Tempus | Tom Riddle

FIVE

Mercy took advantage of Taliesin's tardiness in Transfiguration and slid into the seat next to Tom.

He straightened up a bit, glancing over at her questioningly.

"Is this seat taken?" She asked, feigning innocence. He shook his head and turned back to writing the date at the top of his piece of parchment.

He'd learned all of the material already, but he still took diligent notes in class. He didn't want Professors to see him as lazy or arrogant.

"You and Luella were cozying up quite a bit on Friday," Mercy hummed, twirling her quill between her fingers. "She's a catch. Wonderful family - her father is a part owner of Puddlemere. We get box seats every year."

"Really?" Tom didn't even bother to mask his disinterest, which elicited a small laugh from Mercy.

"Not a quidditch fan I take it?"

"It has its place, but for me it's a waste of time."

"I concur." Mercy agreed. "So, Luella?"

Tom thought to the brunette. They had broken off at some point in the night - she was a decent kisser - but Tom had no real interest in her. She was bland.

"No." He said with certainty, glancing up as Taliesin approached, who rose a brow at Tom's new neighbour. "Why do you care. Jealous?"

Mercy grinned. "Oh, absolutely."

Their light-hearted and out-of-place banter didn't fool either of them, for both held underlying tones of curiosity and mistrust in their playful exchange.

Albus Dumbledore strode into the classroom right on time, drawing the attention of the students, all of whom quelled at his appearance. The lesson began, and Tom tried to ignore the times when Mercy's elbow brushed his or when he caught a scent of her sweet, spiced perfume.

What was up with this girl?

Being somewhat of a conman himself, Tom could sniff disingenuity out from a mile away. This being said, Mercy's friendliness was not manufactured. She seemed to actually enjoy the company of others and she maintained a circle of close friends, seemingly without ulterior motives.

But something was wrong - Tom could feel it. Mercy had an oppressively mysterious air about her, one that made him want to force veritaserum down her throat and draw out the answer to every single question he held in her regard.

"Do you know what he just said?" She whispered lowly, glancing over at his notes. "He's going too fast - I missed the last part."

Tom, who had been absentmindedly copying down Dumbledore's ramblings on human transfiguration, pushed his notes toward her. She thanked him quietly and scribbled down what she needed before turning her full attention back to the professor.

The class went by quickly and soon enough, students were packing their bags, eager to have a small break before dinner.

"Walk with me?" Mercy asked, though it was more of a statement. Tom nodded, falling into step with her as they exited the classroom.

"Don't look so down, Oberon." Ade patted his friend on the shoulder, watching the two retreat. "After the incident on Friday, you can't be surprised. Mercy doesn't get bested often, and she's always up for a challenge."

"Am I not pretty enough?" Oberon joked, wiping a fake tear from his eye. Ade gave him a knowing look, which the Malfoy shrugged off, trying to appear apathetic about the situation.

~~~

Mercy and Tom walked in silence for the first minute with Mercy leading the way. The number of students in the halls began to thin, and soon they were practically alone as they headed toward the school's west wing.