Not Broken, Not Yet | Tom Riddle

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Six

Silvery, white and red silks hung from the stone ceiling. Lit candles lined the walls, illuminating the dark December night outside that had a chilly breeze travel over the mountains and valleys. The usually so lonesome corridor was that night buzzing with life, all of whom were on their way to the grand room of this year's Christmas Party. Guests, dressed in their finest robes and dresses trickled in from all corners of the castle, must to the dismay of the other students whose jealous eyes followed the chosen few as they made their way to the glittering hall at the end of the illuminated corridor.

I had spent hours getting ready. Hours... convincing myself. Convincing myself that what had previously felt like a good idea still was so, despite the voice within me that told me that it was ludicrous. My hands shook somewhat as I climbed down the stairs toward the glittering corridor, my gloved hands almost slipping on the cold stone as I turned a corner toward the corridor below.

A long strapless dress of blood red satin covered my willowy frame, a white fur shawl resting around my arms that were covered by white long gloves. My dark hair was brushed back, flowing in elegant curls down my bare back. I felt exposed. The chilly breeze from the outside easily reached me, sending shivers down my body as the icy wind caressed my skin.

Below me couples walked under the glittering fabrics towards the festivities afar. My eyes followed them, these smiling faces that hadn't spent the last hour trying to figure out whether or not they should fake being sick. That hadn't doubted their decision a million times before that point. I knew what my friends thought. For as I had passed Clara and Mary in the common room where they sat by our usual couch by the fire I had felt their disdain as their gazes followed me on my way out, as they noted my dress and makeup. As they thought of the person I had dressed up for.

I was a villain in their eyes. In everyone's eyes. And, perhaps I was.

But at that time I refused to believe it. I felt justified somehow in my actions, in my revenge. For despite the doubt I knew somehow that it wasn't my actions I doubted, no instead it was the reactions of others. It wasn't a bad conscience that pestered me, instead it was worry of what others would think. Worry, that as my green gaze wandered to the bottom of the stairs and met a pair of black eyes disappeared with the snap of a finger.

Tom was dressed in elegant black robes, a black bowtie elegantly resting below his Adam's apple. His ink black hair was combed back, his handsome sharp face tilted up towards me. I let out a breath, self conscious and reassured at the same time. A small smirk flashed across his pale lips, his eyes glinting with amusement at my hesitation. He saw my doubt, saw it and waited. He arched a dark eyebrow. A challenge, like always. I narrowed my eyes and took a breath, then I met him at the bottom of the stairs.

The smirk reappeared but Tom extended his arm politely. "Good evening, Green." He said, his voice sent shivers running down my body. But not of ice for once.

"Evening, Riddle." I said, taking his arm tentatively, meeting his gaze under heavy eyelids that sparkled with glittering eyeshadow. His eyes appraised me, wandering over my dress and face - taking in everything. I cocked my head to the side. "Something on your mind, Riddle?"

"You're magnificent." He simply said, eyes landing on mine for a brief moment before looking forward to the line of people trailing towards the party. "Now let's go." He said briskly, the softness of his previous words leaving him like he was hoping to clear the air of such niceties.

I chuckled. "You don't look too bad yourself." I smirked, keeping his pace as he guided me through the crowd - easily moving past other couples that dallied as they admired the decorations. Glowing fairies flew through the air, making a path to the hall where the party was held, and mistletoe hung in the ceiling, creating a web of green leaves and white pearl like flowers where it spread in between the glistening fabrics, occasionally growing above a nervous young couple. My gaze wandered over the faces.