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Chapter 7 𓍯𓂃𓏧♡
the door to our compartment slid open once more.
My breath caught in my throat as I looked up, half-expecting to see someone who would sneer at us for coming from the Muggle world. But instead, Dumbledore's kind face appeared in the doorway, his eyes twinkling with that same warmth he always seemed to carry.
"Ah, there you are," he said with a soft smile, stepping inside. "I wanted to check on you both before we make our final journey to the castle. Everything all right?"
The tension in my chest eased, though the grip around my heart hadn't fully released. I nodded and smiled at him.
Glancing at Tom, who was watching Dumbledore with his usual composed expression.
A part of me was relieved that it was Dumbledore who had come, but another part was wary—wary of the unknown, of what awaited us at Hogwarts.But the excitement and anticipation was far more than the anxiety stirring up inside me.
"We're fine," Tom replied, his voice smooth, almost too calm. I couldn't tell if he was as relieved as I was or if he was just putting on another one of his masks.
Dumbledore seemed to sense the unspoken tension between us, but he didn't comment on it. Instead, he gestured for us to follow him.
"Let's not keep the others waiting. The Great Hall is ready, and I daresay you'll both want to experience the feast. It's quite the spectacle."
As we gathered our things, Dumbledore explained that he was temporarily filling in as the Keeper of the Keys and Grounds, escorting us in place of the usual guide.
"Rest assured, you'll be in good hands once we reach the castle," he added with a reassuring nod.
The three of us exited the train, the cool night air hitting me like a splash of water, bringing with it the scent of pine and damp earth.
We made our way down to the edge of the lake, where small boats awaited us, gently bobbing on the water's surface.
The night was calm, the sky dotted with stars, and the reflection of Hogwarts in the distance shimmered on the lake, making the scene feel like something out of a dream.
Tom chose a boat separate from mine, and I watched as he settled himself into it, his profile sharp against the dark water. The sight of him, alone and seemingly unaffected by all that had happened, stirred something inside me— disappointment at the fact he hadn't sat on the boat I rode.
I surely was just too overwhelmed by all the sudden change.
I convinced myself that, it was the very reason why my chest was clutched so tightly at the thought that tom was intentionally trying to distant himself from me again.
I pushed the thought aside and focused on the journey ahead.
The boat glided across the lake, and the castle loomed closer with each passing moment. It was breathtaking, its towers and turrets reaching up to the sky, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.
The air was filled with the soft sounds of nature, the water gently lapping against the boat, the distant call of an owl echoing through the night.
When we reached the shore, Dumbledore led us up the stone steps to the castle entrance, his presence a comforting beacon in the darkness. The massive wooden doors creaked open, revealing the grandeur of Hogwarts within.
As we stepped into the Great Hall, my breath caught in my throat.
The enchanted ceiling above mirrored the night sky, complete with twinkling stars and drifting clouds. Hundreds of candles floated above the long tables, casting a warm, golden light over everything. The room was filled with students, their chatter and laughter echoing off the stone walls, creating a lively, welcoming atmosphere.
I couldn't help but let my eyes dart around, taking in the sheer magic of it all.
this was the type of the place that had only existed in stories and my wildest dreams. And yet, here I was, standing in the middle of it.
Despite the awe that filled me, I found myself searching for Tom. He was the only familiar face in this sea of strangers, and the thought of him being lost in the crowd made my stomach twist with unease.
At first, I couldn't find him. The hall was so vast, and everyone seemed to blend together in their black robes and excited expressions.
But then, I spotted him near the back, surrounded by a group of boys who looked older, more confident. Tom had already slipped into his charismatic persona, a charming smile on his lips as he spoke. His dark hair fell perfectly into place, his eyes glinting with the same energy that had captivated everyone else.
Our eyes met across the room, and for a moment, my heart pounded so hard I thought it might burst out of my chest. It was that fluttery feeling, the one you get when you see someone you might be attracted to—nervous, excited, terrified all at once. I quickly looked away, my face heating up with the realization.
I sat with the first years, still stealing glances at Tom.
He sat a few seats away for me, already making himself comfortable in the mass of the other first years and some looked older. I assume he had already made many connections with the others.
I never really let myself acknowledge tom fully before, a part of me knew,if i did I would had surely been swift away by his fake charisma.
I knew I had be entrapped by those smiles of his, if I ever let my guard down.
But now.
Right this moment, as this whole swirls of butterflies flatters around my stomach, I can't be sure of my resolves anymore.
It was ridiculous, really, the way my heart insisted on reacting to him. But I couldn't help it. And when I finally spotted him again, talking and smiling as if he owned the place, that same feeling crept up on me again.
Was this what it felt like to have a crush?
I wouldn't know as I never had one.....
But....
What was happening to me? I couldn't possibly be attracted to Tom riddle… could I,
I couldn't be getting these butterflies for a arrogant boy with a superiority complex, could I?
Surely I was so tired from the journey that my mind had gone completely bizzare.
Hence I push away the ridiculous thoughts and keep my gaze anywhere but his form.
I will absolutely not let my overly active mind think of something so laughable as this.
As I force my pounding heart to clam down and clear out of all the fleeting swirls of butterflies, I repeat one thing over again and again; I despise tom -jerky- riddle, and this is the first and last time, I wouldn't ever think of him like that.