Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or settings from the Harry Potter world. I thank J. K. Rowling for her wonderful books, for without them, this piece of fan-fiction would not exist.
The Prompt
May 1: Your character believes in magic! Or maybe they don't and have a pretty good reason why. Show us what your character believes or doesn't believe. (400 Words)
Magic
by TeaGal
For as long as Tom Riddle could remember he could move objects with his mind. He quickly realized that the other children in the orphanage does not share his gift of magic. They were fascinated by his abilities.
"Tom," a girl whispered eagerly. "Could you fetch my doll for me? You know… with your mind?"
"Again, Ellie?" he crossed his arms.
"Please?" Ellie said, bright-eyed. "It's fun to watch her float."
He frowned. He really hated when the other children treated his abilities as though they were parlor tricks.
"Go get her yourself."
He prepared to walk away when he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Please?" she whined.
"Fine," he grumbled, "If you would just stop bothering me."
"Deal!" she giggled.
He focused his mind on the doll, and it levitated gently, hovering in the air like a feather, as though it was weightless, and finally settled into Ellie's outstretched arms.
Ellie wore the brightest smile on her face. "You're so magical!"
Putting on a fake smile he nodded. He turned to leave when he heard someone call out to him.
"You're so magical," a boy mocked
"Sod it, Billy." Tom said, his eyes narrowed.
"Ooo… I'm so scared," he taunted. "What are you going to do? Bring us another doll? What a show-off."
"Stop it!" Ellie cried. "I asked him to do it, he was being kind."
"It's just some stupid magic trick. I'll bet he can't pull a rabbit out of an empty hat," Billy spat. He walked towards the side of his bed and released his pet rabbit from the cage.
"Let's see what you can do," he goaded.
"You're right," Tom said, "I can't pull a rabbit out of an empty hat."
"I figured."
"But… I can do this."
The rabbit was snatched suddenly from Billy's arms with an invisible force, shot up towards the ceiling and dangled. The rabbit was screeching and struggling in fear.
"Let him go."
"If you say so."
He dropped the rabbit. A sickening crack was heard as its neck snapped. The rabbit was on the ground, unmoving, and lifeless.
Ellie started to scream and cry. Billy took a step back and look into Tom's eyes in fear.
Ah yes, Tom thought to himself. He found their reactions to his deed, exhilarating. What he had was not magic, but a gift from the Devil. Yes, this will do nicely.