The Fearsome Name of Riddle

By Your Side In The Shade

The Summer sun was held at bay by the shade cast by a large tree that grew beside the quidditch pitch. Tom and Victoria were lounging beneath it, homework books in hand as they read in silence. Victoria's hand sat comfortably in Tom's curls as he lay in her lap, leaving a fuzzy feeling in her stomach. She glanced down to see that Tom had stopped reading his book and looked like he was sleeping. His eyes were closed and the book rested on the top of his chest. The only thing that told her that he was still awake was the slight twitch in his smile as she stroked his hair. 

"What is it?" Tom asked as Victoria sighed heavily. 

His eyes opened to see what he had suspected, her blue eyes on him. The soft shine of the sun through the branches made her pale hair glow like a halo. 

"Nothing." Victoria's voice was soft, whispering as her fingers felt through his dark curls. 

"You've never held your tongue before," Tom smirked, reaching up to tuck her hair out of her face, "feeling shy? Or have you finally been well trained?" 

For his comment, Tom got a smack on the chest a little harsher than he was expecting. He coughed in shock and rolled over to get away from her growing ever playful attacks. 

"I should apologise," Tom laughed, catching her hands and attempting to pull her over to him, "a bad joke, crude and impolite. I could never tame you even if I tried, but why would I want to?" 

"Charming me now? After the fact," Victoria laughed, struggling in his grip as he held her hands close to his chest, "you are despicable, Riddle." 

"You would say that to the man you adore?" Tom teased, leaning closer to her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. 

"Adore?" Victoria almost giggled as she felt a pink flush rise through her cheeks, "you think too much of yourself." 

"Tell me you love me," Tom said as Victoria dodged his advance towards her lips and left him with a kiss to her neck as she wriggled in his hands. 

"I will not," she squealed, feeling more comfortable in his arms than she had anywhere else that year. 

"Victoria," he spoke softly as he lifted his head, "Victoria, look at me." 

"Behave yourself, Tom," Victoria said, pushing against his chest so that he would let her go. Standing up, she brushed the creases out of her uniform the best she could as she caught her breath again. "Unless you have a question for me, you shouldn't be acting like this." 

"Like what?" he smirked as he looked up at her, his usually neatly combed hair unkempt and ruffled. 

My boyfriend. Is what she wanted to say but the idea of speaking those words aloud felt more embarrassing than anything she'd ever done. 

"When you work it out," Victoria sighed, taking a step away from him as she went to leave, "ask me. I'll be waiting." 

Biting down on her smile, Victoria turned and left him under the tree with her books. He would bring them back to the common room later with a sly comment about how she should keep better track of her things that would likely come with a double meaning and a joke. Tom was like that, never quite saying what he meant but always seeming to get what he wanted. 

#####

Quill nibs scratched across parchment as rows of students sat studying for their exams. The hot air meant jumpers had been left in dorm rooms and shirt sleeves were rolled up. Enoch leaned against Victoria's shoulder as he read her answers. She pushed him off, the sticky heat feeling disgusting against her skin. 

“You'll beat me anyway,” Enoch complained, pulling her arm out of his view, “just let me look.”

“One day you'll let that brain of yours think,” Victoria sighed, shoving him again and gaining herself a stern look from Professor Dumbledore as he paced the tables. “Maybe then you'll form a competent thought.”

“You insult me,” Enoch whispered flatly, leaning close to her, “tell me everything you know about lycanthropy.”

“Read a book,” She told him, pushing one in his direction as she huddled over her parchment. 

“I'm going to fail.”

“Yes, you are.”

A groan interrupted the silent study as Victoria ignored Enoch with all her might. She liked attention but to be embarrassed in public was not how she liked to be looked at. 

“You have everything,” Enoch begged, trying to take her quill from her fingers as they got sideways glances from the other students, “give me your notes.”

“Make your own,” She said sharply, pulling her hand away as she turned her head back towards him. 

“I can't be bothered,” he whined, chasing her hand with her own as he leaned over her. 

“You boys have no manners,” the curt tone of Walburga Black made Enoch jump back on the bench, “You're making her look like some kind of whore. Show some respect.”

A soft snort drew Victoria's attention to the Ravenclaw girl with brown, curly hair standing at her shoulder. Hazel eyes caught her blue and a pointed sort of smirk spread across Victoria's face. 

“Euphemia,” Victoria said, ignoring Enoch as he slowly slid her piece of parchment towards him, “a pleasure.”

“Don't be obnoxious for no reason,” Walburga told her, leaning forwards and plucking the parchment out of Enoch’s fingers. “We're going to the library, the Madam always keeps it draughty down there. You should come.”

“Is she not busy?” Euphemia asked, brow furrowed in a judgemental look down at Victoria. 

“You two will get along,” Walburga sighed, frowning between her two friends, “have you done something? Don't tell me you've been rude. It's so unladylike.”

“Why assume it was me?” Victoria frowned, a smirk on her lips as she looked up at Walburga. 

“Because you're such an angel?” Euphemia laughed, prefect badge glinting in the sunlight. 

“She's a monster,” Enoch joked, grabbing Victoria around the shoulders like he was trying to restrain her, “run while you still can, Effie. I'll protect you.”

The Ravenclaw laughed as Victoria flicked her hand and caught Enoch in the eye with a stinging jinx. He yelped and clutched his hands to his face, letting Victoria go instantly. 

“That'll be enough horseplay, Mr Nott,” Dumbledore’s smooth but commanding tone reached them from across the room as Victoria stood from the bench. “Leave the ladies alone please.”

“Yeah, Enoch,” Victoria taunted, pulling her bag onto her shoulder as she collected her things, “leaved the ladies alone.”

“Oh piss off, princess.”