The Hogwarts Express puffed out its familiar white steam, carrying the students toward the castle shrouded in early autumn mist. Unlike a year ago, Tom and Ares were no longer unknown new faces. The moment they boarded the train, they drew countless gazes—curious, appraising, and even faintly reverent.
"Look, it's Riddell and Phoenix."
"I heard they didn't go home over the summer. Professor Slughorn even invited them personally..."
"Phoenix's eyes..."
Whispers drifted faintly through the carriage corridor. Tom took them in stride. He even deliberately adjusted his pace to appear more composed, the faint smile at his lips perfectly suited to his identity as a "genius." He enjoyed the attention; it proved that his efforts over the past year had not been in vain.
Ares walked quietly at his side, ignoring the gazes directed at his mismatched eyes and markings, though inwardly he became more vigilant. Reputation was a double-edged sword. It brought convenience, but it also exposed them more thoroughly to everyone's scrutiny.
Their compartment was no longer as easy to find as it had been in their first year. Abraxas Malfoy, a fifth-year, had long since used his prefect privileges to reserve a quiet compartment for them. Billius Black, a third-year, eagerly crowded over as well, chattering endlessly about the various "shocking secrets" he had "discovered" at Black Manor over the summer.
Tom handled it all with ease, discussing the latest developments in the International Confederation of Wizards reported in the Daily Prophet with Abraxas. Every so often, he even found the attention to correct one of Billius's outrageous divination conclusions. Ares mostly listened, occasionally providing an exact figure or an overlooked detail whenever Tom needed it, perfectly playing the role of their "think tank."
[Ding! New term quest triggered: A Steadfast Alliance (′▽`???)] [Quest requirement: During the first week of term, face at least one public test or challenge from other students together with the target character, and gain the upper hand.] [Quest reward: 'Tacit Understanding Aura' (Weak), slightly increases persuasiveness and intimidation during joint actions.]
The system's quest made Ares realize that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were stirring. Their rise would inevitably provoke jealousy and tests.
On the afternoon of the second day of term, in Potions Class, Professor Slughorn—round and enthusiastic as ever—was guiding the combined second-year Slytherin and Gryffindor class in brewing an improved Swelling Solution. The process was complicated, with extremely demanding requirements for heat control and ingredient preparation.
Tom and Ares were naturally paired together. Their workstation stood near the front of the classroom. Under Tom's precise magical control, the flame beneath their cauldron burned steadily, and the potion gradually took on a perfect, textbook pale violet color.
At the station diagonally behind them sat several Slytherin boys from their year. Their leader was a student named Cassius Avery, a distant relative of the older Avery who had caused trouble last year, and someone who clearly followed that cousin's lead. Their potion was murky, and they had clearly made a mistake with the timing of the Armadillo Bile.
Cassius looked at Tom and Ares's flawless potion, his expression turning ugly. While Slughorn had his back to them and was loudly instructing Neville Longbottom's grandfather—who was still a clumsy Gryffindor second-year at the time—Cassius deliberately drove his elbow hard toward Ares's wrist holding the stirring rod!
If that blow landed, it would not only ruin the potion, but the splashing hot brew could also cause burns.
Just as the elbow was about to strike Ares—
"Protego!"
A clear, calm voice rang out. It did not come from Ares, but from Tom beside him!
An invisible barrier instantly appeared beside Ares's arm, firmly blocking the malicious blow and even cleverly rebounding its force. Cassius felt as though his elbow had struck an invisible wall. He staggered, nearly knocking over his own already precarious cauldron.
It all happened in the blink of an eye. Apart from those directly involved, almost no one saw clearly what had happened. Tom did not even turn his head. He remained focused on the cauldron before him, precisely slicing Moonpetal Grass roots with a silver knife, as though the silent, wandless Shield Charm from moments ago had been nothing but an illusion.
Cassius's face went from green to white as he stared uncertainly at Tom's straight back, then shot Ares a resentful glare. Yet he did not dare make another move. He had clearly felt how finely controlled that rebounding force had been—enough to warn him, but without causing any actual harm, leaving him without even an excuse to complain.
Professor Slughorn turned around at just the right moment and strolled over to Tom and Ares's workstation. Seeing their perfect potion, he immediately praised them in his booming voice. "Excellent, Mr. Riddell, Mr. Phoenix! Flawless! Ten points to Slytherin!"
[Quest complete! (★ ω ★) Successfully responded to the provocation in perfect coordination! Reward issued!] [Hint: The target character's proactive act of protection is an important sign of a deepening alliance!]
As they left the cold dungeon classroom after class, Tom finally cast Cassius Avery a faint glance. His gaze was calm and unreadable, yet it sent a chill up Cassius's spine, making him avert his eyes instinctively.
"A pawn pushed out to test us," Tom said disdainfully as he and Ares walked side by side up the stone steps. "The person behind him still hasn't learned to accept reality."
Ares gave a soft hum. He knew that Tom's so-called "reality" was the insurmountable divide of power and rank. This successful defense had not only intimidated the challengers in their year, but also sent a clear message to the older students watching from behind the scenes: they were not easy to provoke, and they were more than capable of protecting their own "territory."
However, the potential threat did not come only from the students. During Astronomy Class the following night, as the students observed Venus's path through telescopes, Ares once again felt that familiar, probing gaze—from the direction of the teachers' area. He looked up and met the eyes of Professor Dumbledore, who had just strolled past them. The Transfiguration professor's blue eyes behind his half-moon spectacles were still gentle, but Ares could sense that deep within that gaze was an indescribable... understanding and consideration, especially when it passed over the winding golden marking beneath his left eye.
At the same time, an owl delivered a letter from Professor Peverell. In it, the alchemical scholar expressed great interest in the theory of "Magic Resonance" that Ares had cautiously mentioned in his letters over the summer. She had also enclosed an extremely obscure list of references concerning several forms of Ancient Vow Magic, hoping for an opportunity to "discuss them in depth" with Ares.
Tom picked up the letter and skimmed it, his expression darkening slightly. He said nothing, merely folded the parchment and slipped it into his schoolbag.
"She still hasn't given up," Ares stated.
"Intelligent people are always obsessed with riddles." Tom's tone gave away no emotion, but a cold glint flashed through his dark eyes. "But that may not be a bad thing. The key is who solves the riddle first, and... who controls the 'key' gained after solving it."
Thus began their second year, outwardly glorious yet turbulent beneath the surface. With their growing tacit understanding and strength, Tom and Ares established an unchallengeable position among their peers. But the excessive attention from Slughorn's circle, the continued probing by older students through intermediaries, Professor Dumbledore's profound gaze that seemed capable of seeing through appearances, and Professor Peverell's persistent investigation all formed a gradually tightening net, reminding them that the road ahead was far from smooth.
The secret they had protected together that summer and the pact they had forged together could temporarily sustain their alliance, but they could not erase the endless gazes from outside, all seeking to pierce their disguises.
The real trial, perhaps, had only just begun.
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