Tom Riddle - Downfall

Chapter 72: Pureblood

Despite everything that happened between us, I asked Tom to give me some space, which is why we continue to sleep separately in the dorms. When I get up the next morning, it's already quite late, and Kim and I go to breakfast. What surprises me is that Tom and his group of boys aren't there, but then again, it's never really predictable what they're up to. I'm still getting used to the situation, and I know Tom would love to shout to the world that we're back together, but I'm not there yet.

As Kim and I stand outside the classroom, Tom and Enzo come running down the corridor together. Tom's hand is bandaged up, his eye is blue, and Enzo has a cut on his lip and generally looks a mess.
I immediately run up to them and say, "What the hell have you done?" Enzo replies "Talked" and walks past me. So now I look at Tom seriously and ask again, "Tom, what happened?" Tom looks at me with a calm look in his eyes. He holds his bandaged hand and stares at it for a few seconds before he answers me. "Enzo and I had a quick talk. That's all. We had some...strong differing opinions about what had happened, and that resulted in a minor physical altercation. Nothing too serious... we're both fine." I roll my eyes, visibly annoyed, and whisper."Did you have to do that?" Tom laughs lightly and pats my shoulder. Tom laughs with me as he realizes how much I'm scolding him right now. He smiles and replies, "No, I didn't have to. But it was the right thing to do. He needed to be put in his place, and I was happy to do just that. I hope you aren't too mad at me for doing that."
"It's actually my fault... I got involved, Tom..." I say with a guilty conscience, as Enzo looks really hurt. Tom's eyes narrowed a little bit as I admitted that it was my fault. He's definitely going to talk to me about this later, but he also notices the guilt on my face. He takes a breath and nods. "It's fine. Don't worry about it, okay? We were both involved in this, and I'm sure Enzo can deal with it." I nod and put my hand on his cheek."I don't want you to hurt yourself because of me..." My face speaks volumes, I'm used to Tom's fights, but I don't want him to go this far because of me. I place my hand on his cheek again, and he immediately smiles at me. Tom is completely mesmerized by my gestures of care, and he can't help but feel happy, warm, and at home around me. He places his other hand on top of mine, and he speaks softly. "I won't, okay? I'm fine. Don't worry about me too much. Enzo and I both have tempers. Sometimes, our arguments get a bit heated. But we're both going to be fine. I promise."

Fortunately, the next few weeks pass very quietly, Tom gives me space, every now and then I have a few flowers or little notes on my bed, but Tom is busy a lot with his "Knights" as they call themselves. I don't know what they do, probably nothing good, but Tom keeps me out of it for the most part. Sometimes, we meet up late at night to go stargazing outside, even if it's super cold. Christmas break starts in 2 days and I know that the distance will do us good again but I will miss him a lot and I can tell Tom is feeling the strain of not being with me again and then being separated for 2 weeks and he's counting down the days until the break ends and he can see me again. He's doing everything in his power to wait patiently and to give both me and himself time to process the whole situation. But the distance is still very difficult for him, as all he wants to do is be with me. The only way he can cope is to focus mainly on his studies and other activities with his "Knights" so that when he does come back, We'll have missed each other equally.

December 31.
It's Tom's birthday but I haven't had him for a week and a half. Also, our relationship status is still unresolved. Something is holding me back. Maybe the fact that he has changed a lot. After all, the splitting of the soul leaves its mark. Does he think about me? Tom is already feeling a deep sense of longing for me, and I'm constantly on his mind. He can't wait to have me back because the distance between us has been affecting him, too. He also thinks about the unresolved status of our relationship from time to time, but he tries not to let it bother him too much as he has other things to do. And in Tom's heart, he knows that I feel the same way, too. The splitting of his soul may have changed him permanently inside, but there is one thing that hasn't changed. It feels strange, Tom often writes in his letters about his plans, the future, his dislike of muggles, and how he wants to change the world. Sometimes, I wonder how I fit in, why he's so obsessed with muggles and the blood of wizards. Today, on his birthday, I'm writing to him again