Polarity

Sofia wakes up with a slight discomfort on her right shoulder. The silky emerald sheets were only half covering her small frame, the rest of it sliding off the edge of the mattress. Her eye muscles are strained. With sleep deprivation, her eyes felt like they were burning from the lack of lubrication. She did not want to get up. She did not want to go to her classes and come face to face with the menace of a particular individual named Tom Marvolo Riddle.

Internally she was screaming. How could she not have realized right away that he is Lord Voldemort? She was taught about his history in Hogwarts at her time. Tom Riddle is and was one of the most dangerous wizards in the wizarding world. But as she continues to think about it carefully, that would mean that Grindelwald also exists in this time. And with two powerful wizards co-existing, any miniscule change in the timeline can be catastrophic in her future. Knowing the dire consequences of Riddle’s future actions with the Horcruxes, she isn’t sure whether it is right to let Professor Dumbledore know about this issue, since the future will be in great peril. The sheer thoughts send shivers down her spine.        

After several minutes of contemplation, she finally gets up from her bed and makes her way to the bathroom. But even as she is brushing her teeth, she continues to think about Tom Riddle. From what she has remembered about the Heir of Slytherin, he is no fool. He is a gifted wizard, intelligent to say the least. Based on their conversation from last night, he is bound to be suspicious of her. With him being a natural at legilimency, it is very likely that he will try to enter her mind at any given moment. Fortunately, Sofia knows a bit of Occlumency. She may not be the best, but she hopes it will be enough to prevent Riddle from infiltrating deep into her mind. If she can try and prepare in advance, there is a good chance that Tom Riddle will only be able to see the recent memories that she wants him to see. She is also conflicted whether to try and befriend Tom Riddle or completely ignore his existence. The safest option would to just be an acquaintance—only be courteous when spoken to. Nothing more. Nothing less.

But what if she is paired up with him for an assignment or other activities?

She groans and brushes her teeth more aggressively before spitting out the contents in her mouth. Just worry about it when the time comes. Not now.

Sofia washes her face with water and takes her time splashing some of the liquid into her eyes, trying to ease some of the dryness and irritation. Looking at her reflection in the mirror she pulls her hair to one side of her shoulder. Her fingers three strands of her hair as she maneuvers them, simultaneously grabbing extra strands throughout the process to create a Dutch braid. She hums a melody as she fixes her hair, the perfect pattern of hair coming together delicately across her left shoulder. Small wavy strands of hair are loose on the sides, giving it a messy look. Feeling satisfied she leaves the bathroom and makes her way to her side of the room. Checking her trunk, she is surprised to see that the inside contained the materials that Dumbledore had promised he would have ready for her before classes began. She is not sure how he had done this, but she is grateful and gave herself a mental note to thank the kind professor later in the day when she sees him.

Looking around her dorm she notices a few of her roommates are still asleep. She gets herself ready and leaves the room quietly as she makes her way down to the Great Hall.

The Great Hall isn’t as packed yet. Sofia takes this opportunity to try and eat her breakfast quickly before the rest of the students gather around and becomes crowded. She strides her way to the Slytherin table and sits at the same spot she was sitting yesterday. She grabs a piece of toast, coating the top with marmalade that is sure to satisfy her sweet tooth. She takes a bite and drinks some pumpkin juice. Her eyes wander around the different tables as more students begin to sit down and chat with their friends about the new school year.

She hears a small shriek coming from the Gryffindor table and sees a boy around her age with copper-like hair jump back from his seat as the girl across from him laughs uncontrollably. Sofia squints and sees the sausage on his plate spinning aggressively fast, the other boy sitting next to the girl had his wand perched up just enough to notice displaying a victorious smirk. The strawberry blond headed boy pouts, then smiles and mouths something like “I’ll get you next time” as he eyes the boy with the wand, and all three of them laugh in harmony.

The interaction reminds Sofia of a breakfast prank she did to her good friend Jackson. It was after Christmas break, and she had a box of cookies wrapped in a green ribbon on a bright red box. Inside the box were four sugar cookies, each had frosting on top with the initials of her best friends. She gives the cookies to Alexis, Noah, Rosaline, and Jackson. Jackson’s cookie, however, was purposely laced with salt instead of sugar. As each friend took a bite, they were delighted, until Jackson’s grey eyes widened and immediately spit his pastry out as he muttered a bunch of curses with a sour expression. “What the hell is this?” Sofia laughs so hard her stomach clenched. “That’s what you get for eating my custard tart.” She sticks her tongue out at him, and the rest of her friends cackle in unity while Jackson still glares at her as he tries to control the smirk forming on his lips. “Touché, Fifi. But just as a reminder I have no regrets and I would absolutely do it again.” He ruffles her hair and she playfully punches his forearm. He gives her a chuckle and the quintet began talking about their holidays.

A hand waving frantically in front of her brings her back to reality.

“Sofia? Hello?” The girl waves her hand once more and Sofia’s cheeks grow a crimson red, embarrassed.

“Sorry, Emma. I was deep in my head.”

Emma sits down across from her and takes a bite off the crispy bacon she’s holding. “And what is going on in that deep head of yours may I ask?”

“Oh, you know just about the school year that’s all.” She partly lied. She is worried about the upcoming semester but that wasn’t what she was thinking about.

Emma nods, “Yeah, I understand. Hopefully we will have classes together, so you won’t be alone.” She takes another bite of her bacon and gives Sofia a cheeky grin.

“Yeah, I hope so too.” Just after that conversation the timetables were being passed around to each student. Once the two girls got theirs Emma places hers in the middle so both girls can read it. Sofia does the same and the two girls compare their classes together.

“We have our main courses together so that’s good!” she said excitedly.

“Yes, but we have double potions today after breakfast and I know you don’t like potions.”

“Boo!” pouts Emma. “But we will have Charms before lunch so that’ll be fun. Also, you’re taking Arithmancy?!” her hazel eyes look up to Sofia and then looks back down at the timetable, then back up at Sofia, not believing how the new girl could possibly have an extra complex course in her schedule.

Sofia taps her fingers against the table, “Yes. I hope the class won’t be too bad. If not, I will probably have to drop it.” She shrugs.

“Well, you won’t have to worry about it until tomorrow, for now lets just try and go to Potions before Slughorn shows up.”

The two girls finish up their breakfast and make their way to the dungeons. Inside the classroom they found an empty table on the left side of the classroom. The girls placed their belongings on top. Sofia opens her satchel and takes out her quill, parchment, and the textbook that Dumbledore has kindly given her.

On top of their work bench, the girls had their cauldron, mortar and pestle, and phials. Sofia looks to her right and sees Emma fidgeting in her seat. The girl twirls her quill with her fingers and her left leg is bouncing up and down quite excessively. Sofia places her hand over the girl’s forearm. “Try to relax, okay? It’s the first day, we might do something easy.”

Emma gives her a warm smile. Her leg, unfortunately, continues to bounce. Sofia looks back to the entrance of the classroom and sees more students piling up in the class, their blue ties displayed proudly against their chests. Great, now I also have to deal with the overly competitive Ravenclaws in one of the most complicated classes.  As she was about to turn away, she sees the tall figure of a certain handsome pale individual with jet-black hair with midnight blue eyes and chiseled features. Handsome!? Bad taste, Sofia.

Tom Riddle walks in with another boy by his side and they both take a seat at the empty table at the front of the classroom. The boy is a few inches shorter than Riddle, slender with dirty blonde hair carefully swept to the side.

Sofia clears her throat and opens the potions textbook to a random page and starts reading the text. Anything to try and distract her mind Tom Riddle.

To her relief, Professor Slughorn arrives and welcomes all the fifth-year students to a new school year. He dwindles on about what the class entails, the OWL exams and so forth. Sofia doesn’t pay much attention as she was too busy analyzing Professor Slughorn’s features. How similar yet different he looks from her time. In 1942 he is not bald, but rather, has a full set of strawberry blonde hair on top of his head. And his skin isn’t as wrinkly, and his voice isn’t as hoarse.

“I have decided that I wanted to make some new…seating arrangements, this will—”

A collective groan arises amongst the students, most of them coming from the Slytherins.  “Settle down now. This will be a great opportunity for all of you to get to know your new partners. In the future, you will be expected to brew additional potions. These potions are much more complicated to prepare. Even if you do not understand it, your partner might know something that you do not.” He hints.  “With great teamwork, trust, and dedication, I’m sure you and your partner will be able to brew something extravagant together!” Professor Slughorn seems too cheerful about this new ‘arrangement’ he had coordinated. Sofia rolls her eyes. It seems like you have never changed Slughorn.

“I also want to welcome our new transfer student Miss Sofia Emerson to our potions class! Welcome to Hogwarts! I hope you will enjoy potions as much as I love teaching it!” He gives Sofía a gleeful smile, some of the students are already staring at her and it makes her feel self-conscious.

“Now for your new seating arrangements!” He pulls out a piece of parchment from one of his pockets and starts reading from the list.

Already students are moving from their seats. Sofia looks at Emma and gives her a pitiful smile as she soothes her forearm. “Hopefully he still pairs us together?” But Emma sighs, knowing that the chances of that happening are slim to none.

“Mr. Avery you will be partnered with Miss Ravenheart.” Sofia eyes Emma, the blonde witch is clutching the dark feathered quill in her hand tightly with her head slightly bowed down.

Sofia gets up from her seat and spots the boy that was sitting next to Tom Riddle make his way to sit next to Emma. Sofia awkwardly stands to the side; her satchel is slowly coming off her shoulder as she holds the potions textbook protectively against her chest. Looking around she sees that all the students are already sitting down. Merlin’s beard please tell don’t tell me-

“And finally, Miss Emerson you will be seated with Tom Riddle!” The Professor says the Dark Lord’s name with such mellifluence that it irks her.

Sofia slowly walks over to the front of the classroom and takes the seat next to Lord Voldemort himself. She doesn’t even bother giving him a glance. Instead, she looks straight ahead at the Professor and waits for the rest of his instructions.

“Now that you are all in your respective seats, I want to start the day off with something easy. I want you all to brew an Antidote for Common Poisons. You have the entire class period to make this potion. I will be walking around to assess your progress. Feel free to use any of the ingredients available in the cupboard. Please begin!”

Sofia remembers brewing the ingredients and steps for preparing this potion quite well. Too well, in fact, that she did not even bother to open her textbook. Instead, she gets up from her seat and gathers the ingredients relatively quickly from the cupboard. Once she gathers everything, she places them on her work bench and looks over her ingredients one more time. Unicorn hair, bezoar, lavender sprigs, mint sprigs, mistletoe berries, and honey water. She gently taps her fingers against the edge of the work bench as she carefully plans out the experiment.

She begins to pour about half of the honey water into the cauldron. She grabs her wand from her pocket and with a flick the cauldron starts to heat up at a low temperature. While the liquid is heating up, she places the Bezoar into the mortar and pestle, crushing and grinding the stone like material until its consistency changes to a fine brown powder.

After the Bezoar has been grinded thoroughly, Sofia adds only half of the powder into the cauldron. Adding half of the bezoar at the beginning will allow the bezoar to disperse evenly in the honey water. Since the particle grains are naturally thick, it will take a bit of time for the ingredient to fully dissolve. If Sofia were to add the entire powder in one go, the solution would not be dispersed properly, as the ratio of the water to the bezoar would be uneven. This is a very common mistake the students make, one that Sofia experienced in her fourth year.

She stirs the solution clockwise for five turns and lets it sit for a few minutes. After that, she cuts up the mint sprigs into even strips with a dagger, then places them on the cauldron. She stirs counterclockwise for three more turns and raises the heat of the cauldron a bit.

The liquid slowly starts to change from its yellow tinge to a faint green. While she lets the liquid heat up for a few more minutes she begins to cut up on the lavender sprigs. She notices that the solution in her cauldron is already boiling, and immediately adds the rest of the honey water into the cauldron, along with the one unicorn hair. She stirs clockwise. After the first turn she adds one mistletoe berry, then stirs counterclockwise and adds another mistletoe berry. For the last stir, she goes clockwise again and adds the final mistletoe berry.  She brings the heat down and waits a few more minutes before adding the lavender sprigs. She gives the solution a few more stirs and then lets liquid sit with the heat set on low.

“What a unique approach Miss Emerson! I am curious, what gave you the idea to use lavender sprigs and honey water?”

Sofia slightly jumps and heat rises into Sofia’s plump cheeks. Looking up, she sees that the Professor is standing next to Tom Riddle, eyes gleaming with full fascination as steps closer and takes a glimpse at the inside of her cauldron.

“Well, I figured honey water was best because it has a bit more density than just regular water and has a higher viscosity. The Bezoar itself is a thick mass. Even if it’s grinded completely, the particles within will have a difficult time dissolving with water, especially if we are heating up the liquid. Since the Bezoar is being placed with honey water, the particles of the Bezoar will dissolve readily and quickly because the heat also generates more energy. Temperature an density have are inversely proportional, so when adding heat the density will also decrease at a faster rate. This will allow equal distribution throughout the solution. For the lavender, I know that it is beneficial in different ways, one being that it is good for feeling calm and has properties of healing…” Sofia wasn’t sure if she should continue speaking. She already feels that she spoke too much too soon.

The professor continues to look into her cauldron, a wide grin forming on his thin lips. She too peeks and discovers that the color of the liquid has changed to a bright teal, with a luminous glow.

“Oh my! How magnificent! Ten points to Slytherin for brewing a perfect antidote for common poisons!” yells the Professor. Sofia’s cheeks glisten a deep crimson red. She really hates being the center of attention.

“T-thank you, professor.” Sofia responds shyly.

“I hope that I can see more of your knowledge throughout the semester. Please place the liquid into an empty phial and place the potion on my desk. You are welcome to stay here for the remainder of the class period or you are free to go.” Slughorn returns to Tom Riddle’s cauldron with a big smile. “And Mr. Riddle, you also never fail to disappoint me! Perfect as always.”

“Thank you, Professor.” says Tom politely.

Sofia looks around the classroom and notices some of the students giving her dirty looks. She makes eye contact with Emma, the blonde haired which gives her a soft smile as a means of ‘good job’ and returns to her work. Grabbing one of the phials on her work bench she takes off the cap and carefully pours the liquid in the phial. After screwing it back shut and marking her name on it and placing it on Professor Slughorn’s desk, she sits back down on her seat and grabs her unopened textbook sitting restlessly on the wooden table.

She feels something prickle on the side of her face, as if someone was watching her. She looks to her right and sees that Tom Riddle’s gaze was fixed on hers. She didn’t know how long he had been watching her. She gives him a quick smile and looks away, opening a random page of the textbook to avoid any sort of contact with the future Dark Lord.

Sofia rests her left arm against the work bench, her palm placed right underneath her jaw as her right hand is placed delicately next to the book. But she can still feel his eyes not looking away and she refuses to look up. She can feel her bundle of nerves rising and her feet start tapping against the floor beneath her. I should just leave.

But as she was about to close her textbook, she hears a deep voice beginning to speak,

“That was a very…interesting approach to your brew. Certainly, you must be a rather studious student?”

Sofia does her best to keep her composure. She looks to the boy sitting next to her and she quickly licks her lips before responding, “I guess you can say that. I do enjoy reading after all.”

The boy slowly nods, his eyes still fixed on her face. “I am sure there are a few textbooks that may have mentioned that. Though, as far as I am aware, I do not recall any of the recent potion’s textbooks or documents stating anything about using those specific ingredients you have used for the antidote.”

 “Yes. I only knew about this information because it was my mother that had taught me. She told me about this a year ago, I believe. Then one day she showed me how to brew it. It took me a few tries to get nearly as perfect as hers.”

His long pale fingers reach over to his bone-like wand, and he cocks his head to the side. “Your mother must’ve been quite an intellect.” his voice is rather charming, seemingly thoroughly interested in her mother. 

“That’s one way to put it. She is a gifted wizard after all.” The lie comes out readily.

“What is your mother’s name?” he inquires.

Sofia pauses, crossing her arms against her before repeating his question, “My mother’s name?”

Tom Riddle shifts a bit closer to Sofia and smiles,  “Yes. If she is so gifted, then one must have known her I presume?”

Sofia is hesitant to respond. Just answer his question. Do not give him more information.

“Her name was Eleanor Gray.” Suddenly, she feels a sudden tension in her frontal lobe.

She knew this would happen. She didn’t expect he would do it so soon. Fortunately, her occlumency walls are in place. They are not as strong but she can only hope that it lasts long enough before he gets more intrusive. The only thoughts visible in the forefront of her mind were her conversations with Emma and her own scattered mental notes on making the potion.

She breaks his eye contact and closes her textbook, placing the book inside her satchel.

Tom Riddle doesn’t say anything after that. Instead, he twirls his bone-like wand in his fingers. His dark blue eyes still fixate on her, studying her as if she was an unusual specimen.

“How interesting.” He comments. Sofia doesn’t know how to respond to that, so she does not. She gathers the rest of her belongings and stands up from her seat, giving Tom Riddle one last look. “My apologies Mr. Riddle but I do want to catch up for the rest of my classes. I will see you around.” She gives him a soft smile and leaves the classroom without looking back.

Tom Riddle remains seated, still twirling his wand as he replays their conversation in his head. He smirks to himself, knowing full well how much of a horrible liar Sofia Emerson truly is.

There are a few things that Tom Riddle despises. One is that he despises muggles or anyone of lower class other than pure blood. Second, he absolutely despises feeling inferior. He believes he is the best of the best. The best student at Hogwarts. Third, he despises mysterious things and anything that forbids him from knowing the truth. All the things that he despises are projected into one person, and that person is Sofia Emerson.

Yet, he is confounding with her existence. He does not understand why someone like her, a transfer student who was homeschooled, managed to brew a potion almost effortlessly. It is almost impossible for a new student to be able to brew a potion quickly and efficiently. He is sure of it. He cannot bloody believe that someone like her managed to be somewhat intelligent. Professor Slughorn even seems to be taking a liking to her already. Giving her high praise as if she was the next potions master. How utterly absurd.

Furthermore, she has even managed to build stable occlumency walls. This is the first time someone has been able to resist his legilimency.

She is an enigma. An enigma that he seems desperate to try and figure out. And he is not sure why.

Perhaps it is because he can recognize her deception rather easily. It was obvious, in fact. The way she kept hesitating her responses, how her arms folded crossed against her chest protectively, and how shaky her responses were, yet trying to conceal that anxiousness. And how her eye contact kept breaking from his, looking around the room as if the answers she needed would suddenly appear. Or perhaps because he was completely infuriated that he also could not read her like an open book.

But the question is why? Why is this new girl so secretive? What is she hiding? And why was she with Dumbledore out of all professors? His loathe for the professor is beyond his existence.

But he will do whatever it takes to figure out this new girl. Sofia Emerson. Her name has a slight melody to it. He rolls his eyes. Pathetic.

Tom Riddle always gets what he wants. He will use whatever means necessary to get more information out of this Sofia Emerson girl. Maybe he could use his attractive looks and charms to swoon her over. But that would be too simple and she might get suspicious. Though, his features and charismatic charm work wonders with most female wizards.

Perhaps he could try and befriend her. Though Tom Riddle does not do friendships either. He only has pawns; pawns that he didn’t care to use or dispose of. Sure, it was nice to have light conversation with the Knights of Walpurgis, but he has no attachment to them. He doesn’t need friends. His knights, or pawns, are just a front. A way to display to the rest of the world that he does have companionship. That he enjoys having camaraderie. This coupled with his good attitude and over politeness with not just the rest of the students and professors at Hogwarts had given him the upper hand. Everyone sees him as someone greater. And that’s Tom Riddle. He is great. The very best.

He displays a perfect masquerade. Everyone around him seems to be blinded by what is beneath the mask. Except for Professor Dumbledore. And that is why he loathes him. And with Professor Dumbledore being utterly gracious to this new girl, it poses somewhat of a threat to Tom Riddle. If she is working for him then this would certainly not be good.

Which is why he needs to figure out who she really is.

He twirls his wand once more with his long pale fingers, the corners of his lips turning upwards to a synthetic smile. He heads out of the classroom and walks through the corridor, making his way to the library.

And it was then that Tom Riddle had decided to begin his first move of a mental game of wizard’s chess with Sofia Emerson.