Tom's first class in 1993 was Transfiguration. It was taught by a no-nonsense witch named Professor McGonagall. Tom decided he had no luck when it came to Transfiguration teachers. They would never like him. Dumbledore had been suspicious of Noelle and him from Day 1 and clearly this Professor McGonagall was the same. Passionate about Transfiguration. Intelligent and no doubt a great teacher. But with a steadfast view of right and wrong, and Tom was always in the wrong.
He was unaware what he was supposed to be doing wrong but Professor McGonagall kept shooting him warning glances doing her lecture.
He wasn't the only one who had noticed either, as Parkinson who had sat next to him spoke to him for the first time that morning. "What have you done, in the less than 24 hours you've been at Hogwarts that McGonagall could've possibly heard about to make her glare at you as if begging to give you a detention for something."
"I have no idea." A lie. Dumbledore had obviously told her who he really was. Or who his counterpart became anyway. "She's the Head of Gryffindor House right? Don't Gryffindors usually hate Slytherins?" He came up with on the spot.
"McGonagall has some brains," He allowed. "For a Gryffindor." He quickly added. "She's biased, of course. But she doesn't give Slytherins detentions because they're in Slytherin." He gave Toma side-long look and continued, "She gives them detentions when they fail to use their Slytherin traits and use cunning to get away with their transgressions."
Tom gave a slight smile at that. It seemed accurate based on his observations.
"Seriously though, I swear she's just waiting for a reason to gut you."
Tom, who'd been staring at the Professor for the past half hour, had noticed that.
"I'm new here remember? How should I know." Parkinson shrugged, casting Tom an analytical look which Tom didn't see, still focused on the front of the classroom. "Tell you what though..." He continued, looking over with a smile. "I don't think I'll be enjoying Transfiguration here."
Parkinson smiled in agreement and then turned back to copy down the notes put up on the board.
Tom and Parkinson walked down to Care of Magical Creatures in silence. Neither feeling any need to fill it.
Parkinson led Tom towards a section of grounds he'd been many times before, but which had clearly been repurposed. It hadn't been used for lesson before, it had been a clear field which students had used for various purposes. But he and Noelle cared little about the field, and much preferred the giant yew tree that grew there.
There was no tree now, cut down long ago. Instead there was a small hut on the edge of the Forest and a gathering of 5th years near the vegetable patch.
"Groundskeepers hut." Parkinson exolained as they got nearer. "The groundskeeper got the teaching post this year."
"The groundskeeper?" Tom asked.
"Yeah. There's rumours of him being a half-giant. Everyone speculates that's why he never taught before.
Tom stopped. "Half-giant?" He repeated.
"Yeah." Parkinson replied straight-faced as he turned around. "So rumour has it anyway. Judging by his size I agree with them. He's an idiot though, as they all are. He wouldn't be able to hurt anyone." Parkinson tried to reassure.
Fears about giant blood though, were not what was running through Tom's mind. What was running through his mind was that he remembered a particular half-giant, and he doubted that there was two of them at Hogwarts in the same century; but what the hell were the chances.
Looking back down towards the hut and the forest he saw a large figure appear from the trees.
"No bloody way." He whispered, continuing down the slope. Only Dumbledore would ever hire a half-giant. He thought. Tom wanted to smile but suppressed it. No need to raise questions.
He remembered when he'd first met Rubeus Hagrid in his third year. Right in this spot actually. Only there was a yew tree instead of a Groundskeepers hut.
The leaves were changing colour, proof that Summer was truly over. Tom couldn't stop grinning. September was finally here and he was back at Hogwarts and away from that damned orphanage and those constant bombing raids. He breathed in the fresh air of Scotland, clear of smog and smoke. Sunny and windy. He knew in that moment that he'd never been happier than he was right now; sitting in the grass, with Noelle's head in his lap and leaning against their tree.
"You have leaves in your hair you know." He pointed out.
"Our tree's in a rush this year. You'd only just noticed?" She joked throwing a handful of scattered orange leaves into his face.
He laughed, and she grinned.
Just grinned. That made his smile weaken. She didn't laugh these days. Only smile. Soon enough she likely wouldn't do that either. But maybe he was just being pessimistic. It had been a hard summer was all.
Noelle was fine, he told himself. She's fine, he repeated. It was quickly becoming a mantra.
Noelle rolled her eyes and looked over at the castle. "Worrywart." She grumbled.
"Do I get no privacy?" He complained half-heartedly.
She snorted. "Nope."
It was Tom's turn to roll his eyes, and he just focused on her hair, and his hand, and in twirling it around his fingers. Until she suddenly sat up-
"Ow!" She yelped, grabbing her head and turning to him accusedly.
"Sorry, I didn't mean- I wasn't expecting you to move." He apologised but she was already looking back at the castle.
"Who's that?" She asked.
Tom looked away from her and toward the castle himself to see a large lumbering form making its way toward the forest.
"Oh. A new first year. Hagrid I think. You missed him at the sorting yesterday?"
She looked back at him disdainfully. "I wasn't exactly mentally present if you'll recall." She said patronisingly.
"Sorry." He winced.
She shook her head and looked back at the first year- Hagrid, and continued, "Bit big for a first year isn't he?"
"Why are you asking me why, if you're so curious..."
"Weren't you just telling me off for that?" She asked, eyebrow raised.
Tom shifted and Noelle let out a sigh but Tom could see she was smiling.
The kid was quite close now, clearly planning to explore the forest before breakfast.
"Hey!" Noelle called out.
"What are you doing?" Tom asked.
"Saying hello." She stated as though it was obvious; which it kind of was.
The kid jumped out of his skin before walking over to where Tom and Noelle were still sat at the base of the yew tree.
"Uh... hello. Wha' are you doin' here?" He asked.
"Could ask you the same." Noelle said flatly, staring at him intently. And the kid had noticed. He'd also noticed their ties.
"I was just doin' some exploring. I don' want no trouble."
Noelle smiled. "Trouble? Good, because trouble is strictly prohibited in this area. By this area I mean this lovely patch of grass in which this tree is rooted. So if you aren't bringing any trouble feel free to pull up some grass." She said cheerily, hesitating before adding, "I warn you though, there may be bowtruckles, we saw a few last year."
"Bowtruckles?" The kid asked, face lighting up. "In that tree? You sure?"
Noelle grinned wider. "Well there might be. They're not very social but I swore I saw them last term, didn't I Tom?" She asked turning back to him.
He looked back at the kid and smiled pleasantly at him aswell, "Well, Noelle here insists she saw one. I myself am dubious. First year she said she saw unicorns in the forest. Then it was a banshee across the lake" Looking back at Noelle he continued, "What is it to be this year. An Erumpent roaming the grounds perhaps?"
"Ignore my friend here. I tell you what though. If you want to see magical creatures, check out the lake. There's a giant squid in there."
"A gian' squid? Truly?" He looked about ready to run away just to find out if this magical creature was real or a fiction of Noelle's imagination.
"Real as you or I." Noelle assured.
He turned around and started toward the lake beforw halting and turning back. "My name's Rubeus Hagrid. What's yours?" He asked.
"Noelle Green." She called out. "And this here behind me is Tom Riddle."
"It was nice to meet to ya!" He called out already running away.
Noelle leaned back against the tree, a content smile on her face.
"So Rubeus Hagrid likes magical creatures?" Tom asked, attention focused back on Noelle.
She nodded. "I like when I can use my magic like that. To make people happy."
Tom leaned back against the tree, gaze intent on her; but Noelle was looking off into the distance.
When she turned to look at Tom she was serious as she spoke. "He has giant blood. On his mothers side, that's why he's so big. Everyone will hate him when they find out, if they don't already for their suspicions."
"Giant blood? That's what you saw? That makes sense then."
Noelle shook her head. "Not everyone will accept that information so readily."
"I accepted you didn't I?" Tom smiled at her.
"Your the exception to the rule. There's always one. People are supposed to hate what they fear, its how humanity works."
"Ah well, that explains it then. I don't fear you, that's the problem."
"You should." Noelle sighed. "You really should." She added in a whisper.
Tom shrugged. This was not the first time they'd discussed this and, unfortunately, it likely wouldn't be the last. They sat in silence for a bit longer. Enjoying the morning chill before breakfast. Before they had to leave for the Great Hall though, Noelle broke the silence.
"You know, there actually are unicorns in the Forest right?"
When Tom and Parkinson reached the vegetable garden Rubeus was already there.
"Alrigh' everyone here?" He called out in a booming voice.
Everyone quietly nodded and mumbled replies as Rubeus' eyes scanned the faces of his new students. When he reached Tom's he froze and his face slackened, his expression a mix of shock and then fear.
Tom furrowed his brow. Had Rubeus not been told about his 'arrival'? Others had noticed his odd reaction and were muttering between each other until Parkinson spoke up, "Tom Riddle. He's the new student."
Rubeus broke eye contact at last, appearing startled. "Wha'... Oh righ'. Yeah, o' course. Sorry, where was I... Ah yes, your 5th year..." He continued to go on about their O.W.L.s and and what he hoped to teach them, soon asking them to follow him into the forest to meet their first creature. He avoided eye contact the whole time.
They didn't walk far into the Forest before Rubeus- Hagrid now, Tom reminded himself, told them they were here. Short though it was, it gave ample time for Tom to mentally slap himself for his stupidity and momentary memory loss. He was a Dark Lord now; or at least his counterpart was. Of course Ru- Hagrid would be uncomfortable around the boy he befriended for 3 years who then turned into a murderous maniac. It was much more apt to wonder why Hagrid hadn't known Tom was going to be in his class. Had Dumbledore not told him?
It was possible he'd forgotten to. Or perhaps meant for him to find out at the feast last night. But when Tom thought about it, Hagrid hadn't been there last night.
They came to a stop in a dark clearing not too far into the woods and unbeknowest to Tom in his mental musings, Hagrid had hauled a sack of meat with him. Meat that he was currently pulling out and throwing to one side of the clearing.
Everyone stood together and watched him, wondering what creature he was baiting.
"Oh, now I reckon I got a real treat for yeh. Probably the only domesticated herd in all o' Britain." He looked quite proud of himself as he said it.
Tom looked around curiously, for this mysterious creature. Soon enough though he saw the skeletal thin, horse-like creatures stepping into the clearing and trodding towards the meat.
"Thestrals." Tom breathed.
"What did you say?" Parkinson asked next to him. "Woah!" He suddenly exclaimed at seeing them tearing the meat away from the caracass. Although Tom doubted he saw the thestrals doing so, so the flying meat must've been an odd sight.
"So, how many of you can see 'em? Come on, be honest."
Tom slowly raised his hand, along with around 4 others.
"And who can tell me wha' they are?"
Those who could see them looked confused although one answered, "They're the creatures that pull the carriages."
"What are you talking about Perry? The carriages pull themselves." A Ravenclaw student told his friend.
"They're thestrals." Tom told them. "And they can only be seen by people who've seen death."
That got everyone's attention. People started looking back at the Thestrals and while some looked interested, the majority took a step back.
"That's righ'." Hagrid said.
He continued to tell them about Thestrals, and how he domesticated them, but Tom didn't hear what he went on to say as Parkinson leaned in and asked him in a quiet voice, "Who did you see die?"
Green light. Mad eyes suddenly an empty blue. Hands falling limp. And a green that seemed etched into his retina."Nobody. I don't his name." Tom answered shortly.
"A stranger died in front of you?"
"Yes actually. It was a public place, any more questions?" Tom asked sharply.
Parkinson shook his head and looked back at the Thestrals, which to him were flying strips of flesh.
Hagrid didn't look at Tom once during the whole lesson, nor did he address him. Leaving Tom to contemplate in silence until they had to trek back to the castle.
He'd buried that memory for a reason. He tried so hard not to think of it. And now it appeared successively less than 24 hours apart. Tom blamed the dementor for bringing it to the forefront of his mind.
After Lunch was Ancient Runes. A subject Tom knew he was dismal at, even having already learned the 5th year syllabus, he knew he'd fail the test. He only ever did well in Ancient Runes because of Noelle.
It was a period of confusion and his mind being turned into sludge. He knew that he knew the content being taught, but he couldn't write down the answer to save his life. He was grateful he didn't have Parkinson's comments in his ear, as he took Arithmancy instead.
When the bell rang to signal the end of the period, he was just glad to be out of there.
He was on his way to the library when he was pulled into a side passage very suddenly by two grinning red-heads. He sighed, "Fred, George." He greeted. "If you don't mind I was actually on my way somewhere-"
"What if we do mind?" Fred asked.
"What if we had plans?" George continued.
"And by somewhere you mean-" Fred started.
"The library?" The both finished in disgusted tones.
"If that's the case?" Tom asked, exasperated.
"Well we can't allow it I'm afraid." George said cheerily.
"You'll only be researching a girl likely long dead."
"Sorry mate, but thats how it is." George finished.
"And I suppose you have a much more productive use of time in mind?" Tom ignored their uninformed opinions.
"Indeed!" Fred said.
"And we need the password to the Slytherin common room." George said.
"So that's why you need my assistance." Tom realised. "No." He told them simply, turning around to leave.
They grabbed him to stop him, "Hold on." One said. "Wait up." The other chorused at the same time. Tom turned around.
"What do you mean 'no'?" Fred asked.
"I mean no. Why should I?"
"Because, Harry's sulking and we need to get revenge on Malfoy for being a prat." George answered.
"Why is Harry sulking? And what does that have to do with the miniature Abraxas?"
"Miniature Abraxas?" Fred asked with a snort.
"He looks exactly like him. I can only suspect he's a grandson or something of the like. He acts just like him too." Tom explained.
"Well, the "miniature Abraxas" has Care of Magical Creatures with Harry." Fred started.
"Harry told us the whole story when we got to the common room. Lesson ended early because the prat was deaf and didn't listen to Hagrid's warnings." George continued.
"They were studying Hippogriffs. And he decided to insult one." Tom lowered his head into his hand and shook it. The idiot.
"Yeah, exactly." Fred said to Tom's stance.
"He's in the Hospital Wing now. Harry says it was minor but its Malfoy. He'll milk it for all its worth just to get Hagrid in trouble."
"It's Hagrid's first day and a students been injured. You can bet Malfoy's father'll have something to say to that." Fred spat. "They want to chuck Hagrid out and they'll use any excuse they can get."
It was just as Noelle said back in third year. He has giant blood and it shows. They'll hate him because they fear him, and then they'll do something about it. Nevermind that Hagrid isn't violent in the slightest and is scary as a flobberworm.
"Alright then. But if he's in the hospital wing, why do you need to get to the Slytherin common room?" Tom asked, trying to keep his voice calm. The twins weren't who he was getting angry at.
"Well, at the moment he's untouchable. Madam Pomfrey won't let anyone near him." George explained.
"So, if we can't prank him..." Fred said getting excited.
"We prank his stuff." George said with a grin.
"But you can't possibly get to the dorms without anyone seeing you." Tom pointed out.
"Not like this we can't." Said Fred.
"But using Harry's invisibility cloak we can." Said George.
Tom was silent for awhile. "The password's Toujours Pur. It's the Black Family motto. I assume their showing support for Sirius Black after his breakout."
The twins looked as disgusted by it as he was. The guy had murdered twelve muggles and his best friend according to the newspapers. Clearly he was great role model.
The twins thanked him, and after he assured them that he'd leave the pranking to them, they left. Tom however didn't go to the library as he'd intended. He headed up to the Hospital Wing instead.
When he entered the Hospital Wing Malfoy was moaning in a Hospital Bed while Madam Pomfrey fretted over him. Tom could see a distinct difference in Pomfrey's actions however. With him, she always seemed concerned. Now though she just looked frustrated.
"There's nothing wrong with you! Your arm is healed." Madam Pomfrey insisted.
"But it hurts, it hurts!" Malfoy moaned.
Madam Pomfrey harrumphed and turned around to grab something off a nearby tray when she noticed Tom.
"Oh hello Mr Riddle." She said with a smile, clearly relieved. She immediately walked away from Malfoy's bed, and Tom could tell she was glad for the distraction.
"Where are you going? You need to fix my arm!"
"Your arm has been fixed Mr Malfoy!" She said in a stern voice.
She hurried over to Tom. "Is there something you need?" She aasked him.
The Weasley twins prescence there may be suspicious. But Tom had an excuse in mind. Madam Pomfrey had asked to see him again this term, for one last check-up just to be sure.
"You told me to come and see you for one last check-up. I thought I'd get it out of the way." He said as innocently as he could. "But I can come back later if you're too busy."
"Oh no no no. Come, take a seat. I'll just go get your files." She insisted.
Tom smiled at her and made his way over to the bed next to Malfoy while Pomfrey rushed off to her office.
"You can stop faking. We both know your arm isn't injured." Tom spat at Malfoy, as he kept on moaning as if in terrible pain.
Malfoy did pause but only to ask with a sneer, "Well how would you know?"
"Because I've already been told aabout what happened in your Care of Magical Creatures class this afternoon and I came here to have a chat with you about it." He told Malfoy, looking at him angrily.
"I'll have you know that I'm not scared of what you did last night." He said, sticking his chin up. "And my arm is hurt." He added.
"Of course you shouldn't be scared of me for what happened last night. You should be scared of what I will do."
"You can't do anything to me." Malfoy sneered.
"Wanna bet? I know curses you'll never even hear of in your life, and I can assure you that I will be the only one who knows the counter-curse." Tom threatened. "The only reason I am not cursing you already is because Madam Pomfrey will surely find out. But as soon as you step out of this Hospital wing, you're fair game."
Malfoy snorted. "Liar. You're bluffing."
"You want to take that risk?"
"Let's be clear. Madam Pomfrey will come out of that office and you'll say your arm has miraculously healed, and you will ensure that no one blames Hagrid for what happened because your stupidity. Agreed?"
"That oaf needs to be held accountable for his actions." The parrot imitated in a superior tone. Tom snorted. "And his monster's!"
"No no no. You need to be held accountable for your own actions. I don't care that your father raised you so poirly that he taught you there are no consequences for your actions. But you no longer get to blame others for your wrongdoing." Tom explained through clenched teeth. He gripped the edge of the bed just to remind himself not to go for his wand instead. He'd never been able to stand spoilt brats. "Your going to leave this Hospital Wing and tell everyone the truth. That it was just a scratch, and it was your own fault for not listening to the teacher. Otherwise you may find yourself stuck in a bottonless pit where no one can find you. Are we clear now?"
"Malfoy leaned back against his pillows. He tried to sneer but his eyes were wide. He clearly wasn't used to getting threatened. Not seriously anyway.
Tom heard the door swing open behind him and turned around with a smile to see Madam Pomfrey walking towards him. She had taken awhile, but that's what he'd bargained on. She no doubt took all the time she could to be away from Malfoy.
"Not moaning anymore Mr Malfoy?" She asked him when she came to a stop between their beds.
Malfoy looked back at Tom and back at the school nurse and back at Tom again.
"Uh, no. I think my arm's feeling a lot better now actually. Thanks for healing it, if I could just be on my way now?" Malfoy answered after his hesitation.
Madam Pomfrey's eyebrows shot up. "Is that so? Well then go on, you can leave." She told him.
Malfoy got out of bed and left the Hospital Wing as quickly as he could. He didn't look back once.
Madam Pomfrey put the files on the bed amd her hands on her hips. "What did you say to him Mr Riddle?"
Tom smiled innocently. "Nothing. We just had a little chat."
She stared at him suspiciously before telling him. "I warn you now, if I see either of you because one of you cursed the other I will be most displeased."
"You have my assurance that will not happen." Tom told her. Madam Pomfrey narrowed her eyeseyes at him, but made to gather her files again when he continued, "There'll be no need, he made the right decision."
"Mr Riddle!" She started, but then stopped and closed her mouth rifling through her files. As she cast her diagnosis spells she continued, "I don't care what the circumstances. You are not to threaten my patients again, understood?"
"Indeed. I shall not test your patience." Tom quipped.
She eyed him, and then sighed and continued her spell casting.
"You're free to go Mr Riddle. It appears the dark magic has left no worrying effects. Quite frankly I think you're very lucky."
Tom smiled and grabbed his bag, heading for the door. He wasn't lucky. Just taken into consideration.
A/N: This chapter ended up really long. I hope you don't mind. Keep in mind that all derogatory comments towards Hagrid, are the characters views not mine.
Yes, I made Hagrid and Tom friends while they were in school, it seemed something Noelle would do, and so Tom would end up along for the ride. As with many things.
I'm quite excited as I've been able to write quite a lot recently, and I have the next few chapters planned out already so there shouldn't be anymore long waits between chapters.
As always, please review!