The one I tried to save (Tom riddle fanfic)

𝖕𝖆𝖙𝖍𝖘 𝖔𝖋 𝕾𝖍𝖆𝖉𝖔𝖜𝖘 𝖆𝖓𝖉 𝕾𝖊𝖈𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖘

"Trust is a delicate thing Sephora"
-Dumbledore

As I stood there, the remnants of magic still tingling in the air around us, I wrestled with the aftermath of the ritual. Tom's words echoed in my mind—promises of unlocking my potential, of guiding me to understand the depths of magic and power. But underlying his assurances was a shadow of uncertainty. Was this truly the path I should be on?

The events of the night had unfolded with a rapid intensity, leaving me little time to process the implications of what had transpired. I had felt the surge of power coursing through me, breaking down barriers I hadn't known existed. Yet, alongside that newfound strength was a nagging doubt, a whisper of caution that urged me to question Tom's intentions.

"Is this the right choice?" I voiced aloud, directing the question not only to Tom but also to myself. The chamber was quiet now, the only sound the faint crackle of dying candle flames.

Tom regarded me thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "Only you can answer that, Sephora," he replied after a moment, his voice carrying a weight of understanding. "What you experienced tonight was merely a glimpse of what lies ahead. The path we walk is not without its challenges."

I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. The allure of power and knowledge was undeniable, yet so too was the gravity of the decision before me. I had entered into this alliance with Tom Riddle seeking answers, seeking to harness my potential beyond the confines of Hogwarts. But now, faced with the reality of what that entailed, I hesitated.

"Trust in yourself," Tom continued, breaking the silence. "You have strengths that even you may not fully comprehend yet. Dumbledore saw that potential in you, just as I do."

His mention of Dumbledore stirred conflicting emotions within me. Dumbledore, the venerable headmaster who had guided countless students, including students like my mother and father. If Dumbledore believed in me, believed that I could find answers in Tom's tutelage, then surely there was merit in pursuing this path. And, why would Dumbledore choose Tom for this?

But Dumbledore had also warned of the dangers of unchecked ambition, of the allure of dark magic and the paths it could lead one down. Was I risking more than I realized by aligning myself with Tom Riddle, whose ambitions were whispered about even within the walls of Hogwarts?

"I need time," I finally said, the words emerging as a realization as much for myself as for Tom. "Time to understand what this means, what I'm capable of."

Tom inclined his head slightly, accepting my uncertainty without protest. "Take all the time you need," he said, his tone gentle yet tinged with an undercurrent of anticipation. "When you're ready, I'll be here."

With that, he turned and began to extinguish the candles around the trees, leaving me alone with my thoughts once more. The weight of his offer lingered in the air, the potential for knowledge and power palpable yet tempered by the uncertainty of what lay ahead.

As I stood there, surrounded by the remnants of ancient magic and the flickering shadows of the forest, I knew that the decision I made in the coming days would shape not only my own future but also the future of those around me. Dumbledore's trust in me echoed in my mind, a reminder of the responsibility that came with the choices I would make.

Outside, the first hints of dawn began to filter through the canopy of trees surrounding the treehouse. The world beyond this hidden sanctuary seemed distant and yet so intricately connected to the path I had chosen to tread.