SPLITAPARTS: lessons in love ✔️

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner - Part Two

Tom Riddle gazed over the candelabra to find a barely familiar young woman, accompanied by an equally barely familiar young man approaching him; he knew who they were of course.  "I see you've met Bellatrix," he said as he walked around the table and pulled out her chair.

"Yes, do you like it?"

"You're quite—stunning and amazing, I believe those were the words used to described your appearance? And that you are, but you do not look like you, my dear."

"Aww, I thought I cleaned up pretty good." She was disappointed.

"To be sure," he said and he kissed the top of her head after he scooted her in, much to Sirius and Malfoy's surprise.

"I can go back upstairs and change into my own dress if you like?"

"That won't be necessary. Besides, your attire is suitable for the occasion—as is Sirius's! Will you be joining us for dinner, Sirius?"

Sirius was about to decline, but Cassie interrupted. "If it's all right with you, he hasn't eaten yet either and we're both starving—"

"So am I," Tom said, smiling. "It's all right—I expected it actually. I must confess that I was taken back a bit when I saw only two place settings."

Tom removed his wand and set a place for Sirius identical to theirs at the head of the table, situated between them. "For the future head of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black."

"Thank you," Sirius said as he took his seat followed by Riddle.

"Ah, I almost forgot, this is for you—I understand you like dark chocolates."

"I love dark chocolate, thank you." She took the small gift-wrapped box from her father and placed it to her left.

"It's something that I found in France when I visited last. The sweets are made of butter-caramel and sprinkled with a hint of sea salt. I have yet to find them any other place. They're quite lovely."

Cassie nodded, dismayed that her birth-father's love of chocolates was probably the root of her love for them...her mother didn't care for chocolate much except during that time of the month and then it only for medicinal purposes. "Sounds yummy," she said and the Dark Lord smiled. She looked into his eyes and noticed that they were the same color as hers and she saw that their noses were shaped the same.

Sirius called for Kreature with the ring of a bell and the aged house elf appeared with a large silver tray, which he gingerly placed on the sideboard. Malfoy looked at the rarebit for two and transformed three helpings on the tray. He thought it smelled delicious and was secretly hoping that there was more to be had downstairs in the kitchen. A young wizard, who had been waiting against the wall, served them.

"For starters, I thought a nice rarebit would work out well. I really like this—"

Riddle looked at the food and inhaled the aromas, then nodded. "I do love a good rarebit. It's been so long since I had one."

"Well, I hope you enjoy it."

"I'm sure I will," he said smiling. He cut into the toasted bread and pierced it with his fork and looking up at the two young people anxiously waiting his reaction, he placed it into his mouth. Riddle was not disappointed. He closed his eyes and savored the taste. He nodded and took his time.

Sirius and Cassie both breathed a sigh of relief. Malfoy smiled and nodded his head toward Cassie and returned to his station behind them as the server filled their water glasses.

"By the way Sirius, I can sense your concerns. I assure you, you're quite safe here."

"Thank you, but it's not my safety I'm concerned about. I know more than a few ways to escape this house in the blink of an eye and you can be sure that I'll be taking Dee with me." He swallowed a little more water than he meant to, causing a slight barely audible gulp.