𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒, ᵗᵒᵐ ʳⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ. ✓

027.

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The Rose estate stood grand and imposing at the edge of the lush countryside, its tall towers and ivy-clad walls illuminated by the soft glow of evening lanterns. The long, winding path leading to the front gates was lined with perfectly trimmed hedges and flowers that swayed gently in the breeze. Inside, the halls were filled with the sound of soft chatter and the clinking of silverware as house elves scurried about, making final preparations for the evening's dinner.

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Daphne Rose stood by one of the tall windows in the sitting room, absently adjusting the sleeves of her emerald green dress robes. She had never imagined that she would find herself in this particular situation—her parents inviting Tom Riddle's adoptive family, the Gaunts, over for dinner. It had taken her completely by surprise when her mother had mentioned it earlier that week.

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The Gaunts were known, of course—descendants of Salazar Slytherin himself—but they had long fallen into disgrace, their bloodline marred by madness and poverty. Daphne knew that Tom Riddle, despite his obvious brilliance and ambition, did not like to speak of his adoptive family, the ones who had taken him in when he was younger, and for good reason. The Gaunts were not the picture of pureblood respectability that the Rose' upheld with such pride.

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Yet here they were, hosting them for dinner. Daphne sighed, her eyes drifting over the pristine lawns outside, where the Gaunts' arrival was expected any minute now. She couldn't shake the tension she felt—not only at the thought of Tom being here but also at the prospect of seeing Aurora Gaunt again. It had been years since Daphne had last seen Aurora, and their interactions had always been tinged with an uneasy awkwardness. Aurora was different, to put it kindly—cold, much like her brother, but with an unpredictable wildness about her that made people uneasy.

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Just as Daphne was lost in her thoughts, the sound of the front door opening echoed through the halls, followed by the clipped voice of her father greeting their guests. Daphne's stomach tightened, and she turned from the window, smoothing her robes as she made her way toward the grand dining room.

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When she arrived, she saw them—the Gaunts. Her parents were speaking with Tom's father, a gaunt, pale man with an air of aloof superiority. His robes were old but finely kept, though they couldn't quite mask the decay of the once-proud Gaunt name. Next to him stood Aurora Gaunt, looking much as Daphne remembered her but somehow more striking now that they were older. Aurora had long, blonde hair that tumbled down her back in waves, and her dark eyes, which were nearly identical to Tom's, scanned the room with a cold detachment. She was beautiful in a haunting, unsettling way, her sharp features only adding to her intimidating presence.

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And then there was Tom. Standing slightly apart, his family who had adopted him. He looked every bit the composed, calculating figure Daphne had come to know over their years at Hogwarts. His expression was carefully blank, his dark eyes betraying none of the emotions that might be stirring beneath the surface. He met Daphne's gaze briefly, and something unspoken passed between them—a flicker of understanding that neither of them acknowledged aloud.