On the way to the Great Hall for breakfast, Daphne quietly warned Tom about his roommates' plan.
"Are you not worried?" she asked, glancing nervously towards the staff table where Snape sat, glowering. "Professor Snape is known to be very strict."
"He is also known to be a man of reason," Tom said calmly, though he knew it was a lie. "They were the aggressors. I merely defended myself. What is there to punish?"
Daphne didn't look convinced.
The first-year schedule was, to Tom's delight, incredibly light. Their first class was Transfiguration, shared with the Gryffindors. After a quick breakfast, he and Daphne set off to explore the castle, determined not to be late. They still got lost twice, thanks to a trick staircase that transported them from the third floor to the astronomy tower.
They arrived in the Transfiguration classroom just as the bell was about to ring. A tabby cat with spectacle-like markings around its eyes sat primly on the professor's desk, watching the students file in. Tom recognized the Animagus form but said nothing.
"Riddle! Over here!" Hermione waved him over to an empty seat beside her. Daphne followed, pouting. The two girls immediately resumed their bickering from the train, their verbal sparring match sharp and relentless. Tom ignored them, his attention on the cat.
Just as the final bell chimed, two boys burst into the room, panting. It was Harry Potter and Ron Weasley.
"Whew, made it," Ron gasped, collapsing into a chair. He looked around and, seeing no professor, grinned. "We're not late, but the professor is! Knew we didn't have to run so fast."
Tom watched the tabby cat's ears twitch. He almost felt sorry for Ron. He had merely dominated his roommates; Ron was about to publicly humiliate himself in front of one of the most powerful witches in the castle.
With a graceful leap, the cat jumped from the desk and transformed mid-air into Professor McGonagall, her expression severe.
Ron's jaw dropped. The entire class fell silent.
"Perhaps you would be interested in seeing Mr. Weasley transfigured into a pocket watch?" she said, her voice dangerously soft. "That way, one of you might be on time." She gave him a withering glare. "I am glad to see no one was late for my first class. A good sign. Let us hope it continues."
Ron looked as if he wanted the floor to swallow him whole. Harry subtly scooted his chair an inch away from his new best friend.