Begged and borrowed time - Tom Riddle

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒓𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒏

August's eyes fluttered open, her gaze swiftly scanning the unfamiliar room. She took in her surroundings with a mix of curiosity and intrigue, before stretching her limbs and letting out a soft yawn, the remnants of sleep still lingering within her. Spotting Tom Riddle immersed in his parchment, she couldn't help but shake her head in amusement.

"I told you," August said, her voice carrying a playful tone as she smiled from her comfortable position on the sofa, resting her head on her hands while watching him.

Tom was caught off guard by her sudden awakening, a quick sense of relief washing over him. "What, exactly, did you tell me?" he inquired, closing his diary and without turning his attention towards her.

"That you were a party popper," August replied as she let herself fall back onto the soft cushions of the sofa. Tom couldn't help but pinch the bridge of his nose, his gaze shifting to Flamel, who appeared still under the potion's circumstances.

"Stand up. We need to go," he ordered, standing up from his chair and making his way towards the witch, who looked up at him from her reclining position.

"Mister Riddle, I am not going anywhere until you share one of your so well-guarded secrets," August declared, closing her eyes again, her mischievous grin still present on her lips, accentuating her freckles.

"No," he responded quickly and with a seriousness that brooked no argument. "You come with me. Now." Tom wasn't accustomed to being denied, and this unfamiliar sensation gnawed at his patience.

"What would I gain by obeying you?" She asked, reclining comfortably against the sofa, a clear declaration that she had no intention of moving anytime soon.

"I could kill you," Riddle stated in a low, ominous voice. It wasn't a warning aimed solely at her; it was a grim acknowledgment of the power he held over her life, and the unsettling truth that he was even contemplating it. The ease with which he could snuff out her existence hung heavy in the air, a temptation he struggled to resist.

"You could try, I wish you the best of luck," August dared, her response devoid of emotion or any apparent concern for her own survival. A long pause filled the room before Riddle finally replied.

Tom's frustration peaked, his jaw clenching tightly. He despised the idea of appearing vulnerable or having his secrets exposed. He contemplated his options, searching for a secret that wouldn't compromise his carefully crafted image.

Riddle carefully considered his options, weighing the potential risks and consequences. "If I divulge a secret, you must follow my orders without question until we reach the common room," he stated firmly, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. August's eyes flew open, brimming with excitement. She nodded her head vigorously, eager to accept the bargain.

Tom searched his mind for a secret that he could safely reveal, knowing that the girl's memory would likely cause her to forget about it soon due to the potion. However, he was cautious not to disclose his most significant and closely guarded secrets.

With a glimmer of annoyance in his eyes, he reluctantly responded, "I am an orphan," his voice laced with a touch of irritation, as he revealed a small piece of personal information. He immediately regretted it, his frustration mounting further.

"And guess what? So am I!" Her words spilled out amidst laughter, her disbelief at sharing something with Tom Riddle only heightening her amusement. "But hey, Riddle, I'm new at this, any tips?" She raised her eyebrows.

Tom's mind briefly flickered with the vision of August's parents' death that he had witnessed only a few hours ago. It was a recent tragedy, not something that had occurred many years ago.