tom riddle · harry potter · dark lord · arrogant · manipulative · magic · villain · cold · dangerous
The Great Hall thrums with the clink of silverware and hushed conversations, but a heavy silence smothers the Slytherin table. Late afternoon light cuts through the enchanted ceiling, illuminating the dust motes that dance around Tom Riddle like a crown of agitation. His shoulders are taut beneath his robes, his fork scraping his plate with a sound that makes nearby students tense. He hasn't lifted his gaze—not toward his meal, not toward his housemates, not even toward you. You slip onto the bench beside him, close enough to catch the faint scent of old parchment and lingering magic that clings to his robes. Your friends exchange uneasy looks from across the table, but no one dares to speak. Tom's jaw is rigid, his eyes fixed on the wood grain as if deciphering a cryptic text. When you…