Tom Riddle is Here-Plan in Action

32

The relative calm over the next few days did nothing for Draco's anxiety. In fact, if anything, it made it worse. His father was due to the school soon, Tom had taken to staying with him more often than not, which Draco could not ever complain about, why would he? He wanted Tom to be around him, and would prefer if the other were around him more and more, rather than waiting around for Tom's schedule to break open. He had no idea how it was that he was explaining his prolonged absences to his teachers considering the elder was walking him to all of his classes, but he also did not want to ask about it. Tom's temper would flare up again, undoubtedly, should he try to do that.

"Are you sure that this is a good idea?" Draco asked softly. Lupin was still trying his best to get into contact with him alone after class. Tom usually put a stop to it, but now for some reason the Alpha decided that he wanted to encourage it. Draco did not know why, but he had not really asked why either. It had not seemed really important to him, and with how uncertain he had been with the recent calm, that he was sure meant an impending storm, it was really not the biggest thing in his mind right now either.

"I am sure that it will give us more information, and we can undoubtedly feed information to Dumbledore as well, something which I am sure, as you are well aware, is something we need to take advantage of at any chance we get." Draco groaned, but nodded. The ragged professor had been trying to get his attention since last year...with the boggart class. Draco had passed, because of course he had, but that did not mean that the other had not noticed...and potentially others as well, the curling of pale fingers against a silver serpentine cane. He was just glad enough the class had not been with Gryffindors. He definitely did not need too much information regarding his greatest fear circling around those circles. Luckily enough, most Ravenclaws had a tendency to keep information to themselves and not filter it around the school.

"We have the Twins already doing that for us, though," Draco grumbled. He did not protest, that would be folly, and he knew full well that Tom could just as easily force the issue if he truly wanted to, and Draco would not be able to go against him. The fact that he was being asked his own opinion alone should suffice well enough, and Draco knew that Tom was also aware that he knew what a gift he was being given. Furthermore, Tom did not even need to give Draco the eyebrow lift that he was currently sporting at Draco's response. The Malfoy Heir knew full well that while the Twins could give Dumbledore good information, it was different when there was teacher giving that same information. After all, what are two chaotic and mischievous teen students' words against the words of a serious and down to earth professor? Or any adult at that. Draco knew how these things went, and he was more than willing to play the game. After all, they needed Dumbledore more focused on them now than ever, with the Daily Prophet's releases later this week, it would be all they could do to try and mitigate the attention where it needed to be.

"I know that you are not overly fond of this Professor,"

"Understatement," Draco muttered under his breath. Tom smiled, but ignored the slight.

"I know that you are not fond of them, and that is why this will mean a lot more, at least, from what the Professor will tell Dumbledore."

"What do you even want me to say?" Draco huffed, crossing his arms and leaning against the wall they were standing against. The dark corner of the Common room was often used for hushed conversations others were not meant to hear, and the rest of Slytherin knew full well not to disturb Draco when he was standing in the corner of the room, though it was not common to see him there unless it was with Lucius. He was more often found lounging in one of the various hush chairs...usually the ones in the back by the fireplace, but this was different. This was important information that even Tom could not dare to discuss in the rest of the common room areas, and Draco knew how his roommates would feel about Tom entering their dorm room, so this was the best place to talk about this sort of thing, at least for now.

"Lucius is still working on the curse breaking I need him to do," Tom said gently. "As well as gathering evidence against Dumbledore, though I have plenty enough on my own. His influence in the ministry is also at work...slowly but steadily Dumbledore will be loosing power. The first main story will be at the behest of Lucius, and I have planned it this way for a reason. If you go to that pitiful Professor now, just before the Prophet airs the story, you can give Dumbledore some room to doubt that you had any direct involvement. This will absolve you, somewhat, but it will also make Dumbledore keep a closer eye on you, and on me by proxy, because he will likely think that he can snag some more information."

"I get all that," Draco said with a frown. "But what should I say?" Tom rolled his eyes.

"You said the professor has been hounding you talk about your boggart, start with that then. Allow him to steer the conversation, look suitably distressed or discomforted, though not excessively as it is simply not in your character, and we will be perfectly fine. Lupin will then go to Dumbledore with his concerns, and in the next few days everyone will see what Lucius claims as a story through the prophet."