Tom Riddle X Reader - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

When all the attacks stopped, the ministry of magic retreated from the grounds of Hogwarts. A few days after, muggle born students one by one have healed from the stonified state. Framed, Hagrid was expelled from the school of magic. Luckily, he was too young to be sent to Azkaban. Since the attacks have stopped and Riddle was questioned by Albus Dumbledore, it seemed like everyone but the great wise wizard were convinced about the situation. Albus suspected Tom and began to keep an eye on the 'perfect' student.
A chamber filled with the pupils of Hufflepuff and Gryffindor was full of commotion as the two houses were forced to work together against Slytherin and Ravenclaw in a friendly game that required strong, vivid imaginations. The students had to listen to a scenario given by the teacher and cast out a spell based on the situation. If the spell was correct, the student would proceed to another round, if it was wrong, the student was eliminated from the game. The winning house received 100 points.
Ravenclaw beat Gryffindor in the game of minds. You can't outsmart the smart. And Slytherin beat Hufflepuff, leaving the two houses one against another. Before there could be a final winner, one of Slytherin students were caught cheating, causing the whole house to get punished and eliminated from the game, leaving the Slytherins dissappointed and Ravenclaws as the winners. Xenophilius Lovegood in particular, was praised for his wit.
"What a useless, silly game" - you muttered to yourself
Hours later, you decided to spend time alone at the river. You sat down on the grass, next to the water, and snacked on nuts when suddenly, a friendly, brave squirrel sprinted towards your arms and from a bit of a distance sniffed on the little nut in your hands. Staying as still as possible, you watched the tiny animal's stealthy approach.
But before it could get the nut, the little animal got startled at the sound of footsteps coming from behind you and sprinted away, dissappearing into the nearby leaves of the tree.
You turned around to see a grinning Tom, looking as proud as ever, talking to a snake placed around his shoulders. You recognised the pet, it was the snake you bought ages ago.
"How did you get it?" - you asked
"They find me." - he kept grinning, glancing at you "I couldn't help but notice you're in a desperate need of another presence."
"I thought you were a solo rider, Tom, why does it matter? Besides, I had the company of the squirrel you just scared away"
"Not if I desire to be the greatest leading sorcerer. You see, I cannot be alone." - he looked at the snake on his shoulders, lifting its head up to his face "I quite like your pick. Not deadly enough though."
"Edgy." - you glanced away from him.
He noticed you were not in the mood. He lowered the snake, letting it Slither around his body before sitting down next to you. "You look off. I can see something's bothering you."
"I feel like I've dissappointed everyone. That is all."
"I'd ask why but I'm afraid I do not care."
"Yeah, Tom, I did not expect more from you."
"Such insulting words" - he rolled his eyes sarcastically "Least I know you think so little of me"
"You said it, not me."
"Did you know" - he suddenly changed the topic "That your mudblood friend has been healed? It's hard to avoid her ginger, ragged hair."
"What? That's wonderful news!" - a spark grew in your eyes, a developing joy "That's one problem out of the way then..."
"Not for me." - he scoffed
"Yes but I do not care" - you smiled ironically "You scared away poor Sirius. He does not speak to me anymore."
"I cannot say I'm surprised. He embarrased himself on that disastrous muggle holiday"
"You embarrased him, Tom."
"It was very amusing." - he flashed a mischievous grin "Just like it was to see that mudblood girl's soul leave her body. Little pest." - there was an uncanny, sadistic glimmer in his glare
"You're speaking about Myrtle?"
"I did not know nor care about her name. But that's what everyone seemed to call her so yes."
By now, you expected such talk from him, but his murderous instincts still terrified you. "You shouldn't speak of the dead like that"
"You do not understand" - he placed down the snake on his lap then pulled your head closer to his and gazed straight into your eyes "I felt relieved. Satisfied. As if my enormous angst for blood had been fullfilled"
You were confused. He drank the potion and so many months in, you still couldn't tell whether he drank the right one. "It's not a good thing" - he was so close, his breath sent chills to your body. His captivating eyes gazed right into yours, paralyzing your flesh in delight. What an attractive, british, young man. His attention was like a drug - addictive but dangerous.
"I do not care" - he silently whispered "I only care about..." - slowly, he was about to lean in, but as he did, you both suddenly pulled back from each other, as if snapping back to your senses.
You stood up, looking down at Riddle, who brushed his fingers through his dark fringe as if he was in thought
"Let's leave this for tonight" - you said, looking away from his glance
Mimicking your movement, he stood up as well, he wanted to say something but he stopped and no words came out.
"Yes, of course" - he finally replied
"You're treating me oddly, you know" - your eyes glinted "Sometimes you're rude and sometimes you're as confusing as you were just now."
"I don't know how to treat you any different. But is finding myself having a difficult time staying away from you not enough?" - he asked in a cold tone
"What do you mean?"
He had a rough time answering that question, it was as if he forced himself to say it out loud "I am intrigued. Interested in what you do. Who you speak to. I seem to... envy that fool Sirius for reasons I cannot understand. I assure you, it's the first time I've been this way" - he gulped "And feeling this vulnerable, I cannot help but feel afraid."
"Oh, To---" - before you could reply, Riddle interrupted your voice
"Do not pity me. I do not desire a change of your behavior towards me either. I do not wish for you to see me as that weak."
"I will not. You are one of the most powerful wizards I know."
He looked flattered, a small smile shining on his face.
You went to hug him, throwing your arms around his shoulders and feeling his heart race. His arms were draped around your waist as he closed his eyes in momentarily peace.
He broke off the hug, grabbed your arms and glared into your eyes "I've acknowledged why I could not cast a patronus. I did not own any elated memories. Nothing strong enough for the spell." - he let go of your arms and pulled out his wand, stepping away from you, he gave you one last glance "I found this as astonishing as you shall" - he stretched out his wand and with a whispering, silent voice, the words escaped his enchanting mouth "Expecto Patronum" - a mist escaped from his wand, brightening the area as it developed into a Buzzard, flying across the room with a trail of wind following it.
Your jaw almost dropped at the sight. You were in a lack of words. He now had at least one good memory and was actually able to cast a patronus, something he could have never done in the future.
"What's the memory?" - still shocked, you asked him
When the patronus dissolved, he lowered his wand, standing still. With slight anguish in his eyes, he beheld the first sign of vulnerability "You."
But the flattering, mesmerizing moment was interrupted by a heavily beat down Xenophilius Lovegood crying out for help, as he, covered in blood, stumbled upon you and Tom, tripping down to his knees, pleading for assistance.