Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

78: A New Look

Cassiopeia and Tom were sitting in a cozy muggle salon in London, surrounded by color codes for contact lenses. They had a mission: to change Tom's appearance so that no one would recognize him once they returned to Hogwarts.

Cassiopeia, her eyes sparkling with excitement, ran her index finger through the color codes, contemplating the different options.

"What's the color you like?" she asked Tom, her voice filled with curiosity.

Tom, ever the enigma, leaned closer to her, his warm breath tickling her ear as he examined the color codes over her shoulder.

"What color do you think suits for me, love?" he inquired, his eyes never leaving the book of colors.

Cassiopeia suggested a dark green, but Tom didn't seem entirely convinced. He couldn't help but admire her uncommon blue eyes. She then proposed trying blue lenses, and he agreed, appreciating the idea of ocean blue.

Cassiopeia took her time observing Tom as he contemplated the choices. She couldn't help but be captivated by his every movement and feature. He was, in her eyes, utterly perfect, a blend of intelligence and stunning looks.

However, Tom noticed her gaze and gently remarked, "It's not good to stare, darling."

Cassiopeia, slightly embarrassed, cleared her throat. "Uhm, actually... Let's take ocean blue then?"

Tom agreed, and the decision was made. They would go with ocean blue lenses. Yet, Tom still had some concerns about his hair and overall appearance. Cassiopeia, who loved him as he was, couldn't help but feel protective and caring.

She suggested, "I like the way you are rather than disguising yourself. Use something dark, very dark for your hair."

Tom appreciated her honesty and concern for his well-being. He stood up and said, "I'll get you hair color codes for that. Stay here, alright?"

Cassiopeia smiled, feeling secure and loved in his presence. As Tom left to gather the hair color codes, she reflected on how much she needed him in her life. The depth of her feelings for him was profound, and she was willing to do anything to keep him safe.

Tom, with a book of hair color codes in hand, presented a dark brown option to Cassiopeia. She examined it, noting that while it wasn't as dark as his raven hair, it was a suitable choice.

Cassiopeia wanted to ensure Tom was comfortable with the choice, asking him if he liked it. Tom, with his ever-gentle smile, replied, "I like anything you like. Do you like it?"

Cassiopeia appreciated the color but admitted, "That's not bad, but I like your natural hair." She reached out and caressed some of his curly hair, pushing it to the side.

She pouted and said, "I'm gonna miss this hair soon."

Tom chuckled, suggesting, "But you won't miss my eyes. I could change lenses anytime I want."

Surprised, Cassiopeia furrowed her brows, realizing she hadn't been aware of that fact. She decided she wanted a haircut, which was met with some resistance from Tom, who preferred her long hair. But she convinced him to allow her a slight haircut.

After thanking him with a peck on the lips, Cassiopeia was called by a salon employee for her haircut, leaving Tom to deal with the lens selection process.

The stylist suggested a layered haircut, and Cassiopeia agreed to the change. Her hair was cut into three layers, reaching the middle of her back.

Upon seeing her new look in the mirror, the stylist complimented her, and Cassiopeia couldn't help but feel satisfied with the result.

As she headed back to the room where Tom was having his hair done, she took a moment to read a mail she had received from Draco earlier in the day. Once she was confident that she was out of Tom's sight, she pulled out the mail from her trouser pocket to read it.

Cassiopeia carefully unfolded the beige parchment and began to read Draco's letter. Her eyes scanned the words as they revealed unsettling information.

Dear Cassie,

I know this won't sound good to you, but I don't like to stay silent knowing the fact that he hides this from you. I hope you are already aware that he's going to attend Hogwarts from seventh year. I overheard my parents, discussing that he had a master plan on something. I couldn't get clearly what they were talking about, but I slightly heard the names of Dumbledore and Potter.

I never felt this type of feeling before, but I'm really scared, Cass. What if he gives me the same mission he gave me to accomplish months ago? Please take care of yourself; we can talk about this once we meet at Blaise's Christmas ball. He told he has sent you an invitation for that. I need you to be safe and stay with good sense on what's going around you. You might hate what I'm going to say, but remember 'all that glitters is not gold,' Cass.

Yours,
D.M

Cassiopeia's thoughts swirled as she read Draco's words, and her face bore a mix of concern and curiosity. She quickly hid the letter inside her jacket as Tom's voice pulled her back to the present.

"Your hair had been shortened than I thought," Tom commented, his transformed appearance garnering her attention. His raven hair was now a dark shade of brown, with shortened curls on his forehead. His once-dark eyes had changed to a striking ocean blue.

Cassiopeia, attempting to divert his attention from her thoughts, quipped, "Oh, Merlin, I've told you once not to scare me like this."

"You're different," she continued to engage with him, telling him that she preferred his old look. "I wish I could see old you,"

Tom reassured her that the change was temporary.

"Just have patience one year's time, darling," he said, taking note of her new haircut. He then playfully complimented her on her appearance. "Should admit that you look hot in this way."

"Am I?" she raised her brow amusingly. "Someone said that longer is better,"

"Did I?" He smirked, playing along with her. "Longer is always better, didn't you know?"

Cassiopeia seemed puzzled by his comment, and Tom, with a smirk, decided to leave her in suspense.

"Later," he said as he kissed her cheek and suggested they pay for their salon visit before going to buy the Christmas gifts she needed.