Enchantment ; Tom Riddle

3

Tom Riddle was the 5th year prefect.

He had patrols the night prior, which was why Themis didn't ask him then.

He didn't have patrols tonight however, so she was in the clear.

Themis Chevalier had never before in her life had been this anticipated for something. Normally if she wanted to know something there was a plethora of information on the topic at her fingertips. But this? She had been working on it for 2 months and nada. 

She was practically buzzing.

If Themis wasn't so focused, she might have appreciated the peaceful air of the common room. 

The crackling warmth of the fireplace and the dark waters beyond the large window that went floor to ceiling, perpendicular to where Themis was sitting in the large sitting area near the fireplace. 

The quiet murmurs and whispers filled the atmosphere while around 25 people either played gobstones and some talked and some read.

Normally, the couches and chairs closest to the fireplace were reserved for Riddle and his group of friends, and while they surely would be once they came down, they hadn't yet, so they were occupied by a particularly loud group of 3th years.

Themis blended into the background of the scene perfectly, looking quite inconspicuous as she was sitting next to her dorm mate Miriam Merrythought who was reading a charms book as Themis wrote in her notebook.

 Miriam was fully absorbed in her textbook, being unbothered by anyone or thing else. It was one of the things Themis liked about the girl, and was convenient while she wrote, as Miriam wouldn't be nosy.

It was about 8:00, 10 or so minutes after Themis finished her bracelet design from the previous morning when Riddle, Malfoy, Rosier and the rest walked in.

It was slightly comical how the 3rd years near the fireplace jumped up like the couch burnt them and scampered off to someplace as the whispers and murmurs dissipated somewhat.

They were walking leisurely in from the outside of the common room, Nott and Malfoy carrying expensive looking, black leather bags with books peaking out of the top, that made Themis think they just got back from the library.

Nott was berating Malfoy as they entered, seeming gesturing to his hair, while Malfoy gave him a scathing look dripping with poison and clear annoyance. 

Black was snickering at Nott's comments, while Rosier was checking his wristwatch while he was up with Riddle who happened to be two paces in front of the rest of the group. 

They made their way over to the fireplace and sat down in their normal arrangements. Nott lounged on a love-seat with his feet up, Rosier and Black leaning back into a particularly cushy couch, Malfoy sitting on black leather chair leaning forward, now arguing with Nott and Riddle in another leather armchair with a book in his hand and his eyes scanning the words.

Themis got why so many people were enamoured with Tom Riddle.

He was without a doubt the most attractive man she had ever seen in her life. His dark hair was slightly ruffled and while his robes were normally impeccable, they now had a causal look to them. His face was so sharp that looked like a cut diamond. His dark eyes glinted as he read, the rest of his face passive.

Themis closed the journal on her lap, and tucked the quill inside the sewn pocket she added to her robes, and then stood up.

Miriam didn't notice but Rosier did.

He smirked as he sat up in his chair, guessing correctly exactly where she was going.

As she neared the group, Black peered at her with a smirk, likely guessing a completely wrong the reason for why she was there.