𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔， 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 || 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑋 𝑂𝑐

seven.

It had been a few days since Vivian had last spoken to Tom. Vivian thought this should've been a good thing, but she couldn't help but slightly long for his presence.

Vivian was sitting in her chair in potions, still noticing that Tom hadn't been showing up to his classes. She obviously didn't know him too well, but Tom didn't seem to be the type to just not go to class.

Vivian quickly snapped out of her thoughts as she heard a boy quietly talking with Professor Slughorn. Vivian looked up, and it was Tom.

Professor Slughorn then pointed at Vivian, and she quickly put her head down in embarrassment at being caught staring at Tom.

A chair can be heard screeching from beside Vivian, making her look up to find the culprit.

"Professor Slughorn told me to sit here." Tom said as he took his seat. Vivian was confused as to why Slughorn would randomly move the boy to another seat.

She was wondering whether or not she should question him about his whereabouts over the past few days, but she wasn't sure if that was weird or not.

"I was attending to some things." He spoke up.
"I knew it! You're a legilimens! I could feel you trying to infiltrate my mind the first time I saw you." She gasped as she said this.

"Keep it down, Caledonia. I don't want people to know my business." Tom picked up his quill and dipped it in an ink pot.

"Hmm, that sounds very ominous."
"It's ominous that I'm a private person?" Tom spoke to her as if she were a child. "No. It's ominous that you read minds and want no one to know."

Tom hummed in response to the girl.

It was silent for the rest of the period. Other than Slughorn occasionally helping some students.

Class was dismissed, and everyone began to leave the room. As Vivian began to exit the door, she was stopped by a familiar voice.

"Vivian! You won't mind if I keep you back a little later, will you?" Professor Slughorn asked. He had a very pleasant smile on his face.

"I actually have a class-" Slughorn cut the girl off. "I'll write you a note." He pulled out his quill and ripped a piece of paper out of his notepad.

"Is there something you'd like to talk about, Professor?" Vivian raises an eyebrow as she queries the man. She wasn't sure if she had done something wrong, but surely not.

"Nothing serious!" He reassured the girl. Vivian awkwardly stood at his desk, waiting for him to elaborate on why she was to stay behind.

"A student made a suggestion to me about you, and after observing you and learning more about you, I think I agree with said student."

Vivian was beyond confused. Observing her for what? "I'm not sure I understand, professor. What student? Observing me for what?"

"The slug club." He whispered. "Excuse me?" She laughed slightly. "What is the slug club." She began to stifle her laugh.

"It's a club that I invited. I only invite the best students." Now Vivian was beyond confused. Her grades were good, but they were definitely not that good.

"Sir, I thank you for the invite, but have you seen my grades? I don't think I'm a good fit at all."

"Nonsense. Your parents were in the club. You're a bright girl. and I trust the opinion of the student who recommended you. Tom is a very smart boy."

Suddenly, it all made sense. "Tom." Vivian took the late note from the desk and fiddled with her hands. "Professor, can I get back to you on this?" She left before Slughorn could say a word.

  —꧁꧂—

"Why are you speaking to teachers about me and telling them to watch me, you psycho?" Vivian approached Tom. Her voice was almost yelling, making a few people look over at them.

Tom didn't open his mouth. He just sat and stared at her. There were two boys with him. Lestrange and Avery.

"Answer me!" She yelled. Tom abruptly stood up, making her take a step back. "Come." He began to walk out of the common room and into an empty corridor.

Vivian was about to open her mouth, but Tom spoke before her. "You can't speak to me like that." He glared, looking down at her.

"You can't speak about me!" She raised her voice yet again. "Embarrass me in front of people again, and you'll regret it."

Vivian audibly laughed. "Regret it? Get a hold of yourself, Riddle. Just, but out of my business."Attempts to end the conversation by walking away.

Tom grabs her wrist, pulling her back. "You'll go to the slug club; you'll see me in the library at 5pm every day; you'll teach me everything you know about dark magic; and you'll help me with my thing..."

"What thing? And you can't just boss me around. You don't know me, Riddle. I offered to help you once. Leave me alone. I wish I never offered to help you!" Vivian pulled her wrist back.

"You've done this to yourself, Vivian. You've got no choice. If you don't help me, I won't hesitate to tell everyone about your little, dark secret. Does Abigayle know?" Tom said it in a sadistic manner.

"Fine. I'll attend your stupid slug club."  Vivian stormed away, into the common room, and up to her dorm.

Abigayle was sitting on her bed. "Hey! I was wondering what took you so long in the common room."

Vivian went straight to her own bed. "I'm not really feeling well right now, I think I just want to sleep." She turned away. Her eyes were slightly watering, and she didn't want to be seen like this.

"Alright. Well, I'm going to head out and see Mark. I'll see you later."