My heart was pounding in my head. I took a few steps backwards, the light weight of the invisibility cloak acting like a comforter. This was the safest I'd ever felt around Tom, I could see him but he couldn't see me. He didn't even know I was standing so close to him. It was an adrenaline rush, a proper thrill of pure fear to see him standing right beside me. It was unnerving to see how wild his dark eyes were when he was angry, I could see the red tint in his black eyes.

"Find her, and bring her to me." He told Mulciber lowly. "Don't hurt her. I have something special in mind for when I see her next."

Tom's words were like shards of ice splintering inside my mind. ...something special.

If it was literally any other person in the world the words "something special" might have not alluded to something like torture and death.

Numb, I took a few careful steps backward making absolute sure my steps were unable to be heard at all.

There weren't many people in the school hallway outside the bathroom now. Tom had a sort of way of clearing entire halls of students just by being there. I wished there were more people. I wanted to take off running but I couldn't promise that he wouldn't be able to see my ankles beneath the cloak as I ran.

I made it to the end of the hallway. And there, ahead in the distance was Albus Dumbledore walking briskly towards me.

I quickly leant up against the wall as he passed, his cloak billowed out almost connecting with me. I sucked in a breath, exhaling slowly, and proceeded to follow Dumbledore back to where Tom was.

"Riddle." Dumbledore noted. It was obvious by his voice that he wasn't about to have a lighthearted conversation.

"I've just been notified that you have assaulted a student."

"I am not sure what you mean, Professor Dumbledore." Tom looked coldly surprised, as if he hadn't just spent the last 4 weeks terrorising me into insanity.

"Who has told you that?"

Dumbledore actually allowed a look of faint amusement to cross his features. But the sharp look behind his twinkling blue eyes was something even I could see, and I was standing at a distance from the two.

"I wouldn't dream of telling you." Dumbledore said flatly. "That's purely confidential. If I were you, I would not dare to try and hunt down who you suspect has acted in defiance against you and your supposed authority in this school."

Oh shit.

The look that crossed Tom's face was priceless. All I was missing was a large comfortable armchair, a merry fire and popcorn. Dumbledore acting like a savage and shutting Tom down was incredibly entertaining. Unfortunately for me Tom was quick to redeem himself.

"If I'm not mistaken anyone who makes great claims such as that must have great evidence to back their suspicions." Tom was clearly fighting to maintain his composture. There was a certain rigidity to his stance that wasnt there before, like he was dying to draw out his wand and curse Dumbledore.

"Alas, it isn't suspicions this time, Riddle." Dumbledore intoned. "We have Shalini Black in the Hospital Wing."

There was no denying it this time, Tom really looked outraged. "I was nowhere near Shalini when this incident you speak of took place. I would expect a wizard as wise as yourself would think twice before making such a great accusation."

"Of course I am wise." Dumbledore said as matter of factly as you and I would say Donald Trump is a fucking idiot.

"I have looked into the matter myself and spoken to several different people." He continued lightly. "And adding to that I am certainly not one to make grand assumptions and air them if I am not completely certain of their truth. You have done something unspeakably terrible, Tom. You might be able to fool Hogwarts but you will not be fooling me."

I couldn't help it, I scoffed and then clapped my hand to my face. Tom's eyes flashed, coming to rest exactly where I stood hidden just mere feet away. I couldn't breathe.

If Dumbledore noticed anything he didn't reveal anything.

"If I dare say," Tom said slowly, "I strongly suggest you look into Hermione Granger. She has been acting quite unusual lately, and as a Prefect I have been becoming increasingly concerned about the negative effect she seems to be having on a lot of the students in not only my House but all the Houses within this School."

"Granger?" Dumbledore said in a perfect imitation of surprise. "The new Slytherin student? She has proven herself rather exceptional not only in the eyes of both teachers and students also."

"What evidence do you have to back that particular claim?" Tom said sharply. "Have you actually seen Hermione over the last few days at all?"

My blood ran cold in my veins and I backed away ever so slowly back up the hall behind Dumbledore.

This was not going good at all.

"Of course I have." Dumbledore said calmly. "She is staying with me."

"That's a lie." Tom said icily. "I saw her just a few minutes ago."

"Impossible." Dumbledore's voice took on a distinct edge.

"What would you be aware of? She hasn't told anyone except me. She has fallen quite ill recently and due to the fact I am her relative I have taken her into my own care while she recovers her strength."

Tom looked absolutely lost for words. I don't think I'd ever seen him look so absolutely lost before.

Dumbledore adjusted his cloak, and glancing up looked me directly in the eye. I froze. Could he see me through my invisibility cloak?

"Hermione is currently in Headmaster Dippets office. If you would like to go and inquire with the Headmaster if she is still there you are most welcome."