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

28th November 1944
Thursday

Like he said on Sunday Tom didn't have any time for me on Monday and Tuesday so my friends spent every free minute of my time with me .

I am grateful to them for that.

That way I didn't have the time to remember that Tom was sitting in a meeting with his future Death Eaters.

I wonder if they already do the vile things here as they will do in my time...

I wouldn't put it past any of them.

Just not Tom.

But even Tom is capable of any atrocity, he's the worst of the lot

Lord Voldemort and his Death Eaters stop at nothing.

Yesterday I needed a break from all this.
I needed some time to reflect and to relax.

That's why I'm sitting with a book alone in my room in case I should seek distraction from my thoughts.
My thoughts aren't that spectacular, their mostly about the things that I have found out about Tom.

Also, I was wondering if I could ask him what his favorite place is in Hogwarts.
Where he feels completely safe.
Where he would hide.

But I've decided not to rush and gain more of his trust first.
After all, I only have about seven months here.
It sounds like a lot, but it really isn't.
Especially not when I think of the last two months that just flew past me, or the beginning of this month.

At the thought of my departure I am overcome by a feeling of sadness.
I'll miss them all.

My friends, Tom.
Oh, Tom!
On one hand I wish that isn't the way that he is, but if he wasn't I wouln't have met him.

I think that this is what people call a dilemma.

But it shouldn't really matter to me.
What's done is done, his future is my past.
For that reason alone I know that he won't change.

I can't change him.
He is too stubborn.
He feels superior.
He would never believe me if I told him about love.
If you can't love a baby, how can that baby learn to love?

I wonder if he would have been different if his mother had brought him up.

Probably not.

She would have been too weak to stand up to her father and brother who would have made the little half-bloods life a living hell.
If they didn't kill him immediately after he was born in order to reduce the shame to their family name.
The precious blood of Salazar Slytherin contaminated.
How could Merope get involved with a filthy Muggle?
Incomprehensible for a family like hers.

Toms ancestors didn't believe in love or know how to appreciate it.
How could he be any different?

Sighing, I look up from my book.

I'm sitting in my room reading the same passage for the fourth time.
I can't seem to concentrate.

I have my peace, none of the other three is here right now, although Jacklyn did say that would joining me right away.
That was an hour ago.

However, Sasha was sitting in the common room as I went upstairs.
Maybe he finally found the courage to talk to her.

Annoyed, I close my book.

I'm stuck.
Now what?

The Library?
The lake?
The common room?

Or should I go visit Tom?

The Lake.
Definitely the lake.
Yesterday the silence of the lake really helped me.

As a precaution I take with my book.
Maybe I can find the concentration to continue reading Pride and Prejudice at the lake.
Mr. Darcy is as cool as Tom in the beginning.
Somehow I feel connected to Elizabeth.
Even though she only realizes what she feels for Mr. Darcy in the end.

It's Jane Austen's masterpiece in my opinion.
A book that every book lover should have.

I put my winter cloak on and walk down the stairs.

In the common room, I see exactly the scene that I was hoping for.
Jacklyn and Sasha sitting on the coach and talk animatedly.

I smile slightly.
Maybe I'll still be here when they start dating.

The portrait of the Fat Lady swings shut silently behind me and I rush down the flights of stairs.

The large entrance door crashes into the lock behind me and I hurry down the stone steps.

I'm on my way to the spot near the lake where I was sitting yesterday.

Toms heat spell keeps me nice and warm, so the temperature, which is now close to 0 °C, doesn't bother me at.

When I'm finally siting in my place, I look out on the calm water.

I love this time of year.

The dim light, the faded green, the silence.
A harmonious picture of nature.
I look forward to the game of snowflakes dancing on their way down.
The snowball fights, on Christmas and New Year.

New Year's Eve.
Toms' birthday.

I still don't know what I can give a boy like him.

A book?

I don't have any more ideas besides that.
He isn't interested in Quidditch or sweets.

A bottle of mead honey wine?
Or beer?
I've never seen him drink alcohol, but I really didn't have the opportunity to do so...
And Snape didn't think it was necessary to enlighten me about the beverage preferences of his master.

Maybe I should just ask Tom what he prefers to drink?

Or, if he even drinks alcohol.
I can't really imagine him drunk, it doesn't fit him at all.

And I don't have a Christmas gift for him either.
I know that he hates Christmas.
And his birthday.

He generally dislikes festivities and avoids them like the blag.

This year he will at least celebrate his birthday with me.

Unfortunately, there aren't any twins who hold a fireworks display.
That was one of the things I liked about them.
The fireworks on New Year's Eve.

But perhaps the students who stay here organize a joint New Year's Eve party.
I'll have to ask the others what they do around here for New Year's Eve.

I should find out who's staying here and who's going home for the holidays.
It would be ridiculous if I stay behind alone.

Although.

Tom will definitely stay here and if necessary I can go visit him every day.

"Didn't I tell you that I have time for you today?" Tom's voice cuts through the peace around me.

A small smile steals erupts on my face.
Tom.

"Good evening, Tom. Do you want to join me? "

"No, I don't! I want an answer, "he says sharply.

I won't turn around to face him, if he sees that I'm smiling all hell will brake loose.

"I didn't know that you'd have time for me," I justify myself.

"I told you on Sunday that I wouldn't have time for you only for the next two days!"

"That doesn't mean that you'd want to see me on Wednesday!"

"Remember it for future reference," he sighs resignedly.

"Sit down next to me Tom," I call on him again and smile up to him.

His cold eyes seem to still want to stab me.
Nevertheless, he sits down next me, but with a smug look.

Apparently he doesn't like to search for people .
But why was he looking for me at all?

"Tom?"

"What?"
His voice sounds familiarly frosty.

"Why were you looking for me?"

"Are you sleeping over tomorrow evening?"

"Sure," I smile at him softly.

I carefully I stretch out my hand to him.
I'd love to run my fingers trough his silky black hair.

But before I can get anywhere near his head he takes my hand and intertwines his fingers with mine..

He looks at me briefly, then puts our entwined hands on his thigh, stroking the back of my hand gently with his thumb.

A thousand butterflies seem to fly around in my stomach.
My heart flutters excitedly.

Oh Merlin!
I'm holding hands with Tom by the Lake!

I nervously start to chew on my lower lip.

What should I say?
Should I even say anything?

No.

Better not.

Right now my mouth is too dry, to say anything.

He keeps stroking the back of my hand with his thumb.

We remain silently sitting cozily by the lake until past supper.

The sunset, which colorfully mirrors on the surface of the lake enchants the mood around us.

I wonder if Tom noticed it too.
At least he hasn't let go of my hand.

A/N:

Here's another short chapter just because the last one was also rather short...and because this scene just poppet in to my head and I had to write it down.

It's 3:30am over here.

Goodnight lovelies.

You guys should know the drill by now;

Vote - If you liked the chapter.
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Much love
Jamz