Very Free?

The first time he went to class with dark circles under his eyes, Tom once again silently cursed that damned upperclassman. If not for that unforgettable, irritating dream, he definitely would not have been afraid to fall asleep!

"I think you should have learned about the Immobulus spell in Charms class. Let me remind you that this spell does not merely lock doors; it can also be used to stop enemies..." Galatea Merrythought stifled a yawn. As a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, it was perfectly reasonable for her to roam the Forbidden Forest at night, wasn't it?

That idiot Herbert loved pantomime himself, yet he had insisted on dragging her out in the middle of the night to find Sylvanus. Haaah... She was exhausted. Professor Merrythought yawned again. She did not think the young wizards would enjoy this year's Christmas banquet entertainment.

Tears welled at the corners of Tom's eyes, not for any other reason, but simply because Professor Merrythought's yawn had infected him. He accidentally yawned as well, then wiped away his tears and pressed his lips together as he met the professor's teasing gaze.

"Hehe~ Little Tom~ Why don't you come up and demonstrate Immobulus for your classmates?" Grinning and blinking, Professor Merrythought beckoned to the blushing young wizard. With a flick of her wand, she conjured a training dummy. This brat... he actually dared imitate her yawn. He really had no respect for her.

Tom shot the professor a speechless look, then walked forward with wide eyes. Drawing his wand, he casually cast a flawless Impediment Jinx at the dummy. Smiling at the professor whose eyelids were drooping, he reached out and tugged at the hem of her robes. "Professor Merrythought..."

Blinking rapidly, Professor Merrythought did not even glance at the dummy. She clapped her hands exaggeratedly. "Mm-hmm! Not bad, not bad. A perfectly standard stance! Two points to Slytherin~"

Tom accepted the points with restraint, though he did not know whether to laugh or cry. What standard stance? He had merely waved his wand casually just now. The professor was being far too obvious. The stupid lions' eyes were practically rolling into the backs of their heads.

"Cool~ Boss! How did you do that?" Radolphus Lestrange stared at Tom with sparkling eyes, his face full of worship and envy. They were the same age, so why could Tom use magic so effortlessly?

Was it because his wand did not have a hook at the end? Should he ask Carcattacus to make him one?

Avery smacked his friend on the head, successfully stopping him from trying to grab Tom's wrist. "Get lost, you idiot. If you want to do that, wait until your next life!"

Ignoring the two of them bickering, Tom gave them an indifferent glance. Receiving the signal, Radolphus scratched his face and shut his mouth tightly. Fine, their boss did not have the best temper. What a waste of that face.

Once class was over, Tom headed straight for the library. He had to thoroughly look up information about dreams!

Pulling out several books on Divination, Tom flipped through them quickly, his brow furrowing tighter and tighter. Only Seers possessed the Sight, and his surname was not Trelawney. Nor did Slytherin blood grant the ability to perceive the future.

If that was the case, then what exactly had he seen in that dream? It had felt so real. He did not believe it had been an ordinary dream.

"Well~ Interested in Divination now?"

That familiar drawl, that familiar scent. Tom looked up expressionlessly and saw the person he least wanted to see right now. This really was an awful feeling. "...Abou, are you... very free?"