Broken Wings / tom riddle

Chapter 16 - Goodbyes

Briar entered the classroom and made her way over to Tom. It was the last day of the term, most students would be returning to their families for the holidays this afternoon.

The rest of the class gathered in and Tom and Briar took their places at the front of the class ready to present their argument. Briar thought she should be worried, but she wasn't. The teacher invited them to begin. "Don't screw this up Emeralds," he muttered to her discretely. The pair began to present.

About 5 minutes had passed and their presentation was over. Briar gave a small smile to Tom as the class applauded, he did not return it.

"Well done Miss Emeralds and Mr Riddle. You certainly have set the bar high for the poor couple that follows you. What an interesting point you make to argue so highly in the fae's defence." The teacher remarked with a laugh. They took their seats back down next to each other as the following pair made their way to the front.

"That was easily an outstanding," Briar said to Tom.

"Perhaps," was all that he responded. He wasn't making eye contact with her.

"A thank you might be nice?" Briar said bitterly, "I was the one who suggested we go in that direction."

"Yes but I constructed it in the best way possible, I think you should be thanking me." Briar was outraged at his words.

"You're awful, I hope you know that," she scowled at him.

"I could say many harsh things to you right now Emeralds, but I won't because I'm a gentleman," he smirked.

"A gentleman?" She scoffed. "You are the farthest thing from a gentleman I have ever met," she spat.

"Oh what about your beloved Avery?" he asked. "Seducing you to gain information then when you finally forgive him, he doesn't even bother to invite you to his parent's ball."

Briar struggled to find words, she did think it was strange that Avery had made a decadent apology to her then failed to ask her to accompany him to his parents house. But why was Tom so concerned about this? "Jealousy is not a flattering look on you Riddle," she remarked.

"Darling, everything is a flattering look on me," Briar wanted to slap him, he knew he handsome and it made her angry such a monster possessed so much beauty and grace. "And I'm not jealous, I just find it astounding how you could be so naive to befriend him again."

"You were the one who-," Briar was cut off by sound of the next pair presenting. She sat and scowled at Tom through the entire presentation.

______

Later Briar was in the library, still searching for information about the strange stones. She approached the restricted section and was tempted to use her magic to knock everyone out for a few minutes so she could access the books. As she looked into the confined area she was Tom. He was reading an old book. The pages were discoloured and crinkled, and the cover was so faded Briar was just able to work out the title, 'forbidden forces of the dark arts' she held in her gasp. Why would Tom Riddle, golden boy of Hogwarts be reading such dark books?

Just as she was about to walk away Tom shut the book, "Do I seriously need to make a remark about your lack of manners again?" he said looking up and making direct eye contact with the faerie.

"Only if you promise to call me an orphan once again," Briar tried to joke. She wasn't sure why she tried to joke with Tom Riddle. He didn't laugh, but he did smile.