THE SERPENT'S EAGLE | TOM RIDDLE

Chapter 2 - 5 years a stranger

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 2

5 𝖞𝖊𝖆𝖗𝖘 𝖆 𝖘𝖙𝖗𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖗

November, 1943

Astraea sat alone in the empty room where her Charms class would occur. She scribbled in her notebook a few pointers for her next class, patiently waiting for her classmates and teacher's arrival. The clock tick was the only sound that echoed throughout the room's interior-still twenty minutes away before striking eight.

The silence was suddenly disrupted when the shriek of the doors from behind was carelessly opened. By reflex, Astraea turned her head to see the handsome Slytherin boy stride in with a plain look plastered on his face. She quickly turned away before the boy could notice her gaze, her face ever so lightly turning pink.

Tom Riddle sat on the chair from the opposite end of the classroom, not seeming to care for the princess' presence. She tried to steal glances from the corner of her eyes.

She found him ethereal.

Just as you think that he couldn't grow any more handsome, he proves you wrong by being even more beautiful the next year. It's almost unfair.

But what's truly unfair was his effortless charm and unmatched intelligence. He seemed to have it all and it would be lying if Astraea said that she didn't admire him for it- she even thought she liked him for a while, but was quick to dismiss those feelings. She knew that she would never gain his attention. his gazes at the sorting ceremony were only that of judgment and curiosity about the fuss it had caused. It was a natural reaction she could not blame him for.

After that, they were strangers, with no association for the next couple of years. But this year it had been a little different, they did not talk, however, she often saw him during prefect meetings and ensembles hosted by Professor Slughorn.

But she noticed something about the boy, something dark beneath his exterior and charming complex. He had this aura that seemed his soul was not easily touched. You can see this by the way he dismisses the flirtatious girls who try for his attention, and by the way he acts around his friends. There is something so cold and shallow about his demeanor even when he plasters on his beautiful smile.

Tom Riddle was incredibly silent you would think he wasn't there. But his presence is like lingering poison... It seemed to be hard to breathe when he was around for fear of being touched by his venom. A tick that she might set off the moment she acts to his distaste.

The doors once again shrieked and in came the head boy, Timothy Diggory. His eyes wandered to the Riddle and then Astraea before smiling in satisfaction. "Good, you're both here." Astraea stood up and smiled shyly at Diggory. Riddle just nodded at him but made no effort to move in his direction so the two met where he was instead.

"So, we have a meeting later about certain patrol changes and partnerships. I asked for Professor Dumbledore's classroom and he agreed for us to hold our meeting there." Astraea just nodded at the boy's instruction.

"What time are we to be expected?" Tom Riddle inquired.

"Eight noon sharp, just a little bit after supper," Diggory replied cooly. "Well, have a lovely day, you two. Riddle," He nodded towards the brown-eyed boy then turned to Astraea and bowed playfully, "Your highness,"

Astraea smiled at his cheek as she watched him strut back out of the classroom. It took her a moment to realize that she was still next to Tom Riddle which made her hurry back to her seat. Tom Riddle didn't seem phased however, he still remained situated in his demeanor, reading.

Students had begun to pile in seeming as if the clock was about to strike eight. Suddenly, books were dropped on the desk next to her, revealing a familiar face, Elodie Lovegood.

"I just got detention," she says slumping down on her seat, placing her chin lazily on her palm.

She turned her attention to her friend with interest, anticipating whatever fault had gotten her in trouble. "I mean it was entirely Rosier's fault! Here I was calmly walking towards class when he decided to ruin my day by showing up- so I poured my coffee all over him" She exclaimed rolling her eyes.

"So, what exactly did he do?" Astraea asked conflicted by the blonde-haired girls' complaints.

Elodie crossed her arms like a child. "I- nothing, but if I hadn't done it he would've done something, you know he's a Slytherin scum."

"Elodie, that is unkind." Astraea shook her head trying to suppress a smile that threatened to creep in. "Although most Slytherin students had displayed unhappy or rude manners, it is not fair to stereotype them into one characteristic. Though I understand your actions, it's not fun getting bullied."

"You're right, but I am not apologizing!" She glared at the group of Slytherin boys arriving and sitting down close to Tom Riddle.

"I didn't expect you to," Astraea smiled at her friend's indifference.

The class soon began, and as always, the teacher doted on the ever-charming and smart Tom Riddle as he perfectly recited and answered any question Professor Ronen had to ask.

"You would be just as admired by these old oafs if you were more vocally active," She heard Elodie whisper from beside her. She in turn gave her a puzzled look. "Tom Riddle would not be all that if you tried harder, you may even bump him to second best."

This made her chuckle, "I am not as smart as Mr. Riddle."

"You're just as smart. Charming, however, I would have him take the trophy on that one," Her friend shrugged. Astraea shook her head in disagreement. "You're hotter than him too, I mean Merlin, you're half Veela. If I were as much of a catch as you, I'd be a total arsehole."

"You commend too much, Elodie." She shakes her head with a small smile taking down every word the professor says and occasionally what Tom recites.

"Maybe, but I honestly want to see the frustration on that man's face when he's met by an actual competitor," Elodie replied to which Astraea said nothing.

She instead glanced towards the Slytherin boy in question who was taking down notes looking so effortless. She wondered if Elodie's words could have truth in them. Can Hogwarts' golden student be so slighted if someone advanced equally to his excellence?

Would that make him finally acknowledge that she exists?