my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

twenty-nine

(Tom, created on art breeder <3)

Raymond left the next morning, as he had to spend the next week with his parents. Although I was of course sad to see him go, the twins were devastated. The two of them had loved having him stay with us, Aspen in particular. He always complained about wanting a brother, and I suppose Raymond was sort of like one.

To the surprise of everyone, my father let Sage keep the broomstick. However, he made it abundantly clear that she would not be allowed to play Quidditch next year at school. Stubborn as always, she cursed him under her breath and swore to herself that she would one day be a team Captain. I decided not to reprimand her for the swearing, as I felt it was necessary to the situation.

The night before New Years' Eve, my mother approached me in the library. I was seated on one of the cushiony recliners, reading some silly romance novel that I had found amongst my father's extensive collection of history books and political manifestos.

"Ophelia, you and I need to talk." She entered without warning, opting to take the seat farthest away from me. I glanced up from the book to meet her gaze, although I had little interest in what she had to say. "Do you know what tomorrow is?"

"Yes, of course. Tom and I will make that stupid vow, and hopefully everyone will leave us alone from that point forward."

"There has been a change in plans. The Gaunts will not be joining us for the New Year, and you will not be making a vow with the Riddle boy." Of course, that statement piqued my interest. I let the book drop to my lap as I leaned forward.

"I hope that this isn't your idea of a joke," I snapped at her.

"Of course not. I never wanted you to marry that boy in the first place. If only I had known that we would go through all of this for nothing," she muttered. Her lips were stretched thin as her brows furrowed in frustration.

"I'm not marrying Tom?" Us spending a night together had not made me want to marry him. Sure, he had his good moments, but that didn't mean I desired to be his wife. I must have seemed to0 happy, because my mother narrowed her eyes at me

"Do not get your hopes up. You will be marrying someone in two years time, although it may be someone else. Things among the international Ministries have been incredibly tense lately, and marriage is always one way to solve conflict. The Gaunts have agreed to hold off on any sort of Unbreakable Vow for the time being."

As always, there was a part of the story that I was not being told. Everyone had been incredibly adamant about Riddle and I, and something drastic must've happened for it to be called off so suddenly.

"So, am I allowed to go on dates now?" The question was an immature one, but it was a way to get my mother to keep talking.

"I suppose that if a respectable pure-blooded boy asked you to accompany him to a public area, you could accept his offer. But I advise you not to get too attached to anyone."

"Thank you, Mother. You won't admit it to me, but I know that you had some role in this." I allowed myself to smile at her, which was something that I hadn't done in months.

"I am always happy to see my lovely daughter so happy." She gently caressed my face for a moment before standing up and leaving.

I spent the remainder of my break allowing myself to relax and enjoy time with my siblings. We spent hours in the fort, painting dragons and broomsticks onto the wooden furniture. On New Year's Eve, we stayed up late playing games of Gobstones and attempting to make our own candies.

On the day that I was to return to school, it was snowing. The flakes were strong enough to stick to the ground, leaving the streets and trees covered with a white dusting.