ineffable ~ a tom riddle story

𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝔀𝓸

The train came to a halt having finally reached its destination. 

Cordelia slowly came back to consciousness haven fallen asleep in the last hour whilst reading her transfiguration textbook. She had already mapped her syllabus and was far ahead in all her studies. I mean, what else would be expected? 

The raven-haired girl gathered her things and began her way towards the door. 

'thank merlin I changed earlier'  Thanking herself, she hoisted herself onto the carriage bound for the castle. Noticing the thestrals she experienced a brief flashback but pushed it out of her mind.

A curly haired girl with a dark complexion gracefully sat down beside her and smiled. 

'hello'

'um hi' Cordelia replied looking through her suitcase cursing herself for forgetting her glasses. 

'I've had a look at the dormmate list, You're Cordelia right?'

Cordelia nodded

'it looks like we're roommates, my name is Lucinda Greer'  

'Oh hi sorry I've just misplaced my glasses, where was the dormmate list by the way?'

'Oh they gave me a copy with my letter I'm new here - they attached pictures sorry I'm not a stalker or anything'  Lucinda added sheepishly.

Cordelia smiled 'don't worry about it do you have your timetable on you?'

'yes' Lucinda said reaching into her satchel 

'you can have a look at mine if you want' Cordelia said pushing over her own timetable.

'looks like we have a fair few classes together, don't worry Hogwarts is pretty great, where'd you transfer from?'

'Ilvermony, we moved here because my dad got a great job offer in the ministry, that and...'

'and what?'

'you know, Grindelwald'

'Oh um yes sorry'  Cordelia replied awkwardly 

'wow you are taking so many classes' 

'yeah...I don't know I guess I just quite enjoy school'  Cordelia lied.

They continued their chatter before finally reaching the castle. 

**************

That night, Cordelia's dreams were plagued with nightmares once again.

Each time she had them they became more and more vivid. A book. A ring. A...a locket?

That was new. The same images of destruction spun around tirelessly as though attempting to take her mind with it.

The girl awoke shivering and a little frightened if she was honest.

She had retired to bed early that night; leaving the grand hall just after Headmaster Dippet finished his usual welcome back speech. The dark haired Ravenclaw wasn't feeling great and wanted to get a headstart on prepping for her classes first thing tomorrow, plus she liked being the only one in the Ravenclaw tower. 

She had noticed Tom's absence at dinner though it annoyed her that she did as he was beginning to have quite the impact on her life. 

Cordelia quietly slipped out of bed and over to the window, it was a full moon tonight. She always thought the moon was the most beautiful and mysterious thing in the world, the sky in general left her awestruck. Partly why she had always loved astronomy. 

Though against the rules, she decided to go for a stroll around the castle. She couldn't help it. It was her favourite thing to do, it was the only time she ever felt at ease, the only time she felt she didn't have to worry. She was a prefect so it would be easy to lie and say something was wrong plus she was pretty gifted at wordless magic and invisibility arcane magic.

Cordelia wandered the halls deciding to go the astronomy tower to look at the moon and perhaps gather some moon water to use for later spells. On her way there however she heard footsteps and quickly hid behind a pillar.

There he was. Tom Riddle in the flesh no less. What the hell was he doing out at this time of night? She peaked over but he was...gone? She thought she might've somehow imagined it...weird.

So she turned to walk the other way to be safe, but to her dismay there he was. Towering over her.

'Miss Durras'  he smirked his voice reeking of false pleasantry, 'do you have a reason for being out here?' 

'I could ask you the same thing Riddle'  She scoffed.

He fake pouted 'have I upset you already? I wasn't aware I had so much effect on you'

'don't be daft Riddle I was simply unaware you ever did anything against the rules'

'you're one to talk - It's my night for patrol duty, if you're so curious' He added with a slight hint of annoyance

'You're aware I'm a prefect too right? It's Hufflepuff's turn tonight, I've seen the schedule'

He smoothed his hair and narrowed his eyes the smallest amount but she still noticed. 

'Headmaster Dippet's orders Durras, don't try being clever it just makes you look even more pathetic'

She was quite taken aback at his remark, she knew his false politeness was a facade but she had never seen him drop it like this, she had definitely hit a nerve. But she pushed further.

'Really? If I'm breaking the rules why don't we dawdle on over to his office and you can turn me in for my 'reckless' behaviour'

He stared for a moment, a little at a loss as what to do, he assumed she would just scurry off intimidated or something - a little foolish he'll admit.

'I don't have time for this Durras, I have far more important things to concern myself with'

'But-' Before she could even get the next word out, he was gone.