Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

131: The Perfect Evening

"I still couldn't believe that the Dark Lord became such a person," Narcissa remarked, adjusting her niece's dark green off-shoulder dress that reached up to her knees. "I told him to send you home before ten-thirty."

"You told him like that?" Cassiopeia chuckled as she looked at her reflection in the dressing table mirror.

"Of course," Narcissa answered, smoothing out an invisible wrinkle in the dress. "He has to obey his future mother-in-law."

"Okay," Cassiopeia giggled while she styled her hair.

Everything had fallen into place, and Tom had established good relations with Malfoy parents. Though they didn't express it openly, they still had suspicions about Tom. They were concerned that Cassiopeia's life might be ruined with him. But day by day, the way Tom treated her and the reassuring conversations at dinner eased their worries. However, they never let their vigilance wane, as they wanted Cassiopeia to reside in Malfoy Manor until their wedding.

Tom had requested Narcissa to take Cassiopeia out for dinner, which Lucius initially refused. It took both Draco and Narcissa convincing to assure him that Cassiopeia would be safe. Their family dynamic had transformed, and they were truly becoming like a family.

Lucius had started making time for them, for Draco, Narcissa, and Cassiopeia. He had taken on the role of a father, playing an active part in their lives. He even announced that once Cassiopeia's wedding was over, Draco's wedding would be the next big event.

Astoria and Pansy were ready to be Cassiopeia's bridesmaids, while Cassiopeia herself still felt nervous about the whole affair. Marriage brought with it countless responsibilities, the prospect of having children, and the challenge of creating a perfect family with her partner. She feared that she might not be able to overcome every challenge that lay ahead.

"He's here," Draco knocked on the door twice. "You ladies are really late."

"I never thought he was so talkative," Narcissa said as she neatly arranged a few strands of Cassiopeia's hair.

"You can't even imagine," Cassiopeia shook her head, reminiscing about her time at Hogwarts, where she now taught potions to first-year students.

She had worked as an assistant teacher for only three months before Slughorn convinced Snape, who had become the new headmaster, that she was capable of teaching effectively. Dumbledore spent his retirement at Hogwarts, counseling students, and Professor McGonagall retained her position as Deputy Headmistress.

Tom lived as Thomas Raven, taking on the role of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. Most of the time, they were able to meet at school, despite being assigned separate offices.

Draco worked at the Ministry, like Lucius, and Pansy and Blaise had found positions as Aurors. Everything was going more smoothly than they had expected.

"Mum!" this time Draco yelled, pounding on the door.

"Coming, you idiot," Cassiopeia yelled, opening the door. "Do you think we are deaf?"

"No need to think," Draco smirked as she came out. "You are deaf indeed."

"Ferret," Cassiopeia stuck her tongue out and ran before he could catch her. "Ferret boy got angry."

She sang as she raced down the staircase. Despite no longer being teenagers, they still found something to bicker about.

"Chipmunk," he playfully called her, a nickname that had been with her since she had a short-lived pet squirrel that lasted only two months before a cat's intrusion.