Chapter 9
Lunch came quite fast. Over at the table, the girls were talking about what kind of dresses and hairstyles they would wear. The boys were not that far off either really and Tom's mind once again went back to Bellatrix.
"I already mailed my robes, of course needless to say they are of the finest quality, befitting of a Malfoy" Abraxas started bragging before catching himself from throwing Tom an arrogant meaningful look.
"Do you know who you are going to be with, Tom? Many girls and even gals are interested in you" Avery said looking envious.
"I have yet to decide." Tom said boredly, he really has no interest in inviting somebody with him. He , unlike other boys his year doesn't have much excitement for such things. He did try with somebody before out of curiosity and simply because they insisted and he saw an opportunity to get something out of them but he didn't really enjoy it. Needless to talk about any romantic or sentimental drivel. He did catch himself surprised though at his apparent interest in a woman twice his age. She wasn't that old, specially not by wizarding standards but still she was older than him. She is still considered pretty but her features were hardened. He did have a good impression of her, specially with her helping him so much along the way but he didn't expect to garner that type of interest. Specially since she seemed to do her best to not let anything ambiguous between them, in fact she took a protector role towards him. Tom got irritated at the thought. While she may less and less be comparing him to whoever was in her mind, that seemed to translate in some parenting attempts on her part and treating him like a child, coddling him. He didn't like it one bit. As it turns out, should he attempt any type of approach? He would have to wait until his birthday for that, at least he would be an adult that way if it presented any qualms to her. In the meantime, he would have to work on uncovering whatever she seemed hellbent on hiding from him.
"I just asked Professor Eccleshall, she is very nice" This got Tom's attention, it was Druella who spoke. What did she ask her about?
"What? Eccleshall? You say she was nice?" Nott was incredulous. Druella glared at him and unexpectedly, Cygnus also jumped up
"Yes, she can be quite nice actually."
"I think you both should speak for yourself or better yet wonder why this woman is good to you specially. While I would absolutely despise agreeing with Walburga on anything, that woman does look like some hardened criminal." Tom was unsure whether Abraxas was just jealous that Bellatrix was specially nice to Tom or he was offended that she didn't pay him a single bit of attention but his words did hold some truth that Tom himself has been thinking. Why was Bellatrix so nice to Druella and most importantly what did she ask her?
"Druella, what did you ask professor Eccleshall exactly?" She seemed surprised that he asked her and a little bit flustered.
"Well, the ball is approaching and many of the girls struggle with hair charms, so I asked her to teach me " Tom must say he was flabbergasted.
"What? You went to Eccleshell for that? What did she do to you then?" Nott was looking at her as if she was very foolish. Druella snorted disdainfully at him
"Well, nothing. She taught me some amazing charms and said that pale green suits me fantastically" Tom almost couldn't believe his ears.
"Are you joking? it's Eccleshall you are talking about. She looks like she is barely containing herself from hexing somebody. Are you sure you were not hallucinating?"
"I mean, remember the beginning of the year ? She was quite nice to Rosier" someone jumped into the conversation, Tom didn't pay attention who as he was too busy thinking about why Bellatrix was so close to Druella.
"Still, are you sure she doesn't work for Grindelwald?" Tom was very sure she wasn't working for Grindelwald at this point.
"Being nice to us won't help her with Gridelwald, we are not that close to Aunt Vinda, specially not enough for her to recommend somebody. She is just very nice"
"I agree with Druella. I don't know what you are all making a fuss about, she is not that bad" Cygnus said after taking a bite of his beloved lemon dessert while trying hard to pretend he is not enjoying it. Why does Tom pay attention to details like this? It's always useful to know someone's prefered foods in case you may need to slip them a potion someday.Though as of now, he was glad he found a point of start to his research, maybe he should focus as to what was special about Druella?
Walburga snorted
"Of course you agree with Druella, Cygnus. When did you not exactly? I really don't know what Dippet is doing. Could she be the one who killed the mudblood? She doesn't seem to be taking kindly to them." The air around the table stilled and some students looked uneasily at Tom, there were many rumors as to how that incident came to be but in Slytherin, it has became known that it was related to the chamber of secrets and it was a very well known fact that Tom Riddle is a parseltongue. Many already knew not to cross him but such incident was so much more in every way that they dared not even murmur about it. However as always, Walburga didn't seem to get a clue to stop. Cygnus coughed on his lemon gello.
"Watch what you say, Walburga! You can't go around throwing accusations like that about professors!"
"Right. Still, Eccleshell is very nice to Slytherin. So, I guess in the grand scheme of things, it's good for us." Nott said, still looking shocked that Bellatrix would help anybody...well other than Tom.
"I wouldn't say she is nice to Slytherin, I would say she is nice to Tom"
"Right, Tom. What do you think?"
"Bel...Professor Eccleshall is a great addition this year, she seems to be a very fine teacher." This got a snort out of Walburga and Tom irritatingly glanced at her. Seeing his gaze, she shut down quickly. It seems that she still has enough sense not to cross him.
He spent quite a few hours coming up with the proper spells but here there were at last. Some were prepared for the fireplace and some for the little trinklet in his hand, it was a bracelet he personally made. He would go to the ball of course but that didn't mean he will not be paying attention to what Bellatrix was doing. Speaking of which, he ended up choosing a pureblood ravenclaw, there was no need to choose a slytherin so as to not be pestered later on. He decided on the ravenclaw because of her heavily lidded eyes, he doesn't wish to probe further as to why.