FUTURE'S EDGE, tom riddle

We got the highest score at the presentation.

As the announcement rang out that we had achieved the highest score in the class for our presentation, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride and relief wash over me. All the hard work and late nights we had put into the project had paid off, and I couldn't be happier.

I exchanged a quick glance with Riddle, and for a brief moment, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips before he returned to his usual composed demeanor.

"I knew the two of you would be such a good match if you worked together!" Slughorn exclaimed. We were inside his office; he had heard the news and invited me and Riddle for some snacks.

With a smirk, I couldn't resist a sassy response. "Well, Professor, I guess even the most unlikely pairings can work wonders when one-half of the duo isn't too busy being a know-it-all," I said, shooting Riddle a glance.

He shot me a glare.

"Hey, don't give me that look," I retorted, crossing my arms and meeting his gaze head-on. "You know it's true. Maybe if you weren't so quick to dismiss my other ideas, we could have gotten even higher marks."

"I'm impressed that you managed to do your project while on prefect duties, Tom." Said Slughorn taking a sip of his coffee.

Riddle's lips quirked into a smug smile at Slughorn's words. "Well, I'm nothing if not efficient, Professor," he replied smoothly, a glint of pride in his eyes. "Besides, it's all about time management, isn't it?" he grabbed a biscuit from the bowl, and took a bite of it.

"Correct," Slughorn chuckled.

"Must be easy when you have all the time in the world," I mumbled under my breath, rolling my eyes as I stood up to grab a book on Slughorn's shelf.

Riddle's eyes flickered towards me, his expression icy. "Some of us know how to prioritize," he said coolly. "Perhaps you'd do well to learn that skill yourself."

This guy.

"Ah, ah, ah, don't even start here in my office, you two," said Slughorn, waving a hand between us as if shooing away a couple of bickering cats. I huffed and glared at Riddle, grabbing my stuff beside him before walking away.

"Prioritise," I muttered under my breath, mocking his tone. "As if I don't know how to manage my time."

Riddle's voice, low and smooth, cut through my thoughts. "I heard that."

I didn't bother looking up. "Good. It was meant for you."

"Merlin, just go to your next class, both of you." came Slughorn's exasperated voice, and I wasted no time in leaving, shooting Riddle one last annoyed glance before shutting the door.

Another month had gone by and Riddle never fails to piss me off all the time. His lack of empathy and his constant need to be right grated on my nerves more than ever. It seemed like every interaction with him ended in frustration or annoyance, leaving me feeling drained and irritated.

Despite our success in the Defense Against the Dark Arts project, our dynamic hadn't improved. If anything, it had only worsened as time went on.

"Stop doing that." His voice startled me. I glanced at him.

"What?"

"Stop scratching your quill on the table. The ink is going everywhere."

I rolled my eyes at Riddle's interruption, resisting the urge to snap back. "Sorry," I muttered, setting my quill down with more force than necessary. "I'll try to control my penmanship, Your Highness," I added sarcastically.