I'm so productive, I'm so productive, I'm so…Ugh, hi there! New chap is here! And it's from young Minnie's POV so I hope you enjoy it I know there are some unclearness regarding HG's behavior, but it will all be explained in the next chapter Also, some more Abraxas-centered stuff coming soon Btw, thank you so much guys for your reviews! Keep 'em coming!
Menteur: Chapter 7: Minerva's Interlude
October 5, 1943
Minerva flipped to another page of her advanced NEWTs Transfiguration book and promptly skipped only though the most important terms, so she could move to another chapter as soon as possible. The preparation for her final wizarding exams was truly a exhausting, excruciating and nerve-wracking experience. Since there were only five months left till the said exam, the head girl decided to start her studying with the subject she excelled at and then move onto the other seven. She was very satisfied with her progress so far, because within a week she had managed to work her way through three of the recommended NEWT books for Transfiguration.
Just as she was to take some notes of Halaha Charm (hmm?), a softly spoken greeting caught her attention, and even though it wasn't meant for her to hear, she recognized the voice. Slowly, to be as silent as possible, the witch rose from her seat and sneak over to the corner bookshelf to get better view. The room she was currently occupying was a spacy, but quiet common place in the shape of 'L' with many cushioned chairs and coffee tables, where students could sit and study without having to deal with food prohibition rules of the main library's study rooms. She peeked into the other part just to see the person she'd expected. The little sneaky, manipulative toad, Tom Riddle, was standing by one of the chairs, smiling politely at the chair occupant, which Minerva immediately identified as the new French exchange student, Serena Durand.
"What iz it, Monsieur…eh…Riddle, izn't it?" Serena asked with wry smile, but Minerva could tell she was just as suspicious of the young male as herself. Tom smiled brightly at the recognition, pulled out a chair across from the girl and sat down. Serena seemed quite surprised by Riddle's behavior and gave him a questioning look.
"I was just wondering if I can offer you my help with whatever you're working on." Tom chuckled, making the curly haired witch uncomfortable. If it had been any other lady in the school, Minerva would expect her to melt at the first mention of spending time with the handsome Slytherin, but not Serena. She was different. This strangely-clothed French was incredibly smart, perceptive and had better magic control than anyone Minerva has ever seen, which was probably why Riddle was there now. He wanted her know-how.
After the first shock has vanished, Serena's expression went cold: "Well, right now I'm working on ze DADA, and az far az I know, I 'ave bested you in zat. So no, thank you." Said Serena and went back to reading her book in silence. Minerva, on the other hand, had troubles keeping herself from laughing out loud, when she saw Riddle's face. She wasn't even sure whether it was astonishment or pain, but it made her laugh. Young wizard recomposed himself, lightly leaned forward, closer to the other Slytherin and Minerva had to do all in her power to hear the next sentence.
"True." Riddle admitted while mimicking Serena's uninterested gaze. Then he leaned even closer, bringing his face mere inches away from the French.
"But I actually have another offer for you…" Goose pumps ran down Minerva's spine, as she listened to Tom's sickly sweet tone and wondered if maybe she was intruding on some private courting ritual… even though she couldn't recall the boy ever being interested in something else than himself.
Serena jerked her head to look at him, frowning. "And that is?" she almost growled. The ever-rising tension in the room made it almost unbearable to breathe properly. Riddle allowed corners of his mouth turn up, to create a suggestive smile and whispered: "There is a… secret club here in school, you see. It's only for the most talented witches and wizards of the same descent and same goal to change the world for better…"
That was it, thought Minerva. She had heard of this secret club of his, but no one could ever prove its existence, so she just disregarded the idea of Slytherins' regrouping power as a school gossip made up by some 1st years. So was it true? And what were those world-bettering goals he spoke of. She averted her gaze from Riddle back to the frowning girl, expecting her answer. Serena quietly stared into Tom's eyes and then got up suddenly. He followed her example and immediately stood next to her, blocking her escape. That's when Minerva noticed slight disturbance around the otherwise calm, static room. Few other students stirred in their seats or stopped their work as Tom and Serena jumped up. After taking a closer look, the head girl recognized all of those students as Riddle's Slytherin followers. There were at least six of them, all now discreetly listening to him speak and Minerva realized this was a set-up for the foreign student. With so many of them backing up Riddle, she will surely be afraid to do anything to decline Riddle's offer.
Serena's eyes slowly drifted around room, signaling that she also noticed the potential danger. For a second she glared angrily at Riddle, but then suddenly her expression changed into a self-satisfied, malicious smirk.
"Join your club? And why should *I* join, or better yet- follow- , somebody like* you*?"
Riddle feigned surprise, still keeping everything polite: "Somebody like me?"
Next thing Serena said almost knocked Minerva's breath out of her chest.
"A mudblood" spat out viciously Serena, and the pleasure from torturing Riddle was obvious in her face. He noticed, too. And so did his followers.
Minerva had no idea of Tom's heritage. She never paid much attention to him, until her Transfiguration professor hinted the foul, manipulating game the young Slytherin learned to play. Only thing she ever knew him for was being an exceptional wizard with lots of wits and book knowledge, so she never even expected him to be muggle-born. Not that she was a muggle hater. After all, she was a half-blood herself, therefore there was no prejudice to be held, but it still surprised her. From the shocked, and sometimes even disgusted, faces of his fellow housemates, this new information surprised them, too. Why was a muggle-born even admitted to the house of Salazar Slytherin.
Within a mili-second Tom's and Serena's wands were out and at each other's throats, slowly being followed by couple of indecisive spectators, who also prepared to duel.
"You know nothing of my ancestry, Durand. Bad things happen to witches, who aren't careful of their tongues." Riddle gritted his teeth, but that didn't seem to frighten the older witch a slightest bit.
"Maybe, but iz it not true, zat you live in muggle orphanage, Mizter Riddle?" she paused and her corrupted smile widened at his lack of words before she continued: "I actually 'appened to meet a certain muggle named Thomas Riddle Sr. Are you sure 'e's not a relative of yours? Father, perhaps?"
Riddle's night sky eyes widen as the wave of anger washed over him, all color draining from his already sickly pale skin. He opened his mouth to curse the French witch to Oblivion or even further, but before he had chance, a powerful voice sounded through the study.
"Is there problem here?"
Minerva joined everybody's line of sight leading to the two older men standing at the entrance; one noticeably older and shorter, Armando Dippet, and other taller and slowly graying Dumbledore. Headmaster's face was as always happy-go-lucky kind of face, but Dumbledore's features were nearly unreadable. All the students, who were about to engage in the fight swiftly hidden their wands behind their backs like little children caught stealing cookies, except Serena and Tom. Those kept their wands in their hands but lowered them regardless.
"Well?" asked Dippet calmly.
Tom glanced at Serena, before answering: "Not at all, sir. We were only practicing some charms for our class." He flashed one of his charming smiles of innocence and Minerva couldn't help but roll her eyes.
Just as Dippet was about to let the two Slytherins continue their 'study session', Dumbledore turned to the French girl and asked: "Is that true, Miss Durand?"
"Yes, professor." Answered Serena, surprised at old professors distrust. "I waz just explaining him some more complex magic control." Smiled Serena sweetly. Then turned to Riddle and with the sametoothy smile added: "Izn't it so, Tommy?" Her amber orbs glowed with malevolence, when she said the diminutive form of his name. Whatever feelings Riddle felt, he covered them perfectly and smiled casually at two professors: "Indeed. I'm very thankful that Miss Durand found the time in her busy schedule to help me broaden my knowledge of the matter."
Dippet smiled merrily and waved his goodbye to the two, but the Transfiguration teacher lingered behind.
"Miss Durand" he smiled warmly at the petite girl: "I would like to ask you some question about your studies. Do you have a time to join me for a short walk, perhaps?"
"Definitely, sir." She grinned back and picked up all her books, but before she followed Dumbledore out into the hallway, she turned to Riddle and whispered so the professor won't hear: "I'm not interezted in joining your little club, Riddle, zo ztay out of my way."
Then she spun on her heal and left Tom and his quickly reddening face behind.
Minerva didn't even bother to hide her shocked stare as furious Slytherin boy harshly pushed pass her, not giving the head girl a second glance.
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You know, this chapter isnt even that good...oh well! Read and review! :D Please ;)