HufflepuffHolland's Writing Collection

Slytherin!Tom AU (Part 2) // Tom Holland

"He went back to get the flower?" I shrugged, looking away bashfully. It had been three days since my last interaction with Tom, and I couldn't stop thinking about it. I had seen him in classes and in the hallways, the cafeteria and even when we went down to Hogsmeade. He avoided me, and I could only assume it was because he knew that I knew he went back for the flower I'd given him and he thought I'd out him to his friends. But, truth be told, I liked being Tom's secret pleasure – knowing that even though he deemed my House a joke, he still favored me.

"It's not a big deal," Beatrice and I walked into Honeydukes, trying to find something for Beatrice to send back to her mother for her birthday – her mother had quite the sweet tooth and being a Muggle, she insisted there was something sweeter in 'wizard candy'. "Besides, Tom hasn't even spoken to me. Maybe he just has a favorite flower." Beatrice scoffed, sifting through the arrangement of Cauldron Cakes, looking for the best one.

"Slytherin's and flowers? Highly unlikely, I'm more than positive it was less about the flower and more about who had left it there." I ignored the blush rising from my neck and threatening to flood my entire face while I picked up some Sugar Quills for myself.

"Just because they're Slytherin's doesn't mean they're void of all feelings, Beatrice." I put down the Sugar Quills and picked up a few Chocolate Wands instead. "And maybe he just picked it up as a joke – the whole lot of Slytherin might be laughing it up from it right about now." I argued. "Have you found something for your mother?" I desperately tried to change the subject. "I still have to study for Flitwick's Memory Charm quiz and I'm craving some Butterbeer." I turned to face her, "So, can we go to Hog's Head?" Beatrice looked up from the items in her arms and frowned at me.

"I'm sorry, I can't. I have a – uh, a date." My eyes widened. "Yeah, it's no big deal... You know the Ravenclaw boy in my Creatures class I told you about? Ryan? He asked me to lunch and I promised I'd meet him." I shrugged and lightly smiled.

"That's fine, I suppose. But, just this once." I winked at her, both of us laughing as we paid for our things. "So, when are you heading out?" She glanced at her watch and her eyes widened. "I guess you'd better leave now, before you're late?" She nodded rapidly.

"Did you want to head back with me?" I shook my head.

"I'm gonna head over to Hog's Head. I still have that craving, if I don't satisfy it I'll get a headache." She smiled at me, leaning in to hug me. "When I get back to the room, I want full details, okay?" She stuck her hand out, prompting me to shake it.

"Deal. Have a Butterbeer for me!" I watched her receding figure until she was no longer in sight before heading the opposite direction toward Hog's Head. It was very quiet in here, considering it was Sunday and most of the young wizards were all probably studying in the library back at Hogwarts. I sighed as I set down my things at an empty table after ordering the Butterbeer. I pulled out my notes from my sling bag and read through the charm. I repeated the word in my head: Obliviate. I nodded to myself before moving on to the hand motion. I lifted my index finger to imitate a wand and motioned it in a disoriented circle motion.

"Studying for Flitwick's quiz?" I opened my eyes, not realizing I had closed them in concentration. I looked up from my notebook, seeing Tom standing in front of me with two Butterbeer's in his hand. "I offered to bring yours to your table," he placed one of the drinks in front of me on the table, "this seat taken?" He motioned to the seat across from me and I shook my head, gesturing for him to sit down.

"Yes, to answer your question. I, uh, I can't quite get this charm down. It seems easy enough – maybe it's my hand placement?" I tried to ignore the rapid and loud beating coming from my chest, trying to focus on holding a normal conversation with the boy that been ignoring me for the past three days. I had been hoping he'd talk to me at least once since our last encounter, but I had never thought farther than the word 'hi'.

"Hm, let me see." He leaned back in his chair and I gave him a confused expression. "Your hand movement, let me see you do the motion." I nodded in understanding, shifting in my chair slightly to face him directly. I lifted my hand toward him, looked down at my notebook for the movement, and then said the word in my mind, moving my hand along with it. "Alright," his hand reached out and caught my wrist. "You're moving your hand too much, it should just be your wrist." With one of his hands still locked around my wrist, he showed me the motion with his other. "See?" I nodded, sticking my index finger out again. Both of his hands came up to hold my hand that was sticking out, loosening my wrist and moving it in the motion needed for the charm.

I smiled at how warm his hand was, looking at his concentrated expression while he tried to fix my hand placement.

"I could feel you looking at me, you know," I looked down, feeling embarrassed. "It's okay," his hand reached out, lifting my chin up, "I like looking at you, too." I smiled softly, pulling my chin away from his hand.

"Why are you so nice to me?" He looked at me confused, dropping his hands, which caused me to place my hands in my lap, "I mean – you make it pretty clear you don't like Hufflepuffs–."

"That's not true," he said quickly, sighing softly before straightening himself in his chair. "I just – I'm a Slytherin, which means that comes with a reputation. Sure, I don't agree with it most of the time, but it's how I get by." He shrugged. I opened my mouth to say something, but we were interrupted.

"Well, well," we looked up, seeing Nicholas walking up to our table, "if it isn't Tom with his favorite Hufflepuff." I slouched in my seat, seeing Tom stiffen. "I didn't know we were participating in charity cases, Tommy boy."

"Shut up, Nick." Nicholas and I looked at Tom, surprised. "You're fucking aggravating.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Nicholas feigned an apologetic look and tone, "I didn't know I was interrupting a date." I began to protest our being on a date, but Tom spoke up before me.

"You're not forgiven. Now fuck off so we could go back to having a good time, prick." Although Nicholas looked shaken at Tom's hard voice, he laughed it off as if Tom was joking and shoved his shoulder. Tom's expression softened when he turned to me.

"I thought you had a reputation to uphold?" He shrugged, leaning behind his chair and pulling something out of his bag.

"Reputations are overrated." He pulled out a flower, clearing his throat as he leaned closer to me. "I – uh, I actually overheard you and Beatrice talking about coming here – to Hogsmeade, so I knew you'd be here. I wanted to give you this." I looked at the single Petunia in his hand and smiled widely, carefully taking it from his hand. I sniffed it before holding it close to my chest. I could see the light blush at the tips of his ears and the pink in his flushed face. "Do you, uh – well, do you like it?" My smile never fell, even when I leaned in to peck his warm cheek.

"I love it."