Before He Was Voldemort (A Tom Riddle Fanfiction)

Chapter 9: Denial

October, 1943

Corinne's whole body stiffened as her back met the cold wall, and Tom's warm lips met hers. She was tempted to push him away and demand what on earth he was doing kissing her, but couldn't force herself to do it, closing her eyes and moving her lips with his. Her heart fluttered with delight, and could not stop the blissful hum from escaping her throat. Though Corinne had no experience with kissing, and she was almost positive Tom didn't either, everything in that moment felt completely natural. If this was what kissing always felt like, then she would kiss Tom all day if she could.

But then she remembered her suspicions about him. Tom Riddle was not the same boy he was many years ago, and there was something, dare I say, dark about him. But for some reason, this wariness about Tom did not alleviate Corinne's growing need to keep her lips against his. She had almost let all her inhibitions go, damning whatever apprehension she had about him, when she suddenly felt him pull away, the disconnection of their lips leaving Corinne slightly disappointed. When she finally opened her eyes, she saw Tom's inky blue eyes staring back at her, mixed reactions etching his expression.

Corinne couldn't tell if he was overcome with confusion, shock, ecstasy, or all of the above. With the poor lighting in the broom cupboard, it was difficult to tell for sure. So she gazed back at him, searching for any sign of any emotion that he seemed to lack. Corinne wondered what Tom was thinking. If he enjoyed the kiss, what he was feeling, why he kissed her.

"Tom?" she dared to whisper, hoping to break their silence. Her own mind was reeling with thoughts and questions that she desperately wanted answered.

Tom then pushed himself away from Corinne, squeezing out from behind the shelf, and left the broom cupboard without any explanation. He didn't even glance back or say goodbye. Corinne didn't know how to feel about that.

For hours, all she could think about was the kiss. Tom had stolen her first kiss, then retreated immediately after it happened. Corinne should have felt great about herself, since not many girls got to say that they snogged Tom Riddle in a broom cupboard. But all she could think about was what the kiss potentially meant. Her lips continued to buzz as she pondered about the peculiar and handsome boy.

What could he possibly be feeling right now?

* * *

What have I done?

Tom sat hunched over on the sofa, staring into the green flames crackling inside the fireplace. The blazing inferno did nothing to lessen his thoughts of the girl he'd just kissed in a broom cupboard. Tom despised himself for doing such a foolish thing. He didn't even fully understand why he'd done it. At one moment, they were pressed together behind a shelf, and the next Tom had her pushed against the wall, snogging her like he had feelings for her...

Feelings. Kissing. Love. It was all so weak and disgusting.

Letting out a growl, Tom kicked the coffee table in front of him, sending it toppling over along with the books and supplies that were scattered on it. He didn't even care that his foot was radiating with pain and his belongings were strewn out messily before him. The thought of Corinne Carrow infuriated him, but at the same time filled his chest with a strange and unknown warm sensation that he could not perceive. 

Why did he kiss her? Tom wasn't entirely sure. It was like his body had acted before his mind could stop himself. It was a mindless impulse that most likely had tarnished his plans to use Corinne to obtain what he wants more than anything; immortality. Now, the innocent girl whose huge eyes Tom could not get out of his head was plaguing the metaphoric wall he kept around himself to avoid situations such as this one.

Immortality and power. All you want in this world is immortality and power. Not Corinne.

But the more Tom told himself this, the more his thoughts disobeyed. Much to his own dismay, he wanted more. But wasn't power the best thing in the world? Wasn't immortality what everyone secretly dreamed of? What could he possibly want more than that?

Her name popped into his head.

* * *

31 October, 1943

I cannot sleep. The thought of Corinne deeply bothers me. But in the midst of my thoughts about her, I realized that if my plan to deceive her were to work, she has to truly trust me. So far, friendship is not speeding up the process. Although, the kiss we shared may have meant a great deal to her, so much that she could even fancy me.

I was hoping this would not happen, but as I thought long and hard about it, it may just work. If I pretend to be interested in Corinne, she just may fall for it. That would mean I could be that much closer to uncovering how to create my Horcruxes.

Yes, it will be difficult. But if I am to succeed, I will need to make Corinne Carrow fall desperately and unconditionally in love with me.

- T.M.R.

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A/N: I apologize that this chapter is so short. I've just had a lot on my mind lately and it was really hard for me to write this. I hope what I've written is alright.

Expect the next chapter within the next couple of weeks, depending on how much spare time I have and if inspiration strikes.

I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter even though it was short! Remember to vote, leave a comment, and possibly share! Thanks so much for reading! Love you guys!

-MeganWritesBooks 💋