| Labyrinth - Tom Riddle

01

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E L O D I E   A L I S T A I R .

"Merlin, look at you!" Penelope's voice echoed through the station as she took in my appearance. Her eyes, wide and sparkling, scanned me from head to toe. A gasp of surprise escaped her lips, followed by a peal of laughter that was as infectious as it was genuine.

Without a moment's hesitation, she strode across the room, her heels clicking against the floor in a rhythm that was all too familiar. Before I could react, she was upon me, her arms wrapping around me in a hug that was as warm as it was tight.

A chuckle bubbled up from my throat, the sound muffled by her hair. "Wow, I've certainly missed you too," I replied, tapping her back softly

"You're killing me, pen" I joked as she pulled away from our hug.

"How has your summer been, El?" Penelope inquired, her gaze briefly shifting towards the stream of fellow students making their way onto the train platform. With a swift turn of her head, she refocused her attention on me, her eyes filled with anticipation.

"Let's get inside the train, shall we?" she suggested. "We might run out of places to sit."

——

I settled into my seat by the window, feeling the warmth of the sun against my skin. Penelope joined me, daintily brushing off her skirt before taking her place beside me. A bead of sweat formed on her brow, evidence of the stifling heat within the train compartment.

"Blimey, why's it so bloody hot in here?" Penelope grumbled to herself, her frustration visible.

A smirk tugged at my lips as I replied,
"Oh, I'm sorry. Does my presence make you feel all hot and bothered, Pen?"

Penelope's eyes narrowed, and she shot me a playful glare.

"Oh, do shut it, El," she retorted, her tone brimming with mock annoyance.

"And where the hell is Jasper? I haven't seen him since we got on this train," she exclaimed, a hint of concern in her voice. I shrugged, offering a possible explanation.

"Well, knowing him, he's probably off snogging with that Hufflepuff." I suggested.

Penelope replied with a dramatic gag,  "Don't you ever bring that up again! It makes me want to gag just imagining him- him- shagging someone." she stuttered, her words laced with disgust. Her exaggerated expression only made me laugh harder, unable to contain my amusement.

As Penelope's words hung in the air, I turned my attention to the winter scene outside the train window. Snowflakes fell gracefully, their delicate forms floating down and melting upon contact with the glass.

Penelope's words hung in the air, carrying a hint of concern. "Do you reckon everything's gonna be worse this year? I mean, we're just a year away from graduating" she pondered, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the train window. I turned my head towards her

"Well, Pen, life's full of uncertainties," I replied. "But we've made it this far."

"Besides," she continued, a playful smirk on her lips, "we wouldn't wanna miss out on the sight of those fit, dashing, mouthwatering blokes, would we?" She let out a gasp, pretending to be scandalised, as I playfully hit her arm.

"Oh, you fucking whore!" I exclaimed, unable to suppress my laughter. "We haven't even arrived yet."

The compartment fell into a momentary silence as the door swung open. A familiar voice broke the stillness. "Good to see you're still intact, Alistair." I rolled my eyes, a playful smirk forming on my face.