Princess - A Tom Riddle Fan Fiction

Chapter 15

Our bond strengthens with every word, or tension strengthens with every touch.

--

The next week goes without scandal. I go to my classes, Tom tutors me, I hang out with Ember, Lorraine, Harvey, and Averi, and then go to bed. The only different thing that has happened has been Meghan saying hi whenever she sees me; but it's quickly becoming ordinary. I'm not saying it's boring, of course not, but I do feel like I'm missing out on something very important and the itching feeling keeps getting stronger every night. 

I walk through the darkening corridor, towards the Great Hall, with a strange suspicion. A tingling feelings travels down my spine and I scratch the back of my neck, trying to rid the feeling. It settles down slightly, but I remain unsettled.

"Who the hell is watching me? I swear to god I will kill you when I see you," I yell.

An unnatural silence remains, soon followed by a slight shuffle of feet. I spin around, but I catch nothing. I stay there for a few more seconds until I hear a loud pair of boots rushing down the hall. I hold my breath, waiting for someone to put a bag over my head. To my relief, Averi turns the corner. He looks me up in down, before exhaling a long, frustrated sigh.

"I could hear you screaming two corridors away. Are you okay?" 

I nod, "Yeah, sorry about that. Nothing strange has been happening to me lately so my senses are playing tricks on me."

He gently smiles, "Same thing happened to me when I was a first year. Anyways, let's get going. Apparently, Dumbledore has some speech to get through."

When we get to the Great Hall, we wave goodbye before sitting at our house tables. I sit across from Ember, who gives me a feeble hello. I almost ask her what's wrong until I catch notice of the tall, still boy next to me. He's facing the other way, towards the podium, but I know he sees me somehow. I widen my eyes and turn to Ember, who looks away almost immediately. I give her a silent scowl and try my best to focus on Dumbledore.

"I have great pride in announcing that our annual Winter Ball is approaching," The headmaster starts. Gasps and whispers fill the room and I put all my effort into keeping my eye-line towards Dumbledore.

He gives a toothy grin and motions for us to settle down. "Now, now, calm down students. Unfortunately, only 4th years and above may attend." a few groans from younger kids can be heard. "The 7th years will remain with the traditional first dance and your lessons will begin tomorrow. You may now enjoy the feast."

He waves his hands and the food appears. I slowly shift my gaze to my plate, being careful to attract Tom's attention. I reach out and attempt to take a piece of roast beef, but a cold grasp stops me halfway.

"You really thought you could go through this whole dinner unnoticed?" He mutters.

I sigh, "I tried. Now let me eat."

He lets go of my wrist and continues to eat his food, which is already stacked on his plate.

"How'd you get your food so fast?" I whisper to him.

"I've been here for a while, you learn how to collect what you want before everyone else," he replies nonchalantly as he takes a sip from his pumpkin juice.

Ember glares at him, "Right... anyways are you excited about the ball?"

Tom shakes his head, pushing a chip in his mouth, "I'll be there for the first dance and then I'll be out."

Ember turns to me, unamused with Tom's answer.

I shrug, "a little. I'll probably go without a date, though."

Ember groans, "You guys aren't fun. Dates make this whole thing a thousand times more interesting." She steals a chip from Tom, who unsuccessfully tries to slaps her hand. "Staying a little longer after the first dance also helps," she tells Tom.

I cover my growing smile with my hand, they must really be close. The relationship looks shallow from afar but knowing Tom, he let her in quite a bit. A pang of jealousy hits my core and I clear my throat to rid the feeling.

"Who do you plan on going with then?" I ask Ember.

"Easy, Lorraine," she smiles confidently. Tom rolls his eyes and goes back to picking at his food.

"Speaking of, have you asked her out yet?" I ask.

She giggles, "I thought this would be the perfect chance to do so." 

I nod in agreement, "Do you think you'd be allowed to have the first dance together?"

Her voice withers, "I hope so. If not a lot of people will be dying."

My eyes snap to her, who's smiling and giggling again. It was just a joke. I hope. If she really isn't allowed to dance with Lorraine though, a lot of people would be pissed. There would be a lot of protesting students who would refuse to go to the dance, including me for sure. 

I stifle a yawn, "I should get to my homework before I fall asleep. See you tomorrow."

Ember waves and goes back to scarfing down food. I am about to stand up when a cold, ringed hand grazes my upper thigh. I make an inaudible gasp and Tom squeezes, sending a jolt of heat through me. I lower myself back to sitting and raise my eyes to his face. 

He leans down towards my ear, "I want you to be careful walking around these halls, alone. You're not safe, I hope you know that."

My breathing grows heavier but I don't dare move. He gently caresses my thigh with his index finger as I wonder how Ember doesn't notice I'm still here.

"What are you doing, Tom?" I breathily mutter.

His hot breath dances over my skin, "I'm warning you like a nice... acquaintance. Isn't that what acquaintances do, princess?"

That nickname is back again. His hand moves higher and I fight a moan. What the fuck does he think he's doing?

"Tom-"

"Florence?"

I suck in a breath. He hasn't called me Florence since...

"There are a lot of people in this room, what do you think you're doing?" I seethe.

"I needed to keep you down somehow," he devilishly whispers. I can feel his smirk. "Thank you for obliging, princess. I'll let you go now."

He slowly, so fucking slowly, slides his hand off my thigh and moves his lips away from my ear. I let go of my breath and Ember finally looks up.

"Why are you still here?" She asks through a mouthful of food.

"sorry, I zoned out. I should really get going." I stand up and practically throw myself into the hall, feeling his eyes on me the entire time. 

This. Boy. Will. Be. The. Death. Of. Me.

--

I'm slowly getting spicier. I just gotta find the right time. Have a good day/evening/night.

- Gray