Marked • Tom Riddle

His Perspective

   

   I was smiling before I even opened my eyes as memories of the previous night played through my pounding head. I was hungover, to say the least, and still wounded by Betsy's actions, but the hours spent conversing with the Dark Lord had managed to soften the pain. We had talked and laughed like good friends, forgetting about our problems and our ranks, and simply enjoying each other's company. I could not recall falling asleep, but I must have at some point and in the kitchen no less. However, it was not our conversations that had me smiling.

   With an enthusiastic squeal, I turned over in bed and faced the sunshine beaming in through the windows. Merlin, even this hangover could not prevent me from feeling so bubbly. I smiled again as the memory of what had occurred after I'd fallen asleep danced through my mind once more and the feeling of his hands upon my skin from where he had carried me still lingered. I had only been half-conscious when he'd done it, but the memory of his arms wrapping behind my back and under my legs, as he carried me like a bride up the grand staircase was something I could not mistake. I had managed to fight the firm grasp of sleep and open my eyes only for a moment just as he was laying me down on my bed. Goodnight, Karina, he had said.

   "Merlin's beard," I said, my heart fluttering. Oh, I could just lay in bed all day and try to live that moment over and over again. I closed my eyes, attempting to recall every single detail when suddenly there was a knock at my door. "Come in," I sing-songed, rolling through my silk sheets to face the door. A maid carefully poked her head in, the same maid who had comforted me the night the Dark Lord had rescued me from my kidnappers.

   "Good morning, Miss," she said, stepping into the room with a glass of something brightly colored.

   "It is a good morning, indeed," I said, looking once more at the beams of light shining in through the windows, hitting the crystals on the chandelier, and casting beautiful patterns on the ceiling and walls. "The world is especially beautiful today, is it not?"

   The maid gave me an odd look as she approached me, "I suppose, Miss... The Dark Lord instructed me to bring you a tonic infused with a light potion to help with that intoxication of yours." She held the brightly colored drink out to me.

   "He did?" I smiled, happily taking the drink from her.

   "He did," she confirmed. I sipped the drink and felt better with each swallow. "Also, an owl arrived for you earlier this morning. The Winter's Ball your family is hosting is to be held tomorrow evening. Your mother would have liked you to return home this morning to participate in your gown fitting, however, due to your... current condition, it has been scheduled here. So, when you are feeling up to it, Miss, please meet the fitters in the ballroom for your appointment."

   "Thank you," I nodded, finishing my drink. I hoped with all my heart Mother had sent at least one respectable dress. I did not wish to look provocative at such a formal event, especially not in front of so much of my family. As the maid took my empty glass and turned to leave, I realized I did not know her name. "Wait," I called after her. "What is your name?"

   "Dallara, Miss," she said.

   "I shall like your opinion very much at my fitting, Dallara. If you have time to spare, of course."

   Dallara smiled softly, "It will be an honor."

~~~