Lies and falsehoods, armour made of ambition and cruelty. Irremediably, Tom Riddle's destiny has been written from the beginning, foreseeing a dark and deviant path. But to everything there is an exception, and Anastasia Atwell did not know she was...
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Isidore Rosier
"It was a pleasure to have you all as guests at my dinner party, probably one of the last we will share together."
The Professor continued to ramble on with his speech, his cheeks red and a goblet in his hands, his eyes seeming to twinkle at the thought. He was very affectionate towards the students he cared about the most, and this was certainly nothing new.
Tiernan puffed loudly beside Anastasia, his arms linked to his chest and a tired expression on his face. As accustomed as he was to drinking, he seemed to be the only one of the lot who had been carried away by the drinks. During dinner he had tried to take Anastasia with him to the balcony, asking her for company for a cigarette, for a chat, to get some air. She had always indulged him, keeping one eye on him at all times. But as they chatted, they were always interrupted by someone. Whether it was Eric, then followed by Tom and his companion. Or Jonah, who laughed from afar as he watched the ridiculous spectacle.
"Just be patient a little longer. We'll be back in the common room soon, and you're going straight to bed," Anastasia murmured to him, hitting him in the side with an elbow. He mumbled something in response, but it was unintelligible.
The dinner, after all, had been enjoyable.
The food was delicious, the atmosphere quiet and friendly. Everyone chatted in low voices, taking short breaks to listen to the Professor's stories about his old students and his future plans. Laughter, jokes. Something they needed from time to time to take a break from school.
The Professor took care to greet each of them individually, then escorted the whole group to the door to make sure they left together and headed straight for the stairs, avoiding any breaches of rules and schedules. He entrusted the task of keeping order to Tom, Anastasia and the prefects there, who promised that nothing would happen. And once the doors were closed, they all split into small groups, wishing each other a good night before turning their backs and heading back to their rooms.
Given the late hour, and the approaching cold season, the corridors of the school seemed to be getting colder and colder. The candles were lit but the flame was very low, there was no noise other than that made by their footsteps, the ghosts of the portraits were all silent or whispered something as they passed.
Anastasia, Tiernan and Tom walked side by side. The girl was holding Tiernan under her arm, and Tom was making sure the latter didn't fall on Anastasia. Jonah, from behind, continued to judge silently.
What he had been wondering all evening, watching the three of them and the Ravenclaw prefect, was what precisely Tom's plan was. They had already talked in depth about what a stupid lurch Anastasia was in his path, but Tom had chosen not to reveal the true intentions to his most loyal follower. And this Jonah had understood. But, there was a reason Tom trusted him more than anyone else.
