What if He had a Choice?

57

He was not pleased. As much as that Defense teacher may be qualified, and may be...decent particularly if what Draco has said about his previous teachers were anything to go by, he could not believe that he was attempting to make a ton of third years do their boggarts. He did not even cover boggarts until fifth year. It was a high level project, and required a strength of focus and mind that most thirteen year olds did not have when faced with their biggest fear. Hell, tom remembered most of his own class failed their boggart session, and that was fifteen year olds. Asking a third year to handle their biggest fear, in front of other people...it was a tall order and an extremely difficult ask for most anyways. He could not believe that they were attempting this.

The question Tom had to ask himself, was should he go to Snape first, or should he go to Lupin. He was leaning towards Snape. While he may not necessarily trust the man, he knew that he cared deeply for Draco, and that much was obvious to anyone with eyes. He worried over him, fretted over him, and was willing to come pick them up in order to save his reputation. It was difficult not to notice just how important Snape was to Draco, and vicea versa. While he did not like him, Snape also had some authority with the other teachers that he no longer managed. As a result, it was vital for them to handle things properly. he could not just go for Lupin straight forwards, although he would if he felt that would summon any results. Alas, he was aware of his own pitiful state at the moment.

So he turned his feet down towards the dungeons. Snape would be in the midst of a class (forth year he believed) but he felt as if this information was important enough he would let slide an interuption. If Tom was wrong, he would get Draco to speak to Snape on his behalf. He knew that the man would not begrudge Draco anything. He was also not afraid to use what little connection that he did have to stay out of trouble.

Pushing the classroom door open, he stood stiff and prim, staring straight at the man. "Professor, I hate to interrupt, but there is something that requires your immediate attention." Snape stared at him, baleful black eyes glaring down his own bronze ones. Tom did not flinch, easily holding his gaze strong. Snape hummed, turning to his class of...whoevers...and telling them he would return promptly (along with something that Tom was almost certain could be classified as a threat but it was not as if he had not heard it often enough that he was concerned over it). Pulling Tom's arm they ascending to his own office, which was a few paces beyond the classroom.

"What is it you needed so immediately, Mr. Riddle?" Tom bit his tongue, irritated at the tone. He was doing something that this man should take a favor for, and yet...here he was...condeming him in just his tone! If he could, he would have hexed the man already. He had to stay himself, though, because this was not something he can get irate about right now, there was other things at play that he would need to handle first. Perhaps eventually, he would have the opportunity to hex the man, and when that time came he would take great pleasure in it. Now, however, there was other things he needed to attend to, and his mind would not allow devience at all. He had another class soon enough after all.

"It would seem that Professor Lupin is requiring the third years to fight a boggart...in front of the rest of the class."

"And that concerns me how? And you, for a matter, are concerned for what reason?" The words were emotionless, but Tom knew better. There was just the slightest frizzle of worry under that facade. Tom stepped a bit back towards the door, allowing his hands to clasp behind his back, staring the Professor down fearlessly.

"Draco finds himself concerned, Sir." Tom said simply. He did not elaborate on why Draco was talking to him about a class that he had just barely had, and in fact, was not even over yet. "I am unaware if you are...informed, but I have a rather educated guess on what said fear would be and, well needless to say, I do not think that is something that should be broadcasted to a ton of fellow students, and I have a feeling Lucius Malfoy would agree." Snape narrowed his eyes, glaring down at him.

"And what...exactly...are you implying?" He questioned, and Tom just rolled his eyes.

"You know exactly what I am implying, because I am implying exactly what you are thinking I am." Tom raised his brow, and gave the man a fake smile, before turning on his heel and walking to the door, pausing briefly. "Speak with Professor Lupin if you would, Professor, but if you do not...know that Draco will know that it was your fault he was forced to handle something like that in front of his classmates....I do not think your relationship would end that well if he was made aware of this, do you?" Snape grit his teeth, anger flooding his gaze, but Tom left before he could say another word.

Tom inhaled to try and calm himself as he left the dungeons. He felt almost giddy.

Now he was in a win-win situation. If Snape did not speak with Lupin, it would be his fault that Draco was forced to show his worst fear to the entire third grade slytherins and gryffindors, and his relationship with the man would deteriorate a bit. If he did, than Tom would be given credit for convincing Snape to talk to Lupin about it and convincing him to give some sort of lenience, which would simply further his own relationship with Draco and his trust.

Honestly, sometimes these things were just a bit too easy.