𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒, ᵗᵒᵐ ʳⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ. ✓

018.

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It was a crisp, bright morning in the courtyard of Hogwarts. The sunlight streamed down through the archways, casting long shadows on the cobblestones as students mingled between classes. Daphne sat on a stone bench, her back straight and her attention focused on a book in her lap. Tom Riddle stood nearby, leaning against a column, his arms crossed, eyes scanning the courtyard with an air of disinterest.

___

The Slytherin students kept their distance, though their glances lingered on the pair. Whispers followed Tom wherever he went, and Daphne had become accustomed to the curious, speculative looks they received whenever they were seen together. It was part of being associated with someone as magnetic—and dangerous—as Tom. But today, the whispering seemed louder, more pointed. Daphne's focus on her book broke when a group of Ravenclaw girls passed by, giggling under their breath. She glanced up, catching the tail end of their conversation.

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"I swear, they're always together. They have to be dating," one of the girls whispered, not-so-subtly glancing back at Daphne and Tom. "Why else would she spend all her time with him?" another added, her voice dripping with intrigue. Daphne's stomach tightened. She closed her book with a sharp snap and set it aside, her fingers curling into fists. Tom, still leaning casually against the column, raised an eyebrow, having overheard as well. "Seems we've become the talk of the school," he remarked in a low, bored tone, his eyes still scanning the courtyard, though his gaze was sharp as if already calculating his next move. Daphne stood up, brushing invisible lint off her robes, trying to push away the irritation building inside her. "They're idiots. They don't know anything." Tom pushed off from the column, turning to face her, his expression cool and unreadable. "People always gossip about what they don't understand. Let them. It doesn't change anything."

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"But it's ridiculous," Daphne said, her voice rising slightly. "They assume just because we spend time together that there's something more. They don't know us, Tom. They don't know anything about us." Tom smirked, a dark gleam in his eyes. "Let them think whatever they want, Daphne. Their small-mindedness only works to our advantage. The more distracted they are by their petty rumors, the less they'll notice what's going on." Daphne frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "I just hate how they look at me. Like I'm some... accessory to you. As if I'm only important because of you."

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Tom's smirk faded slightly, his gaze sharpening as he stepped closer to her, lowering his voice. "Is that what bothers you? That they don't see you as your person? Or that they think you're... mine?" Daphne met his eyes, her breath catching slightly at his words. Tom had a way of making her feel both powerful and insignificant in the same breath. She swallowed, steadying herself. "I don't belong to anyone, Tom," she said firmly, though there was a slight tremor in her voice. For a moment, Tom's gaze lingered on her, his expression unreadable. Then, with a soft, humorless chuckle, he tilted his head slightly. "No, I suppose you don't. Not yet." Daphne's heart skipped a beat, but before she could respond, another voice interrupted them. "Well, well, well—if it isn't Hogwarts' newest couple."

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Daphne turned to see Pansy Parkinson approaching, a smug smile on her face, her group of Slytherin girls trailing behind her. Pansy's sharp eyes darted between Tom and Daphne, clearly relishing the chance to stir up trouble. "Pansy," Daphne greeted coldly, her posture stiffening. "What do you want?" Pansy ignored the question, her gaze fixed on Tom. "It's just so cute, the two of you. Together all the time, like you're inseparable. People are starting to wonder if there's more going on than just... studying." Tom's expression didn't change, though there was a flicker of annoyance in his eyes. "People wonder a lot of things," he said dismissively, his tone cold. "Most of which are none of their business."

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Pansy's smile widened, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh, come on, Tom. Something's going on. You don't have to hide it. It would make perfect sense, after all. Daphne's always following you around, and you... well, you tolerate her more than anyone else." Daphne's cheeks flushed with anger. "I'm not following anyone around, Pansy. If you had anything better to do, you'd know that." Pansy's eyes flickered with amusement. "Oh, I'm sure. But, Daphne, you don't have to pretend. It's not like we didn't see you two at the party last week, looking very... close." Tom's jaw tightened ever so slightly, and Daphne felt the familiar rush of frustration and anger bubbling up. She could feel the eyes of the courtyard on them now as more students tuned in to the confrontation.

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"Enough," Tom said, his voice sharp and final, cutting through the tension like a knife. He stepped forward, his presence immediately commanding attention. "What we do—where we go—is our concern, not yours. And certainly not the concern of anyone else in this school." Pansy's smirk faltered, but she recovered quickly, shrugging as if it didn't matter. "Fine, have it your way. But don't be surprised if people keep talking. Secrets don't stay hidden forever." With that, Pansy and her group sauntered off, leaving an uneasy silence in their wake. Daphne let out a frustrated breath, her shoulders tense. "She's insufferable." Tom glanced at her, his expression unreadable once more. "You can't let people like Pansy get to you. She's just trying to get a reaction."

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"I know," Daphne muttered, rubbing her temples. "But it's not just Pansy. It's the whole school. They think we're—" "They think we're something we're not," Tom interrupted, his voice smooth and controlled. "And that's fine. Let them think what they want." Daphne looked at him, her eyes searching his face for something—some hint of what he felt about all of this. "But what if they're right, Tom? What if... what if there is something more?" Tom's eyes darkened slightly, but his expression remained cold. "Daphne, emotions are a weakness. What we have—our arrangement—works because we understand each other. There's no need for anything else. Daphne's heart sank a little at his words, but she didn't let it show. She had known all along that Tom was different, that his ambitions and his cold detachment made him nearly impossible to get close to. But hearing it out loud stung more than she had expected

"Right," she said quietly, looking away. "Of course." The two stood in silence for a moment longer, the tension between them palpable. Then, with a final glance at her, Tom turned and walked away, his cloak billowing behind him as he disappeared into the shadows of the courtyard, leaving Daphne standing there, alone with her thoughts and the echoes of the rumors that seemed to follow them both.

Word count: 1133