𝑆𝑜 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔， 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 || 𝑇𝑜𝑚 𝑅𝑖𝑑𝑑𝑙𝑒 𝑋 𝑂𝑐

seventeen.

Tom was unable to get Vivian off his mind. He was completely captivated by her. From the way she looked to the words she spoke, he was fascinated by everything she did. To Tom, she resembled heroin, and he wanted more. He knew feeling this way for someone wouldn't end well, but he didn't care. Not in the moments he was with her anyway. Tom wanted Vivian to want what he wanted. Dark magic, power, and glory, to be worshipped. Vivian has to want that. What's better than being the greatest sorcerer to ever live?

Tom knew that he soon had to tell Vivian about his plans. He wanted her in on them. To be by his side. He had never intended to want someone to have such power along with him, but he couldn't help it. Not when it came to her. He had only really known her for a short amount of time, so it shocked him that he reacted so strongly to her.

He was seated at a table in the library, with a book open in front of him. It was a book about potions. It was a miracle that Tom was able to keep up with his studies while planning to rule the wizarding world. It wasn't rare for Tom to be by himself. For someone who desired adoration from all. He enjoyed spending time alone. Being alone and in full silence felt comforting. He likes quiet places with very few people, so he would spend most of his time reading in the library.

Usually, his quiet time was interrupted by his followers. Like right now. "Hello, my lord." Abraxas Malfoy took a seat across from Tom. Malfoy was usually accompanied by one or more of the other boys. They feared Tom, but they were so inspired by him. They wanted Tom's plans to succeed, and they would do anything for it to happen. They hated muggleborns, or, as Tom would call them, mudbloods, almost just as much as Tom. "Malfoy." Tom nodded as the blond sat in front of him. A confused expression slipped onto Tom's face. When Abraxas sat in front of him, he knew he wanted something.

Abraxas's expression was a little tentative. He gave off an anxious, tense vibe. "What is it? Spit it out, Malfoy." Tom straightened his posture and folded his arms across his chest. "Well, my lord, I have a question for you." Under the table, Abraxas cracked his fingers. Abraxas only acted in this way when he was anxious. Tom had known this due to the many years that he and the boy had been 'friends.' "Malfoy, I don't have all evening." He shot a glare. This conversation was getting on his nerves already. Abraxas then nodded and began to open up.

"The others and I are... well, we were wondering about what you plan to do with Caledonia. You know everything she knows now, and we don't really understand it, I suppose." Abraxas gulped, straightening his posture and resting his hands in his lap. Tom bit the inside of his cheek. It would be inaccurate to say he hadn't grown accustomed to her prescene. He wasn't supposed to care about her. He didn't care about her. Tom exhaled before finally speaking. " I want her to perhaps join us. She's a smart girl. Useful." Tom gave short answers, not wanting Malfoy to get any ideas.

"But she's a half-blood. Isn't that part of what we're against?" Malfoy wasn't wrong. Tom hated anything that wasn't pure-blooded. Muggles, muggle-borns, half-bloods, squibs, You name it. Tom himself was a half-blood, but his followers were unaware of that. He had hidden it from shame. He would sooner die than be seen as a half-breed. It disgusted him. He hated his mother for ruining their lineage. He could've been a pure-blood. He should've been a pure-blood.

Tom disregarded Abraxas's comment. "I want her to attend one of our meetings. See how she comes along." He gave a nod, opening his book again and going back to reading about amortentia. Professor Slughorn mentioned how they were going to be learning about the potion next lesson, and Tom preferred to be prepared before his peers. It made him seem smarter. "Are you going to tell her about the chamber of secrets too? Your plans to take over the wizarding world as well? Kill muggle-born's?" Abraxas snapped back. He didn't mean to sound so aggressive, but he knew that they would get into heaps of trouble if Vivian were to tell anyone.