Of Monsters and Men- Tom Riddle x OC

10

The air was damp and pungent with a mix of strange odors, all unpleasant as Animo slunk into the Potions classroom. Thankfully, the Slytherins were paired with the Ravenclaws and thus, there was to be a bit less house competition. Both were known for sticking to themselves.

"Ah! My new student!" Professor Slughorn beamed, resting both hands in front of his chest and twiddling his thumbs together whilst he scanned Animo up and down, as if assessing her for some sign of potential greatness. Animo tried not to wince. She had heard enough of the difficult man from Albus and was fairly certain time had made his tenacity no different. "Have you had much experience with Potions, my dear?"

Trying not to let her smile falter at the memory of all the hours she had spent alone stirring one cauldron or the other, Animo gave a slight nod. "Some. Although, I would appreciate a knowledgeable partner to help me adjust to this curriculum." She let her gaze flicker over to Tom, who had already begun to lay out his ingredients in a calculated manner at the front of the room. The stool next to him was empty and Animo was positive that it had remained that way.

Slughorn followed her lead without the slightest bit of discretion and Animo flinched as he patted her shoulder in merriment. "Oh ho!" he chortled, the edges of his mustache trembling, "Tom's caught your eye, has he?" The professor leaned closer to Animo in a conspiring fashion. "I suppose I will let you attempt a partnership, but I must warn you Tom m'boy's rather particular. Ladies have been after him for years, you see." He waved an excited hand, nearly making the cauldron in front of a tan Ravenclaw topple onto the ground. The girl glared at Animo, as if it were her fault. "I've never seen a dame snare the boy yet!"

"I just want a Potions partner, professor," Animo insisted mildly, feeling rather embarrassed. However, her tone emerged indifferently and she relaxed her posture.

Slughorn paid her interjection little heed. "Not to worry, Wallis, your secret is safe with me." He winked as he tottered over to the front of the classroom, stopping to chat with his next victim, who was a distinctly uncomfortable Rosier. Animo bit back a smirk at the boy's defensive stance. Slughorn was a ruddy menace, she thought cheerfully.

Adjusting the strap of her bag on her shoulder, Animo took a deep breath before she started forward down the aisle. It was time to make initial contact. She had avoided it long enough. Sliding inside beside Tom Riddle, she set down her bag on top of the desk.

The Slytherin didn't even look up. "I don't do partners, Wallis." His dark eyes were focused on the vial in front of him, which he was tipping carefully over the top of the steaming cauldron.

Animo tried not to show her surprise. Tom Riddle knew her name? She didn't know whether to be encouraged or run away screaming. Stretching her legs beneath the desk, she opted for the first. "Well, looks like you're stuck with one."

Finally, a deep scowl began to line the skin beside Tom's mouth as he craned his neck to the right to fix her with a warning glare. Animo's flesh erupted with goosebumps as she thought of all the boy had done. "I'm not going to repeat myself."

"TOM!"

Just to Animo's luck, Slughorn strolled over with a beaming grin, his blue eyes wide in excitement. "I told Miss Wallis here that you're more of the independent sort," he shot the boy a wink, "but with your Head Boy duties and all, I trust that you will be accommodating for a few weeks. Just until Miss Wallis has settled in?"

Animo watched in fascination as all wrath melted from Tom's face, replaced with a charming smile that barely lifted the corners of his pale lips. "Of course, professor."

"That's my boy!" Slughorn patted Tom's back and Animo noticed the Slytherin wince. It seemed that Tom was not at all fond of physical touch. "Ten points to Slytherin."