[HP] Dearest Enemy

"Merry Christmas." Harry patted the snow off his body, then took off his cloak and hung it on the rack, "Merope, how are you today?"

"I'm fine, Mr. Potter." Merope, who was lying on the bed, said angrily.She looked much better than when Harry had brought her back, but she was still listless.Harry could see that she didn't care about the child she was about to give birth to. Riddle's ruthless abandonment had made her feel disheartened and desperate about everything. She was only living because of Harry's kindness.The economy in the wizarding world is no more prosperous than that in the Muggle world, and Harry, who is penniless, must stay in the Broken Ax Bar all day.He asked Mrs. Squib Obers, who rented his house, to look after Merope, because he didn't know when the baby would be born.And the old lady always felt that Harry gave too little money, so she seldom even talked to Merope.

Harry forced himself to pull himself together and showed a tired smile: "Be happy, Merope, today is Christmas."

Merope raised his head and curled his mouth at Harry.Harry sighed helplessly, she looked as if she had forgotten how to smile.

"Merope, cheer up." Harry went and sat down opposite her. "I'm looking for a new place to live. When Tom is born, we'll move out of here and go to a bigger place. You have to do it for him." Think about it."

Merope looked at Harry with her staring eyes in the opposite direction, then nodded, subconsciously placing her hands on her already protruding stomach.

"Yes, you are right, Mr. Potter." Merope finally showed a trace of anger on his face.

However, everything didn't go as smoothly as Harry expected.It snowed from Christmas until the last day of the year.At noon on New Year's Eve, when Harry came back from leave, he found his landlady, Mrs. Obers, coming out of the residence anxiously, her face almost losing color.

Harry realized at once what was the matter, and hurried over to Mrs. Obers.

"God, you're back." The old woman's wrinkled walnut-like face showed a little relaxed expression, "She gave birth not long after you left, but when she encountered dystocia, she didn't have enough strength, so she couldn't bear it. After the baby was born, it couldn't stop bleeding..."

"Is she still alive?" Harry interrupted the old woman's ramblings.

"It's dead," said the old woman. "Just now, I was going to tell you."

Harry strode past Mrs. Opposite into the small courtyard and into his own room.A strong smell of blood came to the face, and the sheets were stained with blood. Merope, who had swallowed his breath, lay pale on the sheets soaked in blood, as peacefully as if he had fallen asleep.She couldn't make it through in the end.

"Mr. Potter, for God's sake, you've got to do something," said Mrs. Opus, wringing her hands. "You've got to get her out of here and find another place to live. My house hasn't been No one has died. I won't charge this month's rent, you..."

Harry didn't listen to her, his eyes turned to the small package next to Merope.The baby inside had been washed, thin and small, with red skin and wrinkled skin, making him look like an ugly little monkey.The newborn Dark Lord was crying with all his might, maybe because of the cold in the room, maybe because of his mother who had just died, maybe to announce his birth to Harry.

Harry picked up the child carefully.He didn't look any different from other children, he was as young and fragile as if he would break if touched, but Harry knew that this person might become every wizard's nightmare in the future, he would gather a group of followers, use Cruel and harsh methods have ruled the entire wizarding world for 20 years, making people afraid to speak his name.

As long as you put your hand on his neck and apply a little force, this possibility will not appear in the future.No wizards and innocent Muggles would die because of his so-called pure-blood arguments, no one would die fighting him, his parents would not die, Harry would have a whole happy family, No need to go to the Dursleys' house to be abused, Sirius won't disappear behind that arch, Lupine and Tonks won't die in battle... The cries of the newborn are getting louder and harsher, and Harry can hardly help but cry. strangle his urge.

You can't hurt a baby.A voice in his head shouted, he was just born, he didn't know anything, he didn't understand anything, he might not become that frightening monster in the future, everything can start all over again, why not give him a chance?

But he killed my parents and friends, and many, many others!Another voice retorted, but he was not as confident as he expected.

The baby in his hand was already a little tired from crying, and his voice became smaller and smaller.Mrs. Opus was still rambling: "...you can send him to an orphanage, I know a Mrs. Cole, she is the director of an orphanage..."

Orphanage?Send Tom there and raise a Dark Lord who was persecuted by Muggles?There are people among Muggles who can get along with wizards like Hermione's parents, but there are also people like Dursley who hate and fear wizards.Tom's hatred of Muggles must have been created by his experiences in the orphanage.He didn't get the love and care he deserved there, so he lost the ability to love.Although a voice in his head kept protesting, Harry had made his decision.

"I'm not going to send him away," said Harry coldly, interrupting Mrs. Orbos. "I'll raise the child. I'll move out after Merope's funeral, and I'll pay for your rent." No less. But until I move away, you will help me take care of Tom in my absence. I will pay you, and you will not suffer."

The old lady was startled by Harry who spoke suddenly, and then she became confused: "Tom? Is that the child's name?"

"Yes." Harry nodded. "His name is Tom Marvolo Riddle."

The child in his arms suddenly clung to Harry's body, and his little mouth squirmed a few times.Harry was slightly startled, a strange feeling surged up, and he looked at him fixedly.Tom, let me wait and see what kind of person you will become in the future.