Of Monsters and Men- Tom Riddle x OC

39

Animo let out a long sigh, watching as her breath made the window pane turn cloudy with frost. The February wind was bitter as it swirled between the Scottish highlands, nipping at the few blooms that had been courageous enough to peek above the frozen earth. The sun was little more than a faint wisp in the sky, a distant memory of the precious splendor of its rays.

"What's got you so glum, Wallis?"

She looked up to see Lyall striding towards her, his hands buried in the front pockets of his trousers. The boy was whistling some sort of cheerful jive under his breath and Animo felt a bitter stab of resentment. Life seemed too easy for the popular Gryffindor.

"Haven't seen your weird little friends around lately," Lyall prattled on, clearly immune to Animo's dour state, "can't say I miss them much, although the bird was a bit of a spitfire."

Trying not to flinch at the mention of Avril, Animo returned her attention back to the countryside beyond the corridor. With little lead on Gellert in the news, she had been unable to further any progress on defeating her brother. Nurmengard was no longer an option. However merciful Dauphina had been in the past, Animo held little doubt that the woman would hand her straight into Gellert's clutches if given the opportunity. It was frightening how desperation could change people.

"Seriously, Wallis," Lyall nudged her shoulder, settling beside her against the stone rail. "What's got your wand in a knot?"

"Nothing," Animo muttered coldly, hoping her tone offered no room for discussion. "Shouldn't you be in Hogsmeade?"

The Gryffindor grinned, not at all offset by her continued dismissal. "How could I leave without my favourite lass? Besides," he grimaced in mock pain, "Dom continues to abandon me in pursuit of Cilla. I'd rather reserve being the third wheel for classrooms and corridors, instead of Madame Puddifoot's."

Animo raised an eyebrow, not all together certain of what he was referring to. Her Hogsmeade trips had typically been limited, with Avril and Alphard not at all enthusiastic to be out in the streets.

There was such a long pause that Animo had begun to believe that Lyall had left. She couldn't decide whether she felt relieved or rather disappointed. Self-pity had been all too easy to revel in these weeks, with Animo skipping classes just to avoid Tom. However, she was afraid that Slughorn would not buy her complaints of illness much longer.

"Merlin, Wallis." Lyall puffed out a long sigh, startling her from her thoughts. "How can you bear this?" His lip curled. "I'm beginning to hear the echo of my own thoughts."

"Perhaps it's important to linger before you act," Animo raised a chiding brow, wrapping her scarf tighter about her throat with numbed fingers. "Thus, you can decide what is really appropriate."

Lyall shrugged, motioning for Animo to follow him down the steps. He even extended his elbow, helping her avoid a slick patch of ice. "Thinking is dangerous, I reckon. Why torture yourself with possibilities that might not exist?"

Glancing over, Animo saw that Lyall was observing her with a critical expression. She patted the crown of her hair, wondering if perhaps there was something on her face.

"You know, I'm not one for boy talk," Lyall continued down the hill, leading them in the direction of Hogsmeade. Animo didn't bother to warn him that the carriages had already left. The Gryffindor would surely just insist that they walk. "But seeing as you have no friends at the moment, I'm here if you need to talk about Riddle."

Animo glanced up sharply. "What does Tom have to do with anything?"

Lyall rolled his eyes. "Wallis, in case you haven't figured it out, a man is fairly attentive to the attractive females in his life. Particularly when they pursue conniving, slimy snakes like Riddle. Now," he extended his elbow once more, motioning for Animo to take hold, "would you like to tell me why you've been practically nonexistent for weeks? Did the git break your heart?" A mischievous grin angled his lips. "I have to say, everyone told you so."