Before Tom entered the Great Hall, he could see Hagrid watching for him from the Gryffindor table. Tom thought about skipping breakfast, but Hagrid had already spotted him. Tom entered anyway and tried not to make eye contact. He caught movement out of the corner of his eye, and tried to motion to Hagrid that he should just stay put. Hagrid ignored him and called, "Hey, Tom!"

Tom glanced back at him and said, "Yes?"

"I just wanted to say thanks for-"

"Forget about it."

"No, I couldn't. You didn't-"

"I know I didn't, but I did. It's over. Let's forget it happened."

"But-"

"Listen, just because I give you a hand doesn't mean I want to be your pal."

By that point the whole hall had turned their attentions to Tom and Hagrid. Tom looked at his table to see Gordy sneering at him. The rest of the gang seemed about to split their sides in laughter. Tom was almost whispering when he said coldly, "Just go back to your table and pretend I never talked to you."

Hagrid stood where he was and stared at Tom. His lips started to move a little, but he made no sound. Tom tried to seem indifferent as he took an isolated, seat at the Slytherin table. He tried to block out all sound, but the snickering from Gordy and his friends seemed to become louder the harder he tried. He refused to let his embarrassment get the better of him, and he began to eat as nonchalantly as possible.

"What was that about?" Max asked. He'd moved down from the other end of the table.

"Nothing."

"You friends with him?"

"No. And if I was, it wouldn't be any of your concern."

Max recoiled, "Sorry, man. I was just-I mean are you in good with him. No offense, but he's kind of weird, you know?"

"Yeah, I know. I don't need you to point it out to me," Tom tossed his fork down on the table, "I just gave him a hand with a problem that's all."

Tom left the Great Hall without making eye contact with anyone, but he could still hear the snickers of his housemates. He clenched his fists as his footsteps grew heavier. "What do they care?" he whispered to himself, "It's my duty as head boy, right? Help students, right? So what do they care?"
His pace increased as he continued to whisper angrily to himself. He made an abrupt stop in the middle of a hallway. He swore as let his fist fly into the wall. Moments after his fist connected with the stones, he sank to his knees and cradled his hand. Hot pain shot from the knuckles, up the arm, through the shoulder and into his brain. Tom bit his lip and cursed at himself for being stupid enough to punch a stone wall.

A hand rested on his shoulder, and he heard Dumbledore behind him. "Stand up. I'll take you to the hospital wing."

Tom stared up at Dumbledore with both awe and a tinge of fear. Snapping back to reality, Tom stumbled to his feet. He walked beside Dumbledore. "Let me see your hand."

Tom held his right hand out. Without touching him, Dumbledore looked over it and said, "That was quite a punch. Why did you punch the wall, Tom?"

Tom shrugged. Dumbledore said casually, "There must have been some catalyst. What would drive a level-head, smart student like you, to punch a wall?"

"Just mad."

"Surely you were more than just mad."

Tom shrugged again. Dumbledore asked, "What's making you so angry that you want to do this?"

"Just...things...stuff."

"Things and stuff are what drive you to want to curse your classmates?"

"People bug me sometimes."

"I understand. It happens to the best of us. Still, it worries me how you handle your anger."

"Why should it worry you? I'd reckon Dippet's more worried."

"I do not doubt that Professor Dippet is worried. Still, I hate to see such a bright student falter."

"Ain't a guy got a right to be angry sometimes?"

"Of course he does. It's the way in which he deals with it that important. It does a person no good to react with violence."

Tom scoffed, "And let people walk all over you? No thank you, Professor."

"You're smarter than that Tom. You don't need fists and curses and hate to get by. No, I think you'd fare better than most anyone even without your wand. I just wish you'd see it in yourself. Now, here we are. Would you like me to write you a note for your next class?"

"No, I don't think she'll mind," Tom said. He stared as Dumbledore walked away unsure of how much of Dumbledore's concern was real.