Crimson || Tom Riddle

𝖋𝖔𝖚𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝖔𝖓𝖊

Tom was sitting in the middle of the long Slytherin table in the Great Hall, no-one beside him or in front of him. It was very early in the morning and there were only a few students scattered around the hall — the early risers.

The sun had just risen and early morning light shone through the tall windows, the ceiling a light blue with a few clouds.

Arabella's footsteps echoed as she approached Tom, sliding into the seat across from him as his eyes skimmed over a book. Steam curled up from a small cup of tea by his hand and a half eaten buttered toast was placed in the plate beside him.

Tom didn't look up immediately, but he knew who it was. Arabella Chambers had a distinct smell — a sharp mix of jasmine, smoke and something faintly metallic, like the first rain hitting the ground. It was oddly pleasant, in a way he couldn't quite articulate. Finally, he closed the Potions book with a soft snap and met her gaze.

"Arabella," he greeted, tilting his head slightly. "Early, even for you."

She shrugged, grabbing his half eaten toast. "I was hungry."

Tom narrowed his eyes at her, watching her eat the toast and then pile her plate with sausages, eggs, and another thick slice of buttered toast. "I see."

"I missed dinner yesterday," she defended lightly.

He leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping idly against the table. "Yes, it seems you missed the entire day yesterday."

Arabella paused mid-bite. She forced herself to take another bite of her breakfast before answering in a casual tone, "I wasn't feeling well."

"Unwell," Tom repeated. It wasn't concern, but... something that suggested he did not believe her. "I can't imagine you, of all people, would need to skip a day over something so... inconvenient."

Arabella's fork hovered mid-air as she glanced at him, brow raising. "You think I'm lying?"

"It's just... not like you to get sick," Tom said simply, his fingers still drumming lightly against the table.

Arabella smirked faintly, brushing crumbs off her fingers. "So you're saying you missed me?"

His fingers stilled and she caught the smallest twitch of his mouth. A smile. Almost. "Not at all. I was simply surprised."

She studied him for a moment, trying to gauge just how curious he truly was. She knew he didn't believe her. "I had a headache," she said at last, shrugging. "Didn't seem worth dragging myself around when I could rest instead."

Tom leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on the table as his dark eyes locked onto hers. "Strange timing for a headache, don't you think? So close to exams."

Arabella smiled, lifting her chin. "Strange, perhaps, but hardly anything serious. Not everyone finds the exams as stressful as you seem to think."

"Stressful?" Tom repeated softly, tilting his head as though genuinely puzzled. "Do I seem stressed to you?"