𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇; Tom Riddle

chapter two

menacing;

"Abraxas." I nodded my head towards the blonde, attempting to contain the tremulous smile I hid.

"Elizabeth." Abraxas returned the same nonchalant energy, smiling widely nonetheless of I not parading him one.

Watching the cheering playfulness in his eyes gave me butterflies, which only made my instinct to smile back at him take motion. I couldn't control my laughter or smile around him.

It was embarrassing, in a way.

Eventually, my insecurities kicked in and I placed my hand over my mouth to hide my smile. At this point, I can't stop it even if I want to. It's become too much of a habit.

I don't like my smile at all. But, we all have our insecurities.

Abraxas frowned, before scratching his head as if he had been addled. I soon took my hand off my mouth, and soon I had actually become somewhat confused myself.

"What?" I spoke, puzzled.

There was silence for a moment. I waited for him to even speak one word. Only one. But, he didn't quite yet. After a moment of silence, I soon became worried about what he was to say.

Finally, he spoke, "I think your smile is beautiful. Why do you cover it?"

I paused to think for a moment before I replied, and I'd decided, he'd irritated me. "It's not that important."

"It is important, Elizabeth. It's important to love yourself." He said softly, making me look down at my feet.

I felt small, and belittled, in my own selfish way. Though I knew he only wanted to help.

"Okay, Elizabeth. We don't have to talk about it." He spoke to me, and I could tell that he knew I had become somewhat uncomfortable.

I remained silent.

Subsequently, he groaned impatiently, waiting for me to look back up at him and parade him the attention he desired.

"Thank you." I glared back at him finally, and he smiled softly in relief. I felt small again as the hall we stood in fell deathly silent.

He clicked his tongue, "Well, I've got a Ravenclaw to do our homework so we can hang out."

The Kanes and the Malfoys have always been well acquainted, but even more so since I and Abraxas had gotten along so well as children. We would spend every waking moment together with no matter the cost. We were inseparable. We were the bitterest kids on the block, always pulling pranks on the others.

"Lizzie?" He tapped me on the shoulder, pulling me away from my childhood memories. I recoiled at his touch and curled my lip.

"Right. I'll sneak you into my dorm—" I paused, lowering my tone, "Hopefully Tom isn't there." I said deviously, preparing myself mentally to break the rules of Hogwarts.

I am not much of a rule breaker. However, in hindsight, I absolutely love everything about breaking rules. I love the idea of it. I love the idea of not being confined to any sort of routine or domineering schedule. To be liberated. Unfortunately, when it comes to actually breaking rules—my confidence is on the floor. Or, I assume you'd call that courage.

but yes, I share a dorm with Tom. It's quite annoying. Other girls and boys aren't allowed to have the opposite gender in their dorms, but for some odd reason, Professor Dumbledore insisted we share one. This was peculiar since Dumbledore rarely ever bends the rules of Hogwarts for anyone. I faintly recall his reasonings being something along the lines of, "It's best if brilliant minds alike stick together."