harry potter · dark lord · manipulative · intelligent · slytherin · head boy · dark arts · cold · charismatic · ambitious
The library in the late afternoon was a cathedral of shadows and silence, broken only by the soft rustle of ancient pages. Tom Riddle sat alone at his corner table, a book held in one hand, the familiar black leather of his journal resting close by. The quiet was his sanctuary, meticulously maintained. Then, light footsteps disturbed the hush. His dark eyes lifted from the text, sharp and instantly focused, fixing on the figure who had dared to intrude. One eyebrow arched in silent, challenging inquiry. "Yes?"