Hogwarts: Chill, I’m Not That Tom Riddle

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Ron obediently followed along with the scenario Tom laid out.

Barely two seconds in, his expression changed. He started to panic, voice trembling, "If I actually did that... Mum would definitely send a Howler. Then Percy would lecture me, and George and Fred—those two bastards—would prank me nonstop for a whole term. They might even start calling me something other than Weasley..."

The more he thought about it, the more terrified Ron became.

A fallen pure-blood was still a pure-blood. And besides, the Weasleys weren't fallen—just broke.

Sure, money was tight, but they never lacked in pride. Every member of the family cared deeply about their name and legacy.

Back out of a duel after agreeing to it—and if Mum found out? That was a 100% way to get your name erased from the family tree... metaphorically starting a new page without you.

SMACK—!

Tom clapped his hands hard. "Exactly. That's what I'm saying."

"Last night's duel may have been a setup by Malfoy, sure—it was clearly meant to get you caught by Filch and punished. But the fact is, he challenged Potter, and then he didn't show. Doesn't matter what excuse he has—it's still a no-show."

"If word gets out, you two might lose some points—but he? He's dragging down the entire Malfoy family's name!"

"And if his parents hear about it? He'll be getting a pig-style beating at home. Either way, you guys aren't the ones coming out on the losing side. Am I right?"

Harry and Ron nodded in unison.

It did make sense.

So much bloody sense!

Ron could already picture it: old man Malfoy swinging that ridiculous platinum cane of his at Draco.

But then Harry's face fell a bit. "But if this does get out and we do lose points... how will the others see us? Like..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but he glanced at Hermione. His meaning was clear.

Hermione didn't respond. She was deep in thought. Something felt off. Was Tom just using Harry and Ron to do his dirty work?

But then again, if this got exposed, Slytherin would also face punishment. Their house-point lead might disappear entirely. So... why would Tom risk that?

She couldn't figure it out and continued pondering, ignoring Harry completely.

"Shallow thinking, Potter. You're being shallow," Tom said with mock disappointment.

"Don't get too hung up on house points—they distort the value of what you really accomplish."

Tom swayed his head dramatically like a philosopher giving a speech. "What do you think Gryffindors care about the most?"

"Honor. The House Cup," Harry answered without hesitation.

"Wrong!" Tom slammed the table, making everyone jump. His voice rose. "What Gryffindors care about the most—is face. Reputation!"

"You can lose points—if it's for something big, bold, and worthy. But if you get caught breaking some petty rule? Of course people will look down on you."

"But if you lose points for standing up and defending the Potter family's honor? That's something else entirely. That's badass. People would envy you. They'd wish they were the ones in your shoes, making a scene, grabbing the spotlight."

"And with Malfoy bailing like a coward? That just screams 'Slytherin fears Gryffindor.' That's not envy anymore—that's straight-up admiration."

"Because you beat Slytherin!"

Huff! Huff!

Just from hearing that, Ron's face was flushed red, and he was practically panting with excitement.

This kind of moment in the spotlight had never once belonged to him—the forgotten Weasley. The family's background character.

"Harry..." Ron looked at his best friend, eyes full of longing.

Harry's heart was pounding too. Tom's words had definitely gotten to him. He managed to stay just this side of rational, though, and said, "I'll seriously think about it, Riddle... and, uh, just call me Harry from now on. No need for 'Potter.'"

"Yeah, same. Just Ron. There are way too many Weasleys at this school," Ron added quickly. In his eyes, Tom wasn't some naturally evil Slytherin—he was practically a long-lost brother.

"Got it—Harry, Ron. Just call me Tom."

Tom smiled. "There is risk involved, of course, so it's good you're thinking carefully. But I promise—what happened last night won't leave my lips."

Both boys nodded gratefully.

"But one last reminder," Tom added, like something had just occurred to him. "Timing matters. If you wait too long, it'll lose all impact. So if you're going to act—don't drag your feet."

"Well then, I'm off to grab some food. See ya."

With that, Tom stood, gave a friendly wave, and walked off.

He left behind two very conflicted boys—and one girl who was still deep in thought.

The bait had been cast, and Tom was sure the fish would bite.

Looking at Harry's behavior in the original timeline, he was a textbook Gryffindor hothead—but occasionally, flashes of Slytherin cunning would shine through. Maybe that was the so-called "main character halo" at work.

So yeah, there was a chance Harry would resist the urge to get back at Malfoy.

But that was fine—he still had Ron.

An average, ordinary guy craved nothing more than to stand out. To be somebody. And now that opportunity was right in front of him—he definitely wouldn't let it pass.

So all Tom had to do... was wait.

— — —

Potions Class

Snape, completely unaware that his House's reputation was about to take a hit, was still enjoying himself by torturingHarry in class.

He'd even split up Harry and Ron—seating Harry with Neville instead. How considerate.

With this dynamic duo of disaster, Gryffindor's house points were like water through a broken dam—no matter how you tried, you couldn't stop the flow.

Snape didn't even need to say anything. Just standing silently behind them was enough to make Harry break into a cold sweat. Neville, meanwhile, was a wreck—nervous, fidgety, and clearly about to combust.

And with his terrible memory on top of that, the potion they cooked up was such a mess that even Snape, with all his expertise, couldn't quite figure out what the hell it was supposed to be.

Wasting school resources. Not paying attention in class. Ignoring the professor's instructions.

With all that stacked up, another ten points flew out of Gryffindor's tally. Snape, quite pleased, dismissed the class.

Harry packed up his cauldron with a dejected sigh—only to hear Malfoy's voice loud and clear, dripping with mockery.

"Potter, you and Longbottom better stay partners. With you two in Potions, we'll never run out of cautionary tales."

Crabbe and Goyle chuckled stupidly beside him.

Harry didn't say a word. He just exchanged a calm glance with Ron.

Yup, let's do it.

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Yo~

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