Before He Was Voldemort (A Tom Riddle Fanfiction)

Chapter 11: The Black Lake

November, 1943

Just to Corinne's luck, it was a dreadfully chilly night, which meant stepping outside was due to be an unpleasant experience. Bundled up in two gray Hogwarts jumpers, two pairs of wool socks underneath her boots, mittens, her dark green cloak, and her Slytherin scarf wrapped around her throat, it was still no match for the wind that pricked at every exposed patch of skin on her body. It was especially brutal on her legs, which were only protected by her long stockings and skirt that came down to her ankles. Corinne's mother refused to buy her trousers for wintertime, claiming it was unladylike and too masculine. Oh, how she wished times would change for women's fashion; skirts were so unpractical in weather like this.

Corinne checked her watch for the dozenth time since she left the broom cupboard. Nine minutes until midnight. She bit her lip, partly because they were chapped, also due to the worry of being late. Why does it matter if I'm late? Corinne questioned herself. It's not like this little meeting Tom asked me to attend means anything. Watch him not even show up.

But she knew it was pointless to try lying to herself. She was curiouser about why Tom asked her to meet him than she ought to be.

Corinne crept down another corridor, trying to control the chattering of her teeth as she surveyed her surroundings. She half expected to run into Filch, or even worse, the Headmaster, attempting to make it to this rendezvous. Surprisingly, the corridors were clear of anyone tonight. It just made sneaking around the castle that much easier.

Look at me, mucking up the courage to break the rules by creeping around Hogwarts after curfew. My siblings would sneer at me if they knew how Gryffindor-like I was acting.

All for a boy.

Corinne shook off that last thought, wanting to forget it ever crossed her mind. Was she really so fascinated by Tom Riddle that she would break the rules without hesitation, just to get an opportunity to talk to him again? She felt like one of the many desperate girls around the school who acted so foolish around Tom, just because they fancied him. But Corinne didn't fancy Tom; she just wanted to restore their friendship.

That was the case, right?

Finally, Corinne reached the southernmost point of the castle, goosebumps erupting all over her as she stepped outside, making her way down the sloped hill that lead to the edge of the great lake. Moonlight bounced off the surface of the water almost blindingly. Tonight was a full moon, and Corinne could picture it acting as a spotlight beaming down on her, revealing her presence to anyone who peered out one of the windows. She prayed to Merlin the blackness of the night was enough to camouflage her.

The rapid thumping of her heart was all she could hear as she approached Tom's chosen location by the lake. She shouldn't be this nervous. This was only Tom, someone she's known since they were eleven. But the Tom that existed today was not the same boy Corinne knew five years ago. Tom Riddle was now characterized by his stone exterior, brilliant aptitude in the art of wizardry, intimidating semblance, mysterious persona, and was just downright too intriguing for Corinne's own good.

Speaking of the devil himself...

Corinne's breath hitched and she came to an abrupt stop when she saw him. A tall, regal silhouette stood as straight as the tree he was beside, facing the massive body of water that stretched on for miles. His features were stark under the moonlight, outlining his strong jaw and angular cheekbones, strikingly pale white skin dramatized by the darkness of his hair that almost blended into the night, the gleam across the lake reflecting in his eyes...

The scene looked as though it needed to be captured in a painting.

Her eyes still locked on Tom, Corinne breathed in deeply and took a leap of courage. She willed herself to step forward, jumping when a dry leaf crunched loudly under her boot. Tom's gaze snapped in her direction. Corinne cursed under her breath, partly because of that damned leaf, partly because Tom's inky blue stare was startlingly intense.