Tom Marvolo Riddle

Charlus Potter

Charlus Potter

Transfiguration was the first class of that day and it was held with the Gryffindor House.

Abraxas mentioned that lately, things between Gryffindor and Slytherin were tense because of Albus Dumbledore. He purposely pit the two houses against each other, making the houses more aggressive than they usually would be.

Lately the Gryffindors had begun to bully the Slytherin with no reprimands so Abraxas said not to expect fair treatment from Albus Dumbledore.

This, Tom planned on changing. Gaining the respect of all the Houses would benefit him and one day, he wanted to be the Headmaster of Hogwarts himself. It was only right with him being the only heir so far.

The group made their way into Gryffindor tower and Tom hissed in annoyance when someone came barreling past him.

"Oh! Sorry there Riddle." came a haughty voice and the Slytherin heir looked up to meet the hazel eyes of Charlus Potter. A tall, handsome pureblood with red brown hair and soft features. He was the younger cousin of Fleamont Potter, who had invented a hair potion that had taken off with wizards all around wizarding Britain.

He was grinning and his friends were laughing behind him.

Tom knew this boy had good magic, but he did not like his attitude. It reminded him too much of the muggles at the orphanage. Abraxas could see the rage building in Tom's eyes and decided to intervene.

"Potter, I could've sworn you had glasses the last I saw you. Maybe you should put them on next time." he smiled and Potter frowned, glaring at Tadeus and Regulas when they snickered quietly.

"It's quite alright Potter. I'm sure you couldn't tell a mandrake from a snake without your glasses." said Tom, his smooth voice sending an unpleasant chill down the Gryffindor's spine.

The Slytherin heir was smiling, but it didn't reach his eyes and Charlus was surprised by the animosity he felt in the air from the wizards around Riddle. "Right. Sorry." he finally responded, deciding he did not want to start something just yet. He knew nothing about Tom Riddle but he did know that Malfoy was nothing to play with and if that was the case Riddle had to be on his level or better.

Charlus dipped his head in response. "I was running a little late this morning so I did not grab them. I apologize." he responded, his friends looking confused but Malfoy gave a knowing smile in response, Riddle taking the lead once again.

Tom entered the room and noticed that it was very spacious for a classroom, or at least more spacious than the muggle classrooms he had been in before. There were high rafters and a large chalk board at the end of the room. Standing at the head of the room was Albus Dumbledore, the man smiling warmly while the students got seated. The Slytherins took the right side of the room while the Gryffindors at to the left.

Like the Slytherin, the Gryffindors flocked around Charlus Potter, greeting him eagerly and trying to get his attention. It was obvious who had the power in Gryffindor.

Unlike the Gryffindors however, the Slytherin were more subtle as they positioned themselves around Tom with Abraxas sitting directly beside him and Regulas, Tadeus and Rabastan sitting around him. Antonin Dolohov seemed intrigued by Tom and his growing group of friends but did not approach yet. He wanted to see what more Riddle would have to offer.

"Good morning first year Gryffindor and Slytherin. Welcome to Transfiguration. A class that teaches the art of turning something such as a table, into a book shelf." he smiled, adorning his wand and flicking it at a chair that Tom hadn't noticed until then. The chair grew in size, turning into a large book case with three shelves and even a small drawer. The Gryffindors were murmuring excitedly while the Slytherin were silent, used to seeing that kind of magic at home.

"But, because you are so young and your magic isn't developed completely just yet, we'll have to start with the basics. Today we'll be turning a match into a needle." said Dumbledore, a match appearing on the desk of every student in the room. "Think about what a needle should feel like, how it looks. Needles are sharp and cold, made of a fine silver. Put that image in your head and make it come to life." commented the old wizard, walking through the aisle to watch the students make their first attempts.

Tom picked up the match, staring at it for a moment then raised his hand.

Dumbledore came to his side and his brows shot up when he saw that in Tom's hand was a perfectly transfigured needle. He took the needle from Tom's hand, noting the way the boy tensed up, and ran his fingers over the needle slowly. It was cold and smooth and when he pressed it into his finger, he drew blood. "Amazing Mr. Riddle. Ten points to Slytherin. If you'd like you could do our next assignment, which would be turning a rat into a teacup. With living creatures you'll have to use a bit more magic though." said Dumbledore and the Slytherin were smug, the Gryffindors glaring at the Slytherin heir.

"Thank you professor." smiled Tom but again, the smile did not reach his eyes. Dumbledore nodded and continued on to the next student.

The class continued on with a few more Slytherin earning points each time they turned their match into a needle correctly, while the Gryffindors couldn't manage to get the sharpness perfect. Tom read course books until class ended and he and his new companions left the room with Charlus Potter and his friends hot on his heels. "What do you think you're playing at Riddle?' he remarked, Tom pausing when the taller boy blocked his path.

"What do you mean Potter?" he responded slowly, Charlus frowning. "No first year should be able to do-"

"What you mean to say is, no lazy wizard would be able to do a first year trick so easily, right? Being a pureblood, I thought your family would have taught you more before coming here. Obviously my expectations were too high." said Tom and Charlus bristled at those words. A few Slytherin felt attacked as well but instead of getting upset with Tom, his words made them want to impress him more and prove to themselves they could be on the same level as a half-blood.

Though Abraxas knew they'd never grow as much as Tom would.

The Malfoy scion laughed at the red in Charlus' cheeks, leaning against the wall as the other Gryffindors drew their wands. Seeing Tom said nothing to his friends, none of them drawing their wands even when Charlus got in his face, made the Potter heir angrier. Did they really think this lone first year Slytherin could beat him?

"You should take that back Riddle. No one even knows who you are. One word and I could ruin your life forever." murmured Charlus, his voice low with a promise and Tom stared him down, unaffected. "Take it back? Why? It's nothing but the truth and if you think not, you can always prove me wrong right here." smiled the raven haired boy, his eyes gleaming with a challenge. "Yeah Potter, raise your wand at Tom." called Abraxas, his magic excited now and Tom wanted to roll his eyes. Abraxas loved a good fight.

Especially one he knew Tom would win.

Charlus noted the eager look in the Malfoy's eyes and grew increasingly wary. Something felt off about this and he didn't mean that Dumbledore was so obviously watching from the door of the classroom.

Something was telling him to back down..something in his magic.

The Potters themselves were on the darker spectrum of magic, having been married off to many a Black wizard, so Charlus knew what it felt like, though to his father's annoyance, he preferred Light magic. And he only just then realized why he felt so threatened. He couldn't sense Tom's magic. At all. Which meant he was even better at masking his magic than Charlus' father. The other Slytherin were masking their magic as well.

Realizing this, Charlus knew he had made a mistake. One he would live to regret later, though he didn't know that.

He was poking a sleeping dragon.

Tom could see the realization written on Charlus' face and hid a smile when the boy abruptly stepped back, putting his wand away.

Though it was too late. The damage was done.

"See you in class Potter." smiled Tom, passing the group of concerned Gryffindors with Abraxas, Tadeus, Regulas and Rabastan close behind. Charlus stared after them, hoping he had not just done something extremely stupid.