"Absurd! If every student acted like you lot, should we just rename Hogwarts?
Call it the Dark Arts Academy—would that be more fitting? Riddle, you're exhausted. Go rest!"
Under normal circumstances Hermione would have backed down, but today she was extra stubborn. She stepped forward, chin high. "Professor Snape, then put both me and Hermione in detention together. At least we'll have each other in there. We can practice social dancing in our spare time."
Snape paused. He glared at Tom. "Get. Out."
The words barely left his mouth before Tom grabbed Hermione's hand and bolted.
"Idiots," Snape muttered, standing alone as the two figures disappeared around the corner.
Tom, you absolute fool!
Why are you letting a girl lead you away by the hand?!
Ignorant. Is this the reward you get for helping others? You should be the one leading, not the other way around!
Maybe he should find a subtle way to give the boy some advice…
But what right did he have? As a Slytherin professor?
He had none—unless he was Tom's parent… or godfather.
Snape shook his head, telling himself not to dwell on it.
Then his gaze drifted sideways…
"Fk!" Snape rarely swore out loud.
Tom, why is the boy who stands so proudly in front of everyone suddenly so obedient in front of Hermione—like a child!
Idiotic. Utterly idiotic!
I refuse to adopt such a stupid student.
"Severus." A hand patted his shoulder. "Your eyes."
The voice spoke softly beside his ear. "Your eyes are frightening the children. Calm down."
"Albus? You've been watching this whole time? Why didn't you come out and stop them?"
Dumbledore stroked his beard with a smile. "Severus, sometimes I enjoy watching the children break the rules. Their minds work differently from ours.
I've lived over a hundred years and lost that pure, simple joy long ago. But look at Tom. Look at them. There's light in their eyes.
No heavy burdens of life, no crushing crises, no complicated decisions to make. Well… they do have to decide what to eat tonight and tomorrow."
"Albus, what exactly are you trying to say?"
"Watching them makes me feel like I'm seeing my younger self—not for show, just to spread my own ideas. Perhaps you should spend more time with Miss Granger, Severus. You might discover she's quite a fine child.
I know what you're thinking…"
Snape cut him off bluntly. "What exactly do you know?"
"Tom is such an outstanding boy—obedient, sensible, kind, hardworking, practically knows everything. How could a Muggle-born Granger possibly be worthy of him?
That's what you're thinking, isn't it?
But we just watched a rather splendid firework show, and we saw Hermione reject all that admiration without hesitation. She doesn't back down in front of enemies, and she cares deeply for her friends, doesn't she?
Perhaps I forgot to mention one thing. In Tom's home—that little orphanage—every child is reading the books Hermione sent.
You should get to know them better, Severus. Dive deeper. You'll feel genuine happiness. I've felt decades younger lately, haha."
Dumbledore spoke like a half-riddle—saying something and nothing at once. He patted Snape's shoulder again. "One more thing: after classes tonight, you might want to visit St. Lucia's Orphanage."
…
"Are you insane? We just ran off like that—won't Professor Snape be furious?" Hermione tugged Tom's sleeve. "We can still go back and apologize."
"You know Snape, or do I?" Tom crossed his arms. He reached out and pinched her cheek. "Miss Granger, perhaps you've forgotten who has the deepest connection with Professor Snape. When he tells you to get out, you get out—unless he's in a good mood."
Hermione looked puzzled. "He tells people to get out when he's in a good mood?"
"Other people? No. Professor Snape? Yes."
—He's a tsundere.
"Fine, fine, I don't understand. I really don't. But you went a bit far this time. Why did you do that? You could've just sent annoying Malfoy to detention. I don't care what other people think."
Tom shrugged. "I'm not stupid. If I'd done that, I definitely wouldn't have made it back today. Professor Snape would've sent everyone there.
Besides, I quite liked the way those little boys looked at me with pure admiration. In their hearts I'm basically Merlin!"
"Hah."
Hermione rolled her eyes at him without mercy.
Merlin?
What do you have in common with Merlin?
Nonsense!
"So what now?"
"Sleep. I'll practice dancing in my dreams." Tom yawned and waved, already walking away. After two steps he turned back. "Oh, right—forgot to tell you. Next time, please don't interrupt my alone time with Senior."
"Tom!!! You really are a bastard!"
"Only just figuring that out?"
…
The Hermione Appreciation Club officially disbanded.
Well… mostly.
Most members left, but two remained.
Draco Malfoy.
Harry Potter.
The only two left.
"Draco, look what you've done! Hermione's impression of me must be terrible now!" Harry complained bitterly through his venomous mouth. "You were the one who said Hermione was in trouble, so I came! And what happened?
I shouldn't have listened to you. All you Slytherins are so stupid."
"Me, stupid?" Malfoy shot to his feet, slamming the table. "If we hadn't shown up, could you guarantee nothing would've happened between Hermione and Tom?
I overheard them outside. Tom might've even raised his hand against her! We arrived just in time to save her!"
"Idiot! That was clearly just them playing around. You might as well say we interrupted them."
Neither could convince the other. They drew their wands, then stared at each other awkwardly. No one moved.
The tense silence stretched until someone knocked on the door.
"Is this the Hermione Appreciation Club? I'm Sue Li, first-year Ravenclaw."
It was Sue. He'd spent ages finding the empty classroom.
Malfoy and Harry immediately stood up.
"Don't misunderstand, please don't misunderstand. I just wanted to ask… can I still join the club?" Innocent Sue asked.
"?"
Harry and Malfoy exchanged a glance.
"Perhaps… yes?" Harry sounded hesitant.
Malfoy jumped in. "As long as you don't mind the club only having two members right now, of course you're welcome. We accept everyone… Wait, you're not a spy Tom sent, are you?"
"I'm not."
"How do we know you're not?!"
Sue's neck turned red. "I can't prove it, but I really aren't! Tom and I are roommates and friends, but I'm definitely not a spy. Wait—I know how to prove it!"
"Tell us."
The three huddled together, whispering.
A moment later Harry jerked upright, staring at Sue with open hostility.
"No way! You can't do that!
Listen, it'll ruin your relationship with Tom, and Hermione… she would never agree. Anyway, it's just not happening."
"Calm down, Harry." Malfoy gave a small nod. "I think it's worth trying. The world needs courage. We need brave boys like you.
So, when are you going to do it?"
"Tonight!"
"No—right now!" Malfoy countered. "Never put it off. Once you give yourself time, you'll keep delaying. Go now. We'll listen from outside!"
Sue shifted uncomfortably. "Tom might be busy right now…"
"Find him. It won't take much of his time. Go… Why is your face as red as if you're about to confess to Tom? Chest out, head up, walk forward, and don't look back!"
Encouraged by their pep talk, Sue really did stride off with determination.
"No, no!" Less than three seconds later he came running back. "I'm scared."
"Give me your wand." Harry held out his hand.
Sue thought Harry was going to cast some courage-boosting spell. He handed it over, wondering why Harry wasn't using his own…
Then Harry pocketed the wand. "There. If you fail, I'll throw this away. You won't be able to attend classes. Now go."
"You're so vicious!"
But Sue really did feel braver. He took a deep breath. "I'm going!"
"Good luck!"
…
St. Lucia's Orphanage.
Winter at St. Lucia's was warm and cozy, especially with Christmas approaching. Every child's bed had a kind little star hanging above it.
Snape cast a Disillusionment Charm on himself and slipped quietly into the orphanage.
His eyes locked onto one child.
Misha.
The child who mattered most.
Dumbledore had told him to observe Misha.