"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less."
Marie Curie
X
As the Hogwarts Express sped through the countryside, Hermione and Tom shared a cozy compartment, immersed in their books. The witch stroked her cat Crookshanks, who snuggled on her lap. Tom glanced at her from time to time, a smile playing on his lips. They were both looking forward to their fifth year at Hogwarts, where they would learn more about themselves and their powers.
A loud knock on the door disturbed their peaceful journey. Three familiar faces appeared in the window: Abraxas Malfoy, Evan Rosier, and Radolphus Lestrange. All of them were seventh-year Slytherins, known for their arrogance and cruelty. The two orphans had long endured their bullying and taunting for being muggleborns, or mudbloods as they called them.
Hermione felt a surge of anger as the bullies entered the compartment without waiting for an invitation. She tightened her grip on Crookshanks, who hissed and bared his teeth at the intruders. Tom put his hand on his wand, ready to defend himself and Hermione if necessary.
"Hello, Granger. Riddle." Abraxas sneered in a smug and condescending tone. "We were just passing by and thought we'd pay you a visit."
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione asked coldly, trying to hide her nervousness.
"Oh, nothing much. Just to have a friendly chat." Abraxas lied, flashing a fake smile. Ignoring Tom's glare, he sat down next to the witch and moved closer to her. His hand reached out and touched her hair, making her flinch. "You know, I've been meaning to talk to you for a while, Granger. You've been on my mind a lot lately."
Hermione felt a wave of disgust and confusion. What was he playing at? She pushed his hand away and moved closer to Tom, who wrapped his arm around her protectively.
"Don't touch me, Malfoy." the girl snapped. "What are you talking about?"
"I'm talking about us, Granger. You and me." Abraxas leaned in and whispered in her ear. "I know you've been hiding something from me. Something very important."
A chill ran down her spine. Did he know about her blood status? How had he found out?
She looked at Tom, who looked equally alarmed and puzzled. He shook his head slightly, indicating that he didn't know what the seventh year was talking about either.
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Hermione repeated, louder this time. "What do you think you know?"
Abraxas smiled and took her hand in his, making her shudder. He fixed at her with a strange mix of admiration and lust.
"You're not a mudblood, Granger. You're a descendant of the most noble and ancient house of Dagworth-Granger. A relative of mine, in fact." Abraxas said, his voice dripping with honey. He was sure that she had been keeping this a secret from everyone, even from her little boyfriend. "You don't have to hide anymore, love. You don't have to be ashamed of who you are."
Anger surged through Hermione. So that's what this was about. Her family tree had somehow been revealed to him, and the idiot believed he had a claim on her. Her blood was his excuse to flirt with her, to manipulate her, to control her. He wanted her to forget about Tom, who was the first person who ever truly accepted her for who she was, not for what she was.
She glanced at Riddle, who was also furious. He squeezed her hand, sending her a silent message. The witch nodded, understanding his plan. They agreed to play along with Abraxas, to expose his true colors, to make him regret ever messing with them.
Hermione smiled sweetly at the wizard, making him beam with satisfaction. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, making sure that Tom and the other two Slytherins could hear her.
"Wow, Brax. You're so smart. You figured it all out. You're right, I'm a Dagworth-Granger." Hermione taunted, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "But there's something else you don't know, sweetheart."
Malfoy looked at her with curiosity and anticipation. He tightened his grip on her hand, making her wince.
"What is it, Granger? Tell me." Abraxas demanded, his voice eager and impatient.
The witch looked at him with a mischievous and mocking expression. She decided to lie, to make him look like a fool.
"I'm not really a Dagworth-Granger, honey. I'm a muggleborn." Hermione announced, her voice loud and clear. "Cecilia Dagworth-Granger is not my real aunt. She's my guardian. Last summer, she found me in an orphanage and took pity on me. She gave me a true home, and a family. The kindest and most generous person I've ever known."
The girl paused, letting her words sink in. Malfoy' face showed shock and horror. His hand slipped from hers as if it burned him, and he backed away from her. Disbelief and disgust filled his eyes.
"Granger, you're lying." Abraxas whispered, his voice trembling and weak. "A Dagworth-Granger is what you are. You can't be a mudblood."
Hermione laughed, a loud and bitter laugh. She gazed at him with a look of scorn and pity in her eyes.
"No, Malfoy. I'm not lying. I'm telling the truth. I'm a muggleborn. A proud and happy muggleborn. And you're a fool. A pathetic and stupid fool." Hermione spat, her words cold and harsh. "You only wanted me because you thought I was a relative of yours. But now that you know the truth, you despise me. You're nothing but a coward and a bigot."
Feeling a surge of satisfaction and triumph, the girl stopped. Tom's smile and nod showed his pride and admiration for her performance. He kissed her cheek, making her blush.
Abraxas looked at them with fury and jealousy. A pang of regret and loss hit him, but also a burst of hatred and resentment. He had been fooled by a mudblood, he had wasted his time and energy on filth, he had almost kissed her. The sight of them together was unbearable. The wizard wished to hurt them, to make them pay, to make them suffer.
He lifted his hand, prepared to strike Hermione, fueled by anger and contempt, intending to reduce her to tears and plead for forgiveness. However, his actions were abruptly halted as a powerful grip seized his arm, immobilizing him instantly. He turned to find Tom, who had risen to his feet and seized him, his face contorted with rage and a menacing expression.
"Let go of me, Riddle." Abraxas spat, trying to free himself from the younger wizard's hold.
Tom tightened his grip, making the pureblood scion wince in pain. A cold and calm expression was on his face.
"Don't you ever touch her, Malfoy. Don't you ever even talk to her." The orphan hissed, his voice low and threatening so just Abraxas could hear. "She's mine." Then he let go of the boy, who stumbled and fell to the floor.
"Get out of here, and don't come back. Or you'll regret it." Riddle snarled, his tone cold and cruel. "You'll regret it more than you can imagine."
Tom flicked his wand and muttered "Serpensortia" under his breath. A jet of greenish light shot out of the tip and landed on the floor, where it materialized into a snake, a black adder. The wizard bent down and spoke to it in Parseltongue, a rare and ancient language. The serpent hissed back and coiled around his arm, ready to obey his command.
Riddle pointed his wand at Abraxas and his friends, who were watching with curiosity and fear. The viper darted towards them, fangs bared and eyes gleaming.
"Wh-what is that?" Rosier stammered, backing away from the snake.
"It's a constrictor, you idiot," Lestrange said, trying to sound brave.
"Don't be afraid of it. It can't hurt us." He was wrong. The adder lunged at them.
Evan and Radolphus, gasped and backed away from the reptile. Snakes terrified them, especially ones that could be controlled by the fifth year Slytherin. Rumors about Tom's power and skill had reached their ears, about how he could command any serpent to do his bidding. They realized that they were no match for him, that they had made a grave mistake by following Abraxas into the compartment.
Malfoy, who was still on the floor, looked at the adder with horror and disgust. He tried to get up and run, but the snake was faster. It coiled around his leg, the wizard screamed in fear.
"Help me! Help me!" Abraxas screamed, turning to his friends for help. "Get this thing off me! Get it off me!"
Unsure of what to do, Rosier and Lestrange exchanged a glance of uncertainty. Helping their friend was what they wanted, but saving themselves was more important. The latter option was what they chose. Out of the compartment, they ran, leaving Malfoy behind. The door was slammed behind them, hoping to lock the snake inside.
"Sorry, Brax. Sorry." Evan cried, as he and Radolphus sprinted down the corridor, looking for a safer place.
Malfoy looked at them with disbelief and betrayal. He couldn't believe that his best mates had abandoned him, that they had left him to die. The pureblood felt a surge of anger and hatred, but also a pang of loneliness and despair.
"Let me go, Riddle. Let me go, or I'll make you pay. My father will hear about this. He'll make sure you and your filth whore are expelled from Hogwarts. He'll make sure you suffer."
Tom smiled coldly and pushed him towards the door and said, "Go on, then. Run to your father. Tell him what happened. Tell him how you and your friends tried to attack us, and how we defended ourselves. Tell him how you were scared of a little snake. Go on, Malfoy. Run."
The Slytherin stumbled out of the compartment, clutching his injured leg. He glared at the two orphans and spat, "You'll pay for this, Riddle. You and your mudblood girlfriend. You'll pay."
He slammed the door behind him, leaving them alone with the snake and the cat.
Hermione breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her best friend.
"Thank you, Tom. Thank you for saving me. That was amazing. How did you do that? How did you conjure a snake?"
Riddle shrugged and put his arm around her.
"It's nothing, Mia. The snake is an adder. I asked her to help us, and she agreed. She's friendly, really. And she won't hurt us."
He gestured to the cobra, who had curled up on a seat, looking satisfied. The serpent hissed at the two, as if greeting them.
"What is it saying?" Hermione asked, curious.
Riddle listened to the snake and translated.
"She's saying hello. She likes us and wants to be our friend."
The witch smiled and walked over to the reptile. She reached out her hand and stroked its head gently. The viper nuzzled her hand and hissed happily.
"She's so cute," Hermione marveled, amazed. "Can we keep her, Tom? Can we keep her as a pet?"
The wizard chuckled and nodded.
"Sure, Mia. Why not? It's not like anyone else will want her."
He motioned for Crookshanks, who was still on Hermione's lap. The cat looked at the snake and the snake looked at the cat. They stared at each other for a moment, then the feline meowed and the adder hissed.
The two seemed to reach an understanding, and the half-kneazle allowed the serpent to curl around him.
Hermione's laughter filled the compartment as she hugged the orange beast and his scaled new friend. "They're fond of each other. Just like us," she exclaimed, smiling at the wizard.
She shifted her attention to the reptile, who was wrapped around Crookshanks' furry body. "What should we name the adder, Tom? What do you think?" she inquired, curious.
The Slytherin rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. He remembered what the snake had told him in Parseltongue. "How about Nagine?" he proposed, looking at Hermione.
The witch tilted her head and frowned. She had never heard that name before. "Nagine? Why Nagine?" she questioned him, puzzled.
Riddle explained, "The snake told me. The word means precious gem in her motherland. It's a rare and beautiful name."
"Nagine. I like it. It's a good name. It suits her. Nagine, the precious gem." Hermione smiled and said, "Welcome to the family, Nagine. We're glad to have you."
The snake hissed and the cat purred. Tom's face brightened with a rare smile as he leaned in to kiss the witch on her cheek, just as she drifted into slumber. With her head resting in his lap, he softly whispered while tenderly running his fingers through her hair, "I'm grateful to have you by my side, Mia. You are my most cherished gem."
The Ministry of Magic was a busy place, where the most important matters of the wizarding world were handled. The cafeteria was one of the few places where the workers could relax and enjoy a meal. The large hall was filled with tables and chairs, and the air was filled with the smell of food and the sound of chatter. The walls were decorated with portraits of famous wizards and witches, who sometimes joined the conversations or gave advice.
Algie Longbottom, a young and eager Auror, had just joined the elite force of dark wizard catchers. He sat with his wife Enid, who worked as a prosecutor for the Wizengamot, the wizard court. Algie was curious about everything and everyone in the Ministry, especially the veteran Aurors.
He noticed one of them sitting at a nearby table, with a peculiar eye that seemed to have a mind of its own. It was Alastor Moody, one of the most infamous Aurors in Magical Law Enforcement. Algie nudged his wife and whispered, "Do you see Moody's eye? It is very strange, right?" He pointed discreetly at Alastor's table, where he was talking with his friends Lyall Lupin and Cecilia Dagworth-Granger.
Enid looked at Moody and shuddered. She had seen him in court many times, testifying against some of the most dangerous dark wizards ever captured. She admired his courage and skill, but she also feared his intensity and paranoia. His eye was one of the many signs of his battles and injuries. It was a magical device that replaced his original eye, which he had lost in a fight.
Moody's mechanical eye could see through anything, even invisibility cloaks and walls. It moved constantly, scanning the surroundings for any threat or clue. Enid felt like he was watching her every move, even though she had nothing to hide. She said to her husband, "Yes, it is scary. He is not called Mad Eye Moody for nothing." She took a bite of her pie.
Another Auror who had joined the force at the same time as Alastor was Kingsley Shacklebolt. Sitting with them, he had a cup of coffee. Moody was better known to him than most people, but he still did not comprehend him fully. Stories about his past and his family had reached his ears, but he never inquired him directly.
Shacklebolt shared with Algie and Enid what he knew about the man's prosthetic eye. "I heard he lost his eye in a fight with dark wizards. Alastor wanted to catch the ones who killed his family. They were too many and too strong, but he still fought them. He killed three of them, but the rest escaped. The man is brave, but also a little crazy." He finished his sentence and drank his coffee.
They all thought that Mad Eye was a mystery. He had worked as an Auror for a long time and had fought many dark wizards and got hurt a lot. His face had many scars and his head had premature gray hair. He wore a long coat and a hat that made him look like an adventurer. The wizard was very good at his job, but he did things differently from the others. He did not follow the rules or the normal ways.
Junt then Moody came into the cafeteria and went back to his table, where Lyall and Cecilia waited for him. Lupin was an old friend of his from their school days at Hogwarts. He was as an expert on beasts and apparitions at the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Alastor had also spent the past few years working with Dagworth-Granger in France, where they solved cases together. Mad Eye had even helped the witch find her niece, for which she was truly grateful.
Lyall saw the other Aurors look at Alastor with interest and pity. He decided to talk to him about his prosthetic eye and his unusual behavior. "Moody, mate, I need to talk to you… You have been acting weird… Are you okay?" He touched his friend's shoulder gently and looked into his eyes.
Alastor smiled at Lupin and said, "Oh, you mean my eye? It is a useful thing. It lets me see everything that happens around me. You never know who might be your enemy or what they might be hiding." He winked with his magic eye and made Lyall uncomfortable.
Then Moody's eye stopped moving and fixed on the other table where Algie, Enid, and Kingsley were sitting. He heard them mention his family's names: Sigrid and Isobel, his wife and daughter who had been killed by Grindelwald's followers years ago. His smile turned into a snarl and he yelled, "Shut up! Shut up! You don't know anything about them!" He took out his wand and aimed it at the group, ready to hex the three.
Cecilia acted fast and stopped him. "Alastor, stop! They are your friends! They did not mean to hurt you!" She and Lyall pulled Moody's arm and dragged him away from the cafeteria. The other Aurors were shocked and sorry for the wizard's outburst. They knew they should not have talked about his tragic past.
Moody cursed under his breath, feeling a surge of anger, grief, and guilt. He wanted to see his wife and daughter again. He wished to forget the horrors he had witnessed and caused. He wondered if he could ever be normal again.
The students returned to Hogwarts for a new year, but there was no joy in the air. They faced grave dangers from both the wizarding and the muggle worlds. Grindelwald, the Dark Lord, had risen to power and gathered an army of followers in France, who were ready to wage war on anyone who opposed his twisted vision of a new world. This group of rebels, the Death Eaters, had already attacked several countries in Europe, and many feared he would soon target Britain.
The Great Hall's ceiling mimicked a starry night, and hundreds of candles hovered above, creating a warm glow. Dippet looked at the young faces. He felt guilty and sad, knowing that the mystery of the attacks on some of them remained unsolved. They did not know the culprit or the cure. The Headmaster cleared his throat and spoke in a solemn tone. "My dear students, I welcome you back to Hogwarts, but I also urge you to be careful and vigilant. We must be prepared to defend ourselves and our values, and to resist tyranny and oppression."
Armando paused and looked around the hall, hoping to see some signs of courage and determination. Then he went on, "Before we begin our feast, I have some announcements to make. First of all, I would like to introduce you to our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor, Alastor Moody." Dippet gestured to Mad Eye, who nodded curtly.
The wizard had agreed to take a break from his dangerous career and teach at Hogwarts, hoping to pass on his skills and experience to the next generation of wizards. The students looked at Mad Eye with a mixture of awe and fear. They had heard rumors about his methods, ranging from dark magic to unforgivable curses. Some were excited to learn from him, while others were apprehensive.
The Headmaster continued, "Professor Moody is a highly respected and experienced Auror who has dedicated his life to fighting evil. He will teach you how to defend yourselves against dark forces and how to use your magic responsibly. I hope you will give him your full attention and respect."
He then turned to Lefebvre, who smiled nervously. "Secondly, I would like to inform you that our Charms professor, Filius Flitwick, has temporarily left Hogwarts to participate in a prestigious dueling tournament in Norway. We wish him all the best and hope he will return soon with glory and honor. In the meantime, our Alchemy professor, Alain Lefebvre, will also teach Charms."
Lefebvre was a mysterious man who had graduated from Beauxbatons with top marks, but also suffered from occasional panic attacks and anxiety. He had come to Hogwarts looking for a fresh start and a chance to prove himself.
The students looked at Lefebvre with skepticism and curiosity. They had not heard much about him or his achievements. Some were doubtful about his competence, while others were intrigued by his potential.
Dippet concluded, "That's all for now. I hope you will enjoy your classes and learn a lot from our new professors. Now, let us begin the feast." He clapped his hands and food appeared on the tables.
The students cheered and started eating and talking. Conversations about Moody and Lefebvre could be heard throughout the hall.
At the Hufflepuff table, the puffs huddled together to share their concerns. The group did not like the idea of learning such nefarious arts from Moody. They felt that it would corrupt their morals and endanger their lives.
One worried Hufflepuff, Amelia Bones asked her friends, "Is it really okay for us to learn about dark magic? Shouldn't we focus on using defense properly?"
Terence Smith, her betrothed following the antiquated purebloods customs, agreed with her, "That's what I've been thinking too. It's like he wants us to go down a dangerous path."
In another corner of the hall, a gathering of Slytherins eagerly awaited Moody's teachings. Their values of ambition and power drove them, and they were unafraid of delving into the dark arts if it meant gaining an advantage over others.
Abraxas Malfoy, always confident and arrogant, addressed his peers. "This is our chance to expand our knowledge of magic. After all, knowledge is power."
Sharing a glance with his sister Cassiopeia, Pollux nodded in agreement. "As long as we proceed with caution and discretion, I see no harm in exploring these subjects."
Hermione frowned, unsure of how to feel about the sudden interest in dark arts. The witch voiced her concerns. "But isn't there a reason why these things are forbidden? They have the potential to corrupt and destroy."
A hint of amusement in his eyes, Riddle smiled at her. "Don't be so naïve, Mia. Magic itself isn't inherently good or evil. It's how we choose to use it that matters. Sometimes, you have to fight fire with fire."
Augustus Flint snorted, sitting with his sister Octavia. Both purebloods, they held a disdainful view of those who were not. "You're wasting your breath, Riddle. Mudbloods don't grasp the true nature of magic. The filth are too feeble and frightened to embrace it."
Octavia nodded in agreement. "She brings shame to our house. She should be in Gryffindor, alongside the rest of the cowards and fools."
Rage and hurt surged through her as Hermione heard their words. Before she could respond, Theodorus Nott, a sixth year, interjected with a sneer. "Leave her be. She's just Riddle's pet. He enjoys toying with his food before devouring it."
Laughter burst forth from the Slytherins, filling the air with mirth. However, amidst the joyous chorus, the Black Twins, Ariadne Greengrass and Tom Riddle, directed an intense and menacing glare towards Theodorus. In a voice laced with danger and caution, he issued a warning, "Be careful with your words, Nott. You wouldn't want to become my enemy."
Theodorus paled, swallowing hard. He knew better than to provoke Tom Riddle. Rumors of him being the true heir of Salazar had circulated, leaving many in awe and fear. Nott himself had witnessed the wizard's abilities, enough to make even the bravest Slytherins tremble. He stammered, "Apologies, Riddle. No offense intended."
Tom nodded, shifting his focus back to Hermione. Speaking softly, he reassured her, "Pay no mind to them, Mia. They're simply envious of you. You possess more intelligence and talent than any of them. The dark arts hold no threat for you. You can master them and wield them for good. Trust me."
A mix of emotions swirled within her, as Hermione gazed into his striking grey eyes. The witch longed to believe him, but a lingering doubt remained. She wondered if he spoke the truth or if he harbored ulterior motives.