riddle ▷ Tom Riddle Era

A P O L O G Y

November Twenty Sixth, 1943

Two days had passed since Edmund was released from the hospital wing. Two days had passed since he had confronted his once-friend Tom Riddle in the hallway for Arabella and two days had passed since she refused Edmund's kiss. 

The pair hadn't talked about it, nor acknowledged it at all. They just went along with their day like Edmund had never leaned in in the first place. 

In the Slytherin common room, Arabella lay on the couch, shivering profusely, used tissues scattered around her. She sneezed and a jolt of pain rushed through her head. Groaning, Arabella went to grab another tissue only to find the box was empty. 

"Accio tissue box," Arabella muttered horsely, waving her wand. A second passed before the common room door swung open as though pulled with force and a square box whizzed inside, hitting Arabella in the face with a hollow thud. "Ow," Arabella moaned lowly as her hands flew to her throbbing nose. 

She lifted her hand that was still gripping her wand and glared at it. "Stupid wand." 

Too busy thinking of ways to destroy the wand, Arabella didn't hear the door swing open again and a small group of people come in. 

Someone chuckled lightly and said, "what did the wand ever do to you?" 

Arabella shrieked and flung her wand across the room in fright. It hit the stone wall and the tip erupted in a small explosion of golden sparks. 

Tom Riddle, Stefan Malfoy and Goyle had walked into the common room. They had a free period and had come to the common room to study. The three watched her with interest, especially Tom who still did not understand his connection with Arabella. As always when he saw her, something inside him shifted and he found himself imagining what it would be like to kiss her again. 

"Stupid wand," Arabella said again, cheeks burning. She shuffled deeper into the green fluffy blankets that covered her body and half the couch. 

Tom's two goons shuffled out of the common room and up the stairs, clutching rolls of parchment and a few quills. Tom watched them leave then sat down gently on the edge of the couch. 

Arabella watched him cautiously, trembling. His harsh words still stabbed into her side and pierced her mind from most of their meetings. She was beginning to regret ever coming into contact with him that year. Stuff had begin to happen to her since she met him. He was such an odd boy, she couldn't figure out any other reason for the strange happenings. Strange dreams of hidden, smoky cupboards in the walls, eery paintings of the girl and the man, Tom himself. Her new feelings! Life at Hogwarts had indeed become even stranger that year. 

"I wish I'd never met you," she blurted out suddenly. As soon as the words left her mouth, Arabella's heart jumped and skipped violently. Her hand flew to her mouth. 

But Tom surprised her. 

He looked at her sadly and nodded. "I know." He scanned her for a moment longer before clasping his hands on his lap. "I feel the same." 

"What?" 

Tom didn't move. He sat silently and still. Only his green eyes moved, as they roamed her form and the tissues that lay around her. "This isn't something I would say ever," Tom began suddenly again, "but there are curious circumstances around you... around us, that make me say this." 

He stood, the couch lifted with a sigh. Arabella slightly watched Tom as he crossed the room and picked up her wand that still lay by the wall. When he sat down again, he placed the wand between his fingers and fiddled with it absentmindedly. He seemed relaxed, almost content. Arabella had never seen him like this before. He was always calculated and poised. He always knew what he was saying and was constantly alert. 

"Say what? Say what, Tom?" Arabella said and pushed herself up until she was sitting, leaning against the arm of the couch. 

Their eyes met and then Tom spoke. "I'm sorry." 

Arabella blinked and her mouth fell open. "I- What?" 

Tom chuckled and continued on. "You are curious. You make me curious. I feel things I shouldn't feel. It should be impossible but I feel feelings that confuse me. And I'm sorry for how I've treated you because I didn't understand my own feelings." 

Honesty was a policy Arabella believed in but she didn't pick Tom to value the trait as well. He was full of surprises. "Me too," Arabella admitted quietly. "I think I understand. I was born... unusually and everything I've read says it should be impossible to..." Arabella struggled to find the words. "Feel," she said in the end. 

Tom's eyes lit up with understanding and he moved closer. "Maybe we're meant to work together. You're meant to help me on Salazar's quest to purity." 

Arabella suddenly pulled back. "What?" 

But Tom was on a roll. "You must join me as I try to rid the wizarding world of the lesser witches and wizards. Mudbloods. It's fate, Arabella. We must do it together." 

She scanned him warily. He was being serious. Arabella knew he hated those of muggle blood, but she didn't realise just how far his obsession with purity went. "Tom..." she said and struggled to find the words. 

He watched her with a slight smile, rare, but it soon began to slide off his porcelain cheeks when she floundered for her answer. "Why not?" 

Arabella almost felt bad. Tom looked genuinely sad at her disapproval. 

"Because, Tom," She said and touched his cheek gently. "They've done nothing to wrong me." 

Tom looked down and then stood, brushing her hand away hastily. He looked at her, his eyes still soft but suddenly guarded. "My apology still stands Arabella. I will always have room for you by my side. I'm done with my act." 

Arabella nodded softly, not wanting to anger him or give him cause to change his mind. She felt she wouldn't mind Tom Riddle if he acted decent to her for once. But she didn't say anything more and watched as he walked upstairs into the boys dorms. 

She sniffed loudly and sneezed suddenly. Still sick, but suddenly curious about his quest. Arabella decided she would figure out those paintings and her dreams as soon as possible.