Always || Tom Riddle

Your worst fear

It was the rush hour between lessons where teachers and students alike filled the corridors,I was heading up the stairs towards history of magic which was up quite a few stairs however it was not as bad as Divination which was up over sixty  steps.I entered the class and put my bags down and rushed over to Penelope's side she still couldn't find out who had tried to hurt her but at least she was safe her wounds were still healing and giving her quite a bit of grief but apart from that nothing that I knew off was dampening her mood.

"Right who has learnt to cast their patronous?"The professor asked he was new and this was our first lesson since coming back for our fifth year so we did not know his name.None put their hands up to his question and he began to pace up and down it was clear that he did not have a clue as to what he was doing but that happened with every new teacher it was only natural that he should feel a little uncomfortable with over twenty students in one room all staring at you some wanting to be here and some not choosing their lessons for this year quick enough and being placed into classes which seemed suitable or if they still had spaces.To make him feel a little more comfortable I put my hand in the air and everyone looked to me which made me a little uncomfortable but someone had to do it.

"I have been practicing"I said and the professor smiled gratefully.

"Right then come here"He said and I did as I was told,he walked towards a wardrobe which had been banging and jumping around as if there was something alive in there.

"Now in this wardrobe there is a boggart which represents your worst fear..."Oh no I thought to myself I was terrified of wolves and I dont know what I will do if that's what comes out that wardrobe.

"Intriguing isnt it?Now can any of you describe to me what a boggart looks like?"The professor continued.Out of the corner of my eye I saw Penelope put her hand in the air and the professor nod I would have looked but my eyes were glued to the wardrobe which held a boggart or in my case a wolf.

"None knows Boggarts are shapeshifters as you said earlier they change into your worst fear that's what makes them so terrifying"Penelope actually sounded quite  knowledgeable but then she had been in the library a lot recently.

"Quite right 10 points to Slytherin"The professor said and a few "yes!" and "nos!" could be heard in the class which made me smirk and took my mind off of the boggart for a while.

"Luckily a very simple charm exists to repel upon it,lets practice now."The professor said and nodded to me.

"Don't give me that look you'll be fine don't worry whatever the boggart takes shape of wont actually be able to harm you after all its just a boggart its not the real thing,ok?"The professor reassured me and I nodded taking deep breaths to calm myself.

"Right so after me without wands please say Ridiculous"He said loud and clearly so that even people at the back could hear.

"Ridiculous"The class including me replied.

"Very good a little louder and a little more clearer listen, Ridiculous"

"RIDICULOUS"The class replied more loud and clear this time and I heard someone grumble how this class was ridiculous.

"Very good so much for the easy part you see incantation alone is not enough what really finishes a boggart is laughter you need to make the boggart believe that it was taken the shape of something that you find truly amusing"The professor pulled a cloak away from the wardrobe and backed away from it using his wand to unlock it and I gave a quick scared look to Tom who looked fearful himself but when he saw me looking he made his face expressionless and nodded.I knew he knew what would come out of that wardrobe and we were both worried for how I would react if Toms face was expressionless I could always read his eyes.I swallowed hard as the wardrobe door creaked open and everyone behind me seemed to hold their breath as a gigantic wolf appeared baring its teeth and growling as it walked towards me but as much as I hated to admit it I was ready.I stood in a ready position raising my wand and the wolf barked which caused me and everyone in the room to jump.

"RIDICULOUS!"I yelled and hoped for the best not daring to look while everyone laughed.

"Very good very good who's next?"The professor said and everyone stepped into a line while the professor put on some music.I high fived Penelope as I went past and smiled at Tom but didn't make it look obvious as Victoria Clearwater was unfortunately also in this class.It was now the last persons turn to go Victoria Clearwater I would like to see what her fear was so I watched and waited patiently as she said the words 'ridiculous' and the boggart changed into a clown which made everyone laugh.I was however one of the ones who didn't laugh and also one of the ones who stuck out like a sore thumb.

"Right looks like it is time to go you are dismissed"The professor said and everyone grabbed their bags and left but I noticed that Penelope was waiting for me just outside the door while Tom lingered finding some excuse for Victoria to leave.

"Not so fast Clara I want to talk to you"The professor said and I turned around just as I was about to step through the doorway.

"Professor?"I asked raising my eyebrows.

"That wolf you were afraid I saw the look in your eyes even after you changed it.Remember Clara you can protect yourself from even the most dangerous of  wizards you just have to have courage and believe in yourself"The professor said and I wasn't sure what to say.

"Thank you sir I-I will"I replied before giving the professor a quick smile and walking out of the classroom to join Tom and Penelope.

"What did he have to say?"Penelope questioned giving me an odd look as we walked side by side.

"Oh it was nothing"I replied and stopped at the top of the stairs.

"You go on I will catch up with you later"I said and Penelope's green eyes moved from between me and Tom who was standing a bit away from me  near the entrance to a dimmed hallway.

"O-ok"Penelope replied seeming a bit confused even though she knew what was between me and Tom I don't think she fully understood the reason why we didn't openly show affection for each other.I watched as Penelope left and then followed Tom into the hallway.

"Are you alright?"He asked me as we walked through the narrow corridors of Hogwarts which were hardly ever used.

"Yeah I am fine"I replied looking at my feet instead of up ahead.

"You don't look it"Tom said half laughing which made me look up.

"Trust me I would tell you if something was wrong"I said our eyes met but I looked away back shifting my eyes to the painting in front of us.

"I need to tell you something"Tom said from beside me as we pulled to a stop in front of the clock

"What?"I replied looking back from the clock chiming 12 in the afternoon to meet Toms steady gaze.

"I put my name into the Goblet of fire"