Tom Riddle had a secret - he had murdered his family. Arabella Chambers knew his secret - she had witnessed it.
After Tom Riddle kills Arabella Chambers, he steals her wand for safekeeping. But, unexpectedly, Arabella shows up at Hogwarts, very much...
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Simon Blackmore was gone the next morning.
No-one knew what had happened. But he had disappeared.
Well, no-one except for Arabella Chambers and Tom Riddle.
It began the night before.
The night was warmer than normal. Tom was patrolling the corridors, on his prefect duties. He had discarded his robe for the night, patrolling in his white button up, his Slytherin tie loose around his neck. The top few buttons were undone due to the warm air and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows.
He was used to the silence the castle brought during these nights. Relished it, even. It gave him time to think, to plan.
It was then he heard it — the low hum of voices drifting from a nearby classroom. His steps slowed, curiosity flickering.
It wasn't uncommon for students to sneak out for late-night trysts, thinking themselves clever and unseen. Normally, he would intervene, docking house points or giving them detention.
But as he neared the door, he froze.
Arabella.
Her voice was unmistakable, he recognised it immediately. Tom's chest tightened, and for a moment, he considered turning back. If it had been anyone else, he wouldn't have hesitated. He would have barged in and docked points without a second thought.
But Arabella Chambers wasn't just anyone.
He hesitated at the door, torn between what he was supposed to do and the irritation he felt at the moment. If she was with Blackmore... The thought made his stomach churn.
He didn't want to see her, not like that, not with him.
Tom turned sharply on his heel, ready to leave the scene behind. He would pretend he hadn't heard anything, that he hadn't come this way at all. After all, him and Arabella weren't... anything close. Not yet. She had made it clear that they were allies only. Possibly friends.
And then he heard her.
"No. Stop!"
The word sliced through him like a dagger. He stopped in his tracks, his breath hitching.
"Simon, stop!"
Her voice was louder now, trembling with anger — and something else. Fear?
Tom turned around slowly. His mind conjured images he didn't want to see, scenarios he couldn't ignore. Was he forcing himself on her? Was Simon Blackmore, that lecherous, arrogant bastard, hurting her?
"I swear to Merlin, Simon—"
Without hesitation, he stormed through the door.
Arabella was backed against the wall, her wrists pinned above her by Simon's larger frame. She was glaring up at him, her grey eyes blazing with fury, but Simon's sneer told Tom everything he needed to know.
