As the days passed and the snow began to fall, he helped Astrid decorate their house. The tall windows had the long curtains drawn across them to keep out the cold even as magic kept it permanently heated, and wreaths of mistletoe and holly now adorned them. Tinsel was wrapped around the rooms, and a tall white tree now stood in their front room, red decorations hanging from it. Several presents sat under it, some from him and a few from her. However, even with this, Tom wasn't feeling in much of the Christmas spirit.
In fact, as he laid in bed with Astrid asleep next to him, he couldn't sleep, but not from excitement. Glancing at her, he shifted into a snake and slipped out of the room, not wanting to wake her. Going onto the balcony he changed back, the gentle wind stirring his hair slightly.
"Well this is great."
Although he could understand parseltongue, he was able to discern that Salazar was speaking it since it'd been so long since he'd heard it. To further to remind him what he would always be, even in this new life. He didn't turn to face the ghost, but he knew Salazar had been watching him from afar for quite some time. Must be one of the perks of being a ghost, Tom reasoned.
"You shouldn't be here."
He responded, the first time he'd used still looking over at the sky so he didn't have to face his ancestor. The ghost snorted, flouting next to him.
"Why? Because she'll find out?"
He confirmed the ghosts reasoning and he sighed, shaking his head. Studying his heirs face in the moonlight, he saw the face of a man that could rule the world, if only he put his mind to it.
"Oh Voldemort. You have truly lost your way."
Tom snapped round to face him, but he'd already gone. Calming down, he padded back inside and lied down once more, attempting to sleep but finding it difficult.