One sickle: Tom Riddle X Reader
“Professor?” you knocked on your headmaster’s door, “It’s Y/N.”
“Ah, miss L/N, come in.” the voice of Armando Dippet beckoned hazily, as if his mind was elsewhere, which it undoubtedly was.
“Er, yes sir.” You walked inside, taking a seat.
“Miss L/N...” he began, “I am so sorry I have to ask of you for this, I am aware that you haven’t done this before.”
“What exactly, professor?” you were confused.
“As you know that due to the unfortunate circumstances involving Myrtle Elizabeth Warren of your house, Ravenclaw tower shall be searched tonight by her family members and a few Ministry officials, and I, being the headmaster of the most prestigious wizarding school that there is... I must appoint two prefects each for the corridors of Hogwarts... I have appointed a Slytherin prefect alongside you for the forbidden corridor on the third floor.”
“But sir, why would that place require patrolling?” you asked in a bit of a panicky state. “The bathroom is off-limits, Warren just died there!”
“I am aware, Miss L/N.” he waved off, “And I am also aware that you are one of the most promising pupils I have the delight of teaching.”
You flushed.
“And do not worry, your companion is not less by any means,” he assured, “You may leave, your duty begins in an hour.”
“Thank you, sir.” You muttered, struggling to keep your voice even.
An hour passed in no time and soon, you were hurrying off towards the corridor on the third floor.
You caught sight of your companion already present there, his back to you, crisp uniform with hands behind his back and everything.
It wouldn’t take a genius to figure out who he was, even from behind. The mysterious, dangerous, frightening, irritatingly handsome prefect of Slytherin house – Tom freaking Riddle.
“Ah-hem.” You cleared your throat.
Dammit Y/N, you can’t even clear your throat without stuttering
His head swung around as if he knew you were there.
“Uhm, good evening.” You began at the lack of response from the dark-haired boy.
“Good evening.” He replied, surprised that you were willing to make conversation with him when most people just hurried past.
“Nasty business.” You remarked, “Warren, I mean.”
“Yes. Particularly nasty indeed.” His expression was not polite or welcoming. Instead, he stared at you with a calculating look.
You shrugged slightly, “Bit unexpected, that’s all. A murder at Hogwarts, I mean.”
“Yes, let’s hope Hagrid keeps his monstrous pets away from the school, then.” He rolled his eyes.
“He did strike me as odd.” You muttered, “I didn’t know it would be this bad. Still, it’s more concerning what the fate of Hogwarts will be than Warren’s death.”
“What do you mean?” Tom suddenly asked.
“All I’m saying is... deaths and accidents happen everyday.” You explained, “Warren was just an unlucky victim of one. I’m just.... worried. I hope they don’t close the school, I can’t go back to my adopted family.... it’s positively awful.”
“Is that so?” Tom was beginning to talk in a more relaxed manner.
“I’m afraid it is.” You shrugged, “Call me cold-blooded or whatever.”
“How are you not in Slytherin?” he demanded, “You would’ve done well.”
“The hat did consider it.” You explained, “But instead I’m in-”
“Ravenclaw.” He answered for you, “You’re in my Arithmancy class?”
“Oh.” You flushed, knowing he noticed, “Y-yeah, I am.”
“Alright miss Slytherclaw. We’re supposed to be on duty. We’ve been chatting here for ten minutes.” He said in a light teasing tone.
Now you really turned beetroot.
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There were no more words exchanged between you as you stalked around the corridor, and you sank into your daydreaming.
And it had to be the stupidly attractive face of the prefect next to you.
“A sickle for your thoughts?” Tom asked, as politely as he could.
You smirked, “My thoughts cost a lot more than that, Riddle.”
“A sickle for an insight, then.” He insisted.
You sighed. “I’m thinking about... someone.”
“Who?”
“I don’t think you wanna know the answer to that.” You scoffed.
“You are really bad at hiding things.” He remarked.
“How so?”
“You just made it pretty bloody obvious whom you were thinking about.” He smirked. “Like what you see?”
“Hey look, I can’t help it, okay?” you said in exasperation, “I don’t even like you like that, I just appreciate that you’re... attractive a notch above normal.”
“That’s a compliment anyway.” He huffed, “It’s alright, you’ve got hormones. I get it. You don’t have to like someone to appreciate their looks.”
“Thank you.” You spoke.
You had begun to get more confident. You glanced at your watch.
“Argh, dammit. It’s past time.” You groaned, “Well, see you later.... Tom.”
“Goodnight, Y/N.” he spoke.
You turned to leave, but he called behind you, “By the way, we’ve got to patrol this month!”
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Life was getting simply outrageous for you – you were failing Divination and History of Magic because you weren’t able to get your work done on time, having to stay up all night patrolling that stupid corridor.
Not that you didn’t enjoy Tom’s company, though. Two consecutive weeks of knowing each other and you were already talking as if you’d known each other for years. He just understood you in a very, very weird. It wasn’t al sunshine and rainbows though. You already didn’t have any friends and now you were labelled as the weirdo who hangs with Riddle.
Tom’s company was more than satisfactory however, and you were fine with having one friend who understood you than several who didn’t.
You were finishing up your Arithmancy project alongside your partner, Olive Hornby, when a certain Slytherin decided to approach you.
“A sickle for your time?” Tom asked, but it was not as jokingly as his statement a few weeks prior.
“I would say my time costed a lot more than that, but I can see this is serious.” You spoke. “Yeah?”
“I need to talk to you.” He explained.
“Privately.” He added, looking at Olive in disgust as she battered her eyelashes.
You scoffed, getting up and dragging him out the classroom with you.
When you reached a decently secluded spot, you spoke, “Yes?”
“I want you to answer this very truthfully.” He began.
“Can’t make no promises.”
He ignored your statement. “Are we friends?”
“Huh?” you asked in confusion, “Of course, why-”
“No, no, no.” he messed up his usually neat hair, “I meant... if you found out something about me.... would we still be friends?”
“Like what?” you questioned, wondering where this was from.
“Like... maybe if I’m dangerous?” he whispered quietly.
You snorted slightly, “Tom, that’s not how friendships work. Everybody has their secret to keep, and they’re 100% entitled to it. I wouldn’t ditch you just because of something you did.”
“Are you so sure you will stick to that when you find out what I’ve got to say?” he quietly asked.
“I- it can’t be that bad, I- I will.” You stuttered, slightly afraid.
“Okay.” He finally spoke, “Alright, fine. C’mon.”
He led you to the corridor where you’d been patrolling.
“What are we-” you began.
“SSH!” he hissed, dragging you inside the girls’ washroom.
“This place is of limits!” you hissed.
“I’m aware!” he hissed back.
You scoffed.
Tom led you to a worn-out and broken sink before crouching down.
“Please mean what you say from this point on.” He whispered.
“O-okay.” You said, genuinely frightened now.
“Open. I command you.” Tom hissed at the tap.
“Does it really open?” you asked, as Tom’s head snapped your way so fast, you thought you heard a crack.
Not speaking, looking at you with wide eyes, he pushed you in before climbing himself.
You let out a soft shriek as you fell into an entrance of sorts.
“Wh-wha-” you spoke.
“This.” Tom spoke. “Is the Chamber of Secrets.”
“What?” you shrieked, “No way. No way, no way, no way! Get me out of here! We’re going to die.”
“Relax, Y/N.” Tom rolled his eyes, “You’re going to be fine. Also, why didn’t you tell me you were a Parselmouth?”
You flushed, “I didn’t think it was of significance. Anyway, what are we doing here?”
“Be careful not to speak in Parseltongue.” Tom warned, “You’ll wake it.”
“Wake what?”
“The Basilisk.” He said simply.
“What- a basilisk?!” you sputtered, “Tom, what the heck? First the chamber and now a basilisk? This stuff is dangerous and-”
“I thought you said we all had a secret to hide.” He muttered.
“Oh well, yes, but I’m saying this because I care about you!” you explained, “I don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all-”
“Well then don’t!” he yelled, “Don’t care about me. Don’t attach yourself to me!”
“Why not?”
“BECAUSE I’M A MONSTER, ALRIGHT?” he yelled angrily, “IT WAS ME! I KILLED MYRTLE WARREN! I OPENED THE CHAMBER!”
“Wh-what?” you asked.
“BELIEVE IT OR NOT Y/N-”
“Tom.” You hoarsely whispered.
“WHAT?”
“Did you say, um, something about a basilisk?” you asked. “Because I think it’s awake.”
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Both of you panted heavily, emerging from the Chamber and collapsing on the bathroom floor.
There were tears in your eyes, but you refused to let them fall, especially in front of him.
“There you go.” Tom angrily snapped, “I’m a complete monster. I already killed Warren, and I nearly killed you. Go on. Tell me how awful I am. Tell me you hate me.”
“I don’t.” you whispered, “I don’t hate you. I.... I’ll still stick with you. Look, I don’t know what happened to you, Tom, but I can tell you’re... hurting. I hope I can help with that.”
You saw his nostrils flare as if he was contemplating something.
Your lips were glistening from a mixture of water and tears, making you look gorgeous.
“A sickle for a kiss?” Tom shakily asked.
“My kiss costs a LOT more than that, Riddle.”
“Ten galleons then if you want.” Tom said before closing the gap between you.
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