Chapter 10
He seemed tense throughout the whole affair. I made sure to keep in contact with him. Either my shoulder brushed against his, while moving closer to my plate. Or I blatantly just leaned against him, listening quietly to the noise around the table while I sipped my pumpkin juice. I saw confusion in the boys faces while Aleissa's was pure hatred and fury. But she wisely, kept quiet and poked her food around the silver plate.
The action that made him freeze before he made excuses and dragged me out with him, was when in a middle of his updates, I let my hand fall into his lap. Resting on the stiff black fabric on his thigh.
If I wasn't so angry at my predicament I would have laughed.
His grip was firm and we were a good pace away from the noise of the dining hall before he stopped abruptly. He crowded against me on the wall. Leaning in until there was only inches between our noses. The hall smelled musty, like old dirt scrubbed onto stone and then tossed into a cave. That really was Hogwarts however, natural light never did shine on the corridors. But Tom with his bright grey eyes; he was searching for something, and I don't know what he found but he grimaced then barked out a laugh.
His robe swishing lightly beside him.
"Okay then dear, rather not let the others question at our disappearance." He said mockingly.
He led me back to class, and I couldn't help but stare at our intertwined hands. At his tense white hand.
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The whole school was a buzz. I was getting curious glances as well as some openly gossiping about me in the corner with the other students. To see the one who could have snatched their honorable Tom Riddle's heart. If they only knew, I thought morbidly.
I sat next to Lou in the library. I exercised my agility skill in evading Tom and his goons so I could have some time to myself. Or rather, with Slytherins that would be non-hazardous to my health. I didn't even pretend, I collapsed rather inelegantly next to Lou. She didn't even bat an eye at me. Just lowered her book to check on me, then promptly raising it again.
"I did warn you Hermione", she murmured, leafing through another page in whatever tome she had.
The book shook, and it grabbed my attention. Usually the restricted books acted like that. Lou gave it a tap with a finger. It immediately deflated, if it could talk I am sure it would have whimpered.
"I know" I drew out the words. I looked like a petulant child, but I felt like a petulant child.
She turned over another page.
"You were sorted into Slytherin, you must be more calculating than that."
I raised a brow at her. My head still leaning against the hard oak wood.
"I am trying." Putting some feelings into the words.
"Tom Riddle is cunning. Much more adapt in manipulation and he has far less qualms than you I imagine. You must have some trump card. We both know that pure strength is not it."
"Who is to say that? I am pretty quick with my wand." Lou finally put down the book, and gave me a full interrupted view of her eye roll.
I giggled at that. "Lou, don't you know? If you roll your eyes they may get stuck that way forever"
Lou looked heavenward. As if asking for guidance from a higher power. I found it hilarious when she broke out of her extremely formal character and showed some life.
"At last, yes. I do fully realize that with not enough experience in light spells, it is that much harder to overpower a dark wizard. What can I use?"
Hmmmm. "Riddle never had a girlfriend before did he?"
"He did, with an older Slytherin last winter for half a year. It ended amicably, although she was equally distraught yet endeared at how gently he treated her. That is how the rumor goes at least."
I was surprised at that. Gently? What in the ever loving- "Tom was so caring and gentle to her for half a year?"
Lou nodded. "It goes that he could not bear tarnishing her name with any physical interactions that belied some hormonal influence until marriage. The girls thought it was utterly romantic. A real prince among men."
What a load of fish guts. Tom Marvolo Riddle? I am surprised that he could even for a second act as if he was not the pinnacle of creation that I knew that he believed himself as.
Something was going on. "And he was never in another relationship? No gossip in seeing Tom in the girl's dorm or girls bragging of being his first kiss?"
"No, no, and no." I would need further digging but it seems at this point, I would hypothesize that dear Tom was a virgin. Not the all confident go getter we would think. Interesting. I had some experiments I would have to carry out. It seemed I would have a repeat of this mornings adventures.
Lou took one look at my face and signed.
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I started with breakfast. It would be best to see the results in a place where he had to hide his domineering uncaring façade. As we entered the hall, I latched onto his arm. He gave me a searching look, but not detaching himself from me. The boys gave me hesitant nods of welcome. Not actively including me in conversation but also not boxing me out. The fear of Tom's wrath most likely was the culprit. Sitting on the wooden bench, I took it a step further and leaned against him. Rubbing shoulders when moving around for utensils and setting my plate. I could feel him stiffening before relaxing.
His voice held steady as he talked to the group about how Slughorn would be resuming his club activities. The Slug Club parties. I knew about those, how he likes to surround himself with students who he thinks will go far. Plant his seed in early, so he could probably mooch off of them later. It seemed everyone of Tom's followers was already a part of it. I reasoned it would probably be of a benefit to me to keep that door open.
In potions class, I resigned myself as his newly minted girlfriend that I would have to fawn all over him in class as well. Would it not be ironic if the way for him to give me space was for me to attach myself to him?
That was what I had thought, as he sat by me. I had kept a hand on top of his arm, as if in comfort. He had not reacted at all. But as he raised his hand to answer a question, he set in down across my shoulder. Effectively holding me against him. I did not react, the absolute worst thing I could do is act uncomfortable. He fiddled with my hair, and in a bid to pull that away, I rested my head on his on his chest. I now was placed squarely against him, between his shoulder and the crook of his neck. I felt him take a deep breathe and then let it out slowly. He didn't raise his hand for the rest of class. As Slughorn gave out the graded assignments from last class, he kept ours for last and gestured over to us. I shared a look with Tom, but he didn't seem to particularly care. Although when we got close enough to him, while the rest of the class vacated, Tom have a bright smile. Ever the actor.
Slughorn had a merry look in his eye. He bustled around constantly. Always moving something. His hands, his feet, his eyebrows. But then he straightened to give us a stern look.
"Now I head the joyful news of your relationship. Great stuff indeed! I would accept nothing less from the two brightest students in our house, and I daresay the whole school."
He had round eyes as he faced towards me, "Now, Hermione you may not know this but I run an exclusive club here. It is called the Slug Club, named by yours truly." He laughed at that. "I would be having a dinner and party this weekend. Inviting some exciting people from interesting field and also from the Ministry of Magic. Tom is a regular of course, but as it is a dance, one must bring a date! Would you like to join us, my dear?"
I gave- what I hoped was- a surprised expression, before accepting his invitation. I could have bet a whole year's worth of butterbears that I knew Slughorn was gong to recruit me.
The amicable professor tittered before shooing us off. Giving us a warning that while in his class, he didn't mind couples sitting together but in other classes, they may be more strict with relationships and behaviors. We both nodded our heads at that, before quickly making our escape.
In the halls, I gave him a nod before I started to head off. I was rudely jerked back an unyielding hand grabbing my arm. Giving him a flabbergasted look, "Unhand me. You cannot just grab at me like a doll, Tom"
He looked confused. Eyes narrowing, "What game are you playing at Hermione? I never thought you to do be such an enthusiatic actor."
Angry, I shrugged off his hand. He let me but continued to crowd my space. "Is this not what you wanted? The two highest achieving students to be together, giving a good show to the whole school."
He took a step back and looked conflicted. He had looked down before slowing trailing up to meet my eyes, "Of course."
Now he looked to be contrite, "I do apologize Hermione. You were only doing what I had been asking. You would forgive me for my brash actions won't you?"
His grey eyes wide and his face in the gentlest disposition I had yet seen him in. Complete with shoulders slightly bent. And it was all fake.
I gave an equally fake smile in return.
"Of course Tom. But do please to limit your hand grabbing, it is not like I am going anywhere."
He straightened at that last part, looking determined. "Yes of course, I will be guiding you back to the dorms as well."
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Waving my wand, I was transforming some drab clothe into a green dress in my dorm. Changing the neckline and form at will. I settled on a box cut deep emerald satin dress that flared out slightly towards the hem. Getting that done, I sighed as I sat on my bed. If it was one thing I learned it was that Tom could absolutely not abide by knowing everything and their motives around him. Does he hated being touched or was he just sensitive and thrown off when I did it? Only ever more reason to do it, and he even knows I am just trying to look the part. Well that is what he thought any way. I wondered if he could dance. He would definitely lead and most likely would scan the room while weaving through the dance floor. He is the type to be tightly focused on his surroundings, always watching and calculating. But maybe I could throw a wrench in his plans. I wonder how I would do that… I glanced over my bed and focused on my gown's neckline.
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IM SO SORRY. I REALLY AM. BUT LOOK- THAT THING I WAS STUDYING FOR, FOR 6 MONTHS? I DID IT! Fuck yeah. I never felt so free. But yeah im back to classes and work now, but compared to that hell before…. Trust me if I ate regularly or worked on this during the last two months I would not have passed. I think I lost like 3 pounds idk.
So I will be posting more regularly!
And isn't Tom a little sensitive porcupine lol?
Also thank you followers and favoriters and of course the reviewers! Please review it is food for me.
7/22 ...
I just did a quick edit with grammar, I am sure it is plain to see i do not have a beta. If anyone wants to be one let me know!
Also: Props to Charleneclark! thanks for reviewing :)