-

03 | legilimens

legilimens

spell; allows the caster to delve into the mind of the target

-

EVELINA SWEPT IN, ALL EYES ON HER. HER ROBE fluttered majestically behind her, the green bright and apparent. She thought the faces of her peers were much too startled -and awed, mind you- for her not to take a mental photograph of the moment.

Even Tom, who never stirred even at the most rambunctious affairs twisted in his seat to watch her. A sly smirk played onto his lips as he turned back towards the board.

Professor Dumbledore entered behind her, and snapped his fingers, making the doors slam shut just as Evelina had sat down in her seat. His eyes narrowed in approval as he saw her changed uniform, and he spared her a quick nod before he addressed the class. "Good morning, students."

"Good morning, Professor." Only Evelina, Tom and the other prefects murmured a response. The rest of the class couldn't be bothered about anything other than their lack of sleep. When she stole a quick glance at him, Tom had his usual charm about him, posture perfect, fingers folded neatly onto his desk, weaving and crossing each other like a work of art.

Dumbledore took his seat, tapping his wand gently against the desk. The mess grew, until it disappeared all together, and a few students stared in wonder at his non-verbal magic.

"Today we will be doing something a tad more advanced," The teacher said, stealing a liquorice snap from his stash. "The snake summoning spell, otherwise known as Serpensortia. This spell was used in early duels for many years when it was first brought to Europe, by a young woman, Evelyn Moothy. Can anyone tell us more about the spell?"

Two arms shot up almost automatically. Evelina turned to her left, only to see Tom staring calmly back at her, hand raised. "Evelina, let's hear from you first."

She smirked before turning back to her professor. "Well, as you said, sir, it was brought to the new world by Evelyn Moothy, in the mid seventeenth century. A white light comes from the wand as the wizard or witch performs the spell, and it can be done verbally or non-verbally. The non-verbal way is much more difficult to perform. Also, it's counter-charm is Vipera Evanesca which vanishes the snake."

"Anything more, Ms. Moreau?" Dumbledore hinted, leaning forward. Evelina searched her brain, but couldn't think of anything that she'd forgotten.

"Professor, Moreau forgot about the theories. One states that the reptile is conjured from thin air, but the other suggests it is relocated from elsewhere. The only proof regarding either is that a caster could not make one appear at the edges of the room, but once in the centre, everything went as normal. This implies that the second hypothesis is correct." Tom finished, glancing at Evelina through the corner off his eye.

"Yes, yes, Tom. Now, Ms. Moreau, can you perform the spell?" She just barely heard Tom scoff under his breath as Dumbledore finished. She sent him a glare, and answered her teacher.

"Yes, sir, of course." With a flick of her wand and a burst of pale light, Evelina found a snake staring back at her, much like the one that adorned the Slytherin crest.

Many of her friends looked at her, impressed, as Arden simply chuckled under her breath.

Tom's face, however, was bright with shock, lips parted just enough to catch a glimpse of his pearly teeth. His face had morphed into one of surprise as Evelina had cast the spell without a word.

Dumbledore applauded the spell. "Amazing, now, kindly send it away, Mr. Riddle. I wouldn't want such a creature to sink it's fangs into one of us."

Tom sauntered over, so close that it became hard for her to breathe. He pointed his wand at the viper as it attempted to slither away, and with a silent puff of black smoke it was gone. Another round of incredulous gasps escaped everyone's mouths.

"It appears that you both have a natural talent for transfiguration," Dumbledore praised. With precision, Evelina ducked her head exactly three seconds after, and to any other, it would look like embarrassment.

"Thank you, sir." She murmured, her lips tilting up in a winning smile. "I do love this class."

"Thank you," Tom echoed quietly. He bore his teeth in a wide grin, but to Evelina, it looked as if he was a predator that had just caught his prey.

The elderly professor stroked his beard softly, and then tilted his chin up at her to show his appreciation, speaking then to the rest of the kids. "Now, get to work, you lot! Moreau, you and Riddle may go study in the library. It appears this lesson -as most of them are- will be of no use to you. I would rather not waste your time."

"Thank you again, sir." Evelina gathered her books quickly, and placing them in her bag, left as quietly as possible. There was no point in trying to back out without attracting a few glances. They were the only two who were able to leave the lecture.

Suddenly, Tom was beside her, sending all stares away as the air he left behind crackled with authority. It was Evelina's greatest wish to be worshipped like he was, and she was very well on her way. However, there was something, just... not quite right about the Slytherin gang that backed Tom. They didn't seem like friends. There was something deeper there, something unnatural for people so young.

That was what Evelina truly craved.

In less than a minute, the grand, carved wooden doors were presented in front of the pair, and they stepped inside, polished shoes clicking softly against the flooring. Without a word, Tom set off to a secluded corner table layered with signatures and books. Evelina huffed at his behaviour; he hadn't said a word to her since their encounter in the Slytherin Dungeons!

She couldn't imagine the sort of audacity he had, acting like they were friends for one moment, and then the other like they'd never spoken. So she picked a book from the shelf without looking, and settled down, for there was nothing she could do.

-

-

unedited

-