Unexpected Encounters | Tom Riddle

TW: This chapter contains some discussion of period-typical, homophobic attitudes.

It was a Saturday evening when Lilia was sitting by herself on a couch in the Slytherin common room, flipping through a book she found on the bookshelves that barely anyone touched. It was an old copy of Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Why would a muggle book be on a random bookshelf in the Slytherin common room? She found it funny but she skimmed the pages with an air of nostalgia.

Lilia heard footsteps and she looked up, expecting to see Tom coming out for a smoke. Instead, Abraxas Malfoy was standing in front of her, his blue eyes darker in the dim lighting. "Hi," he greeted and sat on a chair in front of her. "Hey." She quickly straightened herself, sitting upright against the cushion in the back. She wanted to put her feet down, but she was so cosy with them huddled under the throw blanket that Evangeline left for her to use. She also didn't want Abraxas to know that she was self-conscious in front of him. The blonde man somehow managed to look poised and aristocratic even in his loose silk pyjamas.

"What are you doing over the winter break?" He asked after clearing his throat. "I don't really have anything planned yet." She had been putting off thinking about the winter break. She had no one here and she would most likely have to stay at Hogwarts. Or maybe she could visit a new place? She didn't know what to do on her own when she had always had Harry by her side.

"Would you like to spend it with us? Everyone will come to my house and we will spend those two weeks together. There is a Yule ball that my family is hosting and you could attend it too. If you want." "Oh, I mean, I would love to. I just... I thought you didn't like me after I hurt Tom." "I might have overreacted because he is my close friend. I found it unsettling that you tried to kill him, but then we did also hurt an innocent student," Abraxas paused, "Fair warning though, my family is quite strict. It doesn't matter if you agree with their views or not, I am expected to continue the family line." "Okay. I won't say anything that doesn't line up with their views." "Will you be okay doing that?" "I don't personally believe in it, but I will try my best." "If you don't mind me asking, what is your blood status?" "I'm a half-blood." "Just like Tom."

Abraxas' last words were as quiet as a whisper but Lilia watched the expression on his face shift to something akin to longing. She was surprised that he knew about Tom's blood status. She always assumed that he would have kept the fact hidden to maintain an air of supremacy. However, while the boy did seem to have an air of authority, he never imposed himself on his friends. If anything, they seemed to think highly of him because of his academic prowess.

"Tom is a half-blood?" She asked, feigning ignorance about the matter. "He is." "I always thought he was a pureblood." "I know. He is aristocratic in his own right, speaks politely and has impeccable manners. He could even be Minister of Magic if he wanted to." Abraxas had a fond smile on his face as he talked about Tom and Lilia watched him carefully.

Abraxas has always been very defensive of Tom and he always carried a wistful expression while speaking of the prefect. Was it possible that he had feelings for Tom? She had also noticed that he watched out for Tom more than the others. He was angrier at the idea that Lilia had almost killed Tom.

"Can I ask you something?" She asked. "Go ahead." She hesitated for a bit before deciding to just say it.

"Do you have feelings for Tom?" His eyes widened and the colour drained from his cheeks. He watched Lilia like she had suddenly grown nine heads. The silence between them stretched and grew heavy, making her shift uncomfortably. She mentally reproached herself. She shouldn't have asked that question, what was she thinking?

"That is unheard of. Why would I ever have feelings for another boy?" His voice was strained and he looked scandalised. Right, homophobia was more rampant in the 1940s. "I'm sorry, I guess I just..." She didn't even know what to say to explain herself. "I take it you didn't mean this as an insult?" "No, no, it's not an insult. Merlin. I'm sorry," she stumbled over her words.