud and threw it at me “Catch!” he yells. ‘This would go well with Petunia white face!’
What?
I didn’t have time to react and it hit me square in the face.
“You little brat!” I yelled as I grab mud in both hands.
“Geh! Run!” Yells Quill as both he and Lily runs off.
-
I can’t help my curious mind so I’m currently sneaking around at night trying to find great nans room.
The hallways are dark and spacious, the walls are littered with old paintings and such and I can’t help but feel there might be ghost in here. Wait this is the wizarding world, aren’t ghost real here? Wait be calm, only witches and wizards can be ghosts, this is a muggle household. As I walked around the place I slowly regained my bravery.
I arrived at the end of the hall in the second floor, there was a huge door with intricate pattern in it. I slowly opened the door, the room was dark but my eyes had already adjusted to the dark. I could see a bed at the end of the room. There was someone laying there, I saw them move then I heard their voice.
‘No... Don’t go... no... Al’ the person seemed to be having a bad dream.
I can barely hear their thoughts. I came closer and saw that it was an old woman.
This must be great grandma.
She then suddenly opened her eyes and I was pulled into her memory.
There I was looking at a man with black hair turning his back on me then the memory blurs and he suddenly became a woman with similar black curly hair wearing a witch’s cloak. The memory then faded and I could see a body of the same man wearing the same clothes. He was young probably in his late twenties, his body laid there, unblemished, not a single injury or any sign of sickness. [Those bastards!] I yelled out grasping my wand in my hands as my body was filled with deep resentment only to be drowned by sorrow [This... this is my fault... I’m sorry.]
What? Wand?
Then I could hear hoarse voice coming from the old woman.
“You! You got in my mind! Who are you?”