Enigma [A Tom Riddle x Reader fan fiction]

FIRST-PERSON POV (Y/N's POV)

Two months had passed since that dreadful Potions class incident. Went through two months of awkward glances, whispered rumours, and a schedule that I soon found a way to settle in.

Potions had become less of a battlefield and more of a quiet ceasefire. Some days, we even talked. Not real talking, just subtle, small comments. Observations. On some rare occasions, I do find myself laughing at how much Riddle uses his facial reaction to show raw emotions. Such as the way he raised a brow at my terrible jokes. I’d spot the slight twitch at the corner of his mouth—like he was fighting his inner urge to let off a smirk but refused to let it win against him when he does manage to make me laugh. It was ridiculous, really, how someone so composed could easily make me laugh just with the silliest look of disgust.

He never smiled, nor chuckled. But he listened. That was enough.

He never said it directly, but he always made sure we studied together when we needed to. “We’re partners,” he’d say. “It would be irresponsible to let you fall behind.” His tone was always neutral. Practical. But he never missed a single session.

It became a routine—meeting in the quieter corners of the library, parchment spread between us, the soft scratch of quills filling the comfortable silence. And even when I struggled understanding a concept, I never felt judged asking him about my doubts. There was something about it that made things feel less heavy. Less loud in my head.

Maybe that’s why I never minded having him present around me.

THIRD-PERSON POV

She wasn’t the only one who noticed.

Abraxas, on the other hand, was everywhere. He made it a point to be! Dropping by between classes, slipping her little notes that he charmed with the scent of her favorite food, once even smelling like Honeydukes chocolate, and occasionally leaving flowers on her desk in the common room. He acted as though he was some secret admirer that she absolutely knew the identity of. He was charming, too charming, and though Y/N kept her guard up, it was hard to deny how easily he caught her attention.

Abraxas was easy to get along with when he isn’t trying to start arguments about House politics.

Still, even during the brightest moments with Malfoy, she would still hear it.

“Y/L/N.”

Riddle. Calling from the other end of the corridor. Always calm. Always direct and full of confidence. A signal that it was time to study. As if the rest of the world could pause for it, and often, it did.

It didn’t go unnoticed either, especially in the eyes of Abraxas. The way he stared at Y/N every time she packed her bag and left with Riddle. It was equivalent to a thousand daggers pointed at her direction. And so, Malfoy made it his mission to beat his competition. He would appear with more frequent ‘surprises’. Like brushing his arm against Y/N’s a little too often, getting as close to her as possible, specially around other people.

FIRST-PERSON POV (Y/N’s POV)

I don’t feel stressed around Riddle. It felt more like sitting on an edge of a cliff overlooking a magical lake reflecting the mysterious starry night. With him, my head didn’t spiral. With him, I never felt constantly compared. I was just me. And maybe he didn’t mind that.

Not that I’d ever say that out loud.

——————————————————

THIRD-PERSON POV

The morning sun was softly gazing at the castle walls as Y/N made her way toward the Great Hall. She was still trying to wake herself up, when footsteps hurried to catch up beside her.

“Morning,” came the familiar voice, smooth and teasing.

She glanced at her left to see Abraxas matching her pace, the corners of his mouth lifted as if shining brighter than the sun. Before she could greet him, he reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair away from her cheek. His hand landing back on her cheek, admiring her deeper than he used to.

“You’re perfect, did you know that?” He said, voice low.

Y/N’s face flushed, and her heart stuttered in her chest. She looked away quickly, trying not to grin like an idiot.

Unfortunately, her friends once again arrived at the worst timing imaginable. Mari and Cassius were already at the entrance, close enough to witness and hear each word that was exchanged between the two.

By the time Y/N sat down at the table, her cheeks were burning, and Mari wasted no time.

“Y/N! Did we just see that?” Mari gasped, wiggling her eyebrows while sharing knowing looks with Cassius.

Cassius smirked. “If he calls you perfect one more time, I swear you’ll see me gagging.”

“Oh, shut up,” Y/N muttered, grabbing a sandwich and stuffing it into her mouth in a failed attempt to hide her embarrassment and the smile she’s forcing not to appear.

Abraxas slid into the seat beside her, like he had always owned the spot, resting an elbow on the table as he leaned in. “You’re so adorable when you’re flustered,” he said with a chuckle, and—without hesitation—pressed a kiss to her cheek

Y/N’s face practically ignited.

Mari and Cassius, having witnessed yet another moment, squealed and shrieked. They were practically ticking bombs about to explode any minute.

But what none of them noticed was the brief glance Abraxas gave her afterward. A look that one could mistake to be hypnotized. For a split second, the boy who once saw this as a game…didn’t look like he was playing any more.

He was falling.

Hard.

FIRST-PERSON POV (Y/N’s POV)

My cheeks were already burning from all the teasing, but when Abraxas leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, I swear I stopped breathing.

Everything around me felt like background noise. The chattering students, the clinking of cutlery, even the dramatic noises of Cassius and Mari turned faded into a hum.

I didn’t move. Couldn’t.

I stared down at my plate, heart thudding in my chest like it was trying to crawl its way out. I bit into my sandwich again, mostly to distract the building feeling inside me, and partly to stop the foolish smile threatening to take over my face.

Because the truth?

The truth was…

The truth was, I liked it.

Not just the kiss. Not just the flirtations or the charming little comments he always tossed so casually. I liked him.

Sure, Abraxas Malfoy wasn’t the brightest in the bunch—definitely not when it came to helping me study or explaining anything beyond the most basic logic—but Merlin, he tried. He showed up during my free periods, brought me sweets when we hadn’t crossed paths all day, remembered the tiniest things I liked. He paid attention. He made an effort.

He made me feel seen.

And now, sitting there with the ghost of his lips now tattooed on my skin and my friends losing their minds across the table, I couldn’t deny it any more.

I’d been charmed.

Well. Truly.

——————————————————

By the time I got back to the common room, the halls were empty, the air quiet, and my mind—loud. Classes were over, curfew was tiptoeing closer, and yet I couldn’t sleep. Not with that kiss replaying itself in my head like it had its own loop, running wild through every quiet corner of my mind.

So, I did what I always did when I needed air.

The Astronomy Tower was empty, blanketed in the cold moonlight and stillness. I sat by the edge, arms wrapped around my knees, watching the sky stretch far above me. It was peaceful up here. Far enough from the noise, the pressure, the expectations. Just me, the stars, and that running loop.

“You’re perfect,” he had said.

My cheeks burned again, just thinking about it. Bloody hell, I was pathetic.

I was so caught up with my thought that I didn’t hear the door creak open.

I turned—and there he was.

Riddle.

He didn’t say anything. Just walked in, slow and composed, like the tower belonged to him. His eyes met mine, steady as ever, then drifted away. No questions. No explanations. He simply took a spot by the large open window, how silhouette blending into the night like it was meant to be there.

I didn’t ask why he was here, up late. He didn't ask why I was. For a while, we just sat there, two students awake in the same sleepless hour.

Eventually, the calmness and cold air made my eyes heavy. I stood, brushing my robes down.

“Goodnight, Riddle,” I said softly, already turning to leave, knowing I wouldn’t be receiving a response as always.

Then, just as my hand touched the doorknob, I heard his voice, light and soothing behind me.

“Malfoy’s growing fond of you.”

I froze.

When I looked back, he hadn’t moved. The moon lit one side of his face, the rest tucked under the shadows. His back was to the open window, eyes locked on mine.

“Just make sure he’s not fond of a challenge,” he said, quiet this time. “Not of you.”

Something in his tone changed. There was sharpness in his voice. Something careful. Like he was choosing not to feel something.

I smiled faintly, forcing my heartbeat to settle.

“Alright, Riddle, I shall get going now,” I replied.

And then I left.

The halls were chilling on my walk back. Empty. Quiet. But my mind wasn’t loud any more.

It just repeated his words, ‘not of you,’ until I slipped into my bed and let my thoughts carry me to sleep.

Final Word Count: 1614 words