What if He had a Choice?

Draco's lips made the words 'my lord' but the sound was not there. Tom briefly wondered if it was due to Draco's fear, and shock, and the adrenaline of the entire situation, but did not spare much time to really contemplate it. There was other things to deal with at the moment. "Little bird, come here," Draco felt himself pulled into Tom and he relaxed, tucking his head into the other's neck, inhaling his scent. "My Lord," The sound followed the words this time, and though it was clear that the boy was unsteady and worried, he was relieved all the same. "Thank you, thank you," Tom hummed softly. It really was not all that surprising. What was shocking was that Severus had not pulled the strings that Tom knew that he could have. Particularly to save Draco, or at the very least Lucius' reputation. Perhaps that was on purpose? Tom would have to think it over.

Lupin watched with a critical eye as this unique Tom Riddle pulled Draco into him, and he could not help but be rather surprised. He knew that there were rumors that the boy was betrothed to Malfoy, but he had to admit that he did not actually think them true. It was clear that there had to be some truth to the rumors, or at the very least he understood why the rumors abound. Malfoy seemed to be quite aloof and cold, and yet here was the selfsame person hugging another Slytherin student. Though, the reasoning could be said easily enough by the trauma. The boggart turning into Lucius Malfoy was not something Lupin had expected, though he could not necessarily say he did not get the reason why. Lucius had always been a sort of calculated cruel. It was a dangerous side and Lupin had been relieved when he had left the school. Even Sirius had avoided the Slytherin Head boy. Lucius was known to retaliate, and viciously. He just thought that sort of thing would have dissipated with time. It was obvious that he was wrong.

"Mr. Malfoy, if you would..."

"Do not speak to him," Riddle turned, eyes blazing as he glared Lupin down. If Lupin had been a lesser person, he would have flinched at the darkness swirling in the boy's eyes. He had seen him earlier in class. Polite, intelligent, helpful. To see a darker version of the boy he had seen earlier in his class was surprising. Riddle had been the one that had offered to help set the classroom up, and had been the one to help pass out books. he had thought at first that it was some sort of ploy to get in his good graces, but Riddle had seemed to be helpful to everyone. He had offered help to everyone who had asked for it-asked being the key word.

"Now, Mr. Riddle..."

"I do not want to hear it, Sir, with all do respect, Draco must be taken to the infirmary. Whatever you wish to say can wait until then, I am certain." The cold look in the students eyes left Lupin sighing, but agreeing nonetheless. Tom lifted Draco easily, and without a backwards glance had walked out of the classroom. Lupin proceeded to dismiss the rest of the class. He had quite a few things to think over, and needless to say, he had a feeling that it was not going to be pleasant.

He would have to talk to Draco at some point, though he was not entirely certain he really wanted to have the conversation. He knew that Lucius would not have been the best father, but it was clear enough from the Boggart, that it had dragged out some sort of memory, or at least fear from Draco's mind and toyed with him. For it to be about grades? About not becoming the first student in terms of grades? It was definitely concerning. He knew Draco was intelligent, and far beyond his peers, but even Lupin could tell from the notes on Draco that he did far better in practical classes, unlike certain students-such as Miss. Hermione Granger-who were far better in theoretical classes...i.e. learning from textbooks.