Not About Angels (A Tom Riddle Story)

Chapter 42

Sidenote: how do y'all like the new cover? I got kinda sick of the old one. Lemme know!!

...................................................... 

It was Christmas eve, and the house elves have spent all week transforming the Delacrioux manor into a Christmas fantasyland. 

Two gigantic white Christmas trees hung head to toe with crystal ornaments by the spiral staircase. White garlands surrounded the house. A charm was produced to emulate the effect of fake snow falling from the chandeliers.  

There was a dinner party, and it seems as if all of the London Wizarding elite was present. House elves dressed in red and white walked around carrying silver trays of crystal champagne glasses and eggnog.  

Gabriel's maternal grandfather, the minister of magic himself, was there. He wore a grey tweed suit, and was always surrounded by conversation and those wishing to catch a good word with the minister. Mrs. Delacrioux wore pale silver silk paired with a diamond choker, and was laughing heartily by her husband's side.  

Abigail sat in her room, feeling nervous and quite unsure. 

"Miss Abigail? May I come in?" A house elf knocked. 

"Of course." 

"Master Gabriel sent Roky...to make sure you're ready for the party."   

"Why, thank you." Abigail replied, taking a box from Roky's small hands. She unraveled the ribbon to reveal a mass of pink tulle. She pulled the dress from the box.  

The off-shoulder dress feel lightweight, as if almost see-through. It was comprised solely of delicate pink tulle. She felt the airy fabric in her fingers. 

"Master Gabriel said it is for you, miss Abigail." The house elf explains. "To wear to the party."  

................................... 

Tom Riddle accompanied Avery and his family to the party. In the car, Tom Riddle's fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. 

To everyone else, it was simply another lavish dinner party. Mingling, networking, perhaps hoping to make some important connections or to catch a pretty girl's eye or simply getting drunk enough. 

But to Tom Riddle, it was coming face to face with his greatest demon. It was facing at the father who tried to kill him, the monster who made him.  

He still remembers his mother's last words so clearly in his head.  

"Live, my boy, and make them rue the day they ever hurt us." 

As their car pulled into the driveway, Tom Riddle steadied himself. He was ready. He was fifteen years late, but he was ready.  

He stepped onto those marble steps, a smile creeping onto his face. His eyes were bright and sharp with ambition and determination. After fifteen years, the boy Marvolo Delacrioux abandoned in the snow has finally come back home. The gates swung wide open for him.  

And into the room stepped the heir of Slytherin.  

"Damn..they really went all out for this one. Want a drink?" Avery asked. 

"Go get me one. Champagne" He ordered.  Avery promptly nodded and obeyed.  Tom Riddle scanned the room as always, immediately identifying who the most important players were. 

Abigail walked down the serial staircase, arm in arm with Gabriel. 

Tom Riddle looked at them, and right at her. Gabriel raised an eyebrow, surprised and threatened by Tom Riddle's arrival. Abigail clutched onto the railings for support.