[FATAL ATTRACTION] Tom Riddle x Reader

August 20th, 1951

Reader POV

People moved all around the home that Tom and I were to move into together. Though I wanted to marry him immediately after finishing up at Hogwarts, I decided Philip was correct and we pushed the wedding back until Tom and I were both 25 to give us time to court outside of Hogwarts and live together. Since we were both nearing our 25th birthday, we found it suitable to get another place aside from the apartment in Bath that we had been renting.

It was a lovely home close to the Malfoy Manor and served as the smaller Livingston Manor, the one Father was supposed to inherit if he had been born a normal wizard. As such, the Livingstons were more than happy to gift it to Tom and me, much to Philip's annoyance.

"We grew up in the same home not knowing you were magic," Philip complained as he moved a box into the living room area. "And suddenly you're treated like royalty?"

"She practically is royalty," Silas Livingston said with a bite. "Our family has been at the front of multiple historical events, and is one of the three oldest wizarding families, even older than the House of Black."

Tom could sense my unease and rubbed my shoulders. "Perhaps a walk would do us some good. I hear the grounds here are spectacular, there's even an indoor pool by the gardens." He and I had been on very good terms, something that surprised many who did not support our engagement. Professor Slughorn had written me back and I came back as a teacher's assistant, but he would avoid the topic of whatever the protection magic Tom used on the Gaunt family ring. Even after searching his memory, I found nothing suspicious and therefore dismissed the previous accusations of Tom cursing the ring.

We bade my brother goodbye and held hands to explore the gardens. I had been here once or twice in the past when I was still a student at Hogwarts, but I only stayed in the library as Silas Livingston was pretty strict about not running around like hooligans given the history of the estate which was built during the reign of King Henry VIII.  Multiple elves and other household creatures gave us friendly nods, probably happy at the change of ownership since the last owner, Bertha Livingston was a grouchy old fool and thought of the elves as slaves. Similarly to Kreacher in Orion Black's household, the elves treated me with respect as I did with them.

"Just imagine," Tom said as he caressed my hand with his thumb. "Our children running around these meadows without a care in the world. Of course, we'll have a family pet or two."

I felt the ring pulsate, something that I noticed only happened whenever Tom was feeling intense emotions. "And a husband who caters to everyone's needs," I teased. Then I felt a twinge of sadness. "Tom, what work do you have to do still? I remember you mentioning at dinner how you have to go to Albania, what is it possible to do there?"

He stopped and hesitated, a bit of nervousness in his eyes. "Nothing to worry about. Do you remember the ghost of Helena Ravenclaw? She asked me to retrieve something of Rowena Ravenclaw's, so I accepted the job."

I raised an eyebrow, not exactly believing him. Helena Ravenclaw was a shy ghost and would only talk to soft-spoken students, favorably those of her mother's house. "Helena, the timid ghost?"

"She isn't the only ghost I've talked to," Tom said with a bit of a snicker as if making fun of something. "A little sweet talk goes a long way."

"My fiance, flirting with a ghost of a girl over a thousand years old? What could she have asked you to do, Tom? Why do you want the object?"

"Diadem," Tom corrected. "Her mother's diadem has been lost for centuries and there are rumors of it resurfacing in Albania. She wants it back and it would prove useful for the new museum on Diagon Ally. They're looking for priceless artifacts, my dear."

"I guess that makes sense." I couldn't help but feel...uncomfortable with the look in his eyes as if I was something stupid. "Can I possibly come with you?"

He panicked for a moment and shook his head. "It's no journey for a lady such as yourself-"

"Tom, I will bash your head with a bludger."

"Yes ma'am." He let out a deep sigh. "I suppose no harm can come with you there. But wouldn't you miss your goddaughter?"

At the mention of the newly born Bellatrix Black, I hesitated. "Bella can survive without her godmother for a month or so. She'll have to accept it anyway when we go on our honeymoon."

"Ah, our honeymoon." Tom's face lit up and gone were any traces of unease. "Are you sure you still want to honeymoon in Switzerland? I mean, the muggles just ended their war."

"If they try anything, I'll zap them with my wand," I joked. "Besides, I'll have you with me, they wouldn't dare try anything. If anything, I'll be worried about muggle women hitting on you."

Tom ruffled my hair and kissed my forehead. "You don't need to worry, the thought of being with anyone other than especially a muggle- is revolting. Come now, Moony. I wouldn't dare cheat."

"Fair enough." I looked up at the summer sun, closing my eyes in bliss. "I'll have to go back to Hogwarts, you know. Slughorn wants to make me his successor as potions master, have you any news about being the professor for DADA?"

"Dumbledore advised Dippet against hiring me," Tom shrugged. "I suppose I'll just have to visit my lovely wife, hm? We'll journey to Albania during the break so you can focus on your teaching and get ready for the wedding."

Despite our initial excitement for marriage, we ultimately decided to wait longer to also establish ourselves so our kids would I know I put in time before marrying their father, and I wanted my own way to make money. God forbid anything happened to Tom.

And more importantly, ask Helena why she instructed Tom of all wizards to retrieve the Diadem. I gave Tom a sweet smile and we walked to the pools, enjoying a dip in the cool waters.