The next morning was quite slow.

Orange sunlight glistened through the many windows around me, causing me to wake up just after the crack of dawn- which is not something to look forward to.

My eyes were sore with tiredness as I threw the blanket back over the couch. I swept my legs over the sofa and touched my feet to the cold wooden floor.

It was exceptionally quiet, so I didn't expect to see what I did whenever I turned around toward the kitchen.

Tom was standing between the rows of cabinets chugging a bottle of cold water. My eyes lingered on him for a moment, bewildered to see him in such a... Human state.

I was even more taken aback when my eyes fell to his bare and empty chest. He was shirtless- not a cloth of material covered his firm line of abs or chest. Thankfully he was wearing pants, though, a pair of black sweatpants.

The moment his body turned in my direction I felt every ounce of breath leave my body. He sat the water bottle on the counter, eyes beaming headlights into mine.

"Looks like I have an admirer." He said with a sheepish grin. I shivered at his words. It was miserable being caught, and even worse I knew he would never let this go untold.

"You are the only guy that I'm allowed to be around, technically." I said with an even tone, hiding any bit of emotion. Speaking technically, he has banished me to a tower where he is the only guy around.

"Well at least I'm a nice prize to behold." He said with a side smirk. I rolled my eyes and got of the couch, turning away from him with my arms crossed.

"Your ego is larger than the Empire State Building." I said firmly, knowing he wouldn't know what that is- since it's in the Muggle world.

I noted he was heading to his bedroom, based on the heavy footsteps that walked along. I stood there for a few moments, staring out the window, with my arms crossed.

I turned around a few moments later, deciding it may be in my liking to grab some water, considering my terrible new need to do something other than stare out of the window which only has heaps of hills.

Though I wish I hadn't turned around.

I took a glance, barely even a glance, into his bedroom. It was maybe two seconds at most. I didn't realize he was getting changed with his door open. He's definitely getting a little too comfortable.

"Shit, Tom, close the damn door." I said as I placed my entire hand over my eyes. I would not want to see anything I'd regret- especially a completely undressed Tom Riddle. That may give me nightmares.

"We both know you don't mind it." I heard him say from the bedroom. I could hear the absolute daringness and ease in his voice; his confidence comes almost a little too naturally.

"Just close the door." I said with a sigh, making my way toward the kitchen. There was a small refrigerator lined with water and other supplements.

I took out a water and chugged it in only a few moments. Then Tom exited his room, now clothed in a white button up shirt, black dress pants, and a black suit top.

It was nearly frightening to see him dressed for such an occasion. I hadn't expected it, but I was still impressed.

"What's the occasion?" I asked, sitting the now empty water bottle onto the dark granite countertop. He looked toward me with a hint of deviancy in his eyes.

"Nicholas and Zachary want to meet. They've agreed to leave me alone if I give you back." He smiled with an enormous amount of pride in his eyes- so much it was sickening.

"Will they... Take me, or bring me back to Hogwarts?" I asked with eagerness in my voice. If it's the first option I will try my best to not let that happen. If it's the second option I won't mind one bit.

"That's for them to decide... But it sounds like they want to keep you for themselves, based on the tone of the letter they sent." He replied with boredom, tying the tie around the collar of his shirt.

"No." I said immediately. My voice was so firm even I was taken by surprise. Tom knitted his brows together, confusion sparking in his features.

"No?" He questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Just yesterday you wanted nothing more than to no longer be of my possession." He finished, head tilted slightly.

"That's before you told me they'd only want me for..." I trailed off. I couldn't even bring myself to say it. He knew what I was trying to say, I could tell based on his expression.

"Beg." He said out of thin air. I had no idea what he meant by that, or why it seemed like something he was so eager to hear me do.

"What?" I asked, a questioned look on my face. He tensed up for a split second, clenching his jaw with an urge- almost like he didn't know wether he should say it or not.

"Get on your knees and beg for me to keep you here." He said evenly, knotting the tie around the collar of his shirt.

I froze. I had no idea if I could do that. I'm so incredibly strong-headed and prideful I had no idea if I could bring myself to get on my knees for Tom Riddle- out of all people.

But I couldn't even imagine my life with the twins.

I let out a firm sign and walked over to Tom, who faced me and watched me with darkened eyes as I stood in front of him. I was burning with anger, but it was better than a lifetime with the twins.

I bent my knees onto the wood and allowed my body to shrink down to the floor, just below his knees. Though I wanted to do anything else, I looked up into his eyes.

"Tom Marvolo Riddle, please, for the sake of my life and your sanity, do not give me to the twins. I'm much better off here. Please." I said with the most amount of pleading I could dig out.

He seemed impressed by my actions, taken aback that I would push aside my pride and beg for my sanity.

His hand grabbed onto the neck of my shirt, bringing me back up to my feet. I was incredibly worried for his answer. I hadn't the slightest clue if he would send me away or keep me for himself.

"You can stay..." He spoke with a lingering tone, therefore I could tell there was more to say. "If you swear me one thing." He spoke in a near whisper.

"Anything." I said quietly. If he only wanted a promise in return for staying here instead of being locked up with the twins I would much rather take his way.

"Will you swear to stay with me? You don't have to like me, you can hate me for all I care, but I need leverage in case the twins try anything." He said with a dipping voice.

I didn't even have to think about my answer. "Yes, I will." I said quickly after his statement. Even if I do hate him I would hate my life with the twins even more.

Though my greatest wish is to be back at Hogwarts. I miss Kiara and Cho, and even Draco and his upmost stupidity. I miss the feeling of walking through hallways and feeling like I'm actually doing something good with my life.

I also miss my mom and dad. I know since I'm away at school they probably don't even know I'm missing, but it still sickens me to think about the reaction they may have whenever they do find out.

"You're sad." Tom said out of the blue. I looked up at him quickly. Of course I was sad. There's no possible way I would be glad- even remotely- about any of the recent events.

"How'd you know?" I asked, sarcastically. Though Tom seemed to be deeply interested in what was going on in my emotional soul.

"There's something you don't know. All of the Riddle brothers have a sort of... Power, like how Zachary knows everything about a person with one touch," He replied.

I wasn't even shocked at this point. There's been so many twists and turns in my life recently this is onto another thing I had yet to find out.

"I can sense emotions, Nicholas can enhance his senses, and Adam can read strong thoughts in someone's mind." Tom finished.

Now that I was surprised about.

They're all so different, yet so alike in strange ways. I searched Tom's face, but his features still remained blank.

I felt oddly comfortable, even for a moment. I wasn't scared, afraid, I was only sad about the future I couldn't have- at least not for the time being.

"I'm off to go meet them now, stay here and do not get any ideas. I'll be back soon." He said finally, releasing the grasp on my shirt. I nodded and watched from a few feet away as he performed the teleportation spell.

In just a few moments he was gone, vanished into the air like a particle of dust. I trekked back over to the sofa and flopped onto the oddly firm cushions.

Perhaps being with Tom isn't so bad after all. As it seems even he had a soft spot for me, which is incredibly and utterly terrifying to think about.

I don't know what it is about me, but it seems as though all four of the Riddle brothers don't seem to hate me like they hate one another and those around them.