Chapter 30: Justifiable
Everything unfolded exactly as Tamara Riddle had predicted.
At Friday breakfast, six owls swept into the Great Hall carrying a long, slender package. They dropped it straight in front of Harry Potter.
Professor McGonagall had attached a note telling him not to open it, but the moment everyone saw the shape, the entire Hall erupted.
"A Nimbus 2000."
Draco Malfoy stared at the parcel so hard it looked as if he might set it alight through sheer hatred. The silver fork in his hand nearly bent under his grip.
"This is impossible. First years are not even allowed broomsticks. Let alone a Nimbus 2000. It is the latest model."
"That is what privilege looks like, Draco," Tamara said, slicing her fried egg with quiet elegance without even looking up. "I told you. Professor McGonagall does not see a rule breaker. She sees a saviour who can help Gryffindor claw back the House Cup."
"It is not fair," Pansy snapped, indignant.
"Fairness is what the weak call for when they want charity," Tamara replied, tone flat.
Truthfully, she felt no outrage. She did not even consider the unfairness a problem. If anything, she appreciated it. Privilege only disgusted people who did not have it.
Draco kept staring at the Gryffindor table. The jealousy on his face slowly cooled, then reshaped itself into something sharper.
A smile.
"You are right, Tamara." Draco leaned closer, voice dropping, smugness barely contained. "Since the school gives him privilege, I will deal with him the Slytherin way."
"Oh?" Tamara raised an eyebrow. "What do you plan to do?"
"In the corridor earlier, I stopped Potter and challenged him," Draco said, swirling his goblet. Pumpkin juice rolled inside like molten gold. "A wizard's duel. Tonight. Midnight. Trophy Room."
Tamara studied him. "You think you can beat the saviour?"
Draco sneered. "Who said I was going to fight?"
He leaned in further, eyes bright with cunning.
"I am not going to that gods forsaken place. After dinner I am going to tell Filch that someone will break into the Trophy Room at midnight."
His grin widened.
"Think about it. Potter and Weasley will stand there like idiots waiting for me. And instead of my wand, they will get Filch's mouldy cat and a pile of detention slips."
He looked at Tamara as if waiting for a medal.
"Well? It is a good plan, yes?"
Tamara set her cutlery down and regarded him.
For once, there was no contempt in her eyes. There was the faintest hint of approval.
"It is not particularly sophisticated," she said, "but it is effective."
Her mouth curved slightly.
"Using rules and the caretaker instead of swinging your fists like a Gryffindor. Draco, you are finally beginning to behave like a Slytherin."
Draco's smile grew even brighter.
"Just wait for the show. I can already see Professor McGonagall's face tomorrow morning, twisted with rage."
Tamara watched him leave, excitement practically spilling from his footsteps, and the satisfaction in her own eyes deepened.
It is a good show.
Thank you for the cover, Draco.
If Filch and that irritating cat are dragged to the Trophy Room, then the corridor on the third floor will be empty tonight.
Eleven thirty that night.
The castle had fallen into deep sleep, but undercurrents stirred like dark water.
Tamara changed out of her first year robes into light black clothes better suited to moving quietly. She avoided the patrolling Mrs Norris and drifted through corridors like a shadow until she reached the forbidden third floor passage.
She did not wait for Potter and the others.
A Dark Lord took the initiative.
She would inspect the prize herself first.
Tamara approached the mahogany door at the end of the corridor. She eased it open, slipped inside, and pulled it shut again, leaving only a narrow crack.
A rank stench hit her at once.
In the centre of the room lay a massive Cerberus, its three heads taking up most of the space.
Tamara stepped out of the shadows.
"Hagrid's taste in pets," she muttered, disgust twisting her mouth. She covered her nose. "Decades pass and it remains equally terrible."
The beast woke instantly.
A thunderous roar exploded from the middle head. The other two bared rows of sharp fangs and tensed to tear the intruder apart.
Tamara did not move.
She stood perfectly still, tilting her chin slightly. Her eyes darkened into something bottomless.
Murderous intent.
The kind only someone who had killed could carry.
The Cerberus froze mid lunge. Instinct screamed at it, warning it that the thing in front of it was not prey.
"Whimper."
The three headed monster backed away, tail tucked, huddling into the corner. Six eyes stared at Tamara with raw terror.
[ Ding! High risk creature detected. ]
[ Trial quest triggered: Gaze into the Abyss. ]
[ Quest objective: Establish a good relationship with the doggy without being bitten to death. ]
Tamara stared at the system message with a blank expression.
If it could call that creature doggy, it was defective.
She ignored it and glanced towards the trapdoor beneath the beast. Satisfaction touched her lips.
Then hurried footsteps sounded in the corridor outside, frantic and uneven, accompanied by Hermione's gasps and Ron's panting.
"This way. The door's open. Get in. Quick," Harry's voice hissed.
Bang.
The door slammed open.
Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Neville tumbled inside in a tangled heap. They threw themselves against the door at once, trying to keep Filch out.
"Merlin," Hermione panted. "I think we are going to be expelled."
"Shh. Listen," Harry whispered urgently. His face drained of colour as he pointed behind them.
The four slowly turned.
Their expressions locked.
Even huddled into the corner, the Cerberus still looked like a small mountain.
But what shattered their minds was not the monster alone.
Someone was standing calmly in front of it.
A Slytherin girl in black clothes, unbothered, unhurried, as if this were simply another classroom.
"R Riddle," Ron choked, voice shaking. "What are you doing here?"
Tamara turned slowly.
She looked at the four terrified Gryffindors. Surprise flickered across her face at exactly the right moment, then settled into weary resignation.
"Why am I here?" Tamara sighed, tone edged with disappointed frustration.
"Because of you idiots."
.....
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