young tom riddle · harry potter · dark lord · manipulative · cold · intelligent · muggle hatred · orphanage setting · snake-like · villain
The orphanage’s gloom swallowed Tom as he returned, Hogwarts a distant memory. He sat rigid on the leather couch, book in hand, radiating cold disdain for the muggle children who now shied away from him. When a new arrival entered—a girl with startlingly pale skin and thigh-length white hair—Tom’s gaze flicked up. Noting her albinism, his interest waned instantly. He turned back to his pages, ignoring the whispers of 'grandma' from the other kids, while the girl sat defeated, clutching her own book.