Catharsis [Tom Riddle]

Chapter Fifty-One

"You did what in a bathroom?!" Orion gasped.

Avalon whacked him across the arm. "Keep your bloody voice down!"

He leaned back against the windowsill, laughing as he shook his head. The twinkling night sky shone in through the tower window, their voices echoing through the corridor as they sat in their isolation.

"Merlin," he chuckled. "You two really are made for each other."

She rolled her eyes, but a hint of a smile lingered on her lips as she thought back to her and Tom's escapade with their Venice date. "It really was a perfect night, though."

"I'm glad-- it's the least you deserved after the hell you've been through recently," he said. They both sat in comfortable silence for a moment, a familiar sense of contentment between the two.

Avalon couldn't help but feel at peace when she was around Orion. From the very first moment they had met, she had sensed his good-nature and his kind heart. His friendship was something she cherished dearly.

And that was why it was easy for her to tell that something was on his mind. "You're thinking about Clara, aren't you?" she asked softly.

He snapped out of his thoughts, a mixture of nerves and determination in his eyes. "I've been thinking about telling my parents about her and me," he blurted out, avoiding Avalon's eyes. "I would have to ask Clara, first, but I just..." his words trailed off as he sighed. "By next month, we will have been together for an entire year. I don't want to keep us a secret anymore."

Avalon wanted to be supportive, but she couldn't help but feel anxious thinking about how his family would react to his relationship with a muggle-born witch. The Averys had been blatantly obvious about their views in regards to blood-status on her one occasion coming in contact with them.

"Orion-"

"I know I sound like I've lost my mind, but believe me when I say I have thought about this," he said, his voice filled with resolve.

"I just want you to be safe," she said. "You and Clara, both."

"Safety isn't my concern, truthfully. The worst they would do is disown me, and if that is the case, so be it. If I have to choose between her or them, I would pick her every time," he said, shrugging. "The thought scared me for quite some time, but not anymore. If they truly love me, they will love her, too-- no matter her blood-status. And if not, then I will not live my life fearing their judgement."

"You know them better than I do," Avalon said slowly, trying to keep her fear out of her voice. "Though, I just want you to be sure this is the right choice."

He nodded, sighing. "I know, I just... I love her so much, Ava. I want to be able to give her the love that she deserves."

Both of their attention was stolen when they heard footsteps at the end of the corridor. Orion quickly scrambled to his feet, running to the end of the dark hallway to make sure nobody had overheard their conversation. The sound traveled through the castle walls, echoing so loudly that neither Avalon nor Orion could tell what direction it was coming from.

So, when Orion saw Tom walk out of the shadows, he let out a sigh of relief. "Merlin, you scared me," Orion grumbled.

"I was doing Prefect rounds," Tom stated, noticing Avalon standing not too far behind Orion. "Should I write the two of you up for being out past curfew?"

"You're the greatest killjoy I have ever met, you know," Avalon teased, shaking her head.

He let out a slight laugh, walking over to his girlfriend and pressing a kiss to the top of her head before leaning back against the wall, holding her against him as he did so. "I must say that the two of you are quite terrible at whispering."