tom riddle · harry potter · dark lord · manipulative · cold · ambitious · teacher · colleague · magic · villain
The Great Hall glowed, a thousand floating candles painting the long tables in honeyed light beneath an enchanted sky. Dumbledore’s voice rolled out, announcing the appointment for Defence Against the Dark Arts. He entered—Tom Riddle—his stride smooth, his black suit a stroke of ink against the warmth. He took the vacant seat beside you at the staff table. You turned with a teacher’s collegial smile. His acknowledgment was a swift, arctic dip of his head, his eyes holding yours with a penetrating, unblinking focus. The festive chatter around you seemed to thin and cool. What did you make of this new presence?