Chapter 9

After dinner, Alexie, Cassiopeia, and I made our way back to the Slytherin common room. The dim, green-tinged light cast eerie shadows across the room, the flickering flames in the fireplace adding a touch of warmth to the otherwise cold and foreboding space. Cassiopeia bade us goodnight, disappearing into her dorm with a graceful wave.

"Goodnight, Cassiopeia," I called after her before turning to Alexie. Together, we made our way to our dormitory.

The room was quiet, and Walburga was conspicuously absent. "Where's Walburga?" I asked casually.

"She's probably out patrolling," Alexie replied, setting her books on her desk. "She's a Prefect, after all."

I couldn't help but smile mischievously. "Oh, then she must be thrilled. Patrolling with Riddle, no less."

Alexie laughed, shaking her head. "She wishes. Riddle isn't interested in women. He's completely focused on his studies. Walburga can pine all she wants, but I doubt he's even noticed."

"Pity," I said with a teasing smirk. "That kind of devotion deserves some recognition."

Alexie rolled her eyes but quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of studies, do you need my notes? You've missed quite a bit."

I smiled warmly at her. "Thank you, Alexie. That's kind of you."

She handed me a stack of parchment, neatly written and perfectly organized. As I scanned the notes, I felt a small pang of appreciation for her thoroughness. They were meticulous, but honestly, I didn't need them. My photographic memory was a blessing—or a curse, depending on how you looked at it. It had served me well in my previous life and continued to do so now.

I handed the notes back to her after only a few minutes.

"You're done?" Alexie looked at me in surprise.

"Yes," I said with a casual shrug.

Her brows furrowed. "How—"

"I've already learned it," I said simply.

Alexie gave me an incredulous look but didn't press further. Instead, she turned back to her desk to organize her things.

Pulling out my wand, I began murmuring incantations under my breath, casting protective spells around my bed.

"What are you doing?" Alexie asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Just taking precautions," I said lightly, tracing a sigil in the air with my wand. "I don't trust Walburga. That nasty woman might hex me in my sleep."

Alexie frowned but then nodded. "That's probably wise. She's vindictive, to say the least. I still remember the first time I stood up to her—she made my life miserable for weeks."

"Do you want me to set up a protection spell for you too?" I offered.

"Would you?" she asked, her tone grateful.

"Of course." I waved my wand again, casting the same protections around her bed.

"Thank you," Alexie said earnestly. "I'll sleep much better knowing Walburga can't pull anything."

"You're welcome," I said with a smile.

As Alexie continued working on her assignment, I climbed into bed. "Goodnight," I said, stifling a yawn.

"Goodnight, Carina," Alexie replied, not looking up from her parchment.

Exhausted from the day, I drifted off to sleep quickly, but a few hours later, I woke up. The room was quiet, save for the soft breathing of Alexie and Walburga, who had apparently returned. I tried to go back to sleep, but it eluded me. Frustrated, I swung my legs over the side of the bed and decided to take a walk to clear my head.

The common room was empty, as I'd expected. The soft green glow from the enchanted windows reflected the murky depths of the Black Lake. I sat on one of the plush chairs near the glass, gazing out at the serene, underwater view. Shadows of fish and other creatures occasionally darted past, but otherwise, the scene was peaceful. 

As I watched the Black Lake through the enchanted glass, its murky depths undulating peacefully, a voice startled me from behind.

"What are you doing here?"

I turned quickly, my heart skipping a beat. Tom Riddle stood there, still in his immaculate uniform, looking as composed and unnerving as ever. His dark eyes held that signature intensity, as though he was trying to peel back the layers of my thoughts with a single glance.

Smiling faintly, I shrugged. "I couldn't sleep," I said lightly, my voice calm, betraying none of the racing thoughts in my mind.

"And you thought wandering out here was a good idea?" he asked, his tone carrying a faint note of amusement.

I turned back to the window, gesturing toward the eerie beauty of the lake. "It's peaceful. Helps me think."

He didn't respond immediately, and the silence stretched. Finally, I glanced over my shoulder. "Are you just getting back from patrol?"

"Yes," he replied, his tone as smooth and deliberate as always.

"You should rest," I said, a small smirk tugging at my lips. "You look like you've had a long day."

Tom's expression didn't change, but I noticed the faintest flicker of something in his eyes—interest, perhaps? I turned back to the window, assuming our interaction was over and he would head to his dorm.

But then, to my surprise, I heard the faint creak of the chair beside me as he sat down.

I turned to him, raising an eyebrow. "Well," I said sassily, letting a playful smile cross my lips, "I suppose I could use some company."

Tom's lips curved ever so slightly—barely a smile, but it was there.

For a moment, neither of us spoke, the quiet hum of the Black Lake filling the space. Finally, he broke the silence. "Abraxas mentioned you were expelled from Beauxbatons."

I tilted my head, giving him a sharp look. "Did he?"

Tom nodded, his gaze unwavering. "He did."

"Of course he did," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Yes, I got kicked out."

 leaning back in my chair and folding my arms. "did he also tell you why?"

Tom studied me, his expression unreadable. "He said you have a penchant for causing trouble."

I laughed softly, the sound echoing in the empty common room. "Trouble finds me," I said, leaning forward slightly, closing the distance between us. "Would you like to find out what kind of trouble I can be?"

For a moment, Tom looked genuinely startled. But he recovered quickly, his composure snapping back into place as he let out a soft chuckle. "You're quite bold," he said, his voice carrying that silky tone that made it impossible to tell if he was amused or mocking.

"And you're quite reserved," I countered, my tone teasing as I leaned back again.

"Reserved?" he repeated, his eyebrow arching slightly.

"Well, compared to me, anyway," I said, my grin widening.

Tom leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he regarded me with a level gaze. "So," he said, his voice soft but cutting through the air like a blade, "what exactly did you do to get expelled?"

I smirked at him. "Oh, just a little… competition," I said vaguely.

His eyes narrowed slightly. "Competition?"

"Boys being boys," I replied with a shrug, my voice casual. "Things got a little out of hand, and the headmistress didn't appreciate the mess."

Tom's lips twitched, as though he were suppressing a smile. "And you orchestrated this?"

"I might have given them a little… encouragement," I admitted, my tone light and playful.

For a moment, Tom simply stared at me, his expression unreadable. Then, he leaned back in his chair, a faint smile playing on his lips. "You're trouble," he said, almost as if to himself.

I leaned in closer, my smile turning sly. "You have no idea."

He didn't move, his dark eyes locked onto mine. "Perhaps I'd like to find out," he said, his voice low and smooth.

My heart skipped a beat, but I refused to let him see how his words affected me. "Careful, Riddle," I said softly, my voice dripping with mock warning. "You might bite off more than you can chew."

He smirked then—a real smirk, one that made my stomach twist. "I doubt that," he said confidently.

The tension between us hung heavy in the air, and I suddenly became acutely aware of how close we were. Tom's gaze flickered to my lips, and he began to lean in.

For a moment, I froze. But just as his lips were about to brush mine, I turned my head slightly, letting his lips graze my cheek instead.

"Goodnight, Tom," I said with a teasing smile, standing up before he could react.

He looked up at me, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

"Are you always this forward?" I teased, raising an eyebrow. "It hasn't even been a full day since we met."

Tom's smirk returned, but his eyes held a glint of something else—something deeper. "Perhaps I just know what I want," he said simply.

I tilted my head, studying him for a moment before letting out a soft laugh. "Well, I hope you dream of me," I said with a wink before turning and walking away, leaving him sitting there, stunned.

As I climbed the stairs back to the dormitory, I couldn't help but grin to myself. My heart was racing, but it wasn't fear or embarrassment. It was excitement.

"Merlin," I whispered to myself as I slipped into bed, still smiling. "I really am playing with fire. But I think I like it."