how it feels to be alive {tom riddle}

sixty-two: reunited

REUNITED

As Tom's quill scratched the parchment in front of him, he enjoyed the endorphins flowing through his body. 

It was his last exam, and the fact that he'd completed school once before did not diminish the euphoric feeling of writing perfect answers to the questions on the page before him.

If he was being honest, academic success had always been a guilty pleasure of his. The feeling of teachers swooning before him, and the intimidation other students felt in his presence because of his intelligence was the kind of ego boost he saw as similar in its gentle enjoyment to a sweet treat after a plate of vegetables for a child. Hence why he declared it a guilty pleasure, because he would never admit this comparison to anyone else.

He didn't bother reading over his last paragraph, because he knew it would be fine. He dotted the last full stop at the end of his answer and lay his quill beside the page. A moment later, a bell signaling the end of the examination rung, and the sound of quills hitting the desk echoed through the Great Hall.

The parchment in front of him levitated toward the front of the room along with the rest, and once all was in a stack with the supervising teacher the students were dismissed.

There were chants and excited chatter resounding through and bouncing off the stone walls seeing as it was most of the students' final exam of their last year. All that was left would be graduation before they all went off in their different directions for the future.

"Tom, how'd you go?" Lysander spoke from beside him. 

"Well I suppose, how about yourself?" Tom said casually, not really desiring to make small talk.

"Not bad, just happy to be done." Lysander responded light-heartedly, "Hey, Lorcan!" He trailed off when he saw his twin brother, and Tom welcomed the excuse to walk ahead. He was looking forward to a strong coffee and to read a book in his dorm while all others were out celebrating their new freedom.

He was speed walking to avoid the crowds, pondering the last question of the exam as the rhythmic sound of his steps echoed against the stone walls. 

It was as he turned down the next hall that he saw it.

It hadn't been something he was expecting, the sight of the soft blonde hair he knew all too well.

She flicked it over her shoulder as she talked to Professor Longbottom, flashing him a smile showing off her sparkling teeth. He must have said something funny, because Lucia laughed. However, Longbottom mustn't have intended for what he said to by comedic because he gave a forced and fake chuckle. 

Lucia looked different... and it was difficult to put his finger on exactly what had changed.

She wore sheer black tights with her pleated tartan uniform skirt, a white shirt tucked into the skirt neatly. Her hair was shorter, wavier... She was the Lucia he knew and a totally different person all at once.

Professor Longbottom dismissed himself, and Lucia turned away towards the Great Hall where the stream of students was emerging.

Tom stood there, other people milling around him like ants. But he hardly noticed, because when her eyes found his, he may have stopped breathing.

Her smile didn't fade, but something about it became apprehensive and almost nervous in her eyes. 

He began to walk towards her, oblivious to the students walking hurriedly past him as he felt himself pulled toward her like a magnet.

It had been 5 months since he'd been in her presence, since he'd heard her voice, since he'd touched her skin.

He didn't expect that things would have changed this much... that she would have changed this much.