[HP] Dearest Enemy

Slughorn's little gatherings were still held irregularly, and Tom attended them very diligently, but Harry did not go much: he preferred to spare those free hours for his research.In the past year, Harry has more or less found a sense of coming home from the magnificent castle of Hogwarts, but he has experienced the joy of research over the years, and even if there is no possibility of going back, he will Take this research as a hobby of yours and stick to it.Harry sometimes thinks of Hermione, if she knows that she loves research and learning so much now, she doesn't know what kind of expression she will have.

Alex was as puzzled as Tom by Harry's obsession with time magic, but he didn't want to say much about it.It seemed to him that Harry treated research as a form of entertainment.As a young teacher who was quickly loved by the students, Alex was also invited by Slughorn.Unlike Harry, Alex was happy to put himself in the spotlight, and he did it with ease.So Tom added another item to Alex's evaluation: a hedgehog who likes to show off.

But this was only the second reason why Tom didn't like Alex, and the third reason was that this guy who used to annoy Harry was especially fond of getting close to him now.Whether in class or at Slughorn's parties, the guy with his hair stuck up arrogantly always leaned over to him, sometimes talking to himself as if he were a six-year-old, and He is his uncle.Alex and Harry are good friends and are seen by everyone, and many people also know that Alex and Tom have a close relationship.So even if he was upset, Tom wouldn't make it obvious.He needs to establish useful contacts with all kinds of people to pave the way for his future career.But even without Alex, Tom can be the center of attention, because in the past few years at Hogwarts, he has completely achieved this, and he has done it perfectly.

At another lively little party, Slughorn in a gold velvet robe, holding a glass of mead, walked up to Tom hiding in the corner with a smile.Slughorn always paid special attention to one of his best students.

"Tom, I hear you're marking Harry's juniors' homework?" asked Slughorn, who'd just gotten the news from Alex.

"Yes, I got his approval." Tom bowed restrainedly, the corners of his lips curved slightly uncontrollably, "I learned a lot from it."

"You want to stay at Hogwarts in the future?" Slughorn asked with a smile.

Tom smiled: "Staying in Hogwarts is a good choice, I like it here."

"Young people should have greater ambitions." Slughorn looked at his most proud student, "You have a bright future, Tom, I have never missed a student, your talent should be used in a more suitable place. "

"So, do you have any good suggestions?" Tom tilted his head slightly, observing Slughorn's expression.

The Potions Professor who was already balding narrowed his eyes cunningly: "Don't you want to join the Ministry of Magic? You will most likely become the youngest Minister of Magic in history in the future."

Tom smiled and nodded: "Your reminders are always timely and accurate. Indeed, the Ministry of Magic is a better choice than Hogwarts."

Slughorn showed a satisfied expression, and patted Tom on the shoulder kindly: "It's good to stay and teach at Hogwarts, but the treatment of a professor is always not as good as that of the Minister of Magic."

Tom bowed to him, and Slughorn left him contentedly on his way to the next kill.Tom took a glass of brightly colored cherry juice from the tray of the house elf passing by him, and hummed softly to the back of his head.The cunning old spider, the benefits of entering the Ministry of Magic by himself are obviously much more than that of a professor.Tom didn't find it difficult to become the Minister of Magic. As long as he had enough means and qualifications, it was only a matter of time before he stood at the top.He did want to stay at Hogwarts, though.Tom had fully learned how to grade homework and even prepare lessons, and at his request, Harry taught him a lot.Inquiry students are always very popular with teachers.Although Harry didn't quite agree with his idea of ​​staying at Hogwarts, he didn't object either.Tom clearly remembers that in one of his conversations with Harry, his godfather made it clear that he didn't want Tom to be too ambitious.But that's not the point, staying in the castle can be with Harry every day, just like before, Tom doesn't want to be too far away from Harry.

"Dear Tom, why are you hiding here alone?" A tall man suddenly appeared from behind him, stretched out an arm and put it on Tom's shoulder, wrapped him under his arm, and looked down at the boy complexion.Tom was so startled that his hands shook, some of the bright red cherry juice splashed on the soft carpet, and then he frowned displeased.This Alex really can't see himself idle for a while.

"I'm a little tired, take a rest." Tom said lightly, and slowly turned to face the gray-eyed man with McGinn complexion and short hair, calmly getting rid of the weight on his shoulders, "Palampe Professor En, please stop being so elusive, you will stain my robe."

"Little Tom, can't you be kind to me?" Alex pinched Tom's face with a smirk, and the young man took a step back to avoid his clutches: "Sorry, Professor Palampion, I want to You should be more mindful of your manners." Tom put emphasis on the word professor.

"Hehe, are you afraid that the majesty of the Slytherin prefects will be swept away?" Alex looked playfully at the calm but indifferent young man, "Tom, you seem to have a lot of opinions on me?"

The opinion is big!Tom rolled his eyes in his heart, but still had a faint smile on his face: "I don't have any opinion on any professor, Professor Palanpayne, you are thinking too much."

The mischievous smile on Alex's face restrained a bit: "Tom, when did you have to call me a professor?"

"This is the necessary respect for the professor." Tom looked up slightly, looking at the man who was much taller than himself, "I should respect the professor in school, shouldn't I? Even Harry, I would call him Professor Potter , and he has no complaints about it."

"Tom." Alex narrowed his eyes. "You mean I'm asking too much?"

"Don't dare." Tom spread his hands and curled the corners of his mouth jokingly, "I'm just flattered that Professor Palampion gave up the opportunity to talk to the pretty witch and came to chat with me, a little prefect."

"Little guy." Alex put his hand over Tom's head, "You're getting less and less cute."

"I'm sorry." Tom avoided the claw again, "If the professor still remembers that I am a prefect, then please don't make such an overly intimate gesture, I don't want to lose my dignity."

Without looking at Alex, Tom turned and walked quickly towards the busiest group in the room.Alex smiled, did not catch up, and slowly withdrew his hand.Tom was such a funny kid, and got better and better as he got older.Fortunately, this child does not belong to his own family, otherwise, he would have a headache to death.Speaking of which, Harry's dull guy didn't seem to have noticed Tom's intentions in his presence. Alex walked slowly to the table where the food was placed and poured himself a glass of wine.Harry is too focused on his own research, except for the Quidditch competition, he spends almost all his spare time in the laboratory. If he can give Tom more attention, he will notice the abnormality of this stinky boy, right? .

Alex took a sip of wine, being a professor is far less exciting than being a traveler, but in just a few months, Alex felt that he was going to be moldy, and he really didn't know Harry How can I endure such a boring life.He leaned leisurely on a pillar decorated in crimson, watching the black-eyed boy who had joined the group of people talking, and slowly raised the corners of his lips.Such an interesting little guy, how about teasing him?