my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

twenty-five

(Here's what Ophelia has been written to look like! Done on artbreeder.com hehe)

My sleep was plagued with horrid nightmares and terrors. My body was exhausted, yet my mind was running at full-speed. After about five hours of slipping in and out of sleep, I finally decided it was no use. I was delighted to see that Riddle was peacefully sleeping, although he still sat upright in the chair. I decided against waking him, but I made sure to lock the door so that neither of the twins could wander in.

As I made my way down to the dining room, I was greeted by my mother, who was reading the Prophet. My stomach flipped nervously as I took the seat across from her, trying my very best to act as I normally would.

"Quite a lovely morning, is it not?"

"I suppose so. Are the twins awake yet?" I kept my tone casual as I poured myself a large mug of coffee.

"Yes, they're in the library I believe. I did not hear you arrive back home last night, what time did you return?"

"Oh, I do not remember. I had a great time; I truly feel as if I am seventeen now." She hadn't asked where I had been, and I was hoping she would continue to not care.

"Yes, that sounds lovely. I should remind you that I have scheduled an appointment with a dress-maker for you and your sister this afternoon. You need new ones for the Malfoy ball, and we also must start thinking about what you will wear to the engagement party." The coffee mug nearly slipped out of my hand as my eyes widened.

"Engagement party? Why in Merlin's name would I throw an engagement party now? Haven't Riddle and I been betrothed for nearly four months now?"

"To the majority of high-society pureblood families, it has been nothing more than a rumor. It is incredibly important that we make an official announcement. After all, the whole point of this marriage is so that the two of you can contribute to society while upholding the family reputation."

"Believe me, Tom's reputation is not one that I want to be closely associated with," I scoffed.

"I thought we were done with this, Ophelia. You are going to marry the boy, and you will do so happily. He comes from a very powerful lineage and is already quite influential, even at such a young age. You should be grateful that your father and I were able to secure you such a fine match. Not many parents would want their son marrying a Ravenclaw who is friends with Mudbloods and sympathizes with Muggles," she spat. I felt a surge of anger rise to the surface of my skin, and I was ready to act on it. But a question had shot to the front of my mind, and I knew that I must control my emotions for a moment.

"Why did the Gaunts accept this marriage then? If I am so dreadful and Riddle is so amazing, why would they let their last remaining heir marry me?"

"Tom is not the last of the Gaunt line, nor of the line of Slytherin. There are a few more of them scattered about in America, and some of his ancestors were the ones to found Ilvermorny." Well, this was most certainly news to me. Tom had told me that he had no cousins, and I assumed that meant no other extended family. As for the Ilvermorny thing, I was not sure of the validity of that claim. I did not know much about the other schools of magic.

"I thought the whole Slytherin thing was just a rumor that him and his friends started. Are his family actually descendants of Slytherin?" The expression that crossed my mother's face was one that I had not seen in a long time. She was practically beaming with pride.

"Yes, the Gaunts are direct descendants of the founder. I have had enough of this conversation, and I need to speak with your siblings. Be ready for the fitting at two," she said sternly before leaving the table, and then the room.