Aubrey had just arrived outside Dumbledore's classroom for Transfiguration the following afternoon and, much to her surprise, Tom Riddle and his group of followers had not yet arrived. Even though she had gotten frustrated with Tom last night in the library, she was anxious to see him again and hoped that he would be coming to class.
He'll come. He would never miss a class she thought silently to herself.
"Will you be sitting with Riddle again, today?" a voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Pardon?" replied Aubrey, startled to see the Hufflepuff girl she once sat with now standing next to her.
"Do I get my seat back or will you be sitting with Tom again?"
"I don't know" Aubrey answered honestly.
"It seems strange for him to sit with you" the Hufflepuff pressed on.
"Thanks" Aubrey replied, now relieved as she noticed Tom's dark figure walking towards her from down the hall, accompanied by Professor Dumbledore.
"I apologize for my tardiness" Dumbledore said brightly as he approached the waiting students, waving his wand and opening the class room door. "Please, come inside."
The class filled neatly into the room and Aubrey was pleased to see Tom, who was at the front on the line, bypass his old desk and take the empty seat next to hers. The class passed without incident, as Dumbledore introduced a new spell and the students spent the remainder of their time practicing it. At the end of the hour when Dumbledore dismissed the lesson Aubrey gathered up her books and stood up from her seat.
"Meet me tonight in the library" Tom said, grabbing hold of her wrist before she could escape.
"Why?" Aubrey asked, surprised by the first words Tom had spoken to her all lecture.
"Because I'm asking you to" Tom said quietly, "please."
Aubrey was shocked that Tom had used that word. He seemed uncomfortable using it, saying the word "please". From the way it slipped awkwardly off his tongue, Aubrey guessed that it wasn't a word he used often.
"Okay" she finally agreed, "after dinner then?"
Tom nodded and stepped in front of her to exit the classroom, leaving without saying another word.
"Is it just so he can tutor you more?" Anastasia asked in the dormitory, once Aubrey had filled her and Elle in on Tom Riddle's strange request.
"I don't think so" Aubrey replied, fixing her hair in the mirror.
"He probably wants to snog you!" Elle said, teasingly.
"Doubt it" Aubrey blushed.
"I bet you he wants to find out how you're able to do magic without a wand" Elle tried again.
"Maybe" Aubrey agreed, pondering the thought. "Do you think I should show him, if it is that?"
"I don't know" Elle replied, "it depends."
"You could use it as a bargaining chip" Anastasia said optimistically.
"Bargain for what though?"
"Whatever you want" said Elle, trying to sound seductive.
Aubrey laughed and adjusted her outfit, looking herself over in the mirror.
"I'm going to head out then" she said, heading towards the dormitory door, "see you two tonight."
"Not me" Elle said cheerfully, "I've got a date with Brishen."
"Behave" Aubrey said, smiling as she exited the room and began her long walk up to the library.
Unlike the night before, Tom wasn't waiting for her outside the library doors, so she made her way towards the table near the back and was surprised to find it empty. Aubrey sat down and waited for him, assuming that he would find her there and hoping that the goal of this meeting was not to practice more Charms spells.
"Evening" Tom said once he arrived a few minutes later. He seemed flustered and anxious, and Aubrey noticed that it was a look that didn't suit him. He looked uncomfortable.
"Hi" Aubrey replied, sitting up straighter.
"I apologize for keeping you waiting" he said as he sat down, "I'm doing castle patrol for a sick prefect and it's been rather disorganized."
"A Head Boy's work is never done, is it Riddle?" Aubrey said, leaning forward and resting her chin on her hand.
"Never" Tom said, smirking slightly.
"So if you're so busy then" Aubrey started, "why are we meeting?"
"I need to know something from you" Tom said, sitting back in his seat.
Aubrey stared at him, waiting.
"How is it that you're able to perform magic without a wand?" he finally asked.
"Intrigued?" Aubrey asked, pleased that there seemed to be a sense of admiration in Tom's voice.
"I suppose you could say that" he replied coolly, "where did you learn it?"
"At my school...at Laurier."
"It's part of the curriculum?" Tom further inquired and Aubrey nodded. He was silent for a few moments, appearing to be deep in thought.
"Headmaster Dippet forbids the subject to be taught at Hogwarts" Tom finally spoke, "and needless to say it's been rather difficult to gather information on the subject."
Tom paused, avoiding Aubrey's stares before continuing.
"I've been able to find a few books on the history of the subject, but very little on technique and methodology-"
"That's great Riddle" Aubrey interrupted, "but what does that have to do with me?"
"I need to learn it" he said sternly, now staring back at her.
"So learn it" Aubrey retorted coolly, "I'm sure a scholar, such as yourself, will have no trouble."
Tom didn't say anything but instead continued to look at Aubrey, his stare growing more intense.
"You can't do it, can you?" Aubrey said quietly, realizing that Tom Riddle was about to ask for her help.
"It's not that I can't do it" Tom retorted, "it's just that it's proving more difficult than I perhaps anticipated."
"Wow" Aubrey continued, truly surprised, "so the great Riddle can't do everything after all?"
"Don't get smart, Miss Knight" Tom said, annoyed.
Aubrey stood up from her seat and walked slowly to the other side of the table, towards Tom.
"You just need to practice Riddle" Aubrey said genuinely, "it's difficult, but with practice you'll get it."
"Do you really think that I would be unsuccessful at something due to a lack of practice or dedication, Miss Knight?" Tom said, standing up and towering above Aubrey.
"You seriously want my help?"
"It would appear that way, yes."
"Why?" said Aubrey, looking up into Tom's dark eyes, still unable to grasp the fact that he was struggling with an aspect of magic.
"You seem to have a reasonable handle on the subject" Tom stated calmly, "and I believe that you may prove yourself more useful than the few books the library offers."
"Why should I help you?"
"More time with yours truly" Tom teased, a cocky smile crossing his lips. He took a step forward and was now just inches away from Aubrey.
"There are benefits to being close to me, Aubrey" he said seductively, reaching his hand up and running a cold, slender finger across her cheek. Aubrey craned her neck to stare into his deep eyes, and tried not to lose herself in his touch. She didn't move, but continued to stare back at him.
"I know you're tired of Stretton" Tom said moments later, removing his hand from her face. "I can maybe help you with that problem if you're willing to cooperate."
"I thought you were already helping me that problem...tutor" Aubrey said, resting her hand on her hip.
"Right" Tom chuckled lightly and turned towards the table, gathering his belongings. "I'm supposed to give updated reports to Stretton as our sessions progress."
"And?" said Aubrey, sternly.
"If you're willing to work with me" Tom began, now staring back at Aubrey, "I'll ensure that you're reports show progress, that your grade in Charms will improve, and you'll no longer require extra lessons."
"I know the material!" Aubrey snapped, still annoyed about her poor grade in Charms.
"I know you do, but Stretton seems to think otherwise."
"And if I'm not willing to work with you?" Aubrey pressed.
"That's fine" Tom said calmly, "I'll continue to see you at least once a week for Charms lessons till the end of the year."
"That's blackmail" Aubrey retorted.
"Not really" Tom said sympathetically, "it's not blackmail when we would both benefit from the proposed situation."
There were a few moments of silence and Aubrey continued to stare deep into Tom's eyes, baffled at the sudden confidence that overcame her and enjoying Tom's impatience as he waited for her response.
"Fine" Aubrey finally agreed, secretly biting her lip to hide her smile. This would be, she thought, an excellent opportunity to not only spend more time with Tom, but to also gain back some control and dominance over him.
"Excellent" Tom said, throwing his book bag over his shoulder. "You'll have to excuse me then, Miss...I have responsibilities to attend to."
"But of course" said Aubrey coolly, returning to the table.
"Do you need escorting back to your common room?"
"I can manage, thanks" said Aubrey, who was intent on staying in the library to study. Tom raised his eyebrows, shooting her a sceptical look.
"I can take care of myself" she assured him, confidently.
"Very well" Tom said, making his way towards the library exit, "just don't stay out too late, Miss Knight."