Unexpected Encounters | Tom Riddle

XIV: Mended Ties

"To ruling the world one day, brother." Abraxas stretched in his chair. The knot in his stomach was gone.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Was she changing something in the timeline? Lilia had found Tom's comment about stopping the pureblood lines from dying out, quite strange. It was not like what she knew of him. Voldemort would never have said something like that. Ever. But he's not Voldemort, is he?

Lilia sighed and tried on a dress while Evangeline and Celeste were waiting outside. They were shopping for a dress for the Slug Club dinner and Lilia had to wake up earlier than usual to cast repeated concealment charms to hide the scars across her body.

She twirled around in the blue dress that she had on, watching how clear her skin looked in the mirror. It wasn't marred with scars and she felt strangely naked without them. When she came out, Evangeline and Celeste seemed to be focused on the dress, not liking how it looked on her. "I'm not sure how to feel about this one." Celeste said. She had settled on a pink dress while Evangeline was going with a white one. "I think a navy blue dress would look better than the pastel blue I have on right now." Lilia added thoughtfully.

It took them two hours to find the perfect dress. It was a navy blue strapless dress that hugged her waist before cascading into a full skirt.. "It's a really pretty dress, Lilia. But isn't it too plain? You will be dancing with people that night and meeting well-known wizards and witches. Don't you want to make an impression?" Evangeline had asked her, brows furrowed. "I know a secret or two." She smiled in response. Lilia hadn't felt so light in so long. As a student, she had discovered a small book in the library that talked about how magic could be used in fashion. The girls bought high heels and jewellery before calling it a day at Hogsmeade.

They then headed to the Three Broomsticks to grab butterbeer with the boys. "What did you get?" Icarus asked Lilia, sitting down next to her, too close for her liking. She shifted uncomfortably but smiled at him nonetheless. "It's a surprise. You'll see tomorrow." "Don't I get special treatment?" Icarus tried pouting at her, making her laugh at how absurd he looked. "You're too old for this, Lestrange. And no, if anything, my date should be the one getting special treatment." She smirked at him, teasing him. "Good lord. What did the weasel do to deserve you but not me?" He sighed dramatically.

"Stop calling him that, you are so mean, Icarus," she chided playfully. "It's almost like I'm a Slytherin," he added lightly and shifted to get a better view of Lilia. "That's just an excuse." "Salazar, do we have to listen to these two all day long?" Tiernan complained while Lilia and Icarus kept talking to each other, the other four forgotten. "You're just jealous, Nott," Evangeline hummed, drinking her butterbeer. "Of course I am! When will I find a beautiful girl all for myself?" He sighed and stared at his drink dejectedly. "When you stop whining like a little bitch." The blonde girl smiled at him sarcastically. "Language, Evangeline." Tom reprimanded, brows slightly furrowed.

"Oh relax, Tom." She rolled her eyes at him. "It's fine to swear once in a while. You need to let go sometimes." Tom shook his head and sighed. Why was he surrounded by such childish people? He could tell that Lilia was not comfortable with the way Icarus was being touchy with her, but she wasn't saying anything. There was always a tiny flinch whenever the Lestrange heir tried to touch her.

Tom was more curious as to why he had started noticing these small things about the woman sitting in front of him and smiling at Icarus. He had meant to ask her if she would be his date for the dinner with Slughorn, but someone else had already asked her out. It was just out of mere camaraderie; he would have asked someone else too. She had just been his first choice.

Meanwhile, Riddle did not notice the soft look that Celeste had when she stared at him. Celeste Meadows had been in love with Tom Riddle from the moment she had met him. She had kept it well hidden, knowing that the boy would never prioritise love over his own goals. That never deterred her affection. He was good-looking, smart, charming, and polite. He was the perfect prince charming.