Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

23: The Chamber of Secrets

Cassiopeia lay in Tom's dormitory, her eyes closed as she rested after a long conversation about the unexpected news. Tom had assured her that everything would be alright, but the weight of the situation still lingered in her mind.

As she began to stir from her sleep, she overheard Braxton entering the room and talking to Tom. She remained still, her curiosity piqued by their hushed conversation.

"You two weren't there in the class... Is she alright?" Braxton inquired, taking a seat on his bed.

Tom, who had been silencing Lestrange to avoid waking Cassiopeia, responded, "Not at all. Your parents are really insane, you know?"

Braxton agreed, mentioning that the idea had come from the Malfoys. Tom expressed his frustration with Abraxas Malfoy.

"She cried, a lot," Tom disclosed, "A lot of things are going through her mind. What if she has to marry him?"

Cassiopeia's heart ached at the thought of marrying someone other than Tom. She couldn't bear the idea.

"She can't refuse it," Braxton added, "Even if she doesn't like it. One thing is clear, this is the worst idea. But she can run away with you from us."

The very notion of eloping with Tom sent a shiver through Cassiopeia. She had never contemplated such a drastic step.

"Are you kidding me, mate?" Tom exclaimed, clearly taken aback.

"Do you really love her?" Braxton asked, the urgency in his voice cutting through the silence.

Cassiopeia anxiously awaited Tom's response.

"You can't even imagine how much I love her," Tom replied, his tone dripping with sincerity. "Touch her once, I'll kill him twice."

Cassiopeia felt a rush of emotion hearing Tom's unwavering love and protective instinct.

"Whoa, it's terrible," Braxton chuckled, breaking the tension.

Tom, however, was resolute, reiterating his seriousness. "I'm serious, Lestrange."

Braxton then shifted the conversation to dinner and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Cassiopeia remained still, her heart racing from the revelations she had just overheard. Her thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions.

A gentle touch on her stomach brought her back to the present. She knew it was Tom. He whispered, "Cassie, darling, wake up."

She shook her head, nuzzling it further into her pillow, but Tom wrapped his arms around her, and she turned to rest her head on his chest. His warm embrace was a comfort to her.

He gently nudged her awake and reminded her that she had missed lunch. She smiled softly, her heart filled with affection.

"Touch her once, I'll kill him twice," she playfully repeated Tom's earlier words, imitating his tone.

Tom raised an eyebrow and traced her jawline with his finger.

"It's not nice to eavesdrop, darling," he teased, pinching her cheek and planting a sweet kiss on her lips.

Cassiopeia blushed, feeling grateful for Tom's presence.

"Get up now. We'll have dinner, and I have something to show you," he said, intertwining their hands as they left the dormitory.

Cassiopeia watched in wonder as Tom led her through the corridors, his hand tightly clasping hers. Their entwined fingers sent a message to those around them that they were together, and Cassiopeia couldn't help but feel a mixture of surprise and delight at Tom's openness.

Entering the Great Hall, they received inquisitive looks from their fellow Slytherins, particularly Rosier, Avery, and Nott. Their shocked expressions didn't go unnoticed.

"It's true then," Nott commented, still in disbelief. Cassiopeia and Tom separated their hands as they took their seats, with Cassiopeia sitting next to Braxton.

Rosier couldn't contain his curiosity. "Your sister is dating Riddle."

Braxton appeared unfazed. "Why should I be concerned?"

Rosier, however, persisted. "Aren't you curious?"

Cassiopeia and Tom remained silent, focusing on their meals and avoiding discussion.

Avery chimed in. "That means you were aware of it."

Before things could escalate, Tom took control, his arm encircling Cassiopeia's waist as he pulled her closer to him. He directed a stern question at Avery, silencing the group.

"Any issues, Avery?"

The others quickly decided it was best to remain silent, leaving Cassiopeia and Tom in peace for the rest of the meal. Malfoy, on the other hand, continued to glare at them, his eyes filled with anger.

After dinner, Tom led Cassiopeia to a secluded corridor, brushing off the glares they received from envious onlookers. It was during this walk that he posed an intriguing question.

"Have you ever heard of the Chamber of Secrets?"

Cassiopeia nodded, recalling the legend that was still regarded as a myth. "It's said to be owned by Salazar Slytherin, and only the true heir of Slytherin can open it, right?"

Tom was impressed by her knowledge. "You've done your research. It's fascinating, but no one has ever found it."

Cassiopeia suddenly realized the significance of Tom's lineage. "Wait, don't tell me... you've found it and opened it, haven't you?"

Tom winked at her playfully, confirming nothing. "You have an incredibly curious mind and an exceptional memory, which makes it nearly impossible to surprise you."

Cassiopeia couldn't help but mention her favorite moment, saying, "'Touch her once, I'll kill him twice.'"

Tom smiled, fondly remembering their earlier conversation.

As they continued to chat, they arrived at the second-floor girls' lavatory. Cassiopeia hesitated at the entrance, remembering the tragic story of the girl who had died there.

"Why?" Tom inquired, his brows furrowing.

Cassiopeia shook her head. She recalled how Olive Hornby had been haunted by Moaning Myrtle.

"Is she still here?" Cassiopeia asked, her voice filled with trepidation. "Myrtle?"

"We didn't come to see her, come on." Tom led her into the bathroom, which was dimly lit and eerily silent. He stopped in front of a pillar with a row of taps.

Cassiopeia noticed Tom muttering something in a language she couldn't understand—Parseltongue. This was the first time she had heard him speak in such a way. After he finished, he motioned for her to stand behind him.

A tap suddenly moved, and the pillar began to separate, revealing a hidden passage—a tunnel.

Cassiopeia gasped. "Tom, what is this? Is it—"

Tom pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "You're talking too much, angel."