Chapter Seven: Research Trouble
Tom had the impression that his Transfiguration teacher did not like him. Maybe it was on account of an incident his first Christmas at Hogwarts when Dumbledore found him poring over articles on Grindlewald, or perhaps it was due to his association with Wilkes and Malfoy. Clarissa had already received three detentions for her use of the word Mudblood by Christmas. Whatever the cause, Professor Dumbledore's expression always seemed to harden whenever Tom came into his presence. The wizard's bright blue eyes tracked Tom as though he expected the boy to pull out a gun and start shooting like Al Capone's men did in the old newsreels that were sometimes attached to American films. The Slytherin boy did not understand why he was singled out. Although Dumbledore was head of Gryffindor, he did not discriminate against members of the other houses, so the professor disliking him on account of his a Slytherin had to be ruled out. Tom behaved in class and received excellent marks. There was no reason for Dumbledore to view him as an impending disaster.
Despite Dumbledore's attitude toward his student, Tom enjoyed Transfiguration. It was not his favorite class - that was Defense Against the Dark Arts - but he appreciated the challenges the subject presented. He also savored the idea of turning some of the others at the orphanage into frogs, until Clarissa shot down that idea when he mentioned it to her one evening in the common room.
"We aren't permitted to use magic over the summer until after we leave Hogwarts for good." Clarissa informed her friend when he told her how he planned to make his childhood tormenters croak and hop around.
"Why aren't we allowed to do magic over the summer? Do they expect us to forget everything we learned at school" Tom demanded.
"They don't trust us. Back when students could use magic over the summer, they had to employ twice the number of Obliviators to deal with Mudbloods who showed off to Muggles. Because of them we all have to suffer"
" I'd be careful," Tom muttered. "I'd use memory charms when I was done. What are Obliviators?"
"Obliviators put memory charms on Muggles who witness Magic." The blond girl explained with exaggerated patience. "Members of the Accidental Magical Reversal Squad."
"Oh."
"Besides," Clarissa reminded Tom, "we won't learn human transfiguration until out fifth year."
Tom shrugged. "I'm certain I could manage it if I put my mind to it."
"But they would catch you. They have spells that monitor magical activity you know. If you receive enough notices, they will expel you from Hogwarts and break you wand. Besides, in order to learn how to turn people into frogs by summer, you'd have to cut back your research," Clarissa teased.
Tom froze at her last comment. Then he shook himself and with a growl, grabbed Clarissa by the arm. She tried to wiggle free, but Tom's grip was vise like and his fingernails dug through Clarissa's gray sweater into her arm. The girl bit her lip to keep from whimpering in pain and shot Tom a look of mixed shot, anger, and pain.
"Tom you're hurting me," Clarissa told the boy in a deadly whisper. She tried to snake her other hand over to pull her wand out of her pocket.
"What do you know about my research?" Tom demanded as though she had never spoken.
"You are hardly subtle." Clarissa retorted, her face flushed with anger. She jerked her left arm forward and was able to reach her pocketed wand and bring it to bear against Tom.
"Don't bother," Tom said as he pointed his own wand at her. "You know I'm better with hexes than you are. Do you fancy having to find a prefect to take a jinx off you while coughing up slugs?"
Clarissa glared daggers at him. "Threaten me again Riddle and I will find a way to get you. Malfoys always achieve revenge." Clarissa snarled before retreating to her dormitory.
Tom watched her go, then set off for the library. Mr. Pietas suggested an interesting book last night, but had not checked it out. He resolved to remedy that lapse in judgment.