As we entered the Great Hall, the sound of clinking cutlery and animated conversation filled the vast space. Students were seated at their respective house tables, laughter and chatter echoing off the high ceilings. Tom's friends or follower? Avery, Nott, Rosier, and Lestrange and by brother Abraxas—were already seated near the Slytherin table's center. Their eyes immediately flicked to us as we approached.
Nott leaned toward Avery and whispered something, which caused both him and Lestrange to glance at Tom and me. Their eyes widened ever so slightly before they exchanged knowing looks, a mischievous gleam lighting up their expressions.
I frowned, glancing at Tom, but his face was impassive as always, giving nothing away. Deciding to ignore the odd behavior, I made my way to the table. Alexia, seated among them, noticed my approach and raised an eyebrow when she saw Tom walking with me.
"Why were you with him i thought you did go to restroom?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity and a hint of disbelief.
"Oh, I ran into him in the hallway," I said casually, taking a seat beside her as if it were the most mundane thing in the world.
From across the table, my brother's gaze locked onto mine. His sharp eyes narrowed as he tilted his head, scrutinizing me with an intensity that immediately put me on edge. Before I could ask what his problem was, he pointed toward my neck.
"What is that?" he asked, his voice low but firm.
Confused, I frowned and instinctively touched the spot he was looking at. Alexia leaned closer, her eyes widening as she got a better look.
"Is that... a hickey?" she asked, her voice a mixture of disbelief and curiosity.
Her words sent a jolt through me, but I kept my expression neutral, refusing to let the shock show. Pulling out my wand, I conjured a small hand mirror and angled it toward my neck. Sure enough, there it was—a faint but unmistakable mark just below my jawline.
Heat rose to my cheeks as realization hit me like a freight train. My mind flashed back to the classroom, to Tom's lips on my neck, the intensity of the moment. I quickly glanced toward the table, where Tom was seated with his usual composure, calmly eating his meal as though nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, his friends—Avery, Rosier, Nott, and Lestrange—were trying and failing to stifle their laughter. They smirked and snickered among themselves, their amusement evident. I narrowed my eyes at them, silently daring them to say something, and they quickly averted their gazes, though their smirks remained.
Turning back to my brother, I forced a smile and said, "No, of course not. It's just... an insect bite."
He didn't look convinced. "An insect bite?" he repeated, his tone skeptical.
"Yes," I replied firmly, my tone leaving no room for argument.
"You promised Mother you'd behave," he said, his eyes narrowing further.
I rolled my eyes, exasperated. "And I am behaving," I insisted, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed my discomfort.
Alexia gave me a knowing look but said nothing, though the hint of a smile tugged at her lips. My brother didn't seem entirely convinced, but he let the matter drop, much to my relief.
However, my attention was drawn back when I noticed Tom's friends snickering again. This time, Tom finally looked up from his plate, his sharp gaze slicing through the group. Whatever silent message he conveyed was enough to silence them instantly. They returned to their meals, the smirks wiped from their faces.
I caught Tom's eye for a brief moment, and he gave me the barest hint of a smirk before returning to his food as though nothing unusual had transpired.
I sighed, shaking my head, but couldn't help the small smile that crept onto my lips. As much as he infuriated me, there was no denying the magnetic pull between us a connection that, for better or worse, would continue to draw us together.
After dinner, Tom stood from his seat at the Slytherin table, his sharp features illuminated by the flickering candlelight above. His piercing gaze landed on me, his expression calm, but the subtle smirk tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed his intentions.
I raised an eyebrow at him, a silent question forming in my mind. What now?
"Didn't you mention wanting a tour?" Tom asked casually, his voice smooth and commanding, drawing attention from the surrounding students.
I tilted my head, feigning nonchalance. "Now?"
His smirk deepened. "Now."
The sudden hush at the Slytherin table was almost comical. From Avery to Lestrange, the boys exchanged incredulous looks. Even Alexia, seated beside me, stared wide-eyed, her gaze flicking between Tom and me as though trying to solve a riddle.
My brother's sharp green eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Why is Riddle offering you a tour?" he demanded.
"Because he's being polite," I said sweetly, leaning over to press a quick kiss to his cheek. "Don't worry. I'll be fine."
As I stood to join Tom, the whispers from our table grew louder. Avery nudged Rosier, who muttered something to Nott, causing them all to chuckle. But one glance from Tom silenced them, their amusement replaced with wary respect.
I flashed a knowing smile and said, "Let's go."
Once we were out of the Great Hall, I allowed Tom to lead, my steps light as I followed. His presence was magnetic, his confidence undeniable. I let him believe he was in control, but every move I made was deliberate.
"So, where are we going first?" I asked, my voice carrying just the right amount of curiosity to mask my intentions.
"You'll see," he replied smoothly, glancing back at me with an enigmatic smile.
The tour began as any other might. He took me to the Astronomy Tower, where the stars glittered like shards of diamond against the velvet night sky. He shared tidbits about the castle, each word laced with charisma.
"Impressive," I said, leaning closer to him as the cool breeze swept through the tower. "But predictable."
His dark eyes flicked to mine, narrowing slightly. "You're difficult to please."
I grinned, stepping just close enough to graze his shoulder with mine. "Oh, you'll manage."
The Charms corridor and the library followed, each stop carefully curated to show off the castle's grandeur and Tom's knowledge. I let him bask in his role as my guide, all the while steering the conversation subtly toward the castle's secrets.
"You know," I said as we left the library, "this place is magnificent, but I can't help but feel like there's more to it."
His gaze sharpened. "More?"
"Come on, Tom," I teased, stepping in front of him to block his path. I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Surely you've uncovered things no one else has."
His expression shifted, the usual mask of control cracking just enough to reveal a flicker of intrigue. "Perhaps," he said cautiously.
I smirked, brushing past him. "Well, if you're not ready to impress me, I suppose we can end the tour here."
He didn't take the bait right away, but I knew I had planted the seed. Minutes later, he led me deeper into the castle, down to the dimly lit lower levels.
When we stopped in front of an unassuming door, I glanced at him, feigning confusion. "A restroom? Really?"
His smirk returned, darker this time. "Patience," he said, pushing the door open.
The room was eerily quiet, the sound of dripping water echoing off the stone walls. Tom walked to one of the sinks, his movements deliberate, and placed his hand on its edge.
"What are you doing?" I asked, stepping closer, feigning ignorance.
He turned to me, his expression unreadable. "You said you wanted to be impressed. Stay close, and I'll show you something no one else has seen."
I hesitated, my heart racing—not with fear but with the thrill of my plan falling into place. "Alright," I said softly, stepping closer.
Tom whispered something in Parseltongue, his voice low and serpentine. The sink began to move, the pipes shifting and twisting until an opening revealed itself in the floor.
I gasped, stepping back slightly, though my reaction was carefully calculated. "What is this?"
"The entrance," he said, his tone tinged with pride.
I looked at him, feigning uncertainty. "To what?"
He smirked, stepping closer until the space between us was almost nonexistent. "The Chamber of Secrets."
My heart pounded as I stared into the dark abyss of the entrance. I had lured him into revealing this, but now I had to play my part carefully.
"Show me," I whispered, my voice a mix of awe and excitement.
Tom studied me for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Then he extended his hand. "Follow me."
And with that, we descended into the depths of Hogwarts, my plan unfolding perfectly as Tom unknowingly played into my hands