Dose of Darkness | Tom Riddle |

Chapter Eleven: Everyone Has A Shadow

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"It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

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Friday October 29, 1944

There was a subtle chill in the air that was unsettling enough to make the hairs on a person stand yet it was a comforting breeze all the same.

The halls seemed a little emptier and the clouds seemed darker, and even Eleanor Peverell herself absorbed some of the dark atmosphere in the gown she wore.

In the Ravenclaw Dorm, she stood before a body length mirror under the glowing light that illuminated the room. There were a few of these around the room to settle the chaos in the mornings, but most girls just preferred their own.

Eleanor's dress was simple, learning that classic meant extravagant when paired nicely with pearls and a Deathly Hallow shaped pendant. She became more open with it now.

It clung to her comfortably like a second skin and the extra fabric that fell out around her feet was floral lace and every step she would take, she would catch sight of it trailing out behind her.

However, with no sleeves and just a simple curved neckline that stopped just above her chest, she felt cold and it contributed to her unsettled nerves.

"You look amazing." Marcella said, quite exasperated, covering up the envy that Eleanor sensed.

A pang of guilt pounded her chest, but she remained focus on drawing on the black eyeliner over her sparkling eyelids. It was a way to avoid having to respond. But it didn't work.

She knew Marcella was unhappy with her.

"Well thank you for picking the dress and helping me get ready." Eleanor sadly smiled, briefly glancing at her friend who sat on the bed a few feet away. "You know, you guys don't have to run the meeting tonight. We can just give them all the night off." she added.

Julius and Marcella offered to run the training tonight merely just to review all they've done so far and practice more with it.

Eleanor couldn't say no but she still felt bad.

Then, the girl chuckled slightly and sighed heavily.

"I would give everyone the night off if I could but they're enjoying it too much." Marcella said.

That made Eleanor smile at least.

It was almost seven, meaning she'd have to leave soon to meet Adis, Walburga, and Abraxas.

There were no good feelings about tonight, but Eleanor should have expected that. This wasn't her.
She warily glanced down at the ring she wore on her finger.

Tom's broken soul.

"When did you get that ring?" Marcella asked in a peculiar tone. Eleanor looked up, hesitating her response.

"When I went to visit my aunt. It's one of the Deathly Hallows actually. It was just with the wrong family." she shrugged.

That was a story. Just not the full one. Eleanor could tell her friend had noticed.

This night was one of many reasons her and Marcella hadn't been on good terms.

She had too many secrets with Tom. Now their relationship was interfering with a lot more because Marcella didn't quite understand why Eleanor cared about doing this. She assumed she was just jealous like Adis and Walburga, proving her inclination towards Slytherin.

But really, Eleanor was only doing this for Tom.

"Eleanor!" said a childlike voice that barreled into the awkwardly silent room.