Tom Riddle X Reader - Chapter 30: Chapter 30

An annual Christmas ball was finally announced and constant chatter or gossip echoed between Hogwarts's corridors. Those confident had no problem asking people to the dance. However, those shy struggled a lot more.
Outside, in the snowy courtyard, as the snowflakes slowly fell upon your robes and hair, you and your three friends sat on a wooden bench discussing the upcoming event.
You were all watching couples walk around holding hands or some of the handsome guys asking girls to the dance.
"You know James." - Seated next to you Lily said "He asked me to the dance that-- overbearing--"
"Of course he did." - you told her, not surprised "How did he react to the rejection?" - you looked at her, awaiting for a reply. But her silent lips gave away a different answer and your eyes widened, without realizing how high your voice got "You accepted??"
"He told me he'll leave Severus alone if I'd accept." - she replied "And I don't want to watch my friend get bullied so much anymore. It's painful."
"But won't that crush him anyway?" - Molly asked
Lily nodded her head, her eyes showing sadness "Especially after I've offered to go to the dance with him already... Well I suggested -- didn't really ask."
Mary intervened "So..." - seeking to change the upsetting topic as she looked at you "Who are you going to ask? Unless you're already expecting someone to ask you" - she deviously smiled
"Well, I--"
"Aren't you going with Tom Riddle?" - Lily interceded, shooting you just as much of a teasing smile
You felt dumbfounded for a quick second, didn't expect her to straight up blurt that out "Well-- no? He doesn't really like me. Don't you dislike him yourself?"
"I do but you have your own life, <___>" - she warmly replied
"Besides." - Molly added "Didn't he offer to tutor you?"
"Yes, But--"
"Doesn't he glance at you whenever you're not looking?" - Mary asked, grinning
"He does?" - you asked "Because I never said--"
"We can all see it." - Mary smiled broadly
Your eyes jumped between their faces and you noticed that they were all widely grinning.
For some reason, you felt flustered and heated at the thought of it "I wasn't even thinking about it... besides, I don't think he's the type to attend such events as a Christmas ball"
"Oh come on" - Mary nudged your arm "I see the way you look at each other" - she teased "He can't keep his eyes off you, don't think I can't see what's going on at lunch breaks"
"Oh right" - Lily crackled as she added "I see the way you look at each other in potions all the time. You can't fake that type of passion"
As they noticed you grow even more uncomfortable they all giggled at your embarrassed face.
"Guys, shut up" - you gently pushed Lily, who almost fell off the bench "Stop exaggerating, we're just... friends"
Lily broadly smiled "Or... you could always go with your one, true love. Gilderoy Lockhart!"
"I knew I shouldn't have told you guys anything..." - you murmured
"Oh, come on" - Mary teased "That boy must really like you if he slipped a love potion"
"He did the same to like other five girls, remember?"
When the three of them finally stopped laughing, Mary tapped your shoulder then pointed at the boys who freshly entered the courtyard - Tom Riddle wearing his black, long coat and two of his other friends.
"Perfect." - Mary smiled "Tom for you and the two other boys for us"
"Huh?" - you brushed your hair back "But-- Why them?"
Mary shrugged "I'll take what I can get"
"Please." - Molly rolled her eyes from the far side of the bench "I already have Arthur."
"Isn't the dorky ginger obsessed with muggles?" - Mary teased
"He's not dorky..." - Molly frowned "And he has a hobby. No big deal there"
Whilst they were talking, from your seat you couldn't peel your eyes off from Riddle for some reason. You didn't realize that you found yourself admiring him - the long, black coat that fit his confident posture so well, the black gloves protecting his hands - his dark hair that slightly curled, the fringe just barely hovering over his dark eyelashes that laid above his green, alluring eyes. His handsome looks that most of the girls were radiating towards too.
And then you quickly snapped out of it. Thankfully, he wasn't looking your way, nobody was to see you gaze at him.
You felt your body stiffen at the thought of asking him to the dance. There was a strike of fear grasping onto your throbbing heart simply at the idea of him saying no. And there was no way he liked you, or else, surely, he would have asked you himself as some time had passed since the announcement.
"You alright, <___>?" - you saw Lily look suddenly concerned
"Yes, I was just thinking about Mary's words." - you told her, glancing over at the three boys again "I don't really think I should go for it"
"Would you like us to come with you?" - Mary asked
"No, that's not the problem" - you replied, thinking about it for a few seconds. You sighed, suddenly getting up from your seat. "Fine. What the heck"
"We'll support you morally" - Molly wanted to comfort you but the way she said it appeared as if she was joking.
As they spotted you approach them they stopped talking and all three of them glared at you with their blank, cold, usual, purely sly expressions.
One of the boys you didn't know questioned your approach "Yes?"
You could barely even look into Marvolo's eyes for some reason. So you kept looking at the pair of his 'friends'.
"Well..." - you felt your heart tense up even more "Me and my friends over there" - you slid slightly to the side and pointed at the now further bench where your three friends were sitting. Lily and Molly both hid their faces with their Gryffindor scarves whilst Mary enthusiastically waved with a wide grin - and then you looked back at the boys "Were just wondering if you'd want to accompany us to the dance?"
You felt as if something inside of you burst like a hot flush. You couldn't believe you just asked them that.
"Sure." - one of the boys answered. You recognized his face from the slug club, but you hadn't really ever spoken to him. Then you looked at the other boy from the club and he added "I don't mind."
You had fixed up dates for Mary and Molly - and even when Molly might be able to choose between the boy and Arthur now, Molly is one of the sweetest people and you felt terrible you put her in a complicated position.
Then you glanced at Tom who hasn't even said a word.
"And you?"
"No, thank you." - he answered bluntly
Crushing but expected "How come?"
"I do not dance."
"As in you don't know how to?"
"No." - he blurted "Just don't wish to."
"You could just come and hang out with us"
"No, thanks."
Of course he didn't like to hang out, he didn't even value friendships at that point. Or has he? He did drink the potion, didn't he?
"So I guess you're just refusing to attend then"
"Correct." - Tom bluntly said with his face still blank "And frankly, I have grown tired of these invitations." - he didn't even look at the pair of his 'friends', he simply walked off and the two just followed.
Disappointed but not surprised, you headed straight back for the bench.
"How did it go?" - Mary tapped her hand on your seat before you sat down
"Well you and Molly don't have to worry about having company."
Mary clapped her hands in delight. But Molly looked shocked "Wait. What? Him? Why?"
Lily placed her comforting hand on your shoulder "I assume that boy said nothing good?"
You looked into her eyes and could notice how fast her face softened after she noticed the sad glint, even if you were hiding it "He said no of course."
"Oh.." - Lily gently squeezed you in a warm side hug. "It's okay though, don't get too upset, I know just the man for you and he'll be thrilled to have you"
"It's not Sirius, is it?"
Lily didn't say anything. She just smiled and nodded.
After what happened between you and Sirius, you weren't even sure if he was an option. Besides, if he would take you, the pair of you would just get on Tom's nerves as no other person in Hogwarts makes Riddle's blood boil as much as Sirius Black.
When you came across Sirius in one of the halls, to your surprise, Sirius was the one to halt you.
"I was wondering" - he said, rubbing the back of his head "If you'd like to come with me"
"Oh. That's what I was going to--" - you suddenly sighed, thinking it would be wrong to take advantage of him liking you. "If I do, can we promise it to be just a friends thing? I don't want to give you the wrong--"
"Of course." - Sirius replied, lowkey hiding the hurt "It doesn't have to mean anything"
"Then I'd be delighted to go with you" - you smiled at him, watching him smile back.