Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

“Harry,” the boy began, “the Dark Lord was trying to harm Harry, but luckily the Man of Darkness appeared and rescued him from the Dark Lord’s clutches, and even fought against the Dark Lord’s Avada Kedavra… Didn’t any of you go to see Harry?”

The group scratched their heads simultaneously.

They knew that Harry was at the center of the incident, and they had heard of Harry's name, but actually, not many people had any real connection with Harry.

Aside from the Gryffindor students, very few people would actively approach Harry.

After all, Harry was a legendary figure to them; at most, they would just quietly mention Harry's name behind his back.

"Ahem, I think we shouldn't discuss this kind of thing behind your backs. Professor Dumbledore will probably announce it when the time comes. I have some big news to share."

You absolutely mustn't tell anyone. I overheard this at the school clinic. I accidentally ate something that upset my stomach, and guess who was lying next to me?

Seeing that no one spoke up, the man continued, "It's Tom Riddle. We'll be back from vacation next month, and one student won't be coming to class anymore—that's Tom!"

"He was fired?"

"What expulsion! Professor Dumbledore said that Tom's abilities are so advanced that he no longer needs to attend classes. He'll be sent to live at Malfoy's house for a while, and Tom will even receive an 'O' in his final grade."

The group was stunned.

What does "O" mean?

That's the best result!

"all?"

"all!"

In the history of Hogwarts, only a handful of students have achieved all grades of "O", and without exception, they have all devoted all their time to studying, not just for a day or two, but for a whole year!

"Is Tom... that good?"

Would Professor Snape agree?

"Isn't Tom Professor Snape's illegitimate son? This kind of thing is quite normal."

Why would Professor McGonagall agree?

"Have you forgotten? At the Christmas ball before, Tom wasn't originally allowed to dance. It was only after all the professors asked Professor McGonagall that Tom was allowed to dance."

The group fell silent.

There were only four words in their minds.

I've accidentally wandered into the Heavenly Palace!

It's unimaginable how a freshman could be regarded as a son by all the professors.

Even Professor McGonagall, who always followed the rules, gave Tom special treatment.

Horrible, truly terrifying!

Tom will be able to do whatever he wants at school!

The group silently gasped, "Forget it, let's not think about things that don't concern us. Tonight, we have to drink to our hearts' content. I'll work hard when I get back from my break in a month and try to get all my grades [O].

The others took it as a joke.

Get all O grades? What nonsense are you talking about? Do you think you're Tom?

Snape's Potions class achievement alone could keep you stuck for ages.

……

the next morning.

Tom got up early.

Draco Malfoy waited for Tom for a long time, sitting outside the Ravenclaw dormitory, yawning repeatedly.

He didn't sleep well last night.

Draco couldn't sleep well, especially after his father came home and told him he was coming to pick Tom up from school.

This man is awful!

Draco greeted Tom as he walked out the door, then said calmly, "Don't wander around in my house, and don't look at things you shouldn't see."

Although I don't know why Professor Dumbledore agreed to your request and even went to my father to apply for this privilege, I hope you'll keep your hands off the hook; curiosity killed the cat.

Tom nodded: "Of course, I will."

Pshaw, everyone knows about your family's shady dealings.

Aren't they just Death Eaters?

The world only knows that your father, Lucius Malfoy, was Voldemort's loyal subordinate, but they don't know that... your parents will also "betray" Voldemort in the future.

As he walked, Draco tried his best to control his pace.

Maintain a steady distance with each step, unhurried and composed!

To be honest, Draco was very worried about Tom—he was walking in front of Tom, his back completely exposed to Tom!

The things he had done before... such as inviting Hermione and harassing Hermione, were still vivid in his mind.

If Tom were a vengeful person, perhaps he would have given himself a good beating at this moment?

Fortunately, Tom didn't do that, and instead stayed with Draco.

Neither of them spoke first on the way.

It wasn't until they left the school that Draco spoke first: "You and Hermione... have known each other since childhood? I heard you were childhood sweethearts and had a very good relationship."

"Is that so? No way, no way. What childhood sweethearts? We just have some secrets between us."

Draco suddenly became curious and tentatively asked, "Could you tell me that secret secretly?"

“If I tell you, it’s no longer a secret.” Tom shrugged. “But Malfoy, why are you so concerned about Hermione… not just you, but Harry too. They even started some kind of Hermione Simp Club.”

“It’s Hermione’s Club!” Draco corrected Tom.

Speaking of this, a blush crept onto Draco's face again.

Thinking back, what they did was so childish, no wonder it upset Hermione.

"There's no difference." Tom waved his hand dismissively. He walked to Draco's side and walked alongside him. "You're a pure-blood wizard, so you shouldn't look down on us mud... uh, I mean, half-blood wizards."

"Your father would be furious if he knew what you did for Hermione, wouldn't he?"

Draco's face fell: "Three months, I didn't get any pocket money for three whole months, and after I got home I had to spend three hours in solitary confinement every day."

He sighed heavily: "If this hadn't happened at school, my father would never have known what I did."

In common parlance, I know I was wrong.

You'll do it again next time!

"Is it worth it for a half-blood wizard?"

Draco stopped and looked into Tom's eyes.

He initially thought Tom was mocking him, but Draco saw sincerity in Tom's eyes.

Tom seemed to be asking himself something really trivial.

“Of course it’s worth it!” Draco nodded vigorously, his fist slowly clenching. “You don’t know what my past was like, Tom.”

Although I am a pure-blood wizard and others see me as noble, I actually don't have many friends.

but……"

Draco clenched his fist, his eyes flashing with a sudden light.

He looked up at the sky and remembered that night.

Even though I'm such a useless person, on that day, the day I first met the mysterious man, Hermione didn't stand up and blame me, even though I was just a deserter.

She's different from everyone else; Hermione is the most special, so I…

Tom raised his hand to interrupt Draco: "Alright, that's enough."

What a fool.

What if you knew that it wasn't Hermione who forgave you that day, but me?

Ugh.

Tom sighed.

How come boys this age are so easily swayed by emotions?

Harry is a sucker for good looks, so it's normal for him to be smitten with Hermione after her dramatic transformation. But you, a pure-blood wizard, shouldn't be such a simp!

Wouldn't it be better to use your noble status as a pure-blooded wizard to find a few pretty girls?

Tom didn't want to listen to Draco's nonsense anymore, so they quickened their pace and soon arrived at the Malfoy house.

This was Tom's first real encounter with the "family".

The towering walls, the villas in this area—even a toilet could buy the entire Saint-Redia Welfare Home.

The word "luxurious" alone is simply insufficient to describe its sheer size.

Something with gold trim!

Tom even suspected that the toilet was made of gold.

The Malfoy family garden was planted with towering giant trees, whose branches swayed as if welcoming the young master Draco back.

It could also be that she was afraid of Tom.

A rising dark lord of a new era.

……

“Squeak—” Draco pushed open the door. “Father had something to do and went out today. It’ll probably just be the two of us here for the rest of the week.”

The moment he stepped inside, a house-elf came running over and started changing Draco's shoes.

The house-elf's eyes lit up when it saw Tom.

However, because Draco was nearby, the little elf didn't greet Tom.

It's more than that.

Dobby the elf was a slave in Draco's household.