"Hmph, here." Hermione pulled a small box from her shoulder bag and shoved it at Tom. "Just so we're clear, I didn't prepare this specially for you. It's just… whoever says 'Happy Halloween' to me first today gets it, that's all."
Her words came out in a nervous rush.
"Cough—also, thank you." She coughed, quickly brushing her hair over her glowing red ear tips to hide them. "Don't get any ideas. This is just… Cho, let's go."
Cho gave a knowing little smile, waved at the boys, and left with Hermione.
"Oh right, Happy Halloween." Cho handed candy to Sue and Terry too.
"Happy Halloween." Hermione gave them two pieces each.
"Happy Halloween!" The two stood perfectly straight like soldiers.
The moment the girls were out of sight, Sue and Terry grabbed Tom's shoulders, breathing hard.
"Tom!" Sue's eyes were red. "How do you even know Cho-senpai and Hermione?"
"Spill it right now or I'm hitting you with the Tickling Charm!"
Tom pushed the two wild animals off him. "They're just friends… and why are you so worked up?"
How could they not be worked up?!
Sue exploded. "You dense idiot! Is there anything in that head besides studying?
Do you even know Cho-senpai is the most popular second-year girl? Almost every boy in school rates her O!"
In the wizarding world, O meant Outstanding—the highest possible rating.
"Exactly! Hermione's rating is O- too. If she'd fixed those front teeth earlier she'd be right up there with Cho-senpai. Wait… actually, her teeth looked way better just now. Terry, you noticed?"
Terry nodded hard. "I'd bump her to O+. She's adorable!"
Tom obviously wasn't going to admit he was the one who fixed her teeth. He just patted their shoulders. "Begging sweets from kids is boring. Come on, I'll take you somewhere more exciting."
Exciting?
Their eyes lit up instantly.
Did he mean the older girls? The mature ones who looked like they could crush first-years with a single glance.
No little boy could resist a big sister, and Sue and Terry were no exception!
But Sue never expected the "exciting" place Tom took them to…
The big sisters were way too big.
Professor Sprout planted a big kiss on each of their cheeks. "Here's your candy, children. I hope you all do well in Herbology.
Tom… you need to rest more. Don't spend every second studying. You worry me the most. But you two still need to work harder!"
"We will, Professor!"
The moment they left the greenhouse, Sue and Terry started complaining again.
"Tom, how did you even think of asking professors for candy?!"
"I'm honestly impressed. And Sprout is so unfair—she told us to work harder, but with you she just said rest."
"Can you blame her? While you're sleeping, Tom's already practising. You spend more time daydreaming than Tom spends sleeping."
Sue coughed. "I was just relaxing my mind. Anyway, Tom, who's next?"
They had already figured it out: stick with Tom and the candy would keep coming!
Didn't matter where it came from—just that it came!
---
"Tom, calm down!" Sue and Terry clung to him for dear life—they knew exactly where he was heading!
You can't go there! That's too far!
In front of them was Albus Dumbledore's office.
Also known as the Headmaster's office.
They never imagined Tom would march straight to the Headmaster's door!
"Tom! Tom! Sue, pull harder—he's too strong!"
At that moment the door opened and Dumbledore stepped out, eyes twinkling behind half-moon spectacles. "Oh? Three little Ravenclaws. What can I do for you?"
Tom held out his hand like always. "Professor Dumbledore, Happy Halloween."
The old Headmaster blinked, then burst out laughing. "My boy, it's been many years since anyone asked me for candy. Come in, come in."
After collecting sweets from Dumbledore, the two boys were riding high on confidence.
They'd just scored candy from the Headmaster himself!
If they could face Dumbledore, what was left to fear?
"Tom, who's next!" Terry declared like they were ruthless candy raiders hunting targets across Hogwarts.
"The next one I suggest you don't come with me."
"No problem!" Sue thumped his chest. "We faced Dumbledore—we're not scared of anyone!"
---
Fifteen minutes later.
Sue and Terry were practically on their knees.
"Bro, this is too much. You go in alone. We don't dare."
"Tom, we'll wait outside."
Tom rolled his eyes.
It was just Professor Snape. Earlier they'd acted so brave, but the second they reached the door they turned into cowards?
Tom, of course, had zero fear. He knocked, heard the bat-man's voice, and pushed the door open.
Sue and Terry immediately pressed their ears to the door, listening quietly.
Snape stared at Tom, eyes like a poisonous snake.
"What do you want?"
"Professor Snape, Happy Halloween."
Snape took a deep breath and said gravely, "Tom, do not celebrate this foolish holiday. You make me feel childish and stupid!"
Tom really did get scolded…
Outside, the two boys shivered. Good thing they hadn't gone in.
But Tom's expression didn't change. He kept smiling. "Professor, could this foolish child have some candy? I'd be very happy."
"…"
"On the table. Take it yourself."
"Thank you, Professor. Happy Halloween."
"Get out!"
Jackpot!
Tom walked out hugging an armful of candy. The two boys waiting outside stood like loyal little brothers.
Sue gave a thumbs-up. "Tom, you're the GOAT.
I can't even look Snape in the eye. You might be the only person in history who dared ask Snape for candy on Halloween."
"Insane…" Terry had no other words.
Snape's candy looked fancy—the packaging was way better than anyone else's—but they didn't dare even glance at it.
"Tom, can we please stop doing this? Let's go somewhere else…"
They hadn't gone far when Tom ran into a group of girls he didn't know. Most were older.
Tom didn't recognise them, but they definitely recognised him. They all handed him candy. Sue and Terry, riding Tom's coattails, managed to snag a few too. Their haul was massive!
"Tom, anywhere else?"
Tom shook his head. "I need to ask Professor Dumbledore for a leave pass. You two go ahead. I'll be back tonight or tomorrow…"
He felt he should visit St. Redelia Orphanage.
Halloween was one of the kids' favourite days. They'd dress up in pretty new clothes, and Misha would cook a special sweet dinner.
He'd been at Hogwarts so long—he wanted to go home and see them.
Dumbledore would have been easy to ask, but Tom went to Snape instead.
At first Snape grumbled and scolded, but after Tom's "repeated, sincere begging," he finally used Apparition.
Of course, Tom didn't ask the stupid question, "Professor, isn't Apparition banned inside the school?"
"Your Occlumency was a complete waste," Snape said coldly.
"Professor Snape, come inside with me. The little ones will be so happy to see a real professor with me."
"Ridiculous. I have no interest in such nonsense!"
Tom refused to take no for an answer. After some persistent coaxing, he dragged Snape into the orphanage.
"Tom!" From far away Misha spotted him. She dropped what she was holding, wiped her flour-covered hands on her clothes, and ran straight into his arms.
Misha had dressed up today—a big golden witch hat that was wider than her shoulders and a long robe that hung loose on her tiny frame. She looked like a perfect little witch.
For some reason, Snape's eyes narrowed slightly at the sight.
"Misha, this is Professor Snape. He's my favourite teacher at school."
"Hello." Misha looked up, her smile pure and flawless. She held out her small, flour-dusted hand.
After a moment's hesitation, Snape took it.
"Hello."
"Professor, has Tom been causing trouble at school?"
"Him?" Snape snorted. "He's a foolish boy. Besides being somewhat talented, he's completely useless!"
Coming from Snape, "somewhat talented" was already praise that put Tom above 99% of students.
…
"Hermione." Harry's smile was a little awkward. "Happy Halloween."
"Mm-hmm, Happy Halloween." Hermione nodded. "I'll come with you to see Hagrid tonight."
"Um…" Harry looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't quite get it out.
Ron had no such filter. "Hermione, your teeth—they look different?"
"Tom fixed them." Hermione grinned, showing her perfect smile.
Tom again.
Harry sighed quietly in his heart. He didn't know why it bothered him so much.
---