Author's Note: I had to update my other story, so I didn't get a chance to update this one. Really sorry about that, but now it's out. Anyway, enjoy!
The Experiments of Tom Marvolo Riddle – Chapter 6
Written By YT12J
Harry wasn't especially interested in the sorting. His mind was preoccupied with the ministry woman, and the reasons why she might be at Hogwarts. However, before he could relay his concerns to Ron and Hermione, Dumbledore had started his speech.
"Welcome, to all new students, and welcome back to all of our old students. There are many things to be said, but I shall not say them, as we all undoubtedly wish to feast. So, before any of us lose our patience, tuck in!"
Many people were smiling at this, Harry included. He enjoyed Dumbledore's start of year speeches, they tended to be interesting.
"Brilliant, I've missed this food!" said Ron, before piling his plate up with nearby foods. Nearly Headless Nick, who had floated by, stared at him, a slightly envious look on his face. It was clear however, that Ron had not noticed this, as he continued to eat without stopping, provoking a venomous glare from Hermione, who noticed how much his eating affected Nick.
"What was with the hat giving out warnings?" Harry asked Hermione. "Has it ever done that before?"
Before Hermione could reply, Nick had done so for her. "Actually, the hat has given out warnings before. However, it is usually only when the school is in danger, mainly during wars."
Harry nodded. "That makes sense, though how would it know that we're in danger?"
Nick looked thoughtful for a moment, and then said "I'm not quite sure, actually, though it does spend all of its time up in Dumbledore's office. I daresay that it hears even more than we do."
He then proceeded to float away. Ron suddenly spoke up. "Who's that pink woman?"
"She was at my hearing." Harry quietly said, picking at his food. "She works for Fudge, and she's probably here to cause trouble. I don't like the look of her."
"Neither does anybody else." Ron muttered, glancing around at other people who were also speaking about her.
Before anybody could say anything more, Dumbledore had stood up.
"Now that we have had time to eat, it is time for the start of year notices. To our first-year students, please note that the dark forest is out of bounds. The same goes for some of our other students, who may need reminding of that fact."
Harry, Ron and Hermione exchanged smiles, and Harry heard George mutter to his twin "Dream on."
"Mr Filch, our caretaker, has asked me to remind the student body that magic is not permitted in corridors between classes. To see a list of other things that are also forbidden, there is one fastened to Mr Filch's office door.
"It also gives me great pleasure to welcome two new teachers to Hogwarts. First of all, Professor Grubbly-Plank, who will be teaching Care of Magical Creatures, and Professor Umbridge, who will be teaching Defence against the Dark Arts."
There was a round of unenthusiastic applause, and the three of them shared looks; Dumbledore had not mentioned anything about Professor Grubbly Plank being temporary.
"Tryouts for the Quidditch teams will –"
He suddenly stopped mid-speech, looking at Professor Umbridge inquisitively. Not sure what was going on, Harry understood when she said "Hem, hem," It was clear that she wanted to make a speech herself, however many of the teachers, and Hermione, looked scandalized at how she interrupted Professor Dumbledore. Most of the students were now sitting up in their seats out of curiosity about what she was going to say.
"Thank you so much, Professor Dumbledore, for those warm words of welcome. I just wanted to say a few things myself.
"As some of you may know, I work at the Ministry. The Ministry of Magic is very concerned that you may not be getting the best possible education, and so I have been sent to teach you what you may have, not been taught, over the past few years.
"I look forward to becoming friends with all of you, and hope that I can teach you many, important things, in my time at Hogwarts. I fear that there may be something here and there that I have to put a stop to. The Ministry of Magic fully supports me on this, as Hogwarts should most certainly be a place of education, and not something else. Thank you for listening, and I look forward to getting to know you all."
"I don't" Harry heard Lavender mutter to Parvati.
Professor Dumbledore continued. "Thank you Professor Umbridge, that was a most interesting speech. Now, as I was saying…"
"That was quite interesting." Hermione commented, a slightly disgusted look on her face, like she had eaten something that did not agree with her.
"What – You mean you actually listening to that speech? Hermione, I'm not actually surprised that you can stay awake in History of Magic."
Hermione glowered at Ron, and then muttered "That speech was more important than you think, Ronald. It tells us that the Ministry is interfering in Hogwarts. I have a feeling that this year is going to be tough."
Break
Harry walked up the stairs to the boy's dormitory, Ron and Neville behind him. As soon as they reached the door, Ron and Neville both stopped, muttered excuses, and walked back. Harry groaned, having guessed what caused them to walk off like that.
Sure enough, Tom was on an extra bed, reading what looked like a book out of the restricted section. Harry glanced at it. The title was 'Time Travel: The Stuff They Don't Want You to Know.'
"I thought that seeing as you travelled here, you know how to get back. Why do you need that book?"
Without looking up, Tom murmured "I don't want to take any risks when travelling back – a lot of my time here will be spent researching ways to make my trip back more likely to succeed."
Harry shrugged, and then walked over to his bed. Lying down, he hesitated before asking a question. "What charms did you cast to make Ron and Neville walk off like that?"
"I created a second fifth-year boys dormitory, put their possessions there, and cast some charms to make sure that nobody will question the fact that an extra room appeared, enter this dormitory, or question why you aren't there with the others. I am not going to constantly charm myself; this was the simpler solution."
"They're my friends! What right do you have to keep them in a separate place?"
Tom replied. "You might as well ask me what right I have to travel forwards in time, torture you, or do any of the other things that I have done. You amuse me less and less. Soon, I'll have to make you amusing."
Harry took the hint and wisely kept his mouth shut, not wanting to aggravate Tom. But, he couldn't keep it shut for very long.
"Then who am I going to speak with while I'm in here? I'll get bored to death with just you!"
"If you really, really want someone to talk to, then talk to me. While I would say the exact opposite usually, even I get bored with no conversation. This book can only interest me for so long."
Harry thought for a moment, and then said "Fine then. As a conversation starter, do you have a girlfriend?"
Tom actually smiled at this, and then answered. "As much as it may surprise you, no, I don't have a girlfriend. In my time, the majority of the girls in my year found me attractive, but were too scared of me, for many reasons. And how about you? Is there a special lady in your life?"
His tone was mocking, but Harry still smiled. "Nope. The closest I've ever had to a girlfriend was the girl I took to the Yule Ball last year, and that didn't end too well."
"Why ever not?" Tom asked, seemingly curious.
"I didn't dance with her but for one time, and after that, I ignored her. She wasn't too happy, but then again, I don't think I was too bothered at the time."
"Interesting." Tom murmured. "Now, time for bed. Chop chop."
The lights turned out suddenly, and Harry, too tired to change into his pyjamas, pulled the blanked over him, and yawned. Muttering "Good night Tom", he closed his eyes.
From the other side of the room, Tom muttered a soft but intelligible "Good Night."
In the morning, Harry somehow managed to oversleep so much that he missed History of Magic, and was slightly late for Potions. As he burst into the classroom, Snape looked up.
"Well, well, it appears that your fans don't help you get to class on time, Potter. Ten points from Gryffindor. And seeing as you're late, I shall give you your seat."
Harry groaned internally. Knowing Snape, he was going to be sat next to Malfoy. However, he noticed that most people already had partners.
"Sit next to Greengrass, Potter. Perhaps she can teach you how to tell time."
Walking over, Harry sat down on the empty seat next to a Slytherin girl from his year, Daphne Greengrass. She didn't look too happy about him being sat next to her, but didn't openly complain either.
On the blackboard were the instructions on how to make a Draught of Peace. Harry started to get the ingredients, but was stopped by Snape.
"How do you expect to make this potion in time? You shall have to assist Greengrass in hers, and if I hear any complaints from her, you will regret it."
Sighing, Harry walked over, and sat back in his seat, not sure what to do. Looking over at her, he noticed that she was ignoring him. "So, need any help?"
She didn't reply for a moment. "No, but should I need any, I'll inform you. Most of it is complete, and there isn't much else for either of us to do."
Harry nodded, not too happy about being sat next to her, but glad that it wasn't someone like Malfoy. When the lesson ended, they walked over to Snape to hand in their potion. Snape sneered at Harry, but didn't make any comment.
Harry ran to catch up with Ron and Hermione. As he got to them, Hermione immediately started to speak.
"Harry, why were you so late? And how did you manage to miss the first lesson as well?"
"I overslept – a lot. I don't know how I managed it, but I blame that Umbridge woman. Her face haunted me all night."
Ron sniggered, but Hermione did not crack a smile. "Harry, you should really be more careful! This is our OWL year, any lessons that you miss or are late to will make a big difference in how well you do in the actual exams. Didn't Ron wake you?"
Ron answered "I was going to, but I – I – forgot. I – I'm not sure- Hey look, its Dean."
Ron walked off to speak to Dean, and Hermione, a casual expression on her face, walked off to speak with Lavender, who was in front of them. Harry guessed that this was Tom's charms.
"Well, thanks for the great conversation guys."
Author's Note: I know that the chapter seems incomplete, but in my mind this was the best place to end it. Let me make this clear in case you're wondering, this is not going to be a Harry/Daphne romance. It may have them going out, but it won't be part of the main plotline. Sorry if you're disappointed. Til next time.