Briar Emeralds was not a witch. Although that is what she seemed to most, she was a faerie. But living in a world where the fae were now extinct, Briar knew she must not share her secret.
However when she is thrown into a magic school with wizards...
Light. After years of living with darkness, Briar finally saw light.
Her parents held her close. Basking in her beauty. She told them stories, they told them back to her. She learned new things about her life, they learnt them too.
She flew to heights she's never before conquered. Feeling the breeze on her skin.
Often, she would think of him. Longing for his touch. Long to feel his lips touch hers.
Casper sat beside her, reading old poetry aloud, sometimes he would write his own. He would write of Julian. His eyes still held a heavy sadness to them when his pen would touch the paper. Other times, he would play violin. The sweet sounds brought back memories of Hogwarts, their friends and happier times.
Time moved differently where they were. The minutes, the seconds, the years, no one counted them, no one had any reason too.
She sat by a lake one afternoon, dragging her fingertips through the top of the water. She heard his voice. Not for the first time. She'd often hear Tom in her mind. No matter how many years had past, his voice was still unshakable.
But as she looked up, she saw him. His youthful appearance standing around the other side of the lake.
She ran to him, through water and mud. Not caring about the cuts on her feet from the harsh stones at the bottom of the lake.
They embraced each other. Her body fitting with his like the missing piece of a puzzle.
He spoke, "I've been a monster, Briar." His voice was the same but it carried a different weight to it. It held more pain, more worldliness, more death.
"What year is it?" she asked.
"1998," he replied.
So much time had passed. So many years he lived without her. So many years he had suffered with the guilt of her death.
"You've never been a monster to me." Briar cupped his face. The things Tom was capable was a thought that always scared her. But how could she blame him when part of it was her fault? She kissed him.
"You wouldn't say that if you knew the things I've done." He pulled her arms off of his shoulders.
"I'm prepared to listen."
He told stories of the young Potter boy, who finally had brought him to his end. He told her about Delia, the orphanage she had opened with Marcus' fortune. A home for magical children who came from broken families. He told her of Dumbledore's death, which twistedly made her smile.
Each day would bring a new surprise to them, as they talked and reflected. It wasn't easy hearing it all, but what mattered was that she was there to listen. They were home.
The world did know the name of Tom Marvolo Riddle, and they would speak of his terrible action for centuries to come. But the one part that was never told, was of her. The girl who lit up his dark soul, only to leave him in the dark once more. Which brings us to our final point.
Are monsters born monsters? Or were they created through streams of trauma and heartbreak? And can they be salvaged when they're drowning in sin, if someone only offers a hand to pull them up?
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A/N: Hey guys! If you enjoyed this book and are maybe looking for more Tom Riddle stories that are similar, I'm writing a new book currently! It's called 'The Price of Gold'
It follows the story of a long lost princess named Ostara and is a folktale retelling/continuation of Rumplestiltskin. I'd really appreciate if you would check it out! If you liked this book, I guarantee you that you will fall in love with Tom and Ostara's story.
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