Tom finally understood the saying: things reverse when they reach the extreme.
Yesterday had been smooth sailing. One triumph after another. Yet once the clock passed midnight, fate slapped him back into reality. Hard. No warning. No warm-up. Just straight into a disaster.
The corridor fell into a dead, suffocating silence.
Penelope, facing away from the doorway, hadn't noticed a thing. She remained there, savoring what she believed to be a tender, private moment.
Cho Chang, however, had walked into a scene she would be remembering until the day she died. She could only stare, frozen, as if lightning had struck her thoughts into ash.
Beside her, Marietta Edgecombe breathed rapidly, cheeks burning red. She was angry on Cho's behalf… but even more than that, she was dazzled by the drama of it all.
And what a drama it was.
She knew Cho and Tom had been getting closer. Cho had disappeared multiple times lately, hours at a time, only returning right before curfew. Marietta didn't even need to ask. The answer was written all over Cho's face.
And now, at midnight, searching for a snack, Marietta had walked straight into… this. A jackpot. A front-row ticket to emotional carnage.
Would Cho attack?
Could she beat Penelope, a prefect?
Would Tom step in?
Would spells fly?
Should she help Cho?
What if Tom helped Penelope instead?
Questions slammed into her mind all at once, and her brain short-circuited.
Tom let out a breath. Seeing Cho standing there like a stunned statue, he chose to speak first.
"Cho. Out so late, where are you heading?"
Only then did Penelope turn around. She spotted the two girls, yelped softly, and withdrew from Tom like she'd been scalded, hands wringing in anxious guilt.
"We came… to watch a show," Cho replied, voice drifting like the undead. "Otherwise how could we witness such a heartwarming scene?"
Marietta stepped back instinctively. She had never seen Cho like this. The quiet girl, usually gentle as a breeze, now resembled an elegant ghost prepared to curse someone into oblivion.
Penelope frowned slightly, her gaze flickering between Tom and Cho, unsure how to interpret the situation.
Tom sighed again, as though burdened by yet another headache.
"Well, since you caught us, you'll have to keep this a secret."
Cho blinked at him, stunned a second time.
Secret?
From her?
She was the one who shouldn't know!
Tom continued, tone perfectly calm.
"You can't let anyone find out that after the attack, Penelope developed trauma from the basilisk incident. You know she was the only victim. Tonight's hug was just her finally letting go of her fear after learning I'd killed it. She's a prefect, she needs to maintain authority. You're smart and considerate. I'm sure you understand, right?"
Silence.
Then realization lit Cho's brain. She replayed the logic.
…It made sense. Too much sense.
Penelope had nearly died. Tom had saved her. If she were in Penelope's place, wouldn't she be emotional too? Maybe she would have hugged him harder. Maybe kissed him, even…
Immediately, guilt took over her anger. She felt foolish for assuming anything else.
Tom asked again, gently, as if nothing had happened.
"Anyway… Cho, where are you two headed?"
"Ah… well, Marietta and I were hungry. We were going to the kitchen for something to eat."
"Then hurry," Tom nodded. "Sleeping hungry is miserable. Watch out for Filch and Mrs. Norris, they're patrolling the third floor. I'm heading back. Good night."
He nodded politely to all three and walked away with unhurried steps. He didn't run. He didn't rush. But he vanished faster than any of them could react.
Downstairs, Tom wiped the cold sweat off his forehead.
He had just escaped a battlefield.
A real one.
And he had barely survived.
If Fleur or Daphne walked into a situation like this…
Dearest, this life was too short. It was good knowing you…
...
In the staff dormitory, Hagrid's hounds-snoring and massive rumble somehow aligned with Tom's dread. The man jerked upright, sneezed loudly… then fell right back asleep.
Meanwhile above, Penelope finally spoke, sweet smile, eyes gleaming with mischief.
She hadn't expected Tom to have a budding connection in Ravenclaw. The discovery delighted her more than it upset her.
"Cho, remember… keep this a secret." She winked and disappeared through the bronze door.
Cho stood stiffly, brain still working overtime.
She turned to Marietta. "Is… what Tom said true?"
Marietta sighed, shaking her head like a wise old sage.
"Cho, anything Tom says is probably true. For now. But think about it. A near-death rescue, plus Tom's looks, talent, reputation… do you think Penelope might start liking him?"
Cho paled instantly.
She had already been struggling against Daphne, how could another competitor suddenly appear? And not just anyone… Penelope Clearwater. Popular. Smart. High-ranking. Rumored to have rejected Percy Weasley.
"What do I do?" Cho whispered, panic rising.
Marietta patted her shoulder solemnly.
"I don't know. Your situation is beyond me. Let me read a few romance novels first. Maybe I'll figure out a plan."
Cho stared at her.
Marietta sighed again.
"Love is war. I need to study strategy."
...