Begged and borrowed time - Tom Riddle

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒊𝒙

The next morning, August opened her eyes, taking in her surroundings. As she glanced around, she noticed the beds across the room, still neatly made, making it difficult to determine if her other roommates had even been there.

Silently getting dressed, August turned the doorknob and stepped into the common room. Compared to the dimly lit space she had experienced the previous night, it was now bustling with students and filled with warm sunlight streaming in through the windows, reflecting off the lake outside. The room carried a distinct woody and leathery scent, adding to its unique ambiance.

Suddenly, a voice called out from her right, drawing her attention. August spotted a boy with long hair surrounded by three of his friends. Intrigued, she approached them cautiously.

"Good morning, Nathaniel," she greeted him, making eye contact.

"Nathan to you," he corrected with a mischievous grin, casually draping his arm around her shoulders. Though taken aback by the unexpected gesture, August found herself strangely comforted, realizing she hadn't received such a warm embrace in quite some time.

Nathan proudly introduced her to his companions. "Everyone, meet August Flamel," he announced with a flourish of his hand.

A warm smile graced August's lips as she acknowledged each of them. The first to introduce himself was a blonde boy.

"Pleased to meet you. My name is Abraxas Malfoy," he greeted her. Curiosity prompted August to inquire about his connection with the other blonde from the previous day.

"Draco's brother?" she asked, wondering about the intricacies of their relationship.

Abraxas paled instantly, nervously swallowing before averting his gaze and stuttering, "No, a distant cousin."

The next friend, who went by the name Nott, seemed less interested or perhaps just less friendly. August made an effort to overlook his demeanor, reminding herself that not everyone had to like her, even though seeking approval from others was something she often yearned for. Not everyone has to like you, she silently reminded herself, before mustering a polite response.

"Nice to meet you," she offered, despite his lack of enthusiasm.

Finally, her attention turned to the last boy, who appeared preoccupied with peering into the entrance of the boys' dormitory. Realizing they were all looking at him, he turned around, a forced, bright smile lighting up his face.

"Last but not least, right? I'm Eden Lestrange," he introduced himself, a hint of unease flickering in his eyes. Before August could respond, their collective attention was diverted to the opening door, revealing a meticulously groomed Tom Riddle stepping out. His impeccable hair and features contrasted sharply with the appearances of his fellow students. Eden's gaze betrayed a mix of discomfort and apprehension, suggesting that this particular moment was precisely what he had been attempting to avoid when he was caught staring at the door.

Tom strode angrily toward the group of boys, his expression transforming upon spotting the young woman. His face became a mask of perfection, every detail carefully crafted.

"Good morning, boys. Good morning, Flamel," he greeted, his smile false and calculated. "I hope you had a restful night. We wouldn't want you to be inattentive on your first day of classes," he added, his words laced with an underlying desire for her to be distracted, her guard lowered.

"We'll catch up later," August bid farewell, purposefully avoiding the company of the last boy. With that, she walked to the door behind her and made her way to breakfast, leaving Tom to drop his mask and beckon the boys to a secluded corner of the room for a more private conversation.