Chapter 13

"Lately our conversations end like it's the last goodbyeYeah, one of us gets too drunk and calls about a hundred timesSo who you been calling, baby, nobody could take my placeWhen you're looking at those strangers, hope to God you see my face

YoungbloodSay you want meSay you want meOut of your life

And I'm just a dead man walking tonightBut you need it, yeah, you need itAll of the time

YoungbloodSay you want meSay you want meBack in your life

So I'm just a dead man crawling tonight'Cause I need it, yeah, I need itAll of the time

You push and you push and I'm pulling awayPulling away from youI give and I give and I give and you take, give and you take

You're running around and I'm running awayRunning away from you, from you"

Youngblood, 5 Seconds of Summer

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"I have something for you" Riddle announced after she already said goodnight after their patrolling shift.He reached her and turned around her wrapping something around her neck.Evelyn grabbed the thing before he could lock it "What are you doing?"."You don't like it?".She watched the old necklace she had into her fist "I like it. But what does it mean?".She forbid to Vincent to make her such gifts, she couldn't accept them from others."Give it the meaning you want. Is here any law that forbid me to give you a gift?" He smirked in a way that she made her turn diffident."I am more concerned with your real intentions"."It's just a friendly small gift. How could that be a menace?"."Are you used to give gifts to every girl?" She handed the necklace to him."What's that supposed to mean?" He said looking offended."I don't know. You tell me".He inhaled deeply and looked at the necklace into her hand "If you don't want it, don't give it back to me. Just throw it away. But please, appreciate the thought".

Before she could think of something to say, he walked away, leaving her alone with that odd necklace.She rushed into her room and exanimated the jewel.She was quite sure there was some trick inside it. Was it a way to spy her? To read her mind? She considered it anything except a simple gift. Because why Riddle would have given her a gift? She refused any expensive gift from Vincent, she didn't want sparkling jewels she wouldn't enjoy to wear. And now she had to take an old necklace from Riddle. Where did he steal it? She knew he was too poor to afford jewels. Why giving it to her?In the end her solution was to send that necklace to her uncle asking what he thought of it. And he revealed that it wasn't just an old necklace, but a valuable one very popular in eighteenth century.Is it was valuable why didn't Riddle sell it to get some money, knowing that he lacked of money?Some days she waited for him to ask her for some money, but he didn't even care to ask her what she did with the necklace.He just checked thay she didn't wear it as she never wore any other jewel except her uncle's pendant.

Neal distracted her by wrapping an arm around her shoulder before Vincent could reach her."We missed you a lot during today's lesson of Potion" he said winking."Why?".Vincent pushed his best friend away to replace him "We dealt with the amortentia today. Guess who did I smell?"."Slughorn's armpit?".They all burst out laughing.She wrestled against Neal's arm that tried to pull her to him."That's my girl. Vince, when's your next date with lovely Horace?".Vincent scowled at him, then took the girl away from his reach "I smelt flowers and soap. No doubts it was you".She stepped away from him too "Well, just don't play with that sort of potions"."We don't need a love potion, now do we?" Vincent whispered to her ear."Actually Vince mentioned he'd like to give you some amortentia to get a real kiss from you" Neal announced loudly."Neal, you bloody..." Vincent tried to hit him with anger, but Neal avoided him and pulled the girl away from him."Evy, you're really torturing him. He can even kiss a portrait just for practice and imagining it's you" Neal scolded her."Neal, that's none of your business" Vincent barked."Sure. I just want to help my best friends"."And you're not so helpful" Vincent replied blushing."We can make a bet" Neal announced gathering his other mates "Who will get a real kiss from her. But she must be willing to the kiss. Otherwise it would be cheating. And the kiss is already a big reward"."That's really an awful bet, Neal" Evelyn said disgusted, catching an imploring glance from Vincent that made her feel more uncomfortable."That's genial" Neal stated proudly "You want to kiss me so badly, don't you, Evy? I always knew it".She scowled at him, then noticed Riddle's stare from a corner while none of the boys cared of his presence."Stop deceive yourself, Neal. Now if you excuse me, I have duties to do"."Sure. Goodnight, miss Prefect".Vincent looked at her remorseful and hopeful at the same time, but his friends dragged him away from her."You're not getting a goodnight kiss tonight. You have to work hard for that and it means you need some good rest".Evelyn felt numb to their laughs.Riddle approached her without commenting and together they walked to the floor they had to patrol.

"I fear we are only wasting our time patrolling here" Riddle commented after a while."I enjoy being a Prefect as much as you do, trust me"."That's not what I meant. I mean we are patrolling in the wrong places because the rule breakers know that we are here".She eyed him with curiosity "So what do you know?"."Let's go, I'll show you" he led her out of the castle. She missed going out at night."Are you ready? Or do you prefer going back indoor?" He nodded to their alternative option."The Forbidden Forest. It's forbidden to go there".She crossed Riddle's amused glance, remembering the times they broke that rule. But now they were prefects and they had to report anyone who dared to broke rules."Let's go" Riddle took her hand and pulled her to run after him."What's going on?" She whispered alarmed hearing some scary noises."It's worse than I imagined. Someone sneaked out of the castle to tease the creatures of the forest"."Creatures?" She repeated with fear."Yes. Stay close to me whatever happens, okay? It's dangerous".She startled seeing some tree brunches ripped away on the horizons."Trolls?" She whispered incredulous."It looks like he wants to meet someone more similar to him and so is causing troubles" Riddle commented with annoyance."Who? Hagrid?" She snapped, freezing when she saw other trees disappearing and inhuman cries. Her necklace pinched her but she already knew she was in danger.Riddle grabbed her arm "See what happens while we are patrolling safely into the castle? Now don't leave my side".They walked to the battlefield when she only wished to run back to the castle to ask for help.They finally were approached by Hagrid himself, who was running away from a group of angry trolls.Riddle instructed her of what spells to use to stop the creatures and make a solid shield, but she was too stressed to control her own magic.Hagrid shouted to them to run away, then he hid behind their back while the two Prefects tried to stop the horde with magic.They created the shield, then rished towards the castle.Evelyn kept glancing at her back, the trolls were still fighting to chase them."It won't resist longer" she complained and her words soon became reality. The trolls came close quickly and the three had to stop because they had no chance to be faster than them.Riddle attacked some of them with forbidden spells while Hagrid picked some rocks and wood to throw to the trolls, who started to imitate him.Evelyn watched Riddle's back while the beasts were surrounding them. Most of them got harmless thanks to his magic while she was in a defensive mode.Evelyn widened her eyes at the sight of the troll throwing something right against her. Her instinct suggested her to use her wand, but all of a sudden a heavy body bumped against her making her fall on her back.Her shock increased while she stared at Riddle on the top of her.He turned and casted some spells that repelled the remaining trolls.Then he promptly stood up and helped the girl as well."Are you alright?"."Yes" she said breathlessly."Are you sure?".She wasn't but she nodded anyway.Riddle turned his head and scowled at the bewildered half giant "Now you come with us back to the castle and you'll explain this to the headmaster"."'M I in big troubles?"."It's not up to me" Riddle nodded him to walk before them and they crossed the forest without a word. He didn't let go of Evelyn's hand, but she was too confused to complain about it.She felt better only when they safely stepped into the school. On the other hand Hagrid looked terrified.Evelyn watched the half giant stepping gloomily towards the headmaster's office. Each step of him was like a small earthquake."He's not evil. He's just curious and reckless, just like us. But he's not prudent enough".She felt Riddle's gaze on her but she tried to ignore it."Come on, it's almost curfew's time".She followed him, getting surprised just when she realized they were heading to the kitchens.Riddle poured some fruit juice for both of them. She didn't noticed she was so thirsty until she started drinking.They agreed they wouldn't talk about the battle with trolls to their other schoolmates. Drearily Evelyn presumed that Vincent wouldn't let her being a prefect anymore if he knew.She was keeping so many secrets from him. She realized she was acting with him most of the time and he barely knew the real her.

Hagrid made lose many other points to Gryffindor and for a while he didn't dare to look for more troubles.Evelyn disliked that she couldn't talk about the adventure with trolls to her friends and flatter herself a bit. And she couldn't do that with the only person who joined that same experience."I heard you rejected your nomination for portraying Slytherin last year" she said to break the silence and distract her thoughtful mind.Riddle smirked at her to conceal his surprise "I guess you wouldn't have accepted to dance with me".She recalled her dance with Lestrange, imagining an exchange with Riddle. She smiled mockingly "You will never know. If I knew there was the possibility of rejection I'd have done the same"."Why? You've been stunning".Evelyn shared her thoughts.Riddle seemed more interested to listen to her more than Vincent ever tried. She could freely talk to him about her beloved uncle and the weird items he collected into his shop. She knew that by coincidence Riddle was fascinated by everything was linked to dark arts, still she enjoyed being confident with him. He was a perfect listener and he always found the right thing to say without being flatter nor repetitive.And he could give useful suggestions nobody else would have dared to think.

"It's nice...patrolling with you" she confessed at the end of their patrol hours."I was about to tell the same".She gave him a look to show she didn't believe them, then they crossed another prefect."Evelyn! Nice to see you" Stuart Cowley stared at her mesmerized, not even noticing the other prefect.She forced a small smile "Hmm same. Everything alright?"."More than alright" he smiled sheepishly."Good. Same. Nothing to report tonight" she glanced at Riddle, who didn't hide his annoyance "So...goodnight"."Goodnight and sweet dreams" Cowley said dreamily.Evelyn turned and walked up to her tower, leaving the two prefect boys alone.Cowley was still staring at the corner where the girl disappeared."Those lips are made to kiss me" he said dreamy.Riddle shot him a nasty look that the Hufflepuff prefect didn't notice."I wish I'm called Vincent Fawley, instead of Cowley. But she doesn't love him. She never kissed him because she's keeping her first kiss for me".Cowley giggled then he walked away happily humming to himself.Riddle bitterly shook his head, mumbling to himself "You have no chance".

Slughorn got the bad idea of organizing a masquerade ball for his birthday before his first exclusive dinner.Evelyn felt irritated and wished she could avoid it but Vincent publicly asked her to go with him. And her roommates got more enthusiast even if they weren't invited and chose for her a flashy dress and an elegant mask.Evelyn felt forced like when she had to portrait Ravenclaw. Nobody asked her opinion and gave her any choice.At least there would have been many dressed people and a mask was enough to hide into the crowd.Vincent came to accompany her dressed as a prince, making many girls gape at him when he came to sight. And Evelyn just grew more nervous when she took his arm and was at the center of attraction with him.Slughorn didn't save any money to make it appear as a big selfmade party gift. The invited students brought some gift to flatter him. Evelyn was glad that Vincent thought of it saving her from that other problem.She recognized Tom Riddle. He was dressed in the usual black suit with the simpliest black mask with some green and silver threads. His dark hair were well combed and shining. And all this black was in neat contrast with the pale of his skin. And he was the most handsome guest without even trying.He gave her a slight nod when he noticed her staring and she immediately looked away, soon distracted by Vincent who was persuading her to join the impromptu dances. The teacher himself was calling his guests to gather in the middle of the large classroom that became a smaller double of the Great Hall and he was asking to dance for him.Evelyn knew she was bad at dancing and the crowd made it harder. She crushed Vincent's feet several times but he barely cared, like he got used to it.Then it turned to group dances and the matches had to regularly change, moving in circles around the room.Evelyn stiffly followed the rhythm but she just wished it was all over soon. She got to dance even with the teacher, who cared more of talking than dancing when she was definitely not talkative in such an unpleasant situation. When the matches changed again, she rushed away from the old wizard to bump against a hard chest.She winced while a hand gently pulled her closer, leading to the next dance."This is my turn" Riddle said smirking.She gaped remembering when she discovered he should have been Slytherin in the last play and so she would have danced with him instead of Lestrange."Relax. Just two more rounds" he said placing her hand on his shoulder and resting his other one confidently on her waist.She stared at him mesmerized, unable to say anything.He led her masterly and to her surprise she never hit his feet even if they were so close.He made her turn and she realized she was starting to enjoy it."You look like you're about to faint" he whispered leaning towards her to be heard about the loud music."I'm fine" she forced her voice out "Hmm, are you enjoying?"."Now yes" he smiled quizzically "At least you're not moving too much, just forgetting when you impatiently came to meet me".She felt herself blushing, a wave of his scent hit her nostrils. And she liked that wild smell."I'm letting you lead" it was silly to say, but she had to tell something to distract her mind."Yes, because you know I like leading" he smirked "And for your information, you're not such a bad dancer as you think".She frowned, but her heart leapt at the compliment, sensing that he was somehow sincere. Or simply he helped her being more confident.He made her turn a last time, then people moved for a new rotation, but he grabbed her waist and dragged her out of the circle, making them find a place between other newly made couples.It happened so fast she barely noticed what occurred.Scanning the crowd, she recognized Vincent who looked lost since the last change should have restored the first couples. But the girl who was also unmatched was more than enthusiast to end with him."This is cheating, Riddle" Evelyn hissed turning to stare in shock at the handsome eyes of the Slytherin prefect."He has plenty of time to dance with you" Riddle pulled her closer again "While this might be my last chance".She felt dizzy, unable to understand the real meaning behind his words. She looked worriedly at her boyfriend, who looked clearly annoyed for his partner's advances "Then why did you bring her?"."I had no choice" his sad tone made her look at him again. Evelyn couldn't tell what was going on. The music was slowing down and was sweeter. She felt so awkward to dance it with someone who wasn't her boyfriend. Still she felt good into Riddle's arms. His hands weren't rude as some of her previous partners. But they were holding her steadily and were preventing her from making wrong steps. And he was so handsome she wasn't able to take her eyes off of him while his eyes were lingering on her all the time.The music slowly died and she found herself trapped into his arms and against his body. That embrace was wrong.She stepped away from him while the people were cheering and clapping, her breathing fast and her eyes wide with shock.Riddle approched her again and lifted his hands to her face. She wished to run away, but she was petrified.The boy took her mask and slipped it away from her head.She blinked feeling exposed but never stopped staring at him.He leaned closer and her mind slowly realized she had to do the same to him.With her heart beating furiously, she watched her trembling fingers unlacing his mask, that easily ended into her hands. But her eyes were enchanted by his dark ones.Her fingers still trembling and striving for touching his hair.He was so gorgeous it was painful to her.With a sinister smile, he took her hand and bowed in front of her to rest his full lips on her skin, his eyes never leaving hers.If Evelyn had to faint, that was the best moment.But she just stayed still, watching Riddle stepping back, then with some long paces he disappeared into the crowd.A hand on her shoulder made her jump in surprise."Evy, what happened?" Vincent looked happy to finally having found her."Hmm, I'm sorry... I did a mess".He touched her cheek smiling and she recalled she had blushed."It was so demanding" she complained blaming it on the dance."I know, but it's over now. I'm glad we're together again" he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.Evelyn winced realizing she was still holding Riddle's mask and hurriedly she hid it in a secret pocket of her dress.The dinner was luxurious with exotic food.Slughorn thanked everyone once again, casually referring to Riddle's boxes of iced pineapples as his preferred gift.His favourite student was sitting on his right. Evelyn was right on the opposite side of the large table. So far from him, but it was enough to lift her eyes to see his gorgeous features that her mind was trying to impress into her memory.Evelyn tasted a bit of every dishes, often sharing plates with Vincent. She noticed some bad glanced from the envious girls around.The party ended without any other big surprises.Vincent suggested to have a walk in the castle just to remember he had to wake up earlier next morning, so he dismissed her with a soft kiss on her cheek.Evelyn wasn't disappointed since she just wanted to be alone.She stayed a bit longer to watch the people slowly leaving, using the excuse of her position as prefect. She didn't realize that there was a photographer at the party and she panicked at the sight a picture of herself dancing with Riddle.She hoped Slughorn would keep the pictures private.The girl remembered she still had Riddle's mask, but she didn't dare to look for him to give it back.She left casually, roaming in the corridors with her mind still working so fast she felt dizzy.She looked around to recognize the people who were walking too, then her eyes got attracted by a boy fully dressed in black.She forced herself to ignore him, since he was talking to a housemates, just to end up meeting him."Were you waiting for me?" Riddle mocked her, but his smirk wasn't enough to make him appear less gorgeous."No" she said too fast, then she took out his mask "But I have to give this back to you".He nodded towards a secondary corridor and she followed him without complaining.When he took his mask, his fingers touched her skin provoking rushes of unexplainable feelings into her. She forced herself to believe he did it on purpose to embarass her more.She got her mask back, then they stopped by a large window, away from curious eyes and ears."It was too pompous for my tastes" he commented with a tired sigh "What do you think?"."I agree"."I guess I'll find a way to avoid next invitations. Or I'll have to focus on something else to bear such tiring hours" he smirked but she ignored it."Everyone else seems to have had fun"."But we're not everyone else" he smirked, then scanned his mask and sniffed it "This smells of you now. Good".She widened her eyes in disbelief while her cheeks were burning red.He laughed amused "No matter what I say to compliment you, you always react in the same way"."Was that a compliment?" She snapped."Of course it was. Did I forget to tell you that your smell is so delicious?".She frowned "Riddle, you're sounding like a perv now""Do I also look like one?" He raised his brow, then laughed shaking his head, his hair still perfectly crowning him "If I say something like that in the way I say to you to any other girl, surely she'd fall to my feet believing what I never meant to"."I'm not any other girl"."Sure, definitely you are not. Well, goodnight" he made a small bow, then moved away."Goodnight" she replied moving to the opposite direction."Hmm, Evelyn?".She looked back with a questioning look "Yes?"."It had been nice to dance with you"."Because I didn't try to crush your feet?".He slightly shook his head "Because you were the most beautiful at the party. I had to steal you from Fawley. Sweet dreams".

Those words tormented her also in the following morning.Vincent was already coming back from the Quidditch trainings when she was walking to have breakfast.And he decided to stick around her for the whole day.When they stepped out of the common room to go to dinner, something fell from her pockets.Vincent picked it up and she noticed it was a piece of paper. But the worst thing were the words on it.

Dearest Evelyn,I really hope you can meet me on the astronomy tower after dinner tonight. I'll show you what I promised you to.Looking forward to see you again.Yours,Tom

Evelyn gaped in shock while Vincent looked at her betrayed "Evy? What does that mean?"."I don't know. But surely it's a prank" she assured nervously."I thought you were rivals, formal and stuff like that" he was smart enough to understand that there was only one Tom in the castle who could approach her in that way."And you're right. This means nothing. I'm sure that it's Milly's evil plan. To put us against each other" she grabbed his hands and he looked hesitant."So... you're not going to this date?"."Of course not. Because I'll be with you" she promised.Instead he did the opposite. He wanted to go at the date at any cost."Vince, please. Let's just stay here" Evelyn tried to persuade him but he was blinded by the doubt."I have to deal with him. Surely being a prefect made him believe that he can do anything, but this is too much"."What do you think you'll find there? You'll just fall into a trap"."Maybe he prepared a lovely room for you two. What is that he wants to show you so badly?".She frowned offended then snapped "Nothing. Vince, trust me. It's nothing. That's a prank"."I have to see it with my eyes. You don't know.. But I do. Better, you go to this date and I'll hide and look after you"."Using me as a bait?" She exclaimed."So we'll both find out what the truth is. Don't worry, I'll be near to you. You'll be safe".

It was a bad idea, but Vincent dragged her on the tower just before midnight and she found herself waiting for the world to crush on her.She almost wanted to give a sign to warn Riddle about Vincent.But when she reached the top of the tower, she didn't see anyone. She felt a bit disappointed. But also relieved.The necklace was warm under her shirt. No menaces.She looked up at the starry sky, admiring them. Minutes passed but nobody came.Nothing happened.Vincent came out from his hiding place with a confused expression."Then, you were right" he mumbled."You didn't dare to trust me" she accused him bitterly."I was confused, Evy. And jealous too. I'm sorry".He tried to reach for her hand, but she stepped away "I just want to go to sleep now. See you tomorrow"."Evy..."."Don't say anything please. It would just make it worse" she warned rushing back to their tower and to her bed, to his her tears of anger.

On the next morning she had a Transfiguration lesson in common with Riddle, so she skipped breakfast and waited to spot him somewhere.When finally his tall frame emerged with a group of students, she approached him and pushed him into a quiter corner.She took out his note and handed it to him "What is this?"."Just few words?" He said innocently."You!" She snapped unable to keep her anger anymore."Me" he replied calmly.She almost wanted to attack him and slap him hard, but she just clenched her fists "What game are you playing at?"."It's not a game. It's not my fault if your dear boyfriend is so possessive. But I can't even blame him" he commented warmly.Evelyn inhaled deeply with shock "Is that what you planned? For him to read your fake note and turning him against me? Is this what you want? For us to break up?".He rolled his eyes and said patiently "All I want is you to see that you deserve someone better than him. Are you happy with him? Be honest, please"."That's not your business!" She snapped."I take it as a no. Anyway, I really wanted to see you. To give you this".He put a weird ring into her hand, unwrapping her fist."You told me your uncle was striving to get it back. And I found it. Hidden in the school. I hope he'll be happy to have it back".The sudden change of topic confused her. She blurted a simple "Thanks"."You're welcome, Evelyn" he said with a smile."But it doesn't make you earn my forgiveness, Riddle. That note of yours was really unappropriate. We're not that confident" she warned."I just used our names. What's the matter with it?"."You signed as Tom" she stressed out."Isn't that my name?"."A name you hate and that I almost never used".He shrugged "Well, you can always call me Tom. I wouldn't mind"."Riddle, whatever this game is, I don't like it. Please stop".Their discussion made them be late at the lesson, but Dumbledore didn't blame them althou he kept an eye on the for the whole hour.He was introducing a new branch of his subject by telling an old bedtime story and it made Evelyn get lost into her confused mind."Miss Burke, would you like to give a comment on what I've narrated so far?" Dumbledore said suddenly aloud.Evelyn froze. She didn't catch a word of the teacher's whole speech and surely he noticed that.She gaped, but her voice didn't come out.Another voice saved her "Sir, can I ask a question? Why the goblins didn't agree to the first proposal of peace?".Dumbledore moved his eyes to Riddle and gladly replied, apparently forgetting his own question.Evelyn sighed in relief, knowing she was safe. For the moment.