She seems to be everywhere Tom is. He briefly wonders if she has stolen a copy of his schedule somehow. She takes ancient runes, defense against the dark arts, potions, transfiguration, charms, and divination. All advanced, NEWT level classes. All his classes.
She arrives early to Transfiguration the first morning of the term. Her eyes search for a seat that is least likely to be spoken for. Tom is sitting in the front row, as per his usual. When he sees her walk in, he pointedly turns his back to her, placing his books on the bench next to him.
She seems to understand the message, and quietly slips into the furthest bench from him—straight into where Mulciber usually sits with Malfoy.
Tom smirks.
Students start to file in, few glancing quickly at the new girl, shooting her puzzled looks. She does her best not to notice, but Tom can feel her anxiety from across the room. When Mulciber walks in, he throws his bag aggressively on the girl's desk directly in front of her, causing her to yelp and jump in her seat. Her wand clatters to the ground.
Mulciber is the biggest beater the Slytherin Quidditch team has seen in half a century. He weighs at least two hundred pounds. His arms are the size of her head.
"Move." Mulciber threatens.
Everyone is looking at the pair of them, so Tom turns too. He wants to see what will happen to the new girl. Compared to her, Mulciber is about the size of a small Giant. He towers over her slight figure, grinning maliciously. His teeth are jagged and stacked upon one another like a shark. The girl lifts her pointed chin to look into his face. She is expressionless. Tom smirks at the obvious act. Everyone heard her pathetic yelp.
She seems to consider what's good for her and stands up. She has to bend backwards in order to avoid Mulciber's hulking form. His grin widens.
But instead of picking up her bag with her tail between her legs as Tom expects, she deftly plucks her wand from the floor. She moves too quickly for Mulciber to brace himself. With only a swift flick she shoves Mulciber's books roughly into his stomach. The effect is remarkable. The force must be considerable as the blow elicits a surprised huff from Mulciber, who struggles to catch his breath.
While he is busy coughing, she sits back down. She folds her skirt beneath her and crosses her ankles to the side in the French fashion. Mulciber turns red.
He looks ready to murder her. She lifts her chin and smiles up at him, tucking a curl behind her ear. She is the picture of innocence. Her wand is resting lightly in her right hand, as if to say, try me.
Malfoy whistles and says something in French, which makes the girl blush. Her eyes slide quickly to Malfoy and back to Mulciber. For the first time, she seems uncomfortable.
Just as Mulciber is raising his fist to slam the girl to the ground (Tom knows how Mulciber thinks), Dumbledore walks in.
"Ah, Mr. Mulciber, I see you've decided to take a new seat today. It is always so lovely to mix up routine!" Albus Dumbledore lifts his hand and wandlessly floats Tom's books off the seat next to him and on to the desk.
Tom forces himself not to react. Dumbledore has always been a thorn in his side. Mulciber stupidly lowers his fist, leaving the girl in his bench next to Malfoy and trudging over to Tom. Tom gives him a disgusted look. Mulciber is exactly the type of brute who wouldn't hesitate to strike a girl a quarter of his size. This was useful sometimes, Tom had to admit, but still distasteful.
Class begins.
He almost forgets about the girl until he hears her laugh. It is a low, pleasant sound. He turns to look at her and from the corner of his eye can see Malfoy leering at her. Another conquest, then. Pathetic.
Tom will never understand why Malfoy is so intent on sticking his genitalia into any hole he can find. Of course he would spend the entire lesson trying to flirt.
Tom transfigures his pin into a spider and reclines in his seat. He watches Mulciber struggle, and finally can't take it anymore and begins to teach him the wand movements. Tom doubts Mulciber is listening, but he knows to be respectful. Mulciber knows what Tom can do. Behind him, Tom can hear Malfoy making observations about the length of the new girl's legs.
She doesn't laugh this time.
Tom shoots a look at Malfoy and covertly shakes his head no. It's meant to seem like he doesn't want anyone to notice, but he makes it obvious enough that she does. Tom understands that no one should be underestimated. Even though the girl isn't especially well connected, it is worth it to gain her trust.
Tom thinks over the way she wordlessly knocked the air out of Mulciber's lungs.
She catches his eye.
She smiles.