"I hope there's something good for breakfast" Elle said the following Monday morning as the girls made their way to breakfast.
"I'm famished!" Ana exclaimed, "all the studying yesterday has done me in."
"I'm so tired of these Charms quizzes" Aubrey sighed, recalling how the whole of yesterday was spent in preparation for the upcoming Charms quiz this week. Studying had become even more difficult since her Saturday night with Tom, and she couldn't seem to concentrate without the handsome Slytherin from popping into her head.
"Do you think Tom will be there this morning?" Aubrey asked, suddenly feeling pathetic as she scanned the hall for Tom. She'd hardly gone a full day and was already anxious to see him.
"Since when is Tom ever at breakfast?" Elle said, "but you have class with him today, don't you?"
"Yeah" Aubrey sighed.
"Watch it!" Ana snapped as two fourth year Hufflepuff girls bumped into her outside the doors of the great hall, interrupting the conversation.
"Sorry!" the one cried, cowering under Ana's gaze. They sidestepped the Slytherins and as they passed, Aubrey heard the one girl whisper to her friend.
"That's the one that went with Tom Riddle! She even went back to his after."
"Oh God" Aubrey moaned.
"Ha, even the little Hufflepuffs know about you and Tom!" Ana laughed.
"Yeah, great" Aubrey cringed, following her friends into the hall.
As they walked between the long tables, Aubrey could feel the stares and whispers all around her. It was like her first day all over again. As she passed there was hushed chatter amongst the different groups.
"That's her, the exchange student!"
"I can't believe he went with her!"
"Well, she did look better the other night."
"I guess good news travels fast" Elle smiled sympathetically, sitting down next to Aubrey as they reached the table.
"Did I really look that much better the other night?" Aubrey asked, feeling self conscious as the whole school seemed to question Tom's judgement over attending with her.
"Definitely" Ana managed in between bites of her toast.
"Ana!" Elle scowled.
"Is it really that hard to believe that Tom would want to go with me?" Aubrey spat, annoyed, "Am I really that hideous that it's some miracle he would even look at me?"
"That's not what I meant, Bree" Ana sighed, "I just meant that-"
"Because if I am that hideous" Aubrey continued, "maybe we should do something about that."
"Bree-" Ana protested.
"Morning!" Celinda interrupted, seating herself beside Anastasia on the long bench, "so, did we all enjoy the ball the other night?"
"Oh, it was just peachy" Aubrey said cynically.
"Geez, what's got your knickers in a bunch?" Celinda asked, "going by the rumours around the castle, I'd say you should be pretty happy Aubrey."
"Oh Merlin" Aubrey sighed, gathering her books from the table and raising.
"Did you actually do it with him, then?" Celinda pressed, her eager face anxiously awaiting Aubrey's response.
"I'm going to class, now" Aubrey said sternly, "I'll see you later."
Later that afternoon, Aubrey was alone in the dorm room, sitting in front of the mirror and analyzing the pile of Ana's makeup that lay before her.
What colour did Ana use? Was it this one?
She had never really been one for big hair and heavy makeup, especially when compared to Elle and Anastasia, but then again, she had never been chasing after a boy so handsome as Tom Riddle. Tom, had made her feel beautiful, but it was the rest of the school that made Aubrey feel like an ugly duckling. She had reasoned that if she altered her appearance, perhaps the school's perception of her would change - maybe she would be seen as worthy of Tom Riddle's hand. Her makeup application wasn't as flawless as Ana's had been, but it was a start. Pulling back her hair and fussing with the buttons on her shirt, Aubrey jumped when the door to the bedroom opened.
"Oh, hello Aubrey" Gabby said politely.
"Gabby!" Aubrey laughed, "you startled me!"
"Oh right, sorry" Gabby mumbled, making her way towards her bed. "Your makeup looks quite nice."
"Really?" Aubrey asked, "I'm not very good at it yet."
"I hope you're not trying to change yourself for Tom" Gabby pressed.
"Of course not" Aubrey lied, feeling defensive. This wasn't for Tom...it was for her, so she could feel confident...wasn't it?
"Good, you shouldn't listen to what others say anyway."
"Easier said than done, Gabby" Aubrey replied.
"Oh I know" Gabby continued, "the girls slag me off cause I'm dating a muggleborn."
"Right" Aubrey said sympathetically.
"Are you and Tom seeing each other then?" Gabby asked.
"I don't know, really" Aubrey answered honestly.
"I guess you'll have to figure it out then" Gabby replied.
Aubrey nodded and there was a long, awkward silence between them.
"I should get going to class" Aubrey said, standing and collecting her Transfiguration books.
"Class doesn't start for another 20 minutes" Gabby said, looking at her watch.
"I walk really slow" Aubrey smiled, anxious to escape the awkwardness with Gabrielle, "see you later, Gabby."
Aubrey slowly made her way up from the dungeons towards Dumbledore's class, running into Elle and Ana near the great hall.
"Are you two skipping class?" Aubrey asked.
"No, we were let out early" Elle smiled, "you look a bit different, Bree-"
"Aubrey, are you wearing makeup?" Ana interrupted, "and have you done your hair?"
"I have" Aubrey replied, "why, does it look awful?"
"No, it looks great!" Ana beamed, tucking a lose tendril of hair behind Aubrey's ear.
"Are you just saying that because of what happened this morning?" Aubrey protested.
"No, you look really good, Bree" Elle replied.
"I'm not as good as you two yet" Aubrey retorted.
"Just practice" Ana smiled.
"Ooh, quarter to" Elle said, glancing at her watch, "I got to run, I'm meeting Brishen this afternoon."
"Have fun" Aubrey replied, "I should get to class, too."
"I'll see you both later then" Ana said, continuing her way down to the dungeons as Aubrey continued on towards Dumbledore's class. She was the first student to arrive and leaned up against the stone wall, listening as Dumbledore explained a spell to his group of fourth years inside. Not paying attention, Aubrey didn't hear Tom Riddle's footsteps approach her.
"Miss Knight" he said politely, standing in front of her.
"Tom! Hi!" Aubrey smiled, standing straighter and straightening out her skirt.
"How are you?" Tom asked.
"Good..I'm good thanks" Aubrey smiled, "you?"
"Well, thank you" Tom replied, "you look different."
"You're not the first one to say that" Aubrey replied.
"I like it" Tom said seriously.
"You do?" Aubrey asked, relief flooding over her.
"Yes" Tom replied, "but to be honest, I liked you before too."
Aubrey smiled as her heart fluttered in her chest. Tom Riddle had just complimented her again. It was a woderful feeling that was quickly interrupted by the storm of forth years that charged out through Dumbledore's classroom.
"After you" Tom said curtly, motioning for Aubrey to enter the classroom the previous students had just cleared. Transfiguration was the same as it had always been; Aubrey and Tom sat together in complete silence, each taking turns practicing their spells and not saying a word to each other. Despite the total focus on the lesson, Aubrey couldn't prevent the memories of Saturday night from flooding her mind, and she couldn't help the intense feeling of attraction for the Head Boy that sat beside her. She had waited for a whole day to see Tom Riddle and it was killing her that she couldn't touch or kiss him. She had hoped that maybe Tom would be more friendly towards her in the lesson, joking with her, or flashing her his perfect smile...maybe even gently touching her on the arm. Instead, he sat perfectly still, his eyes only on Dumbledore. When the class was dismissed, Tom rose from his seat quickly and exited the room without a word.
"That's a bit weird, isn't it?" Ana agreed that evening in the common room, when Aubrey retold the story of her first day seeing Tom Riddle since the dance.
"I don't know" Elle protested, "you two never speak in Transfiguration."
"We also had never had sex before" Aubrey countered.
"True" Elle nodded, "it seems odd that he spoke to you before class, but then ignored you after."
"I had hoped he'd want to make plans to meet up again" Aubrey admitted.
"He was probably just busy after class" Ana replied, flipping through the Daily Prophet.
"Yeah, probably" Aubrey said optimistically, hoping that Tom Riddle wasn't through with her. "So Elle, how was your date with Brishen?"
Aubrey spent the rest of the week desperately, and unsuccessfully, trying to reconnect with Tom Riddle. As of Thursday afternoon, Tom hadn't been to any meals in the hall, nor had he been in the library studying in the evenings. The only time Aubrey saw Tom was during Transfiguration, where he continued to pull away, no longer greeting her as he entered the classroom.
"I'm such an idiot" Aubrey said Thursday evening at dinner, "he just used me and I completely fell for it."
"Don't give up yet, Bree" Elle said sympathetically, "maybe Riddle just isn't sure what to do...give him the benefit of the doubt."
"No, he knows perfectly well what he's doing" Aubrey sighed. She didn't want to admit to herself that she was just another of Tom Riddle's "one night flings."
How dumb of me to think otherwise! You knew what he was like!
Aubrey sighed again and rose up from the table, following Elle out of the great hall. She felt miserable. She desperately wanted Tom to speak to her, to smile at her, or to just look at her and his refusal to do so was torturous.
"I just don't understand him" Aubrey said as the girls descended into the dungeons, "all his effort, it just doesn't make any sense-"
"Wait Bree, look!" Elle whispered, "there comes Riddle now!" she finished, motioning to the tall boy walking towards them down the hallway.
"You should speak to him!" Elle said, nudging Aubrey to stand up straight.
Forcing a smile and quickly adjusting her skirt, Aubrey stepped likely next to Elle.
"Hi Tom!" she said brightly as they neared the Head Boy, but her greeting was unreturned as Tom walked silently passed the girls, refusing to acknowledge Aubrey.
"Did he just ignore you?" Elle asked once Tom was out of earshot, "Do you think he heard you?"
Aubrey nodded and felt as though a million pound weight had been dropped inside her stomach, and she suddenly found it difficult to breathe. She had just been, without a question, denied by Tom Riddle, the smartest, most handsome boy in all of Hogwarts. Aubrey's insides twisted into knots and she could feel the sting of tears start to form in her eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Aubrey" Elle said, grabbing her friends hands.
"I really thought he liked me, Elle" Aubrey said, "deep down, I did. Everything he did, the things he said...the way he treated me that night."
Elle nodded sympathetically.
"He put in all that effort to spend time with me for nothing. And I fell for it like a fool."
"You're not a fool, Bree" Elle protested.
"The whole school is right" Aubrey continued, fighting the tears from falling down her cheeks, "he would never want to go out with me."
"Bree, don't say that" Elle said soothingly.
"I gave myself to him, Elle" Aubrey replied, finally allowing the warm tears to slide down her face.
"Awe, honey" Elle said, pulling Aubrey into a hug. "You don't need him."
"I want him, though" Aubrey replied, sobbing into Elle's shoulder.
"I know" Elle replied, stepping back and wiping away Aubrey's tears, "come on, let's go back to the common room and forget about him" she finished, grabbing Aubrey's hand and leading her towards the Slytherin entrance.
Although forgetting about Tom Riddle was virtually impossible, Aubrey had managed to become quite angry with him over the next few days. With a million questions about Tom's motives on her mind, Aubrey threw herself into her studies and was grateful to have Ana and Elle around for a distraction.
"Did you see Tom in transfiguration today?" Ana asked Monday night, as the girls did homework on the common room floor.
"No" Aubrey replied, "the prick didn't come to class today."
"What a prat" Elle agreed, twirling her quill between her fingers.
Today would have been the first time Aubrey would see Tom since he ignored her in the hallway, and she had spent all weekend looking forward to shooting him angry stares throughout the lesson.
"Maybe you should go out with David, the Quidditch Captain" Celinda suggested, looking up from her work, "didn't he ask you to the ball, Aubrey?"
"Oh no," Ana said, shaking her head, "Aubrey can't go out with him, he's a mudblood."
"Muggle born" Gabby chimed in from the couch near the fire.
"I'm not really interested in anyone, right now" Aubrey sighed.
"Suit yourself" Celinda replied, "but remember what they say, 'the best way to get over someone is to find someone new.'"
"Trouble is, there's no one quite like Tom, is there?" Aubrey sighed, trying to convince herself that there were men just as good as Tom out there...somewhere.
"I need to grab a book from the library" Elle said, sitting up. "Anyone want to go on a walk?"
"I'll go with you" Aubrey replied, "I need to send an owl to my dad, anyway."
The girls exited the common room and made the long walk up towards the grand staircase.
"I don't know how long I'll be" Elle said when the girls reached the library, "should I just meet you back in the common room?"
"Yeah, that's fine" Aubrey replied, continuing on her way up to the owlry, "I'll just be a minute anyway."
"See you in a bit" Elle waved.
Aubrey sent her letter to her father and slowly made her way back down to the dungeons. She was on the seventh floor when she saw a tall figure walk briskly towards her. As it neared closer, Aubrey instantly recognized his handsome features and strong, muscled body underneath his robes. Tom Riddle was walking right towards her.
"Ah, Miss Knight" Tom said rather brightly as he neared.
"Pft" Aubrey scoffed at him, charging right past.
"Excuse me?" Tom said sharply, outstretching his hand and capturing Aubrey by the elbow, spinning her around.
"Now you want me to speak to me Tom?" Aubrey spat, "now is a convenient time for you, is it?"
"I don't know what you are trying to imply-" Tom began.
"Screw you, Tom!" Aubrey shouted, staring Tom right in the eyes and inching closer towards him, "you know how I felt about you and after everything you put me through, all your stupid little games..was it just so you could bed me and then ignore me?"
"You are incredibly mistaken-" Tom tried again.
"Shame on me for falling for it" Aubrey continued, her bottled up feelings suddenly rising to the surface, "how naive of me to think you'd want me more than once, and that I wasn't like the others."
Tom stared at her, perfectly still and silent with a look of fury on his beautiful face.
"I suppose I really should thank you though" Aubrey continued, her words now flowing uncontrollably and without thought, "for being so kind to me the other night...you're very good Tom, so smooth" she said sarcastically. "You're so good that for a minute there I actually thought I wasn't disposable-"
"Are you about done?" Tom asked sternly.
"Why didn't you just fuck me like you wanted to, Tom?" Aubrey spat, "why'd you have to make it so bloody perfect, hmm? Or is that how you treat all of us-"
"Only you" Tom said sternly, stepping forward and grabbing Aubrey by the arms and pulling her into his chest, "and that's enough now, Miss Knight."
Aubrey stared up into his dark eyes, not saying a word. Her breathing turning into a pant, she cursed her body for responding to him the way it did; she was furious with him, but yet she couldn't deny the tingling between her thighs when he held her close like this.
"I'm only going to say this once, so you better listen" Tom said, his eyes boring into Aubrey's. "Ever since you stepped foot in this bloody castle, there's been something about you that has intrigued me" Tom started calmly, "it's ironic, and rather daft, for you to assume that because I've had you once I'd be through with you. In truth, I have been avoiding you in a, albeit somewhat desperate, attempt to get over you, to forget you."
"So you have then?" Aubrey tried to confirm.
"How I wish I could treat you, forget you, like the others, Aubrey" Tom said sternly, pulling her closer into him. "Do you know how inconvenient it is to desire something so badly? How difficult it is to concentrate without you, your touch or how good I feel inside you from crossing my mind? Do you know how annoying it is for a woman to have that much power over me?"
"I don't understand," Aubrey mumbled, trying to make sense of Tom's confession.
"I will have fine things in my life.. and you are the finest, Miss Knight. I've decided that I will have you, and only you will do. " Tom said seriously, his grip on her tightening, "and for that reason, you are most certainly not disposable."
"You want me?" Aubrey asked, now completely dumbfounded.
"Precisely" Tom said matter-of-factly, "I know that you have doubted my sincerity in this regard, and I trust that you won't do it again."
"No" Aubrey agreed, shaking her head and trying to stop her heart from leaping right out of her chest.
"Good" Tom said, but before Aubrey could reply his lips were pressed firmly against hers, his tongue breaking the seal of her lips and his strong arms wrapped around her, pulling her up and into him.
Aubrey's eyes closed and she felt Tom's hand slide up into her lose hair, holding her head in place as he deepened his kiss, their tongues caressing and dancing with one another. Folding her arms around his neck for support, Tom's other hand ravaged her body, sliding roughly from her back, to her bottom and up and down her front, gently sliding her fingers over the damp area in her skirt and groping her breasts through her blouse.
"Fuck" Tom groaned as he pulled Aubrey closer into him, and she could feel his growing erection press against her stomach.
"What are you going to do to me?" Aubrey breathed, desperate to feel Tom's touch against her bare skin.
"Tonight?" Tom asked.
"Or always?" Aubrey countered.
"Right now" Tom breathed in her ear, nipping at her lobe, "I'm going to have you like I did the other night. I want to fill you with my cock, you need to get used to having me inside you."
Aubrey's breaths turned into full pants as she listened to Tom's words.
"Other nights" Tom continued, sucking gently on her neck, "I'm going to fuck you, Aubrey" he said, now biting at her skin, "sometimes, I'm going to take you so hard, you'll be begging me to let you finish."
"Ooh" Aubrey moaned, collapsing into Tom's hold as her knees wavered. She couldn't believe how she melted into Tom's arms at just the mention of sex.
"But tonight" Tom said, standing Aubrey up and pulling her towards a door she hadn't noticed before, "I'm going to take you gently" he finished, opening the door and leading Aubrey inside a small closet. The room was dark and barely furnished except for a large, empty table and a few bookshelves lined with parchment.
Tom closed the door and, pushing Aubrey towards the table, quickly began stripping her of her clothing.
"Mmm, perfect" Tom moaned after he had removed Aubrey's bra, his hands cupping her breasts as his lips sucked on the tender skin of her neck.
"You are" Aubrey moaned, sliding her fingers into the collar of Tom's shirt and sliding it off his strong shoulders, exposing his muscular chest. Her fingers trailed down his rippled abdomen before quickly undoing his belt.
"Take these off " Tom said, motioning to Aubrey's skirt, "I need you now."
Aubrey did as he said, quickly removing the rest of her clothing while watching him make short work of his own.
"Lay down" Tom said, stepping forward guiding Aubrey down onto the hard, cold table. Kneeling over her, he kissed her and allowed his hand to slide up the side of her body, rolling her nipple between his fingers before reaching down and stroking between her legs.
"You're soaked, Miss Knight" Tom said, circling his fingers over her swollen, wet clit.
"For you" Aubrey moaned, and Tom released a low growl before positioning himself between her legs. Aubrey again leaned forward and watched as Tom grabbed the base of his cock and slowly entered her.
"Oh!" she cried out, the initial throb of pain she had felt last time returning.
"Stay with me" Tom said before licking his thumb and reaching down between their bodies, stroking Aubrey's clit. Aubrey quickly forgot about the pain, as Tom's thumb and his gentle thrusts began to build a wonderful pressure deep inside her.
"Mmm" Aubrey moaned, and Tom removed his finger and stroked the side of her face, kissing her. As their tongues mingled, his thrusts became deeper and faster. Aubrey could feel herself getting closer to climax, the wonderful pressure just about to reach the peak.
"Mmm, Tom" she moaned, breaking his kiss and moving her hips underneath him.
"Yeah, move like that" Tom growled, "move with me" as Aubrey's hips moved up to meet Tom's cock as he thrust deeper into her. She was on the edge of climax, just a little bit more, a little faster and she would reach her peak.
"Tom" she moaned, "harder."
Tom looked at her and thrust into her harder, causing her breasts to shake underneath him. It was just the pressure she needed, but instead of continuing his new pace, Tom stopped. He lay on top of her, completely inside her and just rolled his hips in small circles.
"Tom" Aubrey cried, craving her release, his motions keeping her unpleasantly on the edge.
"I will not share you, Aubrey" Tom said sternly, pushing himself up so his face was over Aubrey's.
"What?" Aubrey murmured, desperate for her release.
"I will not tolerate you looking at other men" he continued, "do you understand?"
"Yes" Aubrey replied.
"Do you?" Tom asked, continuing to torture her with the slight movement of his hips, "tell me that you understand."
"You're the only one for me, Tom" Aubrey answered honestly.
"Good girl" Tom said, slowly sliding away from her before thrusting back in harder and faster than he had before. In just moments Aubrey melted beneath him, her body shaking violently as waves of pleasure vibrated up through her. "Tom!" she cried as she came, and moments later Tom found his own release, spilling his seed deep inside of her.
"It's getting late" Tom said many minutes later, as Aubrey lay enclosed in his arms on the hard table, "you're housemates will be missing you."
"It's fine" Aubrey sighed, taking in Tom's wonderful scent as she nuzzled into his chest, "I could stay here with you, instead."
"A tempting thought" Tom replied, mindlessly running his long fingers up and down Aubrey's bare arm, "but I should get back to patrol."
"Oh, right" Aubrey agreed, unable to hide her disappointment.
"Don't fret angel" Tom said, tilting Aubrey's chin in his direction, "there'll be plenty of time for more."
Aubrey grinned and kissed his neck. His skin was so soft, so pale like porcelain, she thought she could stay and kiss his body forever.
"Come" Tom said, sitting up and gathering their scattered clothes off the floor, "I'll walk you back."
They dressed in silence and as Aubrey was straightening out her blouse, she could feel Tom's eyes on her.
"What is it?" she asked, looking up at him. He rested casually against the table, his hand in his pockets and his tie hung loose around his neck.
"Nothing" he smirked, "I just don't think you know what you do to me."
"Tell me" Aubrey challenged, stepping forward.
"I think I've told you enough for tonight" Tom said sternly, placing his hands around her waist.
Aubrey smiled, the huge feeling of relief that Tom wasn't through with her was delightful.
"Let's go" Tom said, his hand finding Aubrey's.
"I didn't know there was a room there" Aubrey noted as they exited through the little door.
"It's easy to miss" Tom said coolly as they made their descent down to the dungeons.