So I'm over my writer's block and have plenty of ideas now which is good. There are a few "squee" moments in this chapter but oh my god, you're all gonna die during the next one! I can't wait to write it.
In response to the reviews...
Kavernista: I freakin' love your reviews! I always get so giddy and grin like an idiot and want to squeal loudly like a school girl ha ha. I got excited writing this and had you in mind during some of the moments!
KirikaAndo: Thank you SO much for the feedback. I usually write different types of stories where it's really slow paced (like it takes dozens of chapters for romance to grow) and the girls are usually a lot stronger and more independent than Tori, so I'm so glad you're enjoying this one! I'm enjoying writing it :)
Drucilla began to leave me alone after her punishment that Professor Scamander gave her. I doubt it had anything to do with broadening her education, more the fact people started teasing her for the fact the newest, softest teacher had dished out an unusual punishment. She wasn't any nicer to me, but now she completely ignored me. Even if our whole dormitory were submerged in conversation she would pretend I didn't exist should I speak up. I preferred it that way. She may have only started causing me grief very recently but I was already very sick of it. As far as I was concerned, what would have been a big problem had now been nipped in the bud.
The year had started to fall into place very quickly. Between classes, study and homework I found myself very hard pressed for spare time. I was doing very well in Care of the Magical Creatures and doing fairly well in Herbology. However as I had expected I was struggling with Defence Against the Dark Arts and Transfiguration. I spent majority of my spare time doing extra homework to try and wrap my head around the coursework to stay afloat. It was getting to a point where even Professor Dumbledore had noticed.
"Are you having trouble turning your plant into a saucepan, Miss Black?" Professor Dumbledore asked me in the middle of a Transfiguration lesson.
No one else paid attention as they were all struggling with the difficult task themselves. Turning a living thing into something mundane but useful was a very difficult thing to do, even though it sounded fairly easy. I flushed red at the attention from Professor Dumbledore, even though I didn't know one other person in particular was listening in.
"Um, a little. But that's fine, I'll get the hang of it soon." I weakly smiled, wanting Professor Dumbledore to move along and leave me alone. Unfortunately I was out of luck, as he seemed even more adamant than before to lend a hand.
"Sometimes it doesn't take intelligence to make a great witch or wizard, but one who can ask for help when needed." Dumbledore smiled at me, his eyes twinkling with his statement over his half-moon spectacles.
I only sent a small smile back. I couldn't be rude to the deputy Headmaster and my Transfiguration teacher but at the same time I didn't want to offer too much encouragement, as I was hoping he would go away and leave me alone. Hopefully a non verbal reply would get my emotions across.
"Here, I'll show Victoria. Are you watching?" Tom Riddle piped up and I noticed he had come to occupy the empty seat next to me suddenly.
I looked between Dumbledore and Tom Riddle as I suppressed a groan. As much as I wanted Dumbledore to leave me alone, I didn't want Tom to think any less of me either. If he had to show me how to do the spell, I would look like a complete and utter fool. I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.
I had recently finally admitted to myself that I held feelings for Tom Riddle. He had constantly been doing chivalrous things such as holding out chairs for me, opening doors and even once loaned me his blazer when I had Herbology and accidentally left mine in the castle and it was a little chilly. He was a perfect gentleman, who wouldn't develop feelings during this courtship?
As far as I knew he was courting me exclusively. He had always been a charmer and polite to everyone, but he had never acted this keen towards any other girl before. This theory was backed up by others, as lots of girls mentioned how "lucky" I was, even girls from other houses who had never spoken to me before. It took a lot to break down my shy walls, but somehow Tom Riddle had managed to do so.
"That's very kind of you to offer, Tom. However I'll show her how its done." Professor Dumbledore said to Tom.
I eyed Tom and he sent me a sly smile after rolling his eyes at Professor Dumbledore. It was the first time I had ever seen him give a teacher attitude (even if it was when he wasn't watching) and it made me giggle. I liked seeing a new side of Tom Riddle.
"Pertego!" Professor Dumbledore said calmly, pointing his wand at my plant. Before our eyes it turned into a very impressive looking saucepan.
"The secret with spells involving living things is to say it calmly. If you shout or be too energetic they're not going to want to change, are they?" Tom piped up, wanting to have the last say over Professor Dumbledore.
"Correct." Professor Dumbledore stated kindly, aiming it towards both Tom and I.
Tom put his plant in front of me, as mine had already been changed. I took a deep breath as I noticed Professor Dumbledore was watching me too, he was even ignoring pleas for help by another girl in the class as he focused on what I was doing. I tried to not focus on Tom or Professor Dumbledore watching me and opted to clear my mind as I used the advice Tom had given me.
"Pertego." I peacefully called out, giving my wand just a gentle wave towards the plant.
Moments later a saucepan sat in front of me. It was no way near on the same calibre as Dumbledore's as it looked old and shabby looking, but I had successfully transfigured the plant into the pan and had passed today's task.
"Bravo, Miss Black." Professor Dumbledore complimented kindly, before finally moving along to the other students begging for help. I did however notice he would still watch Tom and I from the corner of his eye.
"You did really well, Tori." Tom said to me as he gave me a pat on the back. He took a while to remove his hand, giving me an affectionate rub on the back for a short while.
I stayed quiet, blissfully enjoying his touching. I had been wanting to speak with him for a few days to see what our relationship was to him (or if there was any glimmer of a relationship at all) but I didn't have the courage. It was improper for a lady to lead those conversations, it was up to the man to do so.
"Say. Why don't I help you with your Transfiguration work? We can meet on a regular basis and I'll help you through it." Tom proposed to me, sending me a charming smile that made my insides melt with attraction to him.
"S-sure. Will any of your friends be there?" I stammered out.
Tom had a group of close knit friends that he spent a lot of time with. Some people joked they were a 'gang' but it was rare to see him without them. That was before he had started to show an interest in me, as he was now spending a considerable amount of time with me too.
"No. It'll be just our little private sessions." Tom purred, and I bit my lip with excitement. He was clearly flirting with me, and he wanted to spend one on one time with me. This was a good thing in my books.
I noticed Professor Dumbledore looked our way again but brushed it off as I turned back to Tom.
"Sure. Just tell me when." I responded, trying to remain neutral and hide my excitement.
The bell rang and I groaned as it couldn't have come at a worse time. However it seemed it wasn't all bad based on what Tom was about to offer.
"What class do you have now? I have Arithmancy but I'd still love to walk you to your next class. I can tell my teacher Head Boy duties called." Tom asked me as we both started to pack up our things.
"Here I was thinking you were a model student but today you've rolled your eyes at a teacher, plan to be late and plan to lie to the teacher. Tsk tsk." I teased as I stood up and waited for Tom.
"There's a lot of secrets you don't know about me. Maybe if you hang around me I'll let you in on a few." Tom winked as he grabbed my books from me and draped an arm over my shoulder as we began to walk outside.
I mentioned to him I had Care of the Magical Creatures next but I found it hard to pay attention to him as I was so excited his arm was around me. I also noticed we received a lot of stares and whispers as we made our way through the corridoors and outside of the castle.
As we made our way down to the outskirts of the grounds a few members of Tom's gang came to join us and walk down with us. I grew uncomfortable and Tom seemed to sense at as he squeezed my shoulders roughly to calm me down. Tom mentioned to them he was walking me down but didn't ask them to leave us be. So they joined us.
"Did you know Scamander got expelled when he was at Hogwarts. He was a Hufflepuff, he must be the only one in that house to have ever been given the boot." Avery snickered loudly as he explained.
"What? That's impossible. How can he be allowed to practice magic? They snapped the wand of that third year that killed that girl after he was expelled." I piped up.
"Yes, that's because he killed a girl." Tom chuckled. However it wasn't a warm or friendly chuckle. In fact I could pick up on sarcastic and cold undertones. He also removed his arm from my shoulder. Tom was clearly not happy with me and what I had said.
The rest of his gang laughed along cruelly and I blushed and looked down. Not only did I say something really silly, I forgot that Tom was the one who uncovered that kid two years ago and stopped the Chamber of Secrets from opening again. Therefore he wasn't coming to my defence from the jeers of his gang and let them attack me verbally. They were ruthless, calling me names like "silly woman" but after laying it on thick for a minute they finally got bored and it stopped.
"Scamander was definitely expelled, though. My aunt played a prank on some mudbloods when she was here at Hogwarts, but got caught, so Scamander took the blame because he was so pathetically in love with her." Rangvald Lestrange wickedly grinned, as if he was proud of what had happened and what his aunt had done.
I wanted to speak up in Professor Scamander's aid. I wanted to tell them all he was a great wizard who had done absolute wonders for wizard kind through all of his research on magical creatures. I even wanted to mention he seemed like such a kind and gentle soul, and what Rangvald's aunt had done was absolutely horrid, especially if she let Professor Scamander take the fall out of unrequited love for her. But I kept my mouth shut. I was ripped to pieces when I had said a silly comment, imagine how they'd all react if I said an opinion they all strongly disagreed with?
We arrived at the Care of the Magical Creature class area and Tom turned to me. He seemed to be his normal self again, he certainly stopped being cold towards me.
"I guess I better go. I'll see you at dinner, alright beautiful?" Tom asked me as he gave me a kiss on the top of my head.
"Okay." I beamed, smiling at him as he confidently strode back up to the castle.
I turned back to face the class and noticed all eyes were on me. A few guys had let out a few catcalls and a few of the girls were looking over with dreamy faces, obviously imagining themselves in my position. I was embarrassed, I wasn't used to being outwardly envied before. I even saw Professor Scamander looking at me, an almost unreadable smile on his face, it looked a little different to the usual cheerful smiles he had, but it was still a smile.
"Boyfriend?" He asked me, as I took my usual spot at the front of the class, coming closer to me and speaking lowly enough into my ear so I would be the only one who heard him.
He moved away from my ear to study my face, he was still wearing a sheepish grin.
"Um, no. We're still in the courtship stage, I think." I responded, growing bright red due to the fact I was speaking about my love life with a teacher.
"Make sure he works hard for it, then. I obviously don't know you very well, but I think you deserve something really special." Professor Scamander stated to me, before he looked up to the rest of the class and started the lesson as if he hadn't just paid me a highly personal compliment.
I stopped and stared at him in wonder. He was definitely my favourite teacher. In the past few weeks of classes we had gotten along really well. I was getting excellent marks and found the coursework easy but enjoyable. We also (during class) spoke one on one about many different creatures, as well as his research. One time when we were in the classroom during theory work he had stood in front of me and spoke about his travels. He told me all about how he would love to visit Australia and New Zealand, as he had not yet had the chance to do so. I would almost consider him a friend if not for the fact he was my teacher.
Was it normal for him to be calling me beautiful and special? Was it perhaps wishful thinking on my behalf in that I was hoping it were more than just friendly words?
I sighed and grabbed a quill and piece of parchment from my stationary supplies. I took a seat on a tree stump and rested the parchment on one of my heavy textbooks so I could write on it. Professor Scamander was currently teaching but I knew he wouldn't say anything if I wasn't paying attention. This letter was more important. My mother was about to get her ultimate wish.
Dear mother,
I hope you are well.
Please make sure father does not see this letter. I will send you another one later that will be father-friendly with more appropriate news about my school year.
A very suitable boy has been pursuing me this year. He is also in the Slytherin house and is the school's Head Boy. He is highly intelligent and is taking lots of difficult subjects and not to mention he is incredibly handsome.
I feel I don't have the smarts to win him over completely but he is still interested. I said something stupid in front of him today and he didn't seem happy but he still wants to see me. Any words of advice on how to guarantee our relationship would be much appreciated.
There's also one other matter I wish to discuss as I feel I can't speak to any of the girls in my dorm about (they all love the Head Boy and would inform him to jeopardise our growing relationship).
There's another person who may be showing interest in me, who probably shouldn't. I'm not sure whether he's just a nice person or is showing attraction to me. Or maybe I'm reading too much into things out of fear, or perhaps because I want him to feel things for me. How do you tell when a man is desiring you? Any other things you can advise me on?
Once again please make sure father does not see this letter, I'll write you a decoy letter later you can show him.
All my love,
Your darling daughter Victoria x
I re-read the letter a few times. It was difficult as I had to ensure no one was reading over my shoulder, but I also had to pretend to be paying some kind of attention to the class so Professor Scamander didn't come over and see the letter either.
Once I was happy with it I shoved it in between the pages of my textbook. I would go to the owlery immediately after class and anxiously wait until my mother's response arrived.
"Tori, are you alright?" Professor Scamander called at the front of the class.
It took me a second to realise it was he who was asking, it was rare for a teacher to call a student by their first name, let alone a nickname.
"Fine." I responded in a faux nonchalant manner in an attempt to not appear anxious or nervous.
"She's probably day dreaming about Tom Riddle, but who can blame her?" one of the girls in the class giggled loudly.
A few laughs rang out around the class. I purposely avoided looking for Professor Scamander's reaction as I did not want to misinterpret anything. I wanted to hear back from my mother before I even attempted to read into Professor Scamander's actions from now on.