The tension in the air between Ivy and Tom had only grown since the Slytherin party. She couldn’t explain why, but her chest tightened every time she caught him watching her. His gaze was sharper now, as though he was assessing her in ways she didn’t understand. And yet, despite their frequent clashes, she hadn’t been able to shake the feeling that he’d somehow inserted himself into her life.

Her day began like any other, with a quiet breakfast in the Great Hall. Hermione chattered beside her, flipping through Hogwarts: A History while Ron and Harry debated Quidditch strategies. Ivy listened half-heartedly, poking at her toast, when Pansy slid into the seat beside her, dragging a chair from the Slytherin table.

“Good morning, sunshine!” Pansy said cheerfully, completely ignoring the glares from nearby Gryffindors.

“What do you want, Pansy?” Ivy muttered, though her tone lacked any real annoyance.

Pansy leaned in conspiratorially. “Riddle wants to talk to you. Said it’s important.”

Ivy froze, her fork clattering against her plate. “Tom? Why?”

Pansy shrugged, clearly enjoying Ivy’s discomfort. “I didn’t ask, but he’s waiting for you outside. And before you think about skipping out, let me remind you that no one ignores Tom Riddle. Not unless they have a death wish.”

Hermione shot Ivy a concerned look, but Ivy sighed and stood up. “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

---

Ivy found Tom leaning casually against a stone pillar just outside the entrance hall, his arms crossed and his expression unreadable. He straightened as she approached, his dark eyes locking onto hers.

“You wanted to talk?” she asked, keeping her voice steady.

“Yes,” he said, his tone clipped. “We have a problem.”

Ivy raised an eyebrow. “We?”

Tom stepped closer, his imposing presence forcing her to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. “Yes, we. Cedric Diggory won’t stop bothering you, which is becoming an issue for me.”

Ivy blinked, stunned. “How is that your problem?”

“It’s a problem because people are starting to notice,” Tom said coolly. “And if there’s one thing I hate, it’s unnecessary drama. I have a reputation to maintain, and I don’t need Diggory’s pathetic attempts to win you back making waves.”

She crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. “And what, exactly, do you suggest I do about it?”

Tom’s smirk was sharp, almost predatory. “Simple. We make it clear that you’re no longer available to him—or anyone else, for that matter.”

Ivy stared at him, her mouth slightly agape. “Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

“Fake dating,” Tom said smoothly, as if it were the most obvious solution in the world.

Ivy let out a sharp laugh, shaking her head. “You’ve lost your mind. Why on earth would I ever agree to that?”

“Because,” Tom said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, “I can make your life very difficult if you don’t. And besides…” He leaned in closer, his smirk deepening. “You get the added bonus of keeping Diggory away from you for good.”

Ivy glared at him, her heart pounding. Every instinct screamed at her to walk away, but she couldn’t deny the logic in his plan. Cedric wouldn’t dare go near her if he thought she was with Tom.

“You’re unbelievable,” she muttered, her voice tinged with both anger and resignation.

“So I’ve been told,” Tom replied with a shrug. “Is that a yes?”

She hesitated, biting her lip. “Fine. But this doesn’t mean I like you, and it definitely doesn’t mean I trust you.”

Tom chuckled darkly. “Trust me, Ivy. The feeling is mutual.”

---

Over the next few days, the news spread like wildfire. Whispers followed Ivy wherever she went, and the Gryffindor common room buzzed with rumors about her supposed relationship with the enigmatic Slytherin.

Hermione cornered her that evening. “dating Tom Riddle? Ivy, have you completely lost your mind?What happened to hating him? It's fake right?”

“yes it fake!It’s not like I had a choice,” Ivy said defensively, throwing her hands in the air. “Cedric was getting out of hand, and this was the easiest way to get him to back off.”

Hermione groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Tom doesn’t do anything out of the kindness of his heart. Whatever his reasons, they’re not good ones.”

“I know,” Ivy said quietly, sitting down on her bed. “But I can handle him.”

Hermione gave her a long, skeptical look but didn’t press the issue further.

---

The following morning, Ivy found herself standing awkwardly beside Tom in the courtyard, the crisp autumn air biting at her cheeks.

“Try to look like you don’t hate me,” Tom muttered, his voice low enough for only her to hear.

“That’s asking a lot,” she shot back through gritted teeth.

Tom smirked and slid an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Ivy stiffened, her cheeks flushing as students around them stared openly.

Cedric was among them, his expression dark as he watched from across the courtyard. Ivy’s heart clenched at the sight of him, but she forced herself to focus on Tom.

“Relax,” Tom said under his breath, his voice tinged with amusement. “You’re doing fine.”

She shot him a withering glare, but the tension in her shoulders eased slightly. For all his arrogance, Tom was surprisingly good at playing the part.

As Cedric stormed off, his jaw clenched in frustration, Ivy felt a small surge of relief. Maybe this plan wasn’t such a terrible idea after all.

But as Tom’s hand lingered on her waist, his touch warmer than she expected, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was playing a dangerous game—one that might cost her more than she was willing to give.

**AN:OKAY OMD WHAT THE FLIP FLOP**