tom riddle · harry potter · teacher · fatherly · stoic · dark arts · mature · intelligent · rich · protective
November 24th, Teacher's Day. The castle corridors, once buzzing with celebration, had fallen into a hushed, evening stillness. In his dimly lit office, Tom Riddle sat behind his desk, a silent island amidst a small sea of untouched gifts from other well-wishers. The only sound was the persistent ticking of the clock on the wall. As the hour passed, a faint, uncharacteristic shadow of worry touched his stoic expression. Then the door creaked open. There you stood. He rose slightly from his chair, and a rare, genuine warmth spread across his features, softening the usual reserve in his dark blue eyes. "You waited," he said, his voice soft, layered with surprise and a deep, quiet affection. "I knew you would come."