Thump!
Tom had no idea what had happened outside. All he knew was that he and Ariana had just fallen onto a soft carpet.
When he lifted his head, what entered his sight was a warm, cozy room. A fireplace crackled in front of them, filling the place with gentle heat.
"Oh? Visitors? Wait… oh no—by Merlin, where did you two come from?!"
A startled woman's voice came from behind them. Tom turned around and saw a noble-looking lady dressed in a court-style gown, holding a feathered fan, sitting in a tall chair by the window and staring at them in surprise.
She was the very same woman from the portrait on the wall.
(￣▽￣) Good—looks like even if I can't talk, I can still jump into portraits.
Instead of answering immediately, Tom looked through the "window" behind her, peering back into the world outside the painting:
Filch was frantically examining the sheet Tom had vanished under, trying to see if it had been charmed; Peeves shot back and forth through the walls, looking genuinely distressed; and Mrs. Norris was sniffing around exactly where Tom had been standing, looking disturbingly enthusiastic.
(´-ω-`) Whew… lucky I slipped away fast. If that crazy cat caught me, my reputation would be ruined for life.
Filch and Peeves were manageable.
But that creepy cat? Tom would rather die again.
"Ahem, could you answer my question, dears?"
"Meow~"
Tom responded politely.
Clearly, the lady didn't understand a word.
So I still can't talk? Guess being able to speak with Ariana earlier was either because that place was special… or because I was in a weird state.
Tom pulled out his little whiteboard:
[Sorry to intrude, ma'am. We're just borrowing your portrait to hide for a moment.]
"Oh, I see. I'm Lady Margrisha. Welcome. But let me clarify one thing, dear—this is my home, not just a simple portrait.
Though I must say, being able to enter from the outside world… that makes you two quite extraordinary!"
She covered her smile with her fan, studying them with curious eyes—especially Ariana. Her brows tightened slightly the moment she looked at the girl.
[Thank you for understanding. Don't worry—we won't stay long.]
Seeing her strange expression, Tom raised an eyebrow and prepared to leave.
Outside, Filch and Mrs. Norris had already left in frustration, and only Peeves was still obsessively phasing through walls.
As long as that cat wasn't around, Tom feared nothing.
As for the lady?
(￣ω￣) People in paintings aren't real anyway. Once I'm gone, she'll reset, just like that time with Jerry…
(Obviously, he forgot how Hogwarts paintings work.)
"Wait, dear. May I ask what business takes you out this late at night? Perhaps I can offer assistance?"
Lady Margrisha hurried to stop him, clearly fascinated by this strange little cat.
And that girl… if I'm not mistaken…
Tom looked at her, confused.
Just a minute ago she didn't want to get involved.
Why the sudden enthusiasm?
But he didn't overthink it and declined directly:
[I don't think you can help with this. We're planning to visit the Headmaster—Professor Dumbledore. Oh, you should know Hogwarts, right? It's the castle your portrait is in.]
"…Darling, I've lived in this castle longer than you've been alive. Aside from the Founders themselves, no one knows Hogwarts better than we do."
With that, she rose and walked toward a small door in the corner.
"Come now. I'll take you to the Headmaster's office."
"???"
Tom stared blankly.
What was she talking about?
He meant the real Headmaster's office, not a painting version!
And where did that door come from?! It wasn't there a second ago!
Tom hesitated—until he saw, through the painting's "window," Peeves still zooming through walls like a haunted ping-pong ball.
And if Peeves caused a ruckus, there was a chance Mrs. Norris would return.
Tom shuddered.
(￣ω￣) Fine. Worst case, I'll go back the way I came.
So, carrying Ariana, he followed Lady Margrisha through the door.
The painting behind them instantly turned into an empty background in Peeves' view.
Not suspicious to him at all—he assumed the painted characters went to visit their neighbors.
Meanwhile, Tom realized something shocking:
This is… another painting? They can travel between different portraits?!
After hours of exploring Hogwarts with Jerry, he'd never realized this.
The new room was clearly part of a different corridor in Hogwarts.
"Lady Margrisha, what brings you here so late? And these two are…?"
A knight inside the painting paused mid-sword-swing, noticing the unfamiliar guests.
It was obvious he could sense Tom and Ariana didn't belong here.
"My apologies for interrupting your training, sir knight. These two young wizards wish to see the Headmaster. Would you mind if I used your painting as a shortcut?"
"But of course. It would be my honor."
The knight performed a perfect knightly bow and gestured to another door that appeared in the corner.
Lady Margrisha mirrored his courtesy, then guided Tom and Ariana through.
Just as they exited, Tom caught a glimpse of a familiar figure—but he didn't have time to look closely before they were swept into the next painting.
After traveling through six different portraits, they stepped through the final door.
There, with his back turned to them, stood a white-bearded old man.
Tom instantly recognized him.
They'd arrived.
Because that old man was none other than:
Albus Dumbledore.
"Headmaster Albus, I've brought two rather unusual visitors to see you. And one of them… appears to be an Obscurial."
"An Obscurial?!"
Dumbledore spun around at once.
Merlin's beard!
How could someone in a painting possibly be carrying an Obscurial?!
He rushed toward the frame—and when he finally saw who was standing there, he jolted like he'd been struck by lightning.
"Tom? Wait… and the one beside you—
(;ﾟДﾟ) Is that—?!"