A/N: I've got a bit of a writer's block, and that's why this chapter is so short. I decided to update the story anyway because I hate to leave readers hanging on a cliff-hanger. I'm very sorry and thank you for your reviews. They help a lot.

Edit: Reading the reviews made me realize that I'm not making it as clear as I thought I did. Tom might seem disinterested in Harry, but it's just a facade. He is interested, and he doesn't like it. He doesn't feel in control when he is with Harry, and he doesn't like not being a control: he sees it as weak. He's just better at hiding his emotions than Harry.

And when I say I have a writer's block, I don't mean that I don't know where I'm going with this story-I do. Actually, I have the entire story outlined and planned out. Finding the motivation to write is my biggest challenge.

Thank you so much for your reviews and suggestions! They do help a lot. :)

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Chapter 10

Bridges Burned

The silence was deafening.

Harry opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

He could only look blankly at Ginny's shocked face, but his hand was already moving for his wand.

Riddle grabbed his wrist. "Tsk, tsk, Harry. You weren't going to Obliviate her, were you? How naughty of you."

Harry glared at him.

"You…and him…" Ginny said faintly.

Harry turned back to her. "Look, Gin, I know how it looks, but it's not what—"

"It is exactly what it looks like, Ginevra," Riddle cut him off smoothly. "Don't insult her intelligence, pet. She saw everything. And in any case, you could not keep lying to her forever. She would have had to find out about us sooner or later."

"Us?" Ginny repeated blankly.

"There is no 'us,'" Harry bit out with a murderous look at Tom. "Look, Ginny, this was—"

"A mistake, of course," Ginny said, glaring at Riddle. "Don't worry, Harry; of course I don't believe a word he says. I'm sure he saw me and somehow tricked you."

Riddle raised an eyebrow. "Tricked him? I'm quite flattered you think so highly of me, Ginevra. But I assure you he was more than willing."

Crossing her arms over her chest, she huffed. "I'm not an idiot. I'd never believe your word over Harry's, so no matter what you say, you'd never fool me. That's absolutely ridiculous! Harry hates you and despises you. And he loves me."

Riddle smiled at her. It wasn't a nice smile. "Ginevra, Ginevra… Your delusions are almost amusing. I can easily prove my words."

"Enough," Harry said. "Let's go, Ginny."

"No," she said, glaring at Riddle. "I want to see him making a fool of himself. Let's hear your 'proof,' Tom."

"Very well." Riddle said, eyes gleaming. "He has a birthmark on his inner thigh. Left thigh."

Harry went still, as did Ginny.

Riddle smiled at Ginny. "But you wouldn't know, would you?"

"Harry?" she said tightly.

"I don't have a birthmark there."

"Well, let's prove it to him, then," Ginny said. "Pull your trousers down."

Harry let out a laugh. "What? No way!"

She pursed her lips, a shadow of doubt crossing her face. "Why not?"

"Indeed, why not, pet?"

Harry glared at Tom's amused face. "Because it's bloody ridiculous, Ginny. You just said you wouldn't believe his word over mine, and now you are doing exactly that."

She narrowed her eyes. "Pull your trousers down, Harry."

He set his jaw. "No."

"Actually, yes, do not do that, Harry," Riddle said, placing his hand on the buckle of Harry's belt in a rather possessive manner. "I am not very good at sharing my belongings."

His fingers played with the buckle.

Slowly, Harry turned his head to him.

Their gazes met and held.

"And you don't want to upset me, do you?" Tom said softly, his hand creeping up Harry's tie. Then, suddenly, he jerked Harry closer and kissed him.

Harry honestly tried to push him away. He wanted to push him away, but it was like he had no control over his body. The moment their lips touched, the same ugly, needy want reared its head, clouding every single thought and leaving only the need to have, possess, and take—

Riddle tore his lips away. "It's not very nice to hex people while they are otherwise occupied, Ginevra."

Harry blinked and looked at Ginny dazedly.

She had her wand out, her face red and eyes wet. She was practically shaking. "You—you—I can't believe you!" She broke into tears and ran away.

"Ginny! Wait—"

Riddle grabbed his arm, stopping him. "You know it is pointless."

Harry gave him a hateful look. "Why? Why did you do that? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Riddle sneered. "Yes. I just ruined your pathetic white picket fence dream."

"God, you're such a bastard. You bloody broke her heart just for your amusement."

Tom raised an eyebrow. "And you are a saint, I presume?"

Harry flushed, his jaw tightening. "No, I'm no saint. But I'm not cruel, and that was cruel, Tom."

Cocking his head, Riddle studied him. "And you are surprised? I'm the villain, remember?" A tiny, disdainful smirk appeared on his lips. "Or did you fool yourself into thinking that I was a 'nice' person?"

Harry chuckled bitterly. "You? Nice? Never."

"Good." Riddle stepped away. "Well, that was entertaining, but I have no desire to waste more time on you than I already did."

He turned to leave, but Harry grabbed him and pushed him against the bookshelves. "Bullshit."

"Pardon?" Riddle said coldly.

"You're full of bullshit, Tom. You claim to be 'bored' of me, but you keep provoking me all the time. It's like you're bloody asking for it."

Riddle gave him an unimpressed look. "For what?"

"For this," Harry hissed and kissed him.

It wasn't a gentle kiss at all, but a clash of lips and teeth and fighting for dominance. It was hard, brutal, and angry—the kiss that wanted to hurt and punish—but it was also greedy and hungry. He felt feverish, disgusted by how needy he was, but unable to get enough of these lips and the heat of Tom's mouth, wanting more, more and more.

He was shoved away.

Riddle's face was flushed, lips swollen and red, but his eyes were hard and cold. "I wasn't 'asking' for anything. You give yourself far too much credit and I do not like it, pet." The word was said with such venom that Harry nearly flinched. "The truth is, I do not care for your attitude, Harry." He sneered. "Don't fool yourself into thinking that you mean something to me. You do not. Know your place. You will have to come begging for my company." And he strode away.

Harry leaned against the bookshelf and closed his eyes.

A poison. He was a fucking poison. The poison he couldn't get enough of.

"Harry?"

He opened his eyes and turned around. Luna stood before him, hugging a book to her chest.

"Hi, Luna."

"Is something wrong?"

Harry laughed. Something? Everything.

"Did I say something funny?"

Harry shook his head, his lips twisting.

He looked at her. "What do you see? When you look at me?"

She eyed him. Her silvery grey eyes seemed to look right into his soul. He was almost afraid of her answer.

"I see Harry," she said simply. "But he seems lost."

~tbc