The Beginning of Second Year and Eyes in the Dark

The Hogwarts Express, spewing familiar white steam, carried students towards the castle shrouded in early autumn mist. Unlike a year ago, Tom and Ares were no longer unknown newcomers. The moment they stepped onto the train, they attracted many gazes – curious, appraising, and even tinged with a hint of awe.

"Look, it's Riddell and Phoenix."

"I heard they didn't go home for the summer. Professor Slughorn even specifically invited them..."

"That Phoenix's eyes..."

Whispers could be faintly heard in the carriage aisles. Tom took it all in stride. He even deliberately adjusted his pace to appear more composed, a faint, almost imperceptible smile gracing his lips, fitting for his "genius" persona. He savored this feeling of being noticed; it proved his efforts over the past year had not been in vain.

Ares walked quietly beside him, seemingly oblivious to the gazes directed at his heterochromatic eyes and markings, but his inner vigilance was heightened. Fame was a double-edged sword; it brought convenience but also exposed them more thoroughly to public scrutiny.

Their compartment was no longer as easy to find as it had been in their first year. Abraxas Malfoy (fifth year) had already used his prefect privileges to reserve a quiet carriage for them. Billius Black (third year) also enthusiastically joined them, chattering incessantly about the "shocking secrets" he had "discovered" at Black Manor over the summer.

Tom handled it all with ease, discussing the Daily Prophet's reports on the International Confederation of Wizards' latest developments with Abraxas, occasionally even finding the mental capacity to correct one of Billius's outlandish divination conclusions. Ares mostly listened, occasionally providing a precise data point or an overlooked detail when Tom needed it, perfectly fulfilling the role of a "think tank."

[Ding! New semester quest triggered: A Solid Alliance (′▽`???)]

[Quest Requirements: Within the first week of school, jointly confront at least one open probing or challenge from other students with the target individual and gain the upper hand.]

[Quest Reward: 'Tacit Understanding Aura' (Faint), slightly enhances persuasiveness and deterrence during joint actions.]

The System's quest made Ares realize that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were surging. Their rise was bound to provoke jealousy and probing.

On the afternoon of the second day of school, during Potions Class, Professor Slughorn – as round and enthusiastic as ever – was guiding the combined second-year Slytherin and Gryffindor students in brewing an improved version of the Swelling Solution. The steps were complex, requiring extreme precision in heat control and ingredient preparation.

Tom and Ares were naturally paired together. Their workstation was at the front of the classroom, the flame beneath their cauldron burning steadily under Tom's precise magic control. The potion gradually took on a perfect, textbook-like light purple hue.

In the group diagonally behind them were several Slytherin boys of the same year, led by a student named Cassius Avery – a distant relative of the older Avery who had caused trouble last year, and clearly following his cousin's lead. Their potion was murky, clearly having made a mistake in the timing of adding the Armadillo Bile.

Cassius watched Tom and Ares's flawless potion with a grim expression. While Professor Slughorn had his back turned, loudly instructing Neville Longbottom's grandfather (then a clumsy second-year Gryffindor) – Cassius deliberately rammed his elbow into Ares's wrist, which was holding the stirring rod!

If this impact had landed squarely, it would not only have ruined the potion, but the splashing, boiling potion could also have caused burns.

Just as the elbow was about to hit Ares—

"Protego!"

A clear, calm voice rang out. It wasn't from Ares, but from Tom beside him!

An invisible barrier instantly appeared on the outside of Ares's arm, firmly blocking the insidious collision and even cleverly deflecting the force back. Cassius felt his elbow hit an unseen wall, stumbling and nearly knocking over his own precarious cauldron.

All of this happened in a flash. Apart from the involved parties, almost no one saw it clearly. Tom didn't even turn his head, continuing to focus on the cauldron before him, precisely slicing Moonpetal Grass roots with a silver knife, as if the silent, wandless Shield Charm had been an illusion.

Cassius's face turned pale, then flushed. He looked at Tom's straight back with disbelief and resentment, then shot Ares a hateful glare, but dared not make another move. He clearly felt the exquisite control in the reflected force – enough to warn, but not to cause actual harm, leaving him with no excuse to complain.

Professor Slughorn turned around at the opportune moment and strolled over to Tom and Ares's workstation. He happened to see the perfect potion and immediately exclaimed in his booming voice, "Excellent, Mr. Riddell, Mr. Phoenix! Impeccable! Ten points to Slytherin!"

[Quest Complete! (★ ω ★) Tacitly dealt with provocation successfully! Reward issued!]

[Hint: The target individual's active protective behavior is an important sign of the deepening of the alliance!]

As they left the chilly dungeon classroom after class, Tom glanced dismissively at Cassius Avery. His gaze was calm and unruffled, yet it sent a chill down Cassius's spine, causing him to instinctively avert his eyes.

"A pawn pushed out to test us," Tom said contemptuously as they walked side-by-side on the stone steps. "The person behind him still hasn't learned to accept reality."

Ares let out a soft "Mm." He knew that what Tom called "reality" was the insurmountable gap in power and hierarchy. This successful defense not only deterred provocateurs among their peers but also sent a clear signal to the older students observing from the sidelines: they were not to be trifled with and possessed the ability to protect their "territory."

However, the potential threats did not solely come from the student body. During Astronomy Class on the second night, as students observed the trajectory of Venus with telescopes, Ares once again felt that familiar, probing gaze – coming from the direction of the teachers' table. He looked up, meeting Professor Dumbledore's eyes as the Transfiguration professor walked past them. The blue eyes behind the half-moon spectacles were still gentle, but Ares could sense a hint of indescribable... understanding and consideration in their depths, especially as they swept over the winding golden markings beneath his left eye.

At the same time, an owl delivered a letter from Professor Peverell. In the letter, the Alchemy scholar enthusiastically expressed her great interest in the "Magic Resonance" theory that Ares had cautiously mentioned in correspondence over the summer. She also attached an extremely obscure list of references regarding several Ancient Vow Magics, hoping for an opportunity to "discuss in depth" with Ares.

Tom picked up the letter and scanned it, his expression darkening slightly. He said nothing, merely folded the letter and put it into his schoolbag.

"She hasn't given up yet," Ares stated.

"Smart people are always persistent when it comes to puzzles," Tom's tone was unreadable, but a cold glint flashed in his dark eyes. "But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. The key is who can solve the riddle first, and... who controls the 'key' obtained after solving it."

The beginning of their second year unfolded at this rhythm of outward glory and hidden undercurrents. Tom and Ares, with their growing tacit understanding and strength, established an unchallengeable position among their peers. But the excessive attention from Slughorn's circle, the continuous probing from older students through proxies, Professor Dumbledore's profound gaze that seemed to pierce through appearances, and Professor Peverell's relentless investigation, all felt like a tightening net, reminding them that the road ahead was far from smooth.

The secret guarded together and the pact forged that summer could temporarily maintain their alliance, but they could not eliminate the constant scrutinizing gazes from the outside world, attempting to penetrate their disguise.

The real test, perhaps, had only just begun.