Oh, Ophelia | Tom Riddle

Dreams

It was simple and golden with a diamond at the centre. He set it down. He saw himself in a picture clearly taken without his knowledge by Ophelia,

'Professor Riddle'

Then he realized. This was his manifestation of what life would be without dark magic. He left the office, and went down the stairs,

"Ophelia!" He called again, he walked into the kitchen to see breakfast was on the table, there were four chairs and a high chair,

Tom looked to the counter to see cookies, and he looked around for Ophelia, this was his dream. He ought to be able to summon her by sheer force of will. But he couldn't.

Tom walked into the living room, and looked at the pictures on the mantle.

"Aren't you coming, Love?" Came her Irish accent at long last, and he turned to see Ophelia dressed in a pretty sun dress, a one year old Juliet settled on her hip, and a small baby bump on her torso,

Juliet reached for him, and he took her in his arms. She seemed a perfect mix of the two. The aristocratic edge of Tom mixed with the golden beauty of Ophelia,

"I just love the summers," said Ophelia, as she took his hand, "I still get to see you during the year, obviously,"

She looked at her swollen stomach, then back at him,

"But there's something nice about seeing you everyday," she said, kissing his cheek, "I know, I know, I have dreadful aim."

She pulled him from the house and Tom noticed that  he was suddenly in a swim suit, and so was she,

"Swim!" Yelled Juliet, trying to wriggle out of Tom's grip and jet for the water,

"Ophelia," he said but she didn't seem to hear him, as they waded into the frigid Irish water,

"Mummy, I swim." Said Juliet, as Tom lowered her to the water, "Watch daddy,"

But as soon as a tiny foot touched the water it was pulled away,

"Cold!" Yelled the one year old, and Ophelia laughed, as Juliet was brought back to her father's warm embrace,

"I'm so happy you changed, Love," said Ophelia, smiling at Tom, "I'm so happy you chose us. That you chose this."

She covered Juliet's eyes as she kissed Tom's lips chastely,

"But I didn't." Said Tom, and it all fell away. The ocean. The house on the beach. The child in his arms. Until all that was left was he and Ophelia in their Hogwarts uniforms as seventh years again.

She was smoking.

"I can't believe you." She said, "I was willing to give it all up for you you know? I really loved you. But I don't know if I can do this. Be wife to a dark lord after everything I've been through."

"Ophelia, I saw what we could have. We can still have it." Said Tom, reaching out to touch her but she was out of reach.

Why was Ophelia out of his reach?

"You killed Carl. You killed Ricky. For loving me. Do you think I won't blame myself when this is over?" She asked,

"You shouldn't. Their deaths were merciful."

"Oxymoron party of one. Fuck you, Voldemort. I'm not sure if I ever will again, but fuck you." Said Ophelia,

"Ophelia I love you."