The following week went well for Aubrey, and things were finally starting to return to normal. Professor Stretton had continued behaving much the same way as he had the first day Aubrey had returned to Charms; he paid little attention to her throughout class and no longer made comments about her technique and methodology. Elle and Anastasia, much to Aubrey's relief, had stopped pestering her to report Stretton to another teacher and Tom Riddle had returned to his normal behaviour after their kiss, as the pair resumed sitting through Transfiguration class in silence. The night Aubrey received her midterm exam results from Charms she had written her father to tell him of the excellent news that her grade was improving. It wasn't until a few days later, at breakfast, when Aubrey finally got a reply.
"Well?" Elle asked once Aubrey had finished reading, "is your dad pleased?"
"Kind of" Aubrey answered, skimming once again over the letter, "he's pleased, but still says my grades need to improve if I want to do training to become a healer."
"I didn't know you wanted to be a healer" Ana chimed in with a mouth full of oatmeal.
"My mum was a healer" Aubrey said, "I think my dad would like me to follow in her footsteps."
"Is that what you want to do, though?" Elle asked, but before Aubrey could answer Celinda plopped herself down between them at the breakfast table.
"Hey Aubrey!" she said brightly "so it's official now, huh? You're definitely going to the ball with Tom?"
"Yes" Aubrey answered sternly, still uncomfortable with the rumours circulating the school about her and Riddle.
"How exciting!" Celinda replied, "just wait till the other girls find out...they're going to hate you!"
"Great" Aubrey replied sarcastically as Celinda got up and skipped away from the Slytherin table.
"That reminds me" Ana said, pushing her oatmeal away, "we need to figure out this dress business, there's only two weeks left till the ball!"
Later that afternoon Aubrey sat in Transfiguration, next to Tom Riddle. Dumbledore had just concluded the lesson and dismissed the the class when Tom turned to Aubrey.
"Will you meet me in the library tonight" he said quietly, "after dinner, around half past 7?" it wasn't a question, but more of a statement.
"To study?" Aubrey asked puzzled, wondering why she and Tom would need to meet now that her Charms problem was well on its way to being solved.
"Something like that" Tom said calmly, a smirk forming across his lips.
"Okay, I'll see you tonight then" Aubrey replied, trying to keep the butterflies that formed in her stomach whenever Tom smiled at bay.
That night Aubrey made her long journey up to the library. When she reached the library doors she found Tom Riddle, leaning up against the frame. His usually tidy uniform was wrinkled from the day and his green and silver coloured tie hung loosely from his neck. Aubrey's pulse began to beat faster as she took in his good looks. His dark hair looked more out of place than it had in Transfiguration, and the sleeves of his white shirt were rolled up, revealing his strong forearms. Aubrey watched as his long fingers carefully, yet powerfully, turned the pages of the book he was reading. It was almost hypnotizing. Tom's dark eyes moved rapidly back and forth over the printed words and he didn't semm to notice Aubrey approaching.
"Good evening, Mr. Riddle" she smiled once she reached him.
"Ah, Miss Knight" Tom said, feigning surprise, "you're early, for once."
"Very funny" Aubrey said, "why are you out here?"
"Just examining a book before I have to return it" Tom replied, slamming the book shut in between his long fingers, "we can go in now."
Aubrey nodded and passed through the door that Tom held open for her. As they walked through the rows of books to their usual table near the back, Aubrey couldn't help but notice the few studying students stare and whisper as Tom and she passed.
"Don't you ever get tired of it?" Aubrey asked once they had reached the table, "all the attention, and gossiping about you?"
"No" Tom replied.
"Never?" Aubrey pressed, "you never get tired of the flock of girls following you, Tom? Or how people constantly whisper about you, wondering what you're going to do, or who you're going to be with?"
"No" Tom replied again, "it's a sign of greatness, Aubrey...of respect."
"Is it, now?" Aubrey mockingly asked.
"Of course" Tom replied seriously, "people do not concern themselves in such a way with those who are below average or unworthy, Aubrey."
Aubrey nodded silently, staring at Tom. She no longer wondered why he didn't discuss his award for special services to the school; he didn't need to, his ego was already large enough.
"Anyway" Tom said more brightly a few moments later, "while their antics may be tiring they are, nonetheless, a sign of power."
Aubrey grimaced and sat down and the table.
"So what are we doing then, Tom?" she asked.
"It appears that we are sitting at a table" Tom replied quickly, a smirk across his face.
"Oh, the hilarity continues" Aubrey said sarcastically, "I meant, why are we studying when my Charms mark has improved?"
"Because I would still like to see you" Tom said calmly, "and spend time with you."
"Why don't we just meet elsewhere?" Aubrey challenged.
"What better place than the library?" Tom retorted, causing Aubrey to scowl. "I've set aside time from my Head Boy duties to study with you, Aubrey. The library is an excellent place to meet as it allows me to keep up appearances."
"Sneaky, Riddle" Aubrey said, impressed that Tom was being devious.
"You didn't bring any books" Tom continued on, now noticing that Aubrey came to the library empty handed.
"No" Aubrey agreed, "Since I didn't know the nature of our visit, I didn't know what to bring."
"Well in future" Tom said calmly but sternly, "you can bring whatever homework you're struggling with."
"I am not struggling with any homework, thank you" Aubrey lied, suddenly remembering how Potions class had become more difficult. She had never been fond of the subject, but had somehow always managed to scrape a decent grade with the help of study groups she had joined at Laurier.
"Of course not" Tom smirked, seemingly unconvinced, "How has Stretton been?" Tom asked, ignoring Aubrey's lie.
"Fine" Aubrey answered truthfully, "he pays no attention to me."
"Good" Tom nodded, a thoughtful look forming on his handsome face. "And you're other classes? How are they going?"
"Fine" Aubrey again lied, again pushing the nagging memory of Potions from her thoughts.
"Right" Tom smiled mockingly.
"You know" Aubrey started, frustration building in her voice, "you're not the only student here who is capable of doing well, Tom. I study and work hard too, and my skill reflects that" she said proudly, tired of always appearing incompetent whenever she was with the Head Boy.
"You're not the only one who gets good grades" she added, after Tom remained silent, saying nothing.
"Of course not" Tom finally said, "I believe you're more than capable, Miss Knight."
"You could study" Aubrey said, trying to change the subject and ignore the red flush that was increasing on her cheeks over Tom's compliment. "We've only had one lesson in wandless magic, Tom. Surely, you could use more practice."
"Surely" Tom said mockingly, "you don't realize whom you are speaking to."
"Show me, then" Aubrey challenged.
"Show you what?" Tom said, lowering his voice and starring at her with his dark, piercing eyes.
"What you can do without a wand."
"There are many things I can do without a wand, Aubrey" Tom said seductively.
"In regards to magic, Riddle" Aubrey said sternly.
Tom's eyes shifted from Aubrey's down the table top, where her wand laid abandoned. Squinting his eyes and with a look of concentration forming across his handsome features, Tom lifted Aubrey's wand several inches into the air. Aubrey was impressed as her wand rose gently into the air in a much smoother fashion than Tom's previous attempt to summon his own wand during their lesson prior.
"Well done" Aubrey said quietly, not wanting to admit that Tom didn't need extra practice. She snatched the wand with her hands out of the air, breaking Tom's spell.
"Tsk, tsk Aubrey" Tom said disapprovingly, "you shouldn't use your hands to retrieve items."
"I have to" Aubrey said, placing her wand in her empty book bag, "I've never been good at summoning without a wand."
"Practice makes perfect" Tom said teasingly.
"Yes" Aubrey said "but for complex charms, wandless magic takes so much concentration. If you were ever in a position where you actually needed to use it, you probably wouldn't be successful" Aubrey said hypothetically.
"That is true" Tom said slowly "but only for most wizards."
Aubrey sighed and rolled her eyes, again amazed at Tom's confidence and lack of self doubt.
"You two!" an irritable voice interrupted from overhead, "the library's closing soon, so you'll want to gather your belongings" the librarian finished.
"Thank you, Madam Pince" Tom said politely, before the vulture like woman stalked away, continuing to make her rounds to the other tables scattered throughout the library.
"If you'll excuse me a moment, Tom" Aubrey said, rising from the table and turning down the long row of books. She was scanning the many titles in front of her, fingering the spines and searching for a book for Defence Against the Dark Arts, when she felt a pair of hands creep up behind her, resting on her waist.
"Find what you're looking for?" Tom asked.
"No" Aubrey answered smugly, "care to help me?"
"I thought you'd prefer it if I demonstrated to you what I can do without a wand" Tom continued, seductively.
Aubrey smirked and turned around in Tom's arms to face him. He reached a hand up, taking hold of her chin and guided her lips towards his. His long, slender fingers moved to the side of her face as they kissed, gently brushing against her neck as he tilted her head to better engulf her mouth with his. Tom was gentle, keeping his other hand on Aubrey's waist while she clutched onto his arms as their tongues delicately brushed against each others. Aubrey moved her arms to wrap them up around Tom's neck and he pulled her tightly into an embrace, suddenly slamming her hard against his own body. His hand moved from her face down her arms and to the opening of her robes. Quickly casting them aside the same way Stretton had days before, Tom's hands began to slowly creep up from her waist towards her bust line.
Invasive thoughts of Professor Stretton instantly began to flood Aubrey's mind. Images of him playing with the clasp on her robes, running his rough hand up her leg and pressing his dry, cracked lips to her skin overwhelmed her mind. She quickly broke Tom's kiss.
"Sorry!" she blurted out as soon as she pulled away, leaving Tom blank faced with his mouth ajar.
"Is there something wrong?" he asked, annoyance laced heavily in his voice.
"No!" Aubrey said, so quickly that it was unconvincing.
"It's Stretton, isn't it?" Tom asked sternly.
"No!" Aubrey lied, desperately wanting to avoid the subject. "I'm fine…sorry" she continued before leaning back into Tom and placing her moistly glistened lips back onto his. A deep moan escaped from Tom's throat causing him to deepen the kiss. With one hand positioned on the small of her back, Tom pressed Aubrey's body firmly against his and soon allowed his free hand to enter her dark robes, running his slender fingers up and down Aubrey's sides.
"Ignore it" she thought to herself, "this isn't Stretton, it's Tom!" But Aubrey's efforts were futile, as vivid images again engulfed her thoughts. She could remember his scent of musk and tobacco, and almost feel Stretton's eerily warm breath against her neck.
"Go ahead and scream if you like Aubrey" the Professor had said, his voice ringing in her head, "I like screamers."
Aubrey let out a small moan, the thoughts of the Charms teacher to strong to ignore, but Tom didn't release her from his kiss. With her hands down low at his sides, she was trapped between him and the hard, wooden bookcase. She moaned in protest once more hoping that Tom would stop but instead he raised his slender fingers to her face, stroking her cheek while continuing to explore her mouth with his tongue, further deepening his kiss. His other hand slowly crept up her side, seductively climbing inch by inch higher and higher. Beginning to squirm, Aubrey managed to squeeze her hands in between her and Tom's chests, resting them on his strong upper body and pushing him away.
"Damn it, Aubrey!" he said once she had again broken them apart.
"I'm sorry!"
"Do I remind you of him?" Tom demanded, "does my touch make you think of him?"
"No!" Aubrey answered honestly, "I'm not doing it on purpose, it's just…" but Aubrey stopped, unsure of how to put into words how she was feeling. She wanted Tom Riddle. Though she couldn't deny the feelings of nervousness that popped up when she was close to Tom, she was still eager to pursue their relationship further; she was attracted to him, and in no way did Tom Riddle remind her of her Charms teacher. Or did he? There was something about the way when Tom touched, with such force and power, that brought her back to the night with Stretton nearly two weeks ago.
Aubrey was silent, starring at Tom who had began pacing silently in front of her, his long fingers running through his jet black hair. Although appearing calm on the surface, his eyes looked angry and Aubrey suspected that it took a world of restraint for Tom to hold back his frustrations.
"Should have punished him there" Tom muttered to himself a few moments later, "knew this would happen...ruining her like that" Tom continued in a barely audible whisper.
"What was that?" Aubrey asked.
"Nothing" he replied harshly, but Aubrey was sure they were threats regarding the Charms Professor.
"I just need some time-" Aubrey began to say, hoping to lessen the tension.
"You said all had returned to normal, Miss Knight" Tom retorted icily.
"I know…and it has" Aubrey began, "it's just…" but again she trailed off, not wanting to finish her sentence.
Tom scowled.
"I thought I told you the library was closing?" Madame Price interrupted, peering around the bookshelf, "go on, get a move on it!"
"I'm really sorry" Aubrey said quickly, leaving Tom alone in the aisle while sidestepping Madam Pince. She grabbed her things and ran from the library down to the Slytherin common room.
"Argh" Aubrey sighed once she had reached her dormitory and informed Elle and Ana in about her mishap with Tom, "I just wish that I could get Stretton out of my head!"
"You will, Bree" Elle said comfortingly, "you just need time. Look how well you've been feeling since then…you've come a long way."
Aubrey smiled meekly.
"Besides" Elle continued, "Riddle's probably just annoyed because he wants some, and you're making him wait for it."
"I think I ruined it with him, though" Aubrey said sadly, honestly believing that her time with Tom Riddle was coming to an end. Things had moved so slowly between them, and she felt she should have been more aggressive or assertive with the Head Boy. She had let her nerves get the best of her on several occasions, but to now let Stretton interfere too? Tom, she felt, was probably fed up and tired of waiting for her. This, combined with the drama over their Charms teacher, would push him over the edge. Surely he would give up on Aubrey and move onto new prospects.
"Well" Ana said cautiously, "things have been kind of slow between you two…if you know what I mean."
Aubrey again frowned as this wasn't the first time Ana had mentioned how slowly she and Tom had been progressing since the start of school.
"Oh shush Ana!" Elle scowled.
"She's right though!" Aubrey protested, almost relieved that Ana had brought up what she herself had just been thinking. "Things have been so slow and then finally…when he does kiss me, I mean really kisses me, I lose it."
"Do you not like kissing him?" Ana asked seriously.
"No, I do" Aubrey answered truthfully, "but it doesn't matter anyway" she continued, "Tom probably hates me, he'll ask another girl to the dance and make her his girlfriend and-"
"No he won't" Elle interrupted sympathetically, "you're being dramatic, Aubrey. Tom's probably more upset with Stretton than he is with you."
"I loathe Stretton" Aubrey said bitterly.
"I do, too" agreed Elle, "but don't let that prat interfere with your life and ruin your time with Tom."
Aubrey nodded, mulling over Elle's words in her head. The girls went to bed early that night, but when Aubrey woke the next morning, she felt determined not to let Stretton, or her nerves, spoil her chances of progressing further with Tom Riddle. Though she had suffered detentions, embarrassments and numerous sarcastic comments at the hands of Riddle, Aubrey couldn't deny her feelings of intense attraction for the handsome wizard. Nothing, she had decided that morning, would keep her away from him or interfere in their time together.
