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loversriddle · 27 days ago

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As The World Caves in

Chapter Two - Library

A Tom Riddle x fem! Reader fanfic

Border by @uzmacchiato

Word count - 1991

Tag list - @lighthouseraven34 @julvsxx @dreaming-of-epiphanies

Wednesday, September twenty-third, nineteen forty-two, in exactly four weeks there is to be a potions exam. Tom Riddle had to be ready for everything on that exam. It was crystal clear that even though Defense Against the Dark Arts was his preferred subject, Professor Slughorn was someone he wishes to please and impress. Tom thought of Professor Slughorn in a more respectful manner than he did with most professors. Yet Tom still found parts of him distaste, such as his jolly persona or that he doesn’t share the same beliefs as Tom.

The corridors were barren as he strolled to the library with one or two books in his hand that he had to return. He had found it quite riveting how the founders of Hogwarts and Ilvermorny were connected. When he entered the tranquil library, he noticed Madam Pince behind her desk, her glasses on the tip of her nose. She was catching up on her own reading. A slow creak in the floorboards caused her to look up at Tom. Her annoyed expression morphed into something softer.

“Hello Mr. Riddle,” There was a certain kindness in her voice that was not shown to many students.

“Madam Pince” He acknowledged her with a nod of his head. “I have come to return these books.” He set the two books on her desk.

“Of course.” She examined the books and wrote down when they were returned before putting them in the cart of books that needed to be put back on the shelf. “Anything else I can do for you, Mr. Riddle?”

“Yes. I was wondering if there’s a book about magical creatures and if there’s a book about advanced potions?”

Madam Pince’s eyebrow furrowed under her reading glasses while she tried to recall. After tiring her brain, she decided to look at the previous papers that contain which books are available or not. Her eyes squinted as she studied the paper before settling on the information she needed.

“Ah. It looks like the book about magical creatures is available, yes. It is shelved on the fifth floor.” With a mutter under her breath and a flick of her wrist, a book about magical creatures appeared in front of them. Her hands moved swiftly “However, the book about advanced potions is currently checked out by…hmm…let’s see,” Her voice trails off before picking up volume again. “It is checked out by (Y/N Y/L/N). Oh dear, it seems as though she is overdue. How strange she usually return her books days early”

His features twisted into disdain before he returned back to his usual aloof expression. “Well then thank you, Madam Pince”

With that, he turned on his heels to seek out (Y/N) to demand for that book. It did not take long to find her, as soon as turned around he saw her at a table in a dark corner by the window. His legs walked straight towards her, seemingly having a mind of its own. When he reached her table, (Y/N) was met with glaring eyes analyzing her and her books that were laid out on the table. His stare then relocated to the black cat, snoozing on her lap.

“That book is overdue.” His words were cut and clear as he pointed at the book in front of her.

“Yes, I know. I apologize for it. It will be returned within the day, I promise.” Her words were softer but firm. Her hand continued to pet the cat on her lap.

“Liar. You will not do that and I know it. I need that book more than you do.” The tone of his voice was harsh and accusing.

She gasps, offended with the label of being a ‘liar’. “I am not a liar. I am being honest. I will return the book by evening.” The look of suspicion on his face makes her come up with a compromise.

A sigh escapes from her lips. “Listen, I will give you the book within three hours but you just have to be patient”

“And if you do not return it by three hours?”

“Then you may give me detention for as many days as you like.”

He pauses to ponder. “I suppose that is reasonable.”

Therewith her attention traveled back to the notes and the book in front of her. The quill in her hand scratching furiously across the parchment. Tom spun around, his long legs swallowed the distance between him and the farthest table away from her. The wooden chair scraped against the floor like nails on chalkboard. He gracefully took his seat in the stiff, mahogany chair, his fingers reached to pull the tassel styled pull-chain of the lamp, click. In a split second, the book was cracked open with a thud and his nostrils were filled with the scent of ink and aged pages. Every once in a while, Tom looked up from the sepia pages to observe the girl seven tables away. His gaze did not stay on her for long, as though she burned his eyes. Unexpectedly, he feels something fuzzy rub against his lower limbs. His body turns into wood. After escaping his trance, he moves his head to look at the black cat resting at his feet. He decides that the cat isn’t bothering him and lets him rest peacefully. Shortly thereafter, the cat prances back to his owner.

Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. Tick. The grandfather had chimed six times, three hours had passed by quickly. Tom closes the book in front of him, tugs on the tassel styled pull-chain of the lamp once more, click, and slides out of the chair, pushing it back in its original place. He strides to the table where the girl was seated. Her parchment was filled with scribbles and incoherent cursive. The black cat was sleeping beside her with a blue scarf wrapped around her belly.

“Finished?” The words escaped his lips with a impatient but knowing tone.

Her attention moves to the raven-haired boy in front of her. Blink. Blink. “It has been three hours?”

Her response further proved his suspicion. “You did not finish, did you? I was correct. Now hand me the book.”

A frown graced her face. “I did finish the book, not my notes but I am a woman of my words. Here’s the book.” She slides the book towards him, which earned a raised eyebrow. His eyes met hers, he noticed the dark shadow under her eyelashes. Words did not escape his mouth, he was not interested in asking her anything about her personal life. It did not concern him nor was it his business. A simple nod was the response to her before he walked away. She lowered her head and returned to her jottings.

Two hours had passed by, Y/N’s hand was still scribbling down her observations and her ideas. Madam Pince treaded carefully to the desk she was occupying.

“Y/N? Dear, it is past curfew. You should return to your dorm.” One would not guess it but Madam Pince felt maternal towards the young girl in front of her. They did not have many things in common other than books or the fact they were always accompanied by their cats. The quill in her hand stopped in its track. She looked up to see Madam Pince’s face creased with concern. It had finally hit her, the pain in her hand and the dryness in her throat. The muscles in her arm were tired and aching. Her voice was hoarse when she spoke.

“Of course, Madam Pince. Apologies for making you worry.” She closed her books, organized her parchments, and stored them in her satchel. Click, the lamp was now turned off. Screech, the chair was back in its original place. She took the purring cat in her arms and made her way to her dorm in her respective house. Madam Pince watched her as she left the library, her lips were pursed into a thin line. A sigh leaves her lips before she walks away and turns in for the night.

Wednesday, September thirty, nineteen forty-two. At quarter til eleven, Tom was doing his duties as prefect, patrolling the corridors. It was barren and noiseless, if he listened hard enough, he could hear the wind crashing against the trees outside. Unfortunately, that serene atmosphere did not last long, murmurs from around the corner reached his ears. His steps picked up the pace and turned the corner to see none other than (Y/N). He was tempted to inform the professors about her disobeying the rule about curfew until he noticed she looked worse since the last time he saw her. The shadows under his eyelashes were darker, her face drained of color and happiness it seemed.

“What are you doing here? Why are you not in your dorm?” Tom’s voice showed no clemency.

“I was in the library. I am heading to my dorm now.” Y/N’s voice was scratchy.

“Why were you at the library this late?” A hint of skepticism was present in his tone.

“I was studying for the potions exam.” She said matter-of-factly.

He was not expecting her to share similar habits as him, although she was a bit less organized. “Why are you studying several weeks prior?”

“I wanted to surpass you as the highest score.” There was a certain determination behind her sleepless eyes.

Tom’s face twisted into confusion. Surpass him? Surely she must’ve been joking, no one could surpass him and no one has attempted to. “Why?”

“Frankly, I just wanted the recognition. It is nothing against you but merely a personal goal I wish to achieve.” She spoke plainly.

“Well, you should also think of the punishment you will receive if you disobey the rules of Hogwarts and think of what will happen to you if you do not take care of yourself properly.” Truthfully, Tom was not bothered by her attempt, he knew he was better than her at potions and at any subject there was, yet her boldness was unsettling.

“I am sure I’ll be fine with whatever fate the professors choose for me. And I can take care of myself after I accomplish my goal.” With that she hurried to her dorm.

“Do not fly too close to the sun now.” By the time he said that, she had already turned the corner. He continued on with his patrol, ensuring everyone was in their dorms before he returned to his dorm to resume his own studies.

Wednesday, October twenty-second, nineteen forty-two. It was a day after the potions exam, (Y/N) and Tom were both sure they were the one with the highest marks. When they entered class that day, Professor Slughorn greeted both of them with a pat on the back and a “Good job.” Most had entered the class in low spirits, they knew Tom was going to receive praises from Slughorn and no one else could compare.

“Good morning everyone.” Professor Slughorn exclaimed with a grin from ear to ear. “I hope everyone had a restful night after the exam. Many of you exceeded my expectations, others were lacking but it is fine, you will do great next time!” Low groans came from some of the students. “Now, you all must be wondering who received the highest score and I am very pleased to say that it was…Mr. Riddle.” Tom’s expression had not changed in the slightest. Why would it when he knew he was the greatest? Slughorn spoke once more. “However, he was not the only one. Miss Y/L/N was just behind him by one point. Everyone please clap for your fellow peers.” Claps and hushed murmurs filled the classroom air. No one had expected someone to even graze Tom’s brilliance. As the commotion came to an end, Tom’s eyes narrowed when he saw (Y/N) smile to herself. The gull of that stupid girl.

a/n: sorry for the late update! and even more sorry if it's buns :(( if it is, i can rewrite it. also lemme know if the story doesn't make sense bc i did copy paste from another website and it might've copied n pasted weird

#tom riddle x you #tom riddle x y/n #tom riddle x reader #tom riddle #fanfic

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loversriddle · 2 months ago

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As The World Caves in

Chapter One - Slug Club

A Tom Riddle x fem! Reader fanfic

Border by @uzmacchiato

Word count - 1325

Tag list - @lighthouseraven34

September fifteen nineteen forty-two, the first meeting of Professor Slughorn’s club for the gifted and extraordinary. Tom Riddle, being the model-student he is, had expected an invitation. He was head and shoulders above the rest of his year. Although he seemed humble and modest, internally he knew no one could ever catch up to his greatest. His reputation and legacy would go down in Hogwarts history.

The clock was ticking, Tom Riddle had to look his best. He always made sure he looked his best when he went to any event whether he wanted to go or not. After all, how can people fall for his charm if he looks anything less than perfection or at least that is what he told himself. He picked his crisp, clean black robes that he made sure were in mint condition to attend his first Slug Club meeting. It complimented his pale, almost translucent skin and matched his raven-colored hair. He looked at himself in the mirror and approved before he stepped out of his prefect dorm and walked to Professor Slughorn’s dark office to meet the other members of the club, which were mostly the Knights of Walpurgis. His closest friends to the public eye but his first supporters in private.

His walk there was quiet and nothing out of the ordinary, like he preferred. He arrived at his destination shortly, he knew the corridors of Hogwarts well due to him being a prefect and his duties but also because of his alter motivates. His gaze darted around the room, making note of the people there and his surroundings. He noticed there were quite a handful of pure-bloods and half-bloods. They might come into use for his plans later. However, as he was looking around, he noticed a very peculiar looking girl. She had a friendlier look on her face. The same face that looks like it would be sculpted with the most delicate hands. She didn’t fit with the scowls and the glares around her. He was taken out of his trance when he heard someone call out his name. Thomas Avery, a member of the Knights of Walpurgis. He had blonde hair that could rival light itself. He was blessed with a strong, healthy body too.

“Riddle,” His voice was deep and firm. He could not show fear while addressing his leader.

“Avery,”

“Come with the rest of the members, they want to discuss about the Chambers,”

Tom’s eyes widened. “You should not speak of such things in the open with others.”

“Right. Of course, apologies but do come quickly,” He replies quickly, not wanting to face the wrath of Tom.

Tom follows Thomas to where Lestrange, Rosier, Mulciber, Malfoy, Nott, and Goyle were huddled in a corner. They each had a unique look to them. Lestrange had an elongated face with dark features. Rosier had a more innocent, youthful look. Mulciber had dark features but his face was more round. Malfoy, the richest of them all, had silver eyes with icy, blonde hair. Nott being the only brunette and his eyes made emeralds jealous. Goyle had a stern look, surely not one to upset either. But they all had one thing in common, their desire to please their lord. Their whisperings stopped when they saw their leader, all slightly bowing or giving a nod of the head to acknowledge him.

“Well, do tell what the whispers were about.”

The members looked at each other nervously before a small, hushed voice spoke up.

“We know where the chambers are and how to open them. However, the basilisk is not very friendly,”

Another brave voice speaks up. “She has tried to attack us all when we approach her.”

Tom registers this in his head. At least they are not completely useless, he thinks to himself.

“We just cannot figure out how to tame her.”

Just joining the conversation and only hearing the last part, the peculiar girl from before speaks up. Little did she know what helping them would mean for her.

“If you wish to tame an animal, you should approach it delicately and with care. If they feel threatened even just a little, they will attack regardless of who you are.”

Suddenly seven pairs of eyes, all filled with confusion, fall onto the girl. Tom, quick to return to his blank, innocent stare was the first to address her.

“Yes, well thank you, Miss?”

“Oh apologies, where are my manners? My name is (Y/N Y/L/N)” She said with a smile and put out her hand.

Tom stared at her out-stretched hand for a mere second before looking back into her eyes. He took her hand into his, with a polite but forced smile.

“Pleasure. My name is Tom Riddle”

They let go of each other when they heard Professor Slughorn’s jolly voice and glass clink.

“Attention, attention everyone. Dinner will be served momentarily. Please be seated before the house elves arrive.”

After that announcement, (Y/N) walks away to find herself a seat next to her friend. Tom starts to rack his brain for information about her last name, to figure out if she’s a pure-blood. When the name did not ring any bells, he declared her a muggle-born witch, the lowest form of witch of all, and that was that. He did not worry too much about her since he believed he would never need to talk to her again.

Soon after Tom and his minions take a seat, each one trying to sit as far away from their feared leader as possible. Avery and Lestrange were the only ones brave enough to be seated next to Tom. Avery on the right and Lestrange on the left. When Tom took his seat, he looked in front of him and saw (Y/N) observing him, quietly like an owl. How very odd of her. He averted his gaze to the plate in front of him. It was filled with seamed vegetables and roasted chicken. It smelled quite delicious to Tom since he was not used to such luxury in the orphanage. It was rare to even receive a half of a full plate.

The dinner went by in a blur, clattering and insignificant voices started to mingle with others and it was already a distant memory for Tom. After Slughorn announced the meeting ended, they were all free to leave Slughorn’s office. The Knights of Walpurgis went up to their respective dorms.

Tom reached his dorm fairly quickly. He changed out of his nice robes to his daily uniform and then set out again to perform his nightly duties as prefect. He was assigned to patrol dungeons with another prefect from Hufflepuff. The Hufflepuff girl was very sweet and shy but did not have a back-bone. He did not like the girl very much, in fact he found her frustratingly naive and weak-willed. He despised that weakness in her and any form of it with others, whether it be physically, mentally, or emotionally.

The patrolling went smoothly, there were no students up to mischief which made his job easier. He walked quietly back to the Slytherin common room and then to the prefect’s dorms. He changed out of his uniform robes and then put on his black pajamas. He crawled into bed and laid down. He stared up at the ceiling, examining the architecture of his dorm, then his eyes trailed to the many books on his desk. A frown etched on his face, he disliked this feeling. He disliked sleeping, thinking it was a waste of time. Half due to the fact he never had a full night of sleep, even in the orphanage and the other half due to feeling like he could be doing something more productive, furthering his plan. Yet he let the weariness of the day get to him and decided to stay put and enjoy the comfort of his bed.