Professor Quirrell pulled out his wand and started walking straight toward Hermione and Tom.
Tom grabbed a bottle of potion and downed it in one gulp. "Hey, in a second you run that way. Run as far as you can, got it? Keep going until you're back at Hogwarts. Find Professor Snape and tell him I'm tangled up with Professor Quirrell."
The moment the potion hit, Tom gritted his teeth as a searing pain ripped through his whole body. He felt a fang-like sharpness rising from deep inside, jabbing at every nerve from head to toe, inside and out.
Finally, Tom transformed into the exact image of "Hermione Granger."
That was his last vial of Polyjuice Potion.
"I can't just leave you…" Hermione bit her lip. "We should stick together. Maybe I can help."
"That's a bad call, Hermione," Tom said patiently. "When you know you're way outmatched, you use the one advantage humans have—we're pack animals. Asking for help isn't embarrassing.
I've always done it. When I first got to Hogwarts, I didn't know anyone, so I went straight to Professor Snape.
Professor Sprout's always happy to help me because I helped her first. Connections are part of your strength too."
Tom gave Hermione a gentle pat on the back. "Take a deep breath. Count down from five. You go."
Hermione wasn't thrilled, but she started counting under her breath.
"5… 4… 3…"
Tom didn't wait for her to finish. He bolted out.
He pulled the hood of his black cloak low, covering his eyebrows so they couldn't see the changes still happening to his face. All they could make out was the bushy brown-blonde hair.
"Evening, you two old timers. It's been what—less than two weeks since we last met? What… you want another taste of my lightning again?"
Quirrell took half a step back, planting his feet firmly.
"You're dead, Hermione Granger!" Quirrell swung his wand hard. "Avada Kedavra!"
"Diffindo!"
Two beams of light collided and held steady, neither giving an inch.
"Looks like I overestimated you, old man. I thought you'd recovered at least most of your strength, but now it feels like I'm facing a regular professor?"
Tom flicked his wand with a mocking grin toward the pair.
Inside, Professor Quirrell was completely shaken.
This… was… impossible!
How long ago had they last met this mysterious figure?
A week? Two?
Back then, he hadn't even mastered such powerful dark magic, and now… he was matching the Killing Curse head-on!
Tom shook out his wand. "Professor Quirrell, don't you ever get tired of wearing that black robe? You can't seriously think I don't know who you are.
And you, the noseless old freak on the back of his head—could you stop staring at me?
Remember what I told you, Professor Quirrell? I don't like being watched. You two staring makes me really uncomfortable. Super awkward."
"Enough talk—Avada Kedavra!"
"Diffindo!"
"Legilimens!!!"
A smirk tugged at Quirrell's lips.
Got him!
The Killing Curse was just a feint. The real attack was Legilimens!
He'd given her private lessons and knew her Occlumency was weak.
There was no way she could resist his Legilimency!!!
If Professor McGonagall hadn't been there that day, he'd have already seen every memory!
Legilimency?
That familiar sensation…
Tom quietly closed his eyes, letting the intruder rummage through his mind.
But right at the last thread…
Quirrell gritted his teeth.
He could feel Tom was exhausted, barely holding on by a thin line.
Almost there!
Just a little more!
Quirrell pushed harder.
"Enough, you idiot! Don't you realize you've been played?" Voldemort's voice was furious, low and wild.
He could see it clearly—Tom was toying with Quirrell.
What do you mean "almost"? There was a whole mountain beyond that line, and an ocean beyond the mountain!
How did he end up with such a stupid follower?!
"Who are you?" Voldemort demanded.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What spell do you want to try next? I'll match it. Killing Curse, right? …Never mind, you already hit me with Legilimency, so fair's fair."
"Le-gi-li-mens!!!"
—Tom was bluffing.
Professor Snape had only taught him Occlumency. He'd never teach Tom Legilimency.
But when Tom shouted it and raised his wand, a cloud of black smoke wrapped around Quirrell and dragged him backward, rushing toward the door.
"Trying to run?"
"Avada Kedavra!"
Voldemort broke out in a cold sweat. "Faster! I don't want to die at the hands of this guy—and twice!"
Quirrell gritted his teeth and glanced back.
Damn it, the kid was catching up again.
"Master, I'm sorry…"
"Run, you fool!"
But it was too late. Tom dropped from above and stomped him to the ground.
"Now let's see you escape—Avada Kedavra!"
"No!!!"
Death didn't come. Quirrell closed his eyes in despair, but all he felt was burning heat.
Tom didn't know any Killing Curse. He only knew Incendio and Diffindo.
"Diffindo!"
Green beams sliced through Quirrell's body like razor blades, cutting his skin open bit by bit, then sealing it, then cutting again!
"Ahhh!!!"
Figures dropped from the sky, landing beside Tom.
The white-bearded old man—Albus Dumbledore—looked at the writhing, screaming Quirrell with calm eyes.
"Hermione, when we get back, you'll have to tell me what happened."
Professors McGonagall, Flitwick, Sprout, Dumbledore… everyone except Snape had arrived.
Surrounded by the professors, Quirrell rolled on the ground, clutching his chest as blood sprayed everywhere.
"Can I leave the rest to you guys? Professors, I'm pretty wiped out." Tom held his forehead, looking exhausted.
"Of course. Pomona, take Hermione back first."
Professor Sprout nodded. She hugged Tom worriedly and led him away.
"Child, are you okay? I was so scared—when Hermione showed up saying you'd run into You-Know-Who, I thought I'd lose you.
You did so well, even though you shouldn't have risked it. There might've been a better way, but I'm truly, truly grateful… Merlin, thank you for bringing Tom back to us safe and sound. Thank you, Merlin…"
Tears shimmered in Professor Sprout's eyes. She'd thought she was going to lose Tom.
Thank goodness. Thank goodness there was justice.
"Tom, are you hurt?"
Tom shook his head with a smile. "Professor Sprout, you worry too much. I'm fine.
It's just You-Know-Who—and not even fully revived. You know he's weak, or he wouldn't have to sneak around like this to find me."
"Child, let's get you to the hospital wing first. We need a full check-up."
After a full exam, thankfully, Tom was fine—aside from the Polyjuice side effects, there wasn't a scratch on him.
…
Meanwhile.
Outside the Shrieking Shack.
Quirrell lay on the ground, wishing for death.
"Quirinus Quirrell, I never thought you'd turn out like this." Professor McGonagall's eyes were ice-cold, her words spitting with fury.
They'd all seen the face on the back of his head—the terrifying, dreaded face.
Voldemort!
"Avada Kedavra!" Suddenly, a green flash shot from the distance. The professors quickly stepped back.
"Episkey!!!"
The wounds from Diffindo could only be healed with the counter-curse "Episkey," and until then, the victim felt agonizing pain all over.
Quirrell scrambled up and ran toward the distant shadow.
"Don't chase!" Dumbledore raised a hand to stop them. "Let a defeated enemy go. We'll face him again another day."
Professor McGonagall huffed. "Albus, the wizarding world is in crisis again. It's clear You-Know-Who has returned. If it weren't for Tom, who knows what would've happened."
"Let's head back. I have questions for Tom."
…
"Ah—" Tom opened his mouth. Hermione, looking disgusted, popped a green grape in.
"You should've left me there and come back alone…" Hermione was full of guilt.
Tom had lost both hands—and they wouldn't heal.
"It's fine. I can still do magic without a wand. Hermione, you don't think losing my hands means I can't beat you, do you? Underestimating me?"
Hermione sighed.
She didn't know whether to call Tom optimistic or what…
She'd never seen anyone lose their arms and still smile so brightly, like a little hero.
"This one's really sour. Got anything sweeter?"
Hermione carefully picked one. "Try this?"
"You do whatever I say? Do you like me? Have a crush on me? Nice one, Hermione. I treat you like a friend, and you're really trying to change your last name and join the Riddle family!"
"I do not! I just feel sorry for you. Eat it yourself!" Hermione's face flushed as she set the fruit aside.
Tom shrugged. "No hands. How am I supposed to eat? You know how scary You-Know-Who is. Terrifying."
Hermione quietly picked up the plate again.
"Mr. Riddle, Miss Granger! Maybe you should explain what you're doing!" Snape's voice cut in coldly from behind Hermione.
"Professor Snape!" Hermione panicked. "Tom… he ran into You-Know-Who and lost his arms."
"Stupid boy. Tom, time to go. Dumbledore wants you. Granger, you come too!"
Tom rolled out of bed. "Got it."
His two perfectly unharmed arms were tucked inside his sleeves…
Hermione: "???"