Both obsessed/Tom Riddle (completed)

040 Hufflepuff

The Knights of Walpurgis gathered in the dim chamber beneath Hogwarts, the air thick with plotting and power. The stone walls seemed to hum with their energy as the discussion heated. Tom Riddle sat at the head of the long table, his presence commanding, his icy blue eyes sharp as daggers as he addressed the room.

"Dumbledore is building something," Tom said, his voice smooth but laced with venom. "A movement. A weapon. But like everything else, it can be dismantled. All we need is information. Information we do not yet have."

To his left, Ernesh sat unnervingly still, his dark green eyes glowing faintly in the torchlight. The slit pupils flicked between the other Knights, his forked tongue darting out briefly. He said nothing but exuded a quiet, restless intensity. Tom's words always held his rapt attention, but tonight, Ernesh seemed hungrier for action.

Before anyone could respond, the heavy doors of the chamber burst open with a resounding crash. The room turned sharply as Abraxas Malfoy strode in, dragging a Hufflepuff girl by the arm. She was young, her honey-colored braids swinging as she walked—but her face betrayed no fear. Instead, there was a simmering annoyance in her hazel eyes, her expression bold and unyielding.

"Abraxas," Tom said, standing slowly, his voice low and dangerous. His glare froze the room in place. "Explain yourself."

Abraxas smirked, oblivious to Tom's growing displeasure. He yanked the girl forward, pushing her into the center of the room. She didn't stumble. Instead, she stood upright, brushing off her robes and looking around at the group with raised eyebrows, as though they were an amusing sight.

"This one has information," Abraxas declared, his chest puffed up like he expected praise. "She knows about Dumbledore's group."

Before anyone could respond, the girl turned and slapped Abraxas across the face with a loud crack.

The entire room froze, the echo of her strike ringing in the silence.

"I will not be manhandled into a room like some prize you've won," she said, her voice sharp and clear. Her hazel eyes flashed as she turned to the rest of the room. "If you want something from me, you can ask for it. Politely." She glanced back at Abraxas with a smirk. "And next time, try not to embarrass yourself."

Abraxas, red-faced and humiliated, opened his mouth to retort, but Tom's cold voice cut through the air.

"Enough," he commanded, his tone quiet but deadly. Abraxas stiffened immediately, stepping back. Tom's sharp gaze turned to the girl, his head tilting slightly as he examined her.

"You seem remarkably calm," Tom said, his voice smooth but laced with curiosity. "Most would find this setting... intimidating."

The girl raised an eyebrow, completely unimpressed. "Should I be scared?" she asked, her tone dripping with mockery. "You're just a group of students playing with shadows in a basement." She gestured at the table and the torchlit walls. "Honestly, I've seen scarier Hufflepuffs."

A ripple of shock passed through the room, but Tom only smirked, intrigued. Ernesh's eyes narrowed, his tongue flicking out as he studied her, as though deciding whether she was brave, foolish, or something else entirely.

"What is your name?" Tom asked, taking a slow step toward her.

She folded her arms, her expression unchanging. "Does it matter?"

"It does," Tom replied, his voice soft but commanding. "I like to know the names of those who intrigue me."

She regarded him for a moment, then tilted her head. "Call me whatever you like. It won't change the fact that you're wasting time." She glanced at the room again, her eyes lingering briefly on Ernesh, whose green slitted eyes gleamed with something dark and curious.

"Dumbledore has a group," she said, her tone casual, like she was discussing the weather. "It's called the Order. Gryffindors mostly. Some Ravenclaws. They're all about fighting darkness and other noble nonsense." She rolled her eyes. "It's predictable, really. He's got a few adults working with him, too—Aurors and others who think they're crusaders for the light." She shrugged. "Nothing you couldn't figure out on your own, if you stopped skulking around and started paying attention."

The Knights exchanged uneasy glances, unsettled by her brazenness. Tom, however, remained perfectly composed, his eyes locked on hers.

"And you're telling us this... why?" Tom asked.

She smirked. "Because I don't care about your little games. Gryffindors and Ravenclaws love drama. Hufflepuffs don't. We stay out of the way and let the rest of you fight your petty wars." She adjusted the strap of the large bag on her shoulder, and the faint smell of raw meat filled the room. "But since you insist on dragging me here, I figured I'd save you the trouble of finding out yourselves."

Tom's gaze flicked briefly to the bag. "What's in there?"

She glanced down at it and shrugged. "Dinner. For the centaurs. Maybe the vampires, if they're in the mood for company."

Her nonchalance was as unnerving as it was fascinating.

"You think we'll just let you walk away?" Ernesh finally spoke, his voice low and sibilant. His green snake eyes gleamed, and his forked tongue flicked out as he leaned forward.

The girl met his gaze without flinching. "Yes," she said simply.

Ernesh tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.

"Leave," Tom said abruptly, his eyes narrowing. The girl raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by how easily he was letting her go.

"You're letting her go?" Abraxas hissed, his voice incredulous.

Tom turned his icy gaze on Abraxas, and the blonde boy immediately fell silent, shrinking back.

"I don't waste time with pointless theatrics," Tom said coolly. "She's already given us what we need. Haven't you, dear?"

The girl smirked again. "Perhaps." She turned on her heel and strode toward the door.

Before leaving, she paused and glanced back. "Oh, and Abraxas?"

He stiffened.

She slapped him again, harder than before, leaving his cheek bright red.

"Learn some manners," she said sharply before sweeping out of the room, her braids bouncing with each confident step. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving the Knights in stunned silence.

Tom sat back down, his expression thoughtful, though a small smile tugged at his lips. "Well," he said softly, "that was... unexpected."

Ernesh leaned closer, his green eyes gleaming. "She's not scared of you," he murmured.

"No," Tom agreed, his smirk growing. "But that can be fixed."

Ernesh tilted his head, his lips curling into a faint, sinister smile. "Do you think she'll stay out of our way?"

Tom's eyes flicked to the door. "No. But when the time comes, she'll learn her place."

The Knights murmured amongst themselves, but Tom and Ernesh said nothing more, their thoughts already spinning. The girl was a wildcard—but Tom had never met a wildcard he couldn't control.

...