𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐌𝐒, ᵗᵒᵐ ʳⁱᵈᵈˡᵉ. ✓

026.

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The last day of their fifth year at Hogwarts had arrived. The castle, always so full of life, now seemed oddly quiet as students packed their trunks and said their goodbyes. Tom Riddle stood near the entrance to the Great Hall, his expression unreadable as he watched the bustling crowd of students heading toward the train station. The school year had been one of triumph for him—he had solidified his place as a top student, won more followers, and delved deeper into his studies of magic, particularly the darker arts that fascinated him so much. But now, as the year came to a close, his thoughts were already on the next steps—plans he couldn't yet reveal, even to those who were loyal to him.

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Among the crowd, Daphne Rose moved with quiet grace, her Slytherin scarf loosely hanging around her neck as she exchanged a few pleasantries with her friends. Like Tom, Daphne had an air of calm and control, though hers was softer, less imposing. She had always been able to navigate the complex web of social dynamics within Slytherin's house with a quiet strength that intrigued Tom. Unlike many others who clung to him for power or fear, Daphne never seemed intimidated by him. She treated him as an equal, something he didn't entirely dislike.

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As the students boarded the Hogwarts Express, the bright red train glistening under the mid-June sun, Tom lingered near the back, waiting until most of the others had found their compartments. He had little interest in idle chatter or sitting with his usual followers for the long journey home. His mind was restless, full of half-formed plans and questions about the mysteries he had yet to unravel.

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He was about to find an empty compartment when he spotted Daphne standing near one of the train doors, her suitcase in hand, looking out over the platform. There was a slight frown on her face as if she were lost in thought. Tom hesitated for a moment, considering just passing by, but something compelled him to stop. "Daphne," he said smoothly, his voice cutting through the din of students around them. She turned to look at him, her expression softening when she recognized him. "Tom," she greeted, a small smile playing on her lips. "On your way to find a quiet compartment, I assume?" He inclined his head slightly. "I was."

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There was a brief pause, the noise of the platform fading slightly as they both stood there, neither making a move to board. Finally, Daphne glanced toward the door of the train, then back at him. "Mind if I join you?" she asked, her tone casual, but there was a hint of something more in her eyes—an invitation to something more than just sitting together on the train. An invitation to talk, to peel back some of the layers of mystery that surrounded them both. Tom studied her for a moment, calculating. He wasn't one to waste time on idle conversation, but with Daphne, it was different. She was perceptive, and more than that, she was intelligent in a way that intrigued him. She wasn't one of his mindless followers, eager for his approval; she was someone who could challenge him, someone he could learn from in her way.

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