Darkness Within

Promises

"So I did something." Tom says as we walk back to our common room, following another tutoring session.

"And what is that Tom?" I smile to him, he seems incredibly excited about something.

"Well, over the summer I will be staying at hogwarts the entire time, and you will be staying with me." He tells me, a smile on his lips.

"How did you convince Dippet to allow that?" I return his excitement, nearly jumping for joy.

"Fortunately, our Headmaster has a lot of time for me, I pulled some strings. At least you don't have to go back there anymore." He tells me, and suddenly I get a panicked feeling.

"You didn't tell him about that did you? No one can know Tom serious." I say quickly.

"Of course I didn't. I'm insulted that you'd even think. You can at least pretend to be happy about it." He spits as he starts to storm off.

I run up in front of him and throw my arms around him.

"Thank you so much Tom." I say honestly, trying to stop the tears of pure joy at his kindness, that threaten to spill, his attempt at getting me away from the abuse I face at home. I hold him tight but he pushes me away, where I slam into the hard wall of the castle.

"Don't touch me. Never do that again in public again or without my permission. Do you understand Adriana?" He spits at me.

I stare at him wide-eyed, at the disgust in his face.

"But-" I start but he pushes me harder into the wall.

"I said do you understand?!" He exclaims.

I only nod before quickly running from the confrontation. My head swarming with confusion, at just how quickly he switched. I thought he was different, but maybe he isn't but it's not his aggression that upsets me, it's that I had upset him that hurts. I only want to help him, he did such a kind thing and yet I accused him so.

Tom refuses to talk to me for the rest of the week. Brushing me off or completely ignoring my attempts at conversion. It pains me, all I want is for him to tell me he forgives me. I hate myself at the thought of hurting him.

I'm just at lunch in the Great hall, when Tom finally approaches me, sitting on my right.

"I apologise for my outburst Adriana, and for ignoring you this past week. But I only tried to help you and what did I get in response? Accused of breaking your trust, ungratefulness and then you throw yourself at me in a corridor full of people? It's not what I expect from you Adriana. You really let me down there." He tells me and I am consumed in guilt- he is completely right, I suppose it did come across like that.

"I'm so sorry Tom, of course I was greatful, it's the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me and I'm so sorry that I upset you, I just panicked I guess." I say honestly, looking down at the pumpkin pasty on my plate.

"I forgive you Adriana, just don't do it again. Also, I wouldn't eat that stuff if I were you, I hear it's incredibly fattening.  Not good for such a lovely figure like yours." He says and I blush at his comment as he leaves the room.

I push the plate away from me, suddenly losing my appetite.