Enigma [A Tom Riddle x Reader fan fiction]

“Now, be sure you have everything on you before boarding that train,” My mother prompted.

“You’ll need your wand too, dear!” My father added.

Knowing my parents won't stop worrying unless I actually check everything in front of them, I decided to just give in to let go of their anxiousness. This was my 6th year boarding the Hogwarts Express, yet somehow…my parents still worried like it was my first.

“I love you both, but honestly, you really must stop worrying. It’s been five years, and not once have I forgotten to pack anything. If I ever did, I can simply send an owl—it’s hardly the end of the world!” I chuckled, before pulling them both in a final squeeze before entering my 6th year. I stepped back and turned toward the train, now ready to board.

“We love you too, honey!” my parents called after me as I stepped onto the train.

I pulled my trunk along the narrow corridor of the ever-so familiar transportation. I made sure to peek into cabin after cabin, but so far, I was met with the same sight for each one—full compartments, loud conversations, and too many people squeezing into a cabin just to be with their friends.

As I reached the last few compartments, I finally found one that wasn’t packed with students, only one individual sat inside. Tom Marvolo Riddle.

He always sat alone in his usual compartment. He always did. Year after year, no one ever sat with him. Not because there wasn’t space, in fact there was enough to fit 6 people, but because people chose to stay away.

I placed my hand on the door handle, hesitating. It wasn’t that I was afraid of him, not like the students were. I’d heard the whispers of many others. How easily he could make people do things with simply just a look, how he knew things no one else did. But that wasn’t my concern right now.

I just, desperately, needed a seat.

I finally slid open the door to his compartment. He didn’t even look up.

“Mind if I sit here?” I asked, basically ready to sit down.

For a moment, he didn’t answer. I took this quick silence as an opportunity to steal a glance out the window. The Hogwarts Express rattled gently along the tracks, golden fields stretching endlessly as they blurred past.

The train ride is always so beautiful, I thought.

Then, at last, his dark, unreadable eyes met mine.

“No,” he said smoothly.

I took that as permission, finally being able to settle into the seat across from him. The silence stretched, heavy, but not uncomfortable. I continued to stare out the window, arms crossed, content to be left alone without the sound of voices bothering me.

THIRD-PERSON POV

Tom Riddle still had his gaze fixated on her, watching as her eyes grazed onto the scenery.
No one had ever willingly chosen to sit with him before. This intrigued Tom as to why you would.

FINAL WORD COUNT: 500