The one I tried to save (Tom riddle fanfic)

𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓓𝓪𝓻𝓴 𝓒𝓸𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓭𝓸𝓻𝓼 𝓞𝓯 𝓨𝓮𝓽 𝓐𝓷𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓜𝓪𝓵𝓯𝓸𝔂 𝓔𝓷𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓷𝓽𝓮𝓻

"Or I could force you into it"
-the mind of another.

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I stared into the flickering flames, my mind a whirl of questions that refused to kettle. Abraxas Malfoy's words clung to me like a stubborn shadow, haunting every thought.

The fire crackled and hissed, its warmth doing little to soothe the cold doubt curling around my heart.Was I really as free as I wanted to believe? Or had I already been ensnared by the web Abraxas was weaving, drawn in by his charm and the allure of power he promised?The common room, once a refuge, now felt like an arena where I was being pushed and pulled by forces beyond my control.

I thought of the others—Tom, Abraxas, even Dumbledore. All of them with their plans, their expectations, their claims on me. But what about my own plans? My own desires?I clenched my fists, determined not to let anyone dictate my path.

But the doubt gnawed at me, persistent and unrelenting. Why had Malfoy chosen me? Why had he spoken those words, not as a threat, but as a certainty? And more disturbingly, why had a part of me wanted to believe him?

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog of confusion. I needed answers, but more than that, I needed to be sure of who I was, of what I wanted. I couldn't let Abraxas or anyone else define that for me.

Resolute, I decided to seek out the one person who might give me the clarity I so desperately needed. There was one person who knew Abraxas better than anyone, one who might understand his motives, and perhaps, even mine.

I stood, the firelight casting long shadows behind me as I made my way to the door. Sadie looked up from her book, her eyes questioning, but I gave her a reassuring nod before slipping out of the common room.The corridors were still and quiet, the air heavy with the scent of old stone and magic. My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way towards the library.

The library was nearly deserted at this hour, save for a few scattered students and the ever-watchful Madam Pince. But I wasn't here for books.In the far corner, near the restricted section, sat the person I was looking for.

His nose was buried in a tome that looked older than Hogwarts itself, but I knew he had sensed my approach long before I arrived."Tom," I said quietly, taking a seat across from him. He looked up slowly, his dark eyes meeting mine with that same calculating intensity that had always unnerved me."Sephora," he replied, his voice smooth as silk. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"I need your help," I admitted, the words tasting bitter on my tongue.

Tom Riddle wasn't someone I trusted easily, but I knew he was my best chance at understanding what was happening. "It's about Abraxas." His expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of disinterest in his eyes. He closed the book with deliberate care, leaning forward slightly. "Go on." he sighed as I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of my uncertainty.

"He's... he's been acting strange, saying things that don't make sense. I need to know what he's planning, and more importantly, why he thinks he has any claim over me, like he owns me- it's weird really, but I'm just wondering if maybe there's a reason to his claim."
Tom studied me for a moment, his gaze piercing. "Abraxas is ambitious, as are we all. But his ambition is intertwined with something more... personal when it comes to you."

"Personal?" I echoed, my heart sinking at the implication. "What do you mean?" Tom's lips curled into a knowing smile.

"He sees in you a kindred spirit, someone who can stand beside him in the world he envisions.
It's not just about power, Sephora. It's about legacy, about shaping the future together. He's made his intentions clear, hasn't he?"

The weight of his words settled heavily on me. I had sensed it, of course, but hearing it confirmed was something else entirely. "And what about you, Tom?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What do you see in me?" Tom leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes never leaving mine. "Potential. A great deal of it. But the choice is yours, Sephora. You can either seize it and carve out your own destiny, or you can allow others to make that choice for you."

Or I could force you into it

His voice in my head hit me like a jolt of electricity. I realized that, for all the uncertainty, for all the manipulation, I didnt really have a choice.

I should be more than just a pawn in someone else's game.

Play along

"Thank you, Tom," I said, standing up. "I think I understand now."As I walked away, the library fading into the background, I felt a strange sense of as if someone or something was watching me.

I turn around scanning the dark corridor searching for maybe a follower? A stalker? No clue.

I squint in the pitch black as my eyes are still adjusting to the shadows before me.

The heat of another body radiates off mine.

Someone or something is standing right, behind me.

My heart quickens, my break quickens, my thoughts become jumbled my stance becomes jumbled like a baby horse standing up for the first time.

"Why are you awake?"

Thank Salazar.

I feel the relief wash over my body as I turn to face the bleached blonde boy infront of me.

"Just for a walk abatrax, nothing much," my eyes lazy as I try to make my image seem tired.

"You?"

"Just for a walk" he reply's.

"Why don't I seem to believe that?"

Abatraxs eyes study over me, as if I'm talking in a different language he has to learn.

"Why don't I seem to believe your just out for a walk" he mocks in a aggressive tone. The scent of Alcohol swims through the air around me as my nose gets tingly from the smell.

Jesus how much has he drank?

I begin to calculate my next actions my next words, anything in the future that may help, but this silence isn't overall helpful.

"What about we save questions for the morning?" I blurt out

"Fine"

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Authors note:

Sorry for not posting!! I didn't have the inspiration to write lol.

Word count: 1082