What if He had a Choice?

63

Tom strode to the dungeons, waiting until he found the hallway entirely empty, before striding through the office door without invitation. He did not care, really, and he needed to figure out what Severus' plans were, because he knew the Head of House had them. What they were...he needed to know. He did not like being sidelined for whatever reason. He had warned the other, and he had not even had the decency to take him seriously! He had allowed Remus to continue with the lesson as is, despite having the ability, and likely the power, to force him to quit. Tom was quite confused as to why Boggarts were being taught to those so young anyways. They were not supposed to be, and that simply left him more irate.

"Hello, Professor," He noticed the wizard start, and whirl around, wand at the ready. It would seem Draco's favorite professor had some trauma. He thought about the consequences of that, but did not bother to dwell, dropping into an armchair, folding his arms over his chest, and staring at the Professor blankly.

"Mr. Riddle, to what do I owe the...pleasure." Severus questioned, lifting a brow, and taking his own seat. Tom hummed twirling his wand between his fingers, watching as Severus clocked and noted the movements. He wondered if his older self still did things like this, perhaps he did, didn't really matter one way or another.

"I have a...question, about our last meeting. I am sure you already know, Draco's boggart, I am curious why you were not more concerned with Lupin's inability to step in." Tom's eyes flashed dangerously, and Severus narrowed his own. 

"I am uncertain what you mean, Mr. Riddle." 

"I mean, Lupin refused to step in, in spite of the fact that Draco had clearly gone past the ability to even think rationally. Luckily, Draco's classmates were concerned enough to fetch me. You will likely be getting a detention slip soon enough for my behavior, which I fully expect you to pardon. I took him to the hospital wing, and Madam Pomfrey was quite concerned, may I tell you." Tom leaned fowards, staring Severus down. "What exactly was your plan here?" He asked, "I mean, certainly you had to have had one, because while you may seem cold and calculated, and I am certain you are, you are concerned for Draco's safety. Did you really think his father being his boggart was going to move mountains?" He leaned back once more. "it will not, and to be honest, you have only damaged Draco, as a result." He clicked his tongue, watching as the teacher seemed to have nothing to say. "I suggest you work with him, because I doubt this will do anything to help your already somewhat strained relationship." Tom stopped his twirling, gripping his wand in his left hand, flicking it towards the door, and having it open, standing. "It has been quite nice, Professor, wonderful little chat, but I must really be going now." Tom ignored the pale and shaking pupils of the teacher in favor of leaving to deal with his second problem. 

He had a feeling Severus figured him out, but he would watch him carefully to try and figure out what he thought he figured out. Perhaps he knew, perhaps he suspected, but Tom had his own alibai if the other tried something, and needless to say it did not matter anyways. Severus was an issue, but not a big one, never truly had been if Draco and Lucius did not let slip who he actually was. He had his own contingency plans. 

Severus was given a chance, and depending on how he took this, it would either lead to a few flicks of a curse, or something worse. It just depended. As for Lupin. Tom felt a sneer fall over his face, and his eyes darken, fingers clenching his wand tightly in his anger. 

He would destroy Lupin.