Disclaimer: I do not own the Harry Potter series.

Chapter Twenty

November 12, 1937 — First Year

Tom was in the library, looking for a book in DADA when Fleamont Potter approached him. The Slytherin eyed the Gryffindor, sneering to himself when he saw his proud chin and expression of determination. Tom knew that he would do something 'noble' or something as stupid as that based by his expression alone. He had seen enough of that expression alone from Hermione. He snorted quietly. All Gryffindors were the same breed, weren't they?

"Can I help you?" Tom asked acerbically.

Potter jutted his chin out some more. "Stay away from Hermione," he said stubbornly.

His vibrant violet eyes eyes flashed and the open book in his hand snapped close. "Excuse me?" He asked, deathly quiet.

Potter mustn't have noticed that he had misstepped because he continued. "You heard me. I want you to stay away from Hermione," he repeated. "You're no good for her. You're a dark wizard; I know because my father told me this. Hermione doesn't need your darkness tainting her so stay away."

Tom wondered if he could get away with snapping his neck now and making it look like an accident. Furious wouldn't be an apt term for the volatile emotion that swirled inside of him. Not even Mulciber and Avery, when they were bullying Hermione, made him feel that way. He didn't just want violence against Potter; he wanted torture. A quick and painless death wouldn't satiate his desire to end Potter.

But he remembered quickly that this was Hermione's friend in the Gryffindor house. It wouldn't do well if he punished him for even ordering him to stay away from her. He knew, though, that Hermione would never tolerate someone telling her what to do. She would immensely be disappointed and angry of Potter once she knew what he was ordering him to do.

"Hasn't it occur to you, Potter, that it's Hermione who's unable to stay away from me?" Tom suggested smoothly without letting anything get past through his mask. He would not give Potter the satisfaction that he had affected him.

Potter blanched. "No, she— You must have brainwashed her!" He cried out. "Hermione is a Gryffindor and a Dumbledore. She's the kindest and most brilliant witch that I've ever met. She's precious and I won't let you corrupt her with your darkness!"

His left eye twitched and he almost grabbed his wand to send a curse at his direction. "Do you think that I don't know that?" Tom spoke, still quiet, but all of the promises of pain and torture was flashing in his eyes. "Do you think that I don't value Hermione for what she is? She is my friend, Potter. She will always be my friend, even if she decides to leave me. She is mine."

"She is not yours!" Potter immediately rebuked and Tom was all too ready to kill him now, if only he could get away with it. "She has never been yours, Riddle. You might be friends now but once Hermione sees what you truly are, she'll never want to be your friend again."

Tom laughed and it must've caught Potter off guard because he took a step back. The Slytherin continued laughing though but it was obvious, the longer he continued, that it was a derisive and mocking sound. Potter eyed him warily.

"Are we talking about the same person, Potter?" Tom spat with a shark-like smile across his face. "Because as far as I can tell, Hermione doesn't abandon her friends whether they are Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, Slytherins, or Hufflepuffs." He arched a sly brow. "After all, she hasn't abandoned you, has she?"

Potter bristled. "I swear, Riddle, if you ever harm her or use her or even dare attempt to do something to her, I will be there to stop you."

Tom scoffed and watched him walk away with hooded eyes. He had no doubt that Potter will remain true to his word and he cursed him for being such a loyal friend to Hermione when he didn't even deserve her. No one deserved Hermione— not even him.

Tom frowned, reaching up a hand to his chest when he felt a hollow ache inside.

No matter, he thought, rubbing his chest, Potter would never fulfill his vow because he had no plans doing something to Hermione that can harm her.

She was the only thing that mattered to him; she was his most prized, valuable, and only friend.

He would rather die than let anything bad happen to her.

A/N: The next update will be tomorrow lol

Reviews are welcomed! Stay safe, everyone!

~ NR xx