Infatuation - Tom Riddle

Two

  The two had been talking for almost an hour, the young Malfoy boy bombarding Merida with questions about America while they shared snacks from the trolley.

  "What was it called again?"

  "French fries Malfoy, we call them fries."

  "And you're an only child yes?"

  "Last time I checked yeah."

  "Wait, so you call muggles... no-majs?" Merida nodded and smiled as she popped another chocolate covered raisin into her mouth. He was a curious boy she noticed, he had a childlike wonder and she was glad to have run into him first, seeing as how they seem to get along.

  "That's the weirdest thing I've ever heard."

  Abraxas' head was still spinning with questions, he couldn't wait to introduce her to his friends once they reached the school. The past five years at Hogwarts were as mundane as can be, for a wizarding school after all. However a new student showing up in sixth year, let alone her being a gorgeous pureblooded American, the Malfoy boy could only pray that she was to be sorted into Slytherin.

  "Why did you transfer to Hogwarts?" Merida ran her fingers through her hair and looked back at Abraxas. She'd been expecting this question, obviously people were going to be curious, it's not like every year these kinds of schools admit new students. Without a second thought, the lie gracefully spilled out of her mouth.

  "To be honest, I got sick of the school. I've been there all my life, my father understood my desire for a new environment and enrolled me into Hogwarts." Merida smiled when she noticed the proud look on Abraxas' face. She didn't want more questions about her arrival and that was the simplest answer to get people off her back. He made a mental note to make sure she was to have the best time in Hogwarts this year. From the train ride alone, the boy enjoyed her company and knew she was someone to have close by.

  "Well," he leaned in, "You don't need to worry about that here in Hogwarts. There's always something for you to do here and you're going to get along great with the other students."

  Merida noticed Abraxas' eager tone and grinned. She realized early on the boy was very wealthy, however he had been nothing but nice to her the entire time they've been talking, a stark contrast from the upper-class American boys at Ilvermorny who spoke to women as if they were house pets. Abraxas even allowed himself to joke with her and didn't care for her foul language at times. Even though he was the only person she had spoken to so far on the train, she wasn't in any hurry to go about and mingle with the other students. That time will come after she's been sorted. Another thing for her to worry about, she realized.

  "Wait, am I going to get sorted in front of everybody?" Abraxas chuckled at Merida's sudden worried expression. She began to fidget with the hem of her skirt and kept eye contact with him, waiting for his answer.

  "No, for Merlin's sake, headmaster Dippet may be daft but he's not cruel. You'll be sorted in his office before the first years so you can sit with your table during their ceremony."

  Merida leaned back in her chair comfortably once again. "Thank God."

  "Is there any house you wish to be sorted into?" Abraxas questioned. This was the moment he was truly going to understand what type of person she was. Then he would know for sure if she was really someone to keep around.

  Merida bit her lip as she thought for a moment. She could tell Abraxas was going to really cling to whatever answer she responded with. Her gut told her to flatter him, keep him on his toes for now. She remembered her father telling her about the house system. Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Slytherin. She knew she definitely wasn't going to be in Ravenclaw, house of the wise. Heavens knows she cheats on almost all her exams. Gryffindor wasn't completely out of the question but just from the house description alone she assumed they'd be full of themselves. It was down to Hufflepuff and Slytherin, but Merida genuinely had no idea between the two.

  "What house are you in?" She asked Abraxas. He smirked proudly and leaned back in his seat, crossing one leg comfortably over the other.

  "That my dear, would be Slytherin. The best house in Hogwarts if you ask me." Merida held back a scoff at his cocky tone. He's a typical teenage boy, why not stroke his ego for the fun of it for now, she thought to herself before replying.

  "Then Slytherin." Malfoy couldn't have smiled any wider at her response. Riddle was really guaranteed to like her now.