Case #3: Tom Riddle/ Hogwarts

The boy was rather quiet, his eyes narrowed at the Auror. His hand kept reaching in to his pocket, touching his wand handle. Tom Riddle had ask to see his badge, a cautious lad. His blue eyes lock on Moody's brown, his stare was intense. Even as they strolled the grassy knoll.

"I'm here to help your mother." said Moody

"By going to Professor Dumbledore?" said Tom

"If you believe I have time to ask around about a school boys mischief you are wrongly mistaken." He said, this did not seem to put Tom at ease.

When Tom did not speck again Moody continued," I heard some unsavory blokes were tailing you?"

Take out his leather note book, his free flowing ink quill posed.

Tom's flawless brow wrinkled, " Grindelwald?"

Had he expected some thing else? Before he even thought about Occlumency the boys face went emotionless. Had he detected his shifting thoughts? The closer he peer at Tom the more distant he seem to be. Cold. Level headed.

Clasping his wrist be hide his back Tom took up to walking expecting Moody to follow his lead.

"It was more then being followed," he said pauses when Moody and he had created a distance.

A struggle seem to be on. Moody sense it. The boy was trying to dominant the moment. If Moody cross the gape and followed he would be losing. And the boy did not look to be budging. Tom went still.

Blast it all!

Writing as he walked along side the boy who made no move of hiding his snicker.

"More? You were threaten?" said Moody

"To put it frankly, cornered and in so many words told I would be 'taken out' if my mother didn't comply."

"Did you know of your Mothers trip?" said Moody

"Not till afterward." he said bitterly

"You weren't corner to presume your mother in to giving the names of her clients?" His bushy brow raised

The corner of Toms full lips turn up a bit.

"They have,"

"So your been approached more then once?"

"I have not told Mother all of this and I expect you to do the same." he said stopping in mid track. It had been a command.

"Your mothers safety is my only concern." he said defiantly

Tom's eyes darted between his. Now he knew the boy could preform Legilimency. It wasn't for seeking truth, nay the boy was clearly trying to imitate him. The mood tensed, Moody just stared back summing all his training and a lot more strength then he first thought possible against a sixth year.

They had stop towards the edge of a steep hill, leading to the ground keepers cottage and the patch's of Pumpkin's. A gush of wind hit the slope and blew from below on up. Bring with it a chill of fall to come. Numbing Moody's sense. He could feel his mind bending like the blend of grass upon the mound they stood.

Beads of sweat formed on Moody's brow. What killed him was the mocking smirk the boy wore. The clam, serene face he wore as the harden grown man was close to buckling in front of him.

The bell for lunch broke Tom's concentration. Pulling his eyes away enough to glance up at the castle and giving Moody enough time to collect himself. Ready for anther round. The boy seem to have had enough. With a satisfying grin at the battle won.

Moody glance at the serpent ring he wore. Custom made, of a snake slithering in the mouth of a skull wrapping its tail around its head, "Slytherin? A perfect match if ever where made."

His bitter tone rang through.

Coolly Tom replied "Some of us are born with greatness, others are sorted in to greatness."

"Funny Grindelwald believes only those born in to greatness are allowed?" he spat

"Are you trying to imply some thing? My own father was a muggle."

"In Grindelwald's mind that makes your mother a traitor and you a spot which needs to be removed. He won't forget that. He is just using you for information."

Tom's chin tucked in to his neck. "You have me all wrong, I don't want any thing to do with that man or his gold!"

"Yea know what I'm thinking? I'm thinking one of you isn't telling the truth. And you seem to be the likely culprit. I think. " he said getting in to Toms arrogant face. Over shadowing with his size.

"And I think," said Tom "your wasting your time with me. If I were you I would be more worried about Grindelwald. Now if you excuse me,"

Moody block his way, staring him down. Finally turning a tad to his side so when Tom did move there shoulders would hit. He had too much respect for Dumbledore and Beery to hex one of there students on there own turf. But he couldn't help him self, thinking of what the boys crush in face would look like.

Agreeing that what was the most solid, and what seem to be the most truthful statement he was sure to get out of Tom Riddle was that he didn't want any thing to do with the man. The kid was an arrogant git but he didn't figure the boy would serve up his mother for wealth.

Dumbledore had been right. There seem to be more layers to this onion.