Tom was sitting in his chair by the fire. And when he said his chair, he meant it. The chair was literally reserved for him. The last time an oblivious first year sat in it....nobody spoke of the incident anymore.
Anyways, Tom was pondering Melody's information that she revealed in the library. Well, she was a descendant of Hufflepuff, he knew that since the age of ten, and he also made sure to research as soon as he got to Hogwarts, just in case.
You see, Tom did not like being lied to. He absolutely hated being kept in the dark about things. So if Hogwarts, his first true home, lied to him...
Well, technically, it was the Headmaster's fault for allowing books with false information into the school, but still..!
Yet why was he still thinking about the new revelation from Melody? How could he be sure that she wasn't lying just to spite him? But then why did she repeat the story to her friend? Was she also lying to her? Or was she telling the truth? For all Tom knew, the two girls could've exchanged a telepathic message which told Fawley to pretend to believe Melody.
Yes, you may think Tom is overthinking the facts, but that was just him. He always went through every single possibility. After all, knowledge is power.
Huh, speaking of so, he could've used that comeback on Fawley back in the library. Oh well.
But really, as he stared into the fire, a new troubling question found its way into his mind.
'If Salazar Slytherin didn't hate Muggleborns, then am I misusing the Chamber of Secrets? If my greatest role model in life was how Melody described, then do I really want to defy what he believes in? But Muggleborns are of dirty blood, why doesn't Slytherin hate them? He has to have had a reason, I'm not ready to say I'll jump sides, but perhaps I could change my attitude to Muggleborns...But...that doesn't mean I have to quit the Dark Arts...'
Tom smirked. A loophole.
But he still was interested in learning more about Salazar Slytherin. For now, he'd close the Chamber. Perhaps the Basilisk might know. After all, it was very old. It must have met Salazar Slytherin at some point. Or maybe...
The Chamber of Secrets!
If Salazar Slytherin himself built it, then maybe Tom could find an answer there!
It would be even better if Slytherin had a portrait down there, although he'd never actually seen one.(of Salazar Slytherin) But perhaps he should explore more of the Chamber's other secrets.
Yes..he'd explore the Chamber, but not now, he'd close it now, and inform the Basilisk that he will be visiting..in the Christmas holidays. That way, once most of the students go home, his way to the entrance would be clear. Thought why Slytherin chose the girls bathroom, Tom would never know.
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Over the next few days, no new attacks happened.
Melody was surprised and slightly relieved. But not enough to let her guard down. Most people attacked once, waited a really long time, and then once everyone was careless, they'd strike again.
Yet Melody wondered, if that was not the case, then why did the Heir of Slytherin stop? Could they have had a change of heart? Or are they just waiting to pounce?
But while Melody was thinking about all of this, and her idea for a Time Turner, she had no idea that the Slytherin Heir was neither of what she thought.
Tom wasn't exactly ready to say that he had a change of heart on the whole Chamber of Secrets things, but Melody's revelation did give him a lot to think about. While she wasn't completely as clever as him, he knew she wouldn't lie about such major information, or reveal new info without making sure it was genuine.
But now the matter of whether it was a lie or not depended on whether Melody's mother was telling the truth. Thinking of mothers made him feel bitter about his own. He'd never admit it, but he wished he could have gotten to know his parents better. And although some people might think he hated his mother for dying like a Muggle, or his Muggle father for abandoning him and his mother, he wasn't stupid. Judging without knowing all the facts wasn't like Tom. He'd gather all the facts, put two and two together, form a final conclusion, and then judge.
Truth be told, he actually didn't blame his mother for dying during birth. Most mothers do, and Tom couldn't change that. (...yet?) But he would literally never get over the fact that she sold the locket of Salazar Slytherin for ten galleons. He knew this because Borgin mentioned something about 'the best deal he'd ever gotten.'
Like, seriously, ten galleons.
For a one thousand year-old locket. That belonged to Salazar Slytherin himself no less!
Normally, though, he'd probably hate his father even before first sight, because he was a Muggle, but, once again, the story Melody revealed in the library changed a lot of his views. Excluding ones on the Dark Arts and Immortality.
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A / N : This chapter is shorter than usual, sorry about dat, but writer's block, I'm sure writers can relate ;-;