Always || Tom Riddle

Forever is a long time

A week later and I was stood at the top of the staircase where just below lay the great hall and Charlus who looked way to happy about this.I walked down the steps and took his hand as he beamed and led me into the great hall where soft music was playing.I suddenly stopped and gasped causing Charlus to stop and look at me.

"What?"

"I just remembered that I never asked Penelope who she was going with!"I replied and Charlus smiled shook his head and continued to lead me onto the dance floor.

"Look"He gestured with his head towards a laughing Penelope who was talking with a boy from Hufflepuff.

"Are you happy now?"Charlus spun me round and I huffed.Out of nowhere he handed me wine to which I accepted but smelt it before hand to check that there was no love potions.I knew the smell of this one it was an exceedingly powerful potion.I smiled sweetly at Charlus leading him back to the stairs where it was abandoned as every seventh year was busy making the most of the party.

"Why have we come out here?"Charlus smirked at me noticing that none was around.

"How much have you had to drink?"He looked shocked but still smiled at me trying to cover it.

"Only a few pints"Charlus slurred and I looked around to check that there wasn't anyone watching.

"Oh for christ sake"I hit Charlus hard enough over the head for him to fall unconscious,he slumped down the wall and I dragged him by the feet into the shadows.My heels clicked on the floor as I walked out bumping into Penelope who looked like she was happy with her date.

"Penelope,I thought you would be in the great hall dancing with..."I looked to her date who was handsome enough.He smiled at me and as she introduced us.

"This is Hans,Hans this is Clara"Hans stepped forward and I held my hand out for him to shake only to have him kiss it instead and leave me and Penelope speechless.

"Pleasure"He smiled and I was forced to smile back for the sake of my friend.

"Excuse me"I said and began to walk off outside hearing Penelope also excuse herself and follow after me.

"Clara!"I stopped once we reached the cobble courtyard just outside and sat on the fountain,taking off my high heels as Penelope sat beside me.

"I thought you would want to be with Hans,what a charmer he is"I muttered and Penelope cocked an eyebrow at me resting her head on my shoulder.

"Do you think hes right for me?"She muttered and I looked down at her with a frown.

"Well,hes very handsome and charming,so yes I do think he is,and that's exactly why you better steal his heart before somebody else does"I replied and stood up pushing her back inside as she smiled and rushed off to find Hans.After seeing her off happy I went down to the lake which was a little into the woods,the pebbles hurt my feet but it didn't bother me that much,I had things on my mind.

"I wouldn't expect to see you out here at this time of night!"A cheery Hagrid came out of the cover of the trees as I looked over my shoulder smiling at him.

"What did you expect for me to be inside getting drunk and flirting with boys?"Hagrid smiled and walked over to me his eyes full of happiness as they shone in the moonlight.

"Well..."He began and tried to think of something but I beat him to it.

"Its alright Hagrid I understand that you would think that,who wouldn't"I replied and tried to repress the shivers which were trying to force themselves out.

"Here your cold"Hagrid took off his massive fur coat and put it around my shoulders,it was so big that it looked like a cloak around me but I smiled and thanked him,pulling the coat tighter around me.I sat down figuring that we would be here for a while and Hagrid mirrored my actions.

"Whats on your mind Clara?You aren't the same girl I danced with at the yule ball"I smiled weakly at Hagrid who looked concerned.

"I feel like everything I once knew is slipping away and everything I have now won't last,I feel like my own friends are against me,like the worlds against me."I rested my head on Hagrids shoulder as he hushed me and began to stroke my hair soothingly.Out of the corner of my eyes I saw movement and a figure just like I did before in care of magical creatures.I shot up pulling Hagrids cloak off of my shoulders and handing it to him as he watched me hurrying around.

"I should go"I said grabbing my shoes from the floor and rushing off only to have Hagrid follow me.

"Clara,I am sorry if I took things to far...I just wanted to comfort you,I don't like seeing you like this"I stopped to look over my shoulder at him and smiled weakly.

"That's alright Hagrid I appreciate it"I replied and lifted my dress so that its light pink material didn't drag on the ground.After I had been walking for a while through the forest I heard a twig snap and spun around regretting not bringing my wand with me.I held my breath when a centaur wandered past,it must have been one of the few Centaurs who were banished from the group,but still they were dangerous banished or not banished.Luckily another twig snapped a little further into the forest and the Centaur took off not even noticing me to investigate the source of the noise.I saw my chance and ran back to my dorm,slamming the door behind me and sliding down it.The moonlight shone upon the newspaper that had me wracked with guilt.It was a picture of Mr Collins who was found dead last Tuesday night.I only suspected one person of doing such a thing.Tom Riddle.

I jumped at the knock on my door and wiped away tears that I didn't know had been there.I pulled the door open only to see Tom himself stood there.I gasped and felt weak at the knees,luckily he caught me before I could fall.

"Is it really you,or am I dreaming?"Tom looked confused at my reaction but realisation crossed his features and he smiled stroking my cheek.

"Yes,its me"I smiled and laughed out of happiness hugging him with all the strength I had left.

"You can't leave me like that again,do you understand how worried I was?"I asked and Tom gave me a quick kiss before shutting the door behind him.He helped me over to the bed where I lay back and rested my head on his chest.

"There's actually a reason I have been away for so long"He said after a few moments of peaceful silence between us.

"And whats that?"I asked sitting up leaning on my elbows.Tom took out a ring from his jacket and kneeled down on one knee while I sat on the edge of the bed,smiling at him.

"Whats this?"I asked and a hint of amusement flashed in Toms eyes.

"This is a sign of my love for you,it is also a sign that you are mine and that I want you to be my wife,spending the rest of my days with you,so I guess what I mean to say is will you Clarice Jean Pevensie marry me?"My smile got bigger and all I felt was love and warmth consume me.

"Forever is a long time...but yes I will marry you"I replied and Tom smiled wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me up,spinning me around while I giggled happily.

"I love you"He whispered resting his forehead against mine while I smiled happily.

"I love you too"