Sparrow: Tom Riddle x Reader

Still no luck. Could Dumbledore have been any more vague? If you were going to mentally travel back in time to warn someone that Tom Riddle was going to take over the wizarding world, you'd think they would inform you how, or why, or when. And to not just leave the responsibility to you, then also on top of that simply dump the fact you're an heir of gryffindor.

You started to question whether you cared anymore. Who cares if you were the heir of gryffindor, who cares if tom riddle fucks up the world in the future, it's not your future. By the looks of how old Dumbledore was in your dream, you were certain you'd either be dead by then or too old to care. You were done searching for answers. If the universe wanted you to find out about your true heritage, find out how to stop Tom, then it would tell you. But for now the responsibility was off your shoulders. You didn't care anymore. Besides for all you knew that could have simply been all it was. A dream. A stupid dream made up by someone with no friends, no life, nothing special about them, someone who just wanted an excuse to talk to people. To finally get involved in basic teenage drama she never got to take part in. But now someone nearly died, and the blame has been put on you.

You sit in your bed, alone. The girls requested to move dorms as they didn't feel safe sleeping in the same room as you. You didn't blame them. Word got around and it was very convincing, talk about the wrong place at the wrong time, they were so convincing you were even starting to believe them yourself. But you know you didn't do it. You had to find out who did to clear your name.

It shouldn't have given you any form of pleasure knowing that Cullen nearly died. But you couldn't stop the smirk that was spreading across your face. Honestly if it was up to you you'd have gone the full way and finished the job. Slowly, painfully. But that's a thought process for another time.

You rose from your bed and made your way to the common room, dressed in a cosy oversized sweater, mismatched socks, and baggy plaid pyjama bottoms. Settling onto the couch before the crackling fireplace, you found solace in the unusual serenity of the scene. The verdant hues of the common room, bathed in the gentle blue glow from the lake outside, contrasted harmoniously with the flickering orange flames. It created a tranquil ambiance, a haven for contemplation and uninterrupted introspection. However, your train of thought was abruptly shattered by the sound of approaching footsteps, suddenly coming to a halt.

"I don't bite you know."

After remembering those words from your first conversation, the boy chuckled lightly under his breath and took a few steps closer before sitting on the opposite end of the sofa, diary in hand.

"That's not what everyone else is saying."

"Yeah well everyone else can kiss my arse."

You sighed and looked into the flames. You weren't sure where you and Tom stood anymore. Whether he hated you, didn't care about you, you were friends, enemies. So you stopped caring and entertaining it. For a while it was almost invigorating, the back and forth of your relationship. But now you didn't care. You just appreciated the company of someone who wasn't afraid of you.

Jack and Dan were still your number one supporters, though you tried to keep your distance as hanging out with you was causing negative backlash on their public opinion and you didn't want to bring them down with you.

"How do you feel about Cullen, you know. Being petrified."

The room was enveloped in a profound silence, with only the crackling of the fire breaking the quiet for a brief moment.

"I wish when they picked up his body, they didn't find a pulse."

Tom's expression changed abruptly. He wore a look of shock, clearly surprised by your answer. However there was a hint of impressed surprise in his eyes.

"I'm not a nice person, I have done and will continue to do some horrible things, things that would shock you to your core. And yet what he tried to do to you is something not even I would do. And I'm sorry you had to go through that."

The sympathy in his voice wasn't sarcastic nor forced, but seemed genuine. You appreciated that.

"Thank you Tom. I can't remember if I properly thanked you before, for saving me from him. To this day I'm still not completely certain on why you did that, as we aren't exactly friends, but I appreciate it either way."

The room went silent once again. This is the longest the two of you had gone without arguing in a while. It felt odd to think, but his presence actually comforted you quite a lot in times like these, like he understood people didn't have to talk all the time, that there was such a thing as comfortable silences, and it seemed, just like you, he enjoyed them more than a conversation.

"Do you think I did it?" You broke the silence. Tom didn't seem to react to your question.

"No."

His response surprised you. You'd think he of all people would blame you considering how much he disliked you.

"Why do you think that?"

"You don't seem like the type."

All he offered was that brief response. You sensed an unspoken secret lingering within him, it takes a liar to spot a liar, but you decided not to press further. The hours had advanced, and the common room windows gradually revealed the shimmering water outside, making the fish within more visible. Recognizing the lateness of the hour and your upcoming morning classes, you rose from your seat and decided to return to your dorm. As you stood up, your gaze briefly fell upon Tom, engrossed in his diary.

"Even if you've done some bad things Tom. I don't think you're a bad person, I think you've just made some bad decisions. Goodnight."

Having said that, you exited the room, leaving Riddle to contemplate his thoughts in solitude.

(shorter one today, just getting back into it :)