CHAPTER THREE

Monsters and ghouls tend to lurk in the darkness, waiting for their next victims patiently, bloodthirsty for mortal blood. But what happens when a mortal takes the place of a monster? What happens when a ghoul is not the same creature that the Arabian religion introduces?

Some people are twisted in the mind for their reason, their psychosynthesis is an enigma, and they can't heal from the darkness that surrounds the corners of their brains.

The Come and Go Room hosted five male figures that were encircled around a table. The room had a faded green color the musty smell feeling the area, a chandelier hanging above their heads with candles, and a giant bookshelf. The aristocracy could be noticeable from the way that the figures were standing with pride.

At the first glance, you could say that the five boys were there to just meet up and exchange conversations relatable to the ones that people of their age normally do.

However, this was not the case.

Salazar Slytherin had an ambition that the other founders of Hogwarts didn't empathize with. Muggles shouldn't be legal to hold the magic in their hands, while for centuries and centuries, they cast witch trials and hunts, as their society told them to. Magic came from the underground, from evil forces, they tell. So why witches and wizards should respect them?

Now the scenery is not as innocent and pure as it seems. The heir of Slytherin was sitting in the middle, while the ideology of the founder of the greenhouse with the snake stood there revitalized by the green color. Wherever the heir was, there was the ideology. The bright color of the candles around the room could only attest that whatever these boys were plotting there could resemble a Renaissance. An idea, something great, something powerful, something beyond the mind of a common person could ever imagine.

Furthermore, some of the ancient books on the bookshelf had in their title the words Dark Arts, most of them stolen from the Restricted Section of Hogwarts Library all the countless nights that Tom Riddle roamed through the corridors as prefect, without anyone suspecting that this top student, perfect at everything and foremost excellent man was hiding the Devil himself in the indentation of his soul.

Playing with his ring pridefully, the Dark Lord, gazed at his followers, the Knights of Walpurgis, who sat around the table waiting for their leader to start the meeting.

However, only when the door opened revealing the heir of the Malfoy bloodline the silence broken. Abraxas Malfoy. with platinum hair and grey eyes sat down next to Tom Riddle, fixing his green robe gently.

"Excuse me, Riddle, Slughorn was interested in a chit-chat that was a long one. This old man— it's almost eleven o'clock he should be sleeping right now," he scoffed. Abraxas was known that he lacked no respect for their superiors, splitting insults and many kinds of threats against anyone that hurt his pride.

Nott plastered a sardonic smile and then looked at Riddle "I took my research as you requested and the lost diadem is somewhere hidden in Albania, most likely a forest. Bloody Baron can't remember where exactly, but he remembers where he murdered Helena Ravenclaw," Theodore Nott took out of his leather case a small paper map of the Balkan Peninsula and a red big circle between the borders of Greece and Albania "He informed me that outside the first there was a giant lake, perhaps this is the place," he showed with his finger. Nott was an excellent explorer, suitable for the place of a reporter, capable of gaining information almost instantly.

The lost diadem of Rowena Ravenclaw, the founder
of the corresponding Hogwarts House, had troubled Riddle a lot over the past few months. Out of her envious feelings towards her mother, her daughter Helena Ravenclaw, stole the diadem and run away to Albania. After years Rowena caught an illness and as she was on her deathbed she wished to see her daughter one last time. Then, she asked a trustworthy man that was in love with Helena since their school years, to find her and bring her back. Baron indeed found her, but she refused to come with him, and out of his anger he stabbed her to death, only to commit suicide after realizing what he have done.

The Bloody Baron and the Grey Lady returned to Hogwarts as ghosts representing something like the mascots of each house. The Bloody Baron was willing to narrate the tale for the new come students, while Helena was hidden in the thick walls of Ravenclaw tower away from people's eyes.

Tom Riddle nodded "I appreciate your devotion Nott, you will be rewarded for your services," he took a breath and the dark-haired boy spoke again "As it seems, I must pay a visit to Helena Ravenclaw, myself,"

...

Defence Against The Dark Arts was the first class that both students from Slytherin and Hufflepuff attends on Monday morning. The voices of students were immediately silent as professor Albus Dumbledore with a quick move of his wand silenced the classroom. Dozens of eyes were looking at Dumbledore holding amazed looks on their face, admiring him for the power that he holds as a wizard and foremost for the teacher he is; fair, supportive, and always there for the students that needed him. However, one pair of eyes with the color of forest green despised the persona that Dumbledore was showing to the world. Refuting every belief that students took from him, brushing off every power that he is holding.

Tom Riddle would outnumber Dumbledore, bringing down the man that made him notice the greatness of his power. A greatness that would be catastrophic for the wizarding world that the DADA teacher was living in. Dumbledore thought that he made an excellent choice by helping an orphan and introducing him to a world full of mystery. What a tragic irony.

Y/n stared at him across the room and noticed the dangerous look on his face as he was watching Dumbledore talk with a relaxed expression on his face. She looked over at Dumbledore and focused on his speech.

"—you won't know if someone is about to attack you or not, and just like that you have to be always prepared," Dumbledore spoke bouncing around the room "Dolohov and Stewart up,"

The muggle-born Hufflepuff looked in terror at Frederick Dolohov's side who was laughing with another Slytherin making fun of him. Dolohov paraded against the dais while Stewart trembled while trying to hold stable his wand in one of his hands.

"Let's see what you got Stewart," Dolohov spoke pointing his wand at the boy and he felt like his heart was going to explode into his chest. Surely Dolohov was someone that you shouldn't mess with, but with the supervision of Dumbledore, what could go wrong? There were already some whispers which were trying to guess who would win this battle, but unanimously everyone could agree that Dolohov would throw Stewart away with two moves.

"Ready," Dumbledore's voice filled the room. Stewart found the courage and looked Frederick dead in the eye pointing his wand directly at him. Dolohov smirked and waited confidently for their teacher's words "—and begin the duel,"

Dolohov was quick to act, sending a jinx flying toward Stewart. But Stewart was ready, and he deflected it with a flick of his wand. The two students circled each other, eyes locked in concentration.

The spell rebounded off Stewart's shield, and he retaliated with a spell of his own. "Stupefy!" he shouted, and a bright red beam shot from his wand toward Frederick.

But Frederick was quick to dodge the spell and countered with another jinx. "Expelliarmus!" he yelled, and Stewart's wand flew out of his hand.

Stewart was momentarily disarmed, but he quickly recovered and summoned his wand back to his hand. He then cast a stunning spell, which Frederick dodged by leaping behind a desk.

The duel went back and forth like this for several minutes, with both students casting a flurry of spells and dodging each other's attacks. Frederick's wand was particularly adept at throwing off Stewart's aim, and Stewart's shield charms were tough to penetrate.

However, as the duel wore on, it became clear that Frederick was beginning to tire. His movements became slower, and his aimless precise. Seizing the opportunity, Stewart launched a final attack.

"Diffindo!" he yelled, and a jagged blade of light shot toward Frederick.

Frederick managed to deflect the spell with a shield charm, but the force of the impact sent him flying back to the ground. Stewart stood panting, wand still raised.

"You filthy mud—" but before Dolohov finishes his sentence Dumbledore cut him.

"Mr. Dolohov language. Ten points from Slytherin," beaten Frederick stands up glaring at Stewart once again.

Stewart went down to his housemates who welcomed him with some pat on his back and praises.

"Any other volunteers?" the professor asked and everyone looked around to see who would be the following duellers.

"What about me professor?" like a hiss Tom Riddle spoke standing away from the crowd with his wand in his hand ready.

The insurance in Dumbledore's eyes was noticed and the teacher tried to find a way of preventing someone to antagonise Tom Riddle. His thoughts stopped as a girl spoke from the other side of the room.

Dumbledore sighed "Very well then, Tom against Greengrass,"

Y/n ambled in his direction and tied her shiny hair into a ponytail revealing her sharp characteristics. Pointing her wand at Tom made him feel insulted by the way she seemed once again unbothered in his presence. The girl was playing with the grant flames of Hell and had no idea.

Mimicking her actions Tom stared her dead in the eye and Y/n could feel her blood freeze in her veins.

"Are you ready, Miss Greengrass?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yes, Professor," Y/n replied, her wand at the ready.

"Very well. On the count of three, begin."

"One... two... three!"

Tom Riddle immediately launched a flurry of spells, but to Y/n's surprise, none of them seemed to work. They fizzled out in mid-air as if hitting an invisible barrier.

Y/n quickly realized what was happening. Riddle's hexes and jinxes were being blocked by the fact that the girl couldn't be harmed or killed in a different universe.

Riddle, on the other hand, looked baffled. He had never encountered something like this before. He tried several more spells, but they all met the same fate.

Y/n seized the opportunity to attack. She fired a disarming spell at Riddle, but he was quick to block it. They continued to exchange spells, each trying to gain the upper hand.

But Riddle seemed off his game. His movements were jerky, and his spells lacked their usual precision. Y/n wondered what could be causing this.
Then she noticed something strange. Riddle's wand was vibrating in his hand as if struggling against his grip.

Y/n realized that her state was not the only thing blocking Riddle's spells. There was a stronger force at work, one that was preventing him from using his magic to its full potential.

Suddenly, Riddle stumbled, dropping his wand. He looked up at Y/n with a mixture of anger and confusion.

"Well done Ms. Greengrass," Dumbledore said, clapping his hands. "Such an interesting duel, I haven't experienced something like this before."

If he wasn't at school Tom would gladly drown Dumbledore in his blood, but right now was not the moment.

Y/n smiled, feeling a sense of relief. Surely she didn't want to be Tom Riddle's boxing glove. Her shifting saved her from an unpleasant journey.

The class dismissed leaving Y/n alone in the classroom to collect her things for the next class, when a hand grabbed her elbow forcing her to turn around and meet a pair of eyes that were about to slaughter her in a second.

"What did you do?" he demanded, his voice hard and cold.

Y/n met his stare with a glare. "What in the bloody hell, Riddle? What are you talking about?" she retorted, her tone laced with anger and disbelief.

His stare hardened, and he continued to press her. "The magic you did, Greengrass. Don't play dumb with me."

"I didn't do anything, Tom," she shot back, her voice steady but her heart pounding with fear. "Maybe your wand just isn't as powerful as you thought."

Y/n was brave, but perhaps too brave for her good. She felt his grip on her arm tighten, and she winced in pain as she knew the bruises would follow her for the next week. Riddle's fury was palpable, and he leaned in close to her, his face twisted with anger.

"You foolish girl," he spat. "First, you humiliate me in front of everyone, showing that I am not capable of winning a simple duel. And then, you call me by my first name? Be careful, Greengrass. You play with fire."

Y/n trembled under his touch, remembering how cruel this boy could be. A total psychopath without morality, he was threatening her for something so trivial. She blinked, looking at him with a mix of fear and defiance, waiting for his wrath to subside.

"I expect an apology," he announced, his voice low and dangerous.

"You will receive what you deserve," Y/n replied firmly, summoning all her courage. "And right now, you only deserve this."

With a quick, decisive move, she stepped on his foot, causing small curses to fly from Riddle's mouth. Y/n took her chance and quickly left the classroom, her heart racing with adrenaline.

As she walked away, Riddle seethed with anger, ready to cast fire around the building. But deep down, he could not deny the thrill he felt from the dynamism that this woman had shown him.