slytherin boys 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁.

tom riddle

୨୧

- y/n pov.

i was walking through the common room with pansy, laughing at something funny she had just said. the warmth of the fireplace cast a golden glow across the space, and that's when i saw tom sitting with mattheo on the couch near the hearth. they looked deep in conversation, unaware of my presence.

i approached them, about to tap tom on the shoulder, when mattheo's voice broke through the air.

"i can't believe you actually went through with the bet." mattheo teased, a smirk tugging at his lips. "look at you now—with her."

tom shrugged nonchalantly, but there was a flicker of something in his expression. "not gonna lie, i didn't think it would turn out like this."

"so, you want your sixteen galleons now?" mattheo asked, grinning.

tom rolled his eyes and pushed mattheo lightly as he stood up. then, he turned around, and our eyes met.

i froze in place, completely in shock. i couldn't say anything; no words came out of my mouth. tears didn't come either—they just refused to fall.

"was i some kind of game to you?" i finally managed to ask, my voice shaking.

tom's eyes widened in panic. "no, no, no. what you heard was a complete misunderstanding."

"um, i'm gonna go..." mattheo muttered awkwardly, standing up. pansy followed close behind him, leaving us alone.

"tom! what the fuck!" i shouted, my voice breaking. "are you serious? was our love all fake?"

tom opened his mouth, but no words came out. i could see he was struggling, but it didn't matter. the tears i had been holding back finally spilled down my cheeks.

without another word, i grabbed my bag and stormed out of the common room, leaving tom alone with his guilt.

i found myself in the library, my sanctuary. i tucked myself away in a quiet corner, surrounded by stacks of books. burying myself in their pages was my only comfort now.

— tom's pov.

time had passed, and i was sitting on mattheo's bed, running my hands through my hair in frustration.

"what are you gonna say to her?" mattheo asked, watching me carefully.

"i'm going to tell her the truth, of course." i sighed. "but i also need her to know how much i love her. i love our relationship. i love her so much. the bet was stupid and dumb, and i regret it every day."

"where is she now?" pansy asked from the doorway, crossing her arms.

"where else would she be?" mattheo chimed in knowingly.

suddenly, it hit me. "the library," i said, standing up quickly. "all the way at the back in the corner. she loves that spot."

without wasting another second, i left mattheo's room and headed straight for the library.

— y/n's pov.

i was sitting in the back of the library, surrounded by silence, the words on the page pulling me into a world far away from my own. then, suddenly, someone pulled a chair up beside me.

i looked up, startled, only to find tom sitting down next to me.

"tom, what are you doing here?" i asked, my voice laced with annoyance as i turned back to face the window, my book still in hand.

"y/n, please," he began softly. "let me explain everything to you."

"you can explain." i replied, still refusing to meet his eyes.

"with you looking at me, hon." he said gently.

"no." i said firmly.

he sighed, then reached out and turned my whole body to face him. he sat so close that his knees brushed against mine, his hands holding onto my arms.

"look at me." he pleaded.

reluctantly, i sighed and lifted my gaze to meet his. his eyes were filled with guilt, but there was also a desperate sincerity there.

"it all started with lorenzo," he began. "he said, 'i bet you won't ask out the next person who walks in.' that person was you. i'm so glad it was you, because i fell in love with you so deeply. it was a stupid, careless bet, and i never even took the money. once we started talking and getting closer, i told them i didn't want the money. i only wanted you. you make me so happy, y/n. please believe me—i love you so much. mattheo was just being mattheo. what he said earlier wasn't true. i never cared about the money."

"you're so stupid." i said, letting out a soft laugh despite myself.

he laughed too, a mix of relief and nerves. "am i forgiven?" he asked cautiously.

"yeah, but i swear, i so want to kick your ass right now." i replied, rolling my eyes. "but i won't, because i love you too."

his face lit up as he pulled me into a tight hug. "i never want to break your heart again." he murmured into my ear.

i smiled, resting my head on his shoulder. for a moment, we just sat there, holding each other in the quiet comfort of the library, letting everything else melt away.

a/n , WATTPAD WAS DOWN AND I WAS PANICKING BYE but i bought hogwarts legacy, guys it's so fun like wtf. it was on sale too so i had to, that fight with troll was about to make me rage. goodness.