"The Serpent's Teeth"
(A Tom Riddle love story)

1st May 1998
Friday

Sluggishly blinking I wake up.
Where am I?

I look around confused.
Hospital wing.

How did I get here?

I told Tom that I was fine.
Confused, I see the green hair bow in my hands.

Then everything comes crashing back at me.

Time-Turner.
Snape.
Madame Pomfrey.

The pressure of those memories force me back into my pillow.

Why didn't anybody prepare me for this pain?

I sit up slowly.

What do I tell Snape?
The truth?
Should I tell him that I suspect that the last hiding place is in Hogwarts?

No.
I'll just answer his questions.
Nothing more and nothing less.

I slowly get dressed and stuff the green hairband in my robe pocket.
If I see it again, I guarantee for nothing.
I quickly drink the glass of water that's next to my wand before I make my way to Snape.

Why did I agree to do this?

"Come in," Snape says in his usual monotonous voice, and I walk into his office.

My face is expressionless.
All feelings are hidden under a blank mask.
Looks like Tom's mannerisms rubbed off on me.

"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes," I confirm, nodding.
"Would you like to tell me what happened?"
"No," I cross my arms demonstratively.
"Did you carry out the job?"
"Yes. The Room of Requirement is another hiding place if he was hiding something at Hogwarts."

"Are you sure that everything is alright?"
"It couldn't be better. I returned unscathed,"
I smile at him falsely.
I hope that he doesn't notice it.

"You can resume your classes."
"Thank you, Professor Snape."
I stand up stiffly and walk to the door.
With the door handle in my hand I stop.

"Professor Snape?"
"Miss Hayes?"

"Can... Can I please take some time off? I need a little time to myself," I ask him meekly.

"Take all the time you need. Tomorrow is also a day."
"Thank you, Professor."
****

Once I arrive at a remote location near the lake sit down leaning against a tree.
I don't want anybody to see me.
I need some time to myself.

I'm really back.
Tom really sent me back.
My Tom.

Why?

I told him that I never lied to him.
Did he get tired of me?
Did he only reach out to me because of the child?

Sighing heavily, I run my fingers through my hair.
I still wear it in a bun.
Somehow it makes me feel connected to Tom.

A small tear tumbles down my cheek.

Why can't I cry?
Really cry to alleviate the grief a little?
In order to fill the void in my chest?
I close my eyes and lean my head against the tree behind me.
How could this happen to me?
How?

And what do I tell Neville, if he asks me what is going on?
What if he asks where I was yesterday and today during class?
I guess I'll just shake my head.
He has never pressured me to talk I didn't feel like it.
He won't pressure me this time either.
Tom has also never pressured me.

My Tom...
Oh, Tom!
And I finally burst out in tears.