Menteur: Chapter 4: Serena- part 1
September 30, 1943 (notice ca. one month has passed since HG's arrival-dates will be important later)
Tom put the book in his hand neatly back to its place on one of bookshelves, even though the only thing he wanted to do, was to throw it across the room and burn it. He wanted to make it suffer for not giving him the information he searched. It must have been at least 50th book he checked today, but still he seemed to be unable to find anything on horcruxes- not a single mention of it. To say that he was annoyed would be an understatement of the year. He spent whole last semester and a great part of the summer making Horace Slughorn warm up to him enough to give him the permission for entering the 'limited access' part of the Hogwart's library. And now, there was nothing! He took one more quick look around the place, checking all the spots and places he might have missed before walking to the young woman at the main desk.
"Hello, Miss Irma. Is that a new hat? It looks very lovely on you!" he said charmingly his well-prepared greeting. He knew for sure the atypical bonnet on dark haired lady was new. Its red material showed every sign of being new and unworn, but that wasn't important. For Tom it only served as a cleaver mediator between himself and things he wanted to know.
The young librarian only giggled and waved her hand at his comment like it meant nothing more than a formality, but couldn't help not to sassily straighten her new headgear. Then she smiled sweetly: "What can I do for you, Tom?"
Tom casually leaned on the counter: "I was looking for some specific books for my research, but they seem to be missing."
"Oh, I'm sure some student took them and will return them in no time. Just give it a day or two." Answered the woman lightly.
Tom suppressed a scowl, which was threatening to show his displeasure towards older woman's stupidity and inability to supply him with some satisfactory explanation to the lack of certain literature in one of the biggest libraries in the whole magical world.
"It's little more difficult, you see." He said seriously, leaning even closer to her, looking straight into her eyes. The librarian tried to mimic the stern look in student's face, but it was obvious his proximity made her nervous and she eventually avoided his eyes, subconsciously allowing young Voldemort to take the dominant position. He smiled.
"They should be in the Restricted Section and as far as I know no books can be checked out of that section…yet they are gone." Irma nervously played with a quill in her hand as he explained.
Tom gave her a second to take an initiative, but when she did not even open her mouth, he spoke again: "Maybe, you could tell me who took them, so I can ask that person to lend them to me for a quick read?"
Prince cleared her throat: "W-well…the Head Girl and Boy are the only other students with a full access to the Restricted Section…Maybe you could check with them?"
Upon hearing this, Tom silently cursed every higher power he could think off, because He was sure this was the destiny laughing in his face. Norris Lukegrass, the pathetic excuse for a wizard and a current head boy, was not probably even aware of this books' existence, and if the only other possibility was the head girl, Minarva Mcgonagall, clever, very well read and nosy senior student, it was highly probable that the books were, indeed, in her possession. If this were to be true, Tom knew, it would be very hard to acquire those books without making Miss Goody-pants suspicious and immediately running to Dumbledore. ..
He promptly checked his watch just to find out it was time to head to the Magical Theory class and after curt nod to Irma, Tom exited the library. When he finally made it to the spacious room on the 5th floor, which until this year used to be storage, but was renovated by Terrace London, the teacher himself, into a possibly best classroom in the whole school, the majority of the students were already sitting at their circle-arranged desks, and it didn't take more than a minute before the teacher entered also. This middle aged man dressed in long leather over coat, which looked like it had its better days long behind, rushed towards his table at the far back of the room, hands full of different scrolls, books, wands and other common magical objects. Uneducated wizard or witch could meet this confused looking man on the street and think nothing more of him that a crazed hobo or escaped lunatic, but everyone with at least little knowledge of recent discoveries would recognize the most productive theoretic of both dark and light magic in England. Just within the last two months Tom has read about five new spells Terrace came up with, and that was really something. Normally, it took months, if not years, for one to perfect a new spell, but this man was putting them out like they were some simple potions. Tom had to admit, he was excited to learn from him.
"Now, students, if you calm yourself, I would like to return your essays." Mr. London said, not even looking at his pupils, still going through hills of parchments on his table. Tom slit into his usual spot next to Malfoy and some Rawenclaw girl with way too obnoxious glasses.
"Also…ah, here they are!" the professor trailed off and pulled out a paper box of, what Tom assumed, were their corrected and graded essays. Mr. London breathed out happily and gazed at the students for the first time, his emerald green eyes sparkling with excitement. Then he continued: "As always, these essays helped me determine which one of you is the best fit to be my teaching assistant this semester."
Tom could barely suppress a smug smile. He was going to be the TA; the position was his since he first signed up for this class a year ago. Every semester he got the highest marks, so far successfully managed every task his teacher gave him and most importantly, was the top student in the entire school. His only real competition was Abraxas Malfoy, who was incredibly intelligent and had naturally stronger magic than most, but luckily for Tom, the rich boy lacked the internal drive and thirst for power. And even though young Voldemort was sure he could eliminate Malfoy, if it was needed, having him on his side made things quite easier. No matter of his wealth, power or heritage, Abraxas would never go against his master.
"I won't torment you with suspense any longer…"laughed Terrace at his own joke, while most of the students just rolled their eyes at the banality. They all knew that they had no chance against Tom and this 'suspence' game was merely waiting for the professor to state what everyone had already known. Mr. London pulled out one of the parchments and read the name on it aloud.
"Miss Serena Durand!"
As soon as it was spoken, one could hear a pin drop. Couple students whispered something to their deskmates and others' eyes searched the classroom for the new TA. A girl in Slytherin uniform just a couple seats away from Tom raised her hand. Except for her thick puffy dark hair tied in huge knot on the top of her head, she was very plain looking. Yet it bothered him, that he had never noticed her. Hogwarts was his school since he first set a foot on its grounds and he always knew everything and everybody in it, especially when it concerned his own house. This was unacceptable! He tossed a quick questioning look at Abraxas, but young heir only shrugged his shoulders and continued to watch the new girl.
When the professor came to congratulate and shake her hand, she glanced nervously around the room until her eyes found Tom's. He put on a polite smile, but it seemed to cause girl's indifference to be exchanged for a slight frown. Then she turned back to the professor, who was explaining her all the duties and privileges of being TA, while Tom, just like all the other students, kept watching her attentively.
The witch spoke with mild French accent, from which he assumed she must be some sort of exchange student- a new comer, obviously very smart as she managed to catch genius professor's attention. He didn't mind, because he liked challenge. What bothered him though was, that he had not seen her anywhere, not even the Slytherin dorms or the Great Hall untill now. It was like she appeared out of nowhere…
He spent unhealthy part of the lesson monitoring her movements, little habits and anything she said, before his mind drifted back to more pressing matters such as Horcrux research and the way to check whether Minerva does or does not have those books from the library. The sooner he gets hold of them, sooner he can make one, and then…the bell rang and it was time for the Dueling class- Tom's favorite subject and a perfect chance to talk to the Head Girl.
Sorry, it's so short, but the X-mas are draining my life powers :D This chapter is more from Tom Riddle's POV and the next one is probably going to be too. Do you guys like it or should I stick with just HG? Read n review :)