my riddle to solve (tom riddle)

raymond (the dreamer)

I used Art Breeder to have all my characters come to life, the attached picture is Raymond Prewett! <3

Also, here's the link to a playlist I made for him: ( I think you'll have to copy and paste to view it)

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4nk7xsqp1zJZJHK0RpQuzY?si=cO6jCCmUR6KappWnk7LSGg

————————————————————————

He used to hate the taste of Firewhisky.

The first time he tried some, (on a dare at the age of eleven) it burned its way down his throat after soiling his taste buds. The bitter remnants haunted his tongue for the rest of the day, a reminder of the awful drink.

Now as he sat in his temporary bedroom, taking swig after swig; he couldn't even taste a thing. Raymond had promised himself that tonight would be a dry one, but he quickly gave into the temptations, seeing as he no longer had the distraction of his friend. Ophelia was off with Riddle, leaving Raymond all alone. Her brother and sister were of course in the house, but he would never bother the perky little blondes with his woes.

The boy let his body collapse against the bed, allowing his head to rest against one of the fluffy pillows. It was nearing the witching hour, but he knew his mind wouldn't keep still enough to allow him any sleep. He reached his hand under the pillow, wanting to feel the note against his fingers. Reassurance that he wasn't just imagining all of this.

Of course, there had been another letter a few hours prior. Now, its remaining ashes were scattered amongst the logs in the fireplace. Raymond's mother would most surely flip if she knew that her words had been used as kindling.

For over a year, Raymond had accepted the fact that he would be married to Sarah Yaxley. It wasn't as if she was ugly or rude; she was a decent girl. He had decided that he would be able to find happiness in life, even throughout a loveless marriage.

It wasn't until he came along that Raymond had started to think otherwise. Abraxas Malfoy had always been around, ever since Raymond was young. The two boys used to have a mutual dislike for each other, partially because of Quidditch and partially because of old family rivalries.

But then one night, they found themselves together in a vulnerable situation. It was the third evening back at Hogwarts, the eve of the first Slytherin party of the term. Raymond had gotten plastered on Muggle vodka and Abraxas was riding out a bad marijuana-high. Abraxas had been dragged up to bed by his friends and left alone to sleep things off. Raymond, (who had recently been rejected by his ex-girlfriend Katie,) had stumbled into the boy's bedroom thinking that it was a bathroom.

"Excuse you, but I think you're in the wrong place," murmured the blonde. Raymond had just collapsed against the doorframe, as he found that his legs had stopped working. Abraxas' vision was swirling with unnatural colors and distorted shapes. Raymond was still capable of seeing clearly, so he recognized the boy on the bed.

"Oh, hello Malfoy. I thought this was a bathroom," he explained. Abraxas continued to stare at him with bewilderment. His platinum locks had fallen across his forehead and the smoke had made his eyes grow wide.

"Oh, I see. Do you think Nargles are real?"

"What in Merlin's name is a Nargle?" Raymond let out a long laugh, one that went on for an unnatural amount of time. Confused as ever, Abraxas laughed along with him.

Raymond had ended up sleeping on his floor that night. The next morning, he forced himself to sober up enough to help Abraxas, who was still under the effects of the laced marijuana. The Malfoy heir made sure to express his gratitude once he had fully recovered a few days later.