Tom Riddle X Reader | ✓

Part 33 Lifeless

Every pupil taken shelter inside Hogwarts grounds has been watching the flashing lightning outside the windows. Oddly, nobody got hurt and some have come to a conclusion that it was just an act to scare them. The teachers have been informed about the entities that attacked the students and rushed out into the fight. After approximately five minutes of flashing and thundering, it all suddenly stopped and the teachers came back safe and sound.

Dumbledore landed first and looked at the intensely observing, curious students "Don't you have lessons to attend to?" - he shouted, dismissing the tense air

"Maybe if the professors were in class" - James laughed

"You think this is funny, Mr. Potter?" - Dumbledore frowned

Seeing his serious face James gulped "No, sir."

Albus addressed the whole of the crowd surrounding him "Hogwarts is under threat. It shall be under lockdown, no student coming in or leaving until Christmas"

Student's awe'd at Dumbledore's last words before he headed back to his office. It was only minutes before the school rumbled with rumors about the threat. Sounds of doors closing and locking echoed between the wide halls.

Later that day you and Lily headed to the library when you had free time. Unfortunately, the only two available seats left were on the four seat table with Tom and Avery already sat down.
What a coincidence. But you knew this was because students felt intimidated by the duo.

Seeing this, Lily paused for a minute "Nope." - she saw the calmly seated Riddle and was about to turn around but you grabbed her hand

"Don't leave me alone" - you begged her

She sighed "Fine. But you owe me a pumpkin pie"

"Deal." - you smiled

"I should really learn how to bargain more" - she whispered to herself.

Without saying anything to them, the two of you took the last seats right in front of the two Slytherin boys. Tom glanced up and down twice before seeing you and Lily. He was clearly very unhappy about Lily, sneering at her presence.

Awkwardly, you sat at the table. You could cut the tension with a knife, Tom had a threatening glare at your ginger friend and even though he was silent, enough could be said through his eyes. From the corner of your eye, you noticed Avery giving you the same look.

"I apologise for staring." - Tom broke the silence "But I do not usually sit with mudbloods unless necessary" - he frowned as he closed his book

Tom got off his seat and started walking away but your voice stopped him "Wait! don't." He stood still and turned around. His eyes seemed to soften when he glanced at you but then he glared at Lily then back at you.

"Just let him leave if he wants to" - Lily scowled at you

"Just..." - you sighed as you looked into Toms' eyes "There are no more seats available. Surely we can be civil." - you gave him a pleading look. 

He stood still for a bit, thinking about it. Riddle then sat back down in silence, opened his book on 'Defence against the dark arts' and quietly resumed reading, surprising the boy next, who slowly did the same.

But Lily wasn't very happy "I see." - she stormed off her seat then quickly left before you could even say a word.

Tom was smirking at the sight of the ginger leaving until he noticed the spiteful glare Avery was giving you "Stop looking at her that way."

Avery felt dissatisfied at Riddle's words "Why don't you invite her to the slug club then." - He too left his seat, leaving you and Tom alone at the table.

"Well then..." - you smiled at Tom "Guess it's just us two"

He gave you a short, fake smile "It's better that way."

You noticed a slight cut on his right wrist that looked as if it bled recently "What's that?"

"It's nothing."

"Would you mind?" - you took out your wand, hinting.

"I would."

You paused, observing his uninterested gaze he had towards his book. "I'm quite good at this"

"I doubt that."

You sighed, suddenly standing up and walking to the other side of the table, where the now empty chair closest to him no longer had a guest. Riddle, taken back by this, trailed you with his eyes until you were seated next. You swiftly yet gently grabbed his wrist then started inspecting the wound, meeting no resistance from Tom since he was slightly startled by this.

"I am sure I'll survive." - Riddle said.

"Well it's very hard to tell" - you jested "Could be fatal" - you glanced up into Toms' now softer eyes. "You do need something to treat it though. "I could easily treat this myself, if not with magic then at least disinfect it with some herbs."

He didn't respond, just watched you in silence continuously inspect it. You found yourself brushing your finger against his soft skin in comfort, just below the cut, making sure you do not hurt him. And he found himself not resisting. You held his hand in yours and got up, making him get up with you. He remained quiet when you led him towards the exit of the library to treat the wound.

However, before you could leave, a local Ravenclaw female student, pale with messy hair, and who was short of breath after obvious sprinting, had interrupted the casual silence in the room "A BODY IN THE HALLWAY!!!"

When she rushed back out, she was accompanied by a very large crowd behind her as every single student who has been studying decided to drop what they were doing just to see what's going on. Along with the flow of the crowd you came along, dropping Toms' hand and rushing after the girl.

The Ravenclaw girl stopped running after some time and looked down on the wet floor of the hall.

Lifeless, looking as if all her blood had been drained out of her, laid silently on the cold ground Lily. Her hair was wet from the floor, her lips were colourless, eyes wide open as if she's seen something horrific before she collapsed, and her skin looked to be made out of stone - pale and stiff.

On the wall next to her lifeless body the words "Beware Mudbloods", written in thick, fresh blood flashed the horrified students and teachers who'd been shooing the students away from the scenery.

You felt your heart drop at the sight of this. A massive rush of anxiety hit through your heart. With soft tears in your eyes about to roll, you saw Toms' back as he was leaving the scenario sooner than anyone else. You clenched your fists and followed.