Chapter Text
It’s another day at the School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and the Great Hall is at full speed. It’s a blue, sunny day and the middle of the week, on a Wednesday. The professors and students are finishing their plates, preparing for the long day of classes. It’s almost the end of breakfast and even the late risers are wolfing down their food, in varying degrees of desperation, terrified of being late for their first class of the day.
Suddenly, a late owl flies on top of the students' heads, turning a few curious eyes its way, after all, it’s after the normal time that the correspondence is delivered to the student body. Promptly, the letter arrives at Gryffindor's breakfast table. More specifically, on top of a certain Boy-who-lived eggs and toast. The reaction of his fellow lions is immediate:
“Ohhhhhh, look at our lover boy!” Teased Seamus, leaning towards Harry and grinning facetiously, “Our little Harry has ensnared the heart of an avid fan! Do you see what I see Dean?” He finished, resting his face on his hand, looking like someone whose morning entertainment has just been guaranteed.
Harry gives the Irish boy the stinky eye, crossing his arms and preparing to be the bottom of the joke, as it has become custom ever since he started receiving this series of letters.
Dean does not miss a beat and is fast in joining his boyfriend’s fun. “Oh, I do see what you see, my dear!” He exclaims theatrically “Our lover boy is indeed captivating all the available hearts within this castle walls.” He fake-swooned, leading to a few friendly laughs from Ginny, Neville, and a few others who were close.
Hermione, sitting right in front of Harry, intervenes, “Stop it you two! It’s not out of the ordinary for someone like Harry to receive letters from admirers. He is, after all, a famous bachelor.”
The girl gives Harry a reassuring smile, which makes the boy’s anxiety and embarrassment slightly better. He smiles back, thankful for the support.
Truth be told, it’s been two months since the beginning of their 7th year, and on the first day of that second month, Harry received the first letter of his so-called ‘admirer’. Ever since then, his admirer has sent him letters every day, religiously . Now, it’s the recurrent joke amidst the Gryffindors.
Following the Gryffindor boys teasing, Ron, with his mouth full of food, enthusiastically tries to give his two cents on the conversation “Daz Aigt! Arry’z ery andsum tchoo!”
Hermione, sitting on Ron’s right side, wrinkled her nose in distaste and replied, exasperated, “For Merlin’s sake Ronald, chew your food before speaking.”
Neville, who is right by Harry’s side, chuckled. “Yeah mate, we couldn’t exactly catch that.”
Ron took a big gulp of pumpkin juice, finally freeing his mouth, making Harry wonder how in the hell his best buddy hasn’t choked to death till this day.
“I was trying to say that Harry is a very handsome guy! He deserves a few enamored letters now and then!”
Seamus, who is sitting on Hermione’s left side, encages her with a tight one-armed hug and fake whispers “confidentially” to the bushy brown-haired girl, allowing everyone in the joke:
“Hey Hermione, I think your boyfriend is in love with our lover boy, be careful now…”
Harry rolled his eyes, snorting with the mental image of holding hands with Ron while skipping together to Madam Puddifoot’s Tea Shop in Hogsmead.
In the midst of his friend's chuckles, Hermione replies, trying to maintain a serious face and not to giggle at Ron’s horrified face “Didn’t think it would come the day that I’d have to share my boyfriend. But alas, here we are…”
That only added fuel to the fire, and boisterous bickering and teasing ensued. After a few sarcastic responses, Harry drowned out his friends' voices. He focused and looked down, at the envelope in his hands. He can already feel his heartbeat picking up, accompanied by a jitteriness in the pit of his stomach.
Ever since the first letter was received, he attempted to not waste energy trying to avoid being deceived by its ceaseless flirtatious content. Besides the fact that all of these letters, religiously arriving every single day, sometimes at breakfast, sometimes at dinner, could very well be a stupid prank, made to humiliate him. There’s also the fact that the sender hasn't revealed their name so far. He has no idea of whoever is taking their time to send these letters, and that is, in itself, bothering him more than it should be.
For all he cares, he should not even be giving these letters the time of day. He is, as Hermione so accurately reminded, a public figure. And so, he had plenty of admirers, scholars, reporters, fans, and nutjobs attempting to contact him almost weekly. It’s nothing out of the ordinary to receive letters from strangers. But these letters… They are different, somehow. Harry can’t exactly pinpoint the reason, maybe it’s because of the way it’s written, the seductive flow of words, and praises. Maybe it’s how, at the end of them, his anonymous admirer always asks innocent and, quite frankly, thoughtful questions about his life. Wondering about his day, his feelings, his mental health, his family… There is a touch of care in these questions. Almost like a friend.
Harry decided that he wanted to, as is the custom now, read it away from prying eyes. Unlike the first one. That was one of the most embarrassing moments of his year. Having no idea what the letters were about, he innocently opened the first one in the Great Hall, in front of his friends. As soon as the flirtatious content was made clear, he was mercilessly teased for the rest of the day by, pretty much, every house in the school.
The boy let his friends know, in a hurried voice:
“I’m going to go… read this before class” he could feel his face getting hot in embarrassment.
After enduring more jokes and teasing remarks, he got up to leave. Just then, Harry heard this obnoxious, aggravating voice all the way from the other side of the Great Hall:
“GOT A BOYFRIEND, POTTER?”
Malfoy had this shit-eating grin on his stupid face and all Harry wanted to do was punch it away. His group of sycophants, mainly composed of Crabe, Goyle, Pansy, Bulstrode, and Nott, sniggered obnoxiously. Draco preened at the attention, like one of his stupid’s albino peacocks.
“Why? Interested, Malfoy?” Harry retorted, with a mocking smirk.
The gang of Slytherins went silent. Malfoy’s face turned crimson with embarrassment, accompanied by the sounds of amusement from other students, all happy to see Malfoy being taken down a notch. After opening and closing his mouth for a few seconds, Draco angrily shouted “IN YOUR DREAMS, POTTER!”
It was such a weak comeback that Harry didn’t feel the need to retort, snickering and giving his back to the blond, leaving the Hall.
After finally getting away, Harry clutched the letter against his chest, keen to be able to see its content. He turned left after passing the Great Hall’s wooden doors, following the straight stone corridor at a brisk pace. He walked until he felt like he had put enough distance between himself and the other students. He stopped in a desert corridor, leaning on the wall near a stained window glass with a view of the grassy outdoors.
Feeling his heart beating near his throat, he broke the seal to the parchment with trembling hands, barely able to contain his anticipation.
With elegant calligraphy, and a stunning hand-writing, the letter read:
“Dear Harry,
I could not avoid staring into your eyes again. I am well aware you must be tired of being constantly complimented on them, but how can I not point out how mesmerizing and captivating they are?
Such an impossible green… so vibrant. Did you know that its shade is a favored color of mine? Such a vivid emerald reminds me of something dear to me. I’m glad I get to see them when I gaze at you.
You look ravishing as always, darling. Wish I could do more than just watch you. Perhaps someday I’ll be able to touch you. Brush my fingers in between your legs. Feel the smoothness of your skin. Tangle my fingers in your hair. Bring your tempting, plump mouth close and press against it. Taste the inside of it. Taste more than your mouth.
Nevertheless, I suppose I’m getting ahead of myself, darling. All in due time.
I noticed you struggled with History of Magic this week, my Harry. I’m more than happy to direct you to the right book for this particular subject, I believe it’ll be of immense assistance. Find “Warlocks' Convention a guided study” and inside you’ll be able to locate the Convention of 1709, spoken in class. Needless to say, I’ll be at your disposal to help quench any doubts that may arise.
You are a smart boy, darling. Believe in this, just as much as I do. You’re destined for great things.
Hope Mr. Longbottom was triumphant in his attempt at breeding his Mimbulus Mimbletonia. Or rather, that is not something to be hopeful of. The student’s olfactory system would be appreciative of the absence of such pungent odor around the castle.
As always, yearning to be by your side.
I wish you a most pleasant day, my dear.
Your most faithful admirer. ”
Wait…
Harry stopped, in shock. His thoughts were in complete disarray.
In this letter, his admirer mentioned two facts that were of the most importance. His difficulty with the current subject matter taught in History of Magic, and Nevilles’ Mimbulus Mimbletonia.
Until now, Harry had no idea where his admirer was corresponding from. They could have been anywhere, even from another country. Or so Harry thought. But this glimpse of information pinpointed their location to only one possible place… His admirer was in Hogwarts. His admirer had the type of knowledge only a resident of the Castle would be able to know.
Previously, the bespectacled boy held the belief that every time his admirer mentioned that it wasn’t enough seeing Harry, it was perfectly reasonable that he meant by photos in the papers.
Now though, Harry knew better. He could feel his blood pumping in his veins, excited to know that the writer of such flattering words could be closer than he had ever dared imagine.
Who could this person be? Harry was completely aware that they had mentioned this piece of information about Neville deliberately. They were obviously intelligent. Harry was certain that his admirer finally wanted him to know exactly where they were and that it was closer than he could ever dare dream.
He may have started reading all these letters in a mildly curious manner. The first and second letters were, to be completely honest, off-putting. Much cruder and heavy-handed, lacking notes of endearment or even curiosity about his daily life. But since the third letter, everything changed. The way these silky whispers have ingrained in his heart… He yearns for these tantalizing and alluring compositions. Words that almost caress his body with their uninhibited intent. He craves the attention so straightforwardly given, the familiarity so heartwarming. And now, the always present wish to meet this person is even stronger, with the knowledge of how close by they can be.
The ring of the first bell startled the boy, brutally pulling him from his fantasies and reminding him that if he doesn’t hurry, he’ll be late for his Potions class. That’s always a horrible achievement, considering how much hate Professor Snape holds against every male with the Potter surname.
He bolted through the castle’s corridors, utilizing every secret passageway he could possibly remember. Just as the last student passed the Potion’s classroom door, Harry managed to plunge into the class right before Professor Snape made his appearance. The Professor’s sizeable nose creased in disdain, but since Harry luckily made it just in time -along with a few Gryffindors and Slytherins, may it be noticed-, the old bat couldn’t deduct points from him…Yet. There are still two periods of potions, Harry does not underestimate Snape’s capability of finding whatever excuse he could to subtract points from his least favorite student.
When Harry looked for his friends, he realized that basically, the whole class was already in their stations. Leaving only two possible open seats. One beside Draco Malfoy, who already had an insufferable smirk on his stupid pointed face. Did he really think Harry would ever consider sitting beside him?! He would probably be given detention from Snape in five minutes, that is, if he could control himself from murdering the irritating blond in that time.
On the other vague seat… He would be paired up with “Mr. Perfect”, Tom Marvolo Riddle.
Harry could never guess what that particular Slytherin had in mind, the other one always had a polite smile on his face, his thoughts a true mystery. However, Harry’s gut told him that there was more than what meets the eye when it comes to the handsome dark-haired boy.
Between his annoying childhood rival and an enigmatic teacher’s pet? Yeah, there’s not much to debate here.
While he passed through Hermione’s and Ron’s table, they appeared apologetic. Harry smiled, letting them know that everything was okay. After all, he was the one who was late, daydreaming about someone he doesn’t even know. Now he needs to deal with its consequences… for two periods of potions. He contained his unhappy groan.
After throwing his bag on the ground and grabbing his potions book, Harry pretended to be completely engaged in his reading. It’s excruciating having to pretend to be fascinated with “One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi” by Phyllida Spore. However, engaging in any type of interaction with Tom Riddle was out of the question. He had a feeling that the other boy would delightfully and condescendingly question his mental capacity, and Harry had absolutely no interest in this kind of humiliation, thank you very much.
Professor Snape decided it was time to make his unpleasant presence known, and conveyed the work expected of the students during the next two periods of class.
“Even though most of you, insipid animals, will fail miserably” Harry couldn’t avoid noticing how Snape directed his eyes straight at him while saying that. Douche. “I felt it’s only fitting for abysmal animals to… attempt to learn how to prepare the Rat Tonic potion…” He drawled. “I suggest owners of Pet Rats pay close attention to how this potion is brewed. If you manage to brew it correctly, your rodent may live long enough to see you do something right in your pathetic life.”
‘ Charming’ , though Harry sarcastically.
“You will work with your potion partner to achieve, at the very least, a passable grade… And hopefully, no one will be sent to the infirmary today.” Funnily enough, Snape didn’t look like he would bet money on these odds.
After sitting behind his desk, the Professor intoned in a bored manner:
“You may begin.”
The clank of cauldrons filled the classroom, with students attempting to follow each step correctly and hoping to not fail miserably.
While Harry put their cauldron on the table, approximately in the middle of him and Riddle, he couldn’t avoid noticing the fixated stare of the dark-haired boy.
“What?” Harry inquired with a touch of defiance, masking his annoyance. He won’t be easily intimidated by the likes of Tom Riddle.
With an unwavering stare, Riddle gave a sweet smile, yet his sharp amber eyes betrayed noticeable amusement. “I believe this is the first time we interact, as well as the first time we are working together in a classroom.” His smooth voice betrayed nothing but politeness. “It’s nice to meet you, Harry Potter.”
‘ He thinks he’s so sleek, huh ?’ Thought Harry. He could clearly see that Riddle was pretty amused, and coming from a Slytherin there is no way it could possibly be anything nice.
Harry tried to remain neutral and control his expression, not intending to reveal just how transparent Riddle’s condescending attitude was, and how obnoxious the Gryffindor found it.
“Yeah, I guess so. Nice to meet you too”, he answered curtly, immediately opening the pertaining page of his potions book and starting to read the instructions for the Rat Tonic they were required to brew, noting the necessary first steps.
After a few minutes of silence, Harry Looked up and was caught by surprise by Riddle’s expression. He was still smiling, but this time there was a sort of calculating glimmer in his eyes. Harry was not sure what it meant, but he couldn’t avoid a chill ruining down his spine and alarm bells going off in his mind.
‘ I guess someone is not a fan of being easily dismissed. Too bad, Your Highness! ’ Harry thought, amused.
He did not know what to do with just this glimpse of interaction, but he will assume that nothing good can come of being in close quarters with Riddle and in the oher boy’s radar. In all his years as a student, he always felt something off about Slytherin's Golden Boy. No one is that nice all the time. He never showed any sign of irritability, exhaustion, or anything... well, human. He always got the feeling that Riddle was masquerading, consistently maintaining his perfect act.
Luckily, next potion class, he will be back with Ron, his regular partner, and this weird interaction will be left in the past. He would just need to be careful and avoid Tom Riddle at all costs.
Easy enough.
“Furthermore…” Snape drawled maliciously, with too much enjoyment in his tone, gaining the class's attention effortlessly “be aware that your current partner will remain the same till the end of the semester.”
Well, fuck.