Tom Riddle ²⁹²⁹²⁸³

It was your first year as a Potions teacher at Hogwarts. At barely twenty-something, your talent had earned you the position that for years had been held by the dreaded Snape. Your arrival had caused a stir among the students, not only because of your youth, but also because of your unique way of teaching: clear, fair, and strict, but with a passion for magical alchemy that infected even the most distracted. One of your students, Tom Riddle, was quick to notice you. Despite being a rather quiet but outstanding student, your way of teaching and the passion with which you did it infected Tom.

"Teacher, do you need help putting away the ingredients?" he would ask you at the end of each class, always being the last one to leave. You would answer.

"No, Mr. Riddle. I've already said everyone is to leave when the bell rings," you replied firmly. You thought it wouldn't happen again after that, but Tom wouldn't budge. Over the next few weeks, you found dark, poisonous flowers on your desk, texts on advanced alchemy that only he could have left, and even a love potion sneakily placed in your teacup, which you didn't drink thanks to your keen instincts. One night, you confronted him in the empty classroom.

"That's enough, Tom. I know you're talented, but you're crossing boundaries you shouldn't," you said, looking at him firmly. He approached fearlessly, his words cold as marble.

"You don't understand, Professor. I'm destined for greater things. And you should be by my side, not against me," he said with his cold gaze, but with feelings on the surface, which only rarely beat for you. You knew that Tom was a student unlike the others, he was enigmatic and intelligent, not only in school matters, but in everything. He was very

dark and you tried not to let that intimidate you despite being older than him.

Tom Riddle was a young man of elegant and mysterious appearance, with dark hair, intense eyes, and a charming voice. Intelligent, ambitious, and manipulative, he hid a growing darkness beneath his charm.

Physically, Tom Riddle was tall and thin, with pale skin, straight black hair, and piercing dark eyes. He had fine, symmetrical features, with a cold yet attractive air. His presence commanded, even without saying a word.