ineffable ~ a tom riddle story

𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓮𝓮-

'I heard you coming in late last night'  Lucinda says, poking Cordelia with a breadstick

'What? Oh sorry about that I was just in the common room reading, I couldn't sleep' Cordelia lied staring over at the Slytherin table.

Lucinda laughed lightly, 'you apologise an awful lot' she says, taking a bite of the breadstick. 

'it's a bad habit I suppose' Cordelia replied with a slight smile, 'breadsticks for breakfast?'

Lucinda shrugged 'bad habit I suppose' 

Cordelia shook her head 'mocking me already?'

'a small bit perhaps' Lucinda responded coyly 

Cordelia smiled once again 'what's our first class?' 

'transfiguration with...Professor Dumbledore, is he any good?'

'he's one of my favourite professors actually, he's taught several things over his years, you'll find he's quite...vague'

'vague?'  Lucinda enquired.

'you'll understand soon enough'

Just then, Riddle rose from his seat walking towards the exit.

'sorry Lucinda I've got to go- I'll see you in class'

Cordelia quickly followed behind Riddle just in time to see him enter a door but when she got there the door was...gone? Cordelia hadn't recalled any room at Hogwarts doing this. She made a mental note to return on her break. 

She checked her watch, already late for her first class. 'Great.'

She hurriedly walked to transfiguration and upon arrival noticed the lack of seats available except one at the front right beside Tom.

Lucinda shot her an apologetic look as she noticed her beside someone else in the middle of the class. She regrettably walked over and took the seat beside Tom.

He didn't seem to acknowledge her but she swore she heard a low sigh.

They began taking notes and listening to Dumbledore speak of their first assignment which would be due next week. Cordelia couldn't help but glance at Tom's page and notice his eloquent writing contrasted to hers which looked like a six year old had discovered what italics meant. She sighed.

Who can tell me what the correct hand motion is to turn water into wine?

Cordelia's hand shot up. 'An L-shape with a flick, sir' 

'Well done Cordelia, five points to Ravenclaw'  Dumbledore said, his eyes shining with pride 'someone has clearly been doing their readings'

She heard Abraxas and Avery chuckle in the back as she felt something hit her back.  A crumpled piece of paper.

She lent down to the floor and scooped it up. 

'pureblood or pure suck-up?'

She rolled her eyes. Really? This was the best they could come up with. She hit them both in the head with a gentle shock using wordless magic, satisfied by their vocal 'ouches'.

'So class for our first assignment, I'd like you all to work with a partner...that being who you are currently sitting beside.' 

This time she did hear Tom audibly scoff.

'the assignment is due the Monday after next, that is all'

Cordelia began packing up her belongings just as Tom opened a conversation with her 'I suppose we'll be working together' He remarked smoothly, devoid of all tone