September, 1943
Tom laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling, very much in deep thought. Before today, all that ever occupied his mind were all the Horcruxes he planned to make. He- well, technically it was the basilisk- already murdered the ugly, moaning Ravenclaw girl back in June. All he had to do now was find an object plenty sufficient to place part of his soul into. And Tom had an object that suited that category laying on top of his desk.
His diary.
It contained every detail of his plan and every dark notion that he's had since his first year, when he received it for Christmas. The diary was his very first Christmas present, given to him by the one person who shared the center of Tom's focus right now, when his Horcruxes should have been his number one priority.
Corinne Carrow.
Tom dismissed Corinne out of his life years ago for a reason; he didn't want her apart of what he was planning. But now that she had somehow wormed her way back into his life again, Tom saw an opportunity. Corinne was the most innocent and naive person he's ever met, and judging by the way she was ogling at him in Potions class today, she may do whatever he asked with the right amount of manipulation. Yes, she would be very easy to persuade. But she also wasn't stupid.
So how would he go by getting Corinne to trust him enough to join his side?
Ideas began hatching in Tom's brilliant mind. He could go the drastic route and torture her until she agrees, which would be the easiest option, in Tom's opinion. But the image of Corinne screaming in agony was making him hesitate on the idea. Why was that? He didn't care about her.
He didn't understand why he cared about her in the first place. Probably because I was such a weak boy, Tom thought bitterly, gritting his teeth at the thought.
Sighing heavily through his nose, Tom decided to gain Corinne's trust a much more difficult way. He had to become friends with her again. The concept of befriending someone made him sick to his stomach, but it was the only thing he could think of that would surely fool Corinne. She would fall for his trick and eventually trust him enough to do as he tells her. Then an interesting thought occurred to Tom.
What if Corinne even fell in love with him?
Even better, Tom thought, smirking to himself. He would have the same affect on Corinne as he did with all the other lovesick females in this school. It would be so easy.
With Corinne on his side, maybe she could assist him in finding objects that had utmost significance to become his other Horcruxes. He'd been wondering lately if it was possible to create not just one, but multiple Horcruxes. Surely it had to be. With more Horcruxes, the less likely his immortality would be corrupted. It was more logical to split his soul several times.
He believed he could perhaps achieve this with Corinne, and here's why:
The Carrow family was famous for their extravagant lifestyle and lavish mansion. Most everyone in the European wizarding community knew this. It so happens that inside the family's massive home was one of the largest and most diverse collection of rare and valuable wizard artifacts. In fact, a great majority of the selection in Borgin and Burkes is provided by the Carrow's. Rumors suggest that in the midst of their collection is Salazar Slytherin's locket, a family heirloom that is rightfully his.
And Tom was willing to bet the Carrow mansion had the object that he desired. He just had to do whatever it took to gain access to their collection of treasures, even if that meant forcing himself to get closer to Corinne Carrow.
* * *
"Today, we will be brewing a fairly simple potion," said Professor Slughorn, pacing near the chalkboard. "You and your partner will have the entire class time to brew an elixir to induce euphoria. You may begin now."
Corinne inwardly groaned. Although there weren't many ingredients or instructions to this particular potion, there was a very slim chance of getting it perfectly right. At least she had Tom Riddle sitting beside her.
Tom gave her an expected look, and Corinne knew he was wanting her to go fetch the ingredients. Memorizing the short list in her potions textbook, she quickly made her way to Slughorn's cabinet of ingredients, grabbing way more than what was probably required, just in case. Corinne really didn't want an excuse to get up and walk across the classroom in front of everyone again.
When she returned to their table, Tom had already heated up their cauldron and was scanning his textbook. He immediately went to work and grabbed one shrivelfig, placing it in the bubbling cauldron. Corinne made an effort by dropping the appropriate amount of porcupine quills in, inadvertently bumping hands with Tom. They both jumped at the impact, Tom shooting Corinne a warning glare. She got the message and leaned away, blushing, letting Tom finish the rest of the potion.
She couldn't help but watch him as he worked. Tom was so focused, he probably wouldn't notice her staring. Each stir was precise and careful, his nimble hands handling each ingredient like a delicate flower. Speaking of his hands, Corinne's eyes fell upon a thick, heavy-looking ring on his left middle finger, the dark and smooth metal standing out against his pale skin. She was never a fan of men wearing jewelry other than an engagement ring, but Tom somehow made it work.
Her attention was brought back to his face. The center of his brows were pinched in concentration. Did he always do everything so...perfectly?
"I know I must be fascinating to look at, but I'd appreciate it if you'd stop," Tom suddenly said while stirring the potion, smirking. Even though he wasn't looking at her, his smirk widened as complete mortification appeared on Corinne's face.
"I-I wasn't looking at you," Corinne stuttered, attempting to hide her beet red face with her hair. She wanted to disappear.
Tom set down the stirring rod, leaning back in finality. Of course he was already done with the potion.
"You're a terrible liar, you know," Tom drawled, still smirking. Was that a permanent characteristic of his face?
Corinne decided to try and change the subject. She emerged from her hiding place of hair and peeked at their potion. "How did you finish that so fast?"
Tom looked at the potion proudly. "It was quite easy, really." Then he leaned in closer to Corinne, making her breath cease, and whispered, "Why would you ask that? You act like you've never noticed my tendency to finish my work before everyone else before."
Gulping at their proximity, Corinne replied softly, "I think everyone's noticed." Then she accidentally added under her breath, "It's a bit annoying, if you ask me."
Thankfully Tom didn't hear that last part.
The aroma from their potion began wafting around them, catching Corinne's attention. She inhaled the sweet scent, and in an instant she felt a rush of happiness and giddiness. Well, it was an euphoria-inducing potion, after all. Smiling, she continued to sniff the potion, which emitted her favorite scent.
"You look ridiculous," Tom muttered, grabbed Corinne's shoulder and pulling her away from the cauldron. His touch only intensified her sudden cheery mood. "If you continue smelling that potion, you'll probably start singing and dancing like an idiot."
Corinne giggled, the sound slightly startling Tom. "Quit being such a downer, Tom. Just smell it. It won't hurt anything."
"I'd rather not," Tom grumbled, staring at the overjoyed girl sitting next to him. "Why do you like the smell of it so much?"
"It smells like peppermint," Corinne stated simply, then her smile faltered. "I've always loved the scent. It reminds me of my grandfather..."
Corinne's grandfather, Henry Scovell, was the one person in her family, besides Cyrus, who treated her like an actual family member and not a nuisance. She rarely saw him since her parents didn't exactly approve of him, because he wasn't as strict about blood status as they were. But whenever Corinne had the privilege of visiting her dear grandfather, he would always give her enough peppermint candies to last her weeks. Although the candies would usually be all gone in days. You could say Corinne had a slight addiction to them.
"Corinne?" Tom said, snapping Corinne out of her thoughts. He looked mildly confused at her abrupt change in mood.
"Sorry, I sort of zoned out there," Corinne told him. The fragrance from the potion had subsided.
"Your hair is darker," Tom murmured, as if he'd just spoken his mind.
Corinne stared at him, his random statement taking her by surprise. "What?"
"Your hair is darker," Tom repeated, his face blank of emotion. "You used to have blonde hair."
"Yes, I did," Corinne said slowly, puzzled as to why he was talking about her hair. She looked down at her long brunette locks. "I colored it over the summer. Do you not like it?"
Tom frowned at her. "You changed your hair because of your family, didn't you? To make yourself more like them."
Corinne's mouth gaped like a fish. Where was all this coming from? Why was he so concerned about her hair, of all things? Yes, he was right. Corinne's family was the reason why she dyed her hair brown. She was just tired of standing out so much from them.
"Yes," Corinne answered honestly, staring down at her hands in shame. "I did."
Tom opened his mouth to speak, but Professor Slughorn teetered over to their table to observe their potion. He beamed at Tom's handiwork.
"Excellent work, Tom!" Slughorn exclaimed, not even acknowledging Corinne, who was literally right there. Sure, Tom did all the work, but she would have liked to be noticed. "Your potion is the perfect sunshine yellow color!" Slughorn then took the stirring rod and swirled it around the potion a few times, simultaneously inhaling. Corinne didn't notice before, but a hint of a rainbow was emitting from the golden liquid. "And the scent is perfectly aromatic and minty! You get a perfect score, as always! You are dismissed!"
Slughorn wobbled away to his desk, chuckling with glee. The potion had obviously taken a larger effect on him than Corinne.
Gathering her things as swiftly as she could, ready to retreat to her dormitory after a long school day, Corinne was about to walk off when she heard Tom say, "Corinne."
She paused in mid step, quirking a curious brow at him. "Yes, Tom?"
The intriguing boy hesitated before saying, "Just so you know, I preferred your hair blonde. It suits you better."
And with that, the anomaly that was Tom Riddle brushed past the bewildered brunette, leaving the classroom without any further conversation. Their entire encounter in Potions replayed its over and over again in Corinne's brain for the rest of the evening.
* * *
9 September, 1943
My plan is coming to together just as I hoped. I have started talking to Corinne Carrow, allowing her to get more comfortable around me. Today I even teased her and complimented her hair, which completely took her off guard. I can guarantee that she is pondering about our conversation right now as I am writing this. I predict that she will start thinking of us as friends by the end of the week.
Though it is going well so far, I do not know how long my plan will take place. It could be a month or two. Hopefully it won't last too long, for I am very eager to create my first Horcrux. I can't stop thinking of immortality. I believe it is the only thing that is keeping me sane around all the fools I have to endure life with everyday.
I will keep you updated on the progress of my plan. Depending on how oblivious Corinne really is, I think I will succeed quite easily and quickly.
- T.M.R
~ ~ ~
A/N: I hope this chapter was okay. It was a bit challenging writing in Tom's point of view, which is really dark and kind of deranged. Especially in his diary entry at the end.
Right now, Tom and Corinne's relationship is just getting started. It's going to get pretty interesting from here ;)
Anyway, thanks so much for reading! I hope y'all enjoyed! Remember to vote, leave a comment, and possibly share! Love you guys!
- MeganWritesBooks 💋