Tom Riddle x Reader - Enigma

The days that followed moved like molasses—slow, sweet, and unbearably loud.

News travelled fast at Hogwarts, faster than Howlers and twice as obnoxious. And lately, it seemed every whisper winding through the corridors, every lingering glance in the Great Hall, was about her. About them. About Y/N and Abraxas.

They were inseparable now—or at least, that's what the castle seemed to think. It was the way he always leaned in when he spoke to her, the way she laughed a little louder around him, the way he walked her to lessons with that smug tilt to his smirk. If Tom noticed, he said nothing.

Still, everyone else did.

Breakfast had barely begun when Mari and Cassius cornered her at the Slytherin table, flanking her like two over-caffeinated owls with very urgent mail.

"It's gotten out of hand," Mari said, sliding a plate of toast in front of Y/N like it was part of a bribe. "Do you want to know how many people asked me if you and Abraxas are a thing just this morning alone?"

"Ten," Cassius guessed, already buttering his scone with far too much aggression. "Maybe eleven if we count that Ravenclaw who asked me like I'm your bloody publicist."

Y/N blinked at them, half-asleep. "You're both exhausting before eight o'clock."

Mari grinned. "So, is it official? The way he looks at you—it's practically written in runes at this point."

"Even Professor Slughorn called you his 'favourite Slytherin pair' when you walked in late to class yesterday," Cassius added, clearly still bitter. "Favourite. As in, above me. I'm wounded."

Before Y/N could even pretend to deny anything, a warm hand found its way to her waist, fingers splayed like it had every right to be there.

"Of course it's official," came Abraxas's voice, rich with amusement. "I'd be a fool not to claim her."

He leaned closer, eyes locked on hers. "You're far too perfect to be treated as anything less than royalty."

Y/N rolled her eyes, cheeks warm, but she didn't pull away. Mari let out a choked giggle, while Cassius made a dramatic gagging noise into his tea.

"Alright, Shakespeare, reel it in," Cassius said. "Some of us are trying to keep our breakfast down."

Abraxas just smirked, unfazed, his hand still possessively resting at Y/N's side.

"Let them talk," he said, stealing a grape from her plate like he owned the place. "If they're watching, at least give them a show."

Y/N offered him a small smile, though something about the attention felt heavier this morning, like all eyes weren't just watching. They were waiting.

And from the far end of the table, a pair of dark eyes never left her for a second.

Just as Mari launched into another over-the-top theory about how many love letters Y/N must be hiding in her dorm, a light tap landed on her shoulder.

She turned.

Tom Riddle stood there, as composed as ever, but his eyes were sharp, like he had something on his mind.

"Mind if we talk for a moment?" he asked, his voice cool but carrying an undercurrent of something she couldn't place.

Y/N shot a glance at Abraxas, who raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable, though he said nothing.

"Sure," she said, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

Tom Riddle politely asked to talk somewhere a little more quiet, just right outside the great hall. "Are you free to attend our studies together this evening? Professor McGonagall had asked me to help you with your missed assignments."