Bob Ogden.

  The Ministry of Magic.

  My breath caught, because I knew that name.

  More precisely, I had read about it in the sixth Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

  This was that very episode from Dumbledore's memories. That very visit when Ogden came to the Gaunts because of Morfin's attack on Muggles. And when everything went according to the scenario that eventually led to…

  To the moment when Merope met Tom Riddle Sr.

  Oh my God.

  "Are you all right?" Ogden asked, noticing my confusion.

  "I… yes. No. I mean…" I forced myself to pull together. "They'll be back soon. Marvolo and Morfin. They… they're in the forest right now."

  "I see. I'll wait, if you don't mind."

  He stepped inside. I suddenly became painfully aware of how horrible everything looked here. How it smelled. How terrible I myself looked.

  "Would you like to sit?" I asked, pointing at the bench.

  Ogden looked at the bench. There was a stain on it of unclear origin. He very bravely suppressed a grimace and sat down.

  "You live here alone? With your father and brother?"

  "Yes," I answered shortly, returning to the hearth. I had to save the stew before it burned completely.

  "And your mother?"

  "She died."

  At least, that was the most logical option. I hoped my answer matched the reality of this world.

  "I'm very sorry," Ogden said quietly.

  I didn't answer.

  We sat in silence for several minutes. I stirred the stew. Ogden sat, looking around the hut with poorly concealed horror. I felt as if I had been caught doing something shameful. This man from a civilized world was looking at my life — and seeing all its monstrosity.

  "Miss Gaunt," he began. "Forgive the question… are you all right? I mean… you don't need help?"

  I turned sharply.

  "Help?"

  He hesitated, fidgeting with the bundle in his hands.

  "I can see… you have bruises. If you're in danger, if someone is hurting you — you can contact the Ministry. There are assistance programs…"

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  "It's fine," I interrupted. "I'm just clumsy. I fell accidentally."

  Ogden looked at me for a long moment. Of course he didn't believe me. It was written on his face. But he didn't say anything. He simply nodded.

  "If anything happens — you know where to find us."

  I turned back to the hearth so he wouldn't see my eyes. They were full of tears. Because someone had offered me help that I could not accept.

  Because if I accepted — they would find out. Marvolo and Morfin. And then they would kill me. Not just beat me, but kill me.

  "Thank you," I whispered. "I'll remember that."

  At that moment, voices sounded outside the door.

  Rough, angry. I recognized them immediately. Marvolo was yelling at Morfin, Morfin snapping back. They were approaching.

  Ogden stood up, straightened his jacket, and prepared himself.

  I hunched my shoulders, waiting.

  The door burst open.

  Marvolo stumbled inside. Saw Ogden and froze. Morfin behind him also stopped, his eyes gleaming.

  "Who the hell are you?" Marvolo barked.

  "Bob Ogden, Ministry of Magic." Ogden spoke calmly, but I could see how his hand holding the bundle trembled. "I have a warrant for arrest. Your son, Morfin Gaunt, is charged with attacking Muggles."

  Silence.

  A terrible, oppressive silence.

  And then Marvolo Gaunt burst into laughter.

  "Arrest?!" he shouted. "You came to arrest my son in my house?!"

  He stepped forward. Ogden didn't retreat, but I saw his knuckles turn white.

  "I have full authority, Mister Gaunt. If you obstruct justice, I will be forced to—"

  "Shut up!"

  Marvolo swung his arm, and I saw the stick in his hand. That same crooked stick he usually carried with him.

  "You came into my house and dare threaten me?" he growled. "Know your place, Ministry rat!"

  "Father…" Morfin began.

  "Silence!"

  Ogden pulled out his wand.

  "Mister Gaunt, I ask you to calm down. I am not here to cause a scandal. I am here to carry out the law."

  "The law?" Marvolo spat on the floor. "The law is for Muggles and their lackeys! The Gaunts answer only to their blood!"

  He stepped forward, raising the stick to strike Ogden. I squeezed my eyes shut, expecting the blow.

  But then something happened that no one expected. Not even me.

  "Stop!"

  The shout tore out of me on its own. I was standing by the hearth, clutching the spoon in my hands.

  Everyone froze.

  Marvolo slowly turned toward me. His eyes were terrifying. Mad. I had never seen them like that before.

  "You…" he hissed. "You're trying to shut my mouth, you piece of trash?"

  "I just…" my voice broke. "I just want you to stop. Please…"

  "Shut up!"

  He lunged at me.

  I didn't even have time to scream.

  His hand grabbed my hair and yanked downward. I fell to my knees with a cry of pain. The spoon flew aside.

  "You!" he shouted into my face. "You worthless thing! You dare tell me what to do? I brought you into this world, I'll kill you too!"

  "Mister Gaunt!" Ogden's voice rang out. "Release her immediately!"

  "Stay out of it!"

  He raised the stick. I squeezed my eyes shut, covering my head with my arms.

  The blow never landed.

  I opened my eyes. Ogden stood between me and Marvolo, his wand pointed straight at the old man's face. He muttered something — some spell — and Marvolo's stick flew out of his hand and rolled into the corner.

  "I said — release her," Ogden repeated. His voice trembled, but there was steel in it. "That is an order from a Ministry official!"

  Marvolo froze. Looked at Ogden. Then at me. Then back at Ogden.

  "You…" he exhaled. "You're protecting her?"

  "I am protecting a person you were about to beat," Ogden corrected. "Now please, let go."

  Marvolo loosened his fingers.

  I fell face-first into the ashes, breathing hard. My ears rang. My heart pounded so violently it felt like it would leap out of my chest.

  "Get up, Miss Gaunt," Ogden said quietly. "Are you all right?"

  I lifted my head. Looked at him. At his frightened but determined face. And for the first time in three days, I felt something other than fear.

  Hope.

  "Yes," I whispered. "Yes. Thank you."

  Ogden nodded and turned back to Marvolo. The wand in his hand did not even tremble.

  "And now, Mister Gaunt, we will talk about your son. And perhaps not only about him."