The Unwanted Girl / A Marauder love story

Chapter Ten

Ria's pov

A chauffer was waiting for us at the station. He saluted Tom and smiled at me in greeting. Tom raised his eyebrows coldly and he gulped. I felt bad. He took our luggage and kept it in the back of the car even though I told him that I could do it myself. Tom didn't say anything, which I found weird. I always found him very helpful and polite at Hogwarts, why the sudden change?

Tom was quiet throughout the journey. I was bored to death. Call me a hypocrite, but after hanging out with the Marauders and my girls, I was unused to peace and quiet. I wondered what happened to the old Ria Patil who loved to be quiet and just curl up in a corner with a book?

Not that I spoke much, even with them.

The country side was simply beautiful. It had been a long time since I visited the country side except for the lanes near Hogwarts.

"That's my house" Tom said, indicating a huge house which was standing on a hill.

I stifled a gasp. There was a lake surrounding the hill on one side whereas there was a valley on the other side. It was beautiful.

"We own everything in that side of the valley" Tom spoke again.

"Would you like me to give you a ride around the place, tomorrow morning?" he asked politely.

I nodded. Tom was behaving cold and distant. I couldn't say I was comfortable.

'I should have taken up Lily's offer' I realised. If he was already so boring, so different from how he used to be at Hogwarts, then I shuddered to think how lonely my Christmas would be.

The car stopped in front of the mansion.

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Tom Riddle Senior, was a polite person who tried to make a conversation, I must admit, though his son didn't speak a word to me or him throughout dinner.

What in the world was wrong with him?

"So tell me about your parents?" Thomas Riddle asked me.

I saw Tom stiffen. Will it matter to Mr. Riddle that his son was friends with an orphan.

"My mother died when I was twelve years old and my father is in the States. They weren't married, though he is in contact with me" I replied politely.

He didn't seem affected much by the 'not married' part. Hmm... Muggles don't care about blood status and things are modern nowadays.

"I am sorry about your mother dear. I too lost my mother a few years ago. I feel your loss. The pain doesn't go away, but it does get better to live with, with time" he said simply.

Hey, the guy seems to be cool. Wonder what is wrong with his son? He seemed just like a brilliant, bright personality at Hogwarts, and now seemed so aloof.

"How are your studies, Tom?" Mr.Riddle asked tentatively to his son.

Tom stopped the spoon, midway to his mouth. "Brilliant, as always" he replied quite formally.

Okay, I used a much informal tone with my dad, and he is a god. Was Mr.Riddle a that unapproachable father. I had only seen my dad few times, which is quite common, since he is a God, but this guy was only human.

After the exceedingly awkward dinner, a maid showed me to my room.

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It's been a few days since I arrived at the place and Little Hangleton was simply brilliant.

Tom and I went out for long walks and movies everyday.