Drabble: Picking Sides

[dexstarr]

Title: Picking Sides
Author: dexstarr
Word Count: 317
Rating: PG
Challenge: sortinghatdrabs Week #71: Slytherin/Gryffindor: Possession
Characters: Minerva McGonagall, Tom Riddle
Warnings: None
Author's Note: My first time writing Minerva, I think I need more practice.
Disclaimer: HP and all assorted belong to JKR, and are not mine.
Summary: Minerva picks her side.

***

She’s walking through the Great Hall, headed for the Quidditch pitch, when she bumps into him on the stone steps.

“Off to the game, Minerva?”

She nods. “Of course. Gryffindor versus Slytherin. The Quidditch Cup game. Aren’t you going?” She’s babbling, trying far too hard to act normally, but she can’t help it.

He places a hand on her arm, and Minerva suddenly remembers their last conversation.

***

“Your skill at Transfiguration is unparalleled, even to my own. I need a witch like you, Minerva.”

“Tom –”

He lays a finger on her lips, shushing her. “Hear me out, please. You know how the winds are blowing; you’ve heard the same rumors about Grindelwald that I have. My friends and I –”

Minerva backs away from his hand and spits, “Do you really think that you and your ‘friends’ are that much better than him? I’ve seen how you treat anyone you don’t think is worthy of your time, Tom.”

“But I find you worthy,” he says, flashing a shy, sweet smile.

She’s not fooled though; she’s seen his charm turn on and off like a muttered Lumos too many times before. “No you don’t, Tom. You just said you wanted my skills, not me.”

Minerva walks out of the library and says over her shoulder, “You collect people –people you can use – just like Slughorn, and I won’t be a part of that.”

***

“No, I don’t think I care to watch your team get flattened today.” His smile this time is more of a sneer, and Minerva flinches away from his touch.

“Oh I think your serpents will be dinner for my lions,” she retorts, trying to restore the easy banter that had always existed between them.

But she knows things will never be the same when she sees the cold look in his eyes.

“You’ve picked your side, Minerva. It’s too late to go back now.”

***

Comments

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

I love how Riddle's so charming and Minerva is no Hebzibah Smith, she won't fall for platitudes. Very intense fic. I voted it for Second Favorite. You pulled off McGonagall very well for a first attempt.

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Why thank you! I struggled a lot with this, and finished I think 30 minutes before it was due. I'm more pleased with it now than I was a week ago.

[reg-flint.livejournal.com]

Wow, you sure did well for the time constraint! Mod's Choice is sweeeet.

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I was super surprised I got Mod's Choice!

[deirdre-aithne.livejournal.com]

Oh, I like your Minerva! And Tom gave me chills at the end. It seems so very fitting for him, ne? Very nice fic!

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I had fun imagining school-age Minerva, and figure that she and Tom likely had some sort of relationship, even if it was just friendship, because she was a year older than him. It's a pet theory of mine, anyway.

And I like creepy Tom :D

[opaljade.livejournal.com]

Very nicely written! Portrayal felt real as well. I love the idea of these two having a bit of a back story. :D

Congrats on your win, btw!

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Thank you! As I said in another comment, this was very difficult to write, so the feedback makes me happy :)

And yeah! Pet theory that that Tom and Minerva had something, even if it was just friendship. Or more!

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[diabolica.livejournal.com]

Congrats on getting Mod's Choice! I do love a bit of Tom/Minerva. ;)

[dexstarr.livejournal.com]

Why thank you!