Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

"Of course I allow it! I look forward to your performance at the ball. Wait a moment, I'll write you a letter. Professor Albus will understand me, and he will understand you too."

In less than half an hour, Tom had a letter in his hand.

Hermione stared in disbelief at the scene.

Is that right...?

No, she did use Tom's body, but her relationship with Professor Sprout was completely different.

"Tom, does Professor Sprout know about what's going on between us? I mean... well, you know."

"I don't know," Tom said, puzzled. "Why would you ask that?"

“I feel like the treatment is a bit unfair,” Hermione said in a low voice. “Although Professor Sprout was very welcoming to me, she wasn’t this… this happy! I thought you were her son.”

Tom laughed and said, "You're just being sarcastic. Go ask Ron what his status is at home. No mother is ever this enthusiastic towards her son."

"So how do you... just... become so likable?"

Tom thought about it seriously this time: "Actually, it's quite simple. When you meet a lady, praise her for being beautiful; when you meet a man, praise him for being capable. Praise whatever good qualities he has. Of course, the premise is that you have to leave a good impression on him."

No one in this world can resist praise. Don't let Professor Snape's seemingly resentful expression fool you; he's secretly quite pleased.

Hermione thought about it seriously for a while, then asked, "What if you encounter someone who has no redeeming qualities? Like Malfoy."

Objectively speaking, Draco Malfoy is not ugly at all; in fact, he is quite handsome.

With his dazzling blond hair and almost flawless face, he's already a heartthrob even at a young age.

Once he reached his peak, Malfoy would never lack dance partners at the Christmas ball.

He was indeed quite handsome—but because Hermione had a very bad impression of him, he had already been labeled as such.

“Call him cute.” Tom answered without hesitation. “The word ‘cute’ is versatile and can be used for both boys and girls without feeling out of place.”

Hermione nodded thoughtfully, then immediately put her newfound knowledge to use: "Tom, you're so cute."

"Thank you for your compliment. It is an honor for you to dance with such a lovely child as me on the dance floor at the Christmas dinner. I hope you cherish this opportunity."

Hermione: "?"

Why isn't he playing by the rules? Shouldn't Tom have understood what he meant?

“What I mean is…” Hermione started to say, but then she saw the teasing look in Tom’s eyes.

That bastard knew exactly what was going on; he was just messing with me!

……

After Professor Sprout agreed, Professor Flitwick naturally agreed to Tom's request as well.

This is Tom Riddle.

The most outstanding genius in the first grade!

Flitwick was the headmaster of Ravenclaw, and he readily agreed to his most senior disciple's request.

Flitwick even asked Tom if he was tired from the recent classes, mentioning that he had just recovered from a cold and it was okay if he didn't come to the next class...

Tom was already being fed a small meal, but he refused because he was not one to accept handouts.

He declared righteously that his favorite teacher was Professor Flitwick, and therefore he would not miss any Charms class!

They have already secured three of the four available professorships.

Hermione stared at the envelope in her hand, hardly believing her eyes. She quickly regained her composure and stuffed the envelope into her bag. "Should we go see Professor Dumbledore or Professor McGonagall first?"

“Professor McGonagall, if we can’t persuade Professor McGonagall, then it won’t matter if Professor Dumbledore agrees.”

Whether you can persuade Professor McGonagall is up to you.

Hermione pouted: "Tch, I don't want to go to any ball. That would take up two weeks of my time learning to dance. I'm not as smart as you. I need time to learn."

"Dance is also knowledge."

"Not interested—" Hermione drawled out the last syllable, but her footsteps were anything but slow.

The highest mountain and the longest river in the Hogwarts world—Minerva McGonagall.

A woman who couldn't tolerate the slightest imperfection was in her office, adjusting her glasses: "Hermione, Tom? You two little ones, what brings you here?"

“Professor McGonagall, I think… no, we want to attend the Christmas ball. I know it’s against the rules, but… please, Professor McGonagall!”

How could this be...

Tom secretly wiped the sweat from his brow.

However, it does suit Hermione. If one day Hermione isn't as straightforward as she is now, then she really should change her name to Hermione Riddle.

As expected, Professor McGonagall rejected Hermione.

"No, Hogwarts has never had a precedent for this. No matter what you say, it's not allowed. First-year students are absolutely not allowed to participate in the Christmas Ball!"

"Your primary task right now should be..." Professor McGonagall wanted to say that they should practice magic diligently, but when she thought of the two people standing in front of her, she rubbed her temples. These two were different from the other students.

In her class alone, Tom and Hermione were enough to leave everyone else a Diagon Alley behind.

Perhaps they just wanted to relax?

Shouldn't the ball also be...?

No!

Rules are rules, and established rules will not be changed just because two children work hard.

"In short, I absolutely cannot agree to this. Hermione, Tom, you can go back now."

……

After leaving Professor McGonagall's office, Hermione stood by the window, her shoulders seemed to tremble slightly, and she remained silent.

Tom patted Hermione on the shoulder: "Never mind, we'll have another chance when we're in third grade."

Tom's original intention was just to torment Hermione a little, and he has already seen many of her amusing reactions today.

As for the ball... Tom didn't really have any ideas at first, he just wanted to tease Hermione.

Besides, Hermione doesn't seem to like it either, so it's best not to force it...

Tom suddenly paused.

The sunlight outside the window was soft and gentle, falling on Hermione's face like flower petals.

Her brown eyes dimmed instantly.

Tom loved Hermione's eyes—they were big and made him happy whether she was crying or laughing.

Of course, Tom was the one who made himself cry; he still couldn't quite accept it if someone else made him cry.

"Do you want to go to the dance?" Tom asked in a low voice.

“I don’t want to…” Hermione replied in a low voice as well.

She raised her head, brushed her bangs back with both hands and tucked them behind her ears, forcing a smile: "I'm so happy Professor McGonagall didn't agree."

I thought I was going to a dance with you, that's terrible!

When I reach the third grade, the most handsome wizard will come to greet me and invite me to join him. He will wait for my reply.

Okay, I have to go. There are two overgrown babies in the dorm waiting for me to bring them things. This is all your fault; maybe you should come to the cafeteria with me!

"it is good."

Tom escorted Hermione to the dormitory entrance and helped her inside. Before entering the dormitory, Hermione waved to Tom and said, "Get some rest. You look even worse than Professor Snape."

"The troll is standing next to you; you are the troll."

After saying that, Hermione didn't wait for Tom's reply and went straight into the dormitory.

The two girls in their dorm seemed to have nothing to do, and Hermione could still see them fooling around when she came back.

“Hermione, want to play Charoen’s Magic Cards with us?” Lavender asked Hermione, waving his hand.

"Today... never mind, maybe next time, I'm a little tired."

After saying that, Hermione lay down on the bed.

Lavender and the other exchanged a glance. One of them shrugged, while the other gestured toward Hermione, indicating whether they should ask her what had happened.

The other person shook their head, indicating not to interfere with Hermione, but they also stopped playing cards—after all, there was still a heartbroken girl in the dormitory.

……

"Tom, what are you doing here?" Dumbledore, with a kind smile on his face, stood beside Tom. "You don't look well; perhaps you should get some rest."

“That’s not important.” Tom shook his head. “Professor, tell me, shouldn’t a proper man fulfill a friend’s small wish?”

"Perhaps, if your friend's wish is positive and won't have a negative impact on those around her, I think that would make her very happy."

“Oh, I see. Professor Dumbledore, are you free now? I’d like to ask you for a favor.”

Chapter 41: Dressed as a Woman! (3k-word chapter, please read, vote, and recommend!)

"So this is where you were waiting for me. Come in, little one... No, I should give you respect. Please come in, gentle young man."

The layout of Dumbledore's office was no different from before.

Fox still looked sickly, and Dumbledore said it was about to be reborn, that every phoenix is ​​reborn every now and then.

Tom, as always, asked Dumbledore if he could sell Fawkes to him.

They were both joking around, and after a brief laugh, nothing more happened.

The Sorting Hat sat quietly on the bookshelf, and greeted Tom when it saw him.

"So, young man, what would you like to ask?" Dumbledore asked, his arms crossed, his expression unchanged.

“Professor Dumbledore, Hermione and I would like to attend this year’s Christmas party. I know that first-year students are not allowed to attend according to the rules, but if I can get all the signatures of the heads of houses, could you make an exception?”

Hermione and I really wanted to go to the ball. We're just kids, and it's such a fascinating place—you know, we're incredibly curious.

“Of course,” Dumbledore said with a smile. “I wouldn’t mind if Hogwarts made a good impression on every student. It’s a welcoming place, and you should all cheer with your friends.”

After listening, Tom said seriously, "Okay, Professor, I understand. I have one more question, but before that, I would like to ask you first: do you dislike a somewhat despicable little fellow?"

I need to ask you this question first, because that way I'll know how to bring it up later.