kneel | Tom Riddle

𝟏𝟑

13| Hogsmeade

"There she is. Please, be nice. She's already scared of Slytherins, especially the ones who hang out with Tom Riddle."

Seraphina sighed, looking at the blonde girl entering the coffee shop, "You know I'm not good with girls," she told Layla and the other just rolled her eyes.

"Yeah, that's because you're a non-lesbian slut," Layla joked and Seraphina narrowed her eyes at her.

Despite the insult, she still laughed, "I'm a committed and serious woman, for your information, dear Layla."

"You're sixteen," the Gryffindor girl got up and waived at Grace. The blonde girl smiled, but Seraphina could see how nervous she really looked. Was she that scared of Slytherins?

"Hey," she said shyly and sat in the boot in front of the two girls.

"Hey, I'm Seraphina and it's a pleasure to meet you," she said extending her hand and the Hufflepuff girl shook it gently.

"I'm Grace Longbottom," she made a small smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you too, I've heard a lot about you."

Layla smirked, "She's not as bad as they say. In fact, Seraphina here is lovely and very kind."

The Hufflepuff girl looked hopeful, "Don't push it, Layla. Look, I can tell you already that I'm not a liar," most of the time, "So I'll be honest with you and tell you that I'm not the kindest person in the world, but I'm working on it."

"I understand, but at least you're making an effort," Grace showed her true kindness, "And I'm happy to help you."

Seraphina felt a little uncomfortable with all the kindness, but she knew that was the right path. After all, she was determined to become a better person. Would it work? It was unlikely, but she was doing her best.

Her only fear was that kindness would somehow turn... boring?

"She's a nice witch, sometimes," Layla added drinking her Butterbeer, "But she does have a problem with being friends with girls. Do you know that before she met she didn't have one single female friend?" She didn't wait for Grace to answer, "So I decided to arrange some introductions and you, my dear Grace, were my first choice."

"Oh, I feel honored," she chuckled and Seraphina made the smallest of smiles.

What caught her eye next made her smirk, "I also have some introductions to make," she said looking at one of her friends and then fixing her gaze on Layla, who was already groaning.

With a genuine smile on her face, she got up from her seat and walked towards the group who just entered the Three Broomsticks, the bar where she was hanging. She only saw Avery, Lestrange, Mulciber, Abraxas and, unfortunately, Davina Black was there too. It was no surprise Tom wasn't there, after all, he never went to Hogsmeade. Seraphina's parents gave him permission to go, but he thinks it's a waste of time. Typical Tom Riddle.

Avery opened his arms to the girl when he saw her and she hugged him, kissing his cheek, "Hey. I didn't know you would be here," said Seraphina.

"We just got here, actually," Abraxas said, "What about you? What are you doing here?"

Seraphina pointed to the table where she, Layla, and Grace were sitting, "I'm here with some friends, but I can't stay too long because I have to study."