riddle ▷ Tom Riddle Era

R E S E R V A T I O N S

Arabella reached the Slytherin dorms later that evening after spending a few hours wandering the halls of Hogwarts, deep in thought. How had Tom managed to convince her so easily and so quickly of the true place of muggles? Did she truly believe his words? Even now, she could still feel his breath on her face, the feeling of his hands on her back as he pulled their bodies close. 

The deaths of her family still hung over her, clouding her judgment and although she didn't want to admit it, Arabella knew that Tom had been abusing her emotional vulnerability and was manipulating her like a puppet on strings. She had fallen right into his arms tonight, both literally and figuratively. 

Maybe she didn't despise all muggles like Voldemort said she must, but she loathed the men who tore apart her family and Voldemort- Tom, promised revenge and revenge was something she craved deeply. He had said they were both using each other equally and Arabella knew it was true. Tom could easily bring her revenge on those who killed her parents and if she had to preach to his choir about hating all muggles, then she would. 

Arabella felt a strange ache in her stomach at the thought of the proximity she and Tom had shared tonight and in previous moments. She found herself thinking of Edmund and her stomach curled into anxious knots. Edmund was sweet to her, and he cared for her in a way Tom did not, and she liked the feeling she got from knowing someone enjoyed her company yet Tom made her feel exhilarated and dangerous. Her condition meant she could never love someone. Love was not a part of her and never would be and as much as Arabella could fake it, Edmund would never be given what he wanted from her, what he gave her already. 

Then suddenly, he was there and Arabella had to tear herself from her thoughts. "Edmund!" She exclaimed and went rigid as the dark-haired boy wrapped his arms around her. 

"Sunshine!" He said- relief coated his voice like sugar. "I've been looking all over for you! When you disappeared from the ball I thought that maybe you'd-" 

Arabella pulled away and put her hand on Edmund's flushed cheek. "I'm fine. I just got overwhelmed with everything and needed to be by myself." 

Edmund, sweet, sweet Edmund just smiled, not sensing the lie in her words and stroked her hair softly. "I just wanted to see if you were okay?" 

He was asking too many questions, ones she couldn't answer without breaking his heart. Just as Edmund began to speak again, Arabella quickly leaned in, sealing his lips and the words within them with a deep kiss. There were no sparks, no butterflies. Nothing to suggest any feeling. Arabella was as cold as always. But she kept kissing him and Edmund fell into her like a fly in honey. 

It occurred to her that she was using Edmund the same as she was using Tom. Two boys, one sweet and innocent and one dark and mysterious. Yet, only one had caught her attention, had made her feel for the first time in her life and that boy was probably waiting in his bed for two by now, the time they'd agreed to meet. But Edmund made her feel safe and kept her busy.