[tom riddle x oc | slowburn | enemies to lovers | angst]
Darkness was edging its way into the forests of Finland. Deep in the heart of these woodlands, the native magicians practised ancient magic long forgotten by the outside, concealed and unaware...
"I felt my lungs inflate with the onrush of scenery—air, mountains, trees, people. I thought, "This is what it is to be happy."
━━ THE BELL JAR
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•• ━━━━━ ••●•• ━━━━━ ••
As autumn's vibrant hues began to fade and the crisp bite of winter edged closer, an amalgam of excitement and warmth permeated the air from anticipation of the approaching holiday season. Daylight had begun to wane and shadows lengthened, so most students spent their time in front of the crackling fireplaces of their respective Common rooms.
Very few ventured out of the warm castle, but Inkeri detested the confines of four walls around her. The only person willing to accompany her into the village on the gloomy Saturday was Belladonna, who claimed she needed to buy broom polish for the upcoming quidditch match of Gryffindor vs Ravenclaw.
Belladonna's company was pleasant enough. Aside from all of the snide remarks about almost everyone that inhabited the school, she was far less intense than Adrielle— who had taken to pretending that Halloween night hadn't happened— and considerably more talkative than Asha, who often zoned out midway during conversation.
They had just left Spintwitches' Quidditch Supply Shop, and the sun was gradually beginning to sink on the horizen. "I have some business at the Hogs Head," Belladonna said suddenly. "Do you mind if we take a detour?"
"Sure, why not," Inkeri decided, and the pair traipsed to the sequestered Inn. She wondered what business Belladonna must have there, but didn't want to pry.
Pushing open the rusted door and being met with the cosy warmth inside, they hung their coats on a dishevelled rack which was on the verge of collapsing. The innkeeper glared at Inkeri from where he was washing glasses behind the counter.
They claimed a table near the back and put their belongings down around it. "I am meeting with someone," Belladonna said, removing her red, woollen gloves. "She's upstairs. Wait here, I'll be back in a few minutes."
Inkeri leaned back in her seat and surveyed her surroundings from the secluded spot. Most people tended to go to The Three Broomsticks, aside from some Ravenclaws who wanted a more quiet setting, studying in the corner.
The dubious location also hosted enough privacy for Niklaus Rosier and Tom Riddle to converse openly, their warm drinks long gone cold. Riddle's shoulders were tensed and Rosier appeared almost upset by whatever he was saying, although their voices were too hushed to fall upon her ears.
She was drawn from her thoughts by the waspish innkeeper standing by her table. "You have to buy something if you want to stay here," he said gruffly.
"I'll take a butterbeer then," she said, trying to smile at him amicably.
