Hogwarts: Hermione and I switched identities!

George waved to Hermione: "Hey, Tom... Hey? Tom, you're at school? I thought you went out with Hermione."

"Out?" Hermione muttered the word. "She went out?"

“Yes, they’ve already left Hogwarts through the secret passage and are probably in Hogsmeade Village now, with Cho Chang. I know.” George’s lips curled up. “Are you worried about disturbing the girls’ relationships? I know that feeling.”

Do not……

Hermione shouted in her mind.

I just didn't know they went to Hogsmeade together!

How can Tom be so bold? Didn't he encounter the mysterious man in Hogsmeade Village before?

Isn't he afraid that the mysterious man is still in Hogsmeade Village, just waiting for him to return?

What a fool!

He even brought Senior Zhang Qiu along. He'll definitely lure her to the Three Brooms Bar and trick her into drinking mead or butterbeer.

That wretched Tom! How dare he use my body to do such a thing!

Hermione was frantic. She paced back and forth near the Whomping Willow, but didn't enter its area; she just watched from a distance.

The Weasley twins told her about the secret passage, and although Hermione didn't know how they knew about it, she still waited there.

Just before dinner time, the two small figures sneaked out of the secret passage.

Tom turned and left immediately upon seeing Hermione, without saying a word to her.

Hermione struggled but only managed to stop Cho Chang.

"Senior, what did you and Tang... what did you do with that guy?"

Zhang Qiu coughed and said, "Sorry, Hermione told me not to tell you, but you'll find out by Christmas. It'll be soon, just a week away. You can wait."

You'll know by Christmas...

I want to know right now!

Hermione scratched her head anxiously, but Cho Chang kept her mouth shut and didn't tell her a word.

Watching Zhang Qiu leave, Hermione squatted on the ground, gritting her teeth.

Those two annoying guys!

No, no, no, I don't hate you, senior. What I hate is that bastard Tom. You must have been corrupted by Tom.

Tom is such a bad influence on everyone!

……

Christmas is fast approaching.

Hermione was getting increasingly irritable.

These days, Tom and Zhang Qiu have been avoiding her, and even if they make eye contact, they will immediately look away.

Tom was alright; he would still sneak up on us and chatter on and on.

But Senior Zhang Qiu completely ignored her.

Moreover, her rosy cheeks made it impossible to guess what Senior Zhang Qiu was thinking.

one night.

Hermione lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling.

She became unusually nervous.

Terry and Li Sue were still awake in the dorm. They poked their heads out and asked Hermione, "Tom, you're going to the ball the day after tomorrow. Are you a little nervous?"

It's impossible not to be nervous...

Hermione nodded. "A little."

Li Su yawned: "But Tom, you've been acting a bit strange lately. If it were the usual you, you'd probably sneak out to practice ballroom dancing even in the middle of the night."

Think about it, you're the only first-years attending the dance. They'll definitely enjoy watching us first-years more than the older students.

Tsk tsk, if you jump well, your names will be remembered throughout the entire Hogwarts School.

Every time a new first-year student arrived at Hogwarts, the ghost professors would proudly recount how brilliant a student named Tom Riddle had been during a certain Christmas, mentioning that his dance partner was Hermione Granger, the prettiest girl in the first year.

As Hermione listened to his rambling, she suddenly... became even more nervous!

An unprecedented level of tension!

Yes, she overlooked one point.

Hermione initially thought everyone would just go their own way and ignore each other.

But they are the only first-year students!

How many people will pay attention to them!

"You're right, I'll start tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Terry waved his hand with a smile. "It's probably too late already. If you don't know anything about it, ballroom dancing is very difficult. Being good at it and being able to dance it are completely different levels."

Perhaps you could use your exceptional potion-making talent to concoct a potion that would make everyone forget about you.

Chapter 60 Christmas, Misha, Shadow

The day before Christmas.

Hermione got out of bed early.

She never usually gets up that early—but what Li Su said to her last night made Hermione nervous.

She had a nightmare.

Hermione dreamt that she and Tom were at a Christmas ball, and everyone stopped dancing and was watching them.

Even someone who usually performs very well had a problem and accidentally fell headfirst onto the banquet floor, completely disorganized.

Each gaze felt like a knife piercing Hermione's heart.

Hermione instantly regained consciousness.

She knew she couldn't continue like this; she had to work harder, starting today... no! Starting right now!

If Tom can't do it, then rely on yourself.

Hermione slowly raised her head, her eyes hardening.

As long as I become a dance master, isn't that enough?

Even if Tom is a complete novice, I can still use my skills to make him the most handsome young man on the dance floor.

We all have a bright future!

……

Saint Redia Welfare Home.

Christmas is approaching, and the atmosphere at the welfare home always brings a sense of peace.

The children's nights of fear became less terrifying, and even the horrifying Jack the Ripper stopped committing crimes.

Misha blew a breath, keeping a safe distance from the other children.

It's been like this ever since she could see that strange shadow.

Misha felt out of place with everyone else; she was special, the most unique.

But Misha wasn't happy; she felt a little lonely.

The loneliness wasn't much, maybe about half a cup of rock sugar added to black tea...

Misha hated herself, and she hated that shadow.

Misha glanced at the ground.

The sun was shining brightly, and my shadow stretched out from my feet, growing long, before suddenly shrinking back.

It smirked: "Why is the great Misha hiding in such a corner? If you can't find anyone to play with, you can come to me."

"Go to hell, you jerk."

The shadow leaped out of the ground and leaned against Misha's back unnoticed: "Misha, look at these people, they are so stupid and filthy. You are usually so good to them, but why... has no one noticed that your personality has changed so much lately!"

Misha, everyone deserves to die, except you, except me. We're friends, best friends.

"Don't say anymore," Misha sighed.

“Am I wrong? Sheen is a little wizard just like you, but she didn’t find anything at all. She’s even dumber than a Muggle.”

Misha: "That's enough..."

“And then there’s Tom Riddle,” the shadow rambled on. “You really like Tom, don’t you? You even secretly named yourself Misha Riddle. You want to be Tom’s sister, but what about him?”

I've been at Hogwarts alone for so long, and I haven't had much time to visit you!

You stay here every weekend, just like you do at Christmas!

You hope that one Saturday morning, Tom will appear before you, give you a big hug, and bring you a sweet pastry.

But... it has never happened before!

He didn't come back for a whole weekend, not even a whole weekend. He even went to Hogsmeade Village to play with Hermione, but he didn't come back to be with you!

"I said, that's enough!" Misha's voice was filled with anger as she glared fiercely at the shadow beside her.

Shadow placed his hand on Misha's shoulder: "Misha, I've told you before, only I understand you best. We are friends, no, we are closer than friends, even closer than family."

Misha shook her head; she didn't want to be friends with someone like that.

Tom must have something to do to not be back. He won't be back this weekend, but he'll be free next weekend. Once he gets back next weekend, he'll have some free time.

Christmas is coming soon, and Tom will have a short vacation of about a month. He will be back then.

It's definitely not as the shadow described.

Misha clenched her hands and pressed them against her chest.

That day will come; Tom isn't the kind of person who forgets himself just because he makes new friends.