Chapter 3 – A Contest and A Challenge

Having a hangover sucked. Seriously. Classes were hard to get through, but by the time dinner came around they were all feeling a little better. Their head of house had not confronted them about the night before, so it seemed as if Tom hadn't told on them after all. She might have asked him if she weren't so embarrassed. She hated herself for acting like such a slut all the time. Trying to seduce him last night was not the first time she'd used her feminine wiles to get out of trouble. She did it all the time to try and get herself and her friends out of trouble. It worked to, well, for the most part. She'd never gone so far though (even though technically they didn't really do anything), but she'd never gone as far as to actually whoring herself out. The strange and slightly sad, but even more embarrassing thing was that she had actually liked it. Even though Tom was an obnoxious prick, he was still really cute. Shit, she was even oddly turned on when she got that weird feeling. That realization scared her even more than the feeling itself.

After dinner, they went back to the common room and did their homework. Well, kind of. They actually did mean to do it but only ended up getting halfway through before becoming distracted with other things. Heather went off to read a book after she bullshitted some answers while Serena decided catch up on some interesting gossip and opted to listen to that rather than do her transfiguration homework. She honestly did promise herself to do it, she just forgot. Eve ended up being good for once and doing her homework. Somehow by the end of the evening, Serena had gone to bed completely oblivious to the fact she had forgotten the work left on the table.

They piled into the transfiguration classroom after potions the next day. It was only then that Serena remembered her incomplete homework assignment and prayed that Professor Dumbledore wouldn't collect it. As class started, Serena said goodbye to her friends and sat down next to Tom. She avoided eye contact, but eventually relaxed as he paid her no attention.

"As you know, " He started, "This class has had a problem with their homework assignments. I have been instructed to institute a new policy where if one does not complete their homework, they serve an hour of detention." Serena's cheeks flushed, and she looked down. Damn. She didn't realize Tom saw her blush.

"I am sorry. I personally feel this is not the best approach, but the Headmaster has received some complaints and believes this to be a smart decision. With that in mind, I'd like to begin our lesson." Dumbledore continued. "Now, I expect everyone has completed their homework. It will aid you in our discussion today."

"Excuse me Professor," Tom said raising her hand.

"Yes, Tom?" He asked.

"I hate to be out of line, but I believe Miss Haesley has not completed the assigned homework. It just doesn't seem fair to the rest of the class," He said. Serena's mouth dropped and her cheeks turned crimson. Half the class turned with shocked faces to gape at him. Professor Dumbledore himself looked a little surprised. After a moment he turned to Serena.

"Did you complete your homework Serena?" He asked. It was unlikely for her not to complete an assignment but even more strange that Tom would rat her out. Serena dropped her head shamefully.

"No, I didn't," She said softly. Dumbledore looked disappointed, but more so with the fact that he had to punish a good student.

"Well, I am sorry Serena, I have no choice. You can come to my office tonight after dinner to serve your detention." Serena nodded, her cheeks still brilliantly flushed. With a sigh, the professor continued. "Our lecture today will be on…."

Serena got out her quill and paper to take notes. She gave Tom a quick glare before turning her attention to the lecture with clenched teeth.

Bastard.

When class ended Serena gathered her things and met Heather and Eve at the door before they left together in a hurry.

"I can't believe he did that," Eve said over dinner.

"Seriously, that's not cool," Heather agreed, from the other side of her. Serena just clenched her teeth and drank another glass of pumpkin juice. She wasn't even hungry. She was way too pissed off to be.

"I thought he liked you!" Eve said, "I mean, after the other night…"

"Obnoxious prick," Serena murmured under her breath. She left the Great Hall before dinner was over and decided to get her detention done with. She wandered down the corridors sulkily. Arrogant bastard, she thought as she made her way to the professor's office. She knew he hadn't yet returned from dinner, there were still fifteen minutes left, so she sat down on the floor by the door and waited for him, thinking of bad things that she believed ought to happen to Riddle.

She heard him before she saw him. Professor Dumbledore was humming the tune of a song she didn't know and only stopped once he arrived. Smiling softly at Serena, he opened the door and followed her inside the classroom to his office.

It was small, quiet and neat, yet somehow very cozy. She liked Dumbledore for the most part, he was really nice. He motioned for her to seat herself in the cushioned chair across from his desk and then sat down on the one behind it. Once she was settled, he spoke.

"So Serena, why did you not get your homework completed?" he asked her, not in the least angrily. He said it simply, his tone calm and understanding. Serena knew better than to lie to him. Some teachers you could get away with that, but with him it was better to tell the truth.

"In all honesty Professor," She started, "I just forgot."

"You just forgot?" He asked her. He still wasn't upset but only seemed to be want clarify it.

"I set it out to do, but I got distracted and ended up going to bed before realizing I had forgotten it," She said. He nodded.

"I see."

"I'm sorry," She sighed, not knowing what else to say.

"Don't be sorry. You are a very good student. To forget an assignment once in awhile is not a crime. I do hope though, that this doesn't become a trend."

"Of course not," Serena responded quickly.

"Good," Dumbledore said. "Now, I'm just curious, and I hope you don't mind…"

"What Professor?" She asked him, cocking her head to one side.

"I'm just wondering if anything happened between you and Mr. Riddle?" He asked interested. Serena blushed. This was not the time to tell the truth.

"I don't even really talk to him. Trust me, this confused me probably a lot more that it confused you," She said, partially telling the truth. She honestly didn't have any clue as the why he did that.

"Oh, well," He said, changing subjects. "How's school going then? We have an hour."

The detention went on like that the rest of the hour. It really wasn't bad, all things considered. True, Serena was not the type of person to confide in teachers, so it was a little strange talking to Dumbledore for that long. But in the end, the hour was over and Serena hadn't been forced to do any work.

"Now, I would suggest you hurry up to your dormitory. It's after hours and you don't want any trouble. If anyone asks you about it though, just tell them you were with me." Dumbledore said as Serena left the office.

"I will," She said, turning around before she shut the door. "Thank you Professor. I'll make sure I do my homework." He smiled.

"Of course." She turned and left the office, gently closing the door behind her.

She slowly made her up the hallway to her house room. She turned the corner and who should she meet! Why the hell is he always patrolling the corridors? Serena asked herself.

"Serena, why out so late at night?" Riddle asked, strolling towards her.

"Why the hell are you?" She asked, walking past him. He turned to walk with her.

"You shouldn't speak so disrespectfully to a superior Serena," He said. She stopped and looked up at him.

"A superior?" She asked.

"I am a prefect." He said, motioning to his badge. Serena rolled her eyes and continued walking.

"You didn't answer my question," He said.

"If you must know, I was returning from my session of detention with Professor Dumbledore." She said, stopping once again. Tom smirked.

"Oh that's right. Because you didn't do your homework." He said.

"Why did you do that?" She asked him, putting her hands on her hips and standing up straight.

"Well…"Tom started. "I distinctly remember you telling me to punish you."

Serena looked at him.

"Are you stupid? I meant whip me, spank me, tie me up and have your way with me! Not get me in trouble with the teachers you prick!" She said as if he was really thick not to have understood that.

"I'll work on that," He said, his cheeks slightly coloring.

"Good luck with that," Serena said sarcastically, starting to walk again.

"What?" He asked her.

"Nothing," She said.

"No, tell me." He said somewhat forcefully. She stopped and looked at him.

"Honestly Tom, you are so innocent. You could be so cool if you just bent the rules a little bit more. But no, you are so uptight and 'perfect' you'd never allow yourself to be like that." His eyes seemed to darken, but she continued. "I think the one thing you'd fail at Tom, is becoming dirty. You couldn't do it."

"Is that a challenge?" He asked, his voice uncomfortably calm. She thought for a minute and then decided. She stepped closer so she could speak more softly.

"Sure Tom. It's a challenge. Break some rules, seduce me, make me your prisoner, force me to your will." She whispered tauntingly. Tom's eyes sparkled with lust. It was a shame she didn't realize Tom's true nature or how fucking turned-on he was by this.

"I'll take you up on that," He said, his eyes dark with determination. He liked a challenge, especially one he knew he could win. "And what do I get if I win?"

Serena pretended to ponder for a minute. "Tom, you can have me," She said jokingly. "If you win, you can have me whenever you want." He smiled. She had no idea what she was setting herself up for.

"Deal?" He asked sticking out his hand to be shaken. She laughed, shaking her head.

"Deal," She said, placing her hand in his. They shook hands to conclude the deal.

"Well Miss Haesley I do believe you should be on your way. It's late after all." Tom said. Serena laughed again, rolling her eyes.

"Good night Mr. Riddle," She said mockingly. Tom smirked and watched as she made her way to her room. It really was a damn shame she had no idea what dangerous a game she was now playing.

Serena left early for breakfast and stuffed herself with food as she didn't eat anything the night before and finally had her appetite back. She hadn't told her girlfriends about the 'deal' she made with Riddle last night: she didn't think it was necessary. First of all, she didn't actually think he would do anything, seeing as it was Tom. Secondly, she wasn't quite sure what their reactions would be and didn't think it was a good idea for rumors to spread all over school. Besides, she really didn't think anything would come out of it, so she just ate her porridge and acted normally.

"I totally just had eye sex with that Lucius Malfoy kid! It was so hot!" Heather announced excitedly as she joined the table. Serena laughed and Eve snorted.

"I'm serious guys, it was so awesome!" Heather said.

"You're so cute," Serena said, smiling at her friend. Heather always did have a thing for blondes.

"Do you have any classes with him?" Eve asked her.

"A few," Heather said, listing them. Serena shook her head, smiling as she drank some more juice.

When breakfast was over, they moved on to their classes. Then it was lunch, more classes and dinner. After dinner they all went back to the common room and sat on their beds gossiping, after finishing their homework, of course. They washed up and went to bed. It took Serena awhile to fall asleep but when she finally did she slept very soundly. She awoke the next morning, showered and walked to breakfast with her girlfriends. Today she opted for something light as she wasn't that hungry and after breakfast made her way to class with Eve and Heather.

Lunch came and went and by the time potions was over, Serena was left wondering if Tom would try anything in Transfiguration class. Well, if Serena had secretly been hoping he would, she would have been disappointed. It seemed Professor Dumbledore had some rather important news for the class.

They hurried inside and sat down at their desks quickly. Tom did no more than glance at her as Serena sat down beside him.

"I have some exciting news to announce today," He said as the class quieted. "The Headmaster has granted me permission to hold a contest. It will start in two weeks where everyone will be given a scavenger hunt. The 15 partners who complete it the fastest will continue on the next stage. Those people will take a test that deals with all the material we've dealt with these past few years and some material we have not yet learned about. The six partners who score the highest on these tests will then be asked to complete a surprise transfiguration spell. The wining partner pair will be excused from the first semester exam." Serena's mouth dropped and there was an audible gasp heard from the class. "Only one pair will win, so I expect all of you to study hard and play fair."

Britney's arm shot up.

"And our partners are the same ones we have now?" She asked.

"That's right," He said. The expressions on the faces of the students would have been really interesting to watch. Some looked excited at having a good partner, others looked upset for having a stupid partner, and others still looked embarrassed for being the stupid partner. Serena looked at Tom.

"We have to win!" Serena said, turning to Tom. He looked calmly back at her.

"We will."

"No, but I may need help," she said hoping he'd get the point.

"So, you want me to help you?" He asked.

"It's the only way we'll win. You're the smartest person in this class," She said hoping the flattery would work. "I'm good but not that good. And I really want to win." Tom thought about it for a moment.

"Then you'll meet me in the library every other night starting tomorrow to study," He said. "And, you'll do exactly what I tell you to, no questions."

Serena smiled playfully, "I'll try my hardest."