This one-shot was written for:
- Bingo Card Drabble Competition - First Round: Medium - Professor Merrythought (70)
- The Battle of The Houses - Gryffindor - 3. - rivalry
Word count: 498 words
Disclaimer: I don't own the Harry Potter series, all rights go to J.K. Rowling.
Bad feeling
Professor Merrythought was just talking about the counter-jinxes; she was pacing back and forth while occasionally looking at her students. She turned towards her students for a moment and she noticed a raised hand.
She was surprised to see that Tom Riddle's hand was in the air. He was a brilliant student; surely he understood the lesson perfectly. Probably he has learned this topic many years ago.
"Yes, Mr. Riddle?" she asked curiously. She watched as some students woke up from their nap and looked curiously towards the dark-haired boy.
"Professor, when will we learn about the Unforgivable curses?" he asked solemnly, but something in his voice made the professor shudder. She needed a moment to realize that under the politeness there was eagerness in his voice. She focused on the other students, but only a few Gryffindors had the same strange expression, but the rivalry between the two houses was well-known, they didn't like each other.
"Mr. Riddle, the Unforgivable curses are only taught in sixth year," she said emotionlessly and for a moment she was sure that those dark eyes which were wise beyond his age flashed with anger."Now, back to the counter-jinxes..." she started, but once again the hand of the Slytherin prefect was in the air.
"Professor?" he asked and she fixed her eyes on his black ones.
"Mr. Riddle," she stated and a small smile seemed to be playing on his lips. His dark, but charming appearance didn't help the uneasiness the elderly professor felt.
"Why don't they teach them until sixth year? This way those who wouldn't like to continue their studies in Defence Against the Dark Arts would never encounter with the spells." His voice was smooth and charming as always, but she didn't like demanding undertone and how he called the Unforgivables simply 'spells', like he was just talking about Lumos.
"Mr. Riddle, I wish for all of you never to encounter with those curses." Her voice was somewhat cold and she surprised even herself, she didn't usually speak with any of her students like that, not to mention to the ever great and perfect Riddle. The air seemed to freeze; the silence in the classroom was eerie. However, the small smile was still on Riddle's face, like he was amused by her answers.
"It's foolish to assume that none of us will ever encounter with Unforgivable curses." His voice was polite, but somewhat amused and mocking at the same time. No one dared to speak; all eyes were on the professor.
"Mr. Riddle, if you find the actions of the Ministry foolish as you said, I would suggest exerting your opinion to the right people at the Ministry," she stated and continued speaking about the lesson's actual topic. Riddle remained silent for the rest of the lesson, but she couldn't help in every minute or less her eyes wandered towards the dark-haired boy.
The small smile was still on his lips. She felt uneasy.
She had a bad feeling.
