Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

79: An Evening to Remember

Cassiopeia was in the midst of getting ready for the Christmas Eve dinner at Nigel's when Tom entered the room. She struggled with the zipper on her dress, and his arrival couldn't have been more timely. He leaned against the doorway, a subtle smile on his lips, and asked, "Need help?"

Cassiopeia, her hair gathered in a messy bun, nodded in agreement, giving him easier access to the zipper.

Time had passed swiftly, and they had now reached Christmas Eve, the day they would attend Nigel's dinner. Amid the preparations, Cassiopeia received an invitation to Blaise's Winter Ball, one of the pieces of mail that Kreacher had brought. The other was from Pansy, expressing her joy about the permission granted by both their families. Cassiopeia was genuinely pleased for her friends, especially Pansy, who had finally moved beyond the events of years past.

Her reverie was interrupted by Tom's cold fingers brushing her back as he successfully zipped up her dress. The sensation sent shivers down her spine and covered her in goosebumps. Once her dress was zipped, Tom released her hair from the bun, allowing it to cascade over her shoulders. He then placed his hands on her shoulders, facing her in the mirror.

"You look amazing tonight," he complimented, planting a gentle kiss on her cheek from behind. "I still can't believe that you're here with me, Cassie."

"You have to believe it because you're not in denial," she replied with a soft chuckle. She pressed her back against his chest and closed her eyes, relishing the warmth of his embrace. "I love being like this."

"You have forever to be with me like this, darling," he assured her, his hands resting on either side of her waist. "I promise that I will never let you go."

With her eyes closed and wrapped in his embrace, Cassiopeia felt a sense of security. However, her thoughts were disrupted by the memory of Draco's cryptic message in his letter:

"All that glitters is not gold."

She couldn't help but wonder what Draco meant by that. Was he suggesting that Tom might not be the person she believed him to be?

Tom's lips brushed against her neck, sending a thrilling sensation throughout her body. Her immediate response to his touch was unmistakable, a longing she had always cherished.

"I have something for you, love," he whispered in her ear, and she responded with a soft hum. "Don't open your eyes until I say so."

With gentle guidance, he moved her away from him. Cassiopeia felt something cold against her neck as his fingers brushed her hair aside. It seemed to be a chain of some sort. She felt his knuckles graze the nape of her neck as he secured it.

"Open your eyes," he instructed, his hands resting on her exposed shoulders.

As she slowly opened her eyes, she found herself gazing at a new, shiny addition around her neck. It was a slender silver chain with a triangular pendant hanging in the center. The pendant featured a blue stone and an artistic depiction of a snake wrapped around it in the shape of a capital 'E.'

Cassiopeia couldn't help but notice the silver ring on Tom's left ring finger, adorned with the exact Dark Mark. She kept her observations to herself, offering only a smile when she spotted it in the mirror. She felt the urge to ask him about the ring, but she resisted. After all, he was no longer Voldemort, and she didn't want to bring up anything that might lead to a discussion they hadn't yet had. She hoped that he would share everything in his own time, without feeling pressured.

Tom displayed a pair of tiny snake-shaped earrings, asking if they suited the ensemble. Cassiopeia couldn't help but laugh at the Slytherin-themed accessories.