Truly Yours (TomxLilith)

06

Third POV:

Lilith wandered the corridors, her steps echoing softly against the stone walls. The feast was over and how she was roaming around lost. As she turned a corner, she was greeted by a sharp, acrid scent—smoke.

Pansy Parkinson leaned against the wall, a cigarette between her fingers. She looked up, her eyes narrowing.

"Lost, are we?"

Lilith sighed in relief. "Yeah, I can't seem to find my way around."

Pansy exhaled a plume of smoke and pushed herself off the wall. "Alright, I'll show you. Follow me."

They walked in silence through the winding corridors. Pansy moved with a practiced ease, leading Lilith to a hidden door near the dungeons.

Stopping in front of a heavy stone wall, Pansy glanced at Lilith. "Pure-blood, that's the password."

As the heavy door creaked open, Lilith stepped into the Slytherin common room. The space was unexpectedly elegant: the walls were lined with deep green and silver tapestries, and the room was softly lit by glowing lamps embedded in the stone. Plush, dark green sofas and armchairs were arranged around a large fireplace where flames danced and crackled, casting a warm, flickering light across the room. Richly decorated rugs covered the floor, and the overall atmosphere was one of refined comfort and subtle luxury.

A group of boys were gathered near the fire, laughing and joking animatedly. Their voices echoed off the stone walls, creating a lively buzz. One of the boys, a tall figure with an air of casual confidence, turned around as they entered.

"Pansy, who's this?" he asked, his gaze settling on Lilith.

Pansy took a drag from her cigarette before flicking it into the fireplace. "This is Lilith. She's new here, just transferred from Romania."

The boy nodded in acknowledgment and gave a friendly smile. "I'm Mattheo Riddle. Nice to meet you, Lilith."

He gestured toward the others lounging nearby. "These are Theodore Nott, Lorenzo Berkshire, Draco Malfoy, and Blaise Zabini."

Each boy gave a brief nod or wave of greeting, their expressions varying from curious to indifferent. Lilith smiled in return, feeling a mix of nervousness and intrigue as she took in her new surroundings.

Mattheo plopped down into a chair with a grin, leaning back with his feet propped up. "So, Lilith, how are you finding Hogwarts so far?"

Lilith settled into a seat next to Pansy. "It's been a bit overwhelming. I'm still trying to figure everything out."

Draco, perched on the arm of a nearby sofa, shot her a half-hearted smile. "You'll adjust. It takes time."

Mattheo, clearly in a playful mood, leaned forward. "Oh, come on. You're going to love it here. There's always something happening, and trust me, you'll get used to it quickly enough."

Theodore, who had been lounging with a smirk, added, "Yeah, especially if you hang around Mattheo. He's always up to something."

Mattheo's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Guilty as charged. But it's all in good fun. You'll find Hogwarts it's really fun, especially with the tournament coming up."

"Just remember, if you ever need tips on surviving Slytherin, I'm your guy." Lorenzo spoke.

Blaise, sitting back with a calm demeanor, observed the conversation quietly. "Don't mind them. They're all talk. Hogwarts is what you make of it."

Lilith laughed softly. "I'm sure I'll manage. I've heard a lot about the Triwizard Tournament. It sounds like quite the spectacle."

Mattheo's grin widened. "Oh, it is. Especially with the way things are shaping up this year. You'll want to be here for all the action."

The common room fell silent as a new figure entered, his presence commanding instant attention. Lilith's breath hitched as she watched him walk in. The chill in the room seemed to intensify, and even the playful banter among the Slytherins ceased.

The boy's eyes swept over the room with an unreadable expression. His dark robes seemed to absorb the dim light, and his demeanor radiated an unsettling calm.

Mattheo, breaking the silence, said, "This is my older brother, Tom Riddle." He turned to Tom. "And this is Lilith."

Tom's gaze lingered on Lilith for a moment longer than necessary. "Pleasure," he said coolly, his voice smooth and distant.

Mattheo, sensing the shift in atmosphere, leaned closer to Lilith and murmured, "Tom just got back from an internship at the Ministry. He's, well, rather important."

Tom turned to Mattheo and said, "Mattheo, come with me. I need to discuss something."

Mattheo groaned but pushed himself off the couch. "Guess I'm off, then. See you all later."

He cast a quick, slightly awkward glance at Lilith before following Tom out of the common room. Tom's eyes met Lilith's for a fleeting moment, a hint of something unreadable in his gaze, before he too walked away. The door closed behind them, leaving Lilith alone with the remaining Slytherins.

After a while it was time to sleep and Lilith was on the corridor, looking at the paper on her hand that had her dormitory's number written on.

Pansy appeared behind her and glanced at the number. "Looks like we're roommates, Dragan. Lucky you," she teased.

The walked towards the room and opened the door to their shared dormitory. Lilith stepped inside and took in the cozy ambiance. The room was dimly lit by sconces along the walls, casting a warm glow over the dark green and silver decor. The furniture was stylish and comfortable, with plush armchairs and two neatly made beds. In the corner, a guitar rested against the wall.

Lilith's eyes lingered on the instrument. "Do you play?" she asked, nodding towards the guitar.

Pansy raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "A bit. Mostly just for fun. But if you're into music, we might have something in common." She gave a small, knowing smile before heading to her own bed.

After settling down her belongings, Lilith lay on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. Her thoughts drifted back to Tom Riddle. There was something undeniably compelling about him. His dark hair was perfectly styled, emphasizing the sharpness of his features. His pale, almost ethereal skin contrasted with his dark eyes, which seemed to hold a depth of secrets. His gaze was intense, capable of making anyone feel as though they were being assessed and measured.

Lilith frowned slightly, feeling an unsettling combination of intrigue and unease. She turned to Pansy, who was arranging her things at her own bed.

"Pansy," Lilith began hesitantly, "Tom Riddle... he felt strange. What's he like?"

Pansy glanced up from her unpacking, her expression turning slightly guarded. "Tom Riddle? He's one of the most popular students here. Teachers and students alike hold him in high regard. He's brilliant, an academic weapon, really." She paused, her tone growing more cautious. "But personally, I think it's all a front. There's something... off about him. He's always so perfect, so controlled. It makes you wonder what's behind the façade."

Lilith considered Pansy's words, then added, "It's strange. Tom and Mattheo seem so different, even though they're brothers. Mattheo's all chaos and mischief, while Tom... he's so composed and intense. It's like they're from completely different worlds."

Pansy nodded, a faint, knowing smile on her lips. "They are different, that's for sure. Mattheo's more of the troublemaker, and Tom... well, he's always been the one with a cold, calculated demeanor. It's odd, really. But then again, maybe that's what makes them such an interesting pair."

Lilith stared up at the ceiling, her mind racing. A peculiar sensation settled in her chest, like something was about to burst free. Like she's been living up until now just to meet him.