[Mission Description: A true leader must not only look up at the stars themselves but also be able to look down and lend a hand to those who have fallen in the mud. Though Hufflepuffs are mediocre, they are the cornerstone of loyalty.]
[Mission Requirement: Help Hannah Abbott complete her observation without using magic.]
[Reward: Wisdom +1.]
"Wisdom +1..."
Tamara's gaze instantly sharpened.
Every ten independent attribute points unlocked a spell, and she was currently only one point short.
Tamara straightened her robes and stepped toward the Hufflepuff area.
Her appearance caused the little badgers to fall silent instantly, each looking warily at this Slytherin student, fearing she was there to cause trouble.
Hannah Abbott was so startled she let out a hiccup, looking at the approaching Tamara through tear-filled eyes.
"Move."
Tamara walked up to Hannah's telescope, her voice cold and clear.
Hannah subconsciously took a step back like a frightened rabbit.
Tamara reached out with her long, pale hands—which were also slightly reddened by the cold—and gripped the telescope's adjustment knob.
Her movements were steady and precise, showing no tremor from the cold.
"Correction of thirty degrees in elevation, pull back the focus by two notches."
As Tamara operated it, she spoke in a flat, level tone: "Your tripod isn't level. In this wind speed, the slightest vibration in the barrel will cause you to misidentify the stars' positions."
She leaned down, glanced through the eyepiece, and after confirming the image was clear, she stood up straight.
"Alright, look now."
Hannah was stunned. She stared blankly at Tamara, then at the telescope that was no longer shaking.
"I... I..."
"Stop babbling and look," Tamara urged impatiently, "unless you want Professor Sinistra to give you a T."
Hannah hurriedly leaned in.
"Wow... I see it! It's so clear!" Hannah cried out in surprise, turning to look at Tamara with sparkling eyes. "Thank you! Riddle!"
Tamara glanced at the bottle of ink in Hannah's hand, which had turned viscous. "Is the ink frozen?"
"Ye... yes." Hannah sniffled, somewhat embarrassed, hiding her beet-red hands behind her back. "And my hands are... a bit stiff."
Tamara looked at those hands, which were frozen like carrots.
This Hufflepuff was dressed very thinly, clearly having underestimated the temperature of the tower at night.
"What a nuisance."
Tamara sighed in her heart.
She reached out and unwound the thick Slytherin scarf, embroidered with silver patterns, from her own neck.
Though she was very cold herself, and the moment she removed the scarf, the cold wind rushed into her collar, making her unable to suppress a shiver.
But she endured it through sheer force of will, her face maintaining that same unfathomable indifference.
"Put it on."
She wrapped the scarf, still carrying her body heat, around Hannah's neck without allowing for argument, even tightening the bow that was about to fall off.
"Tuck your hands into your sleeves and use this pen."
Tamara thrust her own Self-warming Quill into Hannah's hand.
Hannah Abbott was completely dumbfounded.
She felt the warmth on her neck, and a faint, cool fragrance lingered at the tip of her nose.
She looked at the black-haired girl before her, who was dressed only in a thin robe and appeared somewhat frail in the cold wind, yet whose gaze was incredibly firm.
In that instant, Tamara Riddle's image in her eyes transformed from "scary Slytherin" to "angel descended to earth."
"Ta... Tamara..." Hannah was so moved her tears were about to fall again. "Aren't you cold?"
"No."
Tamara lied without changing her expression, even though her lips had already turned slightly pale. "I am used to maintaining clarity in all sorts of harsh environments."
"It's called willpower."
The surrounding Hufflepuffs were all staring in shock.
Was this really that legendary Slytherin who was arrogant, cold, and looked down on everyone?
She actually gave her scarf to Hannah?
Even Draco and Pansy over there had their mouths hanging open in surprise.
"What... what is she doing?" Pansy asked in disbelief. "How could Tamara give her scarf to someone like that!"
"This is a matter of level, Pansy."
Draco looked at Tamara's back thoughtfully, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes. "A true noble is not only ruthless toward themselves but can also show mercy to... er, to commoners. It's called... what was it again?"
"Chivalry?" Goyle added foolishly.
"Shut up, that's a Gryffindor word," Draco glared at him. "It's called the art of leadership!"
Tamara paid no attention to the chatter behind her.
She watched Hannah clumsily begin to draw, and finally, that pleasant voice rang in her mind.
[Ding! Mission Completed: Warm Sun on a Winter Night.]
[Using the most primitive method, you have earned the most sincere gratitude.]
[Reward: Wisdom +1.]
[Current Wisdom: 20.]
[Congratulations host! Wisdom attribute has reached a milestone threshold!]
[System rewards being issued...]
[Unlocked Passive Skill: Elementary Occlumency.]
[Skill Description: Your thoughts will no longer be like an open book. You can construct basic mental barriers to resist external prying and Legilimency.]
[While it cannot yet block old monsters of Dumbledore's level, it is sufficient for dealing with general prying.]
Tamara's pupils contracted slightly.
Finally.
She could feel that her mental world, which had been nakedly exposed, now seemed to have an additional invisible film. Though this layer was still fragile, it gave her a long-lost sense of security.
Giving away that scarf was well worth it.
Back on the Slytherin side, Draco immediately took off his thick cashmere scarf and handed it to Tamara eagerly.
"Here, Tamara. It's not as nice as yours, but it's warm."
Tamara looked at Draco, then at the scarf.
This time, she did not refuse.
"Thank you, Draco."