Tom Riddle is Here-Plan in Action

Part 21

Pucey nervously walked into Dumbledore's office. He had known that things could get rather sticky in this situation, but he was a Slytherin first and foremost, and he refused to give Draco up. He did not know what it was that Dumbledore was trying to do, he could guess, but he was not Draco, nor was he Tom Riddle, and he refused to contemplate such things without them, they would know better what Dumbledore was thinking. Pucey sat himself down, and kept his body on the edge of the seat, keeping his eyes on Dumbledore warily. Tom and Draco had both told him to be careful when dealing with Dumbledore. He knew that already, but the reminders were easy for him to keep in mind when it came to the threat behind them. He really did not really want to...deal with Dumbledore, but if it helped Draco and if it helped Tom then he would go with it. 

Dumbledore hummed, peered down at him softly, a twinkle in his eyes, but Pucey was not convinced at the innocent act. Dumbledore may claim that he just wanted to help for the greater good, but Pucey was not stupid. The other was in for his own interests. Pucey did not know what it was that he was playing at, but he did not really care either. The point was that there was something sketchy about the way he always seemed to have that stupid little twinkle in his eyes. It was an act, he knew that well enough. Pucey was not aware necessarily of everything the well that Draco and Tom was, but he kept their warnings in his mind. He was rather nervous about what the other man wanted from him. Why was it that Dumbledore thought that he was going to be able to get information from him if he did not manage to get it from Draco and Tom, there was no way that he was going to get anything from Pucey either. He was beginning to regret taking this position, but he had to also admit that he was proud to be able to help Draco and his partner. 

"Pucey, it is wonderful to see you." Dumbledore said with a smile, but it was not one that Pucey returned. He simply stared at the other blankly, not really caring what he had to say, and he did not really even want to be here in the first place. He would much rather be in the Common Room rather then stuck here. 

"I wish I could say the same." He said, brows furrowed. He finally got comfortable in the chair, deciding to show no weakness. He could not let Dumbledore know that he was nervous. He thought perhaps that there was something more than just his willingness to help Tom and Draco that caused them to pick him over someone else. Something about Dumbledore's gaze gave him nerves. He did not like it. It was the same thing that Tom himself had previously felt long ago. 

Legilimens. Dumbledore was a natural, of course, and there were few, barring Tom and Severus, that could easily detect such things. Pucey thought perhaps that was also part of the reason that he was chosen. Could they have possibly thought so far into the future? Pucey would not doubt it. Their mental capabilities were far beyond what he could even contemplate. They were so intelligent. Genius, even. He could not be sure, of course, but he was sure that Draco and Tom possibly had thought of that possibility. He averted his eyes away from Dumbledore's own. 

"I have brought you here today, because I found myself rather concerned." Pucey raised a brow, tilting his head and scoffed, shaking his head. He sighed strongly, calming his breathes, not wanting to lose his temper. It was quite important, of course, he knew that, they needed Dumbledore to feel as though he should be concerned. This was merely a part of their plan. He needed to breathe calming, not allowing himself to raise to the occasion. 

"Concerned? Professor, what is that to mean?" Pucey questioned. "I do not understand." 

"It is about Tom and Draco," Dumbledore said simply. Pucey tensed slightly. 

"Tom and Draco?" Pucey questioned again. He gave the Professor a bit of a laugh, a tense and nervous laugh, but a laugh nevertheless. "What about them?" He shook his head. "I do not think you should worry yourself too much about the two." 

"Pucey, I think that you should really be honest with me here, and you should be honest with yourself as well. Tom and Draco seem to be in quite the dilemma, of which I am sure that you are aware." Pucey sighed, shaking his head. 

"Professor, if you are really that worried, perhaps you should speak with Tom and Draco about these things." Pucey claimed, folding his arms and glaring at Dumbledore. the old man was not deterred, unfortunately. 

"I did attempt to speak to them about it," Dumbledore admitted. "However, they did not seem to wish to speak. I feel as though perhaps they were too nervous. I know you have been close to Draco and Tom as of late, so I thought perhaps you would be able to tell me a bit more so that I could help them." 

"Professor," Pucey said sternly, standing up. "I think perhaps that you should speak to them, if they are not willing to talk to you about it, why should I invade their privacy to speak with you about it?" He huffed and rolled his eyes. "If Professor would not mind, I must really get going." He said shoving the doors out of his way and rushing down the spiral staircase. 

He sighed, and hoped that he had done good enough, because he was rather nervous about how he should speak with this with Draco and Tom. Would they be angry? Would they be satisfied? Now that he had left the room where Dumbledore was encased he was worried that maybe had not done enough and that they would not be happy with his attempts.