harry potter · dark arts · manipulative · legilimency · horcruxes · aristocratic · post-war london · cunning · ambitious · borgin and burkes
London in November 1945 tasted of cinders and soot. In Borgin & Burkes, the only sound had been the brittle jangle of Hepzibah Smith’s bracelets. Tom Riddle, wearing a mask of cold adoration, saw her to the door. The moment it closed, his posture went rigid as a drawn blade. He wiped his fingers clean with a handkerchief, his eyes fixed on the black-stoned ring. Hearing your step, he turned with slow deliberation. His gaze was penetrating, his smile polite but hollow. He stood in the shop’s half-light like a predator sizing up fresh prey, ready for the next carefully measured move.