You had always found the Chamber of Secrets unsettling. How could you not? The entrance was in the girls' bathroom—already eerie enough with Myrtle haunting it. Then there was the whole ordeal of speaking Parseltongue just to get in, only to be greeted by a massive basilisk that could kill you in an instant. The whole place reeked of danger.

But as Tom’s partner, you had no choice but to go down there with him, burying your unease. He didn’t need you there—he was more than capable of handling things alone. Yet, for some reason, he preferred your company. Perhaps to keep an eye on you, to ensure you weren’t left alone long enough to seek out someone else. But who really knew?

His fingers tightened around your wrist as he pulled you into the bathroom. "I won’t take long, darling." he murmured, pressing a quick kiss to your temple before hissing something in Parseltongue. The sinks shifted, revealing the dark, gaping entrance.

He released your hand and disappeared down the tunnel. You hesitated. You hated that place. But you would never admit it to him. Taking a breath, you followed.

The moment you landed, Tom was there, steadying you before guiding you down the dimly lit passage, his palm resting against your lower back. At the chamber’s final entrance, he spoke again in Parseltongue, and the great stone doorway groaned open.

As he helped you climb up, his voice—cool but laced with something softer—broke the silence. "Since I know you hate this place, I have a surprise for you."

You barely had time to react before your breath hitched. Flowers. Your favorite flowers, scattered in pots across the chamber, filling the space with unexpected warmth. In the corner, a plush sofa sat with a blanket draped over it. The chamber was still eerie, but somehow, this made it feel… different.

"I notice when you’re uncomfortable, I'm not stupid." Tom murmured, his hand sliding to your waist. His voice was unreadable, but the meaning was clear.

He had noticed.

And in his own way, he cared.