The Siren Song: Tom Riddle x Male Reader

16. Almost caught

🌊 .·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·. 🧜‍♂️ .·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·. 🏰

In that night after DADA class, I was in bed when Tom appeared at the door. "I'm heading to the library" he announced.

I looked up puzzled. "It's late. Why are you going now? Isn't it forbidden-"

He shrugged dismissively. "None of your business."

I raised an eyebrow. "Then why tell me in the first place?"

He sighed, his demeanor shifting slightly. "Just so you know. Care to join?"

I blinked, taken aback by his words. "I can't. I have homework."

Tom's eyes narrowed and for a moment, I thought I saw a flicker of something... disappointment, perhaps. He didn't say anything, just turned and closed the door behind him. I stared after him, bewildered. What was up with him? One day he was cold and distant mean and now he wanted my company? But I had other things to worry about. Tonight was the full moon and I needed to prepare for my swim.

It was a ritual I had to follow: swimming under the moonlight every three months in my siren form to keep my abilities strong on land. My body needed to recharge, the water enhancing and restoring my magical strength. I gathered my cloak and made my way through the dark corridors of the castle, heading towards the courtyard. I had just reached the courtyard when I saw Tom again, striding purposefully towards the library.

"Didn't you have homework? Or you're following me now?" he asked his tone challenging.

"I needed air" I replied. "And it's none of your business."

Tom stepped closer. "You know, you have a habit of getting into things you shouldn't."

I felt a shiver run down my spine but I stood my ground. "And you have a habit of being a control freak."

Tom's eyes flashed dangerously and for a moment, I thought he might do something rash. Instead, he leaned in closer, his chest brushing against mine... his breath hot against my ear. I could feel his hand locking around the back of my neck... firm and possessive.

"Be careful New Boy" he whispered, his voice a soft dark warming. "Words hurt. And you don't want to get hurt, don't you?"

The proximity of his body, the intensity of his gaze, left me breathless and slightly dizzy. Before I could respond, he pulled away his fingers trailing off my skin leaving a lingering sensation. He turned and walked. I stood there for a moment, trying to process what just happened. The feeling of his hand on my neck, the way his chest had pressed against mine... How dare he? I, the prince of the seven seas be threatened by a mortal? I shook off the feeling and hurried towards the boat house. I needed to get to the lake before it was too late.

Once I reached the boat house, I quickly descended the stairs and jumped into the lake. As soon as I was underwater, I began to chant softly, feeling the familiar power of my siren voice flowing through me. The necklace around my neck glowed, the golden light enveloping my body. My legs twitched and fused together, forming a long, powerful tail covered in shimmering scales. The transformation was quick and I felt a rush of joy and freedom as I swam deeper into the lake, exploring its depths with ease. The water was cool and refreshing unlike the salty sea water and I reveled in the sensation of being in my true element. I swam and twirled, feeling a pure joy that I rarely experienced on land. After a while, I decided to surface and take in the night air and bath under the moonlight as it is the planet that strengthens the energy of witches.

After a long time I neared the surface and I saw someone coming down the stairs from the courtyard to the boat house. My heart raced as I hurried to hide behind the boat house, my voice chanting softly to transform back into human form. The light from my necklace faded and my tail split into legs again but my clothes had been torn during the transformation. I couldn't go back up naked... it was too risky. The figure approaching was Tom. He had seen me.

I took a deep breath and called out "I fell into the lake and some sea creatures attacked me. They tore my clothes and now my robe is at the bottom of the lake."

Tom's expression was one of disbelief but he didn't say anything. Instead, he removed his cloak and placed it near me. "What are you doing here at this time of the night? You know what? I don't want to hear excuses... Here" he said, turning around. "Cover yourself."

"Close your eyes" I instructed, feeling a mix of embarrassment and gratitude.

"You're unbelievable" he muttered but he did as I asked.

I quickly covered myself with his cloak and stood up. "You can turn around now."

He turned, his eyes scanning me for a moment before nodding.

TOM'S POV:
I watched Adrian emerge from the lake, his excuse about falling in and being attacked by sea creatures bordering on the absurd. Swimming in the middle of the night? What was he thinking? But as I handed him my cloak, my eyes caught a detail I'd never noticed before: his eyes. They were an unusual shade of purple, shimmering with the reflection of the moonlight. For a brief moment, I found myself mesmerized by the colour. It was foolish, really. Yet, the image of those violet eyes lingered in my mind long after we returned to the dormitory.
END OF TOM'S POV.

We walked back to the dormitory in silence and as we reached the door to our room, Tom stopped and looked at me, his expression unreadable like it has always been.

"Thanks" I said softly, unsure of what else to say.

Tom nodded curtly, his face shadowed in the dim light. With that, he turned and entered the room, leaving me standing in the hallway. I think I really like this guy.