His Dark Lady | Tom Riddle Novella

Chapter 5: Fresh Air

August 13th, 1950

The group apparated in pairs to the grand Malfoy Manor. It was a mammoth of a house that most definitely fit the grandeur of the Malfoy's, with its the artfully trimmed hedges, a gravel driveway, and a beautiful large fountain spewing sheets of water. The real catch to the manor were the albino peacocks strutting about, even this late in the night. A luxury Emelina truly would never understand. It was obviously an incredible place to live but much too far away from Hepzibah and her own beloved London metropolis to ever consider moving out into the Smith manor which was of a similar composition, but not nearly as grand. 

Emelina arrived clutching Dorian's arm as he apparated them through side-along apparition. Witches weren't supposed to carry their wands so, naturally, they assumed that she would need someone to aid her. None of these imbeciles knew of her wand holster that stayed strapped to her; she didn't care, Emelina would not allow herself to be defenceless. 

Abraxas had clearly invited some others around their age as well, Emelina noted as she and Dorian entered arm-in-arm through the massive front doors. She smiled and nodded at a couple of the other Black cousins that were present, completely ignored Romulus Lestrange as always, wondering how no one had killed him yet and if she might someday have the honour, and smiled in greeting at anyone else she knew. 

Cassius and Alphard had arrived right after them and had immediately sauntered off to go find some girls to 'get lucky with,' according to Cassius. A statement that had Emelina wandlessly trip over his own two feet as he walked away from them.

She and Dorian ignored the younger Nott sibling as he swore loudly, following Abraxas and Cornelia who led them to a secluded lounge where Dragomira Prewett, Abraxas' beautiful and kind fiancée, Avernus Mulciber, who recently became Cornelia's suitor, and, to Emelina's displeasure, Charlon Avery were waiting for them. Her dislike was mirrored in Avery's face as he scowled at her while she smiled sweetly in return. 

Bastard.

Cornelia smiled shyly at Avernus as she kissed his cheek in a quick hello, settling in next to him on the loveseat. Dorian led her to one of the loveseats and they sat down together, Abraxas bringing the two of them drinks. Servants weren't permitted in this lounge, it appeared. 

Emelina briefly wondered what other gatherings might occur in this specific lounge when her thoughts were interrupted by another arrival.

"Sorry I'm late," a new, but familiar, deep voice interrupted.

Abraxas rose to greet the late comer and a shocked expression crosses Cornelia's face when she sees who it is.

"Oh Merlin, I can't believe he's here." she exclaimed softly. "Lucretia is going to be furious. He never comes unless it's just the guys." 

"Who?" Emelina asked, but her question was answered when a slightly flustered Abraxas led him in. 

The young witch swallowed as she made eye contact with Tom Marvolo Riddle and gave him a polite smile which he returned. Tom, who was wearing his usual black attire with the exception of thin, vertical bottle green stripes on his button-down shirt, settled into an armchair to Avery's right, directly across from Emelina who tried to hide her nervousness as Abraxas brought Tom a drink as well.

"So, Emelina," Dragomira started with a bright smile at her. "How is Lucien doing? We haven't seen him in ages."

Eager for the distraction, Emelina immediately launched into a conversation discussing his travels and the numerous postcards and souvenirs he would always her. A doting brother sending his only sister trinkets to remember him by.