Acting

The following week proved to be quite intricate. With numerous individuals to appease and limited time, Harry's priorities were clear, with Tom topping the list. Tom was livid that Harry had endangered himself for the "foolish, bookish mudblood," a level of anger Harry hadn't seen from him before.

The night after the troll incident, Tom refused to speak to him, instead opting to subject Harry to blinding headaches all night, a form of silent retribution. It wasn't until just before dawn the next day that Harry could finally attempt to explain himself, a task made daunting by Tom's indifference to kindness or moral righteousness.

Explaining himself to Tom required a different approach from explaining to Professor McGonagall; Tom cared little for altruism or sheer luck. Harry pondered over why he had intervened for Granger. It wasn't a calculated decision; rather, it was impulsive and nearly fatal. He couldn't justify it as a morally driven action. He found himself blurting out a different rationale to Tom.

"I-I need allies, Tom... Would it not benefit me to have allies from every house? My reputation as the Boy Who Lived... It's somewhat wasted among Slytherins, isn't it?"

Reluctantly, Tom eventually saw the strategic value in Harry's actions, although not without a threat of severe consequences if Harry acted so impulsively again. The threat had become tiresome to Harry, who had grown accustomed to pain by then.

Fortunately, not all Slytherins were bent on making him suffer for his actions. Snape, though intimidating, displayed a level of care that touched Harry. Once Harry revealed that his actions had won points for Slytherin, his housemates became less critical of the situation. However, his outburst towards Malfoy was still a topic of concern.

The repercussions of his actions became apparent when Theo approached him, visibly shaken.

"You're quite frightening, you know."

Harry was at a loss for words.

"Would you have done the same to me if I had said something... about... you know...?"

Exhausted, Harry carelessly replied, "Oh, I had something far worse in mind, honestly."

Oops.

Malfoy avoided him thereafter, with Crabbe and Goyle following suit, which Harry appreciated. Zabini showed a newfound respect, albeit mixed with caution. Despite the unease, Zabini began greeting Harry politely, a welcome change from being dismissed.

Among the girls, Pansy harbored resentment for Harry's actions against Malfoy, while Bulstrode seemed wary. Davis attempted indifference, but Greengrass blushed whenever Harry glanced her way. Harry couldn't shake the feeling that she admired his display, but dismissed the notion as wishful thinking. Nonetheless, overhearing their conversation in the Common Room only added to the complexity of his relationships within Slytherin House.

"I just... can't wrap my head around Potter doing something like that," Bulstrode said with a shaky voice. "He always appears so... polite, reserved, doesn't he? Never uttering a word when Draco insults him."

There was a hint of amusement in Greengrass's tone. "Well, you know what they say about the quiet ones."

"Don't be crude, Daphne," Parkinson snapped.

"It's irrelevant," Davis interjected, "I admit I wouldn't have expected him to... act in that manner, but as you said, Milly, he's so reserved – how could anyone anticipate it?"

"Perhaps beneath it all, he's a sadist," Greengrass speculated eagerly.

"Daphne!" Bulstrode squeaked.

"What? You can't deny your curiosity. He broke Draco's leg, without a wand. And he didn't even appear particularly angry. Imagine if he were enraged. He must possess immense power!"

"You're being unreasonable, Daphne," Parkinson concluded. Harry felt a sense of dismay hearing someone refer to their friend in such a derogatory manner, yet he understood her perspective to some extent.

Feeling perplexed by the situation, Harry sought out Tom.

"I just... don't understand it, at all..."

"I once knew a woman like that,"

Harry felt a glimmer of hope. Perhaps Tom could offer some insight into his confusion. "And?"

"And? She's now in Azkaban for driving the Longbottom boy's parents to insanity through torture."

"...oh. Well, how did she operate?"

"What?"

"Well, I mean, what motivated her actions? What drove her words? What aspects of her personality led her to do such things? How did she function?"

Tom appeared amused by the inquiry. "I never bothered to analyze it."

"Why not?"

"It was straightforward, Harry. She was infatuated, with Lord Voldemort."

Harry frowned. He had never considered the possibility of someone being in love with Tom before.

"Well, did you... have any feelings for her?"

"Why would I entertain such notions?"

"I don't know... did you... find her attractive?"

"I've always believed her... appearance was less than appealing."

"Did you feel drawn to her?"

"No, I do not waste my time on such matters."

"Have you ever felt drawn to a girl before?"

"No." "And boys?"

"No."

....

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