Tom Riddle X Reader - Chapter 54: Chapter 54

"What?" - your face darkened, horror and surprise gleaning from your eyes
"I believe that pile of fluff of yours has been a real burden. Especially to that staggering snake."
"You want me to kill my rabbit?"
"You must learn how to obey commands. Even if it's the most difficult task, to go against your heart."
"And what will that accomplish?"
"Obedience. If I say butcher" - he lifted your chin up with his index finger "Then you shall butcher." - Tom smirked into your eyes, he loved being in control "Do this and you shall earn my respect once more. Can you complete this to pledge your loyalty to me?" - he glanced at your puzzled face, guessing he upset you "It is simply an animal. You're going to let it have supremacy?"
"I..." - you struggled to answer "I can't."
"Expected from a witch like you. Still. Dissappointing." - He sneered "Obviously you'd be useless to me." - as always after being rude, he began to walk away.
But instead of letting him leave you like that, you snatched the fabric of his cloak and pulled it closer to you, dragging Tom alongside with it.
"Call me all you want, Riddle. But I am NOT useless." - you frowned
However, Tom looked amused as he tapped the top of your head with his hand. "Little, miss gryffindor. What shall she do to me? Must I fear her now?" - mockingly, he smirked.
You slapped his hand away from your head and tugged on his slytherin tie, drawing him closer to your face. You were gazing eye to eye as you could sense each other's warm breaths. "You should be afraid, Tom. So you're the heir of Slytherin, so what? My bloodline is a lot more powerful." - you grinned at his bewildered expression "I am the heir of Gryffindor, Tom. And if you desire, we shall match the power." - you released his tie, making him tumble backwards.
Oh shit. Looking at Toms disgusted face you realised what you've just done. You just broke a promise to Dumbledore - that you'll keep your idenity a secret. Aware of that, you covered your mouth with your hands, as if you just told a bad tale.
"Of course you are." - Tom scowled, looking you up and down as he frowned his nose "You... revolting, soiled twa-... you are an enemy."
Your heart shattered but it was too late now "You actually mean that? After how kind i've been to you?" - you asked
"Kind?" - he laughed sarcastically "You fawned for your benefit. You never meaningully required me. Just like everybody else." - he clenched his fists as he looked down to the floor "No..." - still frowning, he glanced back into your eyes "Worse than everybody else. Even that mudblood."
"You called me?" - from the side, observing your conversation, Lily interrupted your talk as she approached the two of you. The redhead held onto your arm as she glanced at Tom "What's your business with my mistress, Riddle?"
"Hm." - Tom scoffed at Lily "None that I desire." - he placed his hands behind his back as he shot deadly gazes at Lily. It was clear that he was slowly filling up with hatred. "What a fine evening to graduate. I'm sure you're very eager to run back to your muggle parents. I'd recommend you keep an eye on them."
"What's that supposed to mean?" - Stunned by the words, Lily glared at satisfied with himself looking Tom.
But instead of replying, he shifted his gaze to you "Farewell, . For I am sure our paths will cross again." - he left, disappearing out in the halls, leaving you and Lily alone
It bothered you. This was it. You might have saved one life but you failed to save the rest. This just shows, that even after drinking a potion that made him vulnerable to love, Tom shall never change his cold blooded instincts. For now, his feelings towards you were complicated. He has been enslaved by his own storm of contradicting emotions as he knew that the only person who would make him weak is you. But this does not mean you will give up. As after Hogwarts, there is a lot more yet to do.
Slow down or prevent Tom's full transition into Lord Voldemort. And only then, can you begin to save lives that will impact the whole future.
It was the time to leave Hogwarts.
Led by first years singing in a choir, students piled up neatly to leave the school of magic. On the way out, they were greeted by other years who have been throwing confetti and casting fireworks out of their wands.
Even though the night seemed cheery, it was eerie to you.
It was dark and chilly outside. Right next to the lake, as you sat into a boat that once carried the first years, you took a moment to glance at the lights of Hogwarts as you, your friends and your classmates waved and smiled to the teachers waving from the shore. The most difficult part will be to lose connections as even the strongest bonds can fade over distance.
It was the end of your journey at Hogwarts.
But as a wise man once said, when one door closes - another one opens.
For you knew - this was not the end of your story.
-----------------------------------------------------
After graduating Hogwarts, Riddle returned immediately, inquiring about a position to teach defense against the dark arts.
"You are too young, Mr. Riddle" - Dippet said "Too fulfilling. You have a bright future ahead. I do not wish for you to waste them within these walls"
"Please, sir. It'd be an honor" - his tongue rolled with lies
"Why such desire, Mr. Riddle? why so eager to join?"
"Hogwarts is my true home, I'd wish to remain. Guide the rest into my success" - he lied. Of course, he wished to guide the students into success - the success of his army. He'd charm or petrify them into slavery. As well, Riddle hadn't finished exploring all the secrets of the castle - something he wished to proceed.
"I'm sorry" - Dippet replied "You are in short of a few years to become a professor. Might you return in a couple years with more wisdom, then it might be accepted. If then, of course, you will remain interested."
Riddle kept his head straight - he knew he didn't have much choice. Tom accepted the offer and left Dippet's office, directing his course for Helena Ravenclaw.
In the Ravenclaw tower, Riddle stopped once his eyes met with the Grey lady's ghost, hiding behind the pillars, she was shy to anyone who wasn't a student of Ravenclaw.
"Your name Is Helena" - Riddle called out softly "I'm Tom Riddle"
Helena was reluctant to reply "How do you know my name?"
Riddle observed her beautiful features, her long hair and her floor-length cloak. He sensed the ghost was avoiding him "Please" - he spoke "Do not fear me"
"You didn't answer my question"
"Your beauty reflects in the history of your mother's - No doubt you are Rowena's daughter" - Riddle was flattering the ghost, using his charm and wit as a weapon
"What do you want?" - as if gathering a little courage, she revealed herself from behind the pillar, presenting Riddle a sign that he's getting what he wants.
"I've heard stories about the diadem. I'd wish to know more"
"There isn't much to say" - she replied "Only death follows it"
"That's why" - Riddle paused "I wish to destroy it. Such valuable object falling in the wrong hands - the same fate may follow. We do not want that, do we, Helena?"
Hesitant, the grey lady fell silent for a bit, as if puzzling whether she was doing the right thing. Shortly, she answered "I stole it. Ran away. My mother, they say, concealed her loss as well as my betrayal. Then she fell fatally ill. She desperately wished to see me so she sent out a man who long loved me. I have not seen her since"
"What happened to it?" - Tom, concealing his own desire of finding the relic, tried to be as discreet as he could "The diadem"
"I knew he was coming..." - it seemed hard for her to proceed as she tried to recall painful memories
"I cannot imagine" - Riddle, attempting to sympathize with the ghost, lowered his eyes "I've lost my family too, you see. I have not seen my mother longer than I was born"
"I've no doubt she was a deserving woman"
Tom fabricated a charming smile "I too. But please, proceed, I'd very much like to help. If you let me of course"
"When he found me, Baron confessed his affection. When I refused... he.... he killed me. After regret and guilt suffocated him, he killed himself. Before it all happened, once I learnt he was close, I've hid the diadem inside a hollow tree deep within a far-flung forrest In Albania"
Bingo. Riddle successfully charmed the grey lady "Thank you" - he lowered his head in respect, leaving the tower of Ravenclaw. As he stepped down the stairs he deviously smirked to himself. He knew what he had to do next.
When he was away from Hogwarts, he traveled straight to Albania, Murdered a peasant and created his first ever Horcrux. His first ever, only drained slight colour from his face, making him more pale than usual.
Among his travels he learnt and discovered a lot. He was offered many great positions but to a lot of people's surprise - he decided to work at Borgin and Burkes for his own, devious reasons.
During his work, Riddle befriended Hepzibah Smith - a wealthy elderly woman, a descendant of Helga Hufflepuff. Once She presented one of her most valuable trophies - Salazar's locket and her ancestor's cup.
Riddle's eyes suddenly flashed red with green envy, Tom himself viewed these as very valuable himself. He thought that the locket rightfully belonged to him.
Tom poisoned the woman, stealing both of the artifacts and vanishing without a trace - framing a house elf - Hokey - who admitted to accidentally poisoning Hepzibah due to the false memories Riddle planted.
Next thing, Riddle turned the locket into a Horcrux and his eyes began to permanently tint red, mixing with his original colour.
After resigning from Borgin and Burkes, Riddle began to form an army. Starting with the most vulnerable and misunderstood creatures who would join him seeking a leader, shelter or a better life. A salvation. Tom offered all the things they desired. Among that, he managed to gather his old club members and through relatives of theirs - he began to form a firm and strong army whom called themselves
Death eaters.
From quick time to time, Tom would visit someone he once knew.
He'd watch her from afar, making sure she wouldn't catch glimpses of him.
He saw everything, how she was moving on, how she was living and where she was working. His inner curiosity and some sort of attachment grew his longing, forcing him to check up on her.
But he had to remain silent.
Until he thought he could no longer.
And she never knew that there was a silent, evil sorcerer lurking over her.