kneel | Tom Riddle

𝟏𝟒

14| Memories

December of 1938

"What are they like?" Seraphina asked, curious as ever about Tom's previous life.

"Who?" He asked her while they were sitting in front of each other on a big window inside the Slytherin Common Room, watching the fascinating creatures in the Black Lake swimming through the window.

It was a habit both of them created when they met each other. They would sit together by that window and see the lake creatures at night. It was extremely calming for the two first years to meet in that spot after dinner and just sit together, sometimes without saying anything. After all, Tom had always been a quiet kid. But other times they would talk for hours about their plans for the future, classes, and a lot of other themes.

The young Seraphina scratched her legs, "Muggles. I have never met one."

Tom didn't say anything for a while, seeming to be thinking deeply about her question. He had told her many times he hated to be in that Orphanage, but he never specifically explained to her why he loathed muggles.

"They are filthy creatures," he said looking straight at the water. He didn't dare to look at her while he imagined those vile muggles, for he didn't want her to see his affected face. Actually, he wanted to look impartial and senseless, since he believed emotions were a sign of weakness.

"How so?" She frowned.

The boy finally looked at her intensely, "They are powerless, Seraphina. I understood they were too foolish and ignorant for their own good and let their emotions rule them, such as covetousness and envy. It's like they know what's harmful to them and still do it. Back there in London, while I was in the orphanage, just by watching the news or analyzing their pitiful behavior I doubted they were familiar with Reason."

She had never heard him say so many words, so that explained why she listened to him intently without adverting her gaze from his penetrating hazel eyes. It amazed her how an eleven-year-old boy could speak so eloquently. But he was no regular boy, he was Tom and in those first months with him, she learned to understand he was really intelligent and unique. 

In him, she saw the face of a bright mind with outstanding ideas. No matter what he said, she believed him, for he was different from any other person she had ever met. That explained why she believed his words immediately, without even questioning them.

Seraphina sighed, "I'm so sorry you had to share the same space as them for many years. You didn't deserve it."

"I didn't," he agreed, and thought immediately crept to her mind.

Just the idea of imaging Tom spending one more minute in that place made her sick, "Why don't you come to stay at my house for the Christmas holidays? You wouldn't have to go back to that muggle place or spend your Christmas and your birthday here alone at Hogwarts."

Tom didn't need a minute to make his decision, "It would be a pleasure," he answered honestly. How could he ever deny spending his days with a powerful and pureblood family? That's where he should have belonged all his life and instead, he was bullied many years for being different.

Seraphina grinned at his words, "Great! My parents are going to love you! They always wanted a boy, but they were unlucky," she made a sad face remembering the number of times her parents told her that directly.