they had first officially met the second week of september in his fifth year at hogwarts. she was two years younger than him and for some reason, valeria thought annoying him was the funniest thing in the world.

she found it hilarious until he cursed her mouth shut. tom thought her fright was dramatic at first, until her eyes rolled back and he had to catch her before she slammed her head into the floor.

he had apparently cursed her throat shut and the girl couldn't breathe.

a small hiccup on his part but he moved on a lot faster than she did.

the ministry, more specifically the aurors... he almost started to laugh at the thought that he was one. they were such idiots for hiring him.

corpses were dropping across europe, all in the same way. a series of killings and everyone was baffled. not a clue found. it was such dark magic, no one had a proper education. resources were minium unless you knew where to look. of course no one did.

he smiled to himself.

tom walked down the hall to his office but his expression slipped into wariness as he spotted a familiar pair of silver eyes waiting by his door. a large file in her arms and looking pissed beyond hell.

what?

you're so nice to me. valeria crooned but her expression was also that of a tortured marble statue. i think we're going to murder each other very soon.

he raised a brow at her as he unlocked his office door, taking note of how she smelt of vanilla and smoke. it was pleasant but in a way that made his stomach roll uncomfortably.

you mean i'll want to kill you more than i already do? he teased, loving how cautious she looked because she couldn't tell if he was being serious or not.

sitting in his chair, he gestured for her to take the seat across from him but she stood stiff in the door way. he rolled his eyes, what's wrong?

i feel like i'm walking into a cage, she muttered and she eyed the door.

he grinned, i don't bite. that's didn't relax her shoulders. not unless you ask me to. she tensed even more and he felt his pulse quicken in every artery. you'd be surprised how many have asked. he couldn't help himself.

you love making me miserable. she huffed, taking cautious steps inside but refused to sit.

i don't love anything.

then you get sadistic joy from it, same difference. she dropped the massive file on his desk. our boss hates us and is making us work together to catch the serial killer.

he raised a brow and flicked through the file lazily. dull, dull, dull.

let me know when you want to meet up—

now's a wonderful time, he smiled and gestured to the chair again. please, sit.

but you need to read the file-

i'm well educated on these murders, malfoy. now, sit. his words were sharp and aimed at her heart and it was as if strings yanked her to the chair.

she crossed her legs and a muscle in his jaw twitched.

on second thought, maybe this was an awful idea.