kneel | Tom Riddle

𝟒𝟓

45| prefects' bathroom

Tom Marvolo Riddle never had a big number of things to his name. But the ones he had he valued with this whole life. Meaning, when someone ruined his things there would be consequences, nasty consequences. Or when someone stole something important from him, he was capable of murder.

Now he had important things that belonged to him and then he had Seraphina, not necessarily an object, he thought, but much more important than one. In reality, she had never been a thing, maybe more like a prize. But that was before they created a new and stronger connection. Tom didn't really know how to feel about his... attachment to Seraphina, but he did know things were different between them from that moment they shared under the table.

As he thought about how much he needed by her side, he looked at one of his followers in anger, Alcides Avery. The boy was sitting in front of the fireplace, reading a book on that fine Sunday morning, but Tom couldn't control his anger when he remembered what he witnessed the night before. His Seraphina in someone else's arms.

Tom got up from the table and walked slowly towards Avery, wondering how he should confront him, "Avery."

The boy raised his gaze from the book he was reading to glance at Tom, "Morning, Riddle. Are you alright?"

"I could be better."

Tom sat on the couch and crossed his legs, getting ready to put Avery in his place, "Well can I help?"

"As a matter of fact, you can," Tom said, "Why was Seraphina in your bed last night?"

Avery gulped when he heard his friend's words, "Nothing happened, Tom. She just-"

"I know nothing happened because I trust her. She's faithful to me, but I'm not sure if I should trust you anymore. You know, I always considered one of my most loyal followers, but it seems like I was wrong," Tom spoke calmly, his eyes showing all the hatred he felt.

Avery dropped his book on the ground, "I don't see where you're getting with this, Riddle. I didn't try anything, I would never. You really don't understand, but it's quite impossible."

"So help me understand, then. Was there a good reason for sleeping with her on your bed? Don't you know she's off-limits for everyone?"

Avery no longer seemed afraid and nervous. In fact, he was starting to get angry with Tom's accusations and the way he spoke about Seraphina, "I'm assuring you nothing happened and none of us even thought of that. She was only helping me with something and we ended up falling asleep," he explained, "Besides, I don't see why this concerns you, Tom. Seraphina is free to do whatever she wants and so am I."

Tom tilted his head to the side with a small smirk, trying not to make a scene, "Seraphina knows her place, it took her a long time to understand it clearly, but she's right where I want her now. The only thing I intend here is to let you that you won't put ideas in her pretty head."

"Oh, so now you don't want her to think? That's brilliant. Riddle, if you have a small good bone in your body, you'll leave her alone," Avery commented bravely, "You'll ruin her."

Tom laughed, "My friend, she's already ruined."

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