A/N - Written for Dark Arts LDWS Competition on LJ

Characters: Tom Riddle and one canon character of your choice

Title: Teaching Questions

Word Count: 449

Rating: PG- 13

Warnings: Implied murder.

.

"Tom."

He schooled the dark scowl on his face into a mask of detached innocence before he turned to face his caller. "Professor."

Professor Dumbledore squinted slightly at him before his gaze surpassed him to land on the Mudblood he had so carelessly being eying in contempt. "It seems that Ms. Howard has quite a following."

Tom quickly glanced over his shoulder at the scene he had been studying. The Mudblood was surrounded by many; all those who were interested in furthering her cause of equality between all blood types. "It would appear that way, yes."

"It is about time that these blood prejudices be brought into the light and eradicated. Don't you agree?"

Those piercing blue irises scrutinized him further, making him realize that the old bat was trying to read him. "Yes, Professor," Tom said calmly, "Muggle-borns should be kept in their rightful place."

Dumbledore smiled slightly at him. "And what place would that be?"

The old goon was going to make him say it, the very words that made his blood curl. "Equal to all pure-bloods, Sir," Tom said sincerely, forcing himself not to hiss those words in disdain.

The smile on the Professor's face widened slightly, his eyes twinkling. "I'm glad you and I share the same sentiments, Tom."

A thought suddenly struck him. "Professor, it was recently brought to my attention that a few fifth years have been dabbling in Dark Arts."

Dumbledore eyed him carefully. "What sort of spells have they been dabbling in?"

"There are some that are quite harmless. But there is one; the Imperius Curse." Dumbledore's eyes narrowed ever so slightly behind his half moon spectacles. "I have come upon writings of that curse, but nothing that says exactly what it does or how to recognize it."

"I can't imagine why you would need to know that, Tom."

"For the students, Professor. I would like to be able to detect these spells when they happen. That way, the students responsible can be punished for their insolence."

Dumbledore's gaze was telling. "You need not know what that curse does. I assure you, if the Imperius Curse is implemented, we will know about it."

Tom had to stop himself from scoffing at his confident tone. "How is that possible, when the very premise of the curse is to be undetectable?"

Dumbledore looked at him silently for a moment. "I thought you didn't know exactly what it did."

"I don't," Tom said quickly, recovering from his mistake.

"It's best to keep it that way, then," Dumbledore said carefully.

...

That winter, Melanie Howard committed suicide by jumping off the Astronomy Tower. Dumbledore noticed only one person smile at her funeral; Tom Riddle.

.

Thank you to RoseScor90 for the Beta work :)