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Garden Secrets
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(Y/N's POV)

Dinner had been both a blessing and a curse. While part of me appreciated the warmth of the family atmosphere, the other part of me felt like an outsider—my mind was constantly spinning, filled with thoughts of the creature Lux, my mission for Dumbledore, and Tom. More and more, it was becoming difficult to keep my emotions in check. I could feel myself getting closer to him, despite the barrier I had set for myself. But it was too late. The lines between duty and desire had blurred in ways I hadn't anticipated.

After the meal, I excused myself, claiming that I needed some fresh air to clear my head. I needed space to think—space to process everything. Lux, the little creature that had caused all this chaos, was still playing with Elias and Jasper. It had been a curious sight, watching the little creature dart around, so full of energy. The string between Tom and me... I still wasn’t sure what to make of it. But I couldn’t ignore the nagging feeling in my chest.

As I stepped outside, the cold night air was refreshing, though a little too biting for my taste. The garden was peaceful, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, the trees swaying gently in the breeze. I walked to the edge of the garden, near the fountain, where the sound of water was soothing. I needed to be alone for a moment, just to think.

But as I was lost in my thoughts, I heard footsteps approaching. I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Tom’s presence was unmistakable. The way he moved, the way his aura seemed to surround him—there was something magnetic about him, something that pulled me in.

“You didn’t stay for dessert,” Tom remarked, his voice smooth, with just a hint of curiosity.

“I wasn’t hungry,” I replied, my tone a little colder than I intended. I didn’t want him to know how I was feeling—not yet. “Just needed some air.”

He didn’t respond immediately, and for a moment, I wondered if he would just leave me alone. But he didn’t. Instead, he walked closer, stopping a few feet away from me. I could feel his eyes on me, studying me, as if he were trying to figure me out.

“Lux is quite the creature,” he finally said, his voice softer now. “I never imagined something like that would find its way into your life.”

I turned to face him, surprised by the sudden shift in his demeanor. Tom was usually so guarded, so calculated. But here he was, standing before me, talking about Lux with a kind of genuine interest.

“Yeah, well,” I began, trying to keep my voice steady, “I didn’t expect it either. It’s... strange, but I think it has its reasons for being here.”

Tom stepped closer, his gaze narrowing slightly. “Do you think it’s... special?”

I hesitated. “I think it’s more than special. It’s magic that I can’t explain, something beyond what we understand.”

He was quiet for a moment, and I thought perhaps he was lost in his own thoughts. But then, as if an idea struck him, he looked up, his eyes gleaming with that familiar sharpness.

“You should let me visit sometime,” he said, almost as if it were a suggestion, though I could hear the underlying tone of command. “I’d like to see it for myself. See what makes it so... special.”

I tilted my head, considering his words. There was something about the way he said it—like he was trying to make it sound casual, but I knew better. He was trying to get closer to me. He wanted to understand this creature, yes, but I couldn’t help but feel there was more to it.

“Visit?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. “And why would you want to do that?”

Tom’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. “I’m curious. Besides,” he added, his voice lowering, “I believe there’s a connection between you and that creature. And it might be interesting to see how it reacts to me.”

I felt a pang of something—nervousness, maybe—but I pushed it aside. “Maybe,” I said nonchalantly. “I’ll think about it.”

There was a moment of silence as Tom studied me. His eyes were calculating, but there was something else there, too—something almost... vulnerable. I didn’t want to admit it, but I was starting to see a side of Tom that wasn’t all cold ambition. It was buried beneath layers of arrogance and pride, but I could see it in the way he looked at me, the way he spoke to me when no one else was around.

“Well,” he said, breaking the silence, “let me know if you decide I can come by.” He took a step back, as if preparing to leave. “I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity.”

I watched him for a moment, unsure of what to say. Part of me wanted to push him away, to remind myself of the mission I was on, of Dumbledore’s request. But the other part of me— the part I had tried so hard to suppress—was drawn to him. And that part, the one that had been listening to his every word, couldn’t help but feel a little intrigued.

“Alright,” I said, my voice quieter now, “I’ll think about it.”

Tom’s smile deepened, though there was something more intense behind it. “I’ll be waiting,” he said, and with that, he turned to leave, his footsteps fading into the night.

I stood there for a few moments longer, processing everything that had just happened. My heart was racing, and my thoughts were a jumble of emotions and questions. I knew that getting closer to Tom—letting him into my life—would complicate things further, but I couldn’t ignore the pull I felt toward him. It was becoming harder and harder to differentiate between what was my duty and what was my desire.

The creature, Lux, had only added to the confusion. Was it a sign? Was this the path I was meant to take? Or was I just being pulled deeper into Tom’s world, a world I wasn’t sure I was ready to fully enter?

One thing was clear—things were changing, and I was no longer sure how much control I had over what was happening between us.

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