Tom Riddle Era: Faline Potter

Last Day of the First Week

Teresa's POV

"Morning Professor Flamel" I say smiling as I enter his classroom after Potions. Yes, the Nicolas Flamel, inventor of the philosopher's stone is my Alchemy teacher. Right now he's six hundred and seventeen years old. How great is that? It's Friday morning and I had already had Transfiguration and Potions.

"How many times must I ask you to call me Nicolas or Flamel, Teresa?" he asks me.

"But that would be disrespectful, you are my teacher" I tell him smiling. I'm the only one in the class, but I don't mind. "So what are we learning today?" I ask him.

"Actually we have a new student joining us today" he states and I frown confused. Just then the class room door opened and I whipped around. There entering the room was none other then Tom Riddle. "Now I understand your houses are reveals, but I expect none of that in this room. Especially as you'll be tutoring Mr Riddle today" he states.

"But professor, I'm new to this as well" I tell him.

"I understand that and I have a meeting with Dumbledore. You just have to catch him up on the lessons so far. So that he and you are ready for the test next Tuesday. I also expect you both to study the topics covered so far during study hall on Monday together" he explains.

"Don't worry sir, I'm sure Teresa will be an amazing teacher" Tom tells him smiling.

"Very well Professor I shall help him study" I relent.

"Excellent, I'll be back at the end of the lesson" he states and leaves.

"So what are we studying today?" Tom asks as he sits down beside me.

"What are you playing at Riddle?" I ask annoyed as I open my book.

"Nothing, I just find Alchemy fascinating" he states.

"Really? And what do Alchemist do for a living?" I ask him with a raised eyebrow.

"Alchemy" he says lamely and I roll my eyes.

"The best known goals of the alchemists were the transmutation of common metals into Gold or Silver. Less well known is plant alchemy, or 'Spagyric', and the creation of a 'panacea', a remedy that supposedly would cure all diseases and prolong life indefinitely, and the discovery of a universal solvent. Although these were not the only uses for the science, they were the ones most documented and well known. Starting with the Middle Ages, European alchemists invested much effort on the search for the philosopher's stone, a legendary substance that was believed to be an essential ingredient for either or both of those goals" I quote.

"Is that in the book?" he asks me curious.

"It's in our advance potion making book" I state. "Now we are studying Dzou Yen from the fourth century. And the theories of the Five Elements and Yin and Yang. How he refined them" I explain. "Those his writings have been lost for years" I add.

"Then how can we study it?" he asks me confused.

"We can still study Dzou Yen and the theory. Then make guesses on how he changed it by looking at the first theory then the later one. It won't be easy, but Alchemy is not about doing thins the easy way" I tell him.

"Ok, so what was that about pro-longing life?" he asks interested. I roll my eyes, typical Voldemort still trying to find a way to conquer death.

"The ancient study of alchemy is concerned with making the Philosopher's Stone, a legendary substance with astonishing powers. The Stone will transform any metal into pure gold. It also produces the Elixir of Life, which will make the drinker immortal" I explain. I then curse myself.

"Does it exist?" he asks me.

"No idea" I lie smoothly keeping my mind walls up. "Alchemy also concerns philosophy; one interpretation of alchemical literature, which is known to be dominated by mystical and metaphysical speculation, were that the study of Alchemy were symbolic of a spiritual journey, leading the alchemist from ignorance (base metal) to enlightenment (gold). While Muggles for the most part largely dismiss it as an outdated forerunner of modern Chemistry. There are still wizards actively studying and practicing it in this century. Who held it to be some of the most difficult magic known to wizard kind. A less well known branch of the study of alchemy was Spagyric, or plant alchemy" I explain.

"This sounds very interesting, lets get to studying Dzou Yen" Tom states. He looks more interested in Alchemy now. And I am mentally kicking myself. Why in the name of Merlin did I just tell him all of that.

(DADA)

"Today you will all be practicing dueling with non-verbal spells. Disarming and shield only" Professor Merrythought tells us. "Now I shall pair you up" she states and pairs us up. I just had to be paired with Tom. But at least I'll enjoy kicking his arse.

We faced each other wands out and I thought 'Expelliarmus'. His wand shouts out his hand and I catch it smirking. "I expected better Riddle" I tell him and toss him his wand. "This time you disarm me" I add. 'Protego' I think quickly and only just manage to keep a hold of my wand.

"Oh very well done Miss Potter and Mr Riddle" Professor Merrythought praises us. "How would you both like to demonstrate a non-verbal duel at the end of class? Just jinxes, stunning, disarming and shield spells" she tells us.

"I'd be honored professor" Tom tells her smiling.

"You're going down Riddle" I tell him confidently.

"Excellent, practice the spells on the dummies" Professor Merrythought told us. We do so for the rest of class. When there was ten minutes left she called everyone to the front of the class. "Miss Potter and Mr Riddle will be demonstrating a non-verbal duel" she tells the class.

Tom and I face each other before bowing. This time he shots the first spell, but I managed to block it. 'Stupefy' I say think shooting a stunning spell his was. He blocks it and we shot out next spells at the same time. The spells lock in midair. I knew he would win if I didn't act fast. So I disconnect the spells and roll to the side. Then think 'expelliarmus' giving my wand a small twirl.

The spell hits just before Tom could get his shield up and his wand fell from his hand. "Marvelous, that has to be the most impressive non-verbal duel I have ever seen from beginners. Twenty points each" Professor Merrythought announces as Tom grabs his wand looking pissed. "Now I want you all to do an essay on how non-verbal spells are useful in a duel. Due nest Thursday" she adds.

I leave class quickly and practically run to Herebology. To avoid being confronted by Tom. I knew he was pissed that he lost against me. But no way I'm dealing with his tantrum.

A/N

Picture above of Nicolas Flamel and picture on the external link of Professor Merrythought.