Chapter 1
Still shrill, Tom muses idly, even as he outwardly pays attention. Granger’s on about Muggle reform this, and House-elf-patriarchy-nepotism that, again (he’s paraphrasing). He’s been cornered on the second floor staircase on the way to Advanced Charms. She barely pauses for breath as she launches into Clause Four, Subheading 12 of – what was it again?
“-The School Board is flagrantly out of touch with-“
He zones out once more, nodding and frowning at appropriate intervals. Tom can almost admire such disproportionate fervour. He wonders about breath extension charms, then breath depletion charms. The unbreakable eye contact would unnerve a lesser will. Granger’s turning pink and gesticulating wildly, pointing directly at him. Tom feels slightly ill at the uncontrolled display of emotion. A passing sixth year Ravenclaw rolls her eyes in sympathy.
“-oppression of half the student population; not even allowed the choice – an absolute outrage- “
He dredges up the latest talk overhead in his common room to self-soothe. Granger the shrew, shrill and superior (Malfoy, in a sneering display of sibilance). The rather impressive buck-teeth have retracted somewhat over the summer (Malfoy, in a fit of enthused cack-handery). The hair, offensively bristling (Malfoy, in a four-firewhiskey-deep descriptive pique).
Malfoy hasinvested excess energy to resent academic third place and insists this is strictly ‘pureblood/Mudblood dynamics’. Tom is disgusted regardless of Malfoy’s mental jumps; if it walks like a Mudblood and talks like a Mudblood, then-
“-Riddle, at least pretend to listen! You’re also a prefect-”
He winces inwardly at the italics and decides to smooth over Granger’s fury at House-elves? House rivalry? House plants? He really must be precisely On Time to Charms.
“My apologies, Granger; we ought to head to class. But please, keep talking,” he interrupts smoothly and begins walking, gallantly gesturing for her to accompany. She narrows her eyes and falls in step. Tom purposefully takes slightly-too-long strides.
“Look, I know we don’t always see eye-to-eye - probably an understatement - but an inter-house display of unity in the face of blatant hierarchical corruption would send a far more powerful message!”
Granger is dogged at his heels, sales pitch continuing. The portrait of Addled Adeline flutters her eyelashes at him, then snorts contemptuously at Granger’s hair. He curves his mouth into an excellent approximation of a bashful grin at the sixteenth century noble as they ascend the staircase.
“Granger,” he offers the Mudblood earnestly, “I do see where you’re coming from. Excellently argued as always. However, I’m not sure if-” he coughs delicately, sympathetically “-calling the governors - what was it - institutionally and morally bankrupt is the best way to convince them of structural reform. I think it would be excellent to discuss this later in the week - my schedule is almost full, you know what taking the full course load is like - what about after Potions?”
Tom knows full well that after Potions, Granger holes up with two other bleeding hearts in the library, feverishly researching Magical Creature rights (he carefully avoids this corner of the library, and has placed a black mark against Granger’s name for rendering the Legal Section out-of-bounds, if only for a few mere hours).
In all honesty he’s not sure what Granger wants. He just wants away from her. He’s careful to maintain at least a foot’s worth of distance, for the outward sake of propriety (“Ever the gentleman, Tom Riddle,” sighs Adeline, flitting through the neighbouring portrait of Coxcomb Dalmond), and slightly speeds up his pace. Tom is spitefully pleased to see Granger breathless trying to keep up. Still, she gamely takes the stairs two at a time and surprisingly smiles at him.
"Well - Riddle," she pants, "I'm sure Luna and Neville will understand - you know, rearranging S.P.E.W. - I'll see you there tomorrow! Oh look - we're going to be late to Charms!"
Granger nods at him, and races ahead. Tom blinks once, greets Daphne Greengrass charmingly, and swears a petty revenge.