~.+*+.~
Finally. It was the weekends. It had been a few weeks since she and Tom had sneaked out of the library and had that 'close contact' moment.
(Y/N) avoided him ever since, and Tom had always lost the moment to talk to her which was quite surprising, because Tom had always succeeded in everything. (Y/N) had ignored him for the last few weeks, and today she wondered what she should do to spend her time.
She had suggested going to Hogsmeade with Lily and Molly, but they were too busy going on 'dates' with James and Arthur. Honestly, (Y/N) didn't really feel jealous. Instead, she felt a little lonely. Ever since she and Tom had stopped meeting because of their embarrassing moment, she had no one to spend the weekends with.
As (Y/N) skimmed through the books in the library, she saw someone walking towards her. She recognized the person all too well. She quickly grabbed her books and tried to walk away, but the person harshly grabbed her wrist, and pulled her towards them.
It was Tom.
He looked at her with an irritated expression. "Why have you been avoiding me?" he demanded, growling lowly. As (Y/N) hesitated, he gripped her wrist tighter. "Answer me." But as he saw (Y/N)'s slightly frightened face, he let her wrist go and sighed.
"I apologize for my unnecessary behaviour." he said, his tone much softer than before. "I was just sick of you avoiding me for the past few weeks."
(Y/N) sighed. She had nowhere to run away now. She might as well tell him the truth.
"Sorry. I was just really confused about...things." she confided, running a hand through her elegant hair. Tom nodded and then held out his hand and opened it, revealing a bookmark shaped as a silver snake in his hand.
He slightly smirked as he saw (Y/N)'s confused expression. "Please, take it. Consider it as a gift for you since you gifted me something as well." He placed it on (Y/N)'s hand, making her blink in confusion and slight happiness.
"I-Thanks..." she stammered, examining the beautiful gift. (Y/N) then forgot everything about the past and looked at Tom with bright puppy eyes.
"Do you want to come to Hogsmeade with me if you have nothing to do?"
Tom frowned. "All of a sudden?" (Y/N) nodded. "Consider this my thank you. Come on! Or do you not want to come?"
Tom rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll accompany you to Hogsmeade."
(Y/N) grinned, making Tom avoid her gaze. She hurried over to her dorm and set down her books and put some Galleons, Sickles, and Knuts into her pocket before following Tom out of the castle. It was quite cold outside, and
(Y/N) realised it was already November. Snow was falling from the sky, and
(Y/N) watched in envy as she saw couples walking together happily.
Tom noticed her jealousy and scoffed to himself. Was he not enough to her?
They talked to each other about their Potion lessons, and (Y/N) explained more accurately why she had been avoiding him. He forgave and understood her actions, making her feel relieved.
Finally, they arrived at Hogsmeade.
It was a beautiful sight with the snow falling from the sky. Tom also looked a bit more relaxed than usual, which was a good sign since he was always on guard.
"Wow, it's beautiful..!" (Y/N) murmured, her eyes glimmering in awe. Tom nodded. "For once, your thoughts align with mine." he smirked, putting his hands in his jacket pockets.
The two entered a shop Tom wished to visit, and there were thousands of books on the shelves, and (Y/N) noticed some pretty accessories at one corner. She walked over to look at them, while Tom walked the over opposite way to examine the books.
Then, (Y/N)'s eyes fell upon a silver necklace with a wolf howling in front of the moon as its pendant. It was beautiful, and it was perfect.
November was starting to end, and (Y/N) had managed to learn when Tom's birthday was. 31st of December. It was still a whole month away, but (Y/N) thought it was going to be a perfect gift for him.
As she picked up the necklace, the shopkeeper padded over to her with a smile on her face. But (Y/N) shushed her, making the shopkeeper confused.
(Y/N) started to explain. "Hello. I want to purchase this necklace, but in secret." she whispered. "Do you see that boy over there? Yes, him. I want this to be his birthday present."
The shopkeeper caught on on what she was trying to say. "The necklace will be four Sickles and three Knuts." she whispered back. As (Y/N) handed her the money, the shopkeeper put it in a pretty box and wrapped it in silver paper and finished it off with a blue ribbon.
"There you go. By the way, you have a handsome boyfriend." the shopkeeper winked, giggling. (Y/N) blushed and bit her lip shyly.
"He's not my boyfriend." she snapped innocuously. The shopkeeper rolled her eyes playfully. "Alright. Have a nice day." she waved, and walked back over to the counter. Tom then peered over at her direction.
"(Y/N)? Have you decided on buying something?" he asked, holding a book about Dark Magic in his hands. (Y/N) quickly hid the box in her coat pocket. "Nope. You can buy your book; I don't have anything to buy."
Tom hummed in reply and purchased his book, before they exited the shop. They walked back to Hogwarts, but not before (Y/N) thought of a cheeky idea. She slightly walked behind him and formed a snowball with her wand, and grabbed it with her hands.
"Think fast, Riddle!" she shouted, before throwing the snowball at the back of his head. It hit him, making him turn around in shock. As soon as he realised (Y/N) was the culprit, he formed a snowball of his own and threw it at her. But (Y/N) saw it coming and dodged it.
"Hah! Too slow!" she taunted him, making him smirk.
"Wrong." He then formed several, big snowballs with a flick of his wand, and aimed it at her. It hit her all over her body, making her stunned.
Tom crossed his arms in satisfaction. "Too slow, (L/N)." he scoffed, mimicking her past speech. (Y/N) pouted in dismay and defeat, before following him back into the castle. They shook the snow off of their clothes, and (Y/N) realised that he was smiling.
But it was so brief that (Y/N) forgot that he even smiled at all. He then waved his hand.
"I have to participate in my Prefect studies. I will see you later." he said, turning his back to her. Right. Tom had been selected to be a Prefect a few days ago. (Y/N) nodded and waved back cheerfully. She was glad that he had managed to patch up her friendship with Tom, and she now had nothing on her mind.
Well...maybe except for her studies.
~.+Meanwhile with Tom+.~
As Tom walked through the corridor, he went to the Slytherin common room before he went to his Prefect studies. He put his new book on his shelf, and reached out for his diary.
Tom held his eagle feathered quill and started to write in his diary. Most of the time, he only wrote about dark things, but now he started to write about something else. About her.
She was always on his mind. But why? He wasn't able to find out the answer to his query. And it annoyed him to the core. He started to write in his diary, sighing as he did.
I wish I could be more natural to her. More kind. But I am not supposed to.
I am a monster.
I should show her what I really am. Perhaps then she will finally leave me.
Just like everybody else did.
I am doing the right thing. But why does it feel so...wrong?
~.+*+.~
2023/4/15
1372 Words