Tom Riddle X Reader - Chapter 19: Chapter 19

Hogsmeade - the only place in Britain scramming with wizards who could freely roam and live among themselves without having to worry about muggles. Thatched cottages were sprinkled across the lot and in the center of it was a path welcoming sorcerers to shops and pubs.
You and Sirius were one of the many walking down this path, searching for a comfortable spot to study.
"How about there?" - Sirius pointed at the pink, frilly door with a sign 'Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop'
"There? It's cramped in there, I don't think we'd be able to study without racket." - you told him "Besides, I've heard couples go there all the time and that would be uncomfortable." - you then pointed at a distant sign that spelled 'Three Broomsticks Inn' "I say we just head there"
"Alright..." - Sirius looked down to his feet, he honestly knew about Puddifoot's place rumbling with couples, which he secretly hoped you'd become.
Once you stepped your feet inside the Inn, you showed him the way to the nearest seats by the fireplace, where you could escape from the chilly autumn weather.
And since it was getting dark behind the windows, the whole Inn was embellished by the illuminating, crackling fire beside you as well as the small, lit up candles shimmering on top of the circular tables across the pub, most of which were occupied by faintly chattering wizards. There was some classical music that mixed in with light laughter - it was lively and cozy.
And even though it isn't as quiet to study, it sure was a nice place to visit.
Sirius pulled back your chair and when you sat down, he pushed it closer to the table so you'd be seated comfortably. He then sat down in front of you and asked
"So. Butterbeer? I'll pay"
"Oh-- I can pay for myself" - you told him
"Are you sure? It's not hard for me at all"
"Yes, I'm quite sure but thanks for the offer. Besides, I'm thinking about mulled mead... or maybe something as simple as hot chocolate... I mean I do have some muggle tendencies"
"That's absolutely fine, <___>" - Sirius replied with a friendly smile "You're free to do what you like"
After you've ordered the drinks and opened your books, studying the assignments, you rubbed you wrist where you were handcuffed previously to Riddle. It still felt as if you were fettered.
You've spent over half an hour studying Transfiguration already and sometimes it felt as if Sirius was just trying to drag the time and spend more time with you.
"So what you're saying is..." - Sirius sipped his butterbeer, his eyes locked with yours among the dim light as he lowered the mug "There is actually a spell for endless sandwiches? That could solve world hunger"
"Well yes. It cannot defy 'Gamp's law of elemental transifguration' if those sandwiches are just a form of multiplication. Because while you cannot conjure food - you can duplicate it"
He seemed like such a genuinely nice guy. Attractive and intelligent. But you didn't feel anything for him. It seemed odd to you that he would put himself down on purpose just to grab attention of a girl.
"Hm." - he bit into his bagel, appearing unfocused "interesting"
"You're.... really hungry aren't you?"
"I'm sorry" - he put his food down on his plate "I haven't eaten all day, I've been helping James with Quidditch."
"It's alright, Sirius" - without being aware of it, you placed your hand on top of his, which was resting on the table. He put his other hand on top of yours, squeezed it and just looked into your eyes before warmly smiling. One thought went through your head. FUCK.
You pulled your hand back, unable to look him in the eye anymore. So you glared into your book to dissolve the tension "Anyway... where were we--"
A loud feminine shriek suddenly rumbled behind the cottage's walls and the music and the chatter inside the Inn stopped. Faces turned to look at the windows, some wizards even rushed over to the glass in curiosity, led to the source of the sound by their straining ears.
But then the door swung open swifter than the eye could blink and a terrified woman entered the pub. Her pale face was driven by some sort of shock, the colour of her lips seemed to fade and her eyes bulged as if she witnessed horror, her chin and hands trembling as she fell down to her knees sobbing at the Innkeeper who rushed over to this woman.
"My little girl" - she whimpered, tucking her face into her palms as she heavily sobbed "My only girl..."
Everyone inside the Inn watched this woman with their eyes wide and their lips hushed or parted. Their heartbeats were increasing at this no-ordinary sight.
The innkeeper lowered a hand on the woman's shoulder "What's the matter, madam?"
"My little girl..." - she uttered, tears flowing from her eyes "She's not moving...I don't know what happened, I looked away for a few minutes, a few minutes..." - her voice was fragile, cracking at the end of each word as she gasped for air. She tried to fight her tears but she couldn't "She-She's collapsed... On the floor..."
"Show me" - the Innkeeper told her, helping the woman get up to her feet alongside another adult that held the stranger's hand to comfort her.
The woman nodded, breathing through her mouth as her nose was blocked. She rushed through narrow streets, bolting over to the nearby fallen body that seemed to be motionless.
It appeared to be a girl of no older than 12. Her skin looked as cold as ice and the gaze in her eyes was as if her soul had been sucked out from her body. She was wearing a Hufflepuff uniform, it appears as if she was visiting Hogsmeade briefly with her mother.
Everyone who was inside the pub now surrounded this little girl and the mother crying beside her body. About 30 people, with narrowed eyes, feeling sorry.
The innkeeper inspected the body, sensing that the little girl was still breathing.
"It's like she's solidified" - said the innkeeper "I've never seen this before"
Sirius, standing by your side, grabbed your hand to solace you as he noticed the downcast glint in your eyes.
"We need to get her over to Hogwarts" - you told them, attracting attention from everyone around "Madam Pomfrey might know what to do. If the girl is still alive." - you glanced at the mother "She needs immediate help, professional help. Just speak to professor Dumbledore in Hogwarts, I'm sure he and his staff will try their best to help you"
The mother nodded, taking her daughter in her trembling hands. She knew she had very little choice but to do this. Another adult wizard remained by the mother's side, making sure she was stable enough to reach the school's grounds.
When you stood up, one of the faces among the crowd stood out in particular - one of those faces did not appear surprised nor distraught at all. No other than Tom Marvolo Riddle and some of the boys from his Slytherin group were standing in the far distance, simply glaring at you. You excused yourself and rushed over to them.
One of the odd looking boys grinned at you again "How's your leg?"
But Tom interrupted that, addressing you too "Why did you help her?"
"That's a ridiculous question. She needed help. And what are you doing here? Not shopping at Zonko's certainly."
"It would have been much more amusing of them trying to identify a dying state." - Tom ignored your question "You should have left it be."
"No." - you bluntly replied "I did the right thing."
"It is not an important loss. She is not her biological daughter you know. She is just an orphan mudblood." - as he said this, him and his group headed back towards the castle. But you quickly grabbed Riddle's arm as the rest of the boys were still walking.
"Tom" - you looked straight into his eyes "Is it your doing? Is it the first year you wanted me to hex?"
"Not mine." - he forcefully pulled back his arm and you watched him leave.
But still. Suspicions rose.
"Come on" - from behind you, Sirius Black grabbed your shoulder "Heard you mention Zonko's and I'm out of hiccough sweets" - Sirius smiled, but for the first time it didn't seem genuine, it was more as if he was just trying to cheer you up.