"𝕀 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕕 𝕪𝕠𝕦𝕣 𝕙𝕖𝕒𝕣𝕥;
ℕ𝕠𝕨 𝕀 𝕝𝕚𝕞𝕡 𝕥𝕙𝕣𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕤𝕙𝕒𝕣𝕕𝕤 𝕓𝕒𝕣𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕠𝕥. "
- Micheal R. Burch
When Faith Silvers befriends Tom Riddle, she discovers a side of him that his intimidating facade masks, and desp...
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☆ The cold November wind burned Faith's lungs as she wondered down the winding streets of hogsmead. She was on her way to meet with Lottie and Daniel again, inside the three broomsticks, as she had done some shopping on her own. Tomes and Scrolls was her absolute favourite book shop, however Lottie and Daniel weren't very keen on the academic shops in hogsmeade - they much preferred Honeydukes and Zonko's.
It was 4.30pm and the sun was setting already. Faith hated winter; the short days and lack of sunshine made her feel claustrophobic and constantly tired. The once vibrant red and orange leaves from autumn lay, soggy and brown on the path beneath her. But, as she stared into the blue dusk sky, inhaling the icy, fresh air, she couldn't help but feel peaceful.
The three broomsticks was across the street from her, it's warm yellow lights from inside making Faith feel instantly comforted. Just as she stepped to approach the uplifting Inn, a voice spoke from behind her.
"Hello Silvers," Tom spoke, staring at Faith with a blank face. He was wearing a dark green wool jumper and jeans; it was nice to see him wear something casual, Faith thought.
"Tom, do you even know my first name?" Faith laughed, approaching the slytherin.
"Yes Faith, I'm aware of your name", Tom sighed.
"Hey! That might have been the very first time you've called me Faith!" She grinned, observing his exasperated expression.
"I wanted to ask you something," Tom spoke calmly.
"Go on," Faith smiled, raising her eyebrow.
"Why did you really show me the room of requirement? Why not one of your Ravenclaw friends?" He asked, a genuinely confused expression plastered on his pale face.
Faith smiled, took a moment to think, and spoke friendily, "Because I knew that you would appreciate the most. I mean, you probably need it the most; I don't really need it, neither do Daniel or Lottie, or Amara, so I figured I should show it to you.
"You're always studying, or reading, or whatever you do with your slytherin friends. So I suppose I was trying to help you out."
Faith was telling the truth; she wasn't entirely sure why Tom had been the first person she had thought to show, but she assumed that a part of her just felt as though Tom needed it the most.
"Well, thank you, Faith," Tom replied, still with a perplexed expression ,"It has proven quite useful these past few months," He added.
That was true; The room of requirement had become the new meeting spot for Tom's group of Slytherins. It was perfect actually: private and free of eavesdropers, unlike the slytherin common room, their usual spot. Faith was not aware that her gift was being used in such a way, and Tom was eager to keep it that way.
Tom's only concern with Faith's gift had been the possibility that she was onto him; perhaps her friendly deminer around him had been a ploy to discover the truth behind him and his 'friends'. However, after Faith's reply, he dismissed this - perhaps she was simply as one dimensional as he had initially thought.
"Tom, do you see me as your friend?" Faith asked, obviously catching Tom off gaurd. Faith was genuinely asking out of curiosity; she assumed that Tom didn't see her as a friend, and it honestly didn't bother her much.
"Yes, I do," Tom lied. The last thing Tom intended to do was offend the girl, she could be useful in the future.
Faith looked at Tom, suprised."Well, I suppose I see you as my friend too," she smiled.
"Why?," Tom asked, with genuine curiosity.
"I feel like we're quite similar," she remarked.
Tom raised an eyebrow, "How are we in anyway the same?" Tom questioned.
"Well, intellectually of course. You're just about the only person I enjoy talking to about potions homework", Faith laughed, "But also, I feel like we're both wearing a mask of sorts with everyone else. But, with you, I can take it off."
Tom looked immensely confused, as well as slightly concerned. "What do you mean, mask?"
"Come on Tom, I can tell you're not who everyone thinks you are. Perhaps I'm over analysing it, but this charming persona you strictly project to the rest of this school, just isn't you. I can tell," Faith stated.
Tom didn't reply. He just stared at Faith blankly. How could she see right through him?
"Well, it's getting dark and I better be off," Faith declared, breaking the silence. Once again, she softly smiled at him.
"See you back at school!"She called at him, walking away, towards the Three Broomsticks.
"Bye." Tom mustered. As he watched Faith, glowing in the moonlight, enter the Inn, he couldn't help but feel on edge. How much did Faith Silvers know?
