Serpentine [T.M. Riddle]

His Observation

The Dueling Club quarters is a long hall near the dungeons that Tom slips into after his satisfactory lunch (A plowman's lunch and pumpkin juice). It blends in with the surroundings well enough at first glance, but upon stepping in, he is greeted with warmth and earth tones--in the exposed wooden beams and golden sunlight streaming in through the one tall window in the room. Grand banners and tapestries hang from the vaulted ceiling depicting dangerous matches and triumphant wins, it makes Tom think of a proper den for older men to chat and smoke cigars in. Or a cathedral. A few students lounge up in the trusses with their owls and brooms, and some others sit chatting on a harvest table set aside near a quiet fireplace. Relaxed. Not at all what was expected.

His arrival is early and met with friendly faces and friendly conversations. Pretending not to see Ximena reading in the shadow of an obnoxious statue to his right, Tom speaks casually with his schoolmates, and is even introduced to a few new faces outside his usual circle. His smile works wonders on them, and he is even given the title of "adorable" by a few six year girls.

"Mister Riddle, is it?" The professor's voice comes from behind him, and he turns to a tall, sparrow like woman with a sharp face, "Professor Slughorn told me all about you; here to observe our little show?"

"I hope they were all good things, Professor Willow." A humble laugh, "I've wanted to visit and see for a long time, but unfortunately never had the opportunity due to schoolwork."

"Yes, I hear you are a diligent student." A radiant smile stands out brightly on her near black skin, "I can only hope what you see here interests you enough to enroll in my class your second year."

Already he was being coveted by teachers who haven't even seen his worth. Tom glows with humble pride as the professor makes her announcements to the students, some of which were barely flickering in with only seconds to spare. People clear the center of the hall, and Tom makes his way to the other side of the forming oblong space to claim his spot alongside Ximena. Her reading material is closed and set on her lap, and when he greets her politely, she blinks at him and replies "Good afternoon." with a nod. To her other side, he hadn't noticed, is his half-useful mentor.

"Riddle! Glad to see you here." A wink is thrown at Tom's direction as he gestures to the girl beside him with his head. Tom tries not to cringe. "Even came early! Making good impressions everywhere." His feet come upward to sit cross-legged on the bench, "Willow always starts right on time. Must have been a bloody clock in another life, eh Lane?" His elbow grazes her side as she makes a small noise of acknowledgment.

"What happens if you're late?" Tom peeps, sitting down with his hands in his lap.

"You have to go first." His laugh is telling, and as if on cue, a poor Hufflepuff runs in, frazzled and out of breath, looking desperately for any sign of her timelyless.

"So nice of you to join us, Miss Kowalska!" Professor Willow's tone is pleasing and warm, "And so good of you to volunteer for our first duel! Now, let us find out who will be your opponent," she turns her attention to the archway where the echos of panicked footsteps could be heard.

"Kowalski[1]? This'll be good." Though annoying, his commentary might prove useful, "Who do you think it'll be, Lane? Weasley? Peterson? Acarya?"

"Acarya is never late." Ximena points out, appearing tired with the spectacle. Her disinterest is ignored in favor of speaking to Tom again.

"You up for a duel today, Riddle?" Another wink, as if he were trying to imply something, "Heard the commotion you made over there with those sixth year girls--Might impress them."