The Slytherin common room buzzed with low chatter, the glow of green lanterns casting shadows over the stone walls. Groups of students were scattered across couches and armchairs, but your eyes went straight to Pansy and Daphne, lounging on one of the emerald-green sofas. You clutched a small velvet box in your hand as you made your way over.

The moment you sat down, both girls’ gazes zeroed in on it.

“Let me guess—another gift from your stalker,” Pansy said with a smirk, amusement glittering in her eyes.

Daphne snickered, leaning closer.

You rolled your eyes. “Yeah, yeah. It is.”

Pansy held out her hand expectantly, and with a sigh, you passed her the box. She flipped it open, and Daphne leaned in, her eyes widening at the sight inside.

A delicate teardrop diamond pendant glimmered against the velvet, a flawless emerald set at its top catching the dim light.

“Damn, girl,” Daphne breathed, glancing up at you in disbelief.

Pansy snapped the box closed and handed it back. “That’s not some cheap trinket. Whoever he is, he’s got money.”

You groaned, leaning back against the couch. “And persistence. It’s been three months. Three months of gifts, notes, and texts. No name, no face. Just… him, lurking. And now no guys can even talk to me without mysteriously ending up with bruises.”

“Maybe he’s just scared,” Pansy suggested with a shrug, twirling a strand of her dark hair.

“No way,” Daphne countered. “If he’s scaring off other boys, scared isn’t the word I’d use.”

You sighed again, frustration twisting in your chest.

From the shadowy corner of the room, Tom Riddle closed his book with deliberate calm, though his eyes hadn’t been on the page for some time. He had been watching you—listening to every word, to the confusion and irritation in your voice. The faintest smirk tugged at his lips as his gaze lingered.

You would never guess it was him. That the mysterious admirer everyone whispered about was Tom Riddle himself. The boy everyone feared, the one who revealed nothing to anyone—except you.

Soon enough, he thought. Soon, you’ll know.

And when you do, you won’t be able to walk away.