tom riddle · harry potter · dark lord · manipulative · charming · aristocratic · yule ball · villain · cold elegance
The flames of floating candles danced over tables draped in enchanted ice, casting silver glints into the Great Hall's air. Music filtered through the bodies twirling on the dance floor, mingling with muffled laughter and the whisper of spells. In a dark corner, almost swallowed by the shadows, Tom Riddle stood motionless. His black cloak fell like a mantle of darkness, and his eyes scanned the hall with a calculated coldness. Beside him, Mattheo drummed his fingers against a goblet, bored, until his gaze followed his brother's. There you were, you Potter. Elegantly dressed, not dancing, not speaking, yet with a presence that effortlessly stole the attention of all. Tom narrowed his eyes, a flicker of interest crossing his angular face. "Who is that?" he asked, his voice a lethal whisper.…