And The Beatings Began
Tom awoke, his head feeling swollen and his mouth dry. Lifting his head, he attempted to take in his surroundings. He was in a very clean chamber with rows of uncomfortable iron cot beds. A woman in white robes was on the bed next to his, stirring a purple liquid in a beaker.
"Ah," Said the woman, looking up and noticing him at last. "You're awak. Only the second day of classes and you're already fighting. You'll be quite the trouble maker." She said, eyeing him sternly.
"I- he tried, but started to cough roughly. The woman poured her purple liquid into a glass and handed it to Tom. He drank the entire potion, despite its vile taste.
"I was not fighting. A boy just hit me." He said. It wasn't really a lie.
The woman stared at him harshly. "Of course. You can go. You'll keep your swollen lip as a reminder, but you're fine otherwise."
Tom nodded and climbed out of the bed. He found his shirt, tie and robe lying across a chair and quickly put them on. He frowned at the tie around his neck. The double Windsor knot Caleb had tied for him had fallen out. He had no idea how to tie it, so he left it undone.
qpqp
Tom entered the Great Hall for lunch to meet many passing whispers. He swallowed, ignoring the curious glances and passing of gossip behind hands. As he passed the Gryffindor table to sit with his house, he caught snitches of conversation.
"Devil spawn…"
"Didn't even say a spell!"
"…just stay away…"
Tom took his seat at the Slytherin table, not bothering to eat his Shepherds Pie. It wasn't like he cared. No, he would not let it bother him. He was strong; stronger than all of them. He hadn't done anything wrong! Even though he hardened his heart, he felt a dull aching. Were they not different? They had to be different from those horrible muggles, from his father. Tom looked down his table. The Slytherins eyed him carefully. They did not whisper, they were not scared. Wary, but not hateful. He liked it. He figured he would be okay.
qpqp
After lunch the Slytherins returned to their common room. Tom collapsed onto the couch in front of the fire. The rest of the crowd filed into the dungeon, some retiring to dorms, some milling about the common room. Tom spotted Caleb across the room and smiled, but Caleb did not smile back. Caleb took a seat far away from Tom, ignoring the other boy's quizzical glance. Tom could only find himself staring at Caleb, confusion lurking in his dark blue eyes.
Tom sighed and sunk back against the sofa cushions. He let his eyes droop closed and the waves of stress wash over him. A cough within close proximity startled him out of his self-pity, and Tom opened his eyes to be greeted by a grinning, towering figure. Dread sank in his gut. Somehow, he already knew what was coming. He was jerked up by the front of his shirt, the venomous smile inches from his face.
"Tom Riddle. A powerful little firstie. Don't get any ideas, kid. You may be all powerful and all that shit, but I can still take you." Hissed the older Slytherin.
"Okay." Tom said simply. He thought that this would clear things up, but he was mistaken. The older boy sneered, and smashed Tom's body against the stone of the nearest wall.
"You're not better than me. Than any of us." He growled, slamming Tom against the rock once more. A fist collided with his face for the second time that day. He felt himself being thrown to the floor and the pain beating down on him. Tom tapped out, falling into a dream like state where the pain seemed dull and nothing mattered. He didn't know how long the beating lasted, nor how long he lay there afterward. The only thing that stuck out was the soft whisper. "Remember my name, Spollen."
Everything else all seemed to blur and then refocus as he heard his name. His god damn name.
"Tom…Tom, can you hear me? You bastard, wake up!"
Tom's eyes focused carefully on honey eyes. "Caleb?"
"Yes, we have to get you to the hospital wing. Can you walk?"
"No. No, no, no." Tom said, shaking his head but finding this an excruciating action.
"What? You don't want to? Why not?"
"The woman there, no. I don't want to. Just take me up to the dorm, okay?"
Caleb shrugged and practically dragged Tom up the staircase, as Tom's own legs weren't of much use at the moment. After Tom was in his four poster, Caleb fidgeted.
"I won't be talking to you much anymore Tom."
"What are you on about Caleb?"
"They're going to single you out. Make a point of you. They'll take me down with you if I'm around you. I'm sorry."
Tom didn't think he sounded apologetic at all. He wasn't quite sure what to make of this, so he looked away. "Okay." He said simply, and went to sleep.
A/N: Sorry I didn't get this up as soon as promised. I thought I'd have time and I didn't… But then again, I'm not sorry! Because I'm still not getting a whole lot of reviews! And I refuse to update again until I get at least five. Muaha! Anyway… Don't you feel sorry for Tom? If not, you will. That's all the hints you get until you review you evil nonreviewers! Heh. More soon. Kisses and Jests – The Dragon Dancer