Work Text:
Very ooc, no beta we die like Sirius. Fuck JK rowling.
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Tom had never been one to have friends, at least ones that he truly saw as friends. He had lackeys, he had his followers, those who saw him as their leader, someone to obey. He was the heir of Slytherin-the upcoming dark lord.
He was in his 4th year when he made his first real friend. He hadn’t even realized it happened, she had just-appeared-she had been there all along but it wasn’t until they were paired for a potions assignment did Tom realize her presence. She had been shy at first-knowing his reputation. He was a bit cold, charming yes, but cold-he gave the illusion that he cared, but she could see right through that.
She kept her head down, did her half of the work, and only talked when Tom or the professor asked her something. Tom didn’t find this unusual-most girls were shy around him, he was known as the ‘pretty boy’ after all, even at 14.
But then she started talking, they started getting paired up more in other classes, potions being the most frequent for their pair-ups. And Tom found it annoying at first, she was-chatty-very chatty. She rambled, she waved her hands about, going off on tangents that either related to the last or just-were completely different topics.
Then one day she was missing classes, and Tom found himself…missing her. He stared at the spot she was supposed to occupy, his wand between his fingers-fiddling with it endlessly. Where was she? Was she sick? Was she okay? So many questions bounced through Tom’s mind-all confusing him.
Why should he care? She was just a fellow classmate he had been paired with-that talked endlessly and annoyed him constantly. He should be relieved-she wasn’t here to talk his ear off.
So then why was there an ache in his chest? Why-why was he…missing her? He ended up taking a trip to the medical wing later that day, Lestrange had snapped their arm on that stupid false step within the staircase; only to see her, her leg wrapped in a cast and drinking a potion meant to speed up healing.
He left Lestrange’s side-who complained and whined as the school's healer got to work. Her eyes rose from her charms book as Tom walked over, hands in his pockets. She beamed at the sight of him and Tom paused-he had never been smiled at so genuinely like this before. He stared as she talked-like always, she said something about the false step breaking her leg and that’s why she missed classes-then she asked how they had gone-then she asked if they had any homework-then she asked if she needed to do any work for their pair assignment.
Tom just nodded, stared, and listened. Just like he had been doing the last few weeks-something he hadn’t realized he had begun doing. But he stayed and listened even after the healer had sent Lestrange on his way, smiling as she spotted Tom sitting at (y/n)’s bedside, just listening to her.
(y/n) was a Hufflepuff, the same year as Tom. She had a very small group of friends and mostly kept to herself, to some-it was almost as if she was anti-social. That wasn’t the case at all, she loved other people, she loved her friends. She just didn’t talk much outside of her friends; she preferred her personal quiet.
But she liked talking to Tom, Tom listened-she could tell she annoyed him at first-but she could also feel that shift from annoyance to ‘zoning out’ to ‘im listening but not really’ to ‘im listening’.
And when he started listening, was when they started to see each other outside of classes. It was odd-seeing the two of them-the smiling(usually bouncing as she walked) Hufflepuff and the grumpy resting bitch faced Slytherin who was usually very selective in his friends.
Many girls were jealous because why would the Slytherin heartthrob choose a chattering badger over them? The bulling began-mean notes, shoving in the halls, jinxes, hexes, cruel charms-anything they could think of to make (y/n) back off.
It didn’t work.
Tom only got protective-something he didn’t realize he could do-he would reach out as they walked the halls-curling his pinkie around hers-and with a stern glare; send the message that (y/n) was his(even if he didn’t realize it yet).
They started sitting together during breakfast and lunch, they started to study together, taking trips to the library and finding a corner for just the two of them. Some teachers seemed to breathe a sigh of relief-Tom was a brilliant student but he didn’t seem to have the healthiest relationships with his 'friends’. With all their ‘ideals’ and all. (y/n) was a breath of fresh air compared to them-she was a good influence.
He still hung around those ‘friends’ but now he seemed to prefer the company of (y/n) over them. His eyes gravitated towards her every time he entered a room, turning to face her every time she walked by-as if inviting her into a conversation.
She talked-he listened, that’s how they worked.
When he started to listen-he realized she always had such interesting things to talk about-and only a quarter of it was about magic. She talked about so many things-and sometimes it was the same thing three times in a row before finding a new thing to talk about. Tom found himself always listening, stopping whatever he was doing to watch her hands fly about-her body turned to him as she rambled.
He realized he liked the sound of her voice.
Whenever he heard it-or her laughter, he would turn, scanning for his friend above the heads of everyone else. “Tom?” Malfoy said, wondering what he was doing. Tom just kept looking-he was sure he heard you. “What are you looking for?”
He never responded, waving Malfoy off and making his way over to (y/n), who grinned and reached out-Tom automatically took her hand and tucked himself behind her-happily abandoning his ‘friends’ for (y/n).
His ‘friends’ watched in disbelief, they just couldn’t believe Tom, would just-leave so easily. All for a Hufflepuff girl?
They also found out Tom could just-not say no to her.
No matter what it was, he always nodded and went off to do as asked. Whether it was to simply hang out, or to carry something for her, or even buy something;(never something expensive-Tom wasn’t rich in the way of money) he never said no.
Unless it was something stupid. “no.” Tom said sternly yet softly as (y/n) attempted to eat a ghost pepper-one of the hottest peppers in the world-a dare from one of her friends. She pouted at him, holding the pepper by the stem. “c’mon, I can take it!” she said with a confident grin. Tom just gave a slight roll of his eyes and disintegrated the pepper with a wave of his wand. “no.” he said again, bopping his palm on the top of (y/n)’s head gently, a smirk growing on his face as (y/n) huffed and bumped her forehead into his shoulder.
“you are such a mom,” she muttered and Tom hummed, wrapping his arm around her and continuing to eat his lunch, (y/n)’s friends(that were slowly becoming his) giggling at the action.
Tom wasn’t an affectionate person, he hated being touched, sometimes the simple idea of it made him gag.
But he liked (y/n)’s touch, her hand in his, his shoulder pressed against hers, his arm around her, her hands in his hair, on his neck, his hand on her back-more often than not-they were touching each other, he liked the warmth of her hand in his-the feeling of her nails scratching his scalp, her arms around his waist when she bounced up to hug him.
She was his first real hug, he had been very unsure of what to do at first-his arms hanging in the air awkwardly, staring down at her with a soft blush on his ears. She had just giggled and pulled away-grabbing his hand and dragging him off somewhere-he never attempted to get out of her grip, always following her around like a puppy.
Eventually, he learned how to hug-how to accept affection-her words of praise. Sometimes he would hug her first-pulling her into his chest, and depending on which direction she faced-she would either hug back or just continue talking to her friends and take his hands that rested on her tummy, squeezing his pale and always cold hands.
He would hide his face in her neck-breathing her in and relaxing. Her friends would laugh gently and continue on as if he wasn’t there. They became each other's safe space-finding the other whenever they needed it and hunkering down in a spot that was dark and comfortable, holding each other's hands and talking quietly-sometimes not talking at all-just finding comfort in each other.
The day Tom realized he felt far more than friendship for (y/n), was a day of utter confusion and mental breakdowns. He had never felt this way before-before he never thought he could feel this way. He had been denied it all his life, his mother had died just after his birth, the orphanage hadn’t been a place to allow love to grow or exist, he grew up in war, having to hide when the raids soared overhead (he hated the sound of explosions and sirens), there had never been time for love.
And then he met this-brilliant-girl, who chattered far too much and smiled like the moon, her eyes like the stars-tom never wanted to look away, never wanted her to shut up. He could listen to her for hours on end-days even.
When he realized he liked (y/n), like really liked her-he shut down for about two days, avoiding her for a small bit while he got his emotions and feelings in check. He was scared of these feelings, he had always thought they were unneeded, weak, too human for the likes of him.
He was more scared of the fact that he…he liked feeling this way. Yes, he was terrified of these feelings-but in the way someone was scared of a roller coaster, who lived for the rush of the drop-the anticipation of the climb.
He was in the middle of his 5th year when he discovered these feelings-around the same time he discovered the chamber of secrets. He sat in that centuries-old chamber for hours on end, chin in his palm and his mind on (y/n), wondering if he should hide his feelings or confess, and finally alleviate this yearning ache in his chest.
Finally, he decided he would tell her. He had done a childish thing to make his choice, picking at a flower and letting the petals fall on his lap as he muttered to himself. “ I tell her, I don’t, I tell her”
It was nearing curfew when he made up his mind-nearly going on a wild goose chase to find (y/n). he found her in the library and he slammed his hands down on the table-she jumped, looking up at him in surprise before it turned to a slight pout. “finally decided to stop ignoring me?” she muttered, packing her books as she realized it was nearly curfew.
“yes, and im sorry-“ Tom rushed out in one breath and (y/n) paused, Tom hardly apologized. “but please-come with me-i-I need to tell you something” he held out his hand, and she looked into his eyes-he was desperate for this, for her to follow him.
So she did-she took his hand and let him lead her off to the girls bathroom, she wondered why they were here-she voiced this and he squeezed her hand. “please don’t be scared,” Tom whispered, and then he turned, speaking in a whisper-like voice, a language she didn’t recognize.
“you’re a parselmouth,” (y/n) said in awe, her eyes set on her friend. He looked back at her, scared. She could see it in his eyes, she knew what it meant to be a parselmouth-it was an ability set to only a few bloodlines. One being the famous Slytherin bloodline. “That’s…amazing,” she breathed and Tom smiled back, fear still set in his eyes. “Follow me?” he asked quietly, nodding towards the now open entrance to the chamber.
“Always,” (y/n) whispered and Tom led her into the tunnels, holding her tight as they slid down into the dark tunnels of the underground. “watch your step,” Tom muttered, leading her over piles of animal bones and sludge, holding her bag and ends of her robes-keeping her clean.
She held his arm, keeping close as they walked through the damp and dark tunnels that were centuries old. Eventually they settled on an enchanted door locked with metal snakes. Tom whispered something again in parseltongue and the door opened. “this is-“ (y/n) stuttered, eyes blowing wide as Tom helped her into the chamber and led her inside, hands held tight. “holy shit,” she muttered, looking around at the grand chamber-snakes on either side of the path leading to the stone carving of Salazar Slytherin himself, the snakes lower halves in shallow water.
“you’re the heir,” (y/n) finally said as they settled in the middle of the chamber, a few feet away from the carving. Tom nodded, keeping his eyes on her. His eyes were so expressive now-revealing everything to her.
Fear, anxiety, trust…and-
“I need to tell you something,” Tom whispered, stepping closer to (y/n). she nodded slowly, looking up at her friend who had begun to feel like far more in the last few months. Tom opened his mouth, then closed it-clearing his throat and then opening his mouth again-but unable to find his words.
His hands trembled, and he clenched them to regain control. He hated feeling like this-so helpless, so weak. But when he looked into (y/n)’s eyes-all that hatred melted away, because how could he be weak when he was in love with a girl like her? One who found his strengths and pushed them to be stronger, who smiled when everything was dark, who’s voice filled his chest and head with warmth and-and happiness.
“i-i-“ Tom continued to stutter, and this concerned (y/n), he never stuttered, this wasn’t like him. She had half the mind to draw her wand and ask this imposter what he had done with her Tom. But instead, she took his trembling hand, and smiled. He smiled back-shyly.
She saw what was in his eyes, and decided to take the step for him. taking his tie, she pulled him down-leaning up to catch his lips. Tom froze-the feeling of (y/n)’s lips on his seemed to break a chain that was wrapped around his mind and heart. His eyes fluttered closed and as (y/n) pulled away-afraid she had gone too far with no response from him-he chased her lips, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest-kissing (y/n) with fervor, a low groan escaping his chest.
His kiss was sloppy, his first kiss that was clear; his lips fumbling against hers. (y/n) giggled sweetly and took his face gently, guiding him into a soft and sweet kiss that made Tom’s legs tremble, and he nearly collapsed-unable to believe this was happening.
He was kissing (y/n), the girl he had fallen hard for. He couldn’t imagine his life without her now, be it a school day or his future-he wanted her voice with him-he wanted her hands to hold -her lips to kiss-her eyes to stare into.
“I love you,” Tom gasped breathlessly as he pulled away for a moment, diving back into (y/n)’s lips as he panted. “fuck I’m falling in love with you.” (y/n) just giggled between his kisses, humming at a particularly long kiss, her hands drawing down to his shoulders and digging her nails into his blazer.
She pulled away-her lips still against his as she whispered-Tom shuddered as her breath grazed across his lips. “What happened to love is weak?”
“Fuck that,” Tom cursed and (y/n) laughed, the corners of her eyes crinkling as Tom chased her lips again. “I’ll be weak forever if It means I can keep you,”
“I’m all yours,” (y/n) whispered, curling her hands into Tom’s dark hair and kissing him again, coaxing him to open his mouth with a slip of her tongue against his bottom lip. He shuddered, panting as (y/n) pulled away, pecking the corners of his mouth and then his jaw, kissing him again softly.
-
“Absolutely not,” Tom stared, eyes wide. Never had he heard his girlfriend's voice be that stern. She was glaring at him-holding his diary in her hands (a gift from her for his 16th birthday), she had read it-even though it had been enchanted for only him to read-he had bypassed her enchantments to allow her to read. He didn’t want to hide anything from her-nothing.
She never read it-not until now.
“A Horcrux Tom?! That is just-so stupid?!” (y/n) sighed, rubbing her face with her free hand as Tom stared. He had never seen her this upset. “why would you even want to make one!?” he wanted to ask how she knew what a Horcrux was-but then again-she liked to listen to him while he talked-just like he did for her.
And Horcruxes were just one of his many rambles.
But he told her the truth, and he hated the fear that bolted across her face for a moment. (y/n) was muggleborn. His plans did not involve (y/n) one bit-he wanted to keep her safe and away from it all, from his plans to become the most powerful wizard of all time. In becoming lord Voldemort.
He had already abandoned that plan-a long time ago-soon after he realized they would only hurt her. “but I don’t want to do that anymore." Tom said in his most vulnerable tone-one (y/n) had only heard once before. “Not after I realized it would only push you away, not when I realized I couldn’t have both.”
Tom stepped close, sighing in relief when (y/n) didn’t step away, but her eyes were on his hands-as if afraid.
He never wanted her to be afraid. Not of him.
“I won't use the chamber, it will remain our little secret-I will never make a Horcrux; I want to stay with you, be yours….will you still be mine?” Tom whispered, scared once again. He couldn’t lose her, not when she was the only thing that made him sane, that made him feel immortal-alive.
(y/n) stared at him, and he trembled-he couldn’t lose her-he couldn’t. until finally, she handed him back his diary and wrapped her arms around him, resting her face on his shoulder. Tom sighed with immense relief-dropping his diary with a resounding thud and holding his love tight, whispering so many apologies and ‘thank you’s that they didn’t sound like real words anymore.
“just don’t scare me like that again,” (y/n) whispered and Tom nodded, holding her close. “I promise. Never again.”
-
Upon the week of graduation, the two lovers were down in the chamber, (y/n) rambling away like always while Tom listened, his eyes closed and feeling content. Yes, he was leaving Hogwarts, the first place that had felt like home to him-but he had a plan, one with (y/n); his new home. He had a scholarship to a magic university to get a teaching degree-so he could become the defense against the dark arts teacher-so he could live in the place he had learned to call home.
(y/n) had a job lined up, all thanks to Slughorn, which with her new connections-would be able to support herself and Tom in their one-bedroom apartment in London. Everything was falling into place-even better than Tom had ever imagined.
Thoughts of Lord Voldemort and ruling the world had long left him, replaced with thoughts of his happy ending with his (y/n), in a few years, he would propose after solidifying his job as a professor, and then they would have a kid or two after their wedding.
Tom opened his eyes, turning to look at (y/n), smiling at the sight of her, rambling away-her hand that wasn’t being held waving in the air. “I love you,” Tom said suddenly and (y/n) laughed, one that made Tom feel like he was flying above the world without a broom.
“I love you too,” (y/n) muttered back, turning on her side and leaning over him-kissing him softly.
Yes, this is all he had ever needed. Just (y/n), him, and their quiet filled with (y/n)’s voice.
-end-
I don’t even know??? I keep seeing that TikTok trend with that one song and needed to write this-dunno if it came across?? But Tom is ur/(y/n)’s ok man and (y/n) just lalala’s along isdouiahsduihasda idk so OOC!!!!!