Snake Charmer

Chapter Seven

Flashback: Sixth Year

Asteria paced in the courtyard. It was the first day of sixth year and she hadn't seen Tom last night and that worried her. They had become friends last year and he barely wrote to her over the summer. She throws her hands up into the air muttering curse words to herself. She was ridiculous!

Tom watched her amused. She was freaking out for some reason. She wore a knee-length thin strapped summer dress, she looked nice. Half of her stark white hair was tied back into a bun, and she huffed an irritated breath before spinning around. Her eyes widened as she took in Tom and his all-black attire. Tom fought his smirk as he pushed off the archway walking toward her.

A blush crept up her neck into her cheeks as she stared at him, how had he gotten taller?! Her surprised expression turned into a scowl as Tom stepped closer to him. He smirks down at her. She was cute when she was angry. She swatted his arm, aggregation evident in her eyebrows.

"Where were you?!" He tilted his head giving her a playful grin.

"Where you worried about me Dumbledore?" Asteria scoffed and rolled her eyes.

"You wish Riddle." Her eyes caught the pin on his jacket, she smiled brightly before pulling her hair aside revealing that they had matching perfect badges. Tom snorted and shook his head lightly. Her emotions changed so quickly all of the time. Sometimes Tom wondered if she was Bi-polar. It was a muggle condition, but it was still possible for a witch or Wizard to have it.

"Well, look at that. Did your father appoint you?" Asteria's eyes narrowed at his accusation. Like he thought that she didn't earn it through her own merit. She scoffed biting her tongue before moving passed him. It was stupid that she was excited to show him. He was still the ass that he was. Asteria throat slowly closing. She should have known better.

Tom let her get a few steps away, when he saw her shoulders tremble ever to slightly. He mentally cursed realizing his light teasing was directed in another direction. He growled a soft sigh before rushing to her, grabbing her arm pulling her back to him. Asteria squeaked in surprise turning to look at Tom with a surprised expression. Tom huffed a breath before closing the distance between them, pressing his lips to the top of her hairline. Asteria's Face flamed at his sudden show of affection in the middle of the courtyard. Where others could see them.

"T-Tom! What are you doing?" Her breathing had picked up and her heart threatened to explode in her chest.

"I hurt your feelings; I wasn't trying to." Asteria fought her smile and shook her head at him. Maybe he had changed. But there was still a sinking feeling that she couldn't shake.

In the weeks to come she had noticed that Tom's silver tongue reminded her of her Papa, and it frightened her. But what was worse was the fact that some of the older students had been talking more about Grindelwald and his way of thinking that it frightened her to no end. She knew her papa's way of thinking was wrong