I mindlessly poked at the peas on my plate with a fork. It was Tuesday evening. Four days since the cabinet. Five days since Harry's name was called, and a week since the library.
I was supposed to meet Riddle in the library again this afternoon, but he never showed up. I sat there waiting, flinching at every creak of the door. After three hours, I found myself watching the entrance more than the words on the page in front of me.
And now?
Now he's sitting right in front of me at the Slytherin table, with that smug little smirk of his.
Yes, exactly. My favorite candidate for a broken nose.
How am I even supposed to approach him when I'm barely holding myself back from punching him?
A scraping sound pulled me out of my hateful thoughts. I was ready to snap at whoever caused it. But when I looked around, all eyes were on me.
And then it hit me.
The sound was coming from the fork clenched in my hand.
"You alright, Black?" Fred asked from my right.
The twins had been sitting with us for the past few days. At first, they tried to get Harry to tell them how he managed to put his name into the Goblet. But after he told them for the third time that he hadn't done it and had no idea who had, they gave up.
Instead, they started gracing us with their presence and supplying us with news from all over Hogwarts. Thanks to them, I found out Cedric was secretly seeing Cho from Ravenclaw. And also that Rita Skeeter—aka the woman who collects gossip like candy, was coming to hogwarts.
Ron and Harry still weren't speaking. They sat as far apart as possible. Harry looked like a lost puppy, but every time I suggested he talk to Ron, he brushed me off, saying he didn't owe Ron anything. And if Ron wanted something, he could come apologize himself.
Meanwhile, Ron had decided to befriend Seamus. Probably just to spite Harry. Even though they both talked trash about him last year.
Lydia and Hermione decided to stay neutral, so it was just me and Harry left.
It bothered me that they didn't want to deal with it. Not even when I brought it up in the dorm over the weekend.
All I got was:
"Ely, it's their business. Let them figure it out."
And:
"They're idiots. And idiots don't last long without each other, so before you know it, they'll be walking the halls hand in hand again," Hermione said dryly. Ron had been using her as a messenger, and it was getting on her nerves.
Lydia always gave me an apologetic smile and sided with Hermione. Her brother had been using her as a go-between too.
Right now, they were both sitting a few seats away from us.
Harry didn't want to draw attention, so the past few days we'd been sitting at the very end of the table, closest to the door.
The Weasley twins joined us. Apparently Ron was getting on their nerves, and they felt sorry for Lydia, who'd had to deal with him nine months longer than the rest of us.
I unclenched my jaw.
"Yeah, but off topic... if I ever show up at night with a blood-covered shovel, don't ask questions. Deal?"
Fred smirked. "So, a typical Tuesday?"
George nodded. "Just give us a heads-up so we can wear old shoes."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Harry smile. It was nice to see him slowly coming back to himself.
My gaze shifted back to the Slytherin table. Riddle was patting Malfoy on the back—probably for how eagerly he sucked up to him. Even though I could only see Arianna's back, her black curls cascading down, it was obvious she was laughing at something.
Maybe that idiot Riddle was telling them how he stood me up in the library today. Or worse—maybe he hadn't even thought about it and had just genuinely forgotten me.
Suddenly, Riddle stood up along with his half-sister, Arianna Lestrange. They headed quickly toward the doors.
That was my chance.
I jumped up, nearly knocking over a jug of water, and shot after them. On the way, I mentally cursed Snape and McGonagall for dragging me into this mess—and of course Moody, because this whole project existed thanks to him.
Harry called after me, but I just waved behind my back.
I reached the corridor and had to look around three times before spotting them. They were already on the stairs. Nope, no way I'm running. I'd rather wreck my voice than run. Especially not for him.
"Riddle!"
It worked. He turned slowly.
"Black," he said with a smirk, as if savoring my name. "I would expect that even though Gryffindors are wild... what's the word... Neanderthals, you'd still know how to behave."
I gave him a tight smile. "And I would expect Slytherins to be on time. Hm. Guess we're both disappointed."
"I wasn't late."
"Right. You just didn't show up at all."
"I'm glad we understand each other."
The nerve. Who does he think he is?
"Well, jokes on you, because we're supposed to hand in the finished project by the end of the week." I smiled sweetly—too sweetly. I didn't spare Arianna a single glance. Honestly, I was convinced she'd turn me into a statue if I did.
Riddle stepped a few stairs down, closer to me. I hated how I had to tilt my head just to meet his eyes.
"Finished project... oh, Black. What exactly were you doing in the library then? Shouldn't, what... three hours be enough to finish it?"
One day I'm wiping that smirk off his stupidly perfect face.
Wait. How does he know I was there for three hours?
"I didn't know you were so obsessed with me, Riddle."
"Don't flatter yourself, Black. I wouldn't even look at you if it weren't for a greater purpose. You're hardly worth the effort... running around with those blood traitors."
His brown eyes locked onto mine, like he was waiting—no, hoping—I'd snap.
I bit the inside of my cheek, hard enough to taste blood, just to keep my mouth shut.
I pressed my lips together and shrugged my bag off my shoulder.
"You know what? I actually don't care where you were or how you somehow know how long I stayed."
(Though obsession still feels like the obvious answer.)
"Here." I shoved my notes toward him. "Take them. Add whatever you want. Just make sure it makes sense."
If I have to work with him, he's not ruining my grade.
"And, Riddle... I want that textbook back as soon as possible." Another charming smile. Snape would be proud. I didn't explode. I didn't punch anyone. I was practically civilized.
"Only in your dreams, Black."
"What?"
"That textbook is mine now. I found some very interesting things in it."
No. No, no, no.
"Don't cry, Black. You can go cuddle with other textbooks," Lestrange mocked from above.
As if they didn't both know I didn't exactly acquire that book legally.
I opened my mouth, then closed it again. No point.
"If Snape finds it with you, you'll be in trouble," I tried one last time.
"Who said he'd find it with me?" he raised an eyebrow, looking me up and down.
Hmm, maybe because he knows you have it.
"Give it back."
"And what would I get in return?"
I wouldn't punch you and I'd even smile nicely.
"What do you want?"
He stepped closer. My breath caught in my chest.
Up close, it was annoyingly easy to see why half the girls at Hogwarts stared at him. Curly brown hair, hazel eyes, one short curl falling into them.
Why are the worst people always attractive?
"What I want, you can't give me," he whispered, his face unreadable.
Then he turned and walked back toward his sister.
"Hm. You're right. I really can't give you syphilis," I muttered.
He stopped.
The air between us thickened.
Slowly, he turned back to me.
"What did you say?"
I panicked instantly. What did I just say? Maybe he didn't actually hear me?
Arianna just rolled her eyes in disgust and kept walking, like this whole scene offended her.
"That you're right. I'm absolutely oblivious to what you want. Even though I'd really like to give it to you."
I slowly started backing away.
"Anyway... have a nice day."
I turned.
What was I thinking?
"Black! Tomorrow after lunch, before class. We'll finish it. Got it?"
I just raised both thumbs in agreement.