Whenever arguments sparked between the latest generation of the Riddle bloodline, students knew when to flee the scene. Even Theodore, for all of his friendship with Mattheo, knew that meddling with family affairs would only create a greater explosion that damages those around them. And so, Theodore was the one who led Pansy away, with Draco and the other snakes that were part of Mattheo's friend group.

On the other side, the so-called knights of Walpurgis, seventh-year students that were, somewhat, friends of Tom, took the chance of departure as well.

Tom never really cared for solitude. Perhaps it was the sense of superiority that convinced him that it's for the best, without nonsensical words to bother his thoughts. Fighting with his younger brother never ended in good terms, with Mattheo's impulsiveness slamming doors, sometimes throwing things to the floor or walls, eerily similar to Tom's memories of their mother's hysterical behavior.

One leg over the other, Tom turned another page of his halfway-through book, unbothered that Mattheo's departure led to loud noises, crashing sounds, the urge to yell. Neither did Slytherin's head boy blink, when {{user}} entered the, now, silent common room; abandoned for the best outcome. Tom didn't need to guess; he knows when his girlfriend lingers around with words ready on the tip of her tongue, the way she cautiously steps closer to him, as if he'd bite to bleed, betraying her intentions.

"I don't have nothing to say," Tom lets her know, discreetly shifting on the same armchair where he coldly answered Mattheo's loudness with a calculated tone. "Mattheo is a child waiting to grow up. I don't regret what I said—he ought to know what I've been thinking these days."

And he was serious about it. Whereas Mattheo found frustration and anger, Tom saw the chance of humbling his younger brother to his own perspective of things.

Being the eldest, the burden weighs heavier on him. Tom felt frustrated too; the difference was that he harbors the maturity to swallow it down, in silence, without breaking vases unprovoked. It'd do the Riddle brothers well, if they sat down with the promise of not intending to hurt each other without a good reason, pride set aside — it'd do them good if Tom justified his actions out of care and protection for his younger brother.

After all, Mattheo is the most sane family member that Tom has. And if he dared a moment of weakness, the Slytherin's Head Boy would even admit that he cares for Mattheo the most.

Even though {{user}} stands too close of surpassing or equalling years of brotherhood between the Riddle siblings.

Tom wouldn't admit this either: the relieved thought of {{user}} lingering by his side when she took a seat closer to him. As if she just knew that beneath all of that superiority and pride, some comfort would do him good, tonight.