So, His Name Is Tom?

Harry had initially thought that the connection between himself and Voldemort was just a fragment of the Dark Lord's soul—a symbolic or magical bridge between their two beings, with the fragment itself lacking any awareness.

Now, it seemed he might have been wrong.

While Harry often traded barbs with Snape and joked about the professor's supposed lack of sense, he had never questioned Snape's magical expertise. In fact, Harry frequently suspected that he underestimated just how skilled Snape truly was.

The change in Snape's expression earlier had been significant—grim enough to suggest that the situation was far worse than anyone anticipated.

Back in the common room, food had appeared on the table seemingly out of thin air: Ron's favorite lamb chops and chicken legs, steaming mugs of hot chocolate, and even a bottle of whiskey.

But no one was in the mood to eat.

"Harry, about Ginny…" Ron clutched his wand nervously, though he didn't know why. Holding it just made him feel slightly safer.

"She'll be fine," Harry reassured him.

"It's a Memory Charm," Percy said grimly. "There might even be some kind of Imperius Curse involved."

"We have no idea how much of her memory was erased. A powerful Memory Charm can have serious side effects."

He raised his wand and cast a diagnostic spell, carefully examining Ginny.

"Harry, do you have any calming draughts?" Percy asked.

Harry reached into the Sorting Hat and pulled out a potion, setting it on the table.

"Thanks." Percy took the bottle and gave it to Ginny.

"Don't worry, Percy," Fred chimed in. "At least she hasn't turned into… that."

"If she had, Mom would have strung us up for sure," Percy snapped, clearly annoyed. "And Dad too. Remember the house-elf incident at home?"

Fred and George sighed heavily.

"St. Mungo's will fix her up," George said in an attempt to comfort.

Percy shot him a glare.

Fred chimed in, "Or they might just say she's perfectly healthy—just a bit malnourished from living in the poor Weasley household."

"But don't worry, seven years at Hogwarts will fatten her up nicely."

Ginny's upset and fear cracked for a moment as she fought back a laugh, her lips curving slightly upward.

Percy, though exasperated, relented and handed her a cup of hot chocolate. "Drink this, too."

"I think Malfoy's kid stayed at Hogwarts over the break," George suddenly mentioned.

Ron's face lit up. "Yeah, I saw him at lunch!"

"So, shall we…" Fred let the question hang in the air, stretching his words.

"You can't get into the Slytherin common room," Percy interjected, shaking his head.

"Last month, the password was 'Fang.' Before that, it was 'Opal.' I don't know what it is now, but you could always try," Harry suggested.

"Snape will catch you," Percy said, slapping the table lightly.

Harry pulled out his Invisibility Cloak.

Percy hesitated, his tone uncertain. "But there are older Slytherins staying behind. If it comes to spells…"

Harry reached into the Sorting Hat again and produced a bottle of grayish potion with a faintly rancid smell. "Laxative potion."

Fred spread his arms wide in delight. "Harry, you're a genius!"

Harry raised a foot to stop him from hugging him. "I'm not a fan of hugging men."

"Ginny?" George turned to his sister, testing the waters by softly calling her name.

Percy raised his wand threateningly, his gaze growing dangerous.

George immediately turned away with a sharp gulp.

"But I don't think now is the right time to act," Harry said, putting the potion and the cloak back into the hat. "Voldemort's… thing could be with anyone right now."

The room went cold as everyone shivered.

"Harry," Percy began tentatively, "maybe you could use a different name for… you know who. Not everyone's like you."

"Alright then. Tom is dangerous. He might strike again, but not just to blow off steam—it's not worth the risk right now. There's no need to rush," Harry said, fastening the Sorting Hat back onto his belt, ignoring the trio's longing gazes.

"Tom?" The twins exchanged looks. "Tom Riddle?"

Harry glanced at them curiously. "You've heard the name?"

"In our first year, it left quite an impression," Fred said. "Back then, we weren't as experienced and kept getting caught by Filch during our pranks."

"McGonagall would send us to clean the trophy room," George added with a smirk. "Filch never noticed that we replaced one of Slytherin's house cups with a chocolate replica."

Percy's eyes widened. "You two are unbelievable—uh, I mean, if McGonagall found out, that would've been terrible!"

"That Tom Riddle guy was just as brilliant as Harry," Fred continued. "He even had his own award—a Special Services to the School trophy. That's Voldemort?"

Harry nodded.

"I thought he'd have a more ominous name," George said with a shudder, trying to inject humor. "Something like Balor or Mordred."

He straightened proudly, pleased with his little joke.

"But you still can't say his actual name," Harry countered flatly.

George deflated, lowering his head in embarrassment.

Ginny finally let out a small giggle.

George looked annoyed. "Oh, is it that funny to see your brother embarrassed?"

"You teased her enough at home. She's earned the right to laugh," Fred said, completely serious.

George shot him an incredulous look. "Fred? Did Percy rub off on you?"

"George, how could you confuse me with Fred?"

They broke into a mock fight, using Ron's homework as paper swords for a dramatic duel. Ginny's nervous expression eased, her laughter growing more genuine.

Late at night, Professor McGonagall came to escort them to the Headmaster's office.

"Ginny," Mrs. Weasley's voice broke the tense air as soon as they stepped inside. She rushed forward and pulled her daughter into a tight hug, sobbing. "You scared me half to death!"

"I'm fine," Ginny protested weakly, glancing nervously at Harry. "Mum, please, not here."

Seeing her looking better, Arthur's voice softened. "Dumbledore explained everything to us. Come on, we'll take you to St. Mungo's for a check-up."

Ginny nodded obediently.

"Dad, I'll come too," Percy volunteered.

Arthur shook his head. "No, you'll stay here. As long as you all stick to the common room and don't wander off, you'll be safe."

He glanced briefly at Harry as he spoke.

Percy also looked at Harry, his gaze lingering for a few seconds. "I'll keep an eye on my brothers."

Even though he knew Harry probably didn't need his protection.

The family stepped into the fireplace, called out their destination, and disappeared in a flash of green flames.

"A bad sign. You didn't find the book, did you?" Harry said bluntly, turning to Dumbledore with an unreadable expression.

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Powerstones?

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