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The Great Maze Chall/Comp: What a lovely [photograph]. You should keep that. You go straight when you hear someone lurking up ahead. You wish you were invisible so they wouldn't see you.

Tom turned the corner quietly, perking his ears for any sounds. Not that he really expected to see anyone, the students were too terrified to leave their common room like instructed. He had nothing to fear through, it was his monster that had killed that stupid mudblood.

A slight smirk played upon his lips at the thought, but it vanished nearly as soon as it formed. There was a reason he'd sneaked out of the common room; it wasn't often he'd willingly put himself in any type of suspicion. Not, that they'd catch him, of course.

Walburga Black had talked loudly for everyone to hear about how they wanted to shut down the school. Tom needed to see if it was true. He couldn't allow it to happen, the very thought of being stuck in that damn orphanage sent waves of complete fury coursing through him. He'd be suck there since he wasn't seventeen for a few months yet.

No, that wasn't acceptable. They could not shut Hogwarts down.

Tom paused, hearing quiet footsteps approaching. He pressed himself further into the wall, making sure his breathing wasn't loud enough to draw attention. Only a second later did two shadows appear at the end of the narrow corridor.

"Honestly Horace? No one?" It was Dumbledore.

Tom's eyes narrowed as he cocked his head to the side, straining to hear more.

"I have told you, Albus!" Slughorn cried, sounding agitated. "There is no one in my house that would be cruel enough to murder that poor girl. Do not blame them, I am truly tired of everyone blaming my Slytherin's. Why, they could be in another house for all we know!"

He didn't bother to stifle the smirk on his lips, eyes dancing with amusement. It was just as well that the two Professor couldn't see him. Tom shook his head at his Head of House, the man was completely oblivious.

Tom sucked in a breath suddenly, watching the shadows move closer. He tried to press himself even further into the wall, eyes darting around his surroundings. There was a small gap a few feet away, but he wasn't sure he'd reach it without making any noise.

Very carefully he pulled his wand from his robes pocket, lifting it to circle his body as much as he could without making his movements noticable. Tom waited until the two men started speaking again before whispering the disillusionment charm. Dumbledore stopped abruptly, turning to face the place he stood. Tom cursed, realising he'd recognised magic being cast.

Slughorn looked in his direction, though he look confused opposed to Dumbledore's suspicion. "Albus?"

Dumbledore shook his head, looking back at Slughorn. "It's nothing, Horace." It didn't stop him casting another glance at the spot Tom stood. "We shall go see the Headmaster, I am sure we have much to discuss."

They set off in the direction of Dippet's office, leaving Tom standing in the shadows. He scowled, realising that the teachers wouldn't let this slide. Especially muggle-loving Dumbledore. He knew there would be consequences to that mudbloods death.

Even so - the school wouldn't close. He'd make sure of that.