Always You [Tom Riddle]

thirteen

After breakfast, Tom took Juliette to see the cabin. She needed to see it. So that she could plan the decorating process.

The cabin was beyond her expectation. It was very different that what she had imagined last night.

It wasn't in the middle of nowhere. It was in the elite area. It wasn't a fragile cabin that was about to collapse. It was a big and strong one. It didn't look scary or had a dark paint. It was beautiful and cozy. He took her inside to look around. Juliette was amazed. It was dusty but still beautiful. It did look old, but more like vintage old. He was right. No decorations, or paintings. It was empty. But that didn't mean the cabin looked abandoned.

"This is beautiful tom. This was different from what i expected when you said old cabin."

Tom laughed. "Well, i said old, not ugly."

Juliette walked around the cabin. It was pretty big for a cabin. It had two bedrooms, one downstairs and the other one upstairs. The main bedroom was located upstairs. The main bedroom was big, it had a porch too. The kitchen was nice. She turned her focus to the backyard. It was also big. She imagined herself gardening every afternoon.

Tom came up and hugged her from behind. "I talked with your dad yesterday. He said you love gardening."

She smiled. "I do."

"I'll go look for furnitures later. See what i can buy."

Juliette agreed. "I'll see what i can bring from my home."

Juliette went back to her home to packed some things that she could bring to the cabin. Tom was somewhere looking for furnitures and the other stuffs needed for the cabin. He would be the one who pays the stuff needed. He had an inheritance money from his parents. That's why he could afford it.

Her mother helped Juliette pack household appliances, while her father looked for the little renovation and decoration supplies.

Juliette's parents drove her back to the cabin. They wanted to take a look at the cabin and helped their daughter decorate the cabin. Her father went away to accompany Tom and to get him. Juliette and her mother focused on deep cleaning the entire cabin. For over two hours, they both cleaned the cabin. They moped the floors, wiped the dusty walls. The cabin was still empty but at least it looked clean now.

Tom and her father came back moments later. They were both surprised to find the cabin was already so clean and fragrant.

Juliette was surprised when she found her friends outside the cabin. Pansy, Josie, Blaise, Draco, and Astoria. They were here to helped her and Tom decorating the Cabin. Apparently, Tom not only asked for their help to decorate the cabin, but also to cheer Juliette who was sad because she missed her friends.

The more the merrier, they say. They finished decorate in just a day. They were all tired and hungry. Juliette's mother already made dinner, with a little help from Josie and Astoria, who were so good at cooking.

Tom embraced Juliette. They looked around the cabin. They were proud of their hard work. From this day on, their life had changed. Yesterday, they were still a Hogwarts student. Who could only worry about their grades. But today, they were all young adult who needed to figure out their life. Just how fast the night changes.

After dinner, they gathered in the living room for a conversation.

"Josie and i will come by every week." Pansy said.

"Me and Astoria will too, of course." Draco added.

Blaise laughed. "I think i need to find myself a girlfriend first."

Juliette raised an eyebrow. "Wait. You broke up with Gina?"

"I was never in a relationship with her. I told you, she didn't want to be in one, and i wanted to. And we're just not right for each other."

"Aww, Blaisey baby, you'll find your girl soon." Pansy teased. Then they all laughed.

It was getting really late. One by one, they leave the cabin to went home. And as always, Blaise was the last. Juliette hugged him and thank him for helping her and Tom today.

After that, Juliette's parents followed. They wanted to leave Tom and Juliette alone. Her mother have taught her to make some simple basic meal that she could make for her and Tom.

After her parents left, Juliette and Tom went inside to their bedroom and threw their bodies to the bed. The matress was new. Tom bought that earlier. Juliette closed her eyes and sighed. She smiled. Tom snuggled beside her, then Juliette hold him closer.

They were so tired. But their hard work was paid off by the beautiful decorations and a little gathering with her friends and parents. It was one of the best days for her. And for Tom also. They were like newlywed couples on their honeymoon.

"Juliette, can i ask you a question?"

Her eyes were open new. She wanted to focus on his question. Then, she answered, "yes, love?"

"Are you happy?"

Juliette thought for a while. Then ready for an answer. "Yes. I am."

"Why? What is the source of your happiness?" He asked again.

"Life itself is the source of happiness, Tom. I could still wake up this morning, that was my source of happiness too. My mom, my dad, you, Pansy, Blaise, Draco, Josie, Astoria. You're all my happiness. Happiness is not a thing that you look for. It's a thing that you create and build."

Tom was silent. He tried to digest her answer. He thought about it. She was right. Juliette was never wrong. Now he knew why she always seemed happy. Because she didn't bother to look for it. She created it for herself.

"Why did you ask, love?"

He shook his head. "I just wanted to know how you're so happy all the time."

Juliette chuckled. "Not all the time. I cried when i found about Higgs, remember? I was broken."

"Yeah but when you see him again, you don't hate him. Even though you told him you can't forgive him yet, you stil tried to make him forgive himself."

Juliette smiled. "There's no point in holding a grudge. It would only make your life miserable."

Tom hugged her then kissed her forehead. "Oh merlin, i love you so much."

♡