The days turned into months and the months rolled into years and not once had I heard or seen from Riddle. But the more time progressed the more I began to slowly forget my childhood Romeo. Forgetting was easier than remembering because I knew he would never return. Sometimes I used to wait outside the house staring up and down the street hoping for a glimpse of him, hoping for anything but I was always disappointed in the end so I made myself move on.
So much had changed since I left the orphanage. I had now grown into a young fifteen year old girl though secretly I was a lot older than fifteen, I just looked fifteen. My mother's cousin had taught me to play the piano and violin and I learnt many different languages. I suppose I was what you'd call an educated young girl. My future had already been planned for me anyway.
The familiar sights and sounds of Christmas were starting to fill the street in which I now lived and I felt the excitement reverberate through me as I watched the carolers singing from my window on the top floor of my home.
The house was comfortable and extrememly large as it took up most of the street it was situated on. Unfortunately I never used to think this house as a home or as my home.
My first ever memory of seeing the house was one of hate and sadness as I didn't want to be here. In my first few weeks here I refused to touch food or drink while I constantly expressed my wish to see Tom again but after constant refusals of this wish and many moths later slowly I began to be myself again but it took another year for me to completely recover.
Snow was falling fast and thick outside my window and I sighed staring out of it in a bored sort of way. The house was quiet because everyone had gone out and left me at home; I figured they were doing last minute Christmas shopping.
Then I had a sudden idea.
With a leap of excitement I bolted downstairs and pulled on a thick coat and scarf heading out into the swirl of snow.
Standing in falling snow was the most magical and beautiful thing in the world. Little snowflakes caught in my eyelashes and hair; some I caught with my tongue. My arms I had outstretched toward the sky as I twirled and twirled in the sea of snow.
I watched it fall gracefully to the ground stopping when I spotted someone standing outside the large Iron Gate that marked the entrance to our driveway.
He was staring at me and in the falling snow he looked like an angel. He was very handsome with dark hair and he was wearing a strange outfit; looked like a black cloak and robes?
Attentively, I approached "can I help you?"
"You don't remember me do you?" he asked smoothly staring deep into my eyes.
My mind went haywire…I had seen this boy before…a while ago…but no it couldn't be…could it?
"Tom?" I gasped now feeling the cold chill of the snow as it fell down the back of my neck.
A small smile appeared on his beautiful face "you remember"
Guilt surged through my system. Could he know that I had given up all hope of seeing him again?
"My goodness look at you" I continued to gasp trying to make conversation "you're all…well…grown up"
"As are you" his eyes glanced up and down and I blushed feeling the snow melt on contact with my cheeks.
"It's been a while hasn't it?" I mumbled pathetically trying to make conversation.
"Yes. Three years; would have been four after this New Year" he said matter-of-factly.
Unlike him I didn't really keep count of how long I hadn't heard from him, I had just known it was a while; three years went by so fast. didnt feel like three years at all...it was almost as if i had been taken away just yesturady.
We stood facing each other in the falling snow listening to the wind whisper through the trees; nothing but total silence between us.
"Would you like to come in?" I asked finally.
"Thank you" he said politely.
There was something different in his character that I couldn't quite figure out until we entered the house. Riddles determination wasn't so blatantly obvious and also…he carried himself differently like someone proud and upper class. very unlike the Riddle had had once known.
Once we were inside I ushered him upstairs and into my room. He looked around the room with the air of one important and his face had no expression. Occasionally he would pick up an ornament of mine and examine it before placing it back down. Finally after a few minutes silent observation he turned to me.
"It took me a long time to discover your whereabouts"
"I thought I would never see you again" I whispered, "but why didn't you just send me an owl?"
His face remained expressionless as he replied formally, "I could not send an owl to a house full of muggles, they would find it strange would they not?"
Somewhere deep inside I started to feel the familiar sting of annoyance. This new Riddle I was starting to dislike, all this prim and proper no- nonsense act was making my temper rise.
"You don't need to be so formal around me" I muttered darkly, "there is no need for you to be, we know each other already"
He went slightly red for a second before his posture changed dramatically and he looked far more relaxed. Again we stood in silence and I was intent on staring at the floor feeling Riddles burning gaze upon me.
"Have you got a boyfriend?" he asked bluntly with a hint of authority in his voice which reminded me of the younger him.
In an instant I was staring into his eyes feeling quite appalled at such a direct question, "that is none of your business"
"You said I didn't need to be formal" Riddle stated watching me.
"That does not mean you can be rude" I pointed out.
"So you do have someone" he said eyebrow raised and as I opened my mouth he held a hand up silencing me "it didn't require an answer"
"Well at least he-" Riddle cut over me.
"He?" there was something cold in his voice that I didn't like at all. It reminded me of my very first violent meeting with him.
"His name isn't your concern" I snapped feeling anger slowly grow in the pit of my stomach. I knew his character all too well to know how he would deal with my newest friend.
"Do you love him?" asked Riddle stepping closer to me.
It took me a few seconds to reply as I couldn't comprehend what he had just said. What a question to be asking! Prying into my personal life!
"I don't have to answer that" I stated simply.
"Do you love him?" he repeated taking another step toward me his voice quiet and intimidating.
"I am not answering that" I snapped standing firm refusing to be intimidated by him.
A small smile flickered onto his face as if he were satisfied with what I was saying, he looked smug and cocky. I had to use every bit of self control I had to not look disgusted by his behaviour.
"You still love me"
He didn't make it a question. It was simply stated and it annoyed me greatly because deep down I knew he was right though I didn't want him to be.
"Don't be absurd! Love you! Ha! Not anymore!" Even in my own ears it sounded highly unconvincing.
"Not anymore?" he asked advancing still, "love doesn't go away Bethany"
He was extrememly close now and getting closer until his face was right in mine and I could feel his warm breath run along my cheek.
"It's gone away enough for me to move on" I replied.
"You haven't forgotten, you still love me and have loved me since the time we got separated" his lips were inches away from mine and I was overcome with the desire to kiss him passionately but he moved away.
There was silence once again. A silence so thick I thought it would never end.
"Perhaps…I had hoped for too much" he said finally and I didn't understand his words, "I give you my best wishes for your every happiness in the future and hope you accept them. Goodbye."
Something broke through my selfish pride and before I could stop myself I blurted, "DON'T GO! I couldn't bare to see the back of you again"
My heart was beating rapidly, a constant pounding in my ears.
"What was that?" he asked with a smile.
Upon impulse I ran from where I was standing propelling myself into his chest and throwing him against the wall pressing myself against him and kissing him fervently.
"I've waited for so long" I breathed, "I gave up believing that you never wanted to see me again"