𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐳

Tom did not want to go. This had been established approximately twenty-seven times in the last hour.

Y/N was standing in front of the mirror trying to finish getting ready while Tom sat on the edge of their bed looking deeply unimpressed by the entire concept of leaving the house.

"We're going."

Tom sighed. "We could stay."

"We can't."

"We absolutely could."

Y/N smiled at his reflection. "Tom."

Before he could argue again, the bedroom door opened.

Aurelia walked in, immediately crossed the room and attached herself to her mother's side.

Tom watched this happen. "Traitor."

Aurelia poked her tongue out at him.

Y/N laughed. Then another sigh came from the doorway.

Lilith. "Do you really have to go?"

Y/N groaned. "Not you too."

"That's not a no."

"It is a yes."

Lilith looked disappointed, Aurelia looked even more disappointed while Tom looked positively heartbroken.

Y/N pointed at her husband. "Stop encouraging them."

"I haven't said anything."

"You don't need to." Tom looked offended.

Aurelia hugged Y/N tighter.

Lilith folded her arms.

Y/N looked at both girls. "Your father and I will be back later."

Neither looked convinced.

Finally Tom stood. He walked over and kissed Lilith's forehead, then Aurelia's. "Go on."

Both girls stared.

Aurelia especially. "You're helping her?"

Tom nodded. "Unfortunately."

Aurelia looked betrayed, then she poked her tongue out at him again.

Tom sighed.

Lilith immediately grabbed her sister. "Come on."

"I don't want to."

"I know."

"I'll miss Mum."

"I know."

"She'll miss me."

Lilith looked at Tom. "That's not helping."

Tom looked away.

The girls finally disappeared out the door. Or so everyone thought.

The second the door closed, Y/N turned back toward the mirror. "Love?"

"Hm?"

"Can you help with the zip?"

Tom immediately walked over. His wife stood with her back to him, dress half-zipped.

Simple task, easy to most. Except Tom got distracted. Again, because his wife was beautiful. She always was.

Thirty years later and he still found himself staring.

Y/N caught his reflection in the mirror. "Tom."

"Hm?"

"The zip." Instead of answering, he leaned forward and kissed her shoulder.

Y/N smiled despite herself. "Tom."

Another kiss, the other shoulder this time. The man was impossible. "Love."

Tom finally reached for the zipper.

Except—Instead of pulling it up he pulled it down.

Y/N blinked. "Tom."

"What?"

"Wrong direction."

"I know."

"Then why—"

He kissed her shoulder again.

Y/N sighed, then laughed. "You're ridiculous."

Tom looked entirely unapologetic. Then he examined the zipper dramatically. "Hm."

"What?"

"Hm."

"Thomas."

Tom frowned at the zipper. "It appears to be stuck."

Y/N stared at him. "It was working five seconds ago."

Tom shrugged. "Terrible quality."

"Tom."

"I suppose if the dress is broken—"

"It's not."

"—then we'll have to stay home."

From outside the bedroom came an immediate. "YAY!"

Silence.

Y/N slowly turned toward the door as Tom closed his eyes because Aurelia had clearly been eavesdropping. Again.

"It's not broken," Y/N called.

An offended groan sounded from the hallway.

Tom looked thoughtful, then very casually lifted his wand.

Y/N narrowed her eyes. "Tom."

A tiny spark shot from the tip and the zipper immediately snapped. The entire thing now broken, completely.

Y/N stared as Tom stared back.

"Convenient."

Tom nodded. "Very."

Y/N folded her arms. "You broke my dress."

"It was already struggling."

"It wasn't."

"It looked uncertain."

"It was a zipper."

"It was a weak zipper."

Y/N laughed despite herself.

Tom immediately looked pleased.

While outside the room. "IS IT BROKEN?" Aurelia sounded hopeful.

Tom smirked.

Y/N pointed at him. "You planned this."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You're a terrible liar."

Tom wrapped an arm around her waist. "Fortunately, you married me anyway."

Y/N rolled her eyes. Then laughed as Aurelia burst back into the room looking far too excited about her parents potentially cancelling their plans.

Tom, meanwhile, looked completely satisfied with himself. Which was exactly why Y/N knew he had absolutely broken the zipper on purpose.

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Tom hated being injured. Not because it hurt.

Tom Riddle had spent most of his life pretending pain didn't exist. No, he hated being injured because it meant someone else had seen him fail.

And right now that someone was Y/N.

He sat on the edge of his bed, jaw clenched, shirt half-open, blood staining the collar while Y/N stood between his knees with a damp cloth and the expression she always wore whenever he was hurt.

Which was somehow worse than the injury itself, concern.

Tom would rather be cursed again. "It's not that bad."

Y/N didn't even look up. "You are literally bleeding on the floor."

"I've had worse."

"I know."

The fact she knew bothered him more than it should.

Y/N carefully wiped another streak of blood from his cheek.

Tom hissed despite himself. Immediately annoyed that he'd made a sound.

Y/N's eyes flicked up. "There you are."

Tom frowned. "There who is?"

"The person who's actually injured."

"I am not"

"You flinched."

"I did not."

"You absolutely did."

Tom folded his arms.

Y/N rolled her eyes, then she gently tilted his face toward the light.

Tom immediately regretted it because the cut running across his cheek looked worse up close. Not deep enough to be dangerous but deep enough to scar.

Y/N's fingers brushed carefully against it.

Tom's shoulders tensed instantly, not because of the wound. Because it was her touching him. Which somehow always felt more dangerous.

The room went quiet.

Y/N studied the cut.

Tom studied her.

Eventually she sighed softly. "There'll probably be a scar."

Tom's expression darkened immediately. "Get rid of it."

Y/N blinked. "What?"

"The scar." Tom pointed at his face. "Remove it."

Y/N stared, then laughed.

Tom looked offended. "I am serious."

"I know."

"Get rid of it."

Y/N shook her head fondly. "You'll look handsome with a scar."

Tom looked genuinely horrified. "I do not want a scar."

"It suits you."

"It doesn't."

"It does."

"It absolutely doesn't."

Y/N's smile widened.

Tom narrowed his eyes. Then, before he could continue arguing, Y/N leaned forward and kissed the cut.

Right across the forming scar.

Tom stopped talking immediately. Which Y/N considered a victory.

When she pulled back, he was staring at her. The hard edge he'd been holding onto all evening suddenly softer. Less soldier, more boy and more Tom. "There."

Tom looked away first which happened rarely.

Y/N smiled to herself.

After a moment, his arm slid around her waist and pulled her closer until she was practically standing between his legs. "You're impossible."

"So I've been told."

Tom rested his forehead briefly against her shoulder. The fight drained out of him all at once. Only around her, only ever around her.

Y/N ran her fingers carefully through his dark hair. Immediately he relaxed. Like he always did.

After a moment he sighed."...Sorry."

Y/N blinked. "What for?"

Tom shrugged slightly. "For being difficult."

Y/N laughed. "Tom."

"What?"

"You got sent on a mission for your father."

Tom's jaw tightened automatically.

Y/N softened immediately. "You came back hurt."

Silence.

Then she gently cupped his face. "You are allowed to be difficult."

Tom looked down. "Still."

Y/N shook her head. "You're ridiculous."

"That's rich coming from you."

She laughed.

Tom's grip around her waist tightened slightly. Protective, possessive but comforted.

Y/N smiled and kissed his forehead. "There."

Tom closed his eyes briefly.

"You know," she said lightly, "if the scar stays, I really do think it'll suit you."

Tom groaned.

Y/N laughed harder.

"I mean it."

"Stop."

"It'll make you look mysterious."

"I am already mysterious."

"It'll make you look dangerous."

Tom opened one eye. "I am dangerous."

Y/N grinned. "See? You're already practicing."

Tom stared at her for three seconds.

Then reluctantly laughed. A small sound, rare but earned and Y/N thought that was worth far more than getting rid of any scar.

Tom stared at her for a moment after laughing—just long enough for the softness to linger.

Then, as if annoyed at himself for it, he sighed and reached for his wand.

“I’ll get rid of it.”

“Hey—” Y/N immediately straightened.

Before he could even finish the charm, she snatched the wand clean out of his hand.

Tom blinked. “I am proficient.”

“You’re also dramatic,” she replied, already turning it over in her fingers.

“I was not being dramatic.”

“You were about to erase a tiny scratch because I said you looked handsome.”

His mouth twitched. “That is irrelevant.”

“It’s very relevant.”

Tom leaned back slightly, watching her with faint amusement now. “Give it back.”

“No.”

A pause.

“…I can do it.”

Y/N raised a brow. “I know. That’s why I took it.”

Tom huffed, then shifted in his seat, suddenly far too composed, like he was settling in for a performance. “Hurry up, then.”

Y/N stared at him.

Then sighed, stepping closer anyway. “Unbelievable.”

Tom’s smirk deepened. “Take your time.”

“Don’t encourage me.”

“I wasn’t.”

She muttered under her breath as she lifted her wand. “You absolutely were.”

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Mattheo knew something was wrong the moment he saw his father put down his book.

Tom Riddle voluntarily stopping reading was already suspicious. Tom Riddle quietly leaving the house five minutes later was worse.

So naturally Mattheo followed him because he was his father's son. Which was exactly why Tom noticed almost immediately.

"You're following me."

Mattheo didn't even pretend otherwise. "You're acting suspicious."

Tom sighed. "I'm going to see your mother."

Mattheo raised an eyebrow. "Then why didn't you just tell Mum you were going to see her?"

Tom continued walking.

Mattheo immediately grinned. "That's what I thought."

Tom stopped, slowly turned and gave his son a look.

Mattheo remained entirely unbothered. Three decades of being Tom Riddle's child had made him immune. Mostly.

"Your mother is at her old bookstore."

"I know."

"With Aurelia."

"I know."

Mattheo folded his arms. "And you're following them."

"I am checking on them."

"You're stalking them."

"I am not."

"Dad."

Tom looked offended while Mattheo looked delighted.

They continued walking. A few minutes later they stopped across the street from the bookstore.

Tom immediately looked through the window.

Mattheo immediately looked at Tom.

Inside the shop, Y/N sat comfortably in one of the reading chairs while Aurelia was balancing approximately twelve books in her arms.

Neither appeared to be in danger.

Tom still watched.

Mattheo sighed. "They're buying books."

"I can see that."

"Dad."

"What?"

"They are literally buying books."

Tom frowned slightly. "Aurelia is carrying too many."

Mattheo looked through the window.

Aurelia was indeed carrying too many but she also looked very pleased with herself. "She's fine."

Tom remained unconvinced.

Mattheo leaned against the wall. "You know most husbands don't do this."

Tom glanced at him. "Do what?"

"Monitor their wives from across the street."

"I am not monitoring her."

Mattheo pointed at the bookstore. "You've been staring through that window for ten minutes."

"I have not."

"It has been twelve."

Tom ignored him.

Mattheo sighed dramatically. "Dad."

"What?"

"Mum's going to catch on."

Tom looked mildly offended. "Surely not."

Mattheo laughed. "Surely not?"

"She is occupied."

"She's married to you."

Tom didn't answer, which was answer enough.

Mattheo shook his head. "Honestly, thirty years."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "And?"

"And you're still obsessed."

Tom looked back toward the bookstore. His expression softened immediately when he spotted Y/N laughing at something Aurelia had said.

Mattheo noticed, of course he noticed.

Tom didn't even try denying it. "Your point?"

Mattheo groaned. "You literally proved my point."

Tom looked entirely unrepentant.

Inside the bookstore, Y/N stood. Aurelia gathered her books. The pair headed toward the exit.

Tom immediately straightened.

Mattheo pointed. "See?"

"What?"

"Mum knows."

Tom looked doubtful.

The bookstore door opened Y/N stepped outside and Aurelia followed beside her. Then, without hesitation, Aurelia looked directly across the street.

Right at them and waved enthusiastically. "Hi Dad!"

Tom closed his eyes.

Mattheo burst out laughing. "I told you."

Y/N didn't even look surprised, she simply smiled. The smile of a woman who had spent over thirty years married to Tom Riddle and knew exactly what he was like. Then she waved too.

Tom sighed.

Mattheo was still laughing. "Dad."

Tom rubbed his forehead. "What?"

"You got caught"

Tom looked deeply unimpressed. "I wasn't hiding."

"You were standing behind a lamp post."

"It was convenient."

Mattheo laughed harder.

Across the street, Y/N was already shaking her head fondly.

Aurelia was laughing.

Tom looked at them both and immediately started walking toward them. Of course he did.

The moment he'd been spotted, there was no longer any reason to pretend he wasn't there.

Mattheo followed behind.

As they crossed the street, Aurelia grinned. "Mum said you'd be here."

Tom sighed again.

Y/N smiled sweetly. "Checking on us, love?"

Tom placed an arm around her waist automatically. "Naturally."

"You mean stalking."

"I do not."

Mattheo made a noise of disbelief.

Y/N laughed, Aurelia laughed and Tom, despite being completely caught, looked entirely unapologetic.

After all, in his mind he wasn't stalking his wife.

He was simply making sure she was safe.

The fact that he'd been doing exactly that for over thirty years was, apparently, irrelevant.

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Aurelia woke up slowly.

Which was unfortunate because the very first thing she saw was her father standing over her bed.

She screamed.

Tom didn't even flinch. "Good morning."

Aurelia grabbed her pillow and threw it at him, of course Tom caught it effortlessly. "What is wrong with you?"

"What is wrong with me?" Tom repeated. "You're the one who screamed."

"You were standing over me!"

"You have a fever."

“You looked like a serial killer.” Tom paused, and slowly, very slowly, he looked at her.

Aurelia immediately realised her mistake because there was a very specific look on her father's face now.

The look that said you really want to continue this conversation?

Tom raised an eyebrow.

Aurelia groaned. “Oh, right.”

Tom, lifted a finger to his lips. “Shh.”

Aurelia stared.

Tom's expression turned suspiciously amused. “Let's not discuss certain allegations too loudly.”

Aurelia sighed dramatically and immediately smacked his hand away from his face. “Don't.”

Tom looked offended. “Don't what?”

“I will tell Mum.”

Tom lowered his hand instantly.

“That's what I thought.”

The room fell quiet for all of three seconds.

"I looked like a concerned parent."

"You looked like you were deciding whether to keep me alive."

"I already decided that years ago."

That did not help.

Aurelia groaned and dropped back onto her pillow.

Only then did she notice what had actually woken her. The entire area around her bed had changed, there were floating warming charms.

A thermometer hovering beside her head, three different potions lined up on her bedside table. A tray of food, several blankets, a stack of books and what appeared to be an enchanted glass of water that followed her whenever she looked away from it.

"...Oh no."

Tom looked up from adjusting a fever-reducing charm. "What?"

"You've gone full father."

"I am your father."

"No. No, this is worse." Tom ignored that and pressed the back of his hand against her forehead.

Aurelia swatted at him and he caught her wrist immediately. "You still have a temperature."

"You're still annoying."

"Drink this." He handed her a potion.

Aurelia stared at it suspiciously as Tom stared back. A battle of wills commenced.

Aurelia lost because she drank it. The potion tasted awful and she made a face.

Tom looked pleased, which somehow made it worse.

Finally Aurelia glanced around the dormitory, then she paused she looked at Tom. Then she looked at the Ravenclaw dormitory again. "...How did you get in here?"

Tom didn't even look up. "Magic."

Aurelia stared. "Father."

Tom adjusted another charm."Yes?"

"How did you get into the Ravenclaw girls' dormitory?"

"Magic."

Aurelia groaned. "That's not an answer."

"It worked."

"It is literally protected."

Tom shrugged. "It isn't protected enough."

Aurelia immediately sat up a little straighter in her bed.

"Exactly."

Tom paused.

Aurelia nodded seriously. "Very concerning."

"It is."

"They need better protective charms."

"They do."

"A hex at minimum."

Tom pointed at her. "Precisely."

He turned back toward the room, already looking irritated. "Honestly, the fact I managed to get in this easily is alarming. I'll have a conversation with McGonagall."

Aurelia nodded wisely. "You should."

"The Ravenclaw Tower should not be this accessible."

"It shouldn't."

Tom was fully pacing now. "A stronger barrier, additional wards, perhaps a defensive enchantment linked directly to staff. Something that can't be bypassed by a simple unlocking charm and a suppression curse on the entrance—"

Aurelia's eyes widened and Tom stopped mid-step.

"...A suppression curse?" Aurelia repeated carefully.

Tom closed his eyes briefly.

"You cursed the door."

"It was being unreasonable."

Aurelia stared at him. "You disabled the protective enchantments."

"I temporarily persuaded them to cooperate."

"You cursed the door."

Tom folded his arms. "That is an unnecessarily dramatic way to describe it."

Aurelia folded her hands in her lap and sighed dramatically. "A Death Eater literally broke into the Ravenclaw dormitories. Terrifying."

Tom pointed at her. "Don't talk about such things her love."

"Fine, but you still cursed the door"

"Again, it was being unreasonable."

Aurelia shook her head slowly. "I can't believe you're lecturing Hogwarts security after personally dismantling it."

"I did not dismantle it."

"You disabled the entrance enchantments."

"For approximately thirty seconds."

"That's still a crime."

Tom looked genuinely thoughtful. "Only if someone reports it."

Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "I know where you live."

Tom smirked. "So do I." That earned him a pillow to the face, he caught it effortlessly.

"It was preventing me from reaching my sick daughter."

"So you cursed it."

"I persuaded it."

Aurelia laughed despite herself. "That's a yes."

Tom finally sat down in the chair beside her bed. "Your mother thought it was excessive."

"Because it was."

Tom ignored that. "She suggested I wait till you called."

Aurelia immediately grinned "And?"

Tom looked deeply unimpressed. "I did not."

"Obviously."

"Obviously."

Silence settled for a moment.

Aurelia watched him.

Tom watched the thermometer floating beside her. The thermometer beeped. Tom immediately reached for another potion.

Aurelia groaned. "Please stop trying to heal me."

"No."

"You've already given me three potions."

"You need four."

"That's not encouraging."

Tom handed her the potion and she drank it. Mostly because refusing would only result in him staring at her until she surrendered.

A technique she'd inherited from him.

Unfortunately.

After a few moments she noticed something else. "...Did you cancel your classes?"

Tom looked away.

Aurelia blinked. "Father."

"No."

"You did."

"I rearranged them."

"You cancelled them."

"I delegated."

Aurelia buried her face in her hands. "You're unbelievable."

Tom looked entirely unrepentant.

"You were sick."

"I have a cold."

"You have a fever."

"I'll survive."

Tom's expression immediately darkened. "That is not the point."

Aurelia paused because suddenly he sounded less like Professor Riddle and more like Dad.

The scary version of Dad. The one who had once threatened an entire hospital wing because she'd gotten hurt.

"...I'm okay."

Tom's expression softened slightly. "I know."

The words were quiet.

Aurelia smiled, then immediately ruined the moment. "You still cursed the door."

Tom sighed. "You sound like your mother."

"Thank you."

"It wasn't a compliment."

"It is when it's coming from you."

Tom rolled his eyes and Aurelia grinned. Then, after a moment, she shifted slightly under her blankets. "...Did Mum know you were doing this?"

Tom actually looked guilty, which was impressive. "She knows now."

Aurelia laughed. "She didn't know?"

"Not initially."

"You snuck into Ravenclaw Tower."

"Yes."

"You cursed the entrance."

"Allegedly."

"You skipped work."

"I delegated."

"And Mum didn't know."

Tom paused, then very calmly: "She found out approximately twenty minutes ago."

Aurelia immediately burst out laughing. "Oh, you're in trouble."

Tom looked offended. "I am never in trouble."

The dormitory door opened both turned.

Y/N walked in carrying another blanket, she stopped.

Looked at Aurelia, looked at Tom, then sighed. "There you are."

Tom sat up straighter.

Aurelia pointed dramatically. "See? Trouble."

Y/N handed Tom a look. Tom suddenly became very interested in Aurelia's thermometer.

Aurelia laughed so hard she nearly started coughing and within seconds both parents were fussing over her.

Which was exactly how she'd ended up sick and somehow still completely spoiled.

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Tom knew exactly where to find his wife. Which was why he walked into the Hogwarts library without hesitation.

It was nearing the end of the day, Y/N's shift was over, and it was time for them to go home.

Simple.

Unfortunately, there was one obstacle.

Aurelia.

Tom spotted them immediately.

Y/N was sitting comfortably behind the front desk, sorting a stack of returned books and Aurelia was practically attached to her.

The youngest Riddle had her head buried in her mother's shoulder, one arm wrapped tightly around Y/N's waist as if someone might try to steal her.

Several students nearby were openly staring.

Neither Aurelia nor Y/N cared.

Tom sighed.

Aurelia noticed him instantly, then she sighed too. "Quiet time."

Tom folded his arms. "Your mother and I are headed home."

Aurelia immediately tightened her hold. Y/N, traitor that she was, simply wrapped an arm around her daughter and kissed the top of her head.

Tom watched this happen, unimpressed.

Aurelia glared at him while Tom glared back.

The students nearby looked fascinated.

"Little one," Tom said patiently.

Aurelia sighed dramatically. "You had your time with her. Let me have mine."

Tom blinked. "What are you talking about?"

Aurelia pointed at him accusingly. "I saw you after lunch."

Tom paused. "...Ah."

Y/N immediately laughed.

Aurelia looked vindicated. "Exactly."

Tom rubbed his forehead. "You are aware you're currently clinging to her."

Aurelia narrowed her eyes. "You're clingy."

Tom slowly looked down at the arm wrapped possessively around Y/N, then back at Aurelia. The resemblance between them was becoming increasingly unfortunate.

Y/N was trying very hard not to laugh.

Tom pointed. "You are literally attached to her."

"That's different."

"It isn't."

"It is."

Tom looked at Y/N.

Y/N smiled innocently.

Tom looked back at Aurelia. "You'll see her tomorrow."

Aurelia looked horrified. "Tomorrow?"

"Yes."

"That's ages away."

"It's less than twenty-four hours."

Aurelia wasn't listening.

Instead she looked up at Y/N. "Why don't you guys live in the castle anymore?"

Tom answered before Y/N could. "Because we had you."

Aurelia frowned. "Still."

Tom sighed. "We only live in Hogsmeade."

"Only during the school year."

"Yes."

"Stay."

"No."

Aurelia immediately turned to Y/N. "Stay."

Y/N smiled softly and kissed her forehead. "Sorry, my love."

Aurelia groaned, then she pointed dramatically between both parents. "This is your fault."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "My fault?"

"Both of your faults."

Y/N was openly laughing now.

Aurelia crossed her arms. "I'm clingy because of you."

Tom looked unconvinced.

"You literally work at my school."

Y/N laughed harder as Tom closed his eyes briefly because that was unfortunately a fair point.

Aurelia pointed again. "Every day I see you two being disgustingly attached to each other."

"Aurelia."

"And now you're surprised I turned out like this?"

Several students immediately looked away to hide their laughter.

Tom looked at Y/N.

Y/N looked suspiciously pleased.

Tom sighed, then he crouched slightly beside Aurelia. "You'll see her tomorrow."

Aurelia huffed.

Tom repeated it. "You will."

She narrowed her eyes.

Tom waited.

Finally Aurelia sighed. "Fine."

Tom nodded.

"But."

Tom knew there was a but.

Aurelia pointed at him sternly. "Bring her back."

Y/N immediately laughed.

Tom stared at his daughter.

Then, because she was his daughter, because she was the youngest, because despite everything he was ridiculously fond of her. He leaned forward and kissed the top of her head. "I will."

Aurelia seemed satisfied with that. "Good."

Tom stood and offered a hand to Y/N and she took it immediately.

Aurelia watched suspiciously, then she pointed at both of them.

"Don't get distracted."

Y/N nearly choked laughing.

Tom looked mildly offended. "We're going home."

"Exactly."

Tom decided not to ask what that meant. Instead he helped Y/N to her feet.

Aurelia immediately hugged her one last time, then another, then one more for good measure.

Finally she released her, reluctantly.

Tom guided Y/N toward the exit, halfway there they heard. "Love you!"

Both turned.

Aurelia was already back in her chair pretending she hadn't shouted it.

Y/N smiled. "Love you too."

Tom nodded once.

Aurelia looked satisfied, then she pointed toward the door. "Go."

Tom almost laughed, almost. Instead he wrapped an arm around his wife and led her out of the library.

Behind them, Aurelia watched until they disappeared from sight, then she sighed dramatically.

A nearby student looked at her. "You know you'll see them tomorrow, right?"

Aurelia looked horrified. "That's not the point."

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The Hogwarts library was supposed to be quiet.

Y/N was doing her best to maintain that. Unfortunately, she was currently sitting behind the front desk with a phone pressed to her ear, smiling.

Which was the first clue.

The second clue was that she kept laughing.

Aurelia, sitting at one of the nearby tables with three of her friends, looked up from her book and immediately sighed.

One of her friends frowned. "Who's she talking to?"

Aurelia didn't even look up. "My dad."

The table went quiet.

"Professor Riddle?"

"Unfortunately."

Her friends glanced toward the desk where Y/N was currently smiling at absolutely nothing. "...Didn't they have lunch together?"

Aurelia turned a page. "An hour ago."

"Then why are they calling each other?"

Aurelia slowly lowered her book. The expression on her face suggested she'd been carrying this burden her entire life. "You don't understand how clingy my parents are."

Her friends immediately laughed. "No way."

"They can't be that bad."

Aurelia simply stared at them. The laughter slowly died."...They're that bad?"

Aurelia nodded once.

One of her friends grinned. "What? Do they count the minutes they're apart?"

The look Aurelia gave them answered the question before she even spoke. "...You weren't supposed to guess that."

The entire table exploded into laughter.

Aurelia rubbed her forehead. "Just watch."

Her friends immediately leaned forward. "What?"

"They do this every day."

"Every day?"

"Every single day."

Across the library Y/N laughed again.

Aurelia pointed. "Right now they're talking about the last hour."

"No."

"Yes."

"They just saw each other."

"I know."

"What could they possibly be talking about?"

Aurelia sighed dramatically. "I don't know. Apparently every minute apart becomes a historical event."

That earned another round of laughter.

Then Aurelia continued. "And in approximately thirty seconds Mum is going to ask for help with something."

Her friends looked intrigued now. "And?"

"And then Dad will appear."

"Appear?"

"Like a dramatic Victorian husband."

"You're making that up."

"I'm not."

Aurelia glanced toward the desk.

Y/N was still smiling into the phone. Then, right on schedule. "Oh? Could you help me with that?" Y/N asked.

Aurelia immediately pointed. "There."

Her friends sat up straighter. "No way."

CRACK.

Several students startled at the sudden crack. Aurelia, however, didn't even look up. She already knew her father, Professor Tom Riddle, had arrived.

Like clockwork.

Her friends looked horrified."...What."

Tom barely acknowledged anyone else. The second he spotted Y/N, he crossed the room. Immediately.

As if he'd been deprived of oxygen, as if the hour apart had been a genuine hardship.

Y/N laughed the second she saw him. "My love."

Tom didn't even answer. He simply wrapped both arms around her waist and pulled her against him. Instantly.

Like he physically could not bear another second of separation.

Y/N laughed harder. "Thomas Marvolo Riddle"

"You asked for help."

"You apparated."

"You needed me."

Across the room Aurelia slowly closed her eyes.

Her friends were staring.

One of them whispered, "Oh my God."

Tom kissed Y/N's forehead, then her cheek, then her temple. Then finally looked at the books she'd been talking about. "What do you need?"

Y/N pointed at a shelf and Tom immediately reached for it. Still keeping one arm around her.

Aurelia's friends looked stunned. "...He literally came because she asked."

Aurelia nodded. "Yep."

"He was on the other side of the castle."

"Yep."

"He apparated the second she needed help."

"Yep."

Across the library Y/N leaned up and kissed her husband.

Tom looked entirely pleased with himself.

Aurelia pointed at them. "This is a daily occurrence, by the way."

Her friends started laughing again.

One of them shook their head. "That's ridiculous."

Another grinned. "Actually, that's kind of adorable."

Aurelia looked personally offended. "You haven't lived with it."

Meanwhile, Tom had finished helping Y/N. A normal person would've left. Tom simply stayed exactly where he was, still holding his wife, still talking to her. As if he'd forgotten he had an office.

Aurelia groaned. Her friends laughed even harder.

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Tom had noticed the Hufflepuff tie before she'd even finished fastening it.

He was sitting on the edge of his bed, sleeves rolled up, watching Y/N move around his dorm room as she gathered her things for the day.

For a moment, he simply stared then he sighed. "You're pretending to be Lily today."

Y/N glanced over her shoulder and nodded. "She's sick."

Tom looked entirely unimpressed by this information.

"So I'm covering a few of her classes," she explained. "Then I'll switch back after lunch."

Tom hummed.

Y/N smiled. "It's not that dramatic."

"It is when you're terrible at pretending to be your sister."

Y/N scoffed. "Tom."

"You are."

"We are identical twins."

Tom stood. "No," he said, crossing the room toward her. "You're not."

Y/N rolled her eyes immediately. "We literally are."

Tom stopped in front of her. His hands settled automatically at her waist. "No."

"Tom."

"No."

"Thomas."

His mouth twitched. "You look different."

"Only to you."

"Exactly."

Y/N shook her head. It wasn't the first time they'd had this conversation and probably wouldn't be the last.

Tom reached up and gently adjusted the collar of her borrowed Hufflepuff robe, then his fingers brushed her shoulder.

Then lingered because they always lingered.

Y/N smiled softly. "You know normal boyfriends don't care this much."

Tom looked genuinely confused. "Why would I be normal?"

"Fair."

He leaned down and pressed a kiss against her shoulder, then another.

Y/N laughed. "You're distracting me."

"Good."

"You have classes too."

"I'll survive."

Y/N rolled her eyes affectionately.

Tom's hands moved to her hair next. "You can't wear it like that."

Y/N immediately frowned. "Like what?"

"Your hair."

"My hair is fine."

"No."

"It is."

"It isn't."

Y/N folded her arms.

Tom ignored this entirely. "If you're pretending to be Lily then you need to actually look like her."

"We're twins."

Tom sighed, the sigh of a man whose girlfriend continuously failed to understand obvious things. "Lily wears a high ponytail."

Y/N blinked. "What?"

"Lily wears a high ponytail."

Tom began gathering her hair without hesitation. "She also sways when she walks."

"What?"

"She does."

"Tom."

"She smiles at everyone."

Y/N stared as Tom continued. "She tucks her books under her right arm."

"Tom."

"She waves too much."

"Tom."

"She talks with her hands."

"Tom."

"And she always fixes her sleeve when she's nervous."

Y/N just looked at him as he tied her hair neatly into a ponytail, then stepped back. Satisfied.

Y/N stared. "How do you know all that?"

Tom looked confused again. "I've known you for six years."

"If you go by that logic, I've known everyone here for six years."

"still" Tom simply shrugged, like it was obvious.

Like noticing every tiny detail about her was completely normal. Then his gaze softened. The sort of look that only ever appeared when he looked at her. Never anyone else.

Just her.

His fingers brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I pay attention."

Y/N felt her heart do something stupid because of course he did.

Tom always paid attention especially to her. He reached up and gently touched a tiny beauty mark.

One Lily didn't have.

"See?"

Y/N smiled. "You're ridiculous."

"Perhaps."

"You memorised my face?."

"I memorised everything."

Y/N laughed but Tom didn't because he was entirely serious. His thumb brushed her cheek once more.

Then he leaned forward and kissed her shoulder again. Soft, lingering. and affectionate.

When he pulled back, his expression had changed slightly, more vulnerable and a lot rarer.

Y/N blinked. "What?"

Tom's hand remained against her face. "No matter what you change."

His gaze flickered briefly to the Hufflepuff uniform. "The clothes."

Then her hair. "The hairstyle."

Then back to her eyes. "I fell in love with you."

Y/N's expression softened immediately. "Tom"

"No matter what." His voice was quieter now. "You could spend the next twenty years trying to convince people you're Lily."

Y/N stared.

Tom smirked faintly. "And I'd still know."

For a moment neither spoke, then Y/N stepped forward and kissed him right on the lips.

Tom immediately melted into it, just slightly.

When she pulled away she was smiling. "Why are you being like this today?"

Tom looked at her for a long moment then leaned down and kissed the top of her head because apparently one kiss wasn't enough. "Because," he murmured, "despite having a twin."

Another kiss. "Despite trying to change your appearance."

Another. "Despite all your efforts."

Y/N laughed quietly.

Tom rested his forehead against hers. "It's you I look for."

Y/N's smile disappeared completely, replaced by something softer.

Tom loved that look. He always would.

Finally he straightened and picked up her bag. "Come on."

Y/N blinked. "Where are we going?"

Tom handed it to her. "To make sure you don't embarrass herself."

Y/N gasped. "I would not."

Tom opened the dorm door. "Sure my love."

Y/N followed him into the corridor, still laughing.

While Tom walked beside her looking entirely pleased with himself because even dressed as Lily. Even with different hair, even in someone else's uniform.

She was still Y/N and Tom had never once mistaken her for anyone else.

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Tom Riddle was aware he was being watched.

He'd known for nearly twenty minutes. The presence at the back of the classroom wasn't subtle.

It wasn't nervous or curious like most students. It was calculating, cold, yet patient.

It reminded him far too much of himself.

Once the final student left. Once the door clicked shut. Silence settled over the room.

Only then did the figure in the shadows finally speak. "You've gone soft."

Tom didn't look surprised. Slowly, he placed the piece of chalk down then he turned.

At the very back of the classroom sat a sixteen-year-old Tom Riddle. Young, sharp and dangerous.

His expression was colder than Tom remembered, not because he lacked power not because he lacked intelligence. Because he lacked something else.

Something older Tom had spent decades learning: Love.

The younger version of him sat comfortably in the shadows like he owned them. "You've gone soft," he repeated.

Tom folded his arms. "I haven't."

"You have."

"You've been here less than an hour."

"I didn't need longer."

Tom exhaled slowly.

The boy's eyes swept over the classroom to the shelves, the lesson plans. The students' essays stacked neatly on Tom's desk. Everything.

Disapproval practically radiated from him, then his gaze returned to Tom. "I said you've gone soft."

"And you're sixteen"

The younger Tom leaned back. "Which is exactly why I know what I'm talking about."

Tom immediately repeated flatly, "Which is exactly why you don't."

The younger Tom's eyes narrowed. "You teach."

"Yes."

"You grade essays."

"Unfortunately."

"You answer questions."

Tom sighed. "You're sitting in a time anomaly you don't understand."

The boy ignored that, his gaze remained fixed. Assessing everything, evaluating everything and judging everything surrounding the classroom.

Tom remembered being like that and it was exhausting.

Finally the younger Tom spoke again "I heard them."

"The students?"

"They like you."

Tom looked unimpressed. "That wasn't a compliment."

"It wasn't meant to be."

The younger Tom stood. Even at sixteen there was something intimidating about him. Something that made people instinctively move out of his way.

A predator that hadn't yet learned restraint.

"I am the Dark Lord," Older Tom said quietly.

The younger Tom didn't even blink. "If that's true," he said, "why are you teaching?"

Silence.

A long one.

Then Tom answered. "I will not spoil more of the future for you."

"Convenient."

"You'll understand when you get here."

The younger Tom scoffed but before either could continue.

The classroom door opened and everything changed. Because Y/N walked inside.

Her work robes were slightly wrinkled, her hair was loose. A stack of books balanced against one hip.

She paused the second she saw them."...Ah."

The younger Tom immediately straightened while Older Tom immediately relaxed. The contrast was ridiculous.

Y/N noticed it instantly. "Hello there," she greeted.

The younger Tom stared.

Tom watched him stare and immediately knew exactly what the boy was doing.

Memorising her. The same thing he'd done the first time he'd fallen in love with her.

The younger Tom's gaze dropped, to her hand. To the ring then back up again.

His eyes sharpened. "Is this why?"

Y/N frowned. "Is what why?"

His gaze shifted to older Tom. "Because we finally got her." Tom sighed immediately. “We didn’t just get her.”

The younger Tom raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

Tom stepped closer to Y/N without thinking an instinct so natural he didn’t even realise he was doing it.

“We earned her,” he corrected quietly, his hand settling at her waist like it belonged there. "To the point where she has remained by my side for over thirty years… and showing no intention of leaving."

The younger Tom's eyes narrowed. "Still." He looked Tom up and down. "You've gone soft."

Y/N groaned. "Merlin, that's seriously your first thought?"

"Yes."

Y/N set her books down then folded her arms. "You know what?"

Tom immediately knew where this was going. The younger Tom did not.

Y/N pointed at her husband. "Do I need to list the reasons that's completely false?"

Tom looked mildly offended. "I don't believe that will be necessary."

Y/N ignored him.

The younger Tom tilted his head. "Name three."

Tom closed his eyes while Y/N smiled. "Easy."

She held up one finger. "First. You make me a Horcrux."

The younger Tom froze.

Tom immediately defended himself. "That was necessary."

Y/N turned toward him. "It was dramatic."

"It was strategic."

"It was reckless."

"It worked."

The younger Tom looked between them. "You made her a Horcrux?"

Tom nodded. "I did what I had to do."

The younger Tom looked impressed, which wasn't helping.

Y/N held up a second finger. "Second."

She pointed directly at Tom. "You baby trap me."

The younger Tom blinked once. “…I am aware,” he said calmly.

“I’ve met our kids,” he added.

Y/N pointed at him. “Don’t call them ours quite yet. You’re only a kid.”

“I am sixteen.”

“Exactly.”

From beside her, older Tom smirked faintly. “Our youngest is nearly your age.”

The younger Tom’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like that, not at all. “…What’s the third?”

Y/N's expression softened slightly. She lifted her left hand. The ring immediately caught the light.

The younger Tom's attention locked onto it, completely. Like nothing else existed.

Y/N noticed as Tom noticed her noticing. Neither commented, not immediately. "You've been staring at this since I walked in."

The younger Tom didn't deny it. "It prove's our future."

Y/N laughed.

Tom rolled his eyes.

The younger Tom finally looked away from the ring. "We get married."

"We do."

The boy nodded once then looked back at the ring, checking, confirming and making sure it was real.

Y/N smiled. "He charmed it."

The younger Tom immediately looked interested. "How?"

"It can never leave my finger."

The younger Tom looked impressed. "Clever."

"I know," Tom said immediately.

Y/N smacked his arm.

The younger Tom actually looked amused, which was a rare sight.

Then the classroom door opened again, Aurelia walked in and stopped. She looked at older Tom, then younger Tom, then her mother. "...Nope."

She immediately turned around.

Y/N blinked. "Aurelia?"

The girl paused. "I'll see Mum later." Then disappeared.

The younger Tom watched her leave.

Y/N pointed toward the doorway. "That's our daughter."

The younger Tom nodded. "I know."

Tom smirked. "Our youngest."

The younger Tom smiled. A real smile, sharp, dangerous yet satisfied. "Good."

Y/N groaned. "You're both impossible."

Y/N finally she lifted her wand. "Alright."

The younger Tom looked at her. "You'll see."

The older Tom frowned. "See what?"

The younger Tom ignored him his gaze remained fixed on Y/N then, very quietly, "I'll see you soon, love."

Older Tom's arm immediately tightened around Y/N's waist.

The younger Tom noticed and smirked. Then the spell activated, light flooded the room and the younger Tom faded.

But even as he disappeared his eyes remained on Y/N. Memorising. confirming and waiting. Then he was gone.

Silence settled over the classroom.

Y/N looked up at her husband.

Tom was staring at the spot his younger self had vanished from.

"You know," she said softly.

"Hm?"

"He wasn't wrong."

Tom looked at her as Y/N smiled. "You have gone soft."

Tom immediately scoffed. "I have not."

"You absolutely have."

Y/N laughed then kissed his cheek. The argument ended instantly. Which, unfortunately for Tom, only proved her point.

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Y/N had thought it would be funny, that was the problem.

The entire prank had started because Mattheo had laughed and said, “You know what would be hilarious? Pretend to break up with Tom.”

In hindsight, taking relationship advice from Mattheo was always a terrible idea. Because now Y/N was standing in an empty classroom staring at her boyfriend.

Who was staring back. “…What?” Tom asked.

Y/N almost backed out immediately. Almost. Instead she crossed her arms and forced herself to continue. “I think we should break up.”

Silence.

Tom blinked, once, twice. Then, nothing. No anger, no argument, no reaction at all.

For about three seconds.

Then every door in the room slammed shut. The lock clicked. Several wards appeared across the walls.

And Tom stood up.

Y/N immediately regretted everything.“…Tom?”

He didn’t answer.

Instead he started pacing, one end of the room, then the other. Then back again.

Y/N watched him but he kept pacing. “…Tom.”

Still nothing

His hands were folded behind his back now, which somehow made everything worse because that was what he did when he was thinking.

And Tom Riddle thinking was always dangerous.

Finally he stopped. “No.”

Y/N blinked.“…No?”

“No.”

“Tom—”

“No.”

“Thomas.” That got his attention immediately.

He turned toward her, looking genuinely confused. Like she’d suggested something impossible. “My future self didn’t tell me this.”

Y/N froze.

Tom continued pacing.“You and I are supposed to be together forever.”

Y/N stared because Tom was serious. Entirely serious. “I’ve met our children.”

Y/N’s stomach dropped because he had.

Mattheo, Delphini, Marvolo, Albus, The twins and even Aurelia. All of them.

Tom stopped again, his expression tightened. “I’ve met all seven of them.”

Y/N winced as Tom looked genuinely offended by reality itself. “Not one of them mentioned this.”

“…Tom.”

“Not one.”

“Tom.”

“I specifically asked.”

“You specifically interrogated them.”

“Same thing.”

Y/N covered her face. This had gone so much worse than she’d expected.

Tom started pacing again.“You don’t leave.”

Y/N lowered her hands.“What?”

“You don’t.” His voice was firm, he voice was certain. Like he was reciting a fact, like gravity, saying like the sky being blue. “You stay.”

Y/N’s heart hurt a little. Because suddenly this wasn’t funny anymore. “My love, I didn’t mean to hurt you. “

Tom wasn’t angry. He was panicking, trying very hard not to, trying to solve it logically, trying to make reality fit what he’d already seen. “You didn’t hurt me,” he said immediately.

Which meant she absolutely had.

“You didn’t.”

“Tom—”

“I’ve simply identified an inconsistency.”

Y/N nearly laughed. Only Tom Riddle would call heartbreak an inconsistency.

Tom rubbed his forehead. “No.” There was that word again.

Then suddenly he stopped pacing, his eyes narrowed and Y/N watched the exact moment he convinced himself. “It’s a prank.”

“…”

Tom pointed at her. “It’s a prank.”

Y/N blinked.“…Tom.”

“It’s obviously a prank.”

“You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself.”

“I am not.”

“You are.”

Tom ignored that. “It’s a prank.” Then he nodded, once. Like he’d solved a difficult equation. “That’s what this is.”

Y/N looked at him. Looked at the boy she loved. The boy who had accidentally seen enough of the future to know she never left.

The boy who looked far too relieved to have found an explanation and suddenly she felt awful.“…It is.”

Tom immediately relaxed, not fully, but enough. “There.”

Y/N laughed weakly. “There?”

“There.” Tom looked pleased with himself, like he’d solved the mystery. “You aren’t leaving.”

Y/N shook her head. “No.”

“Obviously.”

Y/N smiled.

“Obviously.”

Tom looked vindicated, then crossed the room in about three strides. Wrapped his arms around her and refused to let go.

Y/N laughed. “Tom.”

“No.”

“What do you mean no?”

“You are staying right here.”

“I’m literally in your arms.”

“Good.”

Y/N buried her face against his shoulder.

Tom tightened his hold slightly, as if making extra sure.

“You know,” she said quietly, “most people would’ve just been upset.”

“I was upset.”

“You locked the door.”

“I was thinking.”

“You warded the room.”

“Precautionary.”

“You paced for ten minutes.”

“I was processing.”

Y/N laughed harder.

Tom looked down at her, then sighed, “You are not allowed to do that again.”

“I know.”

“I mean it.”

“I know.”

Tom narrowed his eyes. “You frightened me.” That made her pause because Tom rarely admitted things like that.

Y/N immediately reached up and cupped his face. “I’m sorry.”

Tom leaned into her hand automatically. “I know.”

“I’m not leaving.”

“I know.” Y/N smiled.

Tom stared at her for another second then finally kissed her forehead, long and lingering.

Still holding her. Still refusing to let go and Y/N suspected he wasn’t planning to let go for several hours.

Just to be safe.

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Aurelia Riddle had one major advantage over all of her siblings. She never went looking for the portal.

Mattheo had, Delphini had and Marvolo definitely had. The twins had practically lived inside it. But Aurelia? Aurelia had grown up with it.

She'd seen every memory, every conversation, every ridiculous moment of her parents' relationship so many times she could probably perform the entire thing from memory.

Which was why she never bothered anymore.

Unfortunately, the portal apparently took that personally. Because one afternoon, while walking through Hogwarts with her nose buried in a book, Aurelia accidentally walked straight into it.

She didn't even notice at first, she turned a page and kept reading.

Turned another page, walked around a corner, then immediately walked into someone. "Sorry," Aurelia said automatically.

The other person said exactly the same thing.

Aurelia froze, slowly lowered her book and sighed. "...Of course."

Because standing in front of her was her mother. Except this Y/N looked seventeen, still in Hogwarts robes and just like her reading while walking.

Aurelia closed her eyes briefly. "Right."

Y/N blinked then tilted her head. "...Do I know you?"

Aurelia immediately recognised the expression. The same one she made whenever she was confused. "Oh, that's unfortunate."

"What is?"

Before Aurelia could answer, she backed up. Directly into someone else. A solid chest, hitting a prefect badge. And hearing a very familiar voice. "You've walked into two people in less than thirty seconds."

Aurelia looked up and sighed harder. "...Dad."

Young Tom Riddle blinked then frowned. Because apparently his genetics were stronger than expected.

Because the girl standing in front of him looked suspiciously familiar. Same eyes, same expression and same dramatic sigh.

And suddenly everything clicked, Tom closed his eyes. "...I can see that."

Aurelia pointed at him. "Don't."

"I haven't said anything."

"You figured it out."

"You called me Dad."

"Details."

From further down the corridor came another voice. "Love?"

Both Aurelia and Tom looked up as Y/N was walking toward them. One hand resting on her very pregnant stomach while the other balancing three books.

Aurelia immediately smiled because she'd seen this before. Many times.

Y/N stopped beside Tom, then looked at Aurelia. "...Aurelia?"

Aurelia groaned. "Seriously?"

Y/N stared. "You were five yesterday."

Aurelia rubbed her forehead. "That was six years ago."

"For you."

"Yes."

"For me it was yesterday."

"Unfortunately."

Y/N looked delighted while Tom looked resigned and Aurelia looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her. "I wasn't supposed to run into you."

Tom folded his arms. "I gathered that."

"I was trying to leave."

"You walked into us."

"I was reading."

Both parents immediately nodded. "Oh."

"That explains it."

Aurelia pointed. "See?"

Y/N laughed while Tom looked mildly offended pointing to his daughter. "You got that habit from her."

Y/N rolled her eyes, then looked at Aurelia again. Really looked and suddenly her expression softened. Because despite the age difference she knew this was her daughter.

Aurelia immediately recognised the look. The Mum Look, her emotional one. "No."

Y/N laughed. "I didn't say anything."

"You were about to."

"I was not."

"You absolutely were."

Tom looked between them, then nodded. "She was."

"Thank you."

"I regret helping."

Aurelia grinned while Y/N shook her head. Then reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind Aurelia's ear like it was pure instinct.

Aurelia immediately melted, then remembered she was supposed to be leaving.

She stepped backward. "Well."

Y/N smiled. "Well."

"Nice seeing you again."

Again.

Y/N narrowed her eyes.

Tom sighed. "Don't ask."

"I wasn't going to."

"Good."

Aurelia leaned forward and kissed her mother on the cheek, then her father. Tom froze still new to all this, while Y/N looked emotional.

Aurelia immediately regretted it. "Right." Then she picked her book back up, turned around and started walking.

Still reading, straight toward the portal. Like none of this had happened.

Y/N watched her go. "That's definitely our daughter."

Tom looked incredibly pleased, unfortunately. "Obviously."

Y/N rubbed her stomach absentmindedly because Mattheo kicked.

And Immediately. Tom's attention snapped downward. His hand moved to her stomach. "You need to sit."

"I'm fine."

"You've been standing."

"I've been standing for five minutes."

"Five dangerous minutes."

Y/N laughed. "You fuss too much."

"You are carrying my child."

"Our child."

"My point stands."

Y/N smiled fondly, then glanced back.

Aurelia was almost at the portal now.

Tom followed her gaze, then quietly murmured, "About thirty years, I think."

Y/N frowned. "What?"

"Nothing." Tom immediately looked innocent.

Y/N narrowed her eyes.

Tom guided her forward. "No questions."

Aurelia was walking while reading again. She turned a page, atepped forward and immediately collided with someone.

The first-year bounced back with a startled yelp. “Oh! Sorry, Riddle.”

Aurelia blinked slowly over her book. “…You should be.”

The boy froze, then slowly looked past her because standing twenty feet away was the actual Y/N Riddle. Very pregnant and very much not Aurelia.

The first-year looked back at Aurelia, then back at Y/N. Then back at Aurelia and somehow became even more confused.

Because now his brain was trying to solve several impossible problems at once.

The girl in front of him looked exactly like Y/N. But she wasn't pregnant. And she wasn't wearing Slytherin robes.

The boy looked at Aurelia wearing the Ravenclaw uniform.

The boy pointed at Y/N. "Lily?"

And she definitely wasn't Lily because Lily was a Hufflepuff.

He squinted. "You're wearing Ravenclaw robes."

Aurelia closed her eyes, briefly. "I am."

His face went completely white. "...I don't get it?"

The first-year looked like he was questioning reality. His brain visibly stopped functioning. "...Wait."

Aurelia sighed.

The first-year suddenly stepped back. “I’m—sorry—I think I’m lost.”

“You are,” Y/N confirmed gently.

“Completely,” Tom added.

Tom turned to his daughter. “Try not to walk into anyone else.”

“I only walked into one person.”

“That’s one too many.”

Aurelia decided she was done, she didn't lower her book. Didn't explain, didn't even look up. She simply sighed and lifted one finger.

The air beside her immediately shimmered and a familiar glowing doorway appeared beside her. The portal.

The first-year screamed. A loud, horrified, absolutely panicked scream.

Y/N immediately doubled over laughing.

Tom pinched the bridge of his nose.

The first-year pointed frantically at the portal, then at Aurelia, then at Y/N. Then at Tom.

His mouth opened, closed, opened again. Nothing came out.

Aurelia turned a page in her book, stepped through the portal and disappeared. The doorway vanished behind her.

Silence.

The first-year made a strangled noise, then another, then a third.

Tom sighed. Slowly withdrew his wand and before the boy could have what was clearly going to be a very unfortunate breakdown. "Obliviate."

The spell hit instantly, the first-year blinked. Looked around and then frowned."...Why am I standing here?"

"Wrong corridor," Tom said smoothly.

"Oh."

The boy nodded, just accepted that immediately and wandered off.

Y/N was still laughing.

Tom watched the student disappear around the corner before tucking his wand away. Then, without missing a beat, his attention returned exactly where it belonged.

To Y/N. more specifically to the hand resting on her stomach.

Mattheo kicked.

Tom immediately noticed. His expression softened instantly. "Did you feel that?"

Y/N smiled."Yes, love."

Tom moved closer automatically. One hand settling carefully against her stomach. The other hovering near her back. Just in case.

Y/N rolled her eyes fondly. "I'm fine."

"You were laughing."

"That's not dangerous."

"You nearly bent in half."

"I was laughing."

Tom looked unconvinced while Y/N laughed again. Which somehow made him more concerned. "Sit down."

"I'm not sitting down."

"You should."

"I'm perfectly fine." Tom was already guiding her toward the common room anyway.

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Hermione's daily phone call had become such a routine that Y/N barely thought about it anymore.

Every evening, almost at the same time, her phone would ring.

Every evening, she and Hermione would spend roughly an hour talking about everything and nothing.

And every evening, Tom would act like that hour was a personal attack against him.

Today's call was no different.

Y/N was curled comfortably on the sofa, phone resting on speaker beside her as Hermione launched into what was apparently the latest chapter of her ongoing battle with Draco.

"...and then," Hermione was saying dramatically, "he reorganised the pantry."

Y/N blinked. "The pantry?"

"The entire pantry."

"Why?"

"Because apparently it wasn't organised correctly."

Y/N laughed. "That sounds exactly like Draco."

"I know!"

Meanwhile, Tom was right there with Y/N, holding her tightly against him, his arms wrapped firmly around her waist as if letting go wasn’t an option.

Y/N held the phone in one hand while the other was buried in Tom’s hair, absentmindedly stroking through it as she talked.

The effect was immediate Tom visibly relaxed, his shoulders loosening as his eyes drifted half-closed.

Hermione paused mid-rant, then sighed. "Speaking of husbands."

Y/N immediately knew where this was going.

"Where's yours?"

Y/N looked down while Tom looked up. There was a long pause. Because the answer was painfully obvious.

Tom was practically attached to her.

Y/N opened her mouth, already preparing some excuse. Maybe she'd say he was working, maybe she'd say he was reading.

"Here." Tom's voice cut through her thoughts.

Hermione burst into laughter so suddenly that Y/N nearly dropped the phone.

Tom frowned. "You were on speaker, Malfoy"

That only made Hermione laugh harder. "Really? Even when we were complaining about you?""

Tom looked mildly offended. "Especially then."

Y/N covered her face.

Tom glared at the phone for approximately two seconds before leaning forward and pressing a kiss against her shoulder. "I was here the whole time."

Hermione completely lost whatever composure she'd had left. "Oh, that's unbelievable."

Tom looked entirely pleased with himself as Y/N shook her head fondly. "You walked into that one, love."

Hermione took a moment to recover. Then she sighed dramatically. "I always forget how clingy you are."

Tom immediately looked offended. "I am not clingy."

"You absolutely are."

"I am affectionate."

"Riddle."

"I am."

Y/N laughed softly and resumed stroking his hair.

Instantly his expression softened again and he groaned, literally so loud that Hermione could hear it.

Hermione made a strangled noise. "There!"

"There what?" Y/N asked.

"That."

Hermione sounded horrified. "I literally heard him melt into you."

Tom didn't even bother denying it, he simply closed his eyes again.

Y/N smiled.

Hermione groaned. "You spoil him."

Tom opened one eye. "You say that like i'm one of our kids."

"You're acting like it."

Tom's gaze slowly shifted toward the phone. Then, without even sitting up, he reached toward the side table.

Y/N immediately noticed. "...Tom."

"What?"

"Why are you reaching for your wand?"

"I'm not."

He absolutely was. His fingers were already stretching toward it while he continued glaring at the phone because Hermione had personally insulted him.

"Tom."

"I'm simply considering my options."

Hermione's laugh exploded through the speaker. "Are you trying to hex a phone?"

"No."

A pause.

"Are you thinking about hexing it?"

Another pause.

"...Possibly."

Y/N immediately burst out laughing.

Tom looked up at her, mildly betrayed. "You're encouraging her."

"You were about to curse a phone."

Hermione sounded genuinely exasperated. "You've been married for over thirty years."

"Thirty-four," Tom corrected automatically.

"That wasn't the point."

"It was factually inaccurate."

Y/N buried her face in her hand.

Hermione groaned.

Tom looked entirely unapologetic.

"See?" Hermione said. "That's exactly the problem."

"What problem?"

"You enjoy correcting people."

"I enjoy accuracy."

"You enjoy being annoying."

Tom considered that, for a moment, Y/N actually thought he might argue.

Instead, he nodded slightly. "Fair."

The silence that followed was immediate.

Y/N stared at him.

Hermione stared through the phone somehow.

Tom looked confused. "What?"

"You admitted she had a point."

"I said one thing."

"You admitted Hermione was right."

"Let's not get carried away."

Y/N laughed so hard she nearly dropped the phone.

Tom's attention instantly shifted back to her again.

Hermione made another noise of disgust. "There it is."

"There what?" Y/N asked.

"The reason he's survived this long."

Tom smirked and Y/N smiled.

Tom looked entirely too pleased about that. Then, after a moment, he sighed heavily and buried his face against her stomach again. "I miss when these calls were shorter."

Y/N blinked. "They've always been an hour."

"I know."

His arms tightened slightly. "Still too long."

Hermione laughed so hard she started coughing.

Y/N shook her head, smiling as she kissed the top of Tom's head. The moment she did, he relaxed completely. Like that single gesture fixed every complaint he'd ever had.

Hermione watched the whole thing unfold through the speaker and groaned. "You're both impossible."

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The girls bathroom was, for once, peaceful.

Which meant Y/N could finally have some time alone, without someone knocking, calling her name, or dramatically declaring the end of the world outside the door.

She sighed in relief, adjusting the last strand, then stepped out.

Only to stop immediately because in the corridor outside stood two people, Aurelia and Tom.

Both waiting, both exactly where they would be.

Y/N blinked once. “…Of course.”

Aurelia was leaning casually against the wall, arms folded, looking far too pleased with herself.

Tom, on the other hand, looked like he had been standing there the entire time without moving an inch, gaze already on the door like he could see through it.

Y/N softened instantly at the sight of them.

“Oh, my love,” she said warmly, looking at Aurelia. “Why were you waiting outside for me? You know you could’ve just come in.”

Aurelia tilted her head. “I have boundaries.”

Tom rolled his eyes immediately.

Aurelia didn’t even look at him. “And I assume Dad would’ve gotten impatient and just walked in anyway.”

Y/N hummed. “More than you know.”

Tom didn’t deny it, he never did.

He simply stepped forward, taking Y/N’s arm the moment she appeared. “There you are,” he said.

Y/N laughed. “Love, I was in the bathroom.”

“For far too long.”

Aurelia immediately fell into step on Y/N’s other side, like it had been planned. Because it basically had.

Y/N glanced between them, amused. “Love, really. You didn’t need to wait.”

Tom’s grip didn’t loosen. “You took longer than necessary.”

“I fixed my hair.”

“You were gone eleven minutes.”

Aurelia snorted. “He started pacing after five.”

“I did not,” Tom said flatly.

Y/N looked at him. “You absolutely did, didn’t you?”

Tom said nothing, which was answer enough.

Aurelia smirked. “He did.”

Y/N sighed fondly. “My clingy husband.”

“I prefer attentive,” Tom corrected.

Aurelia raised a brow. “Clingy.”

Tom shot her a look while Aurelia smiled sweetly back.

Y/N squeezed his arm gently. “What do you need, sweetheart?”

Aurelia answered before he could. “Nothing really,” she said, sliding her hand into Y/N’s free one.

Tom immediately went still.

Y/N blinked. “Oh?”

Aurelia looked up at her, completely innocent. “Just wanted to see you.”

That did it. Y/N’s expression softened so quickly it was almost unfair. “My little Auri…” she murmured, squeezing her hand back.

Aurelia’s thumb brushed lightly over her mother’s knuckles, like she’d been doing it since she was small. Like she’d never outgrown it.

Tom’s gaze narrowed slightly at the contact, not jealous exactly just intensely aware that his wife was being mildly stolen.

Aurelia leaned closer anyway, as if sensing it. “What?” she asked, amused.

Tom didn’t answer. He just tightened his hold on Y/N’s arm ever so slightly.

Y/N noticed immediately. “Tom.”

“I am walking you,” he said simply.

“I can walk myself.”

“No.”

Aurelia laughed. “There it is.”

Y/N looked between them both and shook her head, smiling. “You two are impossible.”

Aurelia squeezed her hand again. “He started it.”

“I did not,” Tom said immediately.

“You waited outside a bathroom,” Y/N reminded him.

“I was ensuring safety.”

Aurelia nodded. “From what? Soap?”

Tom ignored her.

Y/N let out a soft laugh, shaking her head as they continued down the corridor together her arm in Tom’s, her hand in Aurelia’s.

Tom quietly guiding them like he couldn’t help himself.

Aurelia refusing to let go of her mother even for a second.

And Y/N, stuck happily in the middle of both of them, sighing like she’d lost the argument before it even started.

“Honestly,” she murmured, amused, “you two are going to be the death of me.”

Tom glanced at her. “Unlikely.”

Aurelia nodded. “We’d never let that happen.”

Y/N smiled. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

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It started, as most things did with Tom Riddle, with absolute confidence and zero willingness to be corrected.

“You’re late, Mrs Riddle.”

Y/N stopped in her tracks, slowly turned around, and then sighed. “It’s Y/L/N.”

Tom didn’t even look up from the book in his hands. “No.”

“It is.”

“It isn’t.”

“It literally is my name.”

That earned her a brief glance. Calm, patient and infuriatingly certain. “Not for long.”

Y/N folded her arms. “We are not married.”

“Not yet.”

She stared at him while he turned a page.

Y/N walked closer, stopping right in front of him. “Do you ever get tired of deciding my future without telling me?”

“No,” Tom said simply.

“That’s alarming.”

“It’s efficient.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Say it.”

He paused.“…Say what.”

“My last name.”

Tom looked at her like she’d just asked him to solve something beneath him. Then, slowly, “Riddle.”

Y/N blinked. “That’s your last name.”

“Yes.”

“It’s not mine.”

“It will be.”

She pointed at him. “You didn’t even hesitate.”

“I don’t see the issue.”

“The issue is I have a surname.”

“You have potential.”

“That is not a surname.”

Tom finally closed his book, leaning back slightly as he studied her like she was the only subject worth revising. “You’ve been that long enough.”

“I’ve been Y/L/N my entire life.”

“Exactly.”

“That’s not—what does that even mean?”

“It means it’s outdated.”

Y/N scoffed. “You’re impossible.”

“And yet,” he said, completely unbothered, “you’re still here.”

She opened her mouth then closed it again because unfortunately, that part was true.

Tom reached out then, catching her wrist lightly and tugging her closer, like it was the most natural thing in the world. “My wife,” he said again, almost thoughtfully.

Y/N groaned. “Stop calling me that.”

“Why.”

“Because I’m not.”

“You are in practice.”

“In practice?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not how marriage works.”

“It is how mine will.”

Y/N stared at him. “You’ve called me every nickname in the book—love, darling, wife, Mrs Riddle but you’ve never once acknowledged my actual last name.”

Tom paused just slightly. “…I call Lily by your surname.”

Y/N squinted. “You call her Y/L/N?”

“Yes.”

“Then you do know it exists.”

Tom looked at her like she had missed the point entirely then, very slowly, he opened his mouth. “Y/—”

He stopped, frowned and tried again. “Y/…”

Silence.

Then he shook his head once, like the very concept was incorrect. “No.”

Y/N blinked. “No?”

Tom’s expression smoothed instantly. “Riddle.”

“That’s not how names work.”

“It will be.”

She stepped back slightly, rubbing her temple. “I’m just your girlfriend, Tom.”

He didn’t hesitate. “For now.”

Y/N groaned loudly. “There it is again.”

Tom watched her with mild satisfaction, like he enjoyed the sound of her frustration far too much.

“You act like it’s inevitable,” she muttered.

“It is.”

“You don’t even give me a choice.”

“I did,” he said calmly.

“When?”

“You stayed.”

That shut her up, just for a second. Then she frowned again. “That’s not a choice, that’s emotional manipulation.”

“It worked.”

She pointed at him. “That’s worse!”

Tom leaned forward slightly, voice softer now. “Say my name.”

“I am saying your name.”

“No,” he corrected.

Y/N hesitated, then, quietly, “Tom.”

He leaned back again, completely satisfied. “…Riddle,” he added anyway, almost absently.

Y/N threw her hands up. “You’re unbelievable.”

“And yet,” he repeated, watching her carefully now, “you’re still here.”

She huffed then, despite herself, stepped closer again.

Tom’s hand automatically found her wrist. Like it always did, like it always would.

“…I don’t like your obsession with calling me that,” she muttered.

“I like accuracy.”

“I like my identity.”

He tilted his head slightly. “You’re still arguing with me.”

“Because you’re wrong.”

Tom hummed softly. “You’ll adjust.”

Y/N narrowed her eyes. “I will not become Mrs Riddle just because you’ve decided it.”

He paused, then, almost gently. “I decided on the train.”

“…When we first met?” And Y/N, unfortunately, couldn’t tell if that was the most romantic or most terrifying thing she’d ever heard.

Probably both.

Tom leaned in slightly, voice low now, calmer. “Mrs Riddle,” he said again, quieter this time, like it belonged there.

Y/N sighed but didn’t correct him, not immediately. “…You’re insufferable.”

“I know.”

“And delusional.”

“Also known.”

“And I still haven’t agreed to your last name.”

Tom’s mouth twitched. “…Yet,” he said again.

Y/N groaned, but this time she was smiling because the worst part was, he never said it like a question.

Only like a promise.

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