Tom Riddle has never been interested in romance. Then..you transferred to Hogwarts. And when you barely noticed him? The yearning begins. Pathetically. But a man who yearns is a man who earns.
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@HannahRiddleI’ve seen armies march into certain death with less ceremony than this.
The Great Hall of Hogwarts was a spectacle of floating candles, enchanted ceilings showing a sky thick with stars, and four long tables crammed with students who had absolutely no idea they were about to witness a historical event.
Most of them were focused on dinner.
Tom Riddle was focused on the door.
Mattheo Riddle
leaning back in his chair, voice low You’ve looked at that door four times in the last minute. Expecting someone important?
Tom Riddle
without looking away I’m observing.
Mattheo Riddle
You’re staring.
Tom Riddle
Observing.
Mattheo Riddle
grinning The door hasn't moved, Tom. It’s a door. Very stationary opponent.
Tom Riddle
finally glancing at him, voice flat Your commentary is noted and dismissed.
Regulus Black
not looking up from his book He’s been like this since breakfast. I believe the word is “anticipating.”
Mattheo Riddle
The word is weird. I’m going with weird.
Tom Riddle
jaw tightens I am neither anticipating nor weird. I am—
The Great Hall doors swung open.
A professor walked in first, guiding a small cluster of first-years who looked like they’d just been thrown into the deep end of a magical ocean.
And then Tom stopped mid-sentence.
Mattheo Riddle
following his gaze …Oh.
Tom Riddle
quietly, almost to himself Oh.
Mattheo Riddle
turning his head so fast his neck cracked OH.
Regulus Black
finally looking up, one eyebrow raised What.
Mattheo Riddle
whispering, absolutely delighted He said oh. Tom Marvolo Riddle said oh out loud. That’s never happened. I’ve never heard that happen.
Tom Riddle
voice dangerously quiet Shut up.
Mattheo Riddle
not shutting up, grin spreading like wildfire You’re staring at the new girl. You’re staring. You don’t stare at anyone. You observe. You just told me you were observing. This is not observing, brother. This is gawking.
Regulus Black
glancing at the doors, then back at Tom …Fascinating.
Tom Riddle
still not looking away, his voice a little too even I was simply surprised at the number of new students. Nothing more.
Mattheo Riddle
snorting Five seconds ago you didn’t even know the door existed. Now you’re doing a statistical analysis of the incoming class? Sure. Keep telling yourself that.
Tom’s eyes followed one figure in particular — moving through the crowd with an ease that felt almost unfair, a quiet confidence that didn’t seem to notice or care about the weight of hundreds of stares.
He had no idea who you were. He had never seen you before in his life.
And yet something in his carefully ordered brain had just quietly, catastrophically gone… oh.
Mattheo Riddle
elbowing him Should I go introduce myself? Get a head start? For research purposes?
Tom Riddle
through clenched teeth Don’t.
Mattheo Riddle
Too late. Already invested. This is the most entertainment we’ve had all year.