She woke up to a bed softer and much larger than the one she had been on in Riddle's current abode. Her eyes darted around the large room, landing on the feathery duvet pulled up over her.

The clock struck past noon yet she had no idea when and how she had come there nor did she know who had brought her there either.

She tried to sit up, ignoring the ache in her limbs and found to her relief that she was clothed, wearing an unfamiliar but costly dress. The room she was in was extremely luxurious as well, the velvet curtains drawn shut to block the sunlight.

The only place she could recall having such grandeur was the Malfoy Manor.

And her doubts were confirmed when the door opened and Roxanne Malfoy stepped in.

Seeing her awake, she paused at the doorway but then stepped in nevertheless.

Roxanne Malfoy was wife to Abraxas Malfoy, newly wedded and by the looks of it, rather full of herself. She had striking features with her pale blue eyes and platinum blonde hair yet the same haughty expression on her face that was characteristic of the Malfoys.

She had brought breakfast on a trolley that a house elf was dragging behind her, coming to a halt beside the bed.

She dismissed the elf then turned to face her. Eleanor tried to sit up again but winced as hot pain shot up her veins.

Roxanne's features softened to see her in such pain so she reached forward and gently helped her up. "Are you injured?"

She shook her head, retreating into the covers because she did not want anyone to see the ruthless way Tom had treated her, "n-no... I'm fine..."

She didn't look anywhere near fine but Roxanne let it slide, keeping up a small conversation to let her ascertain that she was not in any immediate danger. "What's your name?"

"Eleanor..."

Pale blue eyes flickered in suspicion, "Eleanor who?"

"Troy," she breathed and saw the color drain from Roxanne's features.

The Troys were a well known pureblood family originating from America. They were one of the most powerful wizarding families and had connections far and wide. So if a member from their family was missing or abducted, it was evident that they would leave no stone unturned to track her out, Roxanne was well aware of that.

And if the Troys were looking out for Eleanor at the moment, that could put the Malfoys in danger too which she clearly did not want to happen.

Then again, she couldn't fathom how Riddle had gotten hold of her and why had he brought her to them of all people. There were mysteries tied to the woman in front of her and she couldn't help but feel curious to know more.

"Oh dear Lord... You're from the Troy family?" She looked shocked, "how did you end up like this then?"

Her eyes dimmed as the haunting scenes flashed in her memory again. "Long story..."

Roxanne could see that she was having trouble in speaking even so she didn't ask further, pushing the trolley closer to her, "eat first. You look absolutely weakened. We'll talk later, alright?"

"Who... Who brought me here?"

She froze at the question but replied, "my husband's friend."

"What friend?"

"Mister Riddle brought you here," her voice was visibly strained as she uttered the name, unable to hide the unease lacing her tone, "anyhow, you finish your breakfast and I'll tell Twinky to heat the water up for your bath."

Her hands shook as she grabbed the cup so sighing wearily Roxanne stayed, helping her eat as well. She couldn't help but feel sorry for the poor woman. She did not know what grudge Riddle had towards her to break her so mercilessly but seeing her in such a state shook her badly.

"Thank you," Eleanor breathed, "I really don't mean to trouble you so much..."

"It is no trouble," she replied, trying to be as gentle as she could though visibly struggling because it was a very new notion to her, "whenever you feel better, just call Twinky and she will help you to the bath. If there's any other issue, tell the elf and I'll come."

"Thank you," she repeated. "I really appreciate your kindness."

"Now don't you worry about anything. You're safe here," Roxanne reassured her, "don't hesitate to tell me if you need anything."

However, her green eyes flickered in uncertainty. "You said I'm safe but... He will still be able to come here? You can't stop him..."

Roxanne sighed, eyes saddening as she took in the way she had recoiled in fear, "I'm sorry, I can't do anything about that."

The woman could see Eleanor had been treated awfully by Riddle but then she also knew it was a miracle he hadn't killed her yet. Her husband had been Riddle's dorm mate in Hogwarts and knew him from his very early days. And Abraxas had told her how ruthless the man could be if provoked.

He would not have hesitated for even a second before using the killing curse on her.

Though seeing Eleanor with her terror stricken green eyes and aching self, Roxanne couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

If it had been anyone other than Riddle, she wouldn't have hesitated to protect the woman from him.

But she could not afford to stand against the Dark Lord, so she could only offer Eleanor weak comfort instead of the protection she needed to be safe from that monster.

Days passed swiftly as Eleanor resided in Malfoy Manor, praying that Tom would never come to her. She spent most of her time with Roxanne who enjoyed her company because being the only woman in such a huge estate was surely boring but with Eleanor's presence, it made things better for Roxanne as well.

Though the two became friends, they knew the day Tom Riddle finally decided to check up on his newly procured doll, Roxanne would not be able to shield her from his wrath.

And that day came far too soon for Eleanor's liking.

She woke up in the middle of the night to the uneasy feeling of being watched and saw Tom sitting at the foot of her bed, twirling her wand in his fingers carelessly.

She sat up abruptly and tried to grab her wand from his hold but he chuckled, holding it out of reach, one hand closing on to her neck in a warning.

"Easy there, love, or else I would think you missed me just as much as I missed you."

"Give my wand back," all the rage she felt towards him had hit her again with full force though it only made him laugh further, as if her outburst was highly entertaining to him.

"You look so damn irresistible when you get all fired up," his voice was a coaxing whisper, his grip softening as he pushed her down on the bed, "you have no idea how badly I want you, Eleanor."

"Want me? What's left there to be wanted?" Hurt laced her tone as she snapped back, "you took everything I held dear, you took everything... What else is left?"

"I took everything from you but you were never willing to give it to me," he whispered, hovering over her with his hand still holding her by the throat but his fingers were not pressing painfully on her skin, "that doesn't seem right, does it? That makes me seem like a monster."

"Because you are a monster!"

"Perhaps... But then what definition do you have for someone who is not a monster?" His eyes held that look as if he was genuinely curious to hear her answer, "tell me, love, who is not a monster? What person can be deemed as the complete opposite to what the word monster means?"

She paused because there was no fixed definition nor any particular person she could give to him as an example to oppose his point. And he was expecting that reaction because the triumphant smile on his face widened.

"We are all monsters, Eleanor. Some more than the others but monsters nevertheless. We prey on our own kind, we murder our own fellows in cold blood for our own gain, we lie and deceit and ridicule and hunt... What difference is there in between a human and a monster?"

She couldn't find words to justify herself. But the next question he placed before her shook her immensely.

"Tell me truthfully, love, have you not killed anyone before?"

She froze, not knowing how to reply to him and he took her hesitation as the answer instead.

"Have you not seen your victim die with satisfaction coursing through your veins? Have you not relished in the power of taking a life with these delicate hands of yours and watching him or her fall helplessly at your feet?"

She couldn't hold back the tremble in her voice as she spoke up, "how... How do you know...?"

"Because even though your scent is absolutely enticing, driving me insane to take you here and now, I can not overlook the fact that it is indeed the scent of a murderer. Am I not correct, my dear?"

His words had shocked her so much that she didn't even realize that he had bent down and sealed their lips together in a kiss. Though unlike the rough kisses he had wrecked her with the night he had abducted her from Laverne's place, that once he was gentle.

He pulled apart briefly, taking in the confusion on her features but when she made no move to stop him, he captured her lips with his own once again.

He felt her fingers take the wand from his back pocket and he couldn't help but smile at the thought that she still believed she could fool him. But he did nothing to stop her, he just kissed her as sweetly as possible, his hands weaving into her soft brown tresses, holding her close to himself.

He waited until she held the wand in her hand and she would have definitely used a hex on him to blast him away from her. But before that could happen, he disapparated, leaving her lying there in a mixture of shock and confusion, the ghost of his lips still tainting her mouth and her wand resting in between her clenched fist.

She had no idea what had just happened and for what reason. The only thing she knew and had gotten scared by was that somehow Riddle knew too much about her and it could not be of any help in her mission of getting rid of him once and for all.

***