Paradox | T. Riddle ✔

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Eleanor decided to follow the same strategy she had done so the first time she had come back in time but also decided not to to try and save anyone who was bound to die because in doing so, she had only gotten herself in trouble.

The most recent part of the time loop she had suffered was the worst so far and she didn't want to take any further risks.

She didn't want Tom to damage her to that extent.

The first time she had been very cautious and she intended to the same, only with changing one or two aspects within.

Though deep down she knew that the only aspect she wasn't willing to change so far was her killing Riddle in the end and there was a high chance that it was the only thing that could break the time loop. But she didn't want to let Riddle live either so even then she was in conflict.

However, following her selected strategy, she had befriended Nicole Burke by meeting her at Borgin and Burke's while Tom had not been present at the shop.

Being a kind and friendly soul, Nicole had offered her to stay with them since Eleanor had told them that she was just traveling on her own and was going to stay in London for a while. The first two days with the Burkes passed conveniently as Tom didn't show up.

But on the third day, while they were having dinner, Tom had joined them as well.

He was surprised to see Eleanor there but masked it, letting Nicole introduce her to him as a friend of hers from America who was going to stay with them for some time. Neither Tom nor Eleanor mentioned the fact that they had met before at the Leaky Cauldron.

Throughout dinner, she felt his gaze flicker towards her repeatedly. It was evident he was curious to see her there but hadn't voiced it out. Then to Eleanor, it was more than evident that Tom maintained a false persona in front of Caractacus Burke and his daughter that he did not want to disrupt, making him appear as an absolute saint.

While in reality, he was the exact opposite.

In reality, he had lured in many angels like Nicole through his charm and looks, making them fall for him so that he could use them for his own gain. And after they had served the purpose for which he chose them, he had gotten rid of them without any remorse, plucking their pure white feathers from their wings to stitch upon his own self in hopes of concealing his monstrosity.

But Eleanor could see the darkness hiding behind the white feathers, could see the blood red tainting the forced stitches. And she was one of the very few people at the moment who knew his true colors.

She knew what to expect from him, she had seen the worst he could do and yet it still felt that if he wanted, he could go even beyond the worst.

He was truly a monster and none of his cleverly crafted facades could deceive her.

She passed the next two days in unease, knowing full well that the night Nicole was supposed to kill herself was drawing near and she could do nothing to prevent it. She had tried once but the woman had still died, though sooner than expected.

And as a consequence, Eleanor herself had suffered drastically at Riddle's hands.

She did not want any of it to repeat. Hence despite the growing dread in her heart, she prevented herself from going to Nicole to warn her.

It is only going to make things worse, she kept reminding herself but deep down she felt guilty. It almost felt as if she was causing Nicole's death herself and she couldn't even bear that thought.

The woman reminded her of her sister Esmeralda so much that it hurt. Just like Esmeralda, she used to care for her, called her Ellie even and made sure that she was happy and comfortable with her.