If You Could See it Through My Eyes (Tom Riddle Fanfiction)

I Devise a Fabulously Torturous Plan

Tom POV*

Confession time: Tom didn't want to go to the library to see Iodine. On the way there, his brain filled up with multiple potential plans that would be more efficient and effective than this one could ever be. He had roped himself into spending even more time with the filth; and though he was sure he could maneuver his way out of it, there was an annoying pang in the back of his mind telling that this plan would work. No, not just work: it was going to be the most ironic and torturous plan of the year. Tom was positive of that. If only he could pull it off...

He wove his way around the shelves full of books, breathing in the scent of old pages. The library was like a safe haven to him: in all of Hogwarts, this was the only place besides the Room of Requirement that he found a refuge in. When he was reading or studying or researching, books and parchment weren't judging, and they didn't remember every little thing that you said or did. Tucked away in an alcove, where his only company were the authors of the past telling him stories of how they viewed the world, he could finally drop his facade. It was the one place Tom felt as though he could let down his guard.

But then someone would always walk across his field of vision, or make a noise, or just alert him to their presence in general, and Tom would snap back to the cold reality that he was never truly alone. He could never truly let down his guard. It would be too dangerous, and at Hogwarts, there were eyes and ears everywhere. Gossip could and would spread like a wildfire, and Tom couldn't afford his reputation to deteriorate. These next couple years would be vital if he wanted to have followers in the right places.

Iodine was in a small alcove, reading a dark leather-bound, medium-sized book. Her golden hair was tied back into a ponytail, and her steel colored eyes scanned the pages intently, soaking up every word. Internally, Tom tensed. How could he willingly let her read books on the magic she was supposed to remain ignorant of? But he couldn't tell her that she wasn't allowed- he needed her as an acquaintance, a least for a little bit more. As soon as she was introduced to his plan, he would be able to control her actions more closely.

Tom rapped his knuckles on one of the wooden shelves. Iodine looked up, and she gave him a small, polite smile, though he noticed that it was faintly enigmatic. He made a mental note to read her actions in case she was hiding something.

Quickly, to be sure his own facade was wrapped with both an air of authority and crypticsy, he arranged his expression into a placid one; hopefully she would take his discouraging demeanor as a warning to be calmer than she usually was.

Iodine tilted her head ever so slightly, as though sensing his demeanor and being puzzled by it. "Are we staying here?" she asked.

Tom shook his head. "Follow me."

He waited with little interest in courtesy as Iodine stood, then he turned on his heel and strided out of the library. Iodine followed behind, frowning slightly. She had to walk at a brisk pace to keep up with his long strides, taking two steps for every one of his.

"Where are we going?"

Tom clenched his jaw. This was going to be a problem, though it was not unseen. Tom could not afford for her to ask questions such as this: even if it was unintentional, his followers could see this as though she was undermining his authority, and if he did nothing about it his actions could potentially be seen as a weakness to exploit. Tom refused to be seen as weak.

That being said, most people, especially girls, were notorious for continuously asking questions until they received answers. It would be even more unbecoming for Iodine to have to repeat herself; not only would it be annoying, but it would also be a form of questioning his motives, even if it were unintentional. Until Iodine learned to not question any of his decisions, brief answers should be given.