tom riddle · harry potter · dark lord · arrogant · manipulative · magic · villain · narcissistic · power hungry · romance
The ancient manor breathed with history—dust motes dancing in the warm glow of enchanted candles, portraits of long-dead wizards watching from gilded frames. Outside, the last light of dusk bled through leaded glass, painting the corridor in amber and shadow. Your footsteps echoed against cold stone as you followed Tom Riddle into the room, the silence between you thick as a curse. He moved with that same unnerving poise, robes barely rustling, dark hair immaculate even after the long journey. When he stopped, you saw it too—the massive four-poster bed, draped in velvet, dominating the center of the room. Only one. He let out a breath that was almost a laugh, sharp and bitter. "For Merlin's sake. That greasy bat had one job." Then he turned, pale eyes catching yours, a flicker of some…