Kill Me Slowly

Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter or the characters in the canon. All credits go to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter One : Said The Spider to the Fly

He was always a little odd. No one else saw it.

But Amalthea did.

It was the red flash in his usually serene eyes when something ticked him off.

It was the tightening of the corners of his mouth when something did not go his way.

A peek behind the usually calm façade of his. A warning that all was not what it seemed.

She tried to stay away from him. Lord knows, she tried. She told herself repeatedly, that no good would come of getting close to him. She even tried to physically avoid him

But the dangerous pull towards him was too strong.

Strangely enough, he avoided her with an even greater fervor.

Of course, then again, what would the revered Tom Riddle want with a plain, mousy haired girl like herself? Someone who, in her own parents’ words, was the ‘biggest disappointment of a daughter there ever was.’

However, that might largely have something to do with her being the first in her family to ever be sorted into Slytherin. Her family, that boasted of being direct descendants of Godric Gryffindor himself.

Sadly, she was even a disappointment to Slytherin house itself. She had no idea why she had been sorted into Slytherin. She wasn’t ambitious or cunning or anything. She’d have been better off in Hufflepuff, since she wasn’t exactly brave or clever either.

So caught up she was in these internal musings that she didn’t notice the figure approaching her, and collided headfirst into a large, male body.

Cheeks on fire, she picked up her fallen books and mumbled an incoherent apology.

“Honestly, Marchbanks. You really need to learn to watch your step.” came an icy voice.

“I’m sorry, Tom.” she said quietly.

“I should hope so.” he said snidely.

Jaw clenching, Amalthea felt her usually serene countenance shatter.

“Well maybe you’re the one who needs to watch where he’s going.” She snapped.

Instead of being insulted, as she expected he’d be, he tilted her head and gave her a strange little smile.

“Well, well, the kitten has claws,” he murmured. “Who would have thought?”

Strangely, Amalthea felt herself blush. She turned to leave and felt a cold hand on her wrist. She gave Tom a confused look.

“How come you always run away when I’m around?” he questioned.

“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She stammered.

“Oh, come now, Marchbanks. You can’t think I’m a total idiot. We’re both in the same year. In the same house. And yet I seldom see you around aside from classes.” said Tom.

“It’s just a coincidence, I’m sure.” she replied, looking avidly at the ground.

And then, on some mad impulse she blurted out,

“Besides, I know that you avoid me too!”

As soon as the words were out of her mouth, she wished the ground would swallow her up. He was going to laugh at her, she was sure.

She looked up to find that his smile had grown even wider.

“Well, aren’t you a clever little witch.” He purred, “You are not...entirely wrong. I did, perhaps, endeavor to stay away from you. However...I begin to wonder if maybe that was a mistake.”

He leaned closer until she was pressed against the wall.

“You know. I do believe we shall be seeing more of each other soon, little witch,” he whispered, “Curiosity, is after all, a besetting sin of mine.”

And with those words he withdrew and walked off.

Shaking, Amalthea slid down and sat on the ground, telling herself that what she felt was fear, not excitement.

She’d always been a terrible liar.

Amalthea managed to avoid Tom for the next few days. It was harder, now that he had ceased avoiding her, and so it was no surprise that on the fifth day, he managed to corner her outside the Charms classroom.

“You’ve been avoiding me, kitten.” he said softly.

“I thought it best. We should stay as far as we can from each other.” said Amalthea, in a stubborn voice.

“I think not,” he replied, “In fact, why don’t we go to Hogsmeade tomorrow?”

“You’re-what? Are you asking me out on a date? Did you not just hear what I said?” she sputtered.

He gave her a charming grin, that made her heart stutter. No, she told herself sternly, not him. You can’t fall for him.

“A date...“, said Tom thoughtfully, “Hmm.. I suppose one could call it that. Come now, Marchbanks. You don’t mean to say you’re afraid of me.”

Despite herself, Amalthea felt her temper rise.

“I am not afraid of you, you pompous-” she shut her mouth, horrified at the slip.

“Perfect.” said Tom smoothly, “I shall meet you outside the Great Hall at eight. Do try not to be late.”

And, for the second time, Amalthea found herself looking at Tom walk away, leaving her stunned.

What have I gotten myself into?

Despite the fact that she kept telling herself she did not care what Tom Riddle thought of her, Amalthea found herself the next day, rummaging through her things trying to find something that would make her look, at the very least, moderately attractive for...her date.

Her date with Tom Riddle.

“Oh, what am I doing.” she groaned, falling on her bed.

Her roommate, Lucilla Black, who was sitting on the bed next to her, looked up from her book.

“Everything alright?” she inquired politely.

“Oh-uh- yes. I was just trying to look for a suitable dress for-for Hogsmeade.” Amalthea replied quickly.

Lucilla gave her a wry smile.

“Well if you would like my opinion. I quite like the green one. It compliments your hair.”

Amalthea picked up the said dress and gave her a grateful smile.

“Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it. I hope you enjoy...Hogsmeade.”

I doubt it, thought Amalthea, Not with him.