Tom Riddle | Short Stories

You

The door of Borgin and Burke's opened with a ring of that annoying little Bell Mister Burke insisted prevented theft. I lift my eyes looking to see a dark manner of witch or wizard, but instead I see you.

You're wearing a burgundy skirt and a white button up shirt, the top two are left open to display a necklace around your neck, there is a blue gem at the centre, directing the gaze down down down. Your hair is half up half down, and a clip holds it all together. You move those sunglasses onto your forehead, and then you are looking for someone, you are looking for me,

"Can I help you?" I ask walking towards where you stand at the front and finally those beautiful eyes settle on me,

"Yes, my uncle, he owled ahead about a rare mug? I've been sent on an errand," You say shaking your head and wrinkling your nose, as though embarassed, and then I realize it's because you care what I think,

"Yes, yes the toby jug, it has Slytherin's face on it, I'll get it for you." I said walking to the back and picking up the toby jug baring the face of my ancestor, and I bring it out to you,

You stand peering curiously around the store and then you hear me coming, and turn to face me again,

"It's here? Thank Merlin, my uncle's been looking everywhere for that damn Toby Jug," You say, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear,

"I'll wrap this up for you then," I say and you follow me to the counter, "What are you doing in London?"

"Visiting family, bless them but they are very loud," You say a small laugh eating at your words as we stop at the front desk, a duck below for a mere moment and when I emerge you are leaning on the desk looking across the store, still drinking it all in, "Rather dark shop,"

"Rather dark products," I say and you laugh, it is small but it is there,

"I guess that's true, then again you did just sell me a toby jug," You turn to face me and I could lose myself in those eyes,

"I suppose I am," I say as I chuckle,

"My uncle has the other three you know, the founders?" You say, "The Ravenclaw one still keeps me up at night,"

"Scary expression?" I ask as I slowly wrap the delicate jug in bubble wrap, slowed than necessary but I want to enjoy our fleeting time together while I can,

"I just feel like she can read my mind," you say, "And yes I realize that Rowena Ravenclaw actually was a legilimens,"

I smile, you know things, things common people don't, but you are uncommon, you are special.

"Where did you attend school?" I ask,

"Ilvermorny, Thunderbird and proud," you say a small smile on your face in pride, "You went to Hogwarts?"

"Of course, best wizarding school in the world," I say baiting you and you do not disappoint, your mouth falls open and I thank the desk seperating us, preventing me from closing the gap between us.

"How dare you, kind sir," You say, your eyes wide and enchanting, as you take the bag from the counter,

"Tom Riddle," I say as you begin to walk away,

"What?"

"My name, it's Tom Riddle," I repeat and then you wink before lowering your sunglasses,

"Something tells me I'll be seeing you around, Tom Riddle," you say before you leave the store,

—

I replay our interaction in my head over and over again. Every laugh exchanged down to the wink at the end. Were you flirting with me? Did I make a mistake not telling you to stay in the store just a moment longer?