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The dim glow of candlelight flickered against the walls of the Room of Requirement, casting soft shadows across the space that had been transformed into a cozy, intimate setting. Instead of the usual cold stone walls and high ceilings of Hogwarts, the room now looked like a small, warm theater, complete with cushioned chairs, a low table covered in snacks, and a large enchanted screen that flickered with images of a Muggle film.

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Daphne Rose sat curled up in one of the oversized armchairs, her legs tucked underneath her, as she adjusted a woolen blanket over her lap. A bowl of popcorn balanced precariously on her knee. She reached for a handful, her eyes flickering toward the figure sitting next to her. Tom Riddle sat in the chair beside her, his posture as rigid as ever, though he had allowed himself to relax slightly—if only because they were alone, and the usual pretense wasn't necessary. His dark eyes were fixed on the screen, where the movie had just started, though he looked more intrigued by the concept than truly invested in the plot.

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"You're sure this is how Muggles entertain themselves?" Tom asked, his tone dry, though not without a hint of curiosity. Daphne stifled a laugh, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she looked over at him. "Yes, Tom, this is a Muggle movie. People watch these all the time." Tom's lips pressed into a thin line as he observed the scene on the screen—a car chase unfolding in a blur of motion and sound. He seemed unimpressed, his brow furrowing slightly. "It's... loud."

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Daphne grinned, leaning closer to him as she nudged his arm lightly with her elbow. "That's part of the fun. Not everything has to be about potions or ancient magic. Sometimes, it's nice to just enjoy something silly." Tom gave her a sidelong glance, his lips twitching into the faintest hint of a smile, though it was gone almost as quickly as it appeared. "I fail to see the appeal of senseless action. There's no strategy here, no logic."

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Daphne rolled her eyes playfully. "Not everything needs to be logical, Tom. You don't have to analyze everything. Just... enjoy it." He tilted his head slightly, considering her words, but he didn't argue. Daphne had a way of pulling him out of his constant need for control, out of his head, and into moments like these. They were rare—moments when they could be together without the weight of expectations or his ambitions hanging between them. Moments where he could let himself simply exist, even if he didn't quite understand the appeal of a "movie night."

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The film continued, and despite his earlier skepticism, Tom found himself watching more intently than he had expected. He still didn't see the point of it all, but there was something oddly relaxing about the low hum of the movie, the dim lighting, and the warmth of Daphne sitting beside him. Daphne, for her part, was enjoying the whole thing. She had been the one to suggest the movie night, partly because she wanted to see if Tom could handle something as mundane as watching a film and partly because she liked the idea of doing something normal with him. Something that wasn't tied to power or ambition or the darkness that always seemed to loom over him.

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About halfway through the movie, Daphne shifted in her seat, her blanket slipping as she stretched out her legs and leaned against the armrest, her head resting just inches from Tom's shoulder. She didn't say anything, didn't try to make a big deal out of the closeness, but she could feel the faint tension in Tom's posture when she moved. Tom noticed the shift, too. His body stiffened ever so slightly, his mind automatically bracing for something—though he wasn't sure what. He wasn't used to casual affection, wasn't used to someone being so comfortable around him. Most people were too afraid to get close. But Daphne wasn't like most people.

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After a few moments of silence, she spoke again, her voice soft, as if not to disturb the quiet atmosphere they had settled into. "You don't always have to be on guard, you know." Tom's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to the screen. "I'm not." Daphne let out a soft laugh. "Yes, you are. You're always so... tense." He didn't respond right away, his gaze still fixed on the screen, though the movie itself had long since faded into the background of his mind. Daphne's presence beside him—so close, so casual—was far more distracting than any car chase or explosion on the screen.

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"I don't see the point in relaxing," Tom finally said, his voice quieter now, almost contemplative. "It's a luxury I can't afford." Daphne turned her head slightly, her eyes tracing the sharp lines of his profile. She knew how his mind worked, knew how deeply ingrained his need for control was. But she also knew that, beneath all of it, there was a part of Tom that craved what everyone else did—connection, companionship even if he couldn't admit it, even to himself. "You can with me," she said softly, her voice carrying a warmth that contrasted with his cool, calculated tone. "I'm not asking you to change, Tom. I just want you to enjoy this moment."

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Tom's jaw tightened slightly, his mind racing with thoughts he couldn't quite articulate. The idea of letting his guard down, of allowing himself to enjoy something so simple, so mundane, felt foreign to him. But at the same time, Daphne's presence had a way of grounding him in ways he didn't fully understand. For a long moment, they sat in silence, the only sound coming from the movie playing in the background. And then, slowly, almost imperceptibly, Tom's posture relaxed. Just a little. His shoulders loosened, and the tension that had been coiled so tightly inside him seemed to ease.

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He glanced at Daphne again, his dark eyes lingering on her as she watched the screen, a soft smile playing on her lips. There was something about her—something that made it impossible for him to stay distant, no matter how much he tried Without thinking, Tom reached out, his hand brushing against hers where it rested on the armrest between them. It was a small gesture, barely noticeable, but Daphne felt it immediately. She looked down at their hands, then up at him, her eyes softening as she smiled. For once, Tom didn't pull away.

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The movie continued, but neither of them was watching anymore. The moment stretched between them, quiet and unspoken but full of meaning. For once, Tom allowed himself to simply be in the moment, to sit beside Daphne, hand in hand, without the weight of his ambitions pressing down on him. And perhaps, for this one night, that was enough.


Word count: 1134

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