Take Me As I Am

VIII

Tom has never been one to take an interest in other people's lives.

Abraxas and Orion are alright, as far as company goes. They're much more tolerable than the other students in his house.

Avery and Mulciber are constantly sucking up to Grindelwald — their parents are in his inner circle, so they think torturing muggleborn students at school will help win his praise.

He doesn't care much for the others, only that that they are loyal to him, and are just as willing to his cause as he is. He knows they're scared of him, but he doesn't mind. Fear may not be unwavering loyalty, but fear is power. Control.

Hadrian Peverell does not fear Tom Riddle.

And that's what scares him the most.

Ever since Hadrian Peverell arrived at Hogwarts out of the blue, half-dead and shaken, Tom has been desperate to know everything about him.

Hadrian radiates with power, and Tom is too intrigued to back down.

Hadrian treats Tom as if he has a personal vendetta against him, yet is civilized with everyone else. He comes from a noble pureblood line but refuses to talk about his family. He was homeschooled until now — why? And what's all this about him being tortured for two months?

Yes, Tom is intrigued.

Because even after all of this, Hadrian still keeps up a mask. He has so many secrets.

Tom is determined to find out.

There are too many gaps in his story, much too vague to be true. Tom could've sworn that he saw an auror leaving the hospital wing the day Hadrian arrived.

Tom sits in the Slytherin common room, waiting for Hadrian to come back from his last class. Tom had used his free period to try and plan what he is going to ask Hadrian.

Now, he holds a bottle of Veritaserum in his hand. He's always kept a few vials of the potion in his trunk, in case any of his followe— 'friends' were keeping things from him. He knows the ministry deems Veritaserum illegal to use, especially on a student, but Tom is certain that this instance won't be harmful to anyone.

The green-eyed boy enters the room and Tom sits up taller.

"Hadrian," Tom smiles pleasantly. "Sit. Let's chat."

"Hell no, Riddle," Hadrian growls, turning the corner towards the stairs.

Tom's eyes flicker with irritation and he stands abruptly, grabbing Hadrian's arm.

Hadrian shrinks back, frantic. "Don't fucking touch me," he snarls.

Tom blocks his path to the stairs. "Sit," he repeats firmly.

Hadrian grits his teeth but sits in the green velvet chair across from Tom's.

Tom takes his seat once again and takes a deep breath. "So, Hadrian Peverell. I have some.. questions for you."

Tom thinks he sees something similar to fear flash across Hadrian's face, though only for a split second.

"Okay, then. What do you want to know?" Hadrian sighs.

"Why were you homeschooled until now?" Tom raises an eyebrow.

"My aunt and uncle taught me magic. We lived in the country. They didn't want me at any magic schools. I don't know why," Hadrian recites all of this as if he's practiced it a thousand times.

It's specific. Too specific.

"So why Hogwarts, why now?"

"They died," Hadrian deadpans. "Dark wizards, I think."