Tʜᴇ Dᴀʀᴋ Lᴏʀᴅ's Aɴɢᴇʟ | Tom Riddle √

119: Muggle Studies

Cassiopeia found herself almost late for Muggle Studies class, a sleepless night having taken its toll. She hurried into the classroom, and all eyes, including Professor Burbage's, turned toward her in surprise.

"I'm sorry, professor," Cassiopeia apologized, her gaze scanning for an empty seat.

"Take your seat next to Raven," Professor Burbage directed her to an empty chair. Her heart sank as she noticed Tom sitting there, paying her no attention whatsoever, as if the seat next to him were unoccupied.

Cassiopeia sighed, deciding that she needed to summon the courage to treat him as he was treating her. She wasn't sure if it would affect him, but perhaps he would understand how it felt to be ignored by someone you loved. Did he still love her?

"So, Miss. Black," the professor's voice interrupted her thoughts of Tom. "What do you think about the inventions of Muggles?"

"Uhm... they are amazing, I guess," Cassiopeia shrugged. "We all know that Muggles are incapable of using magic, but they have invented great things, like the light bulb, radios, plumbing systems, and rotary phones. I think they are intelligent to view the world in a new way and invent something new every day."

"Exactly," Charity Burbage acknowledged, smiling. "Well, today I'm going to teach you about light bulbs. This was invented by an American Muggle named Thomas Alva Edison."

The professor's lesson, which included the inventor's biography, left a deep impression on Cassiopeia. A particular statement stood out in her mind: "Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration." She couldn't help but be awed by the brilliant thinking of Muggles.

As she immersed herself in the lesson, she felt the moment she had been waiting for—Tom's gaze on her. From the corner of her eye, she caught him stealing glances in her direction. When she turned to look at him, he averted his eyes back to the professor. Cassiopeia rolled her eyes, trying to focus on the fascinating lesson. But the feeling persisted.

This time, she ignored him, fully aware of his gaze on her through the window in front of the classroom. She couldn't deny that she relished the attention. It was as if he were devouring her with his eyes, making her miss the days when she felt like the most precious person in his life.

She longed for his touch, the kisses he left on her skin every morning, the warmth of his arms around her all night, his breath on her forehead or the crook of her neck. She missed the way he slept on her chest like a baby and began each day with a flurry of kisses. She even missed the visible marks he left on her skin from his affection.

Every memory of him intensified the ache in her heart. She bit her lower lip to stifle her emotions, unable to hold back her tears. She hadn't tried to sit next to him today, knowing that she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the lesson.

Draco always placed her in the front to keep her away from Tom's sight. Today, she wished Tom could be there with her.

"Take a piece of parchment and write an essay about the light bulb right now," the professor instructed. "Pair with the person next to yours."

Cassiopeia sighed, knowing this would be harder. She took the piece of parchment silently and wrote the title.

"Do I have to speak first, or will he?" she wondered aloud, not looking at him. She knew that staying on a last-name basis was better. Each time she uttered his name, it felt like her heart was shattering into pieces. "What do you think about the light bulb, Raven? I need your escort to write the essay."

He remained silent for a few seconds, and Cassiopeia didn't want to repeat herself. Maybe he was staring at her to fool her.

His love was gone. He would never come to her. She was just imagining that he would come to her and ask her out again. He wouldn't come back. She had to accept this and let go of the false hope.