Chapter 22
Tom hurried back to his prefect dormitory to change his clothes and take a proper shower before the start of classes. As he was putting on his robes, he remembered with immense irritation that he had Transfiguration with Dumbledore. He suddenly felt very thankful for his swift actions during the meeting, legilimency cannot work on those who took a vow, the legilimency caster may at most see a golden screen in the heads of the person he used it on and that's if he cast an aggressive attempt on the shields of somebody and was a very very fine caster. While Dumbledore had the disgusting habit of using his mind tentacles on others with legilimency powers rivaling Tom, managing to catch stray thoughts the careless let roam even without really trying to, doing an active attempt able to be detected on purebloods or any student really wouldn't go well for him and wasn't something he would try to do. Most purebloods that he let in his group knew some form of occlumency, even if very rudimentary and that was enough to detect the level of the attack needed to feel even the existence of the vow. As for Tom himself, he had nothing to worry about in that department really, vow or no vow. If Dumbledore managed to even know of the existence of such collective vow, he may pay attention to the matter and try to get to the bottom of it , it would then take him a LOT of effort to shake off the old coot. He was simply annoyingly unwavering.
Tom had to take a long breath before he collected his things and headed to the classroom while plastering a pleasant expression on his face. The classroom was of course everything Dumbledore was, irritating with how red and golden it was, his annoying bird perched next to his desk surrounded by a whole bunch of trinklets, irritating in its welcoming sanctimonious pretense. Tom couldn't forget his flaming wardrobe at Wools, being told that he was a thief and that stealing was not tolerated at Hogwarts. Irritation and hartred were pulsing through his veins yet he did the best to rein it in. Now he has much to grapple with and plan, he would not ruin it for a momentary slip for his hatred of Dumbledore. He now has proof that he was to be more, and he would even be better than that version of him who attained his most wished desire of power yet lost his mind, probably to toyed by the old fool and his scheming tactics, he grimaced.
The lesson was long , there was only a barely well done from Dumbledore's part when Tom achieved everything effortlessly while he exaggeratedly praising some half baked fool's very much failed attempt at the exercise . Tom had nothing to do as he finished eveything much earlier so he deliberately slouched, gracefully of course, on the table. Dumbledore, in between playing his nice character role that he never bothered to grace Tom with sent Tom some grave reproachful looks here and there with those annoyingly twinkling eyes that Tom couldn't wait to rob the light of.
The excruciating ordeal came to an end finally and Tom was among the first to get to the door before he heard his name called by Dumbledore, great...just great. He strengthened his shields and looked back to Dumbledore who was not willing to start talking until the classroom was well getting emptied.
"Tom...my boy, I didn't know that Professor Eccleshall was a friend of your mother, I was under the impression that you knew not of your relatives"
Tom felt his breath cutting off from pure rage and he felt utterly humiliated at the insinuation, as if he could forget Dumbledore stepping in at Wools. He strenghtened his control over his mask before saying
"Professor, that's a personal matter, I don't think it's appropriate for you to be discussing it with me" This only made Dumbledore look even more grave . Tom decided that he has to think of something to do about it, it won't do to have him wondering where Bellatrix came from. Who knew how she handled the Eccleshall affair? At least good enough if Dumbledore is still going around merely asking questions. If only Grindelwald could keep Dumbledore busy and away from his affairs.
"Well, Tom. I do hope that Professor Eccleshall is in good health"
"Not really, Professor. I just really hope that people who are able to do something do it instead of wasting their time questioning innocent people" Tom said meaningfully while keeping an innocent expression on his face. He felt very pleased when seeing the embarrassed expression and even flash of guilt on the old coot's face.
"You may go" Dumbledore said while turning his back and ignoring him. Tom snorted silently before going out of the door after a "Goodbye, Professor".
Once outside the classroom, he suprisingly found Druella waiting for him with worry on her face. When she saw him, she looked relieved. Tom raised an eyebrow at that.
"Druella, do you need something?"
"Can we please talk somewhere more private, Tom?" Tom also wished to talk somewhere more private and by that, he meant anywhere that is not outside Dumbledore's office. He agreed and they both walked to an empty corridor.
"Is Dumbledore bothering you?" Tom couldn't say that he was not surprised by Druella's statement. Yes, he and Dumbledore didn't seem to have the warmest of relationship but for Druella to ask him wether he is bothering is a bit bizarre.
"What makes you say that?"
"I just...Professor Ec...Bellatrix seems to wish to protect you and um...she doesn't seem to be, you know? I mean, from what we saw, I am not sure it's good for professor Dumbledore to know of certain things" Tom raised an eyebrow, he understood what she was getting at. Of course it wouldn't be good for Dumbledore to know of "certain things", specially not good for Tom in fact. It seemed that the connection of Bellatrix being from the future and her extremely close relationship to him during the time she was teaching was not lost on many. The Grindelwald affair probably set it in stone in their minds it seemed.
"Druella, I don't think you need to worry about that. Anything else?"
She hesitated for a bit before saying "Can I go...see her?" Tom stilled as he thought of it for a bit. He had taken a look at Bellatrix(s health report and he knew that maybe blood from magical relatives would be able to kickstart her recovery faster and more efficient then those blood filtering potions.
"Alright, Druella. But I guess there is no need for me to tell you that Professor Eccleshall doesn't need to know of certain things" Druella kept silent for a while before nodding her head silently. He had to insist on the others too not behave bizarrely around Bellatrix when she comes back here at Hogwarts, he didn't want her to start suspecting anything.
"When can I go? Tom. Do you mind if Cygnus comes too?"
Tom looked at her, at least Druella had the presence of mind to know to ask of his opinion, she has always been sharp of mind under all those pretenses, unlike Walburga. He told her that it was alright for Cygnus to come and that they could visit tonight using the fireplace. Tom would have to slide into Bellatrix's office this time if they all wanted to come, he doubted Slughorn or the school would allow the two to go as there was no apparent relationship with them.