Scabbers seemed to sense something. It abruptly raised its head and locked eyes with Tamara.
The next second, the rat let out a terrified shriek, dove headfirst into Ron's pocket, and trembled violently, refusing to come out no matter what.
"What's wrong with him?" Ron patted his pocket, somewhat bewildered. "He's usually very brave."
Tamara pointed to Nagini in the cage beside her. "Perhaps it's because of my cat."
The stupid cat named Nagini was currently lying by the cage, its eyes wide as saucers, drooling at Ron's pocket.
"Really?" Ron looked at the black cat skeptically, but since cats do eat mice, he didn't dwell on it further.
A few minutes later, Ron suddenly remembered something and turned to look at Harry, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
"Wait, are you really Harry Potter?"
Harry nodded.
"Then do you really have... that?" Ron pointed to his own forehead. "That scar?"
Harry sighed inwardly but still brushed aside his bangs.
The lightning-shaped scar was revealed once more.
Tamara immediately averted her gaze, looking out the window at the fields speeding past, forcing herself to think of happy things—like throwing that dead rat into a cauldron to stew.
"Wicked," Ron said in awe. Harry just gave an awkward smile.
He didn't think the scar was particularly wicked, but Ron was a decent fellow, and he was willing to smile along.
"Tamara, don't you want to see this super cool scar on Harry's head?" Ron called out to the girl staring out the window.
"Not cool at all."
Tamara, still looking out the window, interjected coldly.
"It's a mark left by murder, not some medal."
It was even more proof of her own failure.
Ron and Harry didn't understand the reason for Tamara's sudden gloomy mood.
It seemed Tamara wasn't very fond of Harry's scar.
Just as the atmosphere was becoming heavy, the compartment door slid open.
A smiling Witch stood at the door, pushing a cart loaded with snacks.
"Anything off the trolley, dears?"
"No, thanks, I've got food," Ron said, holding up his sandwich. His mother hadn't given him any money for treats.
Harry stared at the cart of food, lost in thought. In fact, he hadn't eaten much all day.
"We'll take the lot!" He produced a handful of Galleons, spread them on the table, and declared with great bravado.
Soon, a mountain of various sweets and snacks piled up on the seats: Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans, Chocolate Frogs, Licorice Wands... their colorful wrappers glittering in the sunlight.
"Want some? You had low blood sugar earlier,"
Harry said, somewhat awkwardly picking up a Chocolate Frog and tentatively offering it to the girl opposite.
Tamara turned her head, her gaze sweeping over the Chocolate Frog and Harry's face.
"Thank you, but I'm fine now," she said coldly, her voice devoid of warmth.
"Besides, I don't like sweets. They rot your teeth and dull your mind."
Ron, his mouth stuffed full of Cauldron Cakes, nearly choked upon hearing this. He mumbled indistinctly, "How boring."
The girl might be pretty, but she seemed completely unsociable and rather odd.
In truth, if Tamara wanted to, she could easily make everyone like her.
After all, in her previous life, she was the popular prefect loved by the entire school. Her manners, appearance, and that innate ability to charm could fool anyone—except Dumbledore.
But the current Tamara had absolutely no desire to please the two idiots in front of her.
Nor had she fully accepted the system in her head, or this body that looked utterly pathetic.
This feeling of being restricted at every turn instinctively irritated her, even more depressing than being a wandering spirit in Albania.
Just as the atmosphere in the compartment reached its most awkward point, the door was once again rudely slid open.
Three boys stood in the doorway.
The one in the middle had a pale, pointed face and wore a trademark, obnoxiously arrogant expression.
Draco Malfoy.
Behind him stood two hulking boys, thick as planks and with vacant expressions—Crabbe and Goyle.
"So it's true,"
Malfoy's gaze immediately locked onto Harry, a gleam of having found prey in his eyes.
"Everyone on the train's saying Harry Potter's in this compartment."
He looked Harry up and down, a sneer curling his lips. "So that's you, is it?"
"Yes," Harry replied warily, eyeing the newcomers.
"Oh, this is Crabbe, and this is Goyle," Malfoy said offhandedly. "And I'm Malfoy. Draco Malfoy."
Ron couldn't help but give a slight cough, as if to cover a laugh.
Malfoy whirled around, glaring at Ron with disgust.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford."
Ron's face turned bright red instantly, his fists clenched so tight they cracked.
"You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter," Malfoy turned back, extending his hand to Harry with an air of superiority.
"You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort."
Harry did not take the offered hand.
"I think I can tell who the wrong sort are for myself, thanks," he said coldly.
Malfoy's face fell. A faint flush appeared on his pale cheeks—the blush of humiliated anger.
[Ding! Detected bullying behavior between classmates.]
[Triggered emergency mission: Ally of Justice.]
[Mission Description: As a future prefect candidate, you have a duty to maintain unity and friendship among Hogwarts students. Please stop this conflict and protect the weaker party, such as Harry Potter.]
[Mission Reward: Courage +5.]
[Failure Penalty: Random spell confiscation.]
Tamara sighed inwardly.
Protect Potter?
That was the biggest joke in the world.
But for the sake of those damned 5 Courage points, she'd endure it.
"Mr. Malfoy."
Draco's body visibly stiffened for a moment upon hearing the familiar voice.
His attention had been entirely on Harry, completely overlooking Tamara sitting by the window.
That intensely intimidating face was now staring coldly at him.
"Ta... Tamara?"
Draco's bravado instantly deflated by half, his voice even stammering a little.
"Wh-what a coincidence, you're in this compartment too?"
Tamara rolled her eyes swiftly, her tone carrying a hint of exasperation.
"Have you forgotten what I told you?"
Draco flushed. He wanted to retort, but under Tamara's gaze, which seemed capable of seeing through his soul, he couldn't muster a single tough word.
"But... he rejected me first!" Draco pointed at Harry, whining like a tattling schoolboy.
"Since he refused, persisting further will only make you look cheap."
Tamara turned, putting her back to Harry and Ron, facing Malfoy.
To Harry, this was an incredibly brave act.
A seemingly frail girl, placing herself between him and three clearly troublesome bullies.
"Take your lackeys and leave, Draco."
She issued the dismissal, her tone brooking no argument.
Draco bit his lip, glaring fiercely at Tamara, then at Harry shielded behind her.
He was unwilling.
But he was more afraid of this girl.
That instinctive fear left him utterly incapable of mustering any thought of defiance.
"Let's go!"
Draco shot Harry one last venomous glare, then retreated from the compartment with Crabbe and Goyle in tow.
Quiet returned to the compartment.
Tamara stood still, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.
What a nauseating performance.
She had actually scolded away the younger Malfoy, who should have been on her side, for the sake of the savior.
Was this the so-called justice?
How utterly ridiculous.
"Um..."
Harry's voice, filled with gratitude, came from behind her.
"Thank you, Tamara."
Tamara turned around.
Harry was looking at her, his green eyes shining with undisguised gratitude and admiration.
"You were... really cool just now," Ron couldn't help adding. "How did you do that? That Malfoy guy looked terrified of you!"
[Ding! Mission Completed: Ally of Justice.]
[Reward: Courage +5.]
[Current Courage: 5.]
[Additional Gain: Harry Potter's Favorability +10.]
Listening to the system's prompts, looking at that stupid face showing such a grateful, tearful expression towards her.
Tamara felt her stomach churn violently.
"You're welcome."
She really wanted to hit everyone present with an Avada Kedavra.