Tom explained the Marauder's Map to Ginny with his usual calm precision , how it could reveal every inch of Hogwarts, every secret corridor, and every person within the castle, identified by name and location.
Ginny's eyes grew wider and wider with each word, until she practically gasped.
"George and Fred had something that amazing all this time?!" she exploded, her freckled cheeks turning pink with outrage. "And they never told me?!"
Tom shrugged, utterly unbothered. "That's normal. You should've figured it out by now, shouldn't you? Fred and George are brothers , to each other. The rest of you, you, Percy… you're more like cousins who just happen to live under the same roof."
Ginny froze, her protest dying on her lips.
And , Merlin help her , he was right.
Fred and George were practically one entity. If you saw one, the other was guaranteed to appear within seconds, like a mirrored reflection with a laugh. At home, they were always locked away in their little workshop, giggling over some new prank or explosive invention.
It wasn't that they didn't love their family , they just lived in their own little universe of mischief.
At school, they were even worse , always surrounded by their friends, plotting, joking, completely forgetting they had a little sister at all.
"…Fine," she muttered at last. "But how do you know about it?"
Tom smiled faintly. "I saw them using it one night during one of my… walks."
Ginny tilted her head, suspicious. "Hold on. You said the map shows people's names and positions, right? So if you were close enough to see them using it , how did they not see you on it?"
Her eyes narrowed. "That doesn't add up."
Tom's lips curved upward. "Because," he said smoothly, "I placed a protective curse on my name. A wizard's name can be a dangerous thing , a bridge for enchantments, hexes, or curses. Naturally, I took precautions. Any form of revealing magic, including that map, simply… doesn't register me."
Ginny blinked, staring at him like he'd just recited an incantation in Ancient Greek. "You, you actually cursed your own name?!"
He nodded. "Of course. It's basic safety."
"Basic safety?!" she repeated incredulously. "That's not basic! That's, that's something out of the Department of Mysteries! You're twelve!"
Tom just gave her a look , the kind that said, and your point is?
In truth, she didn't know the half of it. For this Tom Riddle, sealing his name was just routine maintenance , like brushing his teeth before bed.
"Well," he said, straightening his collar, "if you don't believe me, get the map and check for yourself."
Ginny crossed her arms, thoughtful. "I'll need time. I can't just ask for it , they never share their inventions. I'll have to… hold something over their heads."
The calculating look on her face was unmistakable , and unsettlingly familiar.
Tom's brow twitched. Merlin's beard, he thought. She's starting to sound like me.
If he didn't have Voldemort's diary in his pocket, he might've wondered if the Dark Lord's spirit had somehow found a way to whisper in her ear again.
She grinned suddenly. "So when I get the map, what's my reward?"
Tom thought for a moment, then said, "A Nimbus 2001."
Her mouth dropped open. "You're, you're serious?!"
He nodded. "I've got an extra. Malfoy gifted me one, and old Newt Scamander gave me a custom broom that's better than both combined. So… it's yours."
Ginny let out a squeal of delight , one that could've probably shattered glass if Tom hadn't slapped a hand over her mouth in time.
"Quiet," he hissed. "Earn it first. Then you can scream."
"Thank you," she said brightly. "Just wait for my good news!"
With a toss of her braid, she skipped away toward the Great Hall, humming under her breath.
,
Before he could follow her inside, Professor Rouse appeared, beaming as though he'd just won the Wizarding Lottery.
"Ah, Mr. Riddle!" Rouse said cheerfully, striding up to him. "Standing out here like a sentry? Come along , today's a big day!"
Tom raised a brow. "It's done already? That fast?"
"Indeed," Rouse said, his grin widening. "Everyone loved the proposal. When wizards see potential, things move quickly. Now, come , you'll want to hear this."
The man strode into the hall, and moments later, Dumbledore appeared at the high table , an unusual sight during dinner.
He clapped his hands once, and the chatter dwindled instantly.
"Students," Dumbledore began, his voice echoing with its usual gentle authority, "before you finish your meal, I would ask that you remain seated a few moments longer. I have an announcement to make."
The words alone were enough to glue every student to their seat. Even the ones halfway to the door froze mid-step and scrambled back.
Ten minutes later, the golden plates cleared themselves with a soft chime.
Hundreds of faces turned toward the Head Table.
Dumbledore smiled, eyes twinkling behind his half-moon glasses. "For many years, Hogwarts has prided itself on being an open, inclusive institution , one that embraces magic in all its forms. But there are always new perspectives to explore, new talents to learn from."
He glanced to his right. "Professor Rouse's arrival reminded us of this truth , that the magic of other schools can be as valuable to us as our own."
Rouse rose with theatrical flair, waving at the students like a celebrity. His golden robes shimmered in the candlelight, and several younger witches actually giggled.
Tom nearly rolled his eyes. Fantastic. Another Lockhart wannabe.
Dumbledore continued, "Over the winter holidays, Professor Wilkinson worked tirelessly to contact several magical institutions across Europe. And thanks to his efforts, we have come to a remarkable agreement , a collaboration that will mark a new chapter in Hogwarts' history."
A murmur rippled through the hall.
Fred Weasley couldn't take it anymore. "So what is it, Professor? Are students from other schools coming here or what?"
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "Ah, Mr. Weasley, with that wit and curiosity, I daresay you were sorted into the wrong house. Ravenclaw would've adored you."
The hall erupted in laughter.
Tom smirked. He's got a point. Fred and George in Ravenclaw? That place would burn down within a week.
But even amidst the laughter, the question hung in the air , heavy with anticipation.
Because whatever this collaboration was, one thing was certain:
Something big was about to shake Hogwarts to its very core.