Malefic [BOOK 2]

Tom's Strange Interests.

Leo's back was still leaning against the bookshelf. She didn't know how much time had gone by but she was halfway through the book that she had ' borrowed ' from Tom's huge collection of novels. The fire still crackled in the fireplace, providing warmth to her. The room of requirements was so peaceful that she couldn't help but get absorbed in the book.

Her cheeks were flushed bright red and the nails on her right hand were between her teeth. Her brown eyes were gliding over each sentence in a hurry and every time she came across another scene about the main characters getting a bit too close, she had to suppress her laugh, wondering why Tom would have such an erotic book lying casually on top of his shelf.

Nonetheless, the story was quite interesting and Leo couldn't stop reading for some reason.

She was so engrossed in the book that she failed to notice a certain heir of Slytherin swaggering into the room with a tired look on his face. Leo didn't even hear when his footsteps were growing louder. She was so into the scene that she didn't even sense his tall shadow looming over her like an angel of doom, ready to destroy her existence.

Leo was about to break into another fit of giggles when the book was snatched from her clutches. She stared into the empty air where her book was supposed to be and blinked twice. Tom's shiny school shoes came into her view and she knew that she had been caught.

Slowly, the little head of messy hair lifted up to face Tom who was trying to slip the novel into his school robes discreetly. Once he was done, he glared down at her. His hands were on his hips and his head was tilted to one side making his curly hair fall upon his eyes.

Leo knew this posture very well. She was about to get the lecture of a lifetime.

She carefully lifted herself off the ground. Tom was standing quite close so she had to make sure not to bump her head against his chin. Violence was never the answer, whether intentional or accidental.

"What did I tell you about touching someone else's belonging without asking them?" Tom shook his pointer finger at her in disappointment.

"I'm sorry," Leo tried to act guilty but couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Tom's face looked priceless, "what is so funny? If you are going to apologize, you must feel sorry. I do not need to hear meaningless words. Must I punish you again? I heard that they released a new lava cupcake that is filled with melted chocolate."

Leo's eyes widened as she knew very well what Tom was implying.

She waved her hands around in panic, "I'm sorry. I really am."

When she glanced up at him again and tried to take a step closer, Tom took a step back involuntarily. That was when Leo noticed the change in his demeanour.

Tom looked angry. But that was the only thing familiar about him. He was on the edge. He refused to meet her eyes and every time she looked at him, he avoided her gaze. His perfect student posture was gone and he was fidgeting a bit too much. His body was slacked over and his clothes were wrinkled.

In short, Tom was a mess.

"Tom, are you alright?" Leo asked with concern dripping from her voice

Tom furrowed his eyebrows but didn't speak. He looked at her up and down and narrowed his eyes. Leo stared back at him in confusion. For a while, none of them spoke. Tom continued to stare at her like he was memorising each and every detail on her face. Leo remained still but couldn't help but feel a bit flustered under Tom's gaze.

When she was about to give up and ask him if he had fallen asleep with his eyes open, Tom spoke up, "You are Leo, right?"

Leo opened and closed her mouth like a fish. If she were in any cartoon, there would be crickets chirping everywhere. Her confused expression shifted to a deadpanned look. She crossed her hands over her chest and stared up at Tom, unamused.