Autumn seemed to arrive suddenly that year. The morning of the first of September was crisp as an apple; Kings Cross Station was busier that morning, almost full of students who were ready to embark on another year of adventures in Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry. Many miles away, in the castle that had withstood the weather of the British Isles since its foundation in 993 Ad during the reign of Æthelred the Unready.

"Welcome!" said Dumbledore, the candlelight shimmering on his beard. "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."

Dumbledore cleared his throat and continued, "As you will all be aware after their search of the Hogwarts Express, our school is presently playing host to some of the dementors of Azkaban, who are here on Ministry of Magic business. They are stationed at every entrance to the grounds," Dumbledore continued, "and while they are with us, I must make it plain that nobody is to leave school without permission. Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises — or even Invisibility Cloaks," he added blandly, "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn every one of you to give them no reason to harm you. I look to the prefects, and our new Head Boy and Girl, to make sure that no student runs afoul of the dementors," he said. Dumbledore paused again; he looked very seriously around the hall, and nobody moved or made a sound. "On a happier note," he continued, "I am pleased to welcome three new teachers to our ranks this year.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."

There was some scattered, rather unenthusiastic applause. Only those who had been in the compartment on the train with Professor Lupin clapped hard, Harry among them. Professor Lupin looked particularly shabby next to all the other teachers in their best robes.

"As to our second new appointment," Dumbledore continued as the lukewarm applause for Professor Lupin died away. "Well, I am sorry to tell you that Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs. However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on this teaching job in addition to his gamekeeping duties. And finally, I am pleased to announce not only new addition to the staff but an excellent addition to our curriculum; may I present to you, your new Muggle History," mutters broke out across the hall, "Professor Riddle." There was a deafening silence that was hesitantly broken by the numerous muggle bones that were scattered throughout the magnificent room. "Well, I think that's everything of importance," said Dumbledore. "Let the feast begin!"

The golden plates and goblets before them filled suddenly with food and drink. The hall echoed with talk, laughter, and the clatter of knives and forks.

9 o'clock the next morning found Tom and the Gryffindor and Slytherin 3rd years in the dungeons for their first class of the year.

"Alright. Who can tell me why you are being taught about muggle history?" asked Tom.

"So we can learn from the idiots' many mistakes." drawled a Gryffindor in the back row. "Minus the unnecessary and derogatory insults towards our an-"

"My PURE blood goes back generations!" interrupted another student.

"However, whether you like it or not everyone, yes even you, are descendants of the same species of ape as muggles so it will do you a whole world of good in this class if you keep that in mind. Is that clear Mr. Malfoy."

"How did you know who I am," Malfoy demanded.

"Bleach blonde hair, a chin that's a synonym for a knife, and a conceited expression, it wasn't that difficult. Now may we continue with the lesson?" Tom shot back without missing a beat. "Yes Sir," Malfoy replied curtly.

"Good. We're going to start with a vote on what topic you would like to study first. The options are as follows: the Wars of the Roses/ late Plantagenet dynasty, the Anglo-Saxon period, or the Tudor period in England.

Dear Mum,

Professor Dumbledore added a new class this year, Muggle History. We haven't done much yet as we have only had one lesson but what we did have was awesome. You may remember my anger with a certain student known as Draco Malfoy, well because he is a prick that we all want to slap, he naturally had to object to the generally accepted theory of evolution. Professor Riddle then ripped him into pieces and we all cheered. Looking forward to more lessons.

Yesterday I was telling Bessy about seeing Camelot for my birthday and she is so jealous. I suppose it doesn't help that I've been singing all the lyrics.

Anyway back to history. Professor Riddle had a choice of three topics and we voted for Wars of the Roses. Professor Riddle was more gleeful than anyone has any right to be at that, still though he seems nice.

Tell Rose to write soon.

Love, Georgia

The next Monday Tom walked into his classroom to find most of the class already there. "You're either very eager or just plain bored because I'm here five minutes early," Riddle grinned, "Anyway, today we are going to start on our chosen topic of Wars of the Roses. From the late 1450s Richard Plantagenet, 3rd Duke of York challenged his cousin King Henry vi's claim to the English thro-". He was cut off by the door banging open and the arrival of the Golden Trio. After a muttered 'sorry' the group slid into available seats and the lesson continued. "As I was saying, in 1455 the Duke of York decided he should be king; what followed was an on-off war that is generally said to have ended on 22nd August 1485 with the defeat and subsequent death of York's youngest surviving son Richard III, late Duke of Gloucester. Anyway, back to 50. Both the king and York had an excellent claim to the throne." Riddle informed the class. The rest of the lesson passed in a whirl of constitutions and crowns, losses, and gains until the bell rang to free the students for the day. In the Great Hall, the most common topic of conversation was lessons and their teachers; naturally, the teacher that was the subject of many of the interrogations was none other than the enigmatic history professor. If any of the said inquisitors had snuck into said enigmas room they would have found their history professor in the throes of an old memory

(AN ~Tom is Elphaba and Abraxas Malfoy is Galinda (* is both))

/Dearest darlingest mom and pops.

~My dear diary

*There's been some confusion

Over rooming here at Hogwarts

~But of course, I'll care for myself

But of course, I'll rise above it

*For I know that's how you'd want me to respond. Yes, there's been some confusion for you see, my room-mate is

Unusually and exceedingly peculiar and altogether quite impossible to describe

~Blonde

*"What is this feeling so sudden and new? I felt the moment I laid eyes on you

"My pulse is rushing"

~"My head is reeling"

"My face is flushing"

*"What is this feeling? Fervid as a flame. Does it have a name? Yes! Loathing, unadulterated loathing"

"For your face"

~"Your voice"

"Your clothing"

*"Let's just say, I loathe it all! Every little trait, however, small makes my very flesh begin to crawl with simple utter loathing. There's a strange exhilaration In such total detestation. It's so pure! So strong! Though I do admit it came on fast still I do believe that it can last and I will be loathing, loathing you my whole life long!"/

Of course, that was before the pair became friends after Abraxas helped Tom to be popular.

/"Tom, now that we're friends, I've decided to make you my new project!"

~"You don't have to do that!"

"I know, that's what makes me so nice! Whenever I see someone less fortunate than I (and let's face it, who isn't less fortunate than I?) My tender heart tends to start to bleed and when someone needs a makeover, I simply have to take over! I know, I know exactly what they need! And even in your case though it's the toughest case I've yet to face, don't worry, I'm determined to succeed! Follow my lead and yes indeed, you will be popular! You're gonna be popular! I'll teach you the proper poise when you talk to girls, little ways to flirt and flounce. I'll show you what shoes to wear! How to fix your hair! Everything that counts to be popular! I'll help you be popular! You'll hang with the right cohorts, you'll be good at sports. Know the slang you've got to know. So let's start 'cause you've got an awfully long way to go! Don't be offended by my frank analysis, think of it as personality dialysis. Now that I've chosen to become a pal, a brother, and an advisor; there's nobody wiser! Not when it comes to popularity! I know about popular and with an assist from me to be who you'll be, instead of dreary who you were (well, are). There's nothing that can stop you from becoming popu-ler... lar. We're gonna make you pop-you-lar!

When I see depressing creatures with unprepossessing features I remind them on their own behalf to think of celebrated heads of state or especially great communicators! Did they have brains or knowledge? Don't make me laugh! They were popular! Please! It's all about popularity, it's not about aptitude, it's the way you're viewed. So it's very shrewd to be very very popular like me! Why, Mr. Riddle, look at you. You're handsome!"

~"I, I have to go"

"You're welcome. And though you protest Your disinterest I know clandestinely you're gonna grin and bear it! Your newfound popularity! You'll be popular! Just not quite as popular as me!"/