The little white kitchen of a London townhouse was bathed in light. Merope Riddle was busy preparing a lunch while her husband was coming home from work. She has been sick all morning, but she seemed to be better once noon passed. Today was a special day, so she made Tom's favourite meal, roast lamb. Just as she was about to serve it, she heard the door open and a deep voice saying 'I'm home, love!' She grinned from ear to ear. For the first time since they got married, she knew that when he called her 'love', he really meant it. She hasn't given her husband a love potion in more than a week and it didn't change their relationship a bit. Now all that was left was to admit that she was a witch. And, to prepare him for that, an extra surprise.

The tall dark haired man appeared in the kitchen, leaning against the door frame, a loving smile on his face. "Do I smell roast lamb?"
Merope stood on her tip toes giving her husband a peck on the cheek and nodded. "I thought I'd make it for you today."
He pulled over a chair, loosening his tie. "Well, I sure deserved it today. I've got great news!" Merope smiled as she put the plate in front of her husband and sat down. "What news?"

"You know that case I've been talking about?"
Merope nodded, swallowing a mouthful of mashed potatoes. "The Lewell murder? What about it?"

"I solved it! It was the milk boy. A long story, but it got me a promotion! You are now the wife of Tom Riddle, Chief Inspector of the City of London Police!"
Merope's eyes filled with tears, which made Tom rush over from his seat. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head, wiping her tears away. "Oh it's nothing, I'm just so proud." She grinned kissing him. "I have news too. You know how I've been sick lately? I went to the doctor."
Tom frowned, placing a hand on her face. "What is it? Is it serious?"
Merope smiled mysteriously. "It's serious, but it's not a bad thing."
Tom looked puzzled, still worrying about her. "Tell me, I can take it."

"I'm pregnant." She smiled, waiting for his reaction.
"Pregnant? As in having a baby?"
Merope nodded carefully. "That's what being pregnant usually means, Tom. Are you okay with that?"
Tom smiled, picking Merope up and spinning her around the crowded kitchen. "We're having a baby!"
Merope laughed, feeling relief. "So, you're happy? It's fine with you?" Tom laughed placing her back on the chair. "Of course it's fine, it's great! Why wouldn't it be? We're going to be a real family now!"
Merope bit her lip, looking nervous. "Yes, but...what about your parents? They should know about this."

Tom's face darkened. "They denounced me when we got married. They don't deserve knowing."
"I'd still like you to tell them. At least send them a letter. For me?"
Tom smiled, gently kissing his wife. "How can I say no when you ask me like that? But don't expect too much of it."
She smiled, her eyes drifting to the other side of the table. "Oh, your food got cold."
He waved his hand, shaking it off. "I don't mind, I'm sure it still tastes great."

Merope thought for a second and decided this was the perfect time to deliver the other part of the news. "You don't have to eat it cold."
"No, you shouldn't bother with lighting the stove up again."
Merope pulled out her wand from her sleeve and placed it on the table. "I don't have to light up the stove to heat it up."

Her husband chuckled at her wand. "What, are you going to start up a fire with that stick?"
She twirled the wand in her hands. "I've got to show you something." She pointed the wand to the plate and muttered "Ventus fervens!" A blast of air shot from her wand to the food.
Tom looked awestruck. "What just happened? Is that some new invention?"
Merope shook her head. "Just try eating it."
He carefully took a bite of the meat. "It's warm again. How did you do that? What does that stick do?"

"This isn't a stick, Tom. It's a wand. What I'm trying to say is, I'm a witch."
Tom stood up, his eyes wide opened in shock and disbelief. "What are you saying, Merope? Have you gone insane? Witches and wands? Is this supposed to be a joke? Because it's not funny." Merope stood up and put her arms around his neck.

"It's not a joke. It's a part of who I am, it's a part of my family. Don't be afraid, I'm not a bad witch." He freed himself and darted to the cosy living room. "Don't be afraid? My wife just tells me she's a witch and that she has a magic wandwhich helps her to do whatever she wants and I'm not supposed to be afraid? Am I even really in love with you? Or is it just another wand trick?"

Merope had already thought this through this morning and decided it was best not to tell him about the love potion. He really was in love with her now, and that was all that mattered. "No, Tom, it isn't a trick! We both dolove each other. Besides, if it wasn't for magic, you wouldn't get a job in the police!" She stepped back once she realised what she just confessed.

"That was you? They told me they saw promising talent in me! I thought I was actually good at something for once, and it was just a magic trick?"
Merope shook her head, reaching for Tom's hand.
"But you are good at it! You solved the case and got promoted all on your own!"
"Tell me how am I supposed to be sure of that? How can I know that you're not lying about that too? Just as you lied about everything else? How can I ever know if you're telling the truth again?"

The woman's face was washed with tears. "I am telling the truth! I love you Tom, I promise I'll never lie to you again!"
Tom turned to the door and put his coat on. "I can't be here right now."
She ran after him, desperate that he wasn't coming back. "Tom, Tom come back! TOM!"
But it was late, her husband already disappeared at the end of the street, and she fell to the doorstep, unaware of the strange looks on the faces of passengers. This didn't go as good as she planned.

EDIT: Thanks to Yue Sai for the tips about this chapter, I don't know how I overlooked the missing letter, I guess I was too tired. This chapter is now remastered, and the next one is supposed to be coming soon, I hope you'll all like it!