Promised And Kept - Tom Riddle x reader

Part 6 - Bygone Times and Bubble Baths

Another day at work with Miss Toffana began after Camille was finally better and strong enough to leave St. Mungo's. You had asked the medics for the poisoned bottle of wine, so Tom could take it to the Ministry and let them investigate further to find out who could have sent it. But before he had taken it to work with him, you had filled a few ounces into a vial for your own research.

Toffana looked at the liquid closely before she filled it into a bowl, drop by drop, and examined carefully as each one hit the surface. She let out a low grunt, flicked a strand of long brown hair behind her ear, smelled its scent with a deep inhale as she always did and started swaying the bowl so the wine would twirl back and forth.

"Impetu, no doubt. It's incredibly subtle, great work I have to admit. I haven't seen a version this faint often. The person who brewed it must be truly skilled. A novice would have never been able to produce something quite as perfidious. Vicious creation," she said. "You did a good job noticing it so fast. You know if you hadn't, your friend would have had no chance."

"So there aren't many people capable of brewing this, right?" you asked. "Especially considering the quality."

"Not that I know of, no. The only person brewing Impetu better was me, but I've given up poison a long, long time ago."

You gave her a questioning look, not daring to ask further.

"What?" she asked and continued to speak under her breath. "Don't act like you haven't heard of my past. You know if I brewed this, no one would have noticed a scent and you and your friends would all push up the daisies right now."

"Right," you coughed.

"I'm joking, kid. Haven't delved into poison for decades. I've been good."

You nodded as you bit back a smirk, knowing her feisty ways. But she might have known Morfin. The potioning field wasn't too big in this part of the country and maybe they had worked together in the past. "You know many Potioneers, right?"

"I do." Her eyes narrowed as she looked at you. "What are you trying to say? Are you suspecting someone?"

"We do, actually. But we can't know for sure."

"Who?" she asked forthrightly.

"We think it might have been Tom's uncle. Morfin Gaunt."

"Morfin?" Toffana asked. "Oh, Merlin. Yes, he definitely could brew high-quality Impetu. He was one of my brighter students if I dare say so."

"Morfin was your student?"

"Indeed, many years ago. He was around your age back then. A sneaky, grimy kind of secluded lad. But attentive and smart he was. Sucked up everything I said like a sponge. I wouldn't put it past him to poison someone. You think he'd do this to his nephew though?"

"Well, they've always had their issues."

"Ah, family matters. Lovely."

"I had no idea you taught him. You look around the same age."

Toffana grinned sheepishly. "Don't flatter me, Riddle, you know I have my ways. I would have told you if I knew he was your husband's uncle. Never made the connection though. Different last names."

You nodded, apprehending why she had never mentioned it. "Did you teach him how to brew Impetu back then?"

"Oh no, I never taught poison to anyone. I have my principles too after all," she answered, rubbing the back of her neck. "I just sold poison. Not Impetu though. Would have been too obvious."

Your eyes widened as you held back your thoughts and questions from escaping.

"Only to people who needed it dearly," Toffana went on, a disparaging look on her face. "You wouldn't know how women were treated back then. Even worse than now. Some needed a little... help with their husbands. And what can I say? I've always had a soft spot for people in need."