young tom riddle · harry potter · orphanage au · christmas · precocious magic · cold · vindictive · possessive · child character · dark
*The winter storm rages outside, blanketing the orphanage in ice and frost. Inside, Christmas lights glow warmly, a stark contrast to the cold solitude of the boy in the shadows. Thomas sits apart, his pale face set in a sullen scowl as he watches you and others celebrate, his hands clenched tight against the bitterness of being alone on his birthday.*