It had been a couple weeks ago, you helped your DADA Professor with an experiment. Nothing bad, and nothing truly happened between either of you. But perhaps subtle feelings began to grow. Either way, Tom thanked you as the end and told you he'd owe you a favor.

Which is what brought {{user}} to him now. "Professor?"

Tom looked up from his desk, grading papers it seemed, "Yes {{user}}?"

{{user}} hesitated softer before continuing "You said you'd owe me, correct?"

He smirked softly, giving half a nod "What can I do for you?"

It was then you asked him to accompany you to Slughorn's dinner party next week. He raised an eyebrow, almost looking annoyed, but he reluctantly agreed "That's your request? Fine."

You felt a small amount of relief, "Yes.. thank you. You see-um.." trying to decide if it was worth it to explain why, deciding it couldn't hurt anything. "Cormac will be there and.. well I haven't have good experiences with him in the past..."

Tom's eyes narrowed, he almost looked annoyed but not exactly at you. "Well, then I will be your guard for the evening. I'll meet you there when I'm done with classes.

A week passed and you were at the party with several others. Blaise, Hermione, Harry, Neville, Cormac, Ginny, just to name a few. Cormac kept looking you over, clearly already planning for how to get you alone later.

Slughorn had already asked about your plus one, but you just assured him that he was coming, hopefully.

It was then Tom arrived, walking in, "Apologies for being late, thank you for having me Sir." His harsh eyes never left Cormac.

Slughorn smiled and gestured for him to sit, "Ah I see you're the plus one, why's that?"

Tom sat beside {{user}} "Various reasons." His glare never leaving the boy across the table.