Unexpected Encounters | Tom Riddle

XXII: The Weight of Knowledge

"Remove your clothes," Angie said, quickly scribbling down on her notebook. Lilia's eyes widened as she felt dread seeping into her stomach. "What?" "I need to get your measurements," the seamstress clarified with a click of her tongue, slightly annoyed. That's why they needed to get this done individually. She gulped loudly, worried about the scars that she hadn't concealed on her body. "I- I can't-" "Oh, child, don't fret. I'm only here to take measurements. Trust me, I've seen it all." Lilia's chest tightened at the thought of someone seeing her body. The older woman must have noticed the shift in her mood because she immediately softened. "Your name is Lilia, right?" "Yes." "I am just here to do my job, not to judge you." Lilia's hands trembled slightly as she removed her turtleneck and skirt, the cool air prickling her skin. The fabric pooled at her feet, leaving her feeling exposed and raw, as though every scar on her body was a story she wasn't ready to tell.

Angie's sharp intake of breath filled the room, and Lilia braced herself for the questions that might follow.. She knew the picture that Angie was seeing: countless scars across her upper body. She shivered as she stood in her underwear, arms crossed to keep her warm. "You poor child," Angie whispered, her voice barely audible. She reached out tentatively, her fingers brushing over a particularly deep scar as though trying to understand its origin. Lilia flinched but didn't pull away, her throat tightening at the unexpected tenderness. Angie's touch was featherlight, but it felt like a weight pressing against her soul.

Lilia hadn't expected pity, and it left a strange taste in her mouth. She didn't know whether to feel grateful or resentful. Pity didn't heal scars, but it didn't hurt, either. It just lingered, like a shadow of something she couldn't quite name. "What happened to you?" "The war." Angie nodded and took her measurements. Lilia heard the seamstress' breath halting when she moved to her back, seeing all the scars that she sustained from the torture at Bellatrix's hands.

As Angie worked, Lilia's thoughts flickered back to Tom and the book in his hands. He had already started down the path toward immortality, hadn't he? The scars on her body were proof of what that road would lead to, and yet, somewhere deep inside, she couldn't stop wondering: was it too late to change him?

When Angie had taken her measurements, Lilia was more than happy to get dressed. "I will make you a dress that will cover you up well. What do you think of puff sleeves?" "I like the idea." "Okay. Puff sleeves. I am thinking of a burgundy colour to compliment your skin. You will all be wearing long dresses, but I will add some extra ruffles to yours." Lilia smiled uncertainly at the seamstress. "Take care, Lilia." "You too, Angie."

When Lilia headed out, Celeste went in after her. She didn't know what to make of Angie's reaction. The lady had definitely pitied her, but she hadn't probed and she was grateful for that. It was strange that the sight of her body had not triggered the visceral reaction that Lilia had anticipated. She had spent so long loathing the jagged lines and raised ridges that mapped her skin, each one a memory of pain and survival. To see someone look at her with something other than revulsion, or worse, indifference, felt strange, almost alien. Pity wasn't what she wanted, but perhaps it was better than what she deserved.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

The rest of the days were uneventful. The only difference was that her friends were now more comfortable with using darker spells while they practised dualling.

Lilia shuddered as she watched Celeste casting a spell at Icarus, which caused blood to come out of his eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Tiernan attacked Evangeline with a spell that made her choke even though nothing was visible to the naked eye. The spell that Tom cast on Abraxas caused the blonde boy to fall to the ground with a sickening crack as all his bones seemed to be trying to poke out from underneath his skin. Lilia watched them use the spells that they had been holding back, discomfort lodging itself deep in her body.