Soulbound : Tom Riddle

10: Favour of a 'Friend'

The common room was growing more crowded as the holidays neared. The great hall was full of festive snow and holiday garlands. Red and gold decorated the hall with ribbons and bows. Lunch became more exciting with daytime dessert for the festive feels.

"What do you mean he doesn't want me at the meeting anymore?" Victoria asked Abraxas. "Does he not trust me?"

Abraxas shrugged. He had just informed her that Tom no longer wanted to become a death eater. Though she expected it to be more of a relief for her, it ended up being the opposite.

"Doesn't that mean he's going to erase my memories or- or kill me?" she asked him.

"That won't happen, he knows how much leverage he has against you and I already..." Abraxas said with as much confidence as he could keep. "Besides, if he wanted to kill you, he'd do it already."

"How do you know?"

"He's had plenty of opportunities to kill you," Abraxas pointed out. "Did something happen between the two of you to make him change his mind? It's not normal for him to do that–to spare someone, especially-"

"Nothing happened," Victoria quickly said, recalling their many interactions. The interaction in the broom closet and the prefect's bathroom. "Do you think he trusts me then?"

"Only one way to find out," Osgar said, overhearing. "You need to rely on him."

"How do you reckon I do that?" she asked as she saw Druella and Cygnus near the table, along with Zephyr.

"Ask him for a favour," Osgar said as if it was the most obvious answer.

"That'll just put her in his debt!" Abraxas exclaimed, heavily disagreeing.

But she couldn't help but agree with Osgar. As much as she didn't want to overthink it, Abraxas was also right. But if that meant he could trust her, she would do it.

Later in Slughorn's class, when they had been sent off to work individually on their potions, Osgar reminded her once again what she had to do.

"I understand it's hard," Osgar said quietly as they stood by the cabinets. "But it's to save your own guts, remember that."

"And yours," Victoria reminded Osgar. "If he read my memories and found out that we both saw him kill Benjamin Nicholson, the devil knows what he'd do to us."

"Only the more reason to prove your submission," Osgar said.

The room was full of fog and she had barely started her potion. She rushed back to her station to begin her work, eyeing Tom from across the room. He didn't seem to notice her as he was practically immersed by the ink of the potions book.

She waited until he left his station and made way for the sink. She followed him closely behind. With his back turned from her, she cleared her throat.

He continued working, but answered, "What is it, Victoria?"

She was surprised that he recognised her tone just by clearing her throat. She had a loss for words, unsure how to approach the question.

With her silence, Tom turned around to face her with a curious look.

"I don't have time for this," he said. "So if you'll stay out of my way-"

"I need your help," she quickly said, afraid to be shut down by him.

Tom raised an amused brow as if to say, "You? Needing help?" He didn't dare show his amusement as he only replied, "I'm afraid this is an individual assignment. Even Slughorn reminded the class–you wouldn't dare cheat would you?"