RIDDLES PROPERTY

chapter 35

TW: SELF HARM/CUTS
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Tom knocked on the door, ferociously. He had to see the man. He needed to know what was wrong with Emelia. It was as if he could sense it.

"What brings you here?" the old man asked.

"Professor, she's been sick these past few days and...I'm not sure it's something Madam Pomfrey can handle."

Tom cradled Emelia in his hands and came inside. He set her down on his couch.

"Miss Pomfrey is very experienced, Tom. How dire is it?"

Tom grimaced. Dumbledore was making it very complicated for him.

"Quite dire."

Dumbledore took out his wand and muttered an incantation under his breath. He checked her pulse and thought for a moment.

"Tom...do you know if she is sexually active, perhaps?"

He nearly lunged at him, but kept his ground. Tom clenched his jaw.

"What are you trying to say?"

"I believe she's pregnant," he stated calmly.

Tom's nails had dug into his hands. His breath showed down and he exhaled.

"I won't know for sure if I don't know whether or not she's had sex recently."

"She has." he whispered.

Dumbledore nodded. He was shocked at how young she was sexually active, only a sixth year, but he knew kids were different nowadays. His facial expression remained neutral, though.

"It is up to her if she wants to keep the child or not, but it'd be a shame for it to not get a chance. Is it yours?"

Riddle stood there and thought for a minute. He knew his mother died after giving labor, but knew without her death he wouldn't be there.

"It's her choice. I'm not sure whether it's mine or not."

Dumbledore nodded. He was twisting his beard, inquisitively.

"This is a matter you two should discuss privately. She's waking up. Take her outside and tell her.", Dumbledore advised.

Emelia started opening her eyes up to a dim room. There stood Dumbledore and Tom. She was still groggy and her vision was hazy.

"Professor, what am I doing here?" she asked.

"I believe you and Tom should discuss things outside. Tom?" he motioned them two to leave.

She got up and nearly fell, but Dumbledore helped her back up.

"She's capable of getting up herself." Tom said menacingly to Dumbledore.

"I'm sure she is." he said calmly.

Emelia looked at him, questioningly, and they left the room.

"Why was I in there? What were you two discussing?" she asked.

Tom didn't know where to start. He held her hand to which she tried to pull away.

"Just today you treated me like an outcast and now you can't let me go, why? I fucking hate you, Tom. Our relationship isn't real, alright? It's as if every time I try to talk to you in public you act like I'm a stranger and shoo me away. Every time you kick me away you're not gonna win me, alright?"

He listened to her rants, silently. She ended up crying. Tom knew she didn't cry often.

'Pregnancy hormones.'

"We're nothing but fickle friends, Tom, and possibly not even friends at all. One day you're gonna regret messing with me. I know what you really want—a little more confidence, but this is where I'm going to stop boosting your ego and playing your little game."

That line had hurt Tom just a bit.

"Emelia, stop it." he demanded.

"I'm sorry." she stated in tears.

He pulled her closer in and hugged her. She sobbed into his t-shirt. He saw her tear and mascara stains and glowered. It was just cleaned, but he let her. Tom caressed her hair, but noticed something on her wrists.

"Emelia, what are those?"

The jagged scars were certainly not caused by him. There was only one answer.

"I can't do it anymore, Riddle. It's too much."

He hushed her and held her tightly. Tom couldn't afford to lose her.

"You must stop doing it. I won't allow it. You will continue to live whether you like it or not."

She sniffled and he took her wrists. Tom pressed his lips to the cuts and she winced. He couldn't bring himself to stop hugging her. He certainly couldn't tell her about the child, yet. She was too fragile.

Emelia let out a guttural scream which was muffled in his chest.

"Let's go to my dorm." he suggested.

She held him close and nodded.

Draco overheard their whole conversation from the halls. His eyes widened and he ran back to his dorms.