"The horror you
committed is not
who you are."

Eleanor King had been sitting in her living room for the past hour, a soft blanket covering her shoulders when an older man with greying auburn hair and a matching beard entered her house.

"Miss?" One of the Aurors called.

None of them had spoken to her, so with a surprised expression, she looked up to see the odd man standing in front of her. She shifted around in her seat, she had never been around so many people before. It was different and she wasn't quite accustomed to it yet.

"Could you tell me your name?"

"I'm Eleanor King." Both of the adults in front of her looked shocked. Despite her curiosity regarding their expressions she kept hers blank.

She remembered what her father told her. She would do well to remember his final wishes.

"Thank you. I'm Michelle. This is Albus Dumbledore. A professor at Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The lady said, gesturing to the odd man standing beside her.

"Hello, Miss King," Albus Dumbledore said, offering a smile to the young girl.

Eleanor nodded a greeting in return. She was not in the mood to pretend to be happy to meet them.

The lady spoke again, "We'd like to ask you a few questions," she said.

"Go ahead," Eleanor croaked, her throat dry from not being used.

"Okay, where were you when the attack occurred?"

Eleanor knew she couldn't answer with complete truth, so she did what she thought she should, lied. Her father taught her many times before to never reveal anything to anyone.

"I was in the library," she answered, that wasn't a complete lie.

"Why were you awake at such a time?" The lady asked as she took notes of everything they were saying.

"My parents got me some new books for my birthday, I've been spending my nights in the library reading them," she said, looking as innocent as she could when she faced the people in front of her.

"Did you hear any intruders?"

Now, here is when she needed to start coming up with something believable. She couldn't believe what she had done. She wanted to admit she did it but she couldn't.

The one little thought in the back of her mind gave her a reason not to. She would be allowed to leave her house. She couldn't leave one prison only to be taken to another prison. She wanted freedom. She needed freedom.

Only a lie would give her freedom.

One that would be believable.

One that even the Aurors themselves would believe.

Grindelwald.

"I heard a few sounds. I thought it was my cat so I didn't get up to check. When I heard the screaming, that's when I knew something was wrong. I hid until the screams stopped," she whispered, a single tear falling. Her emotions slipping through her well-constructed mask for a moment. "I saw a group of men leaving. When they were gone that's when I found them."

"It's okay. You don't have to say anymore," The lady soothed. She turned to Albus and spoke, "What do you think?"

"It sounds like Grindelwald's men. Why they would come for the King's, I'm not too sure," he muttered, stroking his beard.

Both of them seemingly forgot Eleanor was seated right there, but she made no move to inform them as she listened to their conversation.

"They are meant to be dead. Are we sure her father is Harry King?" The woman asked.

"I taught him," Albus Dumbledore answered. "You may go, I'd like to ask Miss King here a few more questions."

The lady nodded and left, leaving Albus to ask Eleanor some questions.

For a second, Eleanor was worried she'd been caught, but then he spoke.

"Do you have any other family, Miss King?" He asked.

Eleanor shook her head, "No, it was just my parents, Mrs Weaver, and Miss Bennet,"

"You're meant to be starting your seventh year soon, correct?"  He inquired.

"Yes, I am."

"Well then, it would be pointless sending you to an orphanage now. I'd like to offer you a spot at Hogwarts. You may stay there until the start of the Seventh year where you will be attending the school as a student. Then when graduation comes, you'll be of age and ready to live your life with the money you're parents left you."

"Really?" She asked, amazed, letting her mask break for a few seconds. She had never left the house before. She could go to an actual wizarding school.

Dumbledore chuckled, "Of course, if you want to."

"I'd love to," She managed a small smile. On the inside she was screaming, her pain forgotten, only for a moment. She could not believe it. "Oh, and my cat?"

"You can bring your cat with you, Miss King. I'll give you the rest of the day to pack your things. All your supplies will be ready for you when you arrive. I'll be here to apparate you to Hogwarts at 7:00 pm," Dumbledore said before turning to leave.

"Professor? Can I ask a question?"

"Yes, Miss King?"

"What did that lady mean by saying my parents were meant to be dead before now?" Why would they think her parents were dead.

"They were assumed dead. No one ever found their bodies so it wasn't proven."

Eleanor was left to get her things packed. Two Aurors remained inside the house along with her while a few more patrolled outside.

She walked up to her room to gather her things, one of the Aurors following her and staying outside her door.

She needed to get back to the secret room. Despite the magic being the cause of the disaster she couldn't stay away from it. It ached you even think about abandoning it.

For the past few months, magic consumed every inch of her life. This new magic she discovered became apart of her and abandoning it would hurt her more.

Packing her clothes and a few more personal items into a trunk, she grabbed her rucksack and glanced around the room.

She found what she was looking for, a small hatch in the wall. The tunnel. She hadn't used it in so long. She hoped she could still fit.

She was fortunate enough to fit through the tunnel and soon enough ended up in the library. She hurried towards the secret room, trying to remain as quiet as possible. She gathered as many books as she could and placed them inside her bag.

She stopped as she looked at some of the darker books. She breathed out before reaching out and grabbing them.

She grabbed the dagger and placed it inside its sheath. She placed it inside her backpack, right at the bottom.

She scanned the room, she didn't know how long she'd be gone. She might not even be able to come back after school.

She heard a little chirp from one of the bookshelves. The bird she healed sat atop the shelf, looking at her with his head tilted.

She sighed, "I didn't save you for nothing," she whispered and scooped the bird into her hands.

She left the room and shut the door for what could be the last time.

________________________________________

How is everyone liking the story so far?

Right now it's just getting to know Eleanor King. We'll meet Tom Riddle soon ;)

I just wanted to add, I know most Tom Riddle books are enemies to lovers and while I adore it, it's a bit cliché. I want to try something different.

I hope you stay with me until the end!

– walkingmasterpiece xx