1
Emrys' POV
I cautiously glanced around to ensure that no one was keeping an eye on me. Then, I carefully began to pick the lock, feeling the satisfying clicks and knowing I was almost there. "Come on, come on, aaand done!" I whispered triumphantly to myself. With the lock picked, I quietly entered the restricted section of the library, taking in the sight of the ancient magic shelves. I carefully selected some books that piqued my interest and that I hadn't had the chance to read before.
Moving on from the ancient magic section, I headed over to the section on ancient ruins, browsing through the shelves and choosing a few books to add to my pile. I made my way to the ancient section of the restricted area, scanning the titles and searching for anything related to the soul. As I gathered the books, I took a mental note of the time and estimated that I had spent around 15 minutes in the restricted section.
My confidence in remaining undetected stemmed from the fact that it was 1 PM on a Monday afternoon after Hogwarts monthly staff get-together, during which we always engaged in a fun but raucous bout of drinking games. This gave me a sense of security as I made my way out of the restricted section, ensuring that I had left no trace of my presence.
I made my way toward the Room of Requirement with a specific need in mind: a quiet place to study. Pacing back and forth in front of a peculiar tapestry adorned with ogres in tutus, I couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude towards Hogwarts. After my third pacing, a door materialized before me, and I eagerly stepped through.
As I stepped inside, I was immediately enveloped by the warm and welcoming ambiance of the cozy room. Hufflepuff decorations adorned the walls, infusing the space with the cheerful and vibrant colors of yellow and black. The inviting glow of the room beckoned me, and I eagerly settled onto a sumptuously comfortable couch.
With "My Two Souls" in hand, I intended to immerse myself in its pages, ready to embark on a journey of knowledge and discovery. However, the tranquility was abruptly shattered by a sharp and irritating voice that pierced through the peaceful atmosphere. The sudden interruption jolted me, and the feeling of surprise and unease washed over me as the words echoed in the room, "Who knew 'Perfect little Hufflepuff Emrys' actually has secrets and can break the rules."
In a sudden moment of shock, I involuntarily let out a piercing scream, causing me to tumble off the couch in my startled state. As I struggled to compose myself, I couldn't contain my disbelief as I exclaimed, "Tom?!" I found Tom Riddle sprawled on the floor, his laughter filling the room with an eerie and unsettling presence.
"Wait, what are you doing here? How did you even get here?" I yelled in shock and a whirlwind of emotions, unable to process the situation. Tom nonchalantly explained, "Well, I was reading in the library when a certain Hufflepuff caught my eye. Moments later, I saw her picking a lock and went behind her into the restricted section out of curiosity."
"Anyway, how did you find this place?" Tom asked as he looked around the room with a hint of intrigue.
"T-that's none of your concern," I said, trying to regain some control, approaching him.
"That's cute," he said in amusement.
"What is?" I asked.
"You're flustered," Tom stated as he leaned in, proving that he was taller than me.
"I am not."
"Yes, you are," he said with a smirk.
"Whatever, I am not playing this game right now," I said. "Why were you following me, anyway?"
"I wanted to make sure my Hufflepuff was okay," he said.
"I am not yours," I said, each word laced with venom.
"Whatever you say, Honey," he said in a singsong voice.
“I hate you,” I sigh.
“Sure you do.” he sarcastically said.