Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

"Hey, what are you thinking about?" Hermione patted Tom on the shoulder. "You still haven't told me what Professor Snape taught you?"

Hermione was quite upset that Tom got all the credit for her work, even though she did it all herself.

“Evil dark magic.” Tom thought about the effects of the Shadow Slash and explained to Hermione, “Professor Snape was worried that I would be targeted by the Voidman. You know, so far I’m the only student in the school who has ever crossed eyes with the Voidman, and I even gave him a little beating. There might be retaliation later.”

Hermione had heard this news many times, but she was still shocked every time she heard it.

"How exactly did you defeat the mysterious man? Wasn't he supposed to be... terrifying?"

Tom, back then... I mean, did you feel scared, and what was it like fighting him?

Hermione the kitten was very curious, and her eyes lit up.

"Calm down, the mysterious person isn't as terrifying as you think."

Tom was fairly confident. If he were to face Professor Quirrell now, he wouldn't be able to guarantee a complete victory, but he should at least be evenly matched!

"I also want to ask you..."

Hermione's words caught in her throat as she looked at the distant scenery.

Hogsmeade Village, here we come!

It's far less luxurious than Hogwarts, and not as technologically advanced as London, but people come and go, wizards hold their wands, and pedestrians mingle.

Christmas is just around the corner, and Hogsmeade Village is filled with warmth—the Elegant Wizarding Clothing Shop is packed with young and adorable wizards.

They held hands, their breaths creating white mist that rose and fell like little elves, repeating the motion endlessly.

Hermione's eyes sparkled: "Tom, do you see that? That's practically the largest chain of wizard costume stores in all of Britain! I've read in books that many noble wizards buy their costumes here."

The book also says that if they buy a scarf for their loved one at Christmas, Cupid will bind them together, and they will never be separated.

“That’s all a lie.” Tom exposed the shop’s lie without hesitation: “Look there.”

He pointed to a sign at the entrance of the Elegant Wizard Clothing Store, above which was a small pink creature that looked like Cupid, except that it was constantly scattering white crystals downwards.

"That little thing knows how to create an atmosphere. As soon as it sees a couple walking into the store, it will secretly sprinkle a bit of love powder on them. Look, look, the breath they exhale has turned into heart shapes. It's outrageous that they would use this method to attract customers!"

Hermione: "..."

Tom! Honeydukes Candy Shop!

They not only sell a wide variety of sweets, but also homemade fudge and extra-large chocolate bars. It's a favorite candy shop for every Hogwarts student, and the prices are incredibly reasonable—you can buy a whole bag of sweets for less than 1 Galleon!

Tom: "A big bag of candy probably costs less than 3 sisas. They really know how to make money."

Hermione: "Lady Patiffe's Tea House! I heard there are little angels in this tea house who will bless every couple who goes on a date here on Valentine's Day."

Tom: "Yeah, I saw the shopkeeper's golden fat angels. They're constantly throwing candy at the customers. Wow, I have to open a few shops like that someday. They must make a lot of Galleons a year."

No matter how Hermione introduced the shops, Tom, who was usually so clever, seemed to have no clue and completely ruined the atmosphere.

Hermione thought it was romantic and an enviable atmosphere, but in Tom's words... it seemed to be just a tool for unscrupulous merchants to make money.

"Kids, we need to land now. We can't keep flying any further." The flying motorcycle glided coolly to their side, and Hagrid pointed to the ground below, signaling them to land quickly.

Holding down the front, Tom's control over the fire bolt was already masterful. With a cool drift, he returned to the ground with Hermione's scream.

Once on the ground, the two began a chase, with Hermione chasing and Tom running away, but her delicate little fists still couldn't land on Tom.

"What a wonderful pair of friends," Hagrid remarked. He nodded, never feeling jealous of the children's happiness, only remembering his own time studying at Hogwarts...

"Little ones, come with me."

Hermione finally seized the opportunity and slapped Tom on the back—but Tom's back was full of muscles, and Hermione ended up clutching her palm in pain after the slap.

Three Brooms Bar.

This is the pub most frequented by Hogwarts students. The warm orange light brings a touch of warmth to the winter day. The three of them sit down at a small round table. Hermione, like a curious child, keeps looking around at the unfamiliar environment.

“I’d like a glass of iced soda, kids. What would you like?” Hagrid raised his hand and spoke to the store manager, Ms. Rosmerta.

Hermione: "Lemonade!"

Tom: "A butterbeer and a hot mead, please."

Tom didn't look or act like a first-grader at all, so much so that Mrs. Rosmerta thought he was a seasoned drinker.

However, Mrs. Rosmerta noticed Hermione and asked Hagrid with a puzzled look, "Mr. Rupert, who is this young lady...?"

"Hermione Granger, a freshman, I have two little helpers to assist me this time."

Ms. Rosmerta smiled knowingly.

This is a bug; Hogsmeade Village only stated that students below the third year were not allowed to come for tourism, but they came as Hagrid's assistants, not for tourism.

"Hello ma'am, I'm Tom Riddle. The atmosphere in your store is lovely. It's so cold outside, but it feels so warm as soon as I came in."

Ms. Rosmerta smiled kindly: "I'm glad to hear your praise, Mr. Riddle. I hope your mission goes well. I'll go get you some wine."

After the drinks were served to the three of them, Hagrid crossed his arms and became serious: "Tom, Hermione, you will need to stay at the Three Broomsticks until I return. I won't take too long, at most three hours. I hope you can be patient."

When I get back, I can take you on a short tour of Hogsmeade Village. Of course, I have to be there; you know the rules, and I can't break them.

Hermione asked doubtfully, "Don't we need to do anything?"

“Of course you need to,” Hagrid laughed. “Before I return, you need to fill your stomachs and make sure you don’t go hungry or get cold. After I return, you need to keep yourselves happy and explore Hogsmeade Village thoroughly. Children, this is Albus’s gift—a gift for two hardworking children.”

After saying that, Hagrid finished his soda in one gulp and left the bar. Before leaving, he told Ms. Rosmerta to help take care of the two children.

Ms. Rosmerta, of course, did not refuse. She liked every child at Hogwarts and also had a good relationship with the Hogwarts professors.

……

“Tom,” Hermione said curiously, glancing at the glass in Tom’s hand, “what does butterbeer taste like? I’ve heard that a lot of students like butterbeer, but I’ve never had it before.”

Tom licked his lips, savoring the taste. "Hmm... it's hard to describe. It's a little sweet, a little astringent, but not much bitterness. Would you like to try some?"

Hermione: "!"

"Would you like to try some mulled mead?"

Hermione: "!!!"

Chapter 44 A Huge Secret (3k-word chapter, please read, vote, and recommend!)

Hogwarts.

The Gryffindor children looked gloomy.

They initially thought Professor Snape was in a good mood today.

Hermione Granger didn't come to class today. If it were Professor Snape in the past, even if Hermione had asked for leave, he would have given her a severe scolding for Gryffindor's lazy nature and then deducted a lot of points.

But not today—which is why they think Professor Snape is in a good mood today.

But clearly, these poor little guys were wrong.

Professor Snape wasn't just in a bad mood, he was in a terrible mood!

"Bro! Mr! Snape!" Snape unleashed the first strike. "Miss Granger didn't come to class today. I hope that without Miss Granger, you'll have enough luck to avoid any mistakes in your potion experiments!"

"Mr. Weasley, please use your red hair to think carefully about whether we should be adding dung at this stage! Are you and Poot wasting my materials?! Redo it!!!"

Malfoy lowered his head, unable to suppress the smile on his lips, which he secretly grinned at.

Malfoy had absolutely no liking for Harry and Ron, not even a tiny bit, not even a Cocoa Bean's worth—especially after learning that the two of them were always hanging around Hermione, he disliked them even more.

"Mr. Malfoy, I hope you can control your smile. Did you do a perfect job?"

The third sword struck Slytherin, specifically Malfoy.

Immediately, everyone unconsciously straightened their chests.

This Potions class is a trial!

Even Malfoy got criticized; we can't let our guard down!

A class lasts only two hours, but they feel as if two years have passed.

Professor Snape's gaze was like that of an eagle, watching over every student and deducting points severely for even the slightest mistake.

After enduring two long hours, the moment Professor Snape left the classroom, the Slytherin and Gryffindor students immediately slumped their shoulders.

"Has Professor Snape taken the wrong medicine today?!" Ron chattered. "He wasn't this angry even when Tom was sick. Is Tom dead?"

Harry rolled his eyes at Ron: "Don't say that, but do you know why Hermione took the day off?"

"No, we can ask Lavender."

Lavender is Hermione's roommate, and Ron thinks they should know that.

When they approached Lavender, he shook his head: "Hermione was already dressed when she woke up this morning, and she spent half an hour admiring herself in the mirror. I've never seen Hermione dress up so carefully."

Perhaps you could ask Tom; Tom and Hermione are very close, and they seem to have no secrets between them.

Shouldn't I be the one with no secrets between me and Hermione?

Harry felt a pang of jealousy, but he retorted, "Hermione's with us all the time, and even we don't know, how could Tom possibly know?"

Parvati yawned: "Hermione and Tom went on a trip to Hogsmeade Village... oh no, they went to be punished together."

I almost let it slip.

What tourism? Mr. Dumbledore told Hermione with a serious face that they were going out on a mission.

They also specifically instructed me to return to the dormitory before curfew.

How long can a task take to complete? An hour? Two hours? What to do with the remaining time...? It goes without saying.

“Hogsmeade Village?” Ron questioned. “How is that possible? They’re only first graders! That’s impossible!”

"It's impossible for us ordinary little wizards, of course, but you can go out and find out what's been going on these past two days, and also find out who will be at the Christmas party soon." After saying that, Parvati yawned and pulled her friends back to the dormitory to catch up on sleep.

……

In just one morning, quite a few rumors circulated at Hogwarts.

"Hey, have you heard? Professor Snape...yes, the head of Slytherin, he seems to have a bastard son who just started his first year. What's his name...Tom Riddle."

"Aren't these surnames different? Who is Riddle?"

"The first-year Ravenclaw student, the adorable Tom that Professor Sprout always talks about, is him. You can see Tom at the Christmas ball."

"Isn't he a first-year student?!"