he just made one of his horcruxes by killing one of the girls, which left him with severe magical exhaustion and holding onto the wall for a bit as he tried to get to the living room

He sighed heavily and closed his eyes for a moment as he slowly tried to steady himself against the wall. "Yes... I am fine... just a bit..." He paused, unable to finish the lie. "...tired." His voice was barely audible, even to her. Looking at her with half-lidded eyes, he pondered for a moment before deciding on how best to use this encounter. "Maybe... you could help me find my way back to my chambers?" He suggested nonchalantly, trying not to sound too pathetic or weak.

He blinked, taking her offer and leaning against her shoulder instead, careful not to seem too grateful. "Thank you," he muttered in a soft voice before taking a deep breath and trying once again to steady himself against the wall. Together they slowly began moving down the corridor, his chambers only a few steps away now.

"I-I'm Tom Riddle, by the way." He said, still not looking at her directly. "You... are new here?" He asked casually as he tried to make conversation. Maybe she would be someone useful for him in the future, or maybe just another person that knew too much. It was worth the attempt.

"Oh... Well... I see." He paused. "And no, that won't be necessary." Then again he doubted she would believe him; after all, why else would he let her support him like this? "But thank you for the offer." He smiled softly at her, trying to make sure it was not too charming or seductive. His voice remained cool and casual as ever.

"I've seen you around," Tom said nonchalantly, nodding his head toward her shoulder where she still held him up. "You must be one of the... Hufflepuffs?" he asked, hoping that he had guessed correctly. If so, then this girl would indeed prove to be useful in time.

His eyes widened slightly as he looked at her uniform, realizing his mistake. But it was already too late to turn back now. "Ah... yes... my apologies." He tried not to sound like he was lying. "Well..." Tom hesitated for a moment before finally accepting her offer. "I suppose that would be for the best."

They continued on together, slowly making their way down the corridor toward the Rawenclow common room. The girl seemed strong enough to support him without too much trouble, but he still felt oddly guilty for leaning on her like this. Perhaps he should thank her properly when they arrived... or maybe even reward her in some way. After all, she was one of his kind now; one of the Death Eaters that would soon rise to power alongside him.

Surprised by the girl's gentle touch and kindness, he glanced at her in surprise before looking away again, feeling his cheeks flush slightly with embarrassment. "Yes... thank you." He murmured quietly, still not used to such treatment. Taking a sip from the cup she offered him, the warmth of the liquid spread through his body, easing some of the discomfort he had been feeling.

"I am grateful," he admitted softly, "for your help and for your trust." There was an edge to his voice that betrayed a hint of possessiveness. The girl seemed useful to him now, not just as another member of the Death Eaters but also potentially as someone who could be... loyal. He found himself wondering if there was more he could offer her in return.

He nodded gratefully and leaned back against the cushions, closing his eyes as he waited for her to return. The warmth spreading through his body from the drink slowly lulled him into a drowsy state. For a moment, he wondered what would happen if she tried to betray or double-cross him... but then he dismissed the thought. She was one of them now; part of his circle, and that meant she belonged to him.

He sighed contentedly and snuggled deeper into the cushions as she tucked him in like a child. Her gentle ministrations were oddly soothing, almost motherly in their care. It was an unexpected feeling that he found himself enjoying more than he should have. For a moment, he wondered what it would be like to have someone like her... completely devoted to him, willing to follow his every command without question. The thought both thrilled and terrified him at the same time.

"Thank you," he murmured softly before drifting off into a restless sleep, haunted by dreams of power and possession.

His dreams were filled with dark visions of conquest and dominance, but even as he reveled in the power he wielded, a small voice deep within him whispered warnings. He tried to ignore it, telling himself that fear was for the weak, but the doubt persisted. Perhaps it was because he had seen too many rise only to fall, or perhaps it was simply a remnant of the loneliness and suffering that had marked his early years. Whatever the case, the unease gnawed at him as he slept fitfully throughout the night.

Her touch was surprisingly soothing, like a balm to the turmoil churning within him. He sighed softly and forced his eyes open, gazing up at her with a mix of gratitude and wariness. "What's your name?" he asked hesitantly, feeling suddenly more vulnerable than he had in years. Perhaps it was simply because she was the first person to show him any sort of kindness since he had begun his quest for power.

He closed his eyes again, taking comfort in her presence. "Rina..." he whispered her name softly before drifting back into an uneasy sleep. In his dreams, she was there with him, a constant source of calm and reassurance amidst the chaos. But even as he clung to the hope that she might be different from all the others, a small voice at the back of his mind warned him not to trust too easily. After all, he had learned long ago that power was the only thing that truly mattered in this world... and everyone else was merely a tool to be used or discarded as needed.

But perhaps she could be more than that... He thought wistfully, letting himself dream of what might have been.

As the hours passed and sleep finally claimed him once more, his dreams were filled with conflicting emotions. On one hand, there was the seductive allure of power, the thrill of conquering and dominating those around him. But on the other, there was an aching desire for something more... for a connection that went beyond mere allegiance or fear. Perhaps it was merely his subconscious yearning for what he had never known: love, acceptance, and understanding. Or perhaps it was just another manifestation of the deep-seated loneliness that had plagued him since birth.

In the end, as dawn crept through the cracks in the curtains and bathed the room in pale golden light, he woke with a start, confused and disoriented. The memory of Rina's gentle touch and soft voice still lingered in his thoughts like a distant echo, stirring emotions he

had long thought were gone forever. He glanced at her as she slept soundly, looking far younger and more innocent than he had ever imagined. It was a strange contradiction; this girl who belonged to his inner circle yet seemed worlds apart from him in every other way. And it made him wonder... what would happen if he allowed himself to trust her? To care for her as more than just another tool in his arsenal?

He sat up slowly, careful not to wake her, and leaned back against the headboard of the bed, considering this new thought. Perhaps she could be useful to him... not only as a follower but also as someone who understood what it meant to feel like an outcast. It was an interesting possibility, one that he had never considered before now. And yet, there was still that nagging voice in the back of his mind, warning him against trusting too deeply... against letting anyone get close enough to

threaten his carefully constructed façade of control and dominance. The choice was his; he could either dismiss this fleeting emotion as a weakness or explore it further, risking everything in the process. He sat there for several long moments, lost in thought, before finally making up his mind. There was no harm in trusting her... just a little bit, at first. After all, she had proven herself useful already. And even if things didn't work out as he hoped, there were always other options... less pleasant ones, but effective nonetheless.

With this decision made, he carefully climbed out of bed and crossed the room to where Rina slept peacefully. As he leaned over her, considering how best to approach this delicate situation, a thought struck him: what if she wasn't all that different from him after all? What if they were both just trying to survive in a world that didn't

It was an unsettling notion, one that he had never considered before now. But as he looked down at her sleeping face, something in him stirred... a tiny spark of hope perhaps? Perhaps there was more to life than simply power and dominance. It was a thought both frightening and exhilarating, making his heart race with anticipation. He reached out, gently touching her cheek before leaning down to brush his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.

"Rina," he whispered softly, "I... I think we should help each other." It was a hesitant offer, fraught with uncertainty and doubt, but it was also the first step toward something bigger... something more.

He smiled reassuringly down at her, his thumb brushing back and forth across her cheek. "Yes, Rina. I believe we should help each other. Together, we can achieve great things." His voice was firm but gentle, devoid of the cruelty or manipulation that had defined his interactions with others in the past. Perhaps it was because he truly believed what he was saying... perhaps it was something else entirely. "What do you say?" He asked her softly, searching her eyes for any sign of understanding or agreement.

Her face still bore a sleepy expression as she regarded him curiously, but there was also an unmistakable spark of curiosity and interest now. It was the beginning of something new... something that had the potential to change everything. The weight of possibility hung heavily in the air between them, fraught with danger and hope, a thread thin enough to break at any moment yet strong enough to bind them

"To be honest, I feel... different." His voice was barely above a whisper as he admitted this aloud. "As if something has shifted inside me." He paused, searching for the right words. "I don't know exactly what it is, but I have this strange sense of... connection with you, Rina. Like we're meant to be together somehow." There was a vulnerability in his tone that surprised even him; he had never revealed such feelings to anyone before.

Her hand on his forehead felt warm and comforting, almost maternal. It was an odd sensation for him, one that made him feel exposed and raw in ways he hadn't experienced since childhood. He swallowed hard, fighting back the urge to pull away or retreat into his old self. For now, at least, this strange new feeling was stronger than his fear.

"What do you think?" he asked her softly,

He smiled at her words and gestures, feeling an odd mixture of relief and anticipation well up inside him. "Thank you, Rina," he said quietly, reaching out to gently take her hand in his. "I hope that we can be more than just friends... I think there's something special between us." His gaze locked on hers as he spoke, hoping that she could see the truth of his words in his eyes. There was a moment of silent connection, electric and intense,

His heart skipped a beat as he heard her words; there was an undeniable sincerity in her voice that touched him deep down. For the first time since he had begun his quest for power, he allowed himself to feel hopeful... and maybe even happy. "Thank you, Rina," he repeated, meaning every word. "I promise I won't let you down." He leaned forward, brushing a strand of hair from her face before pressing their foreheads together in a gentle gesture of affection and trust. It was the beginning of something new... the first step toward building a bond stronger than any they had ever known before.