𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕾𝖔𝖓𝖌 𝖔𝖋 𝕾𝖆𝖑𝖛𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓

3: Charmed

                ⋅⋆ ஓ๑ ☽ ๑ஓ ⋆⋅

I sat at the Slytherin bench when scrambled eggs and bacon appeared on my plate. Between the smell of salt and pepper and the yellow yolk in the middle...
My stomach churned. Breakfast was my least favorite meal of the day. Most of the time, I felt too nauseous to eat — today was no exception.

I fiddled with my fork by tapping it on the plate. It made a satisfying clanking sound. I continued, not caring if I annoyed other people or not. I heard someone stand up and saw a disgusted glare from Tom. I continued to tap my fork till he scoffed and stormed off, nearly bumping into Elisabeth, who came rushing over with a frown.

"What did you do to Riddle? He's grumpier than usual?" Elisabeth said as she sat down across from me.

"I was just... testing his tolerance," I replied, placing the fork down to give her my undivided attention. How cranky can he be? I wondered.

" Word of advice, darling. Don't mess with Tom Riddle if you know what's good for you." When Elisabeth said this, she looked me straight in the eyes with no faltering gaze — no signs of deception. There was something else, but I couldn't pinpoint it. I tried to get inside her brain — only to get that one crucial detail — even if it was tempting to find out more.

"Hey!" Elisabeth snapped her fingers in front of my face breaking my concentration.
"He is dangerous — leave it at that."

But I didn't want to listen; I wanted to know more. Besides, telling me he was dangerous only intrigued me further.

I smiled reassuringly, though it was a lie. I hoped she fell for it, but a pretty face wouldn't fool her if Elisabeth were as smart as I believed

"You're gonna be an idiot, aren't you?" Elizabeth sneered; she held a grape between her fingers, looking at it and then at me.
I could see the mockery in her eyes with a hint of worry, and I mean a hint as small as an eye of a needle.

"Me?" I placed a hand on my chest. " never. I still had a reassuring smile. I guessed correctly; Elisabeth saw right through me. She forced a disconcerting snort that made me momentarily shiver.

"And I'm the queen of England." She plopped the grape in her mouth, her wine-red metallic lips pursed with a pop, and her icy eyes narrowed. I felt like I was sinking under her cold gaze. Soon I would become smaller than an ant and then squash — I was dead.

If I want to make friends, I need to be honest. I heaved a defeated sigh. "Ok... I want to get to know Tom."

"Thought so," she retorted. " Well, I wish you luck, and if you die, I'll
tell the undertaker to write 'I told you so, idiot,' on your epitaph."

"Thanks... I guess?"

Elisabeth gave me a plastic smile. "You're welcome, darling."

I rolled my eyes playfully before I started up a random conversation.
I found out Elisabeth Black was from a pure-blooded family, had already been disowned, and would be cast out immediately at eighteen. She wouldn't tell me why — which annoyed me; I wanted to know everything. But the bell rang, signaling the student's class had begun.

"Charms. The class is near the towers with Professor Flitwick," I whispered. Elisabeth cocked her head with a suspicious grin as if she had heard me. That was fine; maybe she could help me get there without asking.

"Don't tell me you don't know where you're going?" She questioned mockingly. "You really are an idiot."

I would argue — in my defense — I'd never stepped foot in this castle until yesterday.
Elisabeth would tell me to use a map like an intelligent person. However, I didn't think it would matter. I had a map but dare I say: I wasn't good at reading such things.