Chapter 3- New Professor
*Damonna*
I was late for class. Professor Dumbledore smiled slyly at me as I slid into my seat for Defence Against the Dark Arts. After our talk yesterday, you'd think I could be on time every once in a while.
Speaking of which-
Sirius had dragged me out of the hospital ward. Audia, poor girl, had run into Corbin while I was gone. And now here I was, sitting in class, worrying about what Dumbledore had told me!
I have to get my priorities in order.
Sirius had taken me to the statue and dropped me off. "Dumbledore said this one's just for you." He shifted uncomfortably on his feet, like he wanted to follow me.
"I'll be fine." I smiled. "Thanks for getting me and everything…" I reached out and wrapped my arms around him in a friendly embrace.
"No problem." He hugged me tightly. "You come out of there alive, alright?"
I smiled and pulled back. "No Problem."
He laughed and walked back down the hall, black cloak kissing the rough stone floor.
I shook my head. My heart was pounding. What was wrong with me? Like Sirius?! I like Sirius?!
I stared at the floor, trying to gather my thoughts. Great. No. Wait. I CAN'T LIKE HIM! This just complicates everything. No. Liking Sirius was just a no.
ACK! I couldn't believe I was thinking this! No. Just…just no.
I sighed resolutely and strode over the Griffin statue. "Ummm…Ah. Crap." I shook my head. First I think I like Sirius and now I can't remember the password.
Fortunately, the statue turned.
His eyes were bright green. His smile, disarming. And then he held out his hand. "You must be Damonna. Headmaster Dumbledore was telling me that you were probably down here."
I nodded shyly and took his hand, shaking it quickly. His fingers were ice.
"He told me to come down and get you. He said you must have forgotten the password." He grinned and lenved down next to my ear. "Tira Misu." He whispered impishly.
"Ah…I…Thank you." I attempted a weak smile as he rose and stood aside so I could reach the staircase.
"Ladies first." He said chivalrously.
I nodded and strode to the stairs. "Any idea what the Headmaster wants me for?"
"He says you break so many rules you might get put into Gryffindor." He frowned slightly at the house name.
And so here I was, gazing over at Audia every few seconds. I had spotted her sitting in the very back of the dank classroom. I smiled at her and she shyly returned it.
Dumbledore coughed to clear his throat and began to speak.
"Students, as you all know, due to circumstances out of our control, your previous Defence Against the Dark Arts professor was removed. However, we have found a replacement. I would like to introduce to you a former student from Hogwarts, a former Slytherin prefect, and Quiddich team captain- your new professor- Mr. Tom Riddle."
*Audia*
I had been writing in my journal up until Professor Dumbledore had come into the classroom. Defense Against the Dark Arts isn't my best subject, and writing has become an awful habit of mine to do when I'm bored. So there I was, complaining to my diary about the disgusting state of my dress robes, when the most attractive man walked into the room. Sirius? Sirius, who?
Professor Tom Riddle was his name, and a very good one at that. Riddle was a great last name. Audia Riddle. Sounds perfect. I began writing it in my diary, oblivious to the fact that Professor Riddle had begun his lecture. In fact, I was completely out of it until someone whispered in my ear, "Marvelo. Audia Marvelo Riddle."
I glanced quickly up, to see the face of Professor Riddle himself. My face grew as red as possible, and my mouth bobbed open like a fish. What have I done?! "Sorry," I managed to croak out, but he was up at the front of the room by the time I managed it. He seemed to have heard me, though, because very quickly, he winked at me. Then he went back on lecturing.
I stuffed my diary back into my bookbag furiously. How could I have been caught? Stupid, stupid, stupid. I glanced up, and my eyes met with another pair across the room. Damonna, my brain shouted at me, and I managed to smile. She gave me a quick quizzical look, and then smiled again. "What was that about?" she mouthed, and I shook my head and sighed. "Tell you later," I mouthed back, but was interrupted from a voice in the front of the room.
"There's only twenty minutes left, girls," Riddle said in his deep voice, "I'm sure you can discuss your dates for Hogsmede in that time. Hmm…that gives me an idea. Everyone stand up, and pair up with a member of the opposite sex. We're going to play a game."
I frantically glanced around the room, and met no familiar faces. I whirled my head over to Damonna, but she wasn't looking at me anymore. She had her hand on the arm of a boy I didn't know, and she and the boy were both laughing."
"We seem to have an odd number of students," Riddle said, and I snapped my head toward the front of the room. "Audia," he said, "looks like you're partnered with me." He grinned, and I felt my face flush. Torture! Twenty minutes of torture.
I glanced quickly at Damonna again, and gave her a frantic look that clearly said "Help me!" And she bit her lip and glanced around the room, plotting a plan for me.
"I'm waiting," Riddle smiled, showing his perfect teeth, and I started toward the front of the room. I couldn't help it. When someone smiles at you look that, you just have to come. I turned my head, looking for Damonna, but she was no where to be found. Was this her plan? She leaves so I don't have to be partnered with Riddle? I felt a rush behind me, a feeling like a cloak sweeping my arm. I turned around, and there she was.
"I can't leave," she hissed, "I tried. The door's locked. Just…stay by us, and if worse comes to worst, then jump out the window." She gave me a friendly smile, and I took a deep breath, turned around, and walked to Riddle.
"Great," he said, his voice above the din the other students were making, "we can start. He looped an arm around my shoulder, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "You've fended off vampires, bogarts, and the like, but have you fended off members of the same species? Now we're going to learn the art of self-defense, how to defend yourself against humans whose intentions are pure evil." His hand found my shoulder, and he squeezed lightly. I felt the air leave my lungs.