Losing (Tom Riddle X Reader)

▕⃝⃤ 07 | The Gryffindor

"Black!" Lyall hisses, elbowing Altair. "Oi, Black!"

"What is it?" Altair hisses back, tearing his eyes away from gawking at the floating candles and the starry ceiling of the Great Hall, which is brimming with students in pointy hats and black robes for the welcoming feast. 

"10 o'clock!" Lyall hisses.

"Really?" Altair yawns, drawing your, Aurora, Cecelia, Hagrid and Claire's attention "We've been on the train for so long it feels like it's 2—"

"No, you troll!" Lyall hisses. "Beautiful girl at 8-9-10 o'clock!"

All three of your interests pique, and you all subtly glance in the indicated direction to see an adorable girl with a graceful demeanor. She is in a smiley discussion with her friends as she stands a few students behind you all. And you see exactly what Lyall means. She has very sharp features, shoulder-length red hair that seems to curl in on itself like cinnamon buns. She has adorable big dark eyes and dimples worth a billion galleons. She stands out even among the throng of students, her charming smile setting her apart.

Altair's eyes widen slightly, and he gives a low whistle.

"She's amazing!" Lyall whispers. "I feel all warm just looking at her. She makes Cece look like a short, bald man!"

"Hey!" Cecelia snaps, overhearing and glaring at Lyall. "Watch it, Lupin."

You couldn't agree less. Cecelia was a thousand times more stunning than the eleven year old firs year. That was, until you heard the girl laugh and it filled you with a warm feeling. it was a different kind of beauty.

Hagrid chuckles, his eyes still on the girl. "She does 'ave a certain... presence."

You nod in agreement, unable to take your eyes off her. "Yeah, she's definitely something."

"Wonder which house she'll be in," Claire muses, her curiosity piqued.

"Well," you look back at Lyall, "Go over and talk to her!"

"And what would my opening line be?" Lyall inquires bitterly. "'Excuse me—blah blah yaga bah!'"

Altair, Cecelia, Aurora, Hagrid, and Claire burst out laughing.

"Oh, come on!" you insist. "She's a person!"

"Oh, please!" Lyall retorts. "Could she be more out of my league? Black, back me up here."

Altair looks you dead in the eye, a smirk playing on his lips. "He could never get a girl like that in a million years."

"Yeah," Cecelia says in a very helpful tone, which immediately makes you think that this is not going to be helpful at all, "but you know how you see these nothing guys with these amazing girls? You could be one of those guys, Lyall!"

Lyall's face twists in confusion and offense as the rest of you burst out laughing. "Thanks, Cece. Really appreciate that."

"She does have a point, though." Aurora chimes in, wiping away a tear of laughter. "You never know until you try."

"Yeah, Lyall," Claire adds, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Go on, give it a shot. What's the worst that could happen?"

"What's the worse that would happen?" Lyall throws his hands up in mock despair. "I don't know, maybe I could die of embarrassment?"

Hagrid chuckles again, a deep, hearty sound. "Nah, yeh won't die. Might even make a friend."

You nod encouragingly. "Exactly. Just be yourself, Lyall. Who knows? Maybe she'll like your 'blah blah yaga bah.'"